Back to Story Features
On the surface, the Bandarins are a seemingly simple people. They are soft-spoken in their dealings with others, having chosen to remain largely uninvolved in the galaxy's established political and economic structures. The Bandarins have come to value this isolation and the serenity it brings. Seeking to exist in peaceful kinship among themselves and the planet, they are apt to live plainly in humble dwellings, eating light foods and dressing in basic, hand-crafted clothing. Their technology, though highly-advanced, is not always obvious to the outside observer, as it is often integrated into more traditional constructions. Even their most basic creations may indeed show great complexity under the surface, all sharing in a common fundamental connection between modern design and age-old sacred geometry.
Often to the surprise of those who look deeper, the Bandarins are in fact an elusively complex and advanced civilization. Most other planet nations in the galaxy have only casually considered what the Bandarins are and generally show little interest in learning more about their remote society. As a result, they often underestimate the Bandarin's full capacities.
Bandarins continue to honor and practice many of their "old ways" of life. These ways have evolved to become well-refined over the centuries, balancing the old with the new. The whole of Bandar's culture--from their traditional customs and beliefs, to their modern government and technology--are all, at their essential level, focused on the ideals of unity and balance. It is by these ideals, along with a deep, spiritual reverance for all life, that the Bandarins strive to define themselves.
Next to most inhabited worlds, the planet Bandar is comparatively small, with an equatorial radius of 2028.7 km (roughly 1/3 the size of our Earth), and supporting just under 114 million inhabitants. However, with its large mass and inner core, it is also extremely dense. This yields a gravitational force slightly stronger than our Earth. Bandar is the second of five planetary bodies in the Trae'amisa System. Its atmosphere is composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen, hospitable to most oxygen-breathing lifeforms. The planet's surface displays a full spectrum of climates, ranging from deserts and tropical regions to tundras, prairies and forests. However, at 11° C, the average surface temperature is colder than our Earth due to Bandar's distance from its sun and lower levels of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere.
The Trae'amisa System is located approximately 124 Qi'oen-days (38,000 light-years) from the galactic core, inbetween the Nìn Jaliìa and Outer Arms. Positioned well outside of the Central Trade Belts, Bandar is removed from much of the political and economic activity of the galaxy. However, as the Unified Galactic Republic has expanded to include many of Bandar's larger neighbors (such as Klylkee and Belgotea), Trae'amisa has gradually become less of a frontier system.
The Bandarin colony of Lywwondar, an average 12 days' travel from their homeworld, is located near the far perimeter of the enormous Mantlis Nebula. Lywwondar displays less of the breadth of climate enjoyed by Bandar, but is nonetheless hospitable to its more than 5,000 inhabitants.
The ancient ages of Bandarin civilization, known collectively as Tlalo'kala ("age before light"), are considered by the Bandarins to be a dark time of disunity and disharmony. This period predated the sacred Bannawuan concord, which marked the beginning of a new era, known as Trae'kala ("age of light"). The forging of the Bannawuan (in ceremonial Banstone) was considered by the Bandarins to be a spiritual emergence -- an awakening from the darkness that had clouded their vision. Seeing with "new eyes", the Bandarins were now One People, resolved to live in peace for the betterment of all life on Bandar. At this same time, the Laon Dae'a council was formed as a unifying spiritual and political body. It was comprised of both spiritual leaders and political representatives from the five Bandarin continents. Though it has evolved greatly in the more than 2,000 years since its inception, the fundamental principles of the Laon Dae'a have remained the same. It continues to provide leadership and guidance to the people of Bandar, in maintaining their way of life.
The first year of Trae'kala would also see the founding of the Bandarin Kida'rin Order, a knighthood assembled by the Laon Dae'a as defenders of the New Peace. The Order was evolved from ancient sects of spiritual warriors sharing in a strong, essential bond with Nature. Although the Guardians were capable warriors, their duties were mostly symbolic and would remain so for thousands of years to come. Yet the passage of time has never weakened their enduring dedication to the mission on which they were founded -- to defend their sacred home, to seek balance, peace and enlightenment, and never to allow their souls to become vehicles of hatred.
The next 1,400 years would be an era of growth and stability. The New Peace stood the test of time as the passing centuries gave growing testiment to the prosperity of a unified Bandar. As their civilization passed into the industrial and post-industrial ages, growing emphasis was placed on finding a balance between technological growth and natural preservation. Progress was measured not by the the blind pursuit of advancing technology but rather through a wholistic view of advancing the wellfare of all life on Bandar. This paradagm continues to direct Bandarin growth today.
The years following Bandar's first encounter with other civilizations (see footnote ) would be an age of rapid expansion, particularly in regard to space travel. There was a strong sentiment among the Bandarins to learn more about what existed beyond their home. They wished to maintain their self-reliance from others. However, they could not deny that their existence had been recontextualized by having met these many other civilizations. They were compelled to explore beyond the limits of their planetary system, both out of curiosity and in search of a new scope for their spirituality. There were more practical motivations as well -- although Bandar had no interest in joining the Republic, they did realize how foolish it would be to let themselves remain ignorant of galactic affairs. This ignorance had allowed them to be exploited in the past, and there was a strong desire to safeguard themselves for the future.
