Vaurca

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Vaurca, (Vore-Kah, Vaurca in singular term and Vaurcae in multiple) are bipedal animal-like organisms from the first moon of Sedantis I , vaguely reminiscent of Earth prawn. They have a complex caste system based on three types, and are very prevalent in human space after their first hive-ship contact on [date] 2456. Although tolerated on NanoTrasen stations, they are often discriminated against, and are unwelcome on most human-owned worlds, barring Tau Ceti. To apply to be one of the insect-like Vaurca, apply [later].

Additional information: Sedantis

History [WIP]

Ancient History

Nomadism is the primary lifestyle due to the harsh nature of living on their planet, with the populations being small and life expectancy being low. Culture wasn't very big, as everyone was focused on ensuring the survival of their hives, but there was basic pottery, painting, and oral history being shared. Fighting was done with hand to hand combat, with an honour system developing governing how to fight unarmed, and with defeat leading to the victorious warrior severing his opponent's head with his mandibles.

The Age of Change

60,000 years ago, farming fungus leads to explosive population growth. With all these new workers and food surpluses, hives began to focus on technological and cultural advances. While this leads to explosive tech, it also fuels competition and strife between the hives, as fertile farmland was a rare and extremely coveted prize. New weapon and metals begin to be forged for warriors, replacing the system of fighting where warriors would only use hands, claws, and mandibles. Groomed by a new life of war and competition, castes begin to be developed and culturally reinforced in successful hives to give them an edge over the others.

Development of Augments

The astonishing rate of technological growth reached a head roughly 15,000 years ago, with the first mass-scale use of augments. While evidence suggests that there had been experiments in improving a worker or soldier with mechanical parts, they were rarely successful. But after mastering the ability to augment themselves, fundamental changes in Vaurca developed that both revolutionized their race and solidified the old order. Workers and warriors now had vastly improved abilities, increasing efficiency in production and making warriors far more terrifying. But while the augments offered this new freedom, they also gave a physical manifestation of their caste. A soldier given augments to his martial power could not feasibly be an artist or be useful as a general purpose worker, leaving him stuck to fight for the hive.

Moving into the Stars

Despite the sense of fear and mystery the Vaurca have for the sky and stars, only a few hundred years after the mass-usage of augments, a handful of hives began to go into space.

Contact with Humanity

[wip]

Biology

To the average human, the Vaurca seem to look like terrestrial prawns, but act like ants, or termites. While their biology looks similar to something like a termite; scientifically, this description is largely superficial. There are three types of Vaurca biologically, and these tend to corrugate with the cultural caste system. There is extreme evidence hinting from all types of Vaurca biologically, that they have augmented themselves and genetically engineered a few of their modern traits, and it is near impossible to predict what they could have been like before they developed these augments.

Type A (Workers)

Biologically, Type A are the most prevalent and can be seen as the 'backbone' of Vaurca societies. Their most prevalent feature is their hardened exoskeleton, varying in colors according to their hive. It is approximately three inches thick among all Type A Vaurca. The Exoskleton provides protection against harsh radiation, solar and otherwise, as well as acts as a pressure-suit, sealing their soft inner core from the outside world. This allows most Type A Vaurca to have EVA periods of around 4 hours or more, assuming they have internals. They are bipedal, with bird-like talon toes. Their legs separate into two parts, that form into what would be their feet, with the end of the 'toes' always touching the ground. Their hands consist of a type of 'grasping' arrangement, two middle fingers with small talons at the end, and two oposable thumbs, a left and a right, on either side of their hand.

Internally, Type A are very similar to that of an Earth insect. They have an open circulatory system, with their blood covering their digestive system, dual hearts, lungs, and other organs. Their dual hearts provide a significant sloshing motion to prevent the blood from stagnating. Their blood is a copper-based hemoglobin, with a high dependency of sulfer, creating a yellow tinted blood, with a very potent stink. This open circulatory system, however, can lead to wounds that pierce the exoskeleton and minor layer of skin to bleed out unless treated quickly. They function well with an atmosphere of mostly oxygen, nitrogen, and very trace amounts of gaseous plasma. Along their throat they have their breathing apparatus, which is definitely a form of cybernetic implant. This implant converts station atmosphere into a tolerable one, and injects very small amounts of plasma into it.

