Post by Apillis on Feb 8, 2013 5:34:30 GMT -5
Species Name: Laitra
Sub-Species: Strata (Half-Breeds)
Species Type: Near-Human
Common Laitra
((Picture by madspartan013))
Planet of Origin: Genesis
Average Maximum age: 900-1000+ years
Age of Maturation: 90-120 years
Average Height: 5'7" - 6'0"
Average Weight: 125-170lbs
Notable biological features: Unique Hair and Eye Colors, Monogendered (All-Female Members), Natural Above-Average Human Limberness, Below-Average Human Strength, Self-Reproduction, Force-Senstive*
Number of limbs and Type: Bipedal, two legs, two arms, basic female human physique
* See "Player Notes" at the bottom of the page.
Biology: The Laitra are an all female race with an incredibly long lifespan. They can be accounted for being one of the most ancient species in the galaxy, but this is however largely attributed because of their exceptionally long lifespans. Very similar to humans through the course of their evolution. Originally evolving from aquatic animals that evolved to travel on land, but where in the case for humans those animals evolved into mammals--in the case of the Laitra they remained more amphibious. For humans those once aquatic animals evolved into mammals that were primates. For the Laitra it was a little more unique, their proto-species too were primates, however as mentioned they remained more amphibious in a sense, even as through the course of their evolution they became more and more land-dwelling inclined to the point they could not survive in the oceans of the planet the Laitra called 'Genesis'.
Their skin in fact is not even skin, while it may appear soft and even feel like skin in reality they have scales that are simply so tiny and fine and woven so tightly together it replicates skin. This is largely do to through their evolving into a more land dwelling primate, they begun developing a skin more suited for land than the ocean. Their skin simply never completely developed into being just that--skin, and remained as fine, tightly interwoven scales that replicates something akin to skin. Their complexion can vary, but more commonly they tend to be quite pale, though this is largely more of a result of their culture. (See "Culture" Below)
With exception to eyebrows and the hair on their head, they have absolutely no facial or body hair. Their hair color tends to vary from salmon to various shades of red to the more unique among their species light shades of violet. Though this is largely what their hair color is naturally, but it is not that unique to see a Laitra with white or black hair. For those cases the reasoning is once again is more cultural. (See "Culture" Below)
Their eye colors tend to be various wide rangings hues of very bright shades of crystal blues or emerald greens. They have slit pupils much like some amphibious species or even feline species (the latter merely being an example as biologically their DNA is more akin the former). However, there are some who have odd bright red or orange or purple eyes, though this is yet again--is caused by a cultural issue. (See "Culture" Below)
The reason behind their incredibly limber physiques, i.e. those of the species at their peak physical condition are able to accomplish adroit feats that would make a human Olympian gymnast green with envy, is really quite simple. Starting as far back as their ancestor species they had been extremely selective with whom they would breed with, it was not simply those who could prove to be strong and/or intelligent like any species (though raw physical strength was not really sought after, swiftness and agility was), but rather solely those were not only both but those were the very pinnacle of their species. They had an innate instinct to be able to discern if those of breeding age fit that standard, and those who did not simply out of instinct did not try to breed and would instead become guardians and caretakers of the young. This served them well through the course of their evolutionary development, but it had its drawbacks. A benefit was it lent to their incredible longevity and what caused them as a species to be Force-Sensitive as both features were highly desirable traits to further the species. However, the drawback became exceptionally low birthrates. Natural born Laitra are incredibly rare, and is the current leading cause that has brought them to the brink of extinction. And why they place the hope of the survival--not of the species but their culture upon their sub-species called the "Strata". (See "Sub-Species" Below)
They have a few things going for them in way of populating the species, but their exceptionally low birthrate still is what hampers them today. Such as, their pregnancies in comparison to humans is actually quite short, lasting only 3 or 4 months. However, when the child is born it is on average around a century until they reach the age of maturity. The way in which they reproduce is something akin to certain species of frogs. Some species of frogs when only one gender is around, they can adopt the sexual reproductive roles required to inseminate or be impregnated by another of their gender. This is how the Laitra too evolved, though to a different extreme, while their ancestor species were two gender species able to accomplish much like those various species of frogs. Through the course their evolution the male species simply became redundant to their evolutionary process and by the time they evolved to the "Laitra", they had become a monodengered species--essentially an all-female species able to--for lack of a better phrasing--take on a "male" role solely in the case of breeding.
But they have one other unique reproductive ability, which is to impregnate themselves. It is not through any sexual act, but rather solely an innate ability to internally inseminate themselves with their own DNA. They call this "Ibiofra", it comes from the old tongue of the Laitra language roughly translated as "Self-Cloning", they are literally impregnating themselves to give birth to themselves. It is in a way a life extension that had developed through their evolution to yet again combat their low birthrate. If they failed to have children in their first chance at life, then maybe in another they may succeed. The process literally kills the original body during the birthing process do to an inborn Force technique called "Spiro Trasai", simply translated from their old tongue as "Spiritual Transfer", they literally shift their soul from one body into their newborn body in the process of giving birth to their new form. Note: The "Spiro Trasai" can only ever be accomplished when transferring their soul from their own body into their newborn body. It does not work by attempting to transfer their being into a body foreign in a way to the individual--it can only be done with their own body.
In a way it is like a butterfly that is able to recreate a cocoon only to reemerge once again in a slightly different form. However, this cannot be done carelessly on the part of the Laitra who does it, for they are returning to a newborn state and thus will need to be raised and cared for like any other newborn. The memories gained from a past life or lives feel more like dreams than the memories that they were, and whatever skills and power they had in one life does not transfer into this new body; again they are newborn all over again and thus everything needs to be relearned. It is unlikely they will even be the same person as they were in lives past as it is ones experiences and memories that shape a person into who they are. But this reproductive ability much like when skin regenerates its youthfulness is lessened, every time a Laitra does this their great lifespan is shortened. A Laitra who has already matured into adulthood after a mere 30 or 40 years, or has become wizened by a mere couple centuries can be presumed to have lived many lives by repeatedly doing the "Ibiofra". And Laitra who have done it to such an extent have been known to become quite mentally unhinged (even among their own species) and are viewed with extreme caution and doing so at such a frequency is regarded as a taboo as a result.
The human concept of age tends to be quite linear and simplistic. But for the Laitra its significance biologically is quite a bit different. For instance, to reach 'adulthood' it takes them about century, thus are basically their '18-21 year old', but their actual prime is not not fully realized until around their third century, which this places them around what would be for humans their thirties. Being middle-aged for them is around their seventh century. And so the pattern follows, the path way to reaching maturity has a quick pace relative to how they age for the rest of their lives. Into their seventh century they are typically not quite as spry as they once were, and by their ninth century they have become wizened by time and have around a century left until they are fated to die of old age.
Their Force-Sensitivity is quite extreme and can easily be considered their most prized aspect to them as a species. But it has caused them not to necessarily have a hive mind, but they do have a collective sense as they are all lightly connected to one another via the Force as a species. They can easily feel each others presence, a Laitra always knows when another Laitra is near; and they are seldom surprised by what another Laitra does, because they already have a vague sense of it through the Force innately. This from one point of view can be seen as a great benefit, while from another a great detriment; and the Laitra themselves would be the first to concede to either perspective. The simplest way to view it is like a very weak Master/Apprentice Force bond, they do not know what each other thinks, their motives, or even their general thoughts; but what they can perceive vaguely is their general feelings.
But over the course of their evolutionary development, and developing from primitive tribes in the wilds to a heavily technologically based society, the strength of their physicality became diminished. The average Laitra is not quite as physically strong as the average human. With their heavy reliance on the Force and technology, and then at times even melding the two together, they came to rely less and less on their physical strength. Often forcing them into the position of when having to physically move or lift or adjust etc etc, something that requires more than below average human physical strength, they are forced to rely on some form of outside help--whether that be some form of tech or their prowess in the Force.
Sub-Species: The Strata are seen by the Laitra as the inheritors of their legacy, the last hope for carrying on a dying species culture. Strata tend to live only a fifth the length of time a Laitra does, and often how quickly they mature or reach adulthood varies primarily upon the species of their other parent. But they are always born female and Force-Sensitive, as their Laitra heritage tends to be the dominating genes. They often tend to look very much like Laitra themselves. Because their birthrate is so much higher than their parent species the Laitra, they lack the "Ibiofra" reproductive ability.
