Religion and Groups of Proxima Centauri

The Proxima Centauri system is home to a wide-range of religions – most sentient species have at least one religion of their own, and practitioners of all of the old Earth religions can be found in the various Houses (with numbers of conversions by non-Humans).  Religious relations across the system are harmonious (at least mostly).

The Church of Mendel is a religion that has gained a lot of followers in recent times – especially amongst the poorest of industrialised society across the system.  The most devoted adherents are The Touched – those blessed with all kinds of mutations.  The fact that Mendel Meeting Places are invariably in the most polluted and toxic environments is surely no coincidence.  Increasing instances of violent uprisings being blamed on the Church of Mendel has led to calls for its abolition – but the Great Council has been unable to reach a consensus.

The Path of Ajagar is a philosophy originating in Naga spiritual practices, added to by Humans, Xoranites and others over the years.  It strives for enlightenment within a framework that is more pragmatic than many such philosophies.

Law and order is maintained in the system by a mixture of private contractor Police forces (two of the largest are PolForce and InstaSec) paid for by planetary levies.  In addition, most large corporations maintain their own security forces – either mercenary bands under the direction of a Corporate Head of Security, or outsourced entirely to specialists such as Grohtok & Associates or KWP Security.

The Grafted is a collective name for the various gangs of low-level violent criminals across the system – the only unifying thing between them is their love of cybernetic implants, in all other things they function as separate gangs and are as likely to fight each other as they are others.  With names like ‘The Fifteen Razors’ and ‘Ninth-Level Blasters’ they make their violent nature clear to their rivals and victims alike.

The Proxima Centauri Workers Union (PCWU) strives to improve the lot of the millions of workers across the system and welcomes all workers regardless of species or type of work they do.  Sadly a large number of Bezos Vassals view the PCWU with suspicion – although when asked why they don’t seem to know.

The Ravenstvo Ter’yerov is a radical group agitating amongst the Sobakas for equality for the lowest caste of that civilisation.  They commit acts of terrorism and violence in the name of their cause – although they have found some supporters in other species.

Zern Mafia are family-based organisations amongst the Zern who engage in extortion, dealing illicit goods and all manner of other crimes.  It is rumoured by some that the Zern Mafia is actually under the control of the Xoranites.

Planets of Proxima Centauri

Bazaar – an entire world devoted solely to commerce.  It is thought that Bazaar is actually an artificial planet and that underneath the layers of malls, warehouses, markets and more is merely a great gravity engine from an unremembered age.

Centauri Prime – homeworld of the Centaurans and centre of their once-Empire.  Meeting place of the Great Council.  Centauri Prime is firmly in the grip of House Bezos these days, and is covered in great workhouses where that House’s Vassals toil.

Crisol – compared to other worlds Crisol is a wild place on the fringe of Proxima Centauri civilisation.  Its location in the system makes it a place through which inter-system travellers come and go and all manner of species and cultures can be found there amongst the various ports and settlements that cover this dusty desert world.

Lederevo – a cold planet, the land that isn’t forest is either frozen beach or tundra.  Homeworld of the Sobakas.

Martillo – an industrial world so polluted that its workers are happy to remain in the giant factories, foundries, mines and habblocks rather than spend time outside in toxic winds and acidic rain.

Neo-Europa – a world now populated by the AFA Union, but with significant numbers of Xoranites who came by invitation and live side-by-side with the humans.  Considered by some to be a utopia, the truth isn’t as shiny and clean as the AFAU would have visitors believe.

Sabon Gida – largely settled by Zango Dangote, Sabon Gida is also homeworld of the Dabbanci people.  It is similar to Earth but without the pollution, focussing mostly on agriculture – the Dabbanci and Zango Dangote have formed a fruitful partnership exporting food to other planets in the system.

Yushui – taken by Clan Zhong as its home in Proxima Centauri, this world is mostly water – a network of great artificial islands and undersea domes houses most of the population, while aquatic and amphibious lifeforms take the waters and the small natural islands.

Species of Proxima Centauri

Beyond the Humans and Freedans there are a large number of species who call the system home – and almost all have representation amongst the Great Council; a chamber of decision makers for the system currently presided over by a Chairbeing elected for a period of a decade. 

A creole of many Human and non-Human languages has now become the lingua franca of the Proxima Centauri system – whilst species often have their own languages and names for their people, the following names have become the most common across the system:

Bufo are amphibious humanoids indigenous to the system’s most watery planet, Yushui.  They are a simple and peaceful people, but during their young adulthood they experience a great desire to wander and gain experiences, meaning they are encountered across the system.

Centaurans are what Humans of the 2020s knew as ‘Greys’ - bulbous heads, large eyes and grey-skinned.  The Centaurans that remain now are few compared to the Humans and other sentient species of the Proxima Centauri system.

Cephalokin are humanoids, with mouths surrounded by many tentacles.  As a rule they are highly intelligent and peaceful and can be found in trusted positions as advisors throughout the system.

The Dabbanci were first encountered by Vassals of Zango Dangote, who named them for their savage appearance.  It should be noted that they don’t tend to have savage natures however – most Dabbanci work in agriculture or hospitality across the system and even those who serve in military organisations have cheerful dispositions.

Hobs are short humanoids with temperaments that range from mischievous to violent.  They have green skin in a range of shades and tend towards practical work, including as affordable mercenary teams known colloquially system-wide as “Hob Squads”.

Infernites are humanoids with faces that call to mind depictions of devils from Earth.  Of course, the Infernites are not demonic and are actually a very religious culture - centred around worshipping the very concepts of justice and equality.  Driven by their beliefs, many work in security forces or in corrections facilities - some even become activists, lobbying the Great Council on all manner of issues.

