Tzenkethi questions?

[AslanC]

Okay we have next to no canon info on them...

They were ruled by a Proctor(?) or some sort that seemed to be not very nice given Sisko's reaction to his demise.

They have a central authority working from their homeworld.

Okay so that is all we have.

Some fans use them as felionoids, but as I was watching "The Adversary" last night I felt they wouldn't be.

I am asking for help figuring out what we can about the Tzenkethi, without them being Felinoid.

Any ideas? Input? Thoughts?

[The Tatterdemalion King]

Here's some notes I made while watching "the adversary" a while back:

Tzenkethi
Homeworld- Tzenketh
Ruled by Autarch - who 'will likely not be missed'
M’kemas III - Tzenketh planet, which the Defiant was programmed to attack

Barisa Prime - Fed colony near Tzenketh border

The Helaspont Nebula is near tzenkethi space
Captain Entebe, USS Ulysses is in/nearby the region as of 2373(?)

[The Tatterdemalion King]

For whatever reason, I always imagined them as being somewhat one the farther edge of humanoid life - a very 'alien' species, like the Sheliak or the Tholians. As for them being felinoid, I can't say: personally, I think it's a little, not-quite-cliché to have them literally resemble cats, but the feline temperament would certainly is an interesting thing to use for alien minds.

[Lee T]

The name sounds like the name of an insectoïd alien race to me.

[AslanC]

It actually sounds Czech to me

I don't think they should be felinoid, been done, every sci-fi has to have its felinoid race it seems.

Why not have them be just another form of humanoid who evolved from the primates on their own world?

As for very alien, maybe, but then you risk going too far and having the Tholian dilema. Neat idea in the 60s, far too cheesy for the modern Sci-Fi fan, IMHO.

[Capt. K. Vaughn]

I wish I could find my logs where Steve Long discusses little tidbits about the Tzenkethi that were to be in the DS9 PG.

But he had mentioned I believe that they were something of a cross between a reptillian and canine humanoid. I may be recalling that incorrectly though.

Regards,
CKV.

[The Tatterdemalion King]

I was thinking of, physically, a spiky version of the Artelines from AFP. Maybe a general humanoid shape, but very different in psychology. Maybe with some sort of extreme autocracy (mind-controlled soldiers and stuff)

Czech...eastern europe... Russia under Ivan the Terrible? Mind-controlled Oprichnikas (spelling?) terrorize the populace...

[AslanC]

oooooh!

Let's merge these two ideas.

Physically the Tzenkethi are evoilved from a reptilian pack animal on their planet. Somewhat snouted, but not so much as a Dog or a Croc.

Scales are now decorative mroe than anything else. Maybe little tusks from their lower mouth?

We can discuss.

Politically they are lead by the Autarch, a militaristic/totalitarian who leads a central government.

Social programing and even drug control of the citizenry and military is comonplace.

A total military dictatorship.

[AslanC]

I had a brain fart on the way home from work (the bus and metro can do that to you).

I am going to use the Psychlos from Battlefield Earth as a visual representation of the Tzenkethi (from the waist up, never mind those giant boots of theirs). I will use Kazon/Trabe ships as theirs since I never use Voyager as canon.

Socially speaking I see them as tribal, savage and very violent, with a central authority that is a mix of religion and government. The Autarch.

Females would be second class citizens, not allowed to hold rank in the military and are simply possessions given or taken by the Warrior caste.

Hmmmm...

Perhaps a Wariror, Worker and Religious/Governing Caste like in B5 would work.

What do you guys think?

[Capt. K. Vaughn]

I have a different vision of the Tzenkethi that I plan to use if the Phoenix ever rises again. They were originally pack-hunters that evolved from canines very similar to wolves.

They function in tribes/clans with each tribe owing fealty to a clan and each clan knowing their place within the hierarchy of placement ultimately leading to the Alpha Male (Autarch) and his mate the (Alpha Female).

Most of the tribe travels together on one ship but each tribe that belongs to a clan can join their ships together to eventually create one large clanship. Only the tribes of one clan can join together like this as each clan uses different design and construction techniques to avoid easy boarding attempts during any Dominance Conflicts.

