Jua is a very ordinary star in one arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. Eight planets orbit Jua. Most are small rocky bodies with barely any atmosphere. Tridon, the fifth from Jua, is distinguished by its location in what astronomers call the “habitable zone.” The seasonal temperatures on Tridon don’t vary much and are cooler than the temperate zones on Earth.
Smaller than our Earth, Tridon is home to diverse life forms dominated by one intelligent species that has evolved into a technologically advanced society.
The biochemistry of the inhabitants of Tridon is nearly identical to life on Earth. You would find only a few differences in the proteins and enzymes at the cellular level. However, evolution has adapted life to the particular characteristics of the planet, and the physical features of Tridonians reflect that. The distinctions between males and females are similar to humans on Earth.
The visible spectrum on Tridon is similar to Earth but less intense and shifted slightly to the ultraviolet. Overhanging brows and an extra membrane protect their large, round eyes, giving them a camera lens appearance. Their vision had evolved to be well-suited for dim light. Their bodies are primarily covered in short, fur-like hair. For most Tridonians, this hair makes a reddish-brown and blond patchwork. Faces and other select areas are hairless, revealing a brownish skin color.
Tridonian hands have only three fingers and a thumb. They have strong, wiry arms and broad shoulders. They are slightly shorter than an average Earthling. The most unusual feature is a genetically ingrained rhythm that causes all Tridonians to jog at the same pace. It takes conscious effort to run otherwise.
On Tridon, a powerful governing class, the Mamlaka, controls the entire planet. A privileged upper class, the Rabizut, fill the managerial, technical, academic, and professional occupations. Most of the population are Amilikut, the lower class. They are the workers and don’t share in the upper classes’ freedoms and living standards.
It is rare for an Amilikut to move up to the Rabizut class. Someone born with unusual intellectual or artistic talents might rise, but the opportunities to develop those gifts are limited. The Mamlaka forced the Amilikut to do unskilled and semi-skilled jobs. Their education is minimal and primarily job-specific. Some live in unsettled parts of the country. Most live in compounds near plants or farms. As long as they stay in approved areas and perform required work, the Mamlaka ignore them.
Everyone on Tridon has an embedded chip with unique identifiers and status information. They use a familiar name for interacting with friends and colleagues. When more than one person uses the same familiar name, they add a job title or other differentiating expression.