One of Bandar's most notable accomplishments during this era was the unaided development of their own Qi'oen Catalyst. Though such technology had previously existed (shared among members of the Unified Galactic Republic), Bandar was able to create their own in little more than five years, building only on a basic knowledge of Qi'oen Theory and the strong motivation to expand their limits. What's more, the Bandarin design was, in many ways, superior to the standard design utilized by other civilizations. This accomplishment greatly impressed members of the Republic, and hinted at the true potential of the Bandarins.
During the final three decades the second millennium of Trae'kala, diplomatic relations between Bandar and Klylkee began to grow. Despite the two planets' troubled past (see footnote ), many political and social changes had shaped Kylkeen civilization over the centuries. The Bandarins slowly began to open up from their isolation to exchange economic and social dialog. This relationship, however, would be a guarded one for the Bandarins, who remained very cautious of trusting outsiders. Nevertheless, their cooperation with Klylkee was a significant event, both to the Bandarins and in the eyes of other planet nations, and it would ultimately be of an even greater importance in the coming war.
Another symbol of Bandar's expansion was the founding of Lywwondar. In the final years of the millennium, Elder Bosnn Trovyr A'Bandar expressed his wish to the Laon Dae'a council to make a spiritual voyage beyond the boundries of Bandar's star system. This pilgrimage of Trovyr and 24 followers would ultimately evolve to become the first Bandarin offworld colony. Over the five years that followed, the population would grow to over 5,000 as others made the journey to this remote planet. However, unknown to the Lywwondarins, a dark and troubling future lied ahead of them.
At the approach of the new millennium, serious conflicts ignited in the Unified Galactic Republic and a rapid series of events drew Bandar into war. Tensions were growing between the expanding Siirkin empire and the planet nation of Belgotea (a relative neighbor to Bandar). Their disputes escalated into threat of armed conflict. Siirk clearly saw Bandar as a strategic position to any potential warfare with Belgotea. A series of false claims and political manuevers drew Bandar further and further into the entanglement. Many on Bandar saw these events as a haunting mirror to the past -- a repeat of their encounters with Belgotea and Klylkee 600 years earlier (see footnote ). The Laon Dae'a council began serious talks regarding the safety of their home and civilization. As the situation worstened, the inhabitants of Lywwondar were asked to return home for their safety. Unfortunately, they would never have the chance to do so.
Under the order of Grand Minister Daevo Mijar, a Siirkin invasionary fleet attacked and brutally occupied the colony of Lywwondar. They met with no resistance from the Lywwondarins. Siirk justified their invasion with claims that Lywwondar was a secret Bandarin military base. Although members of the Republic reacted with outrage and shock, no move was made to intervene. Despite months of Bandarin pleas to the Republic, the Siirkin occupation continued unchallenged. Beluve Trae'ana A'Bandar, Maoin Grand Minister of the Laon Dae'a council, herself travelled to the Republic capitol of Gileja to address the Galactic Congress. Yet still, it was clear that no action would be taken.
It is present day.
The Lywwondarins continue to suffer. The Empire of Siirk continues to fortify in preparation for further campaigns, their sights locked firmly on Bandar. Trae'ana A'Bandar has returned and immediately called for an emergency session of the Laon Dae'a council. She has requested the presence of the Kida'rin Order.
Tlao'kala Mon draws near...
Back to Story Features
|
1. Bandar's first encounter with other civilizations in the galaxy (circa 1400 according to the Bandarin calendar) proved to be extrememly negative and disheartening. Caught between the bullying of two goverments from neighboring planetary systems, Bandar was misled and exploited, ultimately with threats of hostility. The Unified Galactic Republic eventually learned of this series of events (carried out by two of its members), and put an end to it. An offer of membership to this Republic was extended to Bandar in goodwill. However, the Bandarins chose to remain firmly self-reliant and politically independent. This would be the beginning of hundreds of years of isolationism to come. The Bandarins turned inward toward themselves, taking sanctuary from those who had violated their sacred peace, and could threaten to do so again.
|
|
2. Bandarins live on an entirely vegetarian diet. They have very mild palets and, as a result, find subtle tastes and aromas in foods to be most enjoyable.
|
|
3. Bandar is among the oldest planets in the galaxy. It is only through many billions of years of geothermical cooling in its core, that such a dense planet is now capable of supporting life.
|
|
4. From an evolutionary perspective, this begins to explain why Bandarins are shorter in stature than many bipedal creatures, yet are no less physically strong.
|
|
5. This beginning of a new age is signified by the year 0000.00-00 on the Bandarin calendar.
|
|
6. This strict attention to natural balance would not be optimal in a capitalistic framework. Only through the abandonment of currency and commerce, has Bandar been able to prosper with such a model.
|
|
7. In an effort to justify military action before the Republic, Siirk falsely claimed that Bandar was in military conspiracy with Belgotea. An outraged Belgotea quickly denied the accusation. The Republic Congress called for Bandar to deny the accusation as well. The Bandarins were unwilling, however, to take part in these proceedings. They acknowledged no authority of the Republic and expressed their continued desire to remain independent of all Republic politics. The only reply that Bandar would give in regard to the accusation was that they were, as they had always been, a peaceful people.
|
