Lore Deep Dive: The Arczuuk Empire

Known for their obsidian cities, brutal politics, and indomitable will, the Arczuuk are one of the most powerful—and feared—races in the Zohar System. If you’ve read The Oddity, you know them as warriors and strategists. But what is life actually like on the volcanic world of Corbic?

Here is everything you need to know about the Arczuuk.

Geography & Atmosphere

Home World: Corbic (3rd Planet from Zohar) Capital: Enor (Continent of Tellus)

Corbic is a world of fire and haze. The sky is a perpetual crimson red, choked by a low layer of volcanic particles that traps heat and humidity.

  • Terrain: The surface is dominated by eight continents of jagged volcanic rock, lava rivers, and steaming pools. The Fotia Summit, the tallest mountain in the solar system (58,000 ft), pierces the atmospheric haze like a spear.

  • The Cities: Arczuuk architecture is a testament to their mastery over their environment. Cities like Kasievis are surrounded by massive obsidian walls topped with searchlights. Wealthy homes feature lava-flow ceilings that bathe rooms in an amber glow, while the lower classes live in standardized white oval pods.

  • The Moons: Corbic is orbited by Praox, Carrza, and Carrza II. However, the sky is also marred by the Nepion Debris Field—eight massive asteroid remnants of a destroyed moon that occasionally rain fireballs down onto the planet.

⚠️ Survival Tip: Watch out for Rynixs—predatory beasts that prowl the hillsides—and always carry a breathing filter for the sulfur air.

Politics: The Rule of the Dory

Arczuuk governance is not for the faint of heart. It is built on a "kill or be killed" foundation known as The Challenge.

The Supreme Leader (The Dory). Currently ruled by Odorzuc Uldru, the position of "Dory" is absolute. Every 50 years, the leader must defend their title in combat. The winner takes all—leadership, assets, and power. The loser faces death or exile to Ahemait Island.

  • Note: The title of Dory is strictly closed to women, though they hold significant power elsewhere in society, such as Sashae Uldru, who commands the Dory's personal guard.

The N’Vaadwook Council Beneath the Dory sits a council elected every 25 years by landowners. However, a seat on the council costs more than just votes; members must pledge a portion of their wealth (land, money, or even family members) to the Dory as tribute.

Class Structure

  • The Katics (Elite): The landowning class. They are easily identified by the jeweled encrustations on their horns and necklaces made of Blackstone (inosonium).

  • The Srurs (Laborers): Often derogatorily called "Soreks," this class performs the manual labor. While some live in "autonomous settlements," their freedom is often an illusion maintained by the Council.

History: The Shattered Moon

The Arczuuk were once divided into eight warring clans until the first Dory united them under the Aspax Shield—a symbol featuring six points pointing up and one large point pointing down.

Their history is defined by the Nepion Tragedy. After establishing trade with the alien V’nu Fellowship, the Arczuuk allowed them to terraform the moon Nepion. The project failed catastrophically, exploding the moon and raining death upon Corbic. This sparked a bitter war that only ended with the New Genesis Union Treaty. While peace technically exists, the Arczuuk still dispute rights to the Boreas Asteroid Belt and maintain a cold, transactional relationship with the V’nu.

Culture & Daily Life

Values: The society is driven by three pillars: Honor, Land, and Blood. Participation in government or the military (The Ruuva Guard) is restricted to those who own land.

Fashion

  • Elite: Wear robes of diavicus silk and adorn their horns with gems.

  • Military: The Ruuva Guard wear heavy black armor with blue undersuits and glove-mounted energy weapons that can disintegrate targets into ash.

  • Commoners: Often wear simple black garments or travel veils to protect against the dust.

Technology Arczuuk tech is industrial and brutalist. They communicate via wrist-mounted Comcels, travel the cities in Streetdarts (hovercrafts), and patrol the wastes on Driftcycles.

Gastronomy Arczuuk cuisine is rich, heavy, and often dangerous to outsiders:

  • Broctuk Chops: Blackened on hot obsidian rocks.

  • Osage Eggs: A rare delicacy eaten whole.

  • Fermented Ash Wine: A potent drink for the upper class.

  • Street Food: Vendors sell Jojo Sweet Cakes and Voxc, a cheap, syrupy energy drink sold in vials.