A Founding Member of the:

Tomatoes are highly religious fruitnoids with a complex spiritual culture revolving around their supposed created by the Great Plant. The emphasis on religious activities and their legalistic implications tend to hurt overall economic development, but the prestige of knowledge helps to encourage scientific endeavors.

General

Cultural Modifiers

Racial Characteristics and Aptitudes

Biology
Tomatoes are plump round, bi-pedal fruitnoids with a splotch of foliage on the top of their bodies. Tomatoes are suited to rocky worlds with temperate climates and breathe methane. An average Tomato stands between 8-12cm tall and carry a mass of 140-200g. Tomatoes are of average strength and intelligence, with decent vision and poor hearing. Tomatoes have soft bodies and thin reddish-green skin, but lots of juicy flesh to protect their inner organs. Tomatoes are sexless and do not reproduce on their own, but are grown seasonally from large plants that may produce 5-10 individuals a year. The average growth period for a Tomato lasts 100-120 days and they emerge fully mature. Tomatoes require water and a variety of minerals and nutrients to remain in good health. The normal lifespan for a Tomato is 5-8 years.

Society
Tomatoes are very religious. Their entire society revolves around the religion of the Great Plant that gave life and sentience to the Tomatoes. The government is essentially an extension of the religious doctrine, ensuring that the Tomatoes remain faithful to the Great Plant. The First Minister is the chosen head of government by the 50 members of the Serving Council and is installed for a single 3 year term. Tomato life is led from the Book of Life, a collection of writings inspired by the Great Plant itself. They are taught to live moral and serving lives, with a desire to gain knowledge and wisdom as a grateful gesture to the Great Plant that give them life and the ability to think and act. Tomatoes are partially imparted to a caste system with religious leaders at the top, knowledge seekers in the middle, and the largest caste or working caste at the bottom. The castes are not rigid, although few wander outside their group. Most Tomatoes are employed in state-operated agricultural programs, resource facilities, and industrial operations. Science and similar occupations continue to hold prestige. Tomatoes inhabit most of their homeworld in semi-rural communities and a number of large cities around concentrated industries.

History
Tomatoes believe their existence dates back thousands of years ago when the Great Plant first gave life and mind to them. After many centuries the Tomatoes were becoming increasingly sophisticated, developing a complex culture and new technologies. Soon many Tomatoes had begun to turn against the traditional life of service and strict doctrine and began to persecute those who persisted in proclaiming the Great Plant. The gap between the two sets of beliefs separated the Tomatoes and finally culminated in the Secular Wars. The conflicts would last over a hundred years and by the end the Tomatoes would find themselves only a fraction of what they once were. Having defeated the Secularists, the remaining Tomatoes were determined not to repeat the mistakes that had led to the war. A religious reformation was initiated and many lasting reforms were made to integrate spiritual life with progress. Life improved greatly and many were willing to serve for the greater good. Discord between the different castes was reduced and religious leaders gave back to the community. The lasting effects of the reforms have proved extraordinarily successful and in recent times the Tomatoes have been to maintain harmony and dedicate themselves to accomplishing even greater things.

E-mail Captain Kwok
Website © 2007 Luke Hazlett