Yun'dzai
This spacegoing race has been an uneasy ally to the Auk'kheem and the Jinn for millennia. They are warlike by nature, and have a highly developed warrior culture with a specific code of conduct for each echelon of their society.
Their first contact with another intelligent species was with the Auk'kheem. Though the Yun'dzai were suspicious at first, the Builders were so open and friendly that they quickly became trading partners, highly interested in Auk'kheem technology. For the Builders, this was an opportunity to learn about another intelligent culture, and for many millennia trade between the two races flowed freely.
Their introduction to the Z'tekis was not a pleasant one. These two races met on an unpopulated world in the Wheel network, and hostilities ensued immediately. Survivors on each side blamed the other for starting the conflict, which prompted the Auk'kheem to propose the idea of a Consortium of Intelligent Species where such conflicts might be resolved peacefully. After several hundred years of negotiation among the many species now traveling through the Wheels, the Yun'dzai agreed to participate and building of the Birthplace of Light and Shadow began.
The Yun'dzai are best known for their love of dancing and music, fondly called the "party animals" of the galaxy. Every Yun'dzai trains to fight, not only to be prepared for battle, but also as entertainment and exercise. Featured at every celebration are various kinds of contests of martial skill, both ancient and modern, and the Yun'dzai celebrate a lot! Almost every week a festival of some kind is held in each settlement and city.
Their first contact with another intelligent species was with the Auk'kheem. Though the Yun'dzai were suspicious at first, the Builders were so open and friendly that they quickly became trading partners, highly interested in Auk'kheem technology. For the Builders, this was an opportunity to learn about another intelligent culture, and for many millennia trade between the two races flowed freely.
Their introduction to the Z'tekis was not a pleasant one. These two races met on an unpopulated world in the Wheel network, and hostilities ensued immediately. Survivors on each side blamed the other for starting the conflict, which prompted the Auk'kheem to propose the idea of a Consortium of Intelligent Species where such conflicts might be resolved peacefully. After several hundred years of negotiation among the many species now traveling through the Wheels, the Yun'dzai agreed to participate and building of the Birthplace of Light and Shadow began.
The Yun'dzai are best known for their love of dancing and music, fondly called the "party animals" of the galaxy. Every Yun'dzai trains to fight, not only to be prepared for battle, but also as entertainment and exercise. Featured at every celebration are various kinds of contests of martial skill, both ancient and modern, and the Yun'dzai celebrate a lot! Almost every week a festival of some kind is held in each settlement and city.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Yun'dzai are a hominid species, but very different in form to humans. The proportions for their limbs and general build is much longer and thinner than that of Homo sapiens. Head and facial structure is also elongated, with a larger skull space.
Biological Traits
Yun'dzai have three genders: male, female and null. The nulls carry pregnancies, whereas females do not. Due to the risks of childbirth, a null's lifespan is generally shorter than other genders, approximately 90 years. Nulls generally have short hair or are completely bald.
Genetics and Reproduction
There are three main genders among the Yun'dzai: males and females, who are responsible for reproduction, while the young are carried to term and raised by nulls. Both male and female provide the null with genetic donations. When fertilization occurs, the fetus implants into the pouch wall until it reaches term (approximately fourteen months later) and disconnects from the pouch. It then crawls out and begins its life as an infant. Babies nurse from their null for approximately two years before they are ready for weaning and independence. Until weaning, the infant resides in the pouch, emerging only to eat and eliminate.
Ecology and Habitats
This species prefers hot or temperate zones, though a small number of Yun'dzai also live in the cooler mountainous regions of their world. Most of their habitat contains rich resources for plant and animal food sources. Their dwellings are built to protect from the elements without closing them off from the environment, so most houses have no walls, only smooth stone floors and a roof structure built of natural materials.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Yun'dzai are omnivores with a high concentration of animal proteins in their diet. They eat meat both raw and cooked. Though most Yun'dzai prefer to hunt their own food, living in cities makes that difficult, so game reserves are set in park-like green spaces where food animals are raised for mass consumption.
Desert-dwelling Yun'dzai requires less water than others of their species, with a special ability to drink large quantities and then not need more for several days. This extra moisture is stored in fat deposits along their shoulders, giving them a humpbacked look.
Desert-dwelling Yun'dzai requires less water than others of their species, with a special ability to drink large quantities and then not need more for several days. This extra moisture is stored in fat deposits along their shoulders, giving them a humpbacked look.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Though the Yun'dzai are a warrior/hunter culture, they find value in those who have talent in other areas, such as art and technology. Warriors are usually second tier in government, under those who show talent for organization and negotiation. Socially, however, the most gifted warriors are always in high demand.
Nulls are treasured, though they are not allowed to fight. Their role in society is strictly relegated to bearing and bringing up children.
Nulls are treasured, though they are not allowed to fight. Their role in society is strictly relegated to bearing and bringing up children.
