Post by A®heim on Apr 1, 2011 10:40:50 GMT -5
Species Name: Hὃdwinx
Species Type: Reptilian-Humanoid
Planet of Origin: Aiaru
Average Maximum age: 50
Age of Maturation: Sky Tribe (7), Mist Tribe (11)
Average Height: Sky Tribe (6'3"), Mist Tribe (4'11")
Average Weight: Sky Tribe (120 lbs), Mist Tribe (150lbs)
Notable biological features: Pale, green-gray skin, prominent skeletal structure, reversed-knee joints, dorsal spines, large multi-ringed eyes, stubby vestigial tail, needle-like teeth, Sky Caste taller and slimmer than the shorter and more rotund Mist Caste, natural Force-Sensitivity
Number of limbs and Type: 2 arms, each with a 4-clawed hand, two legs with four toed feet, vestigial tail
Culture:
The disputed elusive native sentients of Aiaru, the Hὃdwinx are a fragile reptilian species on the verge of extinction. Highly superstitious, spiritual, and xenophobic, they have been steadily driven off of their sacred lands by the rapid colonization of the planet. At present, there are only two remaining locations of Hὃdwinx tribal lands, each owned by one of the two tribal people.
Mar'dum, the people of the mist, reside on the elusive Shimmering Isles--a small group of islands composed of a natural EM field-generating mineral that makes locating it through orbital scans impossible. The Hὃdwinx of this tribe live in shallow domes constructed of hardened mud with simple subterranean tunnels connecting them which they then cover with carefully placed foliage to add further difficulty to locating them. Like all Hὃdwinx, they feed primarily on fish--their teeth an evolutionary throwback to their sea-going ancestors--which they catch with basic nets, harpoons, and a rather unique ability. The Mar'dum practice an art known as hydrokinesis, an elemental branch of the Force much like the abilities used by the Stellar Mythics of the same planet. While it has been theorized that this is simply a selective form of telekinesis and may be used on more substances than water, the Mar'dum consider the element of sacred value.
"Cross we did the sacred plain, of unsteady grasses did surge about, deliver us unto our secluded bounty, and stand against all who seek our haven." -Mar'dum Shamanic Inscription regarding their journey to the Isles and the great ocean they worship as their guardian
The Buldalf tribe, people of the sky, differ considerably from their mist cousins in both biology and culture. Taller, and more slender, they present a far more whispy and spiritual appearance than the stout Mar'dum. However their largest separation comes within their beliefs; While the Mar'dum worship the Altean ocean as their holy protector, the Buldalf similarly worship the magnetic metal the islands are comprised of. The shamans of the Buldalf wield the mighty serikinesis--rumored to have been taught to the Stellar Mythics when one of their original number stumbled across the islands and befriended a tribe of Hὃdwinx. With this power of gravity control, amplified by the mineral, the Buldalf were able to lift an immense portion of one of the smaller islands into the sky where legend states they continue to live to this day. The Hὃdwinx on this floating island--known as Jatizso in the native tongue--live a peaceful, philosophical, and spritiual existence. Food is gathered through complex trawl lines that haul catches up to the island and a central sanctum carved out of the rich magneto-mineral is home to an ever-vigilant circle of shamans using their powers of serikinesis to guide the landmass. Like the Shimmering Isles it was born from, Jatizso causes strong sensor disruption and is effectively invisible unless one nearly runs into it.
The gift of Nir shears us from [Aiaru's] bonds, with that we may transcend the clouds and at last see Them in their clarity. -Buldalf Shamanic Inscription giving thanks to their holy gift of serikinesis
History:
4 million BBY - Prehistoric oceanic reptiles stalk the scattered shoals of a fractured ancient Aiaru using their speed, long jaws, sharp teeth, and sense-based Force-sensitivity to capture fish.
600,000 BBY - The creatures emerge from the sea in a semi-amphibious form--their flippers evolved to allow limited movement across short stretches of land.
90,000 BBY - The species piscis-lacerta prehendo, closest historical relative to the Hὃdwinx, begins exhibiting basic social tendencies such as communal shelters, hunting, and basic tool use.
40,000 BBY - The two deities, Mog (ocean), and Nir (sky), become apparent with tribal totems erected to both. The first shamans emerge to patriarchial positions within the societies.
17,000 BBY - Hὃdwinx has reached their present form of evolution and the two castes are created after a brief but bloody tribal war between the followers of the two deities. It is that that upon the brink of the fewer Buldalf's defeat, the shaman leaders of their tribes enacted a great ritual to Nir that lifted their stone temple from the ocean--never to be seen again.
3602 BBY - The Hὃdwinx are all but extinct with the only remaining tribes residing on the Shimmering Isles and Jatizso. Aware of the colonists, they believe them to be a punishment from Nir for lack of sufficient worship upon the floating island. The Buldalf consider the colonists to be a sign that they must further seclude themselves within the clouds so that they may carry out worship in complete solitude to atone for their wrongdoings. The Mar'dum, however, continue to pay homage to Mog who they believe will continue to ward away the plague of her sister and protect the ritious people of Aiaru's life ocean.