The Naga are a serpentine species with close ties to House Ambani.  With humanoid upper bodies, and snake-like lower halves, the Naga are long-lived compared to most other species, often living in excess of 300 Earth years.

Pequeños were once Human, but thousands of years working in asteroid mining operations for House Mota-Velasco, both during the journey from Earth and since arriving in the Proxima Centauri system, eventually resulted in an evolutionary spur.  Short and stocky, the Pequeños still staunchly claim allegiance to the Mota-Velasco – in return they are afforded the same privileges as the true Human Vassals of that house.

Roidans are physically similar to Humans – but are much larger and stronger.  They tower over most other species in the system by some distance.  Millennia ago they were used by Centaurans as soldiers and some still maintain that proud heritage of serving in the military of the Great Council.

The Sobakas are an alliance of related species with canine features.  Sobaka society is formed around castes – from lowest to highest: Ter’yer, Gonchaya, Volki.  Renowned for their loyalty to their comrades, Sobaka warriors are highly sought-after mercenaries across the system.

Statlanders are tall, strong and favour colourful clothing, armour, vehicles, even weapons.  Legends tell of a single Statlander that was stranded on Earth and fought to become a great champion there in millennia past.

Tokagejin are tall cold-blooded humanoids capable of great feats of strength and stamina.  They are most famed for their contributions to construction, carrying heavy loads with ease, and artillery – where they act as living weapon platforms carrying rigs that smaller species wouldn’t need to mount on vehicles or expensive battlesuits.

The Xoranites are a civilisation that arrived in a way similar to the humans of the Houses – fewer in number than the Humans, they have worked quietly to assimilate into organisations across the system to ensure their interests are represented.

The Zern are small humanoids that are found everywhere in the System – before the Centaurans captured Humans they used Zern as servants, workers, soldiers and more.  The Zern were the officially designated ‘second-class’ within old Centauran civilisation, outranking the Humans that became Freedans.

Proxima Centauri - background

Recently I fell into a rabbit hole of 15mm adventure - starting with Burning Sands by Crom's Anvil.  I'll be covering that more when I've got some painted minis!

Anyway, while I was looking around getting all sorts of miniatures for that game I obviously came across inspiration for another project (isn't that always the way?) - there are a fair few really nice 15mm sci-fi ranges out there, and I decided I'd acquire stuff for a similar adventurous game as Burning Sands is providing me in a fantasy world.

So I'm working through prepping miniatures from Alternative Armies, Ral Partha Europe and CP Models but in the meantime I've thrashed out a bit of background for my universe.  I thought I'd share the first part of that today!

Continued and accelerating decline in Earth’s ability to sustain life during the 2020s due to climate change resulted in ever more extreme weather – causing drought, famine, flood and fire.  This, coupled with exponential population growth leading to increasing wars for the dwindling resources of the planet, caused some to seek a means of escape.

By 2030 the richest individuals of Earth had plotted to leave to head for the nearest star – Proxima Centauri.  Giant spaceships called Arks were constructed – the wealthy guaranteed their place, others only permitted because of what they could offer the rich; as much a resource as the hoarded food, fuel and technology.

At least a dozen of these Arks were built and launched – but over the many thousands of years that the journey took several were lost, presumed destroyed.  As time passed each Ark formed its own distinct culture, with each becoming known as a House – the descendants of the original individuals formed the Nobles of the House and held absolute power, with the descendants of the workers becoming known as Vassals.

Eventually, many millennia later, eight Arks arrived at the Proxima Centauri system to start a new life – but they quickly found they were not alone on the various planets there; sentient beings from a hundred different worlds could be found there… including humans.

Unlike the humans of the Houses, these humans had no real tie back to Earth – they had been here since the glory days of the Centauran Empire.  The Centaurans were great travellers, explorers and scientists and at times during their history had taken humans from Earth to study them – eventually the descendants of these humans became a part of Centauran society, albeit as third-class citizens.  As the Centauran Empire eventually declined the humans were given full rights and found their own way – they became known as Freedans.

The eight Houses that survived the trip to Proxima Centauri are:

AFA Union (Arnault-Ferrero-Albrecht) – whilst imperfect, the Union has an egalitarian attitude and makes allies easily with other species and even other Houses.

House Ambani – the Ambani have no specialism – but they are involved in absolutely everything, making them powerful players in the system.

House Bezos – even so many millennia after its founding the Vassals of House Bezos are treated close to slaves.

Zango Dangote – the Dangote maintained their many traditions and customs whilst embracing new technology during their journey to Proxima Centauri.

House Mordashov – certain of their destiny to rule the surviving humans, the Mordashov seek power in the system by any means necessary - they are masters of industrial espionage, cyberwarfare and propaganda.

House Mota-Velasco – masters of industry from mining to fabrication, Mota-Velasco is known for its hard working and hard playing people.

Clan Yanai – titans of design and commerce, even the Vassals of Clan Yanai are wealthy compared to their peers of other Houses.

Clan Zhong – as the Ark moved forwards, the culture of Clan Zhong returned to something resembling the Imperial Court of China. 

The lost Houses included Al Saud, Buffet and Windsor – the names of any others are lost to history.  Occasionally humans show up claiming to be from one of these lost Houses – they tend to be Freedans seeking some form of notoriety, but who knows if there are some survivors out there?

Following the vast influx of Earth humans from the Arks, and after a lengthy period of several centuries of conflict and assimilation, peace has mostly returned to the Proxima Centauri system - outright war has been avoided for the last 50 years.  Of course, skirmishes between species, Houses, corporations, organisations and more are still commonplace, particularly in border areas where tensions often spark over small matters.