Volcanus

The great people of the Divine Comet Ignis, known across the multiverse as the volcanus, are a race of powerful religious zealots who dominate an incredibly large region of The Excess with their powerful military presence. The volcani believe that the comet their race was born on is a divine entity, named Ignis. They believe that Ignis is and it's light brings life and warmth to the multiverse, and that it's omnipotent flame fuels all who are gifted with emotion.
The volcanus homeworld of Ignis is surprisingly utopian. Ignis runs under a theocracy, all falling under the command of the Archember, a powerful volcanus chosen by Ignis itself to lead it's children of flame. Nobody is hungry on Ignis. Everyone is fed, everyone is happy, and everyone is taken care of. Volcanus culture is incredibly compassionate, and loving, at least among themselves. Those who encounter volcani in more calm or peaceful scenarios are often surprised by their kindness and generosity.

Prophetic Flamespeaker by Cynthia Sheppard

The Divine Comet Ignis is said to speak to the Archember, giving him orders, commands, and holy teachings that the Archember is to pass on to the volcanus people. When the Astran came, speaking of their foreign gods and distant unnatural magic, the volcanus asked the comet for guidance. The Archember soon decreed all outer and divine magic to be heretical, and that those of the galaxy who fall under the title of heretic must be cleansed in the divine flames of Ignis as to not spread their tainted outlook. Though not all volcani agreed with this idea, very few would dare turn against Ignis and his chosen, and so the planet adapted.
It wouldn't be long before the volcanus would become a military people. Training in their martial and magical prowess, mastering exotic weapons like the ball and chain or the harpoon. The volcanus are known for using weapons on chains more than any other. Their military was unmatched in their control of flame, radiant or otherwise.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

A volcanus’ soul is like a flickering flame—bright and full of life, up until the moment it’s snuffed out. Moreso than any other race, a volcanus’ lifespan is uncertain. After reaching adulthood, a volcanus shows no more signs of aging, and can die a natural death at any point thereafter. Some might die as early as 20 years old, while others might live to the age of 80. The volcani believe that their lifespan is tied to their innate purpose—when they complete that purpose, death is surely just around the corner.
But for a volcanus, death isn’t truly the end. Death merely signals the beginning of the next generation. When a volcanus dies, their body burns to ash—colored a deep black for males and a vibrant red for females. It is from this ash that a volcanus’ children are born. By taking some of the ash of an adult male volcanus, combining it with some of the ash of an adult female volcanus, and using fresh lava to set that mixture ablaze, a new volcanus is born after the flames subside. A pair of two volcani has enough ash to sire four children, but most couples only sire two or three. The memories of a volcanus are in part passed down to their children, who often see the memories of their parents in vivid dreams. These memories can also give a volcanus a natural aptitude in the skills their parents knew.

Volcanic Region by Kyle Maurer

The unique reproductive system of volcani, combined with their uncertain lifespans, makes it common for a volcanus to plan for their death early in life. It is almost considered a coming of age ceremony for a young adult volcanus to write their first will. A volcanus’ will generally specifies what is to be done with their material possessions, like the wills of other races, but more importantly it specifies what should be done with their ashes. Married volcani will typically create joint wills, stating potential names for their future children, and how many children they wish to have. Unmarried volcani are expected to donate their ashes their community, so that they might be used for adoption purposes. Another oddity of volcanus culture is the creation of a personal urn, which a volcanus either commissions or forges themself. These urns are heavily decorated with symbols telling the life story the volcanus they were made for, and are used to hold and transport a volcanus’ ashes upon their death.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The majority of the volcani are found on their homeworld of Ignis. Despite their rapid expanse and claim of territory throughout the excess, the volcani have never been known to settle new homes with the exception of military strongholds. The worlds they leave in their wake either melt, or last long enough in the heat to be turned to glass.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

As volcani couples are forced to choose their child’s names before they can know their gender, volcani names are typically gender-neutral. They also lack true family names—a volcanus’ last name is traditionally their father’s first name, followed by their mother’s first name, separated by a dash.
Volcanus Names: Aldebrand, Azar, Cinaed, Fiamett, Fintan, Flann, Hurik, Ignati, Phoenix, Pyrrhus, Shula, Uriah, Uriel

Average Technological Level

The volcani traverse the stars in great ships of obsidian and Ignan steel, armed with spacial cannons which open gates straight to the center of Ignis which launch beams of molten magma straight from the core of their diving patron known as Eruption Cannons. These fleets vary in size, and the size of different variations of the ships is all dependent on the individual ships creation. The volcani ships are all crafted from the remains of dormant volcanos, and can vary in size and shape incredibly because of this.

06 by Cuba Lee

Fleets of these ships and their massive armaments are feared across the excess, known for their ability to glass entire planets in as little as a few hours. The volcani people are universally feared, and those of the order tell stories that warn when mountains dot the sky, to say goodbye to your loved ones.

History

In times before the astran brought their gifts of flight, the volcani were in an era of peace. A long war for dominion had recently come to an end, between those of the volcani who followed the teachings of the Archember and those who believed there was more to life than the words of their creator. It was the remaining atheist factions that would inevitably leave Ignis when the astran came, and explore the Excess on their own without the hindrances and restrictions of their theocratic leaders.

Lifespan

50 years

Average Height

5.5-6.5 feet

Average Weight

200 lbs.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The volcani have dark bronze or nearly charred black skin, with cracks in their skin like veins that let off a soft molten glow.