Facial characteristics
There is a generally hominid look to Yun'dzai faces, though the cat-like eyes are noticeably different from humans. Eyes are generally icy blue, pale gray or white, and irises take up most of the visible space on the eyeballs. Noses are aquiline with a wide, almost flat bridge. Mouths are generally human shaped, but their teeth are more like a wildcat's, with sharply pointed canines and incisors, made for tearing flesh. Their hair is always white, often elaborately coiffed above a high forehead. Pale blue spots are dusted around the hairline, down the sides of the neck and across the shoulders. Cobalt undertones highlight lips, cheeks, foreheads and shoulders. Long, pointed ears set just above the jaw are built for catching faint sounds. These droop when relaxed, and swivel around when actively listening.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Among Earth species, the only creatures with vertical pupils are small predators, such as cats and foxes, but this feature is also present among Yun'dzai. Their vision is extremely acute in darkness as well as bright light. Their senses of smell and hearing are also more powerful than a human's.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Yun'dzai are named after desirable traits their parents wish them to have. Should this not be suitable when the person becomes an adult, a renaming ceremony is performed. The male representative to the Birthplace of Light and Shadow is called Tsaiedemov, which means "Articulate."
Major Organizations
There are seven nations among the Yun'dzai. Though tensions escalate frequently among them, most conflicts are resolved politically. The most recent war among Yun'dzai nations occurred 87 years ago between two equatorial nations over the vandalism of a shrine to the Architect.
Beauty Ideals
Symmetry in features is a primary ideal in Yun'dzai beauty. One's spots are also considered, with a larger concentration of the freckles or large spots being preferable. Long, sharp teeth are also desired in both male and female. Nulls are not considered for their beauty due to the fact that they do not contribute genetically to offspring. For them, large breasts and a roomy pouch are desirable features.
Gender Ideals
There is little obvious difference between male and female Yun'dzai. Males have more prominent brow and jaw structures and females tend to have longer skulls. What is sought for in a mate is balance in features and prowess in their chosen field. Those with skill as warriors tend to have first choice.
Relationship Ideals
Relationships are always family oriented. While adults will come together for mating, these unions are rarely the result of a relationship and more often a negotiated contract between families. At the center of each family is the Null(s) who bear and raise the children. Many family members may utilize the same Null as soon as pouch space is available.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
There are seven nations, each with its own primary language, but more than twenty distinct dialects within those groupings.
Common Etiquette Rules
It is customary for Yun'dzai, when meeting someone for the first time, to display his/her/their weapons as a show of respect. This includes the baring of teeth.
Their most intimidating feature, however, was their teeth. Long canines extended well above the incisors. As they drew near the humans, they pulled back their lips to expose their dangerously pointed dental array. Obviously, they were carnivores.
Pyushu nudged Okh. “Show your teeth,” he reminded his partner, then explained to the humans nearby. “It’s kind of like a military salute. In their culture, a true warrior reveals his arms to another. Let the other guy know what you’re packing before you get into a fight.” He held out his empty hands and flashed a grin.
Gabriel smiled, fully baring his teeth. Then he reached for his belt and withdrew his knife and pistol, holding them up in the air in plain sight.
One of the Yun’dzai paused before him, a distinctly approving look on his too-human face. He offered a quick bow that might have been a dance step, but Gabriel suspected it had been meant specifically for him.
Common Dress Code
Nulls always wear white as a special tribute to their status among their people. All other Yun'dzai wear brief, tightly fitting, brightly colored garb in wild patterns. Every garment shows a lot of skin, most usually a short skirt and sandals.
History
Their history has been frequently dotted by various wars since ancient times. It was customary in their primitive history to make war for food, supplies, mates and territory. In spite of this predilection for conflict, the Yun'dzai made progress and developed metallurgy, agriculture, animal husbandry and eventually, technology sufficient for them to travel in space.
After meeting the Auk'kheem and trading with them, the Yun'dzai's grasp of technology developed at a much faster rate. Through the peacemaking efforts of the Builders, the Yun'dzai proposed treaties among their own nations that are still in place, despite the occasional skirmish.
During the era immediately following the disappearance of the Builders, the Yun'dzai, Tirmas and Jinn formed a partnership to care for and develop the ultimate peacemaking tool between the member races of the Consortium for Intelligent Species. Two thousand years ago, the Yun'dzai retreated from the Consortium due to escalating tensions between other races. It has only been in the last few hundred years that the Jinn resumed their friendship and began to restore relations with the Yun'dzai.
After meeting the Auk'kheem and trading with them, the Yun'dzai's grasp of technology developed at a much faster rate. Through the peacemaking efforts of the Builders, the Yun'dzai proposed treaties among their own nations that are still in place, despite the occasional skirmish.
During the era immediately following the disappearance of the Builders, the Yun'dzai, Tirmas and Jinn formed a partnership to care for and develop the ultimate peacemaking tool between the member races of the Consortium for Intelligent Species. Two thousand years ago, the Yun'dzai retreated from the Consortium due to escalating tensions between other races. It has only been in the last few hundred years that the Jinn resumed their friendship and began to restore relations with the Yun'dzai.
Common Myths and Legends
The legend of the Architect is quite popular among many nations of the Yun'dzai. Some even worship this being as a god.
Lifespan
120 Earth years
Average Height
Height varies between 3' 6" and 5'.
Average Weight
Males and females vary between 80 and 100 pounds. Nulls are generally smaller and may weigh as little as 70 pounds.
Average Physique
Long and lean describes Yun'dzai physique. All are universally fit due to the rigorous exercise they practice daily.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Skin color among all races of the Yun'dzai is blue black, rather than the rosy brown of the darker human races. All feature a unique patterning of light blue spots along the hairline, neck and shoulders.
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