Type A have large, insect-like eyes that are hyper-sensitive to most forms of light. While they can function in light-heavy environments perfectly fine, most complain about frequent migraines and tendency to get frustrated after long exposures to light like the sun, or even general station phosphorics. This hyper-sensitivity, however, leads to heavily increased eyesight in dark areas, like the tunnels of their cities or the narrow, nearly lightless corridors of their ships. They also have large, insect-like antennae that protrude from their head, above their large eyes. These antennae are used for greater perception of their surroundings and to communicate with each other through subtle movements, or rubbing them together with another Type A. Also acting a sensory and nerve database, when these antennae are lost, they can cause confusion, dizziness, nausea, communications problems, and is extremely painful. Some observations have been concluded with: "It's like watching a drunk man trying to walk."

Their mouth parts are similar to a prawn's, in that they have two large mandibles, with small feelers and chewing parts that come out of the bottom. They click these mandibles together, combined with their vocal chords and pheromones they release, and create their archaic language. Their breathing apparatus also acts a voice synthesizer, allowing them to speak intelligibly, (despite very alien-sounding) human languages.

Type A are created after initial birth, and given a slightly more moist and warmth emphasized nurturing environment before hatching.

Type B (Warriors)

Type B are the second most prominent of the biological parts of Vaurca society. Varying massively in size and specific biological parts, they have, essentially, the same physiology as Type A. Type B can range in size from six feet tall, to twenty eight recorded feet tall. They can be bipedal, quadrupeds, or hextopeds. Despite each Type B's appearance, they have been filed into three general categories.

Type BA

Type BA range generally from 5 feet, to 9 feet tall. Bipedal and usually more exo-skeleton thick, Type BA have exactly the same physiology as Type A, but seem to posses extreme amounts of augments, more aggressive focused. Examining of their exoskeleton reveals two inches thicker, and supporrted with carbon nano-tubes that provide a stronger-than steel natural armor, but allows type BA to move around freely and at will.

Their antennae are modified to have motion sensors and audio + sensory amplifiers, so they can seek out enemies quicker. Their eyes have semi-glass-like coverings over them that protect it from most forms of damages, and also provide a HUD for synchronizing weaponry that Type BA wield. There is evidence of stumps along where their shoulder blades would be, which provides the theory that there may have been wings there at one point. Some Type BA have integrated jet packs there, for easier EVA transport and quick mobilization within gravity.

Type BB

Type BB range from being 6 feet tall to 9 feet tall. They are quadrupedal, and have very thick exo-skeletons. Type BB have generally the same physiology as Type A and BA. They have presence of extremely heavy augmentation to their bodies and mind-system. While most other Vaurca are bipedal, Type BB have four, spindle-like legs, that are extremely strong, made from a different substance than their actual exoskeleton, resembling more metallic than chitinous material. At where the feet of these legs would be, are highly adaptible and flexible graspers that allow a Type BA to scale nearly any surface, including vertical, and sustain little damage from large drops.

On their interior, they come equipped with a bio-generator, taking 'energy' from their bloodstream and heart motions, to help power their equipment, as well as having an tri-implementation of internal, highly efficient high-storage batteries. They have internal adrenal injectors that they can use during high-intensity combat situations, and have blood-clotting formulas to treat wounds faster.

Their exoskeleton is similarly reinforced as Type BA, with carbon nano-tubes and synthetic plating reincforcing the bulk of the chitinous layer, but also has a thin layer of energy shielding that comes from unknown sources within Type BB itself, covering the very most outer layer of exo-skeleton, seeming to have various node-points that spread across Type BB's body.

Weaponry wise, they seem to be mobile weapons platforms, without even needing to wield a weapon. They have two long, razor-sharp arms that come with energy-supplements for eviscerating enemies, two integral energy weapons above their front shoulders that have automated targeting and fast firing speeds, and are often seen with larger mounts on their backs, ranging from Anti-Air cannons, mortars, siege cannons, or a mounted ballistic/energy machine guns.

Type BC

Being very different from the other Types of Vaurca, but inherently similar to Type B, Type BC are somewhat of a phenomenon. They are completely mechanical, ranging from airborne, to land-based, to water and submarine based, they are essentially vehicles piloted by lobotomized Vaurca Type A and B nerve centers.

They are created from invalid Type A and B, and are used in warfare, transportation, exploration, and many other uses, similar to how Humans use many vehicles for their own endeavors. Some are even reported to be entire fighter-frigate sized space-ships.

Type C (Breeders)

Type C are the rarest among Vaurca, in that they make up around 2-3% of their entire species. They consist of two parts, male and female to Human standards, and each part has a very unique acting on their specific hive.

Type CA

Type CA are an extreme anomaly compared to other races around known space. Acting as the female counterpart of Type C Vaurca, they are generally hosted within large Iron Wombs that automatically artificially inseminate, and ensure eggs are transported to hatcheries and nurseries unharmed. Physically, type CA are blobulous, with thousands of tiny cilia along their underside to assist them with movements if required. The have a large feeding tube protruding from their front, and alongside that feeding tube, a neural tube that can connect to any Vaurca, barring Type CB.

This neural tube connects any given Vaurca access to the collective conscious, and allows for instantaneous sentient possession by the millions of multiple 'personalities' stored within Type CA's body. Type CA are theorized to act as a form of Virtual Reality connection hub, where anything can be simulated and created. Type CA are often seen around many 'Unbound' Vaurca, transferring information and replacing personalities.

Type CB

Type CB are the second, and male counterpart, of Type C Vaurca. They are essentially exactly the same as Type A Vaurca, but they sport large functional wings that allows them to fly through the air at high speeds, theorized to allow them to get around their home planet to find mates quicker.

Evolution

The Vaurca have evolved from small, hive-like entities that seemed to group together in tight, nomadic hives and wander their home planet in search for large growths of their primary food substance, a rampant and non-nutritious fungus entity known through their language as K'ois, (Translated to: The Substance). There is evidence of them evolving from small insects, and through unknown means rampantly increasing in size and numbers some time before pre-sentient history. This may be due to a sudden introduction or increase of Oxygen in the atmosphere.

The Vaurca evolved into their current form roughly 200,000 years ago, before developing agriculture 60,000 years ago. Thousands of years were spent fighting over the few areas of rich farmland on the planet. Their arid and sparse environment drove them to develop advanced methods of genetic and technological augmentation. Approximately 15,000 years ago, the first Vaurca craft left their solar system. In the time since, they have radically modified their genome and appearance, leading to the development of the current system of castes. Evidence of the early appearance of Vaurca before their augmentation is sparse, but what sources exist do suggest that Type A Vaurca most closley resemble their 'natural' appearance without augmentation. It is suggested that the current concept of a Queen has changed from its original meaning, with the methods of influence changing from primarily using chemicals and pheremones to control the population to the creation of large paradise-like virtual realities in which the vast majority of the Vaurca population spends its entire existence. In the modern day, the Vaurca have used their technology to allow their many physical workers to serve the hive with extreme efficiency and unquestioning loyalty.

Sleep Cycle

Vaurcae sleep cycle is a very hard to one to predict. While it seems like most of all Types of Vaurca don't actually sleep at all, there is evidence of, a few hours per standard day, the Vaurca enter a stasis-like state in that their mind shuts off and they stay still. This is similar to how a robot can enter 'sleep mode' and it is theorized that this time is used for sorting memories and useful information in a specific, Bound or Unbound, Vaurca.

Culture

Fashion & Cuisine

Throughout Vaurca history, fashion has remained nearly non-existant. Often going nude or with small garments covering their mouth pieces to prevent any forms of contagions inside, they have do not have as bad as a nudity taboo as other races seem to have. Also lacking any kind of genitalia, they have nothing to be worried about when inside their hives. However, some Vaurca prefer to wear thin blindfold-like cloth over their eyes to prevent the 'extreme light' from giving them headaches or discomfort.

On their homeworld, however, Vaurca that go above-ground, venturing from their massive underground and mountain-based hives are often seen wearing cloth to prevent radiation sickness, despite their natural resistance against radiation.

Vaurca that venture EVA, despite their natural tolerance to high/low/vacuum pressure environments, are seen wearing soft-suits, that allow them prolonged times in space for construction, operations, and other EVA activities.

Vaurca cuisine is viewed upon as extremely bland and tasteless to the other species. Generally consisting completely of their genetically engineered fungus that they grow en masse, it is grinded down into a paste, boiled, or eaten raw. It is describes as tasting chalk-like or like iron to Humans, and if eaten too much, some humans can get nauseated.

The fungus, K'ois ('The Substance'), is a white, bulbous mushroom that thrives in any environment it is placed in, apart from overly wet. While it appears this fungus is genetically bred to be so adaptable, it is also presumed it was naturally abundant over the Vaurcae home planet.

The Arts

Art is a strange subject when it comes to the Vaurca. While not possessing any form of written art, that we currently know of, their art comes in a virtual sense. This art-style goes hand in hand with the Vaurcae caste system. They view their Virtual Reality as a paradise, and can simulate anything and everything. Due to this Virtual Reality, they have never had the need, since uploading themselves to it, to draw, write, or anything else.

This Virtual Reality also acts as an information data hub, so as long as there are Type CA still alive, all Vaurcae knowledge can still be accessible, without the need for written or typed documentation.

Religion

Vaurca viewings upon the world and the unknown in general is fairly standard to most other races. The sentient parts of their species regard the Type CA, or their 'Queen', as the God's of their hive. This is due to the relationships the personalities and the drones have with each other, as well as the Queen itself being the 'harbor' of the Virtual Reality, which to them is Heaven.

Similar to how humanity views the afterlife, they believe there is a heaven and a hell. K'seaiu'iut (Heaven, Paradise, etc) and Ck'ois'tika (The World Above). Because of the harmful UV radiation and the overall in-hospitable surface of their planet, primitive Vaurca viewed space and the sky as where all souls who did not benefit the hive in their lifetime would go, a place of eternal pain and damnation to the F'sixast'kis, (The Black Queen) who would torture them in a psuedo-opposite Virtual Reality world that they could never escape from.

Because of their large caste difference, the Bound of the Vaurca believe this wholeheartedly. The Unbound have a slightly different approach on this mentality. They believe all drones to be simple carriers of the good of their hive, and that each is merely a piece of clothing to put on, wear out, and then dispose of as necessary, while also indulging that their service to the hive can approve of unlimited time within the Virtual Reality, instead of a violent death traversing and learning for the good of the hive.

Castes

There are three distinct caste systems that work in complicated harmony with each other, that seem to be independent of biological constraints, however, also seem to go hand-in-hand. This Caste system is decided by how many personalities are currently inside the Virtual Reality, and how many Type A and B Vaurca are required.

The Bound

This is the most prominent caste. The Bound are, essentially, lobotomized Type A and B Vaurca that unquestionably follow the orders of superiors to the death. They appear to not be self aware, able to carry out conversations, but unable to make decisions for themselves. They seem to not have any sense of possession, willingly giving out any and all of their possessions to those who ask. The Bound are the main workforce; A slave-like caste that the Vaurca social system is built upon. All Bound Vaurca have data-sockets in the back of their head, accessible by the neural tube of the Type CA Vaurca to allow gathering of information, or ascension into the Unbound. They can be thought of like cyborgs.

All warriors and standard drones are Bound. They are commonly seen on NanoTrasen stations as civilian jobs, like cargo technician, chef, assistant, Janitor, or any kind of apprentice, barring security and science. While they, by law, receive pay, there are no regulations in place for simply asking for the Bound's money, so they are often employed as nearly cost-less workers.

Derogatory names are often assigned to The Bound by the Unbound, generally consisting of names like: 'The Burden,' 'The Mindless,' 'Unsanitary,' 'Thoughtless,' and many others. This is an interesting relationship, as The Bound seem to revere and even worship The Unbound, like each one was a minor God.

The Unbound

This is the second most prominent caste. The Unbound are essentially the only sentient part of Vaurca sociology, in that they are the embodied personas stored on Type CA in the Virtual Reality, uploaded into The Bound. They are perfectly capable of making rational, thinking decisions, and are naturally intuitive and curious, much like a human. Behavior wise, each Unbound is nearly identical when they are first transferred out of their Virtual Reality paradise. As they begin to learn and gain experience, however, they become individualized and have personalities for themselves. (Even if it is simulated.)

The Unbound learn as any normal human, while having access to the Hive Network of any hive, they go through periodic 'resets' where their knowledge is absorbed, and occasionally, the personality switched out for another. When a Bound steps up to Type CA, the neural tube temporarily connects the personality back with the hive, and they instantly share information.

The Unbound are chosen through multiple factors. While they are the very fringe of their species, the Unbound measure around 2,000-3,000 per large hive. Approximately 30% of the Unbound are voluntary, genuinely curious about the outside world, or are patriotic enough to assist the hive in any way they can. However, the other 70% of the Unbound are chosen in an automatic raffle, where they are ripped from their virtual reality paradise and made to serve the Hive. This can lead to disgruntlement. They will often detest their body, and themselves, and be genuinely hateful to everything, merely doing the minimum and full fulling their job.

The Unbound are often sent off into the world independently from the Hive to learn and study their surroundings, or, in the event they stay in the hive, manage the Bound and perform civic duties, such as scientific research and diplomacy. In practice within human societies, they often live alone in their own apartments like any other citizen, and work to support themselves, rarely having monetary aid from their Hive. Every few months, they must make the journey back to their Type CA, and deposit information. At this point, they can determine if they wish to go back into the Virtual Reality, or stay in the physical world.

On NanoTrasen stations, they are often employed as any human would be, generally not having any specializations until they learn about a department; they can be seen frequently as interns. This is not always the case, as they learn very rapidly, and some have been subjected to schooling already, passing as any graduate would.

The I'soiasfi

Being an unusual caste, and the translation having thousands of connotations, there has not been a definite translation created for the third, and rarest Caste of the Vaurca. Generally describing a scene like 'Heaven,' 'Paradise,' 'Tranquility,' and 'Utopia,' I'soiasfi describes what the Type C are. They are carriers of the release of their species; Type CA is revered as a God and rightful leader due to the collective that resides within her. Type CB is revered and loved as natural leaders, and because of their natural affinity for their own personality, they are able to command entire Bound and Unbound forces efficiently.

Type CA holds the personalities and ego's of all The Bound, to allow their physical counterparts to be used in the way that they are. The personalities are entertained by the Virtual Reality system that resides within Type CA, allowing virtually anything to be simulated, created, destroyed, or predicted.

Type CA has little to no actual power within itself. The collective within Type CA decides Hive-wide decisions, and Type CB are expected to act as nodes, relaying the Hive's orders to Unbound that then relay orders back to the Bound in a complex hierarchy system.

Language & Naming

Vaurcae naming systems are fairly simple. Although their names in their own hive language are extremely complex, with the learning of Tau Ceti Basic and other languages, the Vaurca have been forced to simplify their names. Naming is based of a numbering system, determined after birth. This name includes a caste and biological designation, the number they are, and finally what hive they are from. The first name proceeds like this: Biological-Caste-Number, with Ka being used for all Type A, Za being used for all Type B, and Va being used for all Type C. Type C do not have Caste names. Caste-wise, Vias is for Bound, Akaix is for Unbound. Vaurca hive numbers are very large, so the final part of their name will vary with every Vaurca. An example: Ka'vias'dsith Zo'ra, indicates an unbound drone with the number of 8123 from the Zo'ra Hive. An example of a Type CA with this, is Va Zo'ra, indicating it is a Type C from the Zo'ra hive. For a Type CB, it would be Va'Uyats Zo'ra, indicating it is 213 of Type CB from the Zo'ra hive.

However, this naming structure is flexible between hives. This much is the most common arrangement studies have found so far. Some phenomenons have been observed where Vaurca will change their first name to a standard Human, Unathi, Tajaran, Skrell, or even robotic name, to attempt to 'fit in' with their crowd, all though the number that do this is small.

Vaurcae language structure, to non-Vaurca ears, sounds extremely archaic and cryptic, like simple clicks and grunts more than a language. However, to a creature that knows the language, all types of Vaurcese is extremely complicated and each syllable has many thousands of different connotations it could convey. Combined with subtle antennae movement and pheromone release, it is not hard to say that it is a language that can never be spoken or understood by another species. While each hive has their own small variations of Vaurcese, the language can be universally understood.

It is produced by clicking the mandibles and mouth pieces together, while sending air through the mouthpieces as well as the vocal chords. It is described as sounding like clicks and high pitched squeals. The Vaurca, however, utilize synthetic throat implants that synthesize a very alien-sounding, but intelligible, Tau Ceti Basic or any other language.

Ethnicities

Hharar

Hharar – Highlander

“The Typical Tajara”

Hharar Physiology

Hharar, as the first Tajaran ethnicity who Humanity came in contact with is generally viewed as the 'typical Tajaran', which is reinforced by their numerical superiority over the other groups. Additionally, given their large numbers and capabilities, they most often serve in governmental positions and as ambassadors to other races; this leads to them being taken as the 'face' of the Tajaran race, as it were.

Hharar trend towards being the most intellectual of all Tajaran groups, and as such their physical prowess is significantly reduced. On average, they are on par with most humans as far as intelligence and physical strength go. However, in most cases their IQ is slightly lower than your usual human, which is generally attributed to the sub-par schooling and education Tajaran received prior to the Great War. Irregardless, many xenophobic groups use this as ammunition in their arguments targeting the Tajaran, when in actuality the Hharar are considered to be extremely creative and innovative.

The Hharar as a group are usually the following colors

Beaver Brown (RGB 159, 139, 112) Kochiba (RGB 107, 68, 35) Taupe (RGB 72, 60, 50)

There are variations and of course exceptions to this rule, however Taupe is the darkest a Hharar gets and Beaver is as light as they get. Most Hharar are also spotted with lighter brown or white spots across their upper chest and torso. Some Hharar females can even be calico in rare occasions, this is almost always hereditary on the maternal side, meaning the mother has to also be calico for her daughter to be, though this is not absolute and Calico mothers can have normal brown daughters.

Hharar Culture

Given that the Hharar are the most populous of the Tajaran ethnic groups, their culture is generally the most ubiquitous on Adhomai and in the psyche of the galaxy at large when thinking of 'Tajaran society'. The religion involving the worshipping of S'rendarr and Messa is thought to have been propogated by ancient Hharar and the original noble lines to have started from them. This has led to many of the less populous ethnic groups to look down upon the Hharar, with some extremists going so far as to blame them for a lifetime of enslavement.

The Hharar are the stereotypical 'worker' Tajaran. This fact is reinforced by their history as the brunt of the workforce used by the plutocracy, as they were easier to control and force into unpleasant conditions than some of the other ethnic groups. As such, they tend to give their respect to superiors easier than other Tajaran might. Most loyalists during the Great War were of Hharar descendence. Further, the familial system of Tajaran clans is also thought to have been a Hharar invention; the structure of clans and the introductions of arranged marriages are traditions started long ago that have encompassed many Tajaran of other ethnic groups marrying into Hharar families.

Siik'maas and Siik'tajr are the primary languages descended from the ancient and venerable language of Hhar'Tol. Hhar'Tol or 'Hill speak' is a nearly dead language almost never used in modern Tajaran society. The sole remnants of the language can be found in many ruins left in the Highlands of ancient Hharar villages and cities. Some schools created by the Hadii offer Hhar'Tol as an available language for students and attendees to learn.

Since their liberation, the Hharar have been found to hold positions of middle or high wealth, owing to their intellectual capabilities. They are described as loyal workers who are passionate and not afraid to voice their opinions. Given their history as the plutocracy's major workforce and the largest part of the Tajaran 'peasantry', they are typically well-rounded individuals with more appreciation of older traditions than other Tajaran ethnic groups.

Zhan-Khazan

Zhan-Khazan - Mountain-Keeper

“The Workhorse”

Zhan-Khazan Physiology

Zhan-Khazan are the second most populous of Tajaran ethnicities, and are considered to be the backbone of the Tajaran workforce. Their history as an ethnicity is one not well documented; very little historical texts describing them were preserved in the wake of the Great War, and archaeological dig sites are difficult to preserve given the climate of Adhomai. What is known, however, is that the Zhan-Khazan were at one point a race of cave-and-mountain dwelling Tajaran that traditionally were entrusted with physical work like mining, farming, ranching, and logging.

Because of their history of hard work and the way they adapted to harsh mountain life, Zhan-Khazan are more physically intimidating than their close relatives, the M'sai. Featuring more toned, muscular bodies, thicker fur coats, and a heavier body weight, they are well-suited to tasks requiring brute strength and heavy lifting. They are by no means less intelligent than the Hharar, but most Zhan-Khazan do not pursue the same type of work. Zhan-Khazan make up a significant amount of Tajaran employed in resource gathering, construction, civil jobs such as law enforcement and even culinary work such as butchering.

Zhan-Khazan as a group are usually the following colors

Blue-Grey (RGB 34, 37, 50) Dark Gray (RGB 30, 30, 30) Chocolate (RGB 94, 38, 18)

Zhan-Khazan fur patterns are remarkably simple, usually consisting of only dark solid colors or at the most ticked fur or tabby stripes. They are capable of lighter colors and more varied fur patterns, but these are rare, recessive traits present in pure Zhan-Khazan bloodlines. Those that breed outside of their ethnicity have a higher chance of passing on their dark fur, as their genes are more dominant compared to other ethnic groups. These genes are present in both male and female parents.

Zhan-Khazan Culture

For most of Tajaran history, Zhan-Khazan were tasked with more difficult work as they were more suited to physical labor than their brethren. They were subject to harsher punishments and more repressive mandates as the plutocracy viewed them as lesser to other Tajaran. Faced with work that segregated them from most settlements, the Zhan-Khazan have grown to be incredibly protective of their families and their own and follow traditional family values closely. Things like arranged marriages, inter-clan courting and gift-giving, and clan alliances were and are exceedingly common for Zhan-Khazan, and they support a close family life style. Those who go against their family face exile from their small, tight-knit communities. Zhan-Khazan also hold their co-workers in similar high regard, though not as much as blood ties.

Many Zhan-Khazan worship the Snow God, and scholars believe this faith was invented by this ethnic group. Small shrines are a common sight amongst settlements of or having a high population of Zhan-Khazan, and they hold very active, evangelical services. As such, many Zhan-Khazan take the teachings of the Snow God to heart, including unification amongst Tajaran. They care immensely about the future of their species and most do what they can for the betterment of Tajaran as a whole. Zhan-Khazan are highly valued agricultural and mining experts, and they make up almost seventy percent of the farmer and rancher population of Adhomai.

Like all other Tajaran, Siik'maas and Siik'tajr are the 'official' language of the Zhan-Khazan, but they were the inventors of the lesser dialect of Delvahhi. This language is still widely used in religious ceremonies dedicated to the Snow God and amongst settlements comprised mostly of Zhan-Khazan. It is also the favored language of farmers, who have adopted it in the wake of government intrusions into the agricultural industry of Adhomai.

Njarir’Akhran

Njarir’Akhran - Nobleman

"The Blood Rulers"

Njarir'Akhran Physiology

The Njarir'Akhran, or simply the Njarir, are the ethnic group that made up the majority of the plutocracy prior to the Great War. Their lineage can be traced from careful breeding between Hharar and M'sai, leading to where they currently are today. Following recent events on Adhomai, Njarir make up less than ten percent of the population, though reports see that number reducing slowly between honor killings and hate crimes given their close relation to the Tajaran nobility. Easily identifiable by their large ears, fluffy tails, luxurious fur and slender, elegant features. Njarir suffer persecution and rejection from certain proponents of Tajaran society because of their bloodline.

Historically, Njarir comprised almost the entirety of the Tajaran nobility. Efforts were made to keep noble lines purebred, even if it led to inbreeding in clans. Those who married outside of or slept outside of their bloodline were generally disowned by their family and forced into peasant life. This accounts for practically all surviving Njarir outside of those in the Hadii clan, who serve in important parts of the federal government. As the most learned of all Tajaran ethnic groups, they boast high intelligence and have a propensity towards the arts and sciences. Many have fled Adhomai only to be offered cushy jobs elsewhere working for the Alliance, other factions, or transstellar corporations. These individuals are looked down upon even more.

Njarir'Akhran are usually the following colors

Orange (RGB 238, 64, 0) Cinnamon (RGB 160, 82, 45) Ruddy (RGB 138, 54, 15) Cream (RGB 205, 175, 149)

In stark contrast to their brethren, Njarir tend toward very bright, colorful fur patterns. Typically, their fur color ranges from reddish browns to cream colors, and they do not generally have dark fur. Siamese patterns as well as tortoiseshell or patched tabby patterns were valued amongst Njarir bloodlines, and those with more intricate fur patterns were revered and admired by their fellow noblemen, and it was considered an attractive trait in a female. Despite all this, these patterns have been shown to be recessive genes in Njarir, and the most common fur pattern is simply stripes.

Njarir'Akhran Culture

Due to their history as the ruling class of Tajaran, many records pertaining to Njarir practices and culture were destroyed in acts of insubordination. This, coupled with the widespread burning of Njarir literature and destruction of castles, villas, and chateaus, has led to a loss of critical information in ancient Njarir practices. What is known, however, is that only a handful of Njarir were ever part of the peasantry. As stated previously, keeping the bloodline pure was almost mandated amongst the noble clans and anyone who broke this rule was exiled to a life as a peasant. Other stipulations were agreed upon to ensure the 'nobleness' of a family member. One could not marry a peasant, or involve themselves in peasant affairs unless it proved a problem to productivity. To be seen in public, a nobleman or woman were obligated to wear fanciful clothing to show their status and were discouraged from physical contact with the peasantry.

Following the Great War, almost every noble family was systematically exterminated. The only noble clan still in power is the Hadii, who serve in the Tajaran government. It has proved exceedingly difficult to acquire testimony or records from living Hadii members, who wish not to anger the Tajaran public any further due to the still unstable post-revolution period on Adhomai. Relics recovered from Njarir ruins, however, suggest that at one point they were highly religious, giving credence to the theory that these noble clans evolved from religious leaders.

Siik'maas was the widely spoken language of Njarir, though amongst themselves they preferred to use the Ya'ssa dialect. Presumed to be the traditional language of the nobility, it uses a more refined alphabet and speech pattern believed to have evolved from a less-used ancient language. Hadii members have been recorded to still use this language, though ultimately with the widespread annihilation of noble families, this language has fallen into disuse and is not taught or provided as a language able to be learned.

M’sai

M'sai - Hunter

"The Soldier"

M'sai Physiology

As the third (though only by a small margin) populous Tajaran ethnic group, the M'sai were at one point the hunters for ancient Tajaran and evolved to have lithe, slender forms, and light fur that hid them in the blizzards on Adhomai. As Tajaran society advanced, M'sai could be found in many roles related to combat, including law enforcement and military service. Not all M'sai resign themselves to these positions, however, and enjoy helping Zhan-Khazan on the country farms or performing civil duties in cities from garbage disposal to cargo inspections.

Characterized by their thin, slender forms, the M'sai are deceptively light; by Tajaran standards, they are thin. With less but thicker fur and a thinner layer of body fat, they aren't as well-insulated against Adhomai's cold as their brethren. However, this gives them the bonus of being speedier, and their bodies are designed to be aerodynamically compatible with the harsh winds of Adhomai. Where a Zhan-Khazan would stumble as he weathered the winds, a M'sai can easily and quickly sprint through without being affected. The product of millenia of breeding between Zhan-Kazan and Hharar, the M'sai are agile, intelligent, and have quick reaction times, making them ideal for high stress work.

M'sai are usually the following colors

White (RGB 238, 223, 204) Ivory (RGB 205, 205, 192) Wheat (RGB 205, 186, 150) Silver (RGB 192, 192, 192)

M'sai tend toward subtle fur patterns, such as ticked fur or spots. Their lighter colors are dominant genes and usually express themselves in cross-ethnic children, overwriting the parent fur color - except in the case of mating with a Zhan-Khazan. The dark and light colors mix, leading to a diluted shade of the darker fur. As they evolved to be hunters in the snow, dark fur colors tend to be suppressed in their children, as previously stated.

M'sai Culture

M'sai are known to typically be mild-mannered, but can also be prone to more aggression than their brethren. M'sai make up a significant portion of the People's Army of Adhomai, with a 2454 census giving a total of sixty-two point eight percent of soldiers, airmen, and sailors having been M'sai. They are very loyal to their friends and family, but aren't as overt about it as the Zhan-Khazan. With wide eyes and acute senses, they make great soldiers, with vision adapted to compensation for the heavy blizzards that plague their home planet. They are also great survivalists, and are capable of scrounging food for themselves via hunting.

Historically, they were employed by the plutocracy to aid in hunting and ranching, though the majority made up the armies and guards of cities, villages, and towns. They also made excellent scouts, and during the Tajaran's Renaissance period, were part of cartography teams assigned to record and draw maps of then-unexplored territory in the northern regions of the planet. In the town of Davistok, a silver statue of the explorer D'nante was commissioned by its noble family for having discovered the land there the wealthy trade city was built; they were held in higher regard by the nobility who viewed them as closer cousins than the other ethnic groups.

Siik'maas and Siik'tajr were always widely used by M'sai, but the body-focused language of Nal'rassan was their creation. Because the mrowling and vocal expressions of Siik'maas could sometimes alert prey to their presence and drive them away, hunting parties adopted this language to prevent such a thing from occurring. Rebel sects saw the use of this language and took made use of it for covert discussions and the transmission of highly classified information before and during the Great War.

Adhomai Today

The Tajaran capital.

The Tajaran capital of Nal'tor has seen great developments in recent years.

The Tajaran homeworld has suffered plenty in the only three decades since the end of the revolution. With the sudden injection of advanced technology into their relatively simple life, the discrepancy between modernized cities and outlying areas could not be more obvious. While the Tajaran capital boasts the most modern developments with sleek skyscrapers, advanced connections and phone lines, as well as hospitals and schools, the further you get from the larger cities, the more apparent it is that things are not quite so flashy.

Many Tajaran villages and even some cities show remnants of war; where many buildings and monuments once stood, rubble and artrillery craters are all that remain. Landmines scattered throughout the wilderness are still active and provide dangers to hunting parties or travellers, and abandoned bunkers and artillery emplacements litter the countryside. Trenches and battle sites are still being discovered, and every other week you hear a rumor about how someone had their leg blown off after stumbling into a mine field.

There is a steady stream of money being fed into the Tajaran government. NanoTrasen, as per it's agreement with the president, have set up mining and logging operations on Adhomai using the local work force for the most menial of tasks. In return, company funded clinics and schools are slowly being spread out and build in the needy areas. Tajaran resource operations are now all but nonexistant; the buildings that were once part of the nobility's small gathering efforts have now been refurbished and are being used by NanoTrasen.

Literacy has risen to its all time high on Adhomai, and with the assistance of the Alliance, teachers have been brought in from off world to educate the younger generation of Tajaran. Special estbalishments for older students have also been constructed to assist the elder generation in being brought to the same level of education, but NanoTrasen has not expressed significanti nterest in this; these people make up the brunt of their low-paid workforce and they want to ensure that they are kept that way.

There are still several proponents of revolution that oppose the current government, but in the light of the previous, incredibly bloody war that rocked Adhomai, no armed conflict has been reported as of yet. Calling themselves the 'Followers', this group of revolutionaries are made up of Tajaran from almost every walk of life. Opposing corporate claims on Tajaran soil and citing mismatched development and governmental negligence as the fault of humanity, they aim to 'free Tajaran from the new shackles imposed upon them by the corproate overlords' and return Adhomai to a 'free, prospoerous planet like our ancestors dreamed of'.