Oddly, while the Autarch is the absolute ruler and continually exerts his dominance over all of Tzenkethi society, almost all positions of power when the clans come together to make war on an outside power are held by females. All competent ship commanders in their own right and capable strategists but even if another male were to show more promise he would never hold such a position. These commanders (equivalent to Admirals) report directly to the Autarch though he sometimes allows his mate to issue orders.

I have more but I will leave it here as some things should remain a mystery if ever I have time to resurrect the Phoenix.

Regards,
CKV.

[Lancer]

Originally posted by Capt. K. Vaughn
I have a different vision of the Tzenkethi that I plan to use if the Phoenix ever rises again.
...(snip)...
I have more but I will leave it here as some things should remain a mystery if ever I have time to resurrect the Phoenix.

I am sure Phoenix will be delighted to read that he is now the Phoenix, but when did he fall and why is he in need of resurrection Let's hope he get's well soon.


And now to something completely serious:

CKV, how large is a typical Czech - I mean Tzenkethi - tribe as you envision it?
As they have evolved from canines I'd imagine they might instinctively build their ships with large interiors and clear cut "territories" for each crewmember. With several hundreds or even thousands of Tzenkethi on one vessel that would lead to huge ships. Clan ships could get pretty gigantic.

And how much sharing of technology and resources is there between the tribes and clans? If each tribe sticks to themselves, Tzenkethi ships could have very different technology (i.e. weapons, speed, shields, etc.) and/or resources compared to other tribes. That would make fighting a war with them (and coordinated fleet actions by the Tzenkethi) very different from what other species are used to.

[Capt. K. Vaughn]

An average tribe runs between 80 and 120 adult Tzenkethi. Depending on the prestige of the Clan, anywhere from six to twelve tribes form a Clan. The tribes belonging to the same Clan exchange and trade quite frequently and rarely with any sort of bias.

Each Clan does tend to control certain resources so there is trade between each Clan for resources and materials that are not in abundance for one group or the other.

The tech levels and equipment are in general about the same. However, each clan does tend to focus on certain types of tactics and preferences so for example: one clan may prefer speed so their ships are upgraded for it, another defense so shields are upgraded, another upgrades the destructiveness of their weapons.

The Clan ships are envisioned as Sector Control Ships, big hulking monstrousities with low maneuverability but still very capable of defending a site. When offense and maneuvering is needed they break down into their component vessels and the battle is on.

The Tzenkethi are still learning the benefits of coordinated assaults and defenses. It is one of the main reasons they have yet to grow into a major power in the region. As it stands they are a serious threat and if they were ever to become unified completely and forego their own political dominance games, they would truly come into their own.

Regards,
CKV.

[Capt. K. Vaughn]

Two other tidbits in my version. The idea for the MVAM Prometheus-class came from Starfleet's encounters with Tzenkethi Clanships. While the Tzenkethi have a better understanding of the spaceframe requirements for such designs, they are not as advanced as the Federation when it comes to warp fields and computer-control.

The Tzenkethi also rarely settle on planets except to vacation or strip for resources. They prefer to live in their starships and while each Clan claims a certain amount of territory, each tribe is rather nomadic within those boundaries.

However, the Autarch is considering the idea of exploration missions to expand their territory, though he is somewhat cautious as the last expansion was halted when they lost the war with the Federation.

Regards,
CKV.

[Phoenix]

Originally posted by Lancer
I am sure Phoenix will be delighted to read that he is now the Phoenix, but when did he fall and why is he in need of resurrection Let's hope he get's well soon.

Have no fear "The" Phoenix is here...
As for when I fell- it was many, many years ago...but it involved the living fire so my ashes resurrected me over the night...500 years, less a few, to go now.

Isis, Isis, Ra! Ra! Ra!...GO PHARAOH

Also on the note of seriousness- Your Tzenkethi are starting to sound like 'one of those Felinoids', the Lyarans from SFB to be exact, in culture. I'm not saying your wrong, I rather like the concept here, just thought I'd let you know. Have fun now.

[Capt. K. Vaughn]

Phoenix - Aslan's or my own?

I am aware of the Lyrans I used to play SFB for years but while they may be similar to call a Tzenkethi, Lyran or a Lyran a Tzenkethi would have rather ugly results....as the Tzenkethi are descended from canines.

Regards,
CKV.