The Viern, previously of their home planet Kirov, are officially operating through their government-in-exile, after the conquering Corr placed the unusual condition of “No more colony worlds” on the surrender offered by the Viern after the Corr seized all planetary assets. The Viern governmental fleet has been sheltering in Brinaw space, in the hopes of enlisting the Brinaw Diplomatic Corps in opening talks with the Corr to revise this decision.

Viern names are often full of silent letters and strong consonants, much like the Viernik language itself. In addition to the simple given and family names, Viern are often fond of and will frequently adopt nicknames. Examples include: Hurak Benkav, Tandsor “Vrikky” Vrikkit, Nitch Tauloumb

Physical Characteristics
Viern are descended from quadrapedal mammals, with full manual dexterity and gripping appendages at the end of each limb. Many Viern seem physically imposing to other species, reaching 3m in height when standing on their hindlegs, though this is a rare occurence. Viern are traditionally measured at the shoulder, and rarely exceed 1.5m in height. Many Viern dye their fur to make fashion statements, but natural coloration tends to vary from black to white and on through the grayscale.

Viern are herbivores who cannot process the proteins found in most meats. As such Viern cuisine adopts extensive use of stewed greens, roots, nuts, and seeds. Despite their non-adversarial diet, Viern do possess large claws at the end of each gripping appendage, for digging into Kirov soil during unusually strong storms.

Reproduction, Birth and Development
Conditions on Kirov are frequently volatile. Weather patterns bring high winds and lashing storms, and the Viern evolved to adapt and withstand these conditions. Viern carry their young for nearly two years, at which point the newborn child is developed enough to withstand the coming Kirov storms.

Viern Uplift Culture
The introduction of high technology to pre-spaceflight culture is not the only example of the dedication the Viern planetary government has for the concept of “Uplifting” less advanced species. Most species were not aware of the near-successes Viern have engineered on their home planet of Kirov, until the Corr conquered and subsequently began documenting and reporting on all of the incredible strangeness.

No less than five different species native to Kirov have developed to the point of basic speech, due solely to the patient influence of generations of genetic engineering. The slow transition to sentience was disrupted, as all funding for the projects vanished when the Viern planety government was cut off from their homeworld.

The talking animals have developed only the most basic communicable concepts, but all have come to associate these concepts with Viern words. The success of introducing verbal communication into these species was meant to be a first step toward organizing each society of creature until they could properly communicate their own wants and desires. Now muttered whispers of “food” and “afraid” whisper through the tall grasses of Kirov, as entire species wait restlessly to determine what their conquerors intend to do with them.

Foreign Relations

“We are a hardy people, who have had to endure much. Not just recently, but through our long history. Kirov sent predators, but we survived. Kirov sent drought, but we survived, Kirov sent raging storms that could not be sated, but we survived. Kirov has never managed to put our people down or tear them apart. This will not change under Corr occupation. We have weathered worse storms. Be patient, my people. Hunker down, and prepare for the worst. We’re going to get through this together.”
- Governor Mirak Psorrenk of Kirov, in his final address before the Corr communications blackout

AI – It is hard, not knowing what is happening on Kirov. We know you had many people there as well. We have heard about what the Corr do to your kind. The Viern grieve with you.
Asuraka – True teleportation, not some quantum cloning gambit. We don’t know how they did it, and it is that spark of quiet genius that is so fascinating. So new, and already we marvel at the brilliance they choose to share with us.
Brinaw – We know that committing the forces of the Technocracy to this war was a difficult decision, our peaceful ally. We will not soon forget the sacrifices your people made in a war you could have chosen to abstain from. Thank you.
Corr – Forgiveness is difficult. Not so soon. We understand that you’re trying hard, that you’re not the same as before. But this is not about you. This is about leaving us to grieve over what you have done to us.
Demothian – We thought they would understand. No one understands the work that we do. They call it “Uplifting”. We’re not lifting anyone. We share what we have with those who do not. And they condemn us for it.
Insae – I’ve grown tired of hearing Xai apologists try to justify what happened to the Insae. Their combatants were killed long before that war ended. There must have been months of Xai soldiers herding women and children into the street to be slaughtered like animals. We have seen violent occupations first hand. The massacre of the Insae was nothing short of a war crime. And while none are left alive to answer for those crimes today, that does not mean we can let the ignorant defend these long dead Xai butchers.
Jatam – We did not understand Brinaw lenience, or why the Jatam were allowed to keep those worlds. After our own worlds were stolen from us, we see them now for what they are. Desperate.
Mitoyan – We would not have made it as far as we have without the aid and support of the Mitoyan people. Thank you. We made it. And we’ll remember this.
Nekta – We understand that it can be difficult for you to trust our motives. We would say to judge us by our actions, but then we would wish to have met you before this terrible war.
Nesleek – Valiant and ingenious allies. We hope to continue the cooperation this war fostered in us. Peace is no excuse for letting friends fall by the wayside.
Ryllavi – Really quite amiable people. Don’t let the zealots fool you, most of them are more interested in living life to the fullest than whether or not they’re right about their religious beliefs.
Stug – Thank you, old friends. You were always there for us through the worst. We intend to bring you with us trough all the best, as well.
Valiska – We are glad to have competition. We invite you to bring your best to the racing track, as we are eager to prove who has the fastest ships, one way or the other.
Xai – With the war complete, our diplomats have returned to resume talks with the Xai. So they don’t agree with us? That’s fine. Our way is not always correct. We’re ready to listen, and if they’re willing to meet our diplomats, I’m sure they are as well.

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