Background
Home
The Mohache homeworld of Harmony (8142) in the Tranquillity (400) system is a world of mountains, grasslands, plains and gentle seas. Our people evolved in peace and solitude over many millenia with no violence of note befalling our society, as each Mohache respects the land they occupy.
The Tranquility system is also home to the world of Peace (2955), which shares a similar orbit around our life-giving sun. Decades ago, the Mohache Elders attempted a misguided colonisation project for this world, resulting in vast tracts of the planet being converted to ugly cities, with buildings designed to cram as many people together as possible. Understandably, this failed, as few Mohache desired to leave the wide open plains of Harmony to live there.
Within the last decade, the former Nootka Listens to Voices with the aid of his Yakimas embarked upon an ambitious project to convert these urbanised areas back into farmland. This has encouraged an exodus of a large portion of our overcrowded 12 million-population homeworld, and Peace is developing magnificently.
Other even more ambitious members of the population have settled on worlds much further afield, and the Mohache people can now truly be classed as a star-faring civilisation.
Tranquility Gate (19715), situated on Peace, is the technological and industrial centre of the more progressive aspects of the Mohache society, combining all aspects of this prosperous culture.
Society and Culture
A people born of peace and harmony, the Mohache believe in avoiding violence by any means. We do not use or own any form of offensive weaponary, nor do we commit hostile acts upon other sentient beings. We take from the land only what we need to prosper, causing as little harm as possible, and we thank the land for what it grants us. Ancient history books quote even older - and now lost to the ages - tomes of knowledge which provide tantalising hints at a cataclysmic event in the Mohache past which led to our current outlook, but little is known of this.
There is a very strong culture of individuals banding together to help each other, within loose-knit tribal communities. This escalates into the Mohache governmental structure, with individual tribes providing an Elder to the Mohache Council of Elders, what humans would refer to as a civilian government.
If Sees With Knowledge needs more room in his house, the community bands together to extend his property. If Smokes in Mountains' crops fail one year, the community chips in to support him and his family. Currency has no inherent place within Mohache society, but a strong trade and barter system is in place within communities. In terms of interstellar trade, the Mohache have adopted the standard 'stellar' used within all peripheries in order to promote harmony, instead of insisting on their own standard, the Carved Gem.
High Elders (Politicals), take on much greater responsibility than the general Council of Elders, with the highest Elder of all - the Nootka - guiding the people through the ages. High Elders guide the society according to their own strengths, in trade, diplomacy, and living a life of fulfillment.
Rumours abound that the former Nootka Listens to Voices (Now affectionately known as the Nootka Yuquot) has, in the spare time gained with his retirement from office, discovered a fourth step along this path to completeness. Others suggest this is largely down to too much rich food in the evening, as it is known that Listen's great age is taking its toll on his weak frame.
The current Nootka is Sees With Knowledge, new to the post after serving for many years as a Yakima. Known for his trading skills, it is hoped he will continue the masterful job Listens began.
Religion
There is no organised religion within Mohache society, but they are a deeply spiritual people, believe in spirit guides of ancestors and animals, and a synergy with nature.
Larger community areas have dedicated Sanctuaries where Moh can go to contemplate and meditate. Smaller communities have Shrines and Retreats for the same purpose. These are not places of worship, but places for meditation and peaceful contemplation.
Appearance
Like many star-faring species, the Mohache are a bipedal race. Vaguely resembling something from the Human history books named a 'Satyr', with reversed knee joints, three toed feet suggesting evolution from a cattle-like creature and a forward-hunched appearance, the Mohache have long arms and a mane down their backs. The best indicator of societal status within the species are the size of their bellies - the larger the belly, the more prosperous and happier the Mohache.
Law and Order
Mohache society deals with law and order in the way that criminals are not imprisoned or executed, they are made to pay off their debt to society with a hard work ethic and with all social ‘perks’ revoked until the society accepts the criminal again. Extreme or recurring criminal acts result in an outcast of the individual, which often leads to death without the support of the society.
The Mohache Independent Commune (MIC)
History
On stardate 207.3.5, Mohache nationals within the cluster broke away from the central Mohache government to form the Mohache Independent Commune (MIC). The group had become frustrated with the Mohache Elders continued support of a pacifistic way of life. It was clear to the Mohache so far from their home world that the galaxy was not a nice place, having lost several ships and lives to pirate attacks, and having been caught in the crossfire of skirmishes and small battles. Sleeps with Dragons, a then high ranking political in the Mohache took his plea to the Elders that a more defensive approach was needed. Being far the front lines, comfortable in their safe and well hidden home system, the Mohache Elders ignored these pleas, dismissing them as one rogue Mohache’s youth and exuberance.
Upon returning to the cluster, Sleeps with Dragons met with the civilian leaders of three key bases, and the decision was made to break from traditional Mohache ways and adopt a more defensive posture within the universe. Aggression and war were still abhorrent to the MIC, but the adoption of defensive ships and technology was a big step from the path the Mohache were on.
MOH and MIC Relations
In truth, once the shock had registered, the MIC breakaway was viewed as positive by the Elders of the Mohache. The two governments very quickly agreed to each nation adopting a supportive position to the other. The MIC were still viewed as part of the greater Mohache, and in turn the citizens of the Commune still viewed themselves as Mohache. It was purely the views on defence and weaponry that caused the divide, and both nations knew that for the foreseeable future they would both be working closely together.
MIC Culture and Lifestyle
Citizens of the MIC still follow several Mohache traditions and ways of life. They are still a deeply spiritual people, and they still value life above all else. However, threats to the way of life of all Mohache have hardened their outlook on killing. Merciless killing, and outwardly aggressive behaviour are still alien concepts to the MIC, but they now view being prepared to defend themselves, and taking lives of people threatening them as essential parts of their existence.
MIC Welcomed back to the fold
With the untimely retirement of Sleeps with Dragons from periphery life, the Cluster Mohache were left in disarray and sought refuge with their cousins in the arms of the original Mohache government, and were of course welcomed back in all haste.