History
In a far corner of the ever expanding universe, the Carnax developed into a sentient species of reptilian-like bipods that could communicate, use tools, and build a society. For a millennia, the Carnax flourished until a mysterious object of immense power buried deep below the surface was discovered. Despite having no idea what it was, a religion to worship it was established. This object was an
Eternal Relic, the first ever discovered since the
Endless War countless eons prior. Because it had the power to grant visions to those deemed "Chosen", worship of the object became a central pillar of the Carnax theocracy. It predicted the future with glimpses of events that had yet to happen, lending it the title “
The Eye of Truth”.
Carnax devotees would attempt to use it to live their lives and gain knowledge of their purpose. Zealots of the religion gained power and instigated a hierarchical
caste system. Their civilization thrived for thousands of years until one day, The Eye bestowed a vision to one of the Carnax leaders showing their species in control of everything, holding limitless power. This led them to believe The Eye was not the only powerful Relic in the universe. This vision became a prophecy that set their species on the ultimate journey across the cosmos, becoming nomadic spacefarers on a singular journey.
Seeing this as their destiny, The Carnex fled their home world to find the power The Eye had shown them. The conquest to find The Eternal Relics had begun. Sending scouts to every planet they could locate, the Carnax would search each and every star system to uncover anything further about the Relics. Eventually they encountered other sentient species on some of these planets. The Carnax would never allow others to interfere with their plans, so they became conquerors and ravagers, enslaving all they came across.
After invading and subjugating thousands of worlds, they discovered another Relic. This object harnessed immense power to literally create life itself and was dubbed "
The Blessed Heart". Using it, the Carnax now wielded the power they needed to truly enact their vision of universal domination.
Their search eventually led them to the Milky Way galaxy. The Carnax located
Earth when one of their scouting drones returned images of blue skies, fulfilling another vision to find “an azure gemstone of salt and strife”. This was in 1947 outside a small town called Roswell, New Mexico. They began to make their way towards the Sol system with Earth as their prime target. It was here that the true battle for the cosmos would be waged.
Society
Their caste system has their leaders assuming roles similar to pharaohs, commanding an army of the lower status as slaves. The species is socially divided into multiple
Houses within the greater society as well which allows them to proliferate autonomously. They have used The Blessed Heart to birth
The Ruin to fight for them as well as creating
Quicksilver. These tools of war have magnified their quest for galactic domination. Through their travels, the Carnax have enslaved numerous
alien species that primarily follow the command of their masters, but are not necessarily in support of them.
Design
The Carnax are lizard-like creatures with two digitigrade hind legs, two articulated arms, and long tails. They tend to hunch over with muscular bodies and can live for thousands of years. Leaders have red and orange skin, long snouts, and can be upwards of ten feet tall. The lower ranks have greenish blue or gray skin. The leaders are the Chosen who control a lesser caste called
The Herd; warriors and servants of the species. They have shorter snouts and a smaller stature at six feet. While they generally walk vertically on their hind legs, they can scurry on all fours.
The Carnax style takes inspiration from ancient Egypt and early tribalism. Their clothing ranges from shining armor and royal garments to tattered cloth for their lower caste members. As a warrior species, they always will carry weapons with them. They dwell within a world that is highly advanced machinery and futuristic technology mixed with ancient tribal aesthetics.
