Society and Culture
As with all Ceilefians, Celiefs generally move as a set (pack). A collective of sets form a Sekt. Each Sekt contains anywhere from 50 - 100 Ceilefs that often are dominated by one female.
The males must be selected by the dominating female to continue their bloodline within the Sekt and to rise in rank within their hierarchical system.
There are multiple Sekt spread across the mainland to maintain the natural order of dominion for hunting boundaries. This is part of a collective agreement between the three representatives of the Ceilef faction.
Generally, Ceilefs in previous history housed themselves in the wild within caves normally situated along the lower edges of mountainous regions. However, over time and with the development of communication and civility between the number of Sekt, the Ceilefs became more unified.
The representative’s abode is in an advantageous elevated position which is the focal point from where the additional Sekt abodes fan out. A standard Ceilef Sekt is housed underground, commonly with three surface entry/exit points in case of an imminent attack.
A typical underground domain is large enough to house up to 150 Ceilefs, allowing for the expanse of their young. It is a network of tunnels and caverns that always link to an underlying water source deep beneath the surface. A selected set from a Sekt is usually given the responsibility of creating such a network after undergoing their ivull (evolution) process enabling them to perform the task. This is the normality when a new domain is required to be excavated.
There are a few known subterranean rivers spread out along the mainland that appear to connect to central plateaus and link to oceans on the opposite side of the mainland. The full extent of these subterranean rivers have yet to be completely explored.
During periods of temperature change, sea creatures of all kinds migrate through these water channels to the opposite side of the mainland, allowing the Ceilefs the ability to hunt from underground without having to breach the surface unless necessary. This is usually where they teach the basics of hunting to their young before exposing them to surface hunting where they must be more alert and aware of their surroundings. Depending on seasonal change, they will hunt back and forth between surface and subsurface.
If you zoom out from the planet’s surface, you will pick up the approximate location of these subterranean rivers by pinpointing the positions of the Sekt abodes scattered along the landscape.
Although large numbers of Ceilefs are sheltered within a certain proximity of each other, indicating a large-scale population, it is not unusual for a Sekt of Ceilefs to be nestled within enormous fallen trees that are centuries old with lush overgrowth of flora. For example, you may see carved out of these enormous trunks multiple miniature dens for the Sekt to dwell in. Again, often located in an elevated position for safety and awareness. The flora also provide cover from above for seasonal and predation purposes.
Ceilefs have a strong connection with Ceiba, Pekku, and the planets within the star system. During the 5-day eclipse cycle of Pekku, different Sekt at different times will create a series of reverberating harmonic tones that vary depending on where Ceiba is positioned annually in the star system. The specifics of this can be detailed further later, but a point to note is that a set of Ceilefians have been known to use a certain collection of tone frequencies in the form of a sonic blast. At times they may also use this ability when excavating sections of rock during domain construction. Individually they are not able to perform this act but have been seen to do so with 6 or 10 Ceilefians. We can go into the significance of these numbers later.
Ceilefs stories of old tell how Metnal (planet) showed them the “Underworld” and is the reason why they have this method of survival linking to subterranean rivers. It also has mention of how Pekku connects all Ceilefians during times of eclipse, where to please Pekku and to stop the lightning and storms that the deity brings, the Ceilefians respond by producing these harmonic tones which form a song to settle and calm the great Pekku.
The Song of Naum cannot be experienced without connecting with the deity of mind and consciousness. This highlights the importance of the connection as a set and a Sekt, to achieve and experience the song of Naum.
Point of note: The overall population of Ceilefians is estimated around 450,000 across the continent.
Although the Ceilenuuk are named as Temple Dwellers, they soon moved from the ancient temples (the dormant Discovery Lander and massive Servitors) to newly constructed buildings. These structures elevated toward the sky and spread out, fanning from one side of the Lander forming the transition point between the two factions. The buildings are a mixture of earth-like looking structures at the base with newly formed metallic architecture extending upward as though they have grown from their earthen foundation. They form high rise developments with landing platforms for transport ships to travel along network lines to longer range locations. There are also lower-level transport tubes for close range interconnectivity within the suburban areas fanning outward to small trade posts and settlements.
