Galaren
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Template by: Sarantus Name: Galaren Author: ilKhan Ozy (Ron Butts) Editor: TA Lucas
The Galaren people hail from the planet Glaneron, in the Norel system, roughly 60 light-years anti-spinward of Sol. The Galarens are an old race by Bubble standards. They can trace their space faring history back to at least the 1500's. They would be a much more potent force within the Bubble where it not for their constant infighting.
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Physical Appearance
Galarens generally have a similar appearance to Humans. This is due to the uncannily similar conditions on their home world. Their bodily proportion mimics that of most humanoid races of the Bubble; however, due to their years in space, they have developed a more slender frame.
Size
The average male is 2 m tall and has a mass of around 95 kg. The tallest recorded male was 2.4 m, and the most massive was 684 kg. The average female is around 1.75 m tall, and has a mass of about 85 kg. The tallest female recorded was 2.2 m, and the most massive was 515 kg.
Pigment
The prevailing skin color within the Galaren species is a light olive tone. This can vary from the near absence of color (pale white) to the total presence of