Only the Laitra's "Half-Breeds" are called Strata, and it is only them who tend to bear such a strong semblance to the Laitra. Those who are born a fourth Laitra, the blood is too diluted and thus what Laitra features or even what gender the child is, is as randomized as it would be for any other two gender inter-species conception.
The Strata in fact have reached the point they out-number their parent species the Laitra themselves. Within Laitra society and cities, the Strata are the dominate species of the two as they have begun to breed amongst themselves, and thus have somewhat solidified themselves as their own species in a way. The Laitra themselves even have a leniency to regard them as such rather than being mere "half-breeds", hence why the Laitra call them the "Strata", which the Strata themselves adopted in turn.
Oddly the Laitra discovered with Humans and Near-Humans such as the Miraluka, Epicanthix, Echani, etc--that their fertility/birthrate for producing children becomes much higher, and it often is more determined by the other species' fertility rather than their own that determines the conception of a child. Understandably complications can and do occur like with any other inter-species conception. But for the Laitra it is worth the risk for the chance and opportunity to further their species' legacy into later eras--eras the Laitra themselves may never get to see as they are currently coming closer to extinction.
Furthermore, while Laitra and Strata unions are not unheard of, their ability to produce a child together while not as rare as a full-blooded Laitra birth is, the birthrate is still incredibly low, and thus very rare. But those born through such unions are for the most Laitra and are regarded as such as they possess every trait that makes a Laitra a Laitra, despite the fourth of their heritage that is not Laitra.
The Strata also are a bit of a curiosity for the Laitra because they are not part of the Laitra's collective Force connection. The only way a Strata can find themselves possessing the Laitra species' Force connection with them is by close blood relation or by bonding with a Laitra through love or a master/apprentice relationship similar to Jedi. Otherwise the Laitra have no connection to Strata through the Force and they often find it an oddity to the Strata, one they tend to have mixed feelings about, even a bit of suspicion and concern.
However, on the whole the Strata because of being viewed by the Laitra as their legacy, are often well received by the Laitra and embraced. The Strata and Laitra have been each other's allies for thousands of years, and there has been no evidence this will ever change as both tend to gravitate toward the other, whether it be culturally or through some means via the Great Mystery itself.
With the Laitra having given their allegiance to the Sith Empire, there were many things the Strata sought to create as a people separate from the Laitra, in essence to make their own. Unfortunately for them they simply lacked the resources outside of Laitra society, which lead to them to them also turning to the Sith Empire for aid. Thus leading to both the Laitra and their Strata children giving allegiance to the Sith Empire, for somewhat different reasoning. But with the allegiance of both the Strata and Laitra, it essentially gives the Sith a section of space utterly devoted to manufacturing for the Sith Empire, much like Muunilist in a sense.
Laitra City: Khardus
((Picture by Andreas Rocha))
Culture: There are two things the Laitra prize most: legacy and the Force. For a dying race numbering only in the thousands, who will likely die out in several thousand years--legacy is everything. Albeit while that maybe a long time for some species, for the Laitra it is only a few generations. The unique ability to enable themselves to have another shot at life and thus another chance at attempting to produce a child enables them to in a way to combat their extinction, nevertheless the Laitra as a whole have long conceded to the reality it is merely delaying the inevitable. They have their pockets of resistance to their decline, but again--on the whole, it is something they have accepted as a reality they cannot change.
A modern Laitra (or Strata) warrior/soldier.
((Picture by madspartan013))
Other than legacy, the power of the Force is their greatest prize and pride. They started out as a race of builders with a strong foresight for expansion. But they have always had dark leanings, and building in time became an empire of industry, and expansion became domination and conquering. Though now it seems they are bent on the survival of what little they have left, their warmongering was less out of a perspective of being the grand, honorable warriors and more out of a desire for the greater power of industry.
They were builders after all, their cities were grand and the systems in which they ruled were testaments to the power of technology and the ever progressive gears of the machine.
Laitra Droids Soldiers/Sentinels
((Picture by pervandr))
However, the once great Laitra Empire has long fallen, and technically by their own hand. There has since not been a Laitra Empress since the last vanished at the time of their great fall. Since then they have merely preserved what they have been able to from the ashes of their ruin. What were impressive industrial planets are now merely cities built on asteroids drifting in the space they once ruled.
Laitra City: Libarae
((Picture by 0800))
But because they prized the power of the Force so highly, it is a significant part of their culture for every Laitra to be a competent Force adept in some regard. While the average Laitra is no more or less powerful than say the average Miraluka, their more veteran soldiery can even prove to be a match for a Sith or Jedi Knight, and their elite warriors and officers are at times revealed to match Sith Lords and Jedi Masters alike. Long ago before the Laitra's fall, for a brief time they even had a spat with the Aing-Tii, though both sides wound up proverbially walking away from one another unwilling to push each other, and thus in the end chose simply to leave one another alone.
The combat processing units of their droid armies were (and still are) fairly technologically sophisticated enough to operate with almost as much complexity as a sentient army. But this is so long as they are working remotely under the command of a Laitra/Strata able to dictate and control their movements and tactics as a unit. Outside of that direct lead of Laitra/Strata commander remotely controlling them, the droids' combat tactics are quite simplistic and basic when operating on their own. They were and far more so to this day the lion's share of the Laitra's law enforcement and military within their remaining cities. The Laitra themselves numbering only in the low thousands, their entire non-droid military only has a few hundred Laitra, while the rest of the non-droid army is composed of the Strata who number around only a thousand strong within the military.
Because of their small populace and paranoia of being attacked by a much larger force, Laitra and Strata are conscripted into military service when they reach adulthood. They then spend the next three decades (or ten years in the case of Strata) as part of the Laitra military. Alternatively some can be enrolled into the community paid for military academies starting when they are children, where they are schooled and trained to be in the military, and perform community services in Laitra cities. Those who do not go career with their military service either go into law enforcement or in some way contribute to preservation of Laitra society and culture. Laitra and Strata tend to spend their entire lives being taught how to wield the Force, but upon their enlistment into the military they go through a more rigorous training that turns them into competent Force wielders, which this training lasts two decades (or seven years in the case of Strata). Meaning their "boot camp" is longer than their actual military service outside of their recruitment phase. Their career military personnel, though small in number they are, nevertheless have been known to rival Jedi Knights (especially those Laitra and Strata enrolled into the military academies as children). While their more elite number that have spent at least couple centuries in military service have been known to rival Jedi Masters, rare though they are. For normally for Laitra it is not until they have become old (for them) and wizened do they reach that level of power, but by that point however their bodies are decrepit.
The reason for that model though is simple, they are builders, they do not expect their people to remain in military service, they expect their people to solidify and preserve what they have left. As they once ruled several planets now they only have several cities left to their name, so their current system for military conscription is set up so that their citizens can defend themselves as well as any of their soldiery, yet still maintain careers that focus on maintaining what little they have left.
Laitra City: Cerus
((Picture by James Ledger))
The Laitra people themselves, and for the most part the Strata as well, their socio-political dynamic tends to be very vicious. There is a lot of socio-political backstabbing that goes on, and little to no sympathy for those who are unable to weather it. Laitra society tends to run by influence and sway of the socio-political nature, despite their Force abilities, their conflicts amongst themselves tend to be wars of influence and leverage. They are often reluctant to take their conflicts to a martial level with one another in fear that because their society is built on layers and layers of numerous webs of intrigue and clandestine socio-political manipulation and shadowy deals that it may erupt into full blown civil war between numerous factions within the Laitra so convoluted they would not be able to keep track of who is really friend or foe. So it all remains as each Laitra (and Strata) playing numerous chess games against numerous other Laitra (and Strata) and often are not even certain who they are playing against.
Titles and occupation too are utterly eclipsed by these influence wars. In fact, an ordinary Laitra small-time shop keeper could prove to be more influentially powerful than say a Laitra city council member so long as they possessed enough social sway within Laitra society to do it. The only title that every Laitra regards is that of "Empress", however there has not been one for over a thousand years (See "History" Below), for the ancient blood-line of the great empresses of old has either died, been spent, or retreated to parts unknown in the galaxy.
The Strata and rumored Warden of the Sky, Averia, facing an enemy.