The Ceilenuuk mainly operate in trade with other star systems whereby they trade their services and/or resources. Food is one of these resources of trade, as much of the sea creatures are classed as a delicacy in other star systems. Ocean farming developments extend into and below the waters of the ocean where visiting species (as well as all Ceilefians) come to farm and/or gather resources.
Gradually over time the extension into the ocean has increased and spread across the shoreline in sections, creating safer environments for farming with the use of deflector shields that keep Leviathans at bay. The continued extension into the ocean below water level has opened trade avenues for other species who are natural experts in operating in water-borne environments.
A point to note is that all Ceilenuuk have a large focus on tech advancement and use this as a form of trade also. This has also been at the core of their advancement with other star systems.
The Lander itself is the main station for transpods. This has been adapted to suit intergalactic travel to and from star systems that have current agreements in place. The station is heavily guarded and runs strict protocols before any species can pass through officially onto Ceiba.
The Ceilenuuk do not move to the traditional migrating type patterns of the Ceilefs, as they are in a safer environment within the metropolis, hence not requiring to delve into the underworld.
But like all Ceilefians, the majority take part in the rituals of the eclipse.
To hear the beautiful sounds that emanate across the horizon is something not to be missed. Visiting species praise the harmonic events that occur during these periods.
In previous times of war, the Ceilenuuk would ask Nacon, the God of War, to provide them with strength in battle because the Ceilefs were more powerful in their original form than the Ceilenuuk ivull form. This is still a tradition to this day, however only when battling for their Ceifelian species.
A sub-faction without name, but only a leader that holds the title of The Rezeev (however the sub-faction is often referred to as The Rezeev for ease of discussion). The Rezeev holds belief in both divided factions, hence making them the deciding factor in times of conflict. Should Ceiba be accepted into the Merge, the Rezeev would be the Ceilefian representative.
Their dominant belief is in Naum, the God of mind and consciousness. This is why they always move in a set of 10 in matters of importance and relates directly to the song of Naum and why they are highly regarded amongst all Ceilefians.
The Rezeev are also known to be holders of great wisdom as well as being avid astronomers. They have a broader overview of how Ceilefians should progress as a species and always consider all angles of approach rather than siding with one faction, taking more of a “Watcher” position unless their species is under imminent threat. It is suspected by the two opposing factions that there has been the odd occasion where the Rezeev have had a hand in certain events of significance but have no evidence of such allegations.
There have been whispers that the Rezeev also have ties to another sub-faction that roams through the underground regions of the metropolis. Very little is known of this sub-faction, to the point that they are almost mythical, but it is suspected that they are an elite Sekt that move like the shadows.
The Rezeev are generally slightly larger than the Ceilenuuk; this is due to them actively partaking in their ivull state back to their first form. This ties them to the original ways of old, keeping them grounded.
The Rezeev study and use Creator Tech, satisfying their curiosity to develop their knowledge, doubling as a way of having awareness and operations of Creator Tech when it comes to liaising with the Ceilenuuk.
Also known for their concealment of tech-like gadgets, you can never be too sure what arsenal the Rezeev may have on them. Yet the young may be surprised at times by the interaction with playful gadgets from the Rezeev, helping to maintain the trust and balance amongst their species.
The most intriguing aspect of the Ceilefians is their ability to use the song of Naum. If anything, this will likely become the mark they will leave in the universe. With continued advancement of testing with tech and this collective ability, they have found a way to use tech to replicate the harmonic frequencies they produce for excavation tools, weaponry and for use at a cellular level to eradicate abnormal cells.
The song of Naum with its beautiful tones can be a song of beauty, a song of destruction, and now a song of healing. It is also said to have been used by the Rezeev to carve half of a giant Ceilefian head out of the side of a mountain. Again, the Rezeev and their secrecy have never confirmed nor denied their role in this speculation.
Further descriptions of the origins of the song of Naum are previously mentioned. Architecture for both factions was also mentioned earlier.
Shaun Tagatoa