Doratellian (/dɜ:ætəin/)
The Doratelli /dɜ:ætəi/ are a humanoid species that originated on Dormatl (/dɜ:mæt/) (also written as Do'mat in interplanar common), but have since branched out across the Bond 108 Galaxy. They can pass as humans, but have an extra set of eyelids named "waterlids," which the Doratelli can use to see underwater without their eyes burning. Doratellians cannot breathe underwater, but have webbed toes (not fingers) and are able to hold their breath for over 8 minutes before feeling like they need to surface. Doratellians are often shorter than the average human as well, with the average height clocking in around 4"10. Though generally unnoticeable, their skin is /slightly/ thinner than a human's (but barely, it's mostly "more likely to get papercuts" than "life-threatening") but is also more suited for the ocean.
The Doratelli are pescetarian, as they cannot digest other meats.
The Doratelli have an improved memory to humans, largely due to their minor psychic abilities. These psychic abilities are not very strong, but allow for the Doratelli to understand fundamental defining features in themselves, others, and the world around them...essentially an internal sorting system. This will be greater explained and exemplified when looking at Doratellian cultures and practices (see cultures). Because they are able to recognize and categorize such information, it can be more easily stored in their memories as clusters, generally allowing for a better memory, but it often takes them a moment to categorize before they can adapt to new situations/people/locations. Doratellians can easily be overwhelmed by too much new stimuli at once. More powerfully psychic Doratellians experience "emotion dreams," where they experience the dreams of others and help those individuals to cope with any negative feelings or experiences (think psychologists, but like while you're asleep you're workin on your biz with people who are feeling your emotions as you experience them).
In Doratellian, the letter "r" is often an indicator of a vocal stop and the letter "l" is an indicator that the previous letter is aspirated (ex. the "tl" in Dormatl"), no /l/ sound occurs.
((Also I have a sound file of me pronouncing the species name, but have no idea how to add it, oops - This is Rai and I'm slowly dying k thx bye))
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Naming is very important in Doratellian societies. As they have the ability to innately categorize, their names are a hybrid of what humans would generally refer to as the name (ex. George- except a Doratellian name or the equivalent, like Gorgl /d͡ʒo:d͡ʒ/ sounds like Joe-juh)) followed by their defining flaw (ex. Gorgl the Invincible). Even "good" characteristics (ie. Gorgl the Compassionate) is still their flaw. An interesting fact about this method is that "Gorgl the liar" can be seen in two ways. 1. (ie. lying 24/7) or 2. (everyone lies even if they don't mean to, and so if telling someone you're fine when you aren't is your biggest flaw, then you're essentially perfect) and if you aren't Doratellian it may be hard to tell which definition is meant, though to Doratellians, this is a distinct and obvious difference. There are no "last names."
Major Organizations
Doratellians live in a semidemocratic meritocracy (more power placed on those that put more effort into the world around them/achieve more/help more and those individuals are chosen by the people they helped). Though no-one's say is technically more important than anyone else's, those who achieve and help others more are more likely to hold sway, hence meritocracy. They also have circles of different specialties that are seen as "primaries," or a person's main focus of attention, though everyone dabbles in various things. Some examples of primaries: artist, farmer, fisher, explorer/wanderer, diver, dreamer (also classified in common as emotional healer after some confusion from humans), healer, architect, forager, interspecies/interworld contact, balancers (essentially judges and lawyers, the court is made up of the people), and etc.
Beauty Ideals
Got them webby feet idk.
Gender Ideals
Well. I mean. They're all intersex and there are no gender systems in place in Doratelli society or language, so...
Courtship Ideals
Compare your name to others and talk to them. General courtship stuff. Showing that you have an interest in their primary is seen as courteous.
Relationship Ideals
Having flaws that balance the other person's flaws out is often seen as the ideal (certainly makes matchmaking easier anyway) but this honestly isn't always the best relationship.
Average Technological Level
They have the ability to travel between planets but prefer manual boats and non-electrical lighting (idk if that even exists, but if it does they don't use it), as their eyes can get sensitive to it and also this whole planet is like water everything is a shock hazard honestly.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
The main language is simply classified as Doratellian. Accents vary from large aspiration to average, and some accents of Doratellian change some central /ɜ/ sounds to the even deeper sound /ʌ/. Dialects of Doratellian actually vary based on the primary, so many children grow up learning 3-4 Doratellian language primaries (ex. Doratellian Dreamer Acc.) and learn the one of their desired field as well, as they discover what they enjoy.
Common Etiquette Rules
Whomever speaks first should use the other person's Prime Acc. out of politeness unless they do not know the Acc., in which case they should go to standard Doratellian (they will know what their primary is based on their psychic ability). For visitors, they will automatically switch to standard Doratellian, and it is expected that they at least try to speak it back. Visitors (and non-Doratellians living on Dormatl) are not expected to know all the Acc. and when to use them, though they tend to be delighted when people do know.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
More to come in a bit. :)
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Day of Remembrance - a day honoring those that died during the Great Starvation, including all the species that went extinct during that time (several avian creatures, some flora,etc).
Primary Day - a day for people to celebrate their primaries through a large festival featuring samplings of what they've been doing, if applicable. Includes a sort of talent show, competitions, debate teams, and art fair...etc.
Gerem Day - day of honor to their deity of cycles, Gerem, who governs over the processes of birth and death, nurturing to life and comforting in death.
Assorted deity days more or less worshiped depending on what your primary is, ex. Wit, deity of the sea, and Yiru, deity of safe passage, are often prayed to by the divers and less prayed to by the artists, etc.
Common Myths and Legends
A troupe of deities that I have some info on in customs and will write their main myths and relationships with each other later but spoilers two are asexual and one's aromantic so woot
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
I mean, other species are chill, but like why don't they automatically know categories amiright??? People like to visit but don't often want to stay, even though we're ok with it. I guess that's fair cuz not many of us choose to stay off our planet either - it's just nice to be with like-minded people, I guess.
Average Height
4"10
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Comments
Author's Notes
I'm starting to become obsessed with this culture. I'm having too much fun finding out ways they say words. I cracked open my IPA chart guys; I've gone in too deep. It's too late for me please save yourselves. -Rai