Strigidae Enclave

"Never forget, never forgive."

- Ptilopsis Anaria

The Strigidae Enclave is a minor power within the Luminarian Rebellion. Formed from the survivors of an Eolian Philomath's planetary experiment 80 years prior to the independence of the Frontier, the Strigidae Enclave is a mostly isolationist power, rarely venturing out from their home system, Chordata system. During the Luminarian Schism, the Strigidae Enclave pledged allegiance to the Rebellion and has contributed both militarily and technically to the Luminarian Military. Since then, the Strigidae Enclave has had formal diplomatic relationships with its neighboring powers, the Stygia Estuary and the Couloir Labs. The Enclave also regularly sends delegates to the Grand Assembly.

History
The original members of the Strigidae Enclave were the remaining 9000 survivors of an Eolian Philomath's experiments conducted on a planetary scale. To this day, it is not known who or what the Eolian Philomath was hoping to achieve, but the survivors had suffered many differing mutations, both internal and external. The only common abnormality shared was increased perception, mental acuity, and focus. To make matters worse, the survivors had emerged from the cavernous laboratories into a barren and desolate world and were forced to leave their planet behind.

Fearing that the Philomath may return, the survivors left for the frontier, eventually using their makeshift vessel as the core for an asteroid habitat and formed the fledgling Strigidae Enclave. A few years in, the extent of the consequences of their mutations was known. The average Strigidae would only live an average lifespan of 20 years before the mutations would kill them. Furthermore, it became clear that the mutations were caused by genetic modifications and they were dominant, offspring conceived by at least 1 Strigidae will suffer the effects. As a result, the Strigidae Enclave would invest heavily in acquiring bionics, synthetic organs and advanced medical technology, either manufacturing it themselves or buying it from various different sources such as the Aeveria.

For many decades, the Strigidae Enclave would remain within the Chordata System, a relatively isolated system. When the Luminarian Schism broke out, the Strigidae Enclave pledged allegiance to the Rebellion as a result of their history. The Strigidae Enclave provided personnel and technical assistance to the Luminarian military, with many serving in the Luminarian Combined Intelligence Division. Their mutations, although disturbing to others, had helped the Luminarian Military in intelligence and technological assimilation of Aeverian tech. The members of the Enclave had left such an impression that it was well known that Admiral Cyrillus and Director Gaviar had nearly come to blows in acquiring Enclave members for their respective commands.

Since the Schism, the Strigidae Enclave has used the Assembly to conduct trade with its neighboring powers. Members of the Enclave are in constant demand by the various corporations and the military. In the Grand Assembly, the Strigidae are staunch anti-empire, and are constantly against the unionists. The Strigidae tend to vote in favor of the Aeveria and are known to be against the Betel-Luminarian treaty as a result of the Bunker Incident.

Culture
"A cruel reminder of what was forced upon us."

- Ptilopsis Hisalia

As a result of their heredity mutations, most Strigidae have augmentations in some form, replacing diseased and damaged organs and limbs. As a result of living in an asteroid habitat, many Strigidae are competent at engineering and technology as it is a necessity to keep the habitat up and running. Their enhanced mental faculties have also made them prime researchers in various fields, as well as making them competent intelligence agents.

Ptilopsis Council
"We are the relics of a bygone age, but denied the release of death."

- Ptilopsis Leucotia

The Ptilopsis Council are the governing body of the Strigidae Enclave. All current Ptilopsis are the original survivors of the Philomath experiments and are currently inhabiting completely robotic bodies of either Aeverian or Luminarian make. The Ptilopsis are rarely seen in public, as their forms tend to unnerve non-Strigidae.

Originally numbering 41, only 26 Ptilopsis remain as of Year 18 of the Great War. Ptilopsis are only allowed to expire of their own will should they successfully pass down their knowledge and role.

Since the beginning of the schism, several Ptilopsis are currently assisting the LCID in combating the Empire's Military Secrets Directorate, and are primarily responsible for retrieving and disseminating Eolian Philomath documents.

Military
The Strigidae Enclave, much like other powers do maintain a small system defense force alongside the Luminarian Navy system patrols. The Enclave has several Vigilant-Class frigates in their arsenal along with the personnel required to maintain and defend them. These Vigilant-Class frigates are heavily modified, with a focus on improving onboard sensors and engagement capability in the form of 2 additional slash beams at the cost of the onboard hangar bay.