Species Type: Reptilian-Humanoid
Planet of Origin: Aiaru
Average Maximum age: 50
Age of Maturation: Sky Tribe (7), Mist Tribe (11)
Average Height: Sky Tribe (6'3"), Mist Tribe (4'11")
Average Weight: Sky Tribe (120 lbs), Mist Tribe (150lbs)
Notable biological features: Pale, green-gray skin, prominent skeletal structure, reversed-knee joints, dorsal spines, large multi-ringed eyes, stubby vestigial tail, needle-like teeth, Sky Caste taller and slimmer than the shorter and more rotund Mist Caste, natural Force-Sensitivity
Number of limbs and Type: 2 arms, each with a 4-clawed hand, two legs with four toed feet, vestigial tail
Culture:
The disputed elusive native sentients of Aiaru, the Hὃdwinx are a fragile reptilian species on the verge of extinction. Highly superstitious, spiritual, and xenophobic, they have been steadily driven off of their sacred lands by the rapid colonization of the planet. At present, there are only two remaining locations of Hὃdwinx tribal lands, each owned by one of the two tribal people.
Mar'dum, the people of the mist, reside on the elusive Shimmering Isles--a small group of islands composed of a natural EM field-generating mineral that makes locating it through orbital scans impossible. The Hὃdwinx of this tribe live in shallow domes constructed of hardened mud with simple subterranean tunnels connecting them which they then cover with carefully placed foliage to add further difficulty to locating them. Like all Hὃdwinx, they feed primarily on fish--their teeth an evolutionary throwback to their sea-going ancestors--which they catch with basic nets, harpoons, and a rather unique ability. The Mar'dum practice an art known as hydrokinesis, an elemental branch of the Force much like the abilities used by the Stellar Mythics of the same planet. While it has been theorized that this is simply a selective form of telekinesis and may be used on more substances than water, the Mar'dum consider the element of sacred value.
"Cross we did the sacred plain, of unsteady grasses did surge about, deliver us unto our secluded bounty, and stand against all who seek our haven." -Mar'dum Shamanic Inscription regarding their journey to the Isles and the great ocean they worship as their guardian
The Buldalf tribe, people of the sky, differ considerably from their mist cousins in both biology and culture. Taller, and more slender, they present a far more whispy and spiritual appearance than the stout Mar'dum. However their largest separation comes within their beliefs; While the Mar'dum worship the Altean ocean as their holy protector, the Buldalf similarly worship the magnetic metal the islands are comprised of. The shamans of the Buldalf wield the mighty serikinesis--rumored to have been taught to the Stellar Mythics when one of their original number stumbled across the islands and befriended a tribe of Hὃdwinx. With this power of gravity control, amplified by the mineral, the Buldalf were able to lift an immense portion of one of the smaller islands into the sky where legend states they continue to live to this day. The Hὃdwinx on this floating island--known as Jatizso in the native tongue--live a peaceful, philosophical, and spritiual existence. Food is gathered through complex trawl lines that haul catches up to the island and a central sanctum carved out of the rich magneto-mineral is home to an ever-vigilant circle of shamans using their powers of serikinesis to guide the landmass. Like the Shimmering Isles it was born from, Jatizso causes strong sensor disruption and is effectively invisible unless one nearly runs into it.
The gift of Nir shears us from [Aiaru's] bonds, with that we may transcend the clouds and at last see Them in their clarity. -Buldalf Shamanic Inscription giving thanks to their holy gift of serikinesis
History:
4 million BBY - Prehistoric oceanic reptiles stalk the scattered shoals of a fractured ancient Aiaru using their speed, long jaws, sharp teeth, and sense-based Force-sensitivity to capture fish.
600,000 BBY - The creatures emerge from the sea in a semi-amphibious form--their flippers evolved to allow limited movement across short stretches of land.
90,000 BBY - The species piscis-lacerta prehendo, closest historical relative to the Hὃdwinx, begins exhibiting basic social tendencies such as communal shelters, hunting, and basic tool use.
40,000 BBY - The two deities, Mog (ocean), and Nir (sky), become apparent with tribal totems erected to both. The first shamans emerge to patriarchial positions within the societies.
17,000 BBY - Hὃdwinx has reached their present form of evolution and the two castes are created after a brief but bloody tribal war between the followers of the two deities. It is that that upon the brink of the fewer Buldalf's defeat, the shaman leaders of their tribes enacted a great ritual to Nir that lifted their stone temple from the ocean--never to be seen again.
3602 BBY - The Hὃdwinx are all but extinct with the only remaining tribes residing on the Shimmering Isles and Jatizso. Aware of the colonists, they believe them to be a punishment from Nir for lack of sufficient worship upon the floating island. The Buldalf consider the colonists to be a sign that they must further seclude themselves within the clouds so that they may carry out worship in complete solitude to atone for their wrongdoings. The Mar'dum, however, continue to pay homage to Mog who they believe will continue to ward away the plague of her sister and protect the ritious people of Aiaru's life ocean.