Psriikan

Overview

The Psriikans are the founder species of the Psriikan Choreographed Constellation.

Biology and Appearance

Physiology

The Psriikans are reptilian in nature, possessing the unique ability to store large amounts of heat energy in specialized glands under their skin, which can then be gradually released into their body to keep up body temperature or immediately expunged, releasing a warm, smelly cloud around their body.   This trait served a dual purpose: Due to their homeworld's orbit around a binary star, the temperature could vary from burning hot to deadly cold. Gradually, this species developed the ability to store the heat in their body, making them more able to survive the shifts in temperature and venture out from their subterranean tunnels even in the cold. However, it also served as a defense mechanism against the large predators that would stalk them. The sudden release of heat not only was repellent to the attacker, but alerted any nearby Psriikans to the danger, leaving a residual smell as a warning for a few hours before dissipating.   They have two legs, two arms, and two dual-purpose appendages between them that can serve as either legs or arms, depending on the need, and a long, broad tail provides both stability for fast movement and a natural weapon.

Physical Variations

Their skin and scales are jet black, with the exception of the males, who feature prominent highlights in various bright colors, used in attracting mates.   Of the three main races, the largest difference is between [Race 2], which possesses eyelids, and the other races, which lack them. Additionally, there are minor variations in the males' highlight coloring. Different tribes also had different ritualistic tattooing practices, and some still carry these as a mark of pride in their ancestral people-groups.   Racial intermixing is very common, and thus a myriad of different hybrid races exist, although they are usually categorized under one of the three major racial groups.

Society and Culture

Societal Structure

In accordance with their everpresent focus on survival given their homeworld's harsh conditions, Psriikans formed a very strict hierarchical society based on the individual's contribution to society.   The lowest class were the workers, then the warriors, the artisans, the military officers, and the priesthood who have since been replaced by the civil authorities, who are technically on the same level as the military officers, but often held in lower regard.

Family Structure

In accordance with their strict hierarchical society, gender roles are clearly defined, with three added female-only social classes. Females may fill worker, artisan, and the priesthood/civil authority classes, but were historically excluded from both military classes. Instead, they had their own female-only social classes. Although in contemporary eras females are included in the military classes, they retain these unique social classes. The social classes are mutually-exclusive—a female who is part of the female-only social class cannot also be part of the military class.
  The first translates into Arbiter as "brood mother"—on equal social standing with artisans—and is for those who care for their young full-time (although they may also have a job). The significant majority of females who have mated fill this social class.
  The second translates into Arbiter as "warrior mother"—on equal social standing with military officers—and is for brood mothers who have reared two or more warriors.

Psriikans in the Cluster

Given the hostile and rapidly-shifting nature of the homeworld's environment, many Psriikans eagerly emigrated to the colonies. Later on, as interastra-national travel became more accessible, many emigrated to other nations and so sizable pockets of Psriikan population can be found on several foreign worlds.
  Their reception varies by location, but they are typically well-received for their work ethic and physical strength. However, they are often shunned or even outright rejected by more xenophobic species or species with preexisting hostility towards reptilian species, and their oft-blunt demeanor does them no favors in many courts.