Noctua

Noctua (pl. Noctua)   Race Mechanics https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/ZU3BK2_8bP1q   Physical Appearance and Origin   The Homeworld of the Noctua is, or better was Uloth. A world they shared with the Chimeran Ascendency. The species originated there from the same ancestors as the Chimeran Ascendency, but unlike the Chimerans who started a symbiosis with a fungus, the Noctua developed a larger brain and reached a higher level of sentience on their own.   Anatomically there are two variants of Noctua. Regular and Breeder. The regular Noctua is a hexapod and a bit smaller than the average human. Two of their six limbs are thin arms that end in chitinous hands. Two limbs are used for aerial movements. While all Noctua have beautiful large white, brownish or even colored wings, most of them can't fly, but all of them can use their smaller wings to hover. Hovering became the standard method of movement for the species during the span of their evolution as the last two limbs, the legs are rather weak and thin. The second variant are the Breeders, larger Noctua with a large breeding sack at the end of their abdomen, most non Noctua never get to see these Breeders. Noctua have primarily been a species of night dwellers. While being a modern civilization has changed that somewhat, they still feel at home in the dim light of a moonlit night. That is why some can see exceptionally good at night, but all have problems in bright daylight or rooms brightly lit by artificial light. Some Noctua are even mesmerizingly drawn to lights, but that urge can be suppressed.   Noctua are genderless. For reproduction one partner becomes an egg layer, one an activator. And once the egg is activated it will develop in the breeding sack of the breeder.     History, Culture and Society   The Noctua society underwent many changes during the time of their existence, and is again in the process of change due to them becoming refugees with many smaller pockets of them on different worlds. Historically they have lived in a rigid caste system. Which after a revolution changed to a more loose system.   But as peace on Uloth became more and more crumbling over the centuries. Until one day were they were forced to leave. Their population was way too high to be all evacuated. So they decided to evacuate only the most valuable of their civilization, some of those left behind were allowed to send activated eggs with the fleet.   No one can foresee how their society will fare as refugees who most likely won’t live together in one spot anymore, but split up into smaller groups, scattered across worlds. While they fully integrate or listen to smaller versions of their former Council reigned caste system? Or will they become truly free individuals? Only time will tell, and the answer will most likely be diverse. Communication   Noctua communicate mostly with spoken or written words, some even have some form of telepathy. And for more emotional statements they even use their wings or antennas.   The voice of Noctua can be described as somewhat hollow and humming, while still being slightly higher pitched. They can be somewhat hard to understand. That is why some Noctua, mostly from the Diplomat caste, use facial masks that dim the light somewhat to not stress their eyes too much, which doesn't improve their sight and is just a convenience. At the same time those masks can modulate the Noctua's voice to make it easier to be understood.   As they have no gender, they also have no native word for that. When communicating with other species in Mandate they choose one gender or the other or none at all.     Noctua are a pretty reserved species. Their time on Uloth made them only trust their kind and as refugees in unknown space, that might make them even more reserved. But their kind and courteous behavior will make any guest feel wanted, even with them being reserved. They also value community highly, which is no surprise.   Military and intelligence Noctua are pretty peaceful and don’t value armed conflict highly. But they still see the need for a military as a defense force. The military is managed by the Soldier caste, while the higher valued Intelligence is a joint operation of multiple castes. Now in the Iron Stars an own standing military won’t be necessary as they live within defended polities, but the Soldier caste will most likely protect Noctua Xamaynks (Settlements) or members of its caste will explore worlds to find new living room for the Noctua, or serve in the polities military they live in now.