((Picture by Yosane))
Many that know of the Laitra mistakenly believe under a fairly sexist thought process that so long as they are beautiful they may be able to achieve great gains among them. The Sith Empire in fact mistakenly made this assumption in the beginning of the negotiations when the Laitra chose to ally with them, by the Empire sending beautiful women to negotiate with the Laitra; but what they found with the Laita was they were often less than impressed with said negotiators and unaffected by those lovely negotiators' pulchritude. For the reality is the Laitra themselves already tend to be on the attractive side of what the human concept is for beautiful women, and this is not entirely by accident as attractiveness is one of the things that a Laitra (or any species really) may look for in a mate. However, in the larger scheme of things within their society, while they see the benefits of a pretty face, they expect more well beyond the norm of the usual Laitra--there are no free-rides with them, so to speak. So should they fail to meet those expectations, they are then relegated to what the Laitra call "Chite", a derogatory slang from the Laitra old tongue for a disappointing "picture" or "portrait", because in their eyes that is all that Laitra is at that point, merely something nice to look at and otherwise worthless to society and thus a disappointment.
Laitra often tend to carry themselves with a lofty air, and high-brow far-seeing wisdom. It is not surprising for them to be a bit arrogant to those outside of their species, largely out of the condescending view of most other species being so much younger than their own. This arrogance however quickly leads them down dark paths, which in turn causes them to be ruthless and malicious. Laitra are incredibly spiteful by nature when they feel as though they have been wronged, and will often compulsively act accordingly. Amongst other Laitra it will be through social manipulation in which their compulsion to act out of their spite will be done, but with those of other species it tends to be far more brutal, and the power of their martial strength both in technological ability and the Force is then felt.
Naturally for a species with such immense lifespans age plays a significant role in their society. Laitra who have lived beyond eight centuries are called "Kayel", an old word from their language meaning, "elder". The elders who are of the military are exceptionally powerful Force adepts and are not to be trifled with, but even those who are not can prove to be talented wielders of the Force. Within Laitra society, age does play role in granting respect to another. A younger Laitra will at the very least will show some regard for an older Laitra for the fact they have likely seen and done more than they have. But this only goes so far, as for the fact that influence within Laitra society reigns supreme, and if an older Laitra or especially a "Kayel" does not have the influence to back up their age, the respect the Laitra would normally afford her becomes greatly diminished.
The greatest compliment that one can be called by the Laitra also comes from their old tongue, which is "Arket", roughly translated as "architect". Not surprising for species of proud builders and industrialist manufacturers. It is also used as an honorary title for those "Kayel", often that have become wizened and reaching the end of their time typically having lived past nine or more centuries; but they are so noted for their accomplishments and sway within Laitra society. Naturally for one that has lived so long and despite the Laitra's harsh standards, those accomplishments and feats of theirs number in the many to be given such a moniker.
Though, with the Laitra dying out it is not uncommon to see the scant few that compose the new generation branching away from the Laitra space and culture, and integrating with other cultures. It is incredibly rare to see Laitra among Sith or Jedi, especially the latter as Laitra by their own nature tend not to do well within the Jedi culture. In truth, every Laitra that has found themselves accepted into the Jedi Order have each fallen to the dark side and left it at one time or another... one way or another. Those few that had become part of the Sith had made their home within the Sith Order quite easily.
The famed Laitra Dark Jedi Master Elysis in combat.
It is not difficult to tell when a Laitra has fallen to the dark side, their skin becomes a pallor some times even corpse-like, similar to humans and several Near-Human species. Their eyes gain a bright purple or seemingly fiery red--sometimes even yellowish-orange hue. Some times their hair color keeps its natural color, but it is not surprising should a fallen Laitra's hair color turn white or black. The dark side corruption certainly leaves its mark on them, but within Laitra society this is often unsurprising for the more influential and martial of their number, and is also widely accepted and in certain regards expected. Light or dark they hold no preference, they tend to think that the Force should be experienced without restraint, and this also often contributes to the Laitra having more of a dark leaning than a lighter one.
The Laitra had long conformed to calling the great mystery "the Force" having gotten away from the primitive understanding of it they once had like many cultures that have been touched by it. In those ancient days they called it simply "the Mother", they viewed it as the tangible essence of Mother Nature, and that She granted them her power. They tended to view "the Mother" as a kind of omnipresent, omnipotent, cold goddess of indifference who at times unleashed her wrath upon the universe to maintain balance. That belief structure shaped the Laitra throughout their cultural and socio-political development, even when they reached beyond that primitive understanding of the Force. Albeit, despite their archaic goddess worship of the Force no longer existing among them, their are those who still use the archaic terminology metaphorically. While other common phrases of those ancient days still persist, such as for example--a meteor striking down upon a planet from the heavens, one may hear a Laitra or even Strata remark, "The Mother still showing us why She is the supreme power."
For more details on their culture and the area in which they live, see Laitra space.
Laitra City: Karnis
((Picture by Ulric Leprovost))
History: Their earliest beginnings were as tribal societies who revered great power in the Force ("the Mother"), like many early Force cultures. Many times over it was used to combat and even conqueror and subdue the reptilian beasts of Genesis. Most of the creatures upon Genesis were of reptilian or amphibious origin, and were the largest creatures of the planet. The Laitra themselves were among the smallest species that existed on the planet, not including various microscopic lifeforms and organisms. As the Laitra begun to grow in power as a species and essentially become the dominating species of the planet, they begun using the reptilian beasts of the planet as essentially their servants and pets like many other societies in general.
An ancient Laitra warrior riding her beast mount.
((Picture by someone who is not me))
It was from there they became a culture of builders and sought after expansion. With time their villages and towns became cities and grand metropolises dedicated to the power of their industrial might. Priding themselves on technological marvels represented through their great cities. Eventually the once beautiful and lush green planet of Genesis became reduced to smog filled skies and grandiose metropolises that near spanned the entirety of the planet as they practically consumed its resources whole, and the great beasts they once dominated and rode upon in their ancient days became extinct as the Laitra themselves are becoming now.
Ancient Laitra Capital City: Valuris
((Picture by 0800))
The seat of their empire was Valuris, though today it no longer exists, for it was naturally destroyed when the planet, Genesis, itself was destroyed centuries ago. It was named after the first Empress Valuris, who was viewed in her time as the most powerful, influential, and wisest of the Laitra. Her bloodline remained strong and each inheritor to her throne was equally viewed as she was. Despite the Laitra having been an empire for tens of thousands of years, predating even the Republic and Jedi, there were only twelve empresses that ruled the Laitra in all that time.
The empire was brought both to the height of its power and to its lowest point by the last empress, Apillis. The Laitra's initial expansion many, many thousands of years ago was relegated to section of the Unknown Regions of space. The sentient species that inhabited the systems the Laitra wound up taking over one by one, wound up extinct. There is no other explanation to those species demise other than the Laitra literally wiped them all out via outright genocide, and then converted what cities those species had built into their own super structures to continue building their grand technological cities.
Laitra City: Grautus
((Picture by atomhawk))
Apillis brought this agenda full steam, and for eight thousand years she ruled, through several rebirths. In her final years she had a daughter by the name of Luesis, together they were a power duo pressing the Laitra ever forward into a greater expanse into the Unknown Regions, then abruptly stop for a time to consolidate power and simply build. However, the two over stepped their bounds. They decided to spread into the Outer Rim, and struck at a couple of the Republic's own systems and took them. It was only a couple centuries after the Great Hyperspace War with Naga Sadow's Sith Empire.
When yet again the Republic found themselves under attack by a culture steeped in dark, evil power--they wisely in this case chose not to take it lightly. The Republic's response was swift and relentless, and rightly so. The Laita were able to put up a powerful and tough resistance, their soldiers outnumbered the Jedi by a couple thousand at that time, but their droid armies and their own armadas did not possess the strength to withstand the enormity of the Republic fleet and armies. There is always a bigger fish.
The Laitra were harshly defeated time and again by the Republic's onslaught as their war with one another continued. The Congress of the Laitra's empire wanted to surrender to the Republic, but Apillis refused--whether simply overly prideful or having lost her mind, she wanted the Laitra to fight to the bitter end. But the Congress overruled her, and in essence told her that the time of the empresses ruling the Laitra at this point was obsolete, and the Laitra will govern themselves. It was at this point Apillis chose to show them just how influential the line of empresses was and why they were established in the first place. By utilizing fanatical loyalists to her rule, she launched a clandestine coup of self-destruction upon her own rule.
