Physiology and Appearance

The Aqualish have an almost human appearance. The most obvious difference is their coloring. Their skin tones have a range covering blues, greens, and purples, which are also prominent in their hair and eye coloration. Aqualish also have hands that can become webbed by stretching the muscles in their fingers, and they have gills in their necks that support a secondary respiratory system that can be used when they are underwater.   Their lungs have evolved so as to allow them to breath both above and below water.   While they appear to be an interesting cross between amphibians and mammals, but they are clearly mammalian.

Homeworld

Aqualia is the only planet revolving around Hestalor, a medium yellow star at the edge of Federation and Cardassian space, and is a blue-green waterworld with a misty cloud cover. Seismic disturbances of incredible magnitude once caused the planet's land masses to sink, leaving only spotty island archipelagos dotting its vast oceans. The native inhabitants of Aqualia were able to adapt to their new world, creating thriving communities both on the surviving landmasses and under the seas. Oceasia, the capitol of Aqualia, is a beautiful underwater city that has become a common tourist attraction as the Aqualish rebuilt their world after the Cardassian occupation ended. Some of the creatures that inhabit the seas of Aqualia are quite large and dangerous. One, the duite, resembles a Denebian whale and is agressive in nature. The sur-snake, as it is also known, is a rare and protected creature, and the capture of specimens in prohibited by the natives of Aqualia.

History

The Aqualish have a civilization that spans thousands of years. Over time they had built up a small sphere of influence in their sector of space that included 8 star systems other than there own. It was this sphere that brought them to the attention of the Cardassian Union in 2242. The worlds under their control would provide access to mineral wealth and other resources that the Cardassians so needed. The Aqualish, while a powerful race, were no match for the great Cardassian Union.

Thirty-five years of degredation, slavery, and misery followed. The Cardassians rounded up the citizens of Aqualia to work the mine and provide cheap labor for aquafisheries and other types of industrial farms. The aquafisheries and farms were seized without compensation.What food that was produced was allocated to the Cardassian miitary, then Cardassian civilians, leaving just enough food to keep the Aqualish at bare subsistance levels. The occupation government maintained order through brutality. mass executions were common. The families of suspected resistance fighters were herded into internment camps, and civilians were positioned at vital locations to prevent terror attacks. The Cardassian military garrisoned soldiers in Aqualish houses, turning their occupants out into the street. Women were forced to provide comfort to Cardassian soldiers. Millions died.

The Aqualish did not submit willingly. Numerous resistance cells sprang up across the planets that had been previous controlled by the Aqualish. Unfortunately, the Aqualish were not as successful in their movement for freedom as their Bajoran cousins. They had to wait until the Klingon-Cardassian War to gain their freedom. They were able to quickly rebuild their sphere of influence once the Cardassians pulled out of their sector.

Culture

The Aqualish are not a war-like race by any means. In fact, they have a very influential religious caste. Like Earth and the Federation, they fight only when they are forced to. Their primary goal is to expand their knowledge and better their lives in general.  

At this time, there are no formal agreements between the Aqualish and the Federation. They are neither allies nor enemies. There are currently no diplomatic ties between the two powers.

The society of the Aqualish is broken into five parts or castes. As mentioned, there is a very influential religious caste. There is also the ruling caste, which is made up the various Houses of nobility.   There is also the scientific caste, the military caste, and the common caste. One of the positive things that occurred as a result of the Cardassian Occupation was the ending of slavery in all the areas ruled by the Toulesh (monarch).

Aqualish names are like those of the Bajorans, backwards. The first name of an individual being the family name, and the final name being the individual's name. The word in between, either, el or y, indicates the person's sex. el means daughter of and y means son of. So, Ra'aj y Caimlyn means Caimlyn son of the House of Ra'aj. Ra'aj el T'Kresh means T'Kresh daughter of the house of Ra'aj.