Karthenon

A hole has been torn into a research vessel, splintered and fractured metal drifting in space. A Parthenos has knocked the tiny vessel into a massive asteroid, breaking the hull enough to let it in. Before its leech-like mouth can enter the ship, it is driven away by a shard of metal being thrust into it from inside; a sharper than sharp hunk of freshly soldered metal pierces its flesh from inside the mouth. The food pantry has been opened and the Karth crew are welding together and sharpening the scrap from inside, making spears to stab at the beast whenever it draws near. Within a few rounds of stabs the beast has been slain and its stomach harvested. Rare metals are found within its body, making up various organs and skeleton-like structures, but far more fill its belly. This is the tale of Karthenon; a nation with ships that can be rebuilt on the fly, hulls that can be patched back together by hand, and a supply of ammunition as vast as the food supply. For them, to go without resources is to go without food, leading them to achieve what can only be described as 'Universal Arming'. All civilians have access to metal enough that they shall never go hungry or be short of arms, for what is the purpose of progress if it does not serve to ease the troubles of life?

History

In the early days of their species' documented history, the primary form of government was a direct democracy. Unfortunately, their slow decision making time led to their destruction. An empire spanning 1/3rd of Karthenonia, destroyed by a single herd of Parthenoses. This historical fact has inspired the current government's structure. The inner ring is the homering of Karths, the incredibly rich metal deposits in the asteroid belt was incredibly valuable for their rapid advancement. One half of the ring is significantly more developed than the other, the level of development increasing as the level of remaining available minerals decreases. Recently they spread to the ring of Biham, finding it to be rich in metal and devoid of the threat of Parthenos, making it perfect for their continued advancement.

Government

Political System

Every ring is divided into 10 regions. They are each governed by a 'Pillar', a Karth elected by the people from a select group of individuals who graduated the Pillar Academy. Those not picked work beneath a Pillar as public servants. One leader, the geneological line of king Minos, has ruled as Emperor for over 800 years. The Emperor controls the military and all Pillars, at least until Karthenon reached the point of colonizing other rings. Each ring has now an 'Obelisk' at its center, controlling the Pillars and reporting to the Emperor directly. Pillars vote which of them will ascend to the position of Obelisk, but their final vote counts equally to any one of the 10 rings(11 votes for 10 options). In the event of a tie the Emperor makes the decision between the tied parties.

Legal System

Cruel punishment(purposefully inflicting harm/death) has been abolished, and prisons are completely focused on rehabilitation of the individual and preventing the socioeconomic factors that led to their criminal activities.

Military

A series of Parthenos hunting ships that have been repurposed for ship-to-ship combat. They fight primarily through projectile weaponry, unique in this fact as the many(smaller) ships in their military use energy weapons and limited energy shielding, their hull in segment to allow easy repairs on the fly.

Society

Social Structure

All persons are equal through enforcement, Pillars and Obelisks are not given special treatment beyond additional respect and admiration of the citizens(And any bribes that go along with that.)

Culture

Nearly all choose to live within cities and towns, but there are a significant number who choose to live in the wilds, on untamed asteroids.

Religion

There is a religion centered around self-love. Learning how to make life better and easier for future generations is seen as the core goal of their nation's being.

Economics and Trade

A free flowing economy of metal is needed to keep all citizens well fed; there is a great output of energy technologies and metal. Their highly luminescent biology inspired an early scientific focus into light and other energy technology, leading to greater advancements in energy technology. There are no existing trade routes. ‎