A modern elite Laitra (or Strata) warrior/solider.
For the Republic that point in history is a bit of bafflement for them, while for the Jedi it was the birth of what some historians call 'The Void', not reference to space but the section of the Unknown Regions where the Laitra's once great empire dwelled. What was thought to be the calm before the storm of another great battle between the Republic and Laitra instead turned into something far more vile and large scale. The powercores within the plants that fueled the very grand planet wide metropolises all became unstable and exploded, obliterating each planet into nothing more than asteroids and space debris.
The fanatics of Apillis' reign under her sway and influence manipulated events for them to infiltrate those power plants housing the planet's powercores and overload them each simultaneously across Laitra space. The Laitra once numbered a few million, since their near complete annihilation at the hands of their last empress, they have only numbered a few thousand as a whole. The immense loss of life from the deaths of so many, and nothing more than space debris being left where there once planets home to great technological marvels has left that specific region of space quite empty. The older and more traditional Laitra view what their last empress had done as saving the Laitra from Republic contol, for death and ruin in their eyes are better options than the Republic's yoke. While the more progressive and moderate Laitra see Apillis as the Laitra's greatest failure.
Princess Luesis in battle.
((Picture by madspartan013))
However, to the Laitra's credit with their desire for building greater and more impressive technology, the asteroids they rebuilt their homes upon, they enabled to create shielding and forge an artificial atmosphere around them. Thus turning the asteroids to something akin to tiny planets with a singular city to each one.
The great cities the Laitra possess today are only but small tastes of what they were able to build before it was all destroyed. And before what was largely droid and synthetic creations of the Laitra that primarily housed their grand metropolises, what largely houses their cities now are an assortment of different species travelling the great emptiness of space with the Laitra and Strata as the minorities for the most part. Though when it comes to who controls those cities, there is no question it is the Laitra and Strata who rule them.
Laitra City: Yelysis
((Picture by nkabuto))
The cities of the Laitra are now used as little more than spaceports and shadowports for spacers. For lost are the days of the splendid metropolises as symbols of the great power of their empire. Which is where the Laitra hope the Strata will come in and rectify a culture at risk of being lost forever; while the Strata hope the Laitra will continue to support them in their sought after solidification as a galactic power.
Laitra City: Herist
((Picture by atomhawk))
Albeit, the Strata know better than anyone that the Laitra always have some sort of machinations in the works to further their power and influence on the galactic scale...
Unknown construction in Laitra space.
((Picture by meluseena))
But with the rise of yet another galactic war between the Sith Empire and the Republic and their vaunted Jedi, the Laitra and Strata see this as their time to gain a foothold. For the Laitra the reemergence of the Sith Empire lead by the Sith Order once again is an old tale, one they have witnessed open and close several times. However, the Laitra cannot deny their nature to spite those they hold a grudge against. In a way, they believe they never got the chance to finish their war with the Republic and Jedi, despite the outcome more than likely would have been them losing terribly to the immense size and expanse of the Republic military. Thus... allying with the Empire was not a difficult decision for the Laitra and Strata...
By allying with the Sith Empire, they do not feel their culture to be at risk, in fact, quite the opposite, they see it as an opportunity to cement their legacy. Legacy is paramount to them after all. If their knowledge and technology becomes part of the Sith Empire, something they feel may just very well out last them, then they have only yet again accomplished securing their legacy and memory within the galaxy. The Laitra military and law enforcement remain separate from the Sith Empire, but they do allow free trade and open borders as part of their alliance with the Sith Empire. And because their cities are already primarily large spaceports and shadowports, they utilize their shipyards and manufacturing planets to build ships and droids to supply the Sith Empire's military along side the Sith's Muunilist manufacturers. After all, while they maybe a people and society steeped in the Force, they are still a species of builders.
While their military and law enforcement may not be integrated with the Sith Empire's, the Laitra have left it open to their people to freely join the Sith military or even the reforging Sith Order. Not many of the Laitra or Strata have joined either the ranks of the Sith's military or the Order itself. In fact, the combined number that have joined the Order and military has only been a handful. They seem to be first feeling out the current Sith Empire itself before committing themselves any further, though at the very least they build and supply Laitra technology for the Sith Empire.
Though the amount of Laitra and Strata combined among the Sith Order is only a few, their presence at the Sith Temple tends to be similar to the Luka Sene's presence within the Jedi Enclaves and Temple. Which is more of a teacher and instructor role than actually being a genuine Sith. Willingly sharing their knowledge and rituals of the Force to the Sith studying at the Sith Temple. The Laitra are a people often with dark intentions and impulses, and as mentioned those rare cases where a Laitra or Strata has joined the Sith Order, they tend to integrate into the Sith Order quite easily. And even those who have not, find themselves fairly comfortable around the Sith. In all likelihood it is simply that at their core--their nature and the nature of the Sith are similar enough, Laitra and Strata tend to know what to expect from them. Their philosophical divide at its most basic being the Sith's need for battle and warmongering is out of a lust for power to conquer and rule; whereas for the Laitra their desire to conquer is for the sake of building and expanding to solidify their legacy--power is merely a byproduct of their expansion.
Invaere-class Battlecruisers of the Sith Empire the Laitra made along side Muunilist Shipyards.
((Picture by Vince-T))
Player Notes: Like authors of other custom species apps, I too reserve the right to check your Laitra homework should you create a Laitra character. It's not to force you to play my way or the highway, but rather--there are several things that make the Laitra who they are, and I like to see that being respected. Why play a species if what sets them apart from other species isn't going to be utilized or respected?
Such as, for example, Laitra Jedi, there's no such thing as a perfect and pious Laitra Jedi--they all fall to the dark side at some point, all of them, it's just part of who they are, and those who have yet to often find themselves in conflict with their more spiteful nature--there aren't exceptions it's just who they are. Or another example, their longevity--just because they've lived to be 60 or 70 years old doesn't mean they will be 1337 sh*t with the Force, they're still adolescents then, and thus will have the same stats across the board as any other Force-Sensitive adolescent--no exceptions. They won't hit "Knight-level" stuffs until 100-120+, and they won't hit "Master-level" ranges until 300+ years old--no exceptions. They live very long lives, thus it takes their ability to reach its fullest potential much longer than other species.
The most simplistic way to understand RPing the Laitra is essentially like Drow but completely removing males from their matriarch society altogether, or like dark side Asari. Notice with say elves in DnD games they tend to start at age 81-116 years old by default but humans start out at age 18-21 years old? That's because for them, that's their equivalent ages relative to one another's biology. Notice that an elf or an Asari that has lived for several centuries, even near a thousand years old in supernatural power can be matched by a human that's lived for an iota of that time? Age does not equate super power. Really, if you want a young looking, beautiful woman that's powerful in the Force--it'd be vastly easier to do it by playing a Hapan or a human that's attractive by default, because you won't have as many years to give a narrative to. In fact, that is what quite a few at this site have done. Playing a Laitra because of their longevity should be more about a cultural/socio-political narrative than it should be about "superpowers", because those superpowers can be far more easily achieved via playing a shorter lived species.
In any case, if you have questions, I has answers for yah'. Ask away, and I will answer and help as much as I can.
Other Stuff:
Names: The names for Laitra tend to be either Nordic or Russian sounding or faux Roman-Latin or at least some variation thereof (faux Roman-Latin for the more archaic). It largely depends on what part of Laitra space they were born and raised within. While their cities both in the days of the empire and after its fall, are named after famous leaders of the Laitra people, such as the twelve empresses or great generals from ancient battles or even a Laitra who simply held great renown and influence with their society.
Language: Their spoken word tends to be variations of faux Norse, Russian, and/or Latin (Latin sounding for the more ancient of their number (and thus rare amongst them today)), their accents tend to be either Nordic or Russian in tone, as mentioned this is pending what areas of Laitra space they came from. However, since the fall of their empire they tend to speak Galactic Basic vastly more than their old language. This is do to the abundance of numerous other species having moved into their cities and greatly overshadowing the Laitra's own populace in terms of numbers many times over. Naturally those rare few Laitra or Strata born and/or raised outside of Laitra space will not possess one of the native Laitra accents.
