Luminari

As a humanoid species Luminari have a standard anatomy common to many species in the galaxy. They walk on two legs in an upright position and have two hands free to manipulate objects. They are quite muscular and strong, but also agile enough to fit into narrow passage of their homeworld's caverns.

The species reproduces similarly to other humanoids. To signal that they are ready to conceive females change of the color of the light on their necks to pink. Next, a female carries the baby for about 8-9 months before giving birth to a live child.

For the first few years of their life a Luminari child has no bioluminescent capabilities in their skin. In that period the skin is of a dark grey colour. In most cases first light appears around the age of 5 or 6 years. Most often it starts just below the neck and in about a year it spreads to the whole body.

Luminari are considered physically mature between the ages of 17 and 19 years. However, most don't leave their family house until the age of 21.

Around the age of 80 the process known as fading begins. The skin of a Luminari starts to lose its bioluminescent capabilities and returns to the dark grey colour. In most cases a person dies in about 5-10 years after the their light had completely faded.

The Luminari homeworld of Helios is a planet of many mountains and caverns. Since the very early days of their prehistory Luminari used the caverns to hide from predators and other natural dangers. Scientists say that this is why the bioluminescence appeared.

As time passed Luminari did what all sapient species do and spread to the whole world. They tamed the climate and nature. They created settlements.

Luminari have mostly the same sensory capabilities as any other species. The only difference is their bioluminescence. They are able to freely manipulate the intensity of the light in different parts of their bodies. They have developed a silent light language that uses that ability. Many scientists theorize that this language was an adaptation to help groups of early Luminari survive.

Some time before they went into space Luminari have united their homeworld under one government and formed what is now known as the United Luminari Republic. It is a democratic state with an elected parliament and a government lead by a prime minister.

The best known aspect of Luminari culture, as well as one shared by all Luminari regardless of ethnicity, is the art of storytelling through light displays. They are able to tell very complex stories through the use of their silent light language. In the past it was done just through their natural bioluminescence, but today technology allows to record and play the displays.

Luminari are welcoming to other species in the galaxy. They prefer to cooperate than to fight. It makes them one of the more influential species in the Celestial Archive.