An extremely influential race, one of the most ancient races to have lived underwater. The Povody had a hand in creating, or bringing up to a civilized level, a great many aquatic races. The Povody were masters of a vast empire even before the time of the Great Empires of Antiquity. Human dominance destroyed the Povody Empire, and today only pitiful remnants of it survive. But the Povody still command enormous respect among aquatic races to this day. Many Povody have gone over to the Underworld, where they lead various underwater gangs; some found sects named after themselves. One way or another, all Povody dream of recreating a new, great Povody empire. The Povody reach sexual maturity at 58; Povody females, at 79. Their average lifespan is around 120 years. Povody females typically reproduce once or twice, but in large litters. The Povody rarely leave the water, though they are able to remain on the surface for several days at a stretch. The Union of Povod Dynasties is an alliance of Povody states, chiefly in the south of the galaxy. The Povody often govern only water and underwater settlements, while the “land” falls to local rulers. Their system of government rests solely on seniority.
The UPD is governed by the Povody Emperor. This is, in effect, a ceremonial post, since in reality he rules only the systems within his own realm. The Povody Emperor is almost always the head of the Povody Systems of sector S-8 — the oldest region of the Povody empire.
The heads of the other Povody empires often bear the title of vice-emperor; they are in no way limited in their own authority, but formally answer to the chief emperor.
Sector S-8 is a sector of three dynasties. In effect it is divided into three parts among the Surditar, Furdan, and Povody dynasties. All three states regard the systems of the sector as their principal asset, and the struggle for them never subsides. Recently the Stomei and the Vurkrady have also joined the fray for the sector. The sector is considered one of the most turbulent: the constant struggle among various forces leads to frequent wars and instability.
The Povody Systems are the sole region of the former Povody Empire over which the Povody have retained their power. Practically all major structures and cities are located underwater. The grand Povody capital, Volias, lies in the shallows of the Sea of Grey Storms on the planet Vood.
In its form of government this is an absolute monarchy headed by the Povody Emperor, who holds court in his palace on Vood. It is from here that the threads of control over the Povody's greater and lesser states are drawn. The emperor's word carries very great weight in Povody society — even many gangs under the control of Povody leaders consider themselves part of the great Povody empire.
A significant portion of the aquatic races venerate the Povody; on Vood stands the largest temple of this religion — the Temple of the Great Vood. He is the first and legendary ruler of the Povody empire, now become a god for many races tied to water. The Povody themselves perform almost exclusively the functions of rulers and thinkers, leaving utilitarian duties to the lesser races. The number of Povody themselves is small — no more than 0.01% of the total population of the Povody systems — yet they fully control this state through their numerous supporters.
The Povody are closely tied to the Underworld and, for example, maintain rather close relations with the Katazy and the Dezory: both have their own representations on Povody territory. The Povody also get along well enough with other dynasties — large Povody communities are found on both Surditary and Furdan territory.
You would hardly want to visit Povody planets — a great many bad rumors circulate about them. There is talk of sacrifices at the temples of the Great Vood, the enslaved status of many races, and vanishing travelers. It is hard to tell which of these rumors are true, but the fact remains: the Povody's reputation is none too good.
Capital — Vood. Principal races — the Votolany, the Dnasaly, the Anderony, the Povody.
The PSC is a joint state of the two dynasties, the Povody and the Surditar Dynasty. It is divided into two sub-states: in one, full authority belongs to the Povody, and in the other, to the Surditary. The Povody govern the water planets and underwater settlements, while the Surditary govern the surface settlements and continents. The Condominium is run by two viceroys, one belonging to the Povody dynasty and the other to the Surditar Dynasty. The viceroys are not entirely independent: one is appointed on behalf of the Povody Systems of sector S-8, and the other is personally appointed by Shyytar I, head of the Surditar Dynasty. The Surditary viceroy, as a rule, enjoys somewhat greater independence than the Povody one, owing to the fact that the Povody systems lie much closer at hand.
Neither viceroy may interfere in the other's sphere of activity. To resolve disputed matters, a special Povody–Surditary commission has been established, which investigates crimes across the various vice-royalties, coordinates major projects, and handles other important matters at the boundary of their respective areas of responsibility.
The power of the Povody and the Surditary in this country is absolute, and other races have no means of influencing policy. That said, the standard of living in the PSC is fairly high by local standards, so many are quite content with the arrangement. The reason for this prosperity is that both viceroys are representatives close to the dynasties' economic blocs, so at least on the economic front, the Condominium is doing rather well.
The capital — Guviri — is famous for the fact that half of it lies underwater, and the other half above water. Principal races — the Natogi, the Krotsiantsy, the Skanarncha, the Bragerit, the Dnasaly, the Povody, the Surditary.
The Povody dislike leaving their oceans and prefer to conduct all negotiations through intermediaries. The most typical intermediaries are the Rinzagi. The Rinzagi Mediation Guild carries substantial weight in society: while some Rinzagi engage in petty trade between underwater settlements and the surface, others represent the Povody lords who determine the fate of dozens of systems.
Most Povody cities are shapeless structures fuming from the labor of their factories, each one honeycombed inside with kilometers of passages and thousands of dwelling and working spaces. City sizes can range from a few hundred meters to dozens of kilometers. They are surrounded by pastures for the fish herded by the Shtagini, or by fields of kelp cultivated by the Beletto. The cities are connected to the surface either by pipelines or by caravaneers and traders, many of whom are Rinzagi.
In the palaces of the lords, the Etrivy delight them with dance, and the Paniady with song. On the outskirts of Povody cities there may be quarters for those who cannot breathe underwater — representatives of races and states that do business with the dynasty.
The Povody control the surface of their planets through governors drawn either from amphibious races or from land races, though they trust the land races less. The comfort of the races on the surface is of no interest whatsoever to the lords — to them these races are merely a source of profit. Life in the depths under their rule is far simpler than on the surface.
The Povody Dynasty does not command great capabilities in space — but its stellar fleet is sufficient to maintain the security of its principal systems.
The Church of the Great Vood also matters to the many fishermen on the surface, who often bring sacrifices, casting them into the sea in hopes of a good catch.
On planets where the Povody control only the seas, an exchange of slaves for the sea's bounty is possible. Some peoples or territories thereby secure their food supply by selling their own kinsmen or captured prisoners. The slaves are then sent to Povody planets, where they will work on the dynasty's space shield for the rest of their days.
The Povody control numerous oceans on thousands of planets, constantly expanding their sphere of influence ever further. Restoring the underwater empire is one of the dynasty's chief goals. The Povody have deliberately renounced any rivalry for the surface of planets, but wage a fierce war for the seas and oceans.
In this struggle they are aided by allies among the surface-dwellers. As a rule these are representatives of non-aquatic races, drawn in by material or other benefits. The Povody can pay them in either material or intangible goods: allies receive money, fish, or something more interesting still. The most loyal may receive a harem of Etrivy or Paniady, or the “gifts of the Povody” — bodily enhancements by means of mutagens that allow one to spend more time underwater or even to relocate there permanently.