Sub-Species: Strata (Half-Breeds)
Species Type: Near-Human
Common Laitra
((Picture by madspartan013))
Planet of Origin: Genesis
Average Maximum age: 900-1000+ years
Age of Maturation: 90-120 years
Average Height: 5'7" - 6'0"
Average Weight: 125-170lbs
Notable biological features: Unique Hair and Eye Colors, Monogendered (All-Female Members), Natural Above-Average Human Limberness, Below-Average Human Strength, Self-Reproduction, Force-Senstive*
Number of limbs and Type: Bipedal, two legs, two arms, basic female human physique
* See "Player Notes" at the bottom of the page.
Biology: The Laitra are an all female race with an incredibly long lifespan. They can be accounted for being one of the most ancient species in the galaxy, but this is however largely attributed because of their exceptionally long lifespans. Very similar to humans through the course of their evolution. Originally evolving from aquatic animals that evolved to travel on land, but where in the case for humans those animals evolved into mammals--in the case of the Laitra they remained more amphibious. For humans those once aquatic animals evolved into mammals that were primates. For the Laitra it was a little more unique, their proto-species too were primates, however as mentioned they remained more amphibious in a sense, even as through the course of their evolution they became more and more land-dwelling inclined to the point they could not survive in the oceans of the planet the Laitra called 'Genesis'.
Their skin in fact is not even skin, while it may appear soft and even feel like skin in reality they have scales that are simply so tiny and fine and woven so tightly together it replicates skin. This is largely do to through their evolving into a more land dwelling primate, they begun developing a skin more suited for land than the ocean. Their skin simply never completely developed into being just that--skin, and remained as fine, tightly interwoven scales that replicates something akin to skin. Their complexion can vary, but more commonly they tend to be quite pale, though this is largely more of a result of their culture. (See "Culture" Below)
With exception to eyebrows and the hair on their head, they have absolutely no facial or body hair. Their hair color tends to vary from salmon to various shades of red to the more unique among their species light shades of violet. Though this is largely what their hair color is naturally, but it is not that unique to see a Laitra with white or black hair. For those cases the reasoning is once again is more cultural. (See "Culture" Below)
Their eye colors tend to be various wide rangings hues of very bright shades of crystal blues or emerald greens. They have slit pupils much like some amphibious species or even feline species (the latter merely being an example as biologically their DNA is more akin the former). However, there are some who have odd bright red or orange or purple eyes, though this is yet again--is caused by a cultural issue. (See "Culture" Below)
The reason behind their incredibly limber physiques, i.e. those of the species at their peak physical condition are able to accomplish adroit feats that would make a human Olympian gymnast green with envy, is really quite simple. Starting as far back as their ancestor species they had been extremely selective with whom they would breed with, it was not simply those who could prove to be strong and/or intelligent like any species (though raw physical strength was not really sought after, swiftness and agility was), but rather solely those were not only both but those were the very pinnacle of their species. They had an innate instinct to be able to discern if those of breeding age fit that standard, and those who did not simply out of instinct did not try to breed and would instead become guardians and caretakers of the young. This served them well through the course of their evolutionary development, but it had its drawbacks. A benefit was it lent to their incredible longevity and what caused them as a species to be Force-Sensitive as both features were highly desirable traits to further the species. However, the drawback became exceptionally low birthrates. Natural born Laitra are incredibly rare, and is the current leading cause that has brought them to the brink of extinction. And why they place the hope of the survival--not of the species but their culture upon their sub-species called the "Strata". (See "Sub-Species" Below)
They have a few things going for them in way of populating the species, but their exceptionally low birthrate still is what hampers them today. Such as, their pregnancies in comparison to humans is actually quite short, lasting only 3 or 4 months. However, when the child is born it is on average around a century until they reach the age of maturity. The way in which they reproduce is something akin to certain species of frogs. Some species of frogs when only one gender is around, they can adopt the sexual reproductive roles required to inseminate or be impregnated by another of their gender. This is how the Laitra too evolved, though to a different extreme, while their ancestor species were two gender species able to accomplish much like those various species of frogs. Through the course their evolution the male species simply became redundant to their evolutionary process and by the time they evolved to the "Laitra", they had become a monodengered species--essentially an all-female species able to--for lack of a better phrasing--take on a "male" role solely in the case of breeding.
But they have one other unique reproductive ability, which is to impregnate themselves. It is not through any sexual act, but rather solely an innate ability to internally inseminate themselves with their own DNA. They call this "Ibiofra", it comes from the old tongue of the Laitra language roughly translated as "Self-Cloning", they are literally impregnating themselves to give birth to themselves. It is in a way a life extension that had developed through their evolution to yet again combat their low birthrate. If they failed to have children in their first chance at life, then maybe in another they may succeed. The process literally kills the original body during the birthing process do to an inborn Force technique called "Spiro Trasai", simply translated from their old tongue as "Spiritual Transfer", they literally shift their soul from one body into their newborn body in the process of giving birth to their new form. Note: The "Spiro Trasai" can only ever be accomplished when transferring their soul from their own body into their newborn body. It does not work by attempting to transfer their being into a body foreign in a way to the individual--it can only be done with their own body.
In a way it is like a butterfly that is able to recreate a cocoon only to reemerge once again in a slightly different form. However, this cannot be done carelessly on the part of the Laitra who does it, for they are returning to a newborn state and thus will need to be raised and cared for like any other newborn. The memories gained from a past life or lives feel more like dreams than the memories that they were, and whatever skills and power they had in one life does not transfer into this new body; again they are newborn all over again and thus everything needs to be relearned. It is unlikely they will even be the same person as they were in lives past as it is ones experiences and memories that shape a person into who they are. But this reproductive ability much like when skin regenerates its youthfulness is lessened, every time a Laitra does this their great lifespan is shortened. A Laitra who has already matured into adulthood after a mere 30 or 40 years, or has become wizened by a mere couple centuries can be presumed to have lived many lives by repeatedly doing the "Ibiofra". And Laitra who have done it to such an extent have been known to become quite mentally unhinged (even among their own species) and are viewed with extreme caution and doing so at such a frequency is regarded as a taboo as a result.
The human concept of age tends to be quite linear and simplistic. But for the Laitra its significance biologically is quite a bit different. For instance, to reach 'adulthood' it takes them about century, thus are basically their '18-21 year old', but their actual prime is not not fully realized until around their third century, which this places them around what would be for humans their thirties. Being middle-aged for them is around their seventh century. And so the pattern follows, the path way to reaching maturity has a quick pace relative to how they age for the rest of their lives. Into their seventh century they are typically not quite as spry as they once were, and by their ninth century they have become wizened by time and have around a century left until they are fated to die of old age.
Their Force-Sensitivity is quite extreme and can easily be considered their most prized aspect to them as a species. But it has caused them not to necessarily have a hive mind, but they do have a collective sense as they are all lightly connected to one another via the Force as a species. They can easily feel each others presence, a Laitra always knows when another Laitra is near; and they are seldom surprised by what another Laitra does, because they already have a vague sense of it through the Force innately. This from one point of view can be seen as a great benefit, while from another a great detriment; and the Laitra themselves would be the first to concede to either perspective. The simplest way to view it is like a very weak Master/Apprentice Force bond, they do not know what each other thinks, their motives, or even their general thoughts; but what they can perceive vaguely is their general feelings.
But over the course of their evolutionary development, and developing from primitive tribes in the wilds to a heavily technologically based society, the strength of their physicality became diminished. The average Laitra is not quite as physically strong as the average human. With their heavy reliance on the Force and technology, and then at times even melding the two together, they came to rely less and less on their physical strength. Often forcing them into the position of when having to physically move or lift or adjust etc etc, something that requires more than below average human physical strength, they are forced to rely on some form of outside help--whether that be some form of tech or their prowess in the Force.
Sub-Species: The Strata are seen by the Laitra as the inheritors of their legacy, the last hope for carrying on a dying species culture. Strata tend to live only a fifth the length of time a Laitra does, and often how quickly they mature or reach adulthood varies primarily upon the species of their other parent. But they are always born female and Force-Sensitive, as their Laitra heritage tends to be the dominating genes. They often tend to look very much like Laitra themselves. Because their birthrate is so much higher than their parent species the Laitra, they lack the "Ibiofra" reproductive ability.
