The Ariantu are a race originally native to the Sydon sector, close to Federation space and the K'Vin hegemony.
History and specifics[]
The Ariantu were believed to have been long extinct but in 2366 a small fleet of ships returned to the artificial world of Kirlos, which had originally been built by the Ariantu but had later been settled by both United Federation of Planets and K'vin colonists. They reclaimed Kirlos and only left the new settlers a short ultimatum to evacuate the world.
The Ariantu had once ruled an expansive empire controlling Sydon and many other sectors, but their empire had expanded too fast and most had left for the stars, leaving behind on Kirlos only a small population of Caretakers. When the true Ariantu returned, five thousand years later the caretakers descendants had devolved into a diminutive race called the Sullurh.
The true Ariantu are described as being tall and slim but muscular humanoids with long, bushy tails, narrow slitted eyes, sharp teeth and the bearing of hunters. They are considered quite proud and aggressive and are a matriarchal culture organised in groups known as "paacs" dominated by competing aristocratic families. (TNG novel: Doomsday World)