Tajaran Ethnicities

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 Tajara received prior to the Great War. Regardless, many xenophobic groups use this as ammunition in their arguments targeting the Tajara, when in actuality the Hharar are considered to be extremely creative and innovative.

The Hharar are usually beaver brown, kochiba, or taupe in coloration.

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' Tajara. 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 Tajara 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 Tajara 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 Tajara 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 Tajara employed in resource gathering, construction, civil jobs such as law enforcement and even culinary work such as butchering.

Zhan-Khazan are usually blue-grey, dark gray, or chocolate in coloration.

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

or 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 Tajara. 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 Tajara. They care immensely about the future of their species and most do what they can for the betterment of the Tajara 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 Tajara, 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 orange, cinnamon, ruddy, or cream in coloration.

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 the Tajara, 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 Tajara 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 white, ivory, wheat, or silver in coloration.

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 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'rasan 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 made use of it for covert discussions and the transmission of highly classified information before and during the Great War.