Only the Laitra's "Half-Breeds" are called Strata, and it is only them who tend to bear such a strong semblance to the Laitra. Those who are born a fourth Laitra, the blood is too diluted and thus what Laitra features or even what gender the child is, is as randomized as it would be for any other two gender inter-species conception.
The Strata in fact have reached the point they out-number their parent species the Laitra themselves. Within Laitra society and cities, the Strata are the dominate species of the two as they have begun to breed amongst themselves, and thus have somewhat solidified themselves as their own species in a way. The Laitra themselves even have a leniency to regard them as such rather than being mere "half-breeds", hence why the Laitra call them the "Strata", which the Strata themselves adopted in turn.
Oddly the Laitra discovered with Humans and Near-Humans such as the Miraluka, Epicanthix, Echani, etc--that their fertility/birthrate for producing children becomes much higher, and it often is more determined by the other species' fertility rather than their own that determines the conception of a child. Understandably complications can and do occur like with any other inter-species conception. But for the Laitra it is worth the risk for the chance and opportunity to further their species' legacy into later eras--eras the Laitra themselves may never get to see as they are currently coming closer to extinction.
Furthermore, while Laitra and Strata unions are not unheard of, their ability to produce a child together while not as rare as a full-blooded Laitra birth is, the birthrate is still incredibly low, and thus very rare. But those born through such unions are for the most Laitra and are regarded as such as they possess every trait that makes a Laitra a Laitra, despite the fourth of their heritage that is not Laitra.
The Strata also are a bit of a curiosity for the Laitra because they are not part of the Laitra's collective Force connection. The only way a Strata can find themselves possessing the Laitra species' Force connection with them is by close blood relation or by bonding with a Laitra through love or a master/apprentice relationship similar to Jedi. Otherwise the Laitra have no connection to Strata through the Force and they often find it an oddity to the Strata, one they tend to have mixed feelings about, even a bit of suspicion and concern.
However, on the whole the Strata because of being viewed by the Laitra as their legacy, are often well received by the Laitra and embraced. The Strata and Laitra have been each other's allies for thousands of years, and there has been no evidence this will ever change as both tend to gravitate toward the other, whether it be culturally or through some means via the Great Mystery itself.
With the Laitra having given their allegiance to the Sith Empire, there were many things the Strata sought to create as a people separate from the Laitra, in essence to make their own. Unfortunately for them they simply lacked the resources outside of Laitra society, which lead to them to them also turning to the Sith Empire for aid. Thus leading to both the Laitra and their Strata children giving allegiance to the Sith Empire, for somewhat different reasoning. But with the allegiance of both the Strata and Laitra, it essentially gives the Sith a section of space utterly devoted to manufacturing for the Sith Empire, much like Muunilist in a sense.
Laitra City: Khardus
((Picture by Andreas Rocha))
Culture: There are two things the Laitra prize most: legacy and the Force. For a dying race numbering only in the thousands, who will likely die out in several thousand years--legacy is everything. Albeit while that maybe a long time for some species, for the Laitra it is only a few generations. The unique ability to enable themselves to have another shot at life and thus another chance at attempting to produce a child enables them to in a way to combat their extinction, nevertheless the Laitra as a whole have long conceded to the reality it is merely delaying the inevitable. They have their pockets of resistance to their decline, but again--on the whole, it is something they have accepted as a reality they cannot change.
A modern Laitra (or Strata) warrior/soldier.
((Picture by madspartan013))
Other than legacy, the power of the Force is their greatest prize and pride. They started out as a race of builders with a strong foresight for expansion. But they have always had dark leanings, and building in time became an empire of industry, and expansion became domination and conquering. Though now it seems they are bent on the survival of what little they have left, their warmongering was less out of a perspective of being the grand, honorable warriors and more out of a desire for the greater power of industry.
They were builders after all, their cities were grand and the systems in which they ruled were testaments to the power of technology and the ever progressive gears of the machine.
Laitra Droids Soldiers/Sentinels
((Picture by pervandr))
However, the once great Laitra Empire has long fallen, and technically by their own hand. There has since not been a Laitra Empress since the last vanished at the time of their great fall. Since then they have merely preserved what they have been able to from the ashes of their ruin. What were impressive industrial planets are now merely cities built on asteroids drifting in the space they once ruled.
Laitra City: Libarae
((Picture by 0800))
But because they prized the power of the Force so highly, it is a significant part of their culture for every Laitra to be a competent Force adept in some regard. While the average Laitra is no more or less powerful than say the average Miraluka, their more veteran soldiery can even prove to be a match for a Sith or Jedi Knight, and their elite warriors and officers are at times revealed to match Sith Lords and Jedi Masters alike. Long ago before the Laitra's fall, for a brief time they even had a spat with the Aing-Tii, though both sides wound up proverbially walking away from one another unwilling to push each other, and thus in the end chose simply to leave one another alone.
The combat processing units of their droid armies were (and still are) fairly technologically sophisticated enough to operate with almost as much complexity as a sentient army. But this is so long as they are working remotely under the command of a Laitra/Strata able to dictate and control their movements and tactics as a unit. Outside of that direct lead of Laitra/Strata commander remotely controlling them, the droids' combat tactics are quite simplistic and basic when operating on their own. They were and far more so to this day the lion's share of the Laitra's law enforcement and military within their remaining cities. The Laitra themselves numbering only in the low thousands, their entire non-droid military only has a few hundred Laitra, while the rest of the non-droid army is composed of the Strata who number around only a thousand strong within the military.
Because of their small populace and paranoia of being attacked by a much larger force, Laitra and Strata are conscripted into military service when they reach adulthood. They then spend the next three decades (or ten years in the case of Strata) as part of the Laitra military. Alternatively some can be enrolled into the community paid for military academies starting when they are children, where they are schooled and trained to be in the military, and perform community services in Laitra cities. Those who do not go career with their military service either go into law enforcement or in some way contribute to preservation of Laitra society and culture. Laitra and Strata tend to spend their entire lives being taught how to wield the Force, but upon their enlistment into the military they go through a more rigorous training that turns them into competent Force wielders, which this training lasts two decades (or seven years in the case of Strata). Meaning their "boot camp" is longer than their actual military service outside of their recruitment phase. Their career military personnel, though small in number they are, nevertheless have been known to rival Jedi Knights (especially those Laitra and Strata enrolled into the military academies as children). While their more elite number that have spent at least couple centuries in military service have been known to rival Jedi Masters, rare though they are. For normally for Laitra it is not until they have become old (for them) and wizened do they reach that level of power, but by that point however their bodies are decrepit.
The reason for that model though is simple, they are builders, they do not expect their people to remain in military service, they expect their people to solidify and preserve what they have left. As they once ruled several planets now they only have several cities left to their name, so their current system for military conscription is set up so that their citizens can defend themselves as well as any of their soldiery, yet still maintain careers that focus on maintaining what little they have left.
Laitra City: Cerus
((Picture by James Ledger))
The Laitra people themselves, and for the most part the Strata as well, their socio-political dynamic tends to be very vicious. There is a lot of socio-political backstabbing that goes on, and little to no sympathy for those who are unable to weather it. Laitra society tends to run by influence and sway of the socio-political nature, despite their Force abilities, their conflicts amongst themselves tend to be wars of influence and leverage. They are often reluctant to take their conflicts to a martial level with one another in fear that because their society is built on layers and layers of numerous webs of intrigue and clandestine socio-political manipulation and shadowy deals that it may erupt into full blown civil war between numerous factions within the Laitra so convoluted they would not be able to keep track of who is really friend or foe. So it all remains as each Laitra (and Strata) playing numerous chess games against numerous other Laitra (and Strata) and often are not even certain who they are playing against.
Titles and occupation too are utterly eclipsed by these influence wars. In fact, an ordinary Laitra small-time shop keeper could prove to be more influentially powerful than say a Laitra city council member so long as they possessed enough social sway within Laitra society to do it. The only title that every Laitra regards is that of "Empress", however there has not been one for over a thousand years (See "History" Below), for the ancient blood-line of the great empresses of old has either died, been spent, or retreated to parts unknown in the galaxy.
The Strata and rumored Warden of the Sky, Averia, facing an enemy.
((Picture by Yosane))
Many that know of the Laitra mistakenly believe under a fairly sexist thought process that so long as they are beautiful they may be able to achieve great gains among them. The Sith Empire in fact mistakenly made this assumption in the beginning of the negotiations when the Laitra chose to ally with them, by the Empire sending beautiful women to negotiate with the Laitra; but what they found with the Laita was they were often less than impressed with said negotiators and unaffected by those lovely negotiators' pulchritude. For the reality is the Laitra themselves already tend to be on the attractive side of what the human concept is for beautiful women, and this is not entirely by accident as attractiveness is one of the things that a Laitra (or any species really) may look for in a mate. However, in the larger scheme of things within their society, while they see the benefits of a pretty face, they expect more well beyond the norm of the usual Laitra--there are no free-rides with them, so to speak. So should they fail to meet those expectations, they are then relegated to what the Laitra call "Chite", a derogatory slang from the Laitra old tongue for a disappointing "picture" or "portrait", because in their eyes that is all that Laitra is at that point, merely something nice to look at and otherwise worthless to society and thus a disappointment.
Laitra often tend to carry themselves with a lofty air, and high-brow far-seeing wisdom. It is not surprising for them to be a bit arrogant to those outside of their species, largely out of the condescending view of most other species being so much younger than their own. This arrogance however quickly leads them down dark paths, which in turn causes them to be ruthless and malicious. Laitra are incredibly spiteful by nature when they feel as though they have been wronged, and will often compulsively act accordingly. Amongst other Laitra it will be through social manipulation in which their compulsion to act out of their spite will be done, but with those of other species it tends to be far more brutal, and the power of their martial strength both in technological ability and the Force is then felt.
Naturally for a species with such immense lifespans age plays a significant role in their society. Laitra who have lived beyond eight centuries are called "Kayel", an old word from their language meaning, "elder". The elders who are of the military are exceptionally powerful Force adepts and are not to be trifled with, but even those who are not can prove to be talented wielders of the Force. Within Laitra society, age does play role in granting respect to another. A younger Laitra will at the very least will show some regard for an older Laitra for the fact they have likely seen and done more than they have. But this only goes so far, as for the fact that influence within Laitra society reigns supreme, and if an older Laitra or especially a "Kayel" does not have the influence to back up their age, the respect the Laitra would normally afford her becomes greatly diminished.
The greatest compliment that one can be called by the Laitra also comes from their old tongue, which is "Arket", roughly translated as "architect". Not surprising for species of proud builders and industrialist manufacturers. It is also used as an honorary title for those "Kayel", often that have become wizened and reaching the end of their time typically having lived past nine or more centuries; but they are so noted for their accomplishments and sway within Laitra society. Naturally for one that has lived so long and despite the Laitra's harsh standards, those accomplishments and feats of theirs number in the many to be given such a moniker.
Though, with the Laitra dying out it is not uncommon to see the scant few that compose the new generation branching away from the Laitra space and culture, and integrating with other cultures. It is incredibly rare to see Laitra among Sith or Jedi, especially the latter as Laitra by their own nature tend not to do well within the Jedi culture. In truth, every Laitra that has found themselves accepted into the Jedi Order have each fallen to the dark side and left it at one time or another... one way or another. Those few that had become part of the Sith had made their home within the Sith Order quite easily.
The famed Laitra Dark Jedi Master Elysis in combat.
It is not difficult to tell when a Laitra has fallen to the dark side, their skin becomes a pallor some times even corpse-like, similar to humans and several Near-Human species. Their eyes gain a bright purple or seemingly fiery red--sometimes even yellowish-orange hue. Some times their hair color keeps its natural color, but it is not surprising should a fallen Laitra's hair color turn white or black. The dark side corruption certainly leaves its mark on them, but within Laitra society this is often unsurprising for the more influential and martial of their number, and is also widely accepted and in certain regards expected. Light or dark they hold no preference, they tend to think that the Force should be experienced without restraint, and this also often contributes to the Laitra having more of a dark leaning than a lighter one.
The Laitra had long conformed to calling the great mystery "the Force" having gotten away from the primitive understanding of it they once had like many cultures that have been touched by it. In those ancient days they called it simply "the Mother", they viewed it as the tangible essence of Mother Nature, and that She granted them her power. They tended to view "the Mother" as a kind of omnipresent, omnipotent, cold goddess of indifference who at times unleashed her wrath upon the universe to maintain balance. That belief structure shaped the Laitra throughout their cultural and socio-political development, even when they reached beyond that primitive understanding of the Force. Albeit, despite their archaic goddess worship of the Force no longer existing among them, their are those who still use the archaic terminology metaphorically. While other common phrases of those ancient days still persist, such as for example--a meteor striking down upon a planet from the heavens, one may hear a Laitra or even Strata remark, "The Mother still showing us why She is the supreme power."
For more details on their culture and the area in which they live, see Laitra space.
Laitra City: Karnis
((Picture by Ulric Leprovost))
History: Their earliest beginnings were as tribal societies who revered great power in the Force ("the Mother"), like many early Force cultures. Many times over it was used to combat and even conqueror and subdue the reptilian beasts of Genesis. Most of the creatures upon Genesis were of reptilian or amphibious origin, and were the largest creatures of the planet. The Laitra themselves were among the smallest species that existed on the planet, not including various microscopic lifeforms and organisms. As the Laitra begun to grow in power as a species and essentially become the dominating species of the planet, they begun using the reptilian beasts of the planet as essentially their servants and pets like many other societies in general.
An ancient Laitra warrior riding her beast mount.
((Picture by someone who is not me))
It was from there they became a culture of builders and sought after expansion. With time their villages and towns became cities and grand metropolises dedicated to the power of their industrial might. Priding themselves on technological marvels represented through their great cities. Eventually the once beautiful and lush green planet of Genesis became reduced to smog filled skies and grandiose metropolises that near spanned the entirety of the planet as they practically consumed its resources whole, and the great beasts they once dominated and rode upon in their ancient days became extinct as the Laitra themselves are becoming now.
Ancient Laitra Capital City: Valuris
((Picture by 0800))
The seat of their empire was Valuris, though today it no longer exists, for it was naturally destroyed when the planet, Genesis, itself was destroyed centuries ago. It was named after the first Empress Valuris, who was viewed in her time as the most powerful, influential, and wisest of the Laitra. Her bloodline remained strong and each inheritor to her throne was equally viewed as she was. Despite the Laitra having been an empire for tens of thousands of years, predating even the Republic and Jedi, there were only twelve empresses that ruled the Laitra in all that time.
The empire was brought both to the height of its power and to its lowest point by the last empress, Apillis. The Laitra's initial expansion many, many thousands of years ago was relegated to section of the Unknown Regions of space. The sentient species that inhabited the systems the Laitra wound up taking over one by one, wound up extinct. There is no other explanation to those species demise other than the Laitra literally wiped them all out via outright genocide, and then converted what cities those species had built into their own super structures to continue building their grand technological cities.
Laitra City: Grautus
((Picture by atomhawk))
Apillis brought this agenda full steam, and for eight thousand years she ruled, through several rebirths. In her final years she had a daughter by the name of Luesis, together they were a power duo pressing the Laitra ever forward into a greater expanse into the Unknown Regions, then abruptly stop for a time to consolidate power and simply build. However, the two over stepped their bounds. They decided to spread into the Outer Rim, and struck at a couple of the Republic's own systems and took them. It was only a couple centuries after the Great Hyperspace War with Naga Sadow's Sith Empire.
When yet again the Republic found themselves under attack by a culture steeped in dark, evil power--they wisely in this case chose not to take it lightly. The Republic's response was swift and relentless, and rightly so. The Laita were able to put up a powerful and tough resistance, their soldiers outnumbered the Jedi by a couple thousand at that time, but their droid armies and their own armadas did not possess the strength to withstand the enormity of the Republic fleet and armies. There is always a bigger fish.
The Laitra were harshly defeated time and again by the Republic's onslaught as their war with one another continued. The Congress of the Laitra's empire wanted to surrender to the Republic, but Apillis refused--whether simply overly prideful or having lost her mind, she wanted the Laitra to fight to the bitter end. But the Congress overruled her, and in essence told her that the time of the empresses ruling the Laitra at this point was obsolete, and the Laitra will govern themselves. It was at this point Apillis chose to show them just how influential the line of empresses was and why they were established in the first place. By utilizing fanatical loyalists to her rule, she launched a clandestine coup of self-destruction upon her own rule.
A modern elite Laitra (or Strata) warrior/solider.
For the Republic that point in history is a bit of bafflement for them, while for the Jedi it was the birth of what some historians call 'The Void', not reference to space but the section of the Unknown Regions where the Laitra's once great empire dwelled. What was thought to be the calm before the storm of another great battle between the Republic and Laitra instead turned into something far more vile and large scale. The powercores within the plants that fueled the very grand planet wide metropolises all became unstable and exploded, obliterating each planet into nothing more than asteroids and space debris.
The fanatics of Apillis' reign under her sway and influence manipulated events for them to infiltrate those power plants housing the planet's powercores and overload them each simultaneously across Laitra space. The Laitra once numbered a few million, since their near complete annihilation at the hands of their last empress, they have only numbered a few thousand as a whole. The immense loss of life from the deaths of so many, and nothing more than space debris being left where there once planets home to great technological marvels has left that specific region of space quite empty. The older and more traditional Laitra view what their last empress had done as saving the Laitra from Republic contol, for death and ruin in their eyes are better options than the Republic's yoke. While the more progressive and moderate Laitra see Apillis as the Laitra's greatest failure.
Princess Luesis in battle.
((Picture by madspartan013))
However, to the Laitra's credit with their desire for building greater and more impressive technology, the asteroids they rebuilt their homes upon, they enabled to create shielding and forge an artificial atmosphere around them. Thus turning the asteroids to something akin to tiny planets with a singular city to each one.
The great cities the Laitra possess today are only but small tastes of what they were able to build before it was all destroyed. And before what was largely droid and synthetic creations of the Laitra that primarily housed their grand metropolises, what largely houses their cities now are an assortment of different species travelling the great emptiness of space with the Laitra and Strata as the minorities for the most part. Though when it comes to who controls those cities, there is no question it is the Laitra and Strata who rule them.
Laitra City: Yelysis
((Picture by nkabuto))
The cities of the Laitra are now used as little more than spaceports and shadowports for spacers. For lost are the days of the splendid metropolises as symbols of the great power of their empire. Which is where the Laitra hope the Strata will come in and rectify a culture at risk of being lost forever; while the Strata hope the Laitra will continue to support them in their sought after solidification as a galactic power.
Laitra City: Herist
((Picture by atomhawk))
Albeit, the Strata know better than anyone that the Laitra always have some sort of machinations in the works to further their power and influence on the galactic scale...
Unknown construction in Laitra space.
((Picture by meluseena))
But with the rise of yet another galactic war between the Sith Empire and the Republic and their vaunted Jedi, the Laitra and Strata see this as their time to gain a foothold. For the Laitra the reemergence of the Sith Empire lead by the Sith Order once again is an old tale, one they have witnessed open and close several times. However, the Laitra cannot deny their nature to spite those they hold a grudge against. In a way, they believe they never got the chance to finish their war with the Republic and Jedi, despite the outcome more than likely would have been them losing terribly to the immense size and expanse of the Republic military. Thus... allying with the Empire was not a difficult decision for the Laitra and Strata...
By allying with the Sith Empire, they do not feel their culture to be at risk, in fact, quite the opposite, they see it as an opportunity to cement their legacy. Legacy is paramount to them after all. If their knowledge and technology becomes part of the Sith Empire, something they feel may just very well out last them, then they have only yet again accomplished securing their legacy and memory within the galaxy. The Laitra military and law enforcement remain separate from the Sith Empire, but they do allow free trade and open borders as part of their alliance with the Sith Empire. And because their cities are already primarily large spaceports and shadowports, they utilize their shipyards and manufacturing planets to build ships and droids to supply the Sith Empire's military along side the Sith's Muunilist manufacturers. After all, while they maybe a people and society steeped in the Force, they are still a species of builders.
While their military and law enforcement may not be integrated with the Sith Empire's, the Laitra have left it open to their people to freely join the Sith military or even the reforging Sith Order. Not many of the Laitra or Strata have joined either the ranks of the Sith's military or the Order itself. In fact, the combined number that have joined the Order and military has only been a handful. They seem to be first feeling out the current Sith Empire itself before committing themselves any further, though at the very least they build and supply Laitra technology for the Sith Empire.
Though the amount of Laitra and Strata combined among the Sith Order is only a few, their presence at the Sith Temple tends to be similar to the Luka Sene's presence within the Jedi Enclaves and Temple. Which is more of a teacher and instructor role than actually being a genuine Sith. Willingly sharing their knowledge and rituals of the Force to the Sith studying at the Sith Temple. The Laitra are a people often with dark intentions and impulses, and as mentioned those rare cases where a Laitra or Strata has joined the Sith Order, they tend to integrate into the Sith Order quite easily. And even those who have not, find themselves fairly comfortable around the Sith. In all likelihood it is simply that at their core--their nature and the nature of the Sith are similar enough, Laitra and Strata tend to know what to expect from them. Their philosophical divide at its most basic being the Sith's need for battle and warmongering is out of a lust for power to conquer and rule; whereas for the Laitra their desire to conquer is for the sake of building and expanding to solidify their legacy--power is merely a byproduct of their expansion.
Invaere-class Battlecruisers of the Sith Empire the Laitra made along side Muunilist Shipyards.
((Picture by Vince-T))
Player Notes: Like authors of other custom species apps, I too reserve the right to check your Laitra homework should you create a Laitra character. It's not to force you to play my way or the highway, but rather--there are several things that make the Laitra who they are, and I like to see that being respected. Why play a species if what sets them apart from other species isn't going to be utilized or respected?
Such as, for example, Laitra Jedi, there's no such thing as a perfect and pious Laitra Jedi--they all fall to the dark side at some point, all of them, it's just part of who they are, and those who have yet to often find themselves in conflict with their more spiteful nature--there aren't exceptions it's just who they are. Or another example, their longevity--just because they've lived to be 60 or 70 years old doesn't mean they will be 1337 sh*t with the Force, they're still adolescents then, and thus will have the same stats across the board as any other Force-Sensitive adolescent--no exceptions. They won't hit "Knight-level" stuffs until 100-120+, and they won't hit "Master-level" ranges until 300+ years old--no exceptions. They live very long lives, thus it takes their ability to reach its fullest potential much longer than other species.
The most simplistic way to understand RPing the Laitra is essentially like Drow but completely removing males from their matriarch society altogether, or like dark side Asari. Notice with say elves in DnD games they tend to start at age 81-116 years old by default but humans start out at age 18-21 years old? That's because for them, that's their equivalent ages relative to one another's biology. Notice that an elf or an Asari that has lived for several centuries, even near a thousand years old in supernatural power can be matched by a human that's lived for an iota of that time? Age does not equate super power. Really, if you want a young looking, beautiful woman that's powerful in the Force--it'd be vastly easier to do it by playing a Hapan or a human that's attractive by default, because you won't have as many years to give a narrative to. In fact, that is what quite a few at this site have done. Playing a Laitra because of their longevity should be more about a cultural/socio-political narrative than it should be about "superpowers", because those superpowers can be far more easily achieved via playing a shorter lived species.
In any case, if you have questions, I has answers for yah'. Ask away, and I will answer and help as much as I can.
Other Stuff:
Names: The names for Laitra tend to be either Nordic or Russian sounding or faux Roman-Latin or at least some variation thereof (faux Roman-Latin for the more archaic). It largely depends on what part of Laitra space they were born and raised within. While their cities both in the days of the empire and after its fall, are named after famous leaders of the Laitra people, such as the twelve empresses or great generals from ancient battles or even a Laitra who simply held great renown and influence with their society.
Language: Their spoken word tends to be variations of faux Norse, Russian, and/or Latin (Latin sounding for the more ancient of their number (and thus rare amongst them today)), their accents tend to be either Nordic or Russian in tone, as mentioned this is pending what areas of Laitra space they came from. However, since the fall of their empire they tend to speak Galactic Basic vastly more than their old language. This is do to the abundance of numerous other species having moved into their cities and greatly overshadowing the Laitra's own populace in terms of numbers many times over. Naturally those rare few Laitra or Strata born and/or raised outside of Laitra space will not possess one of the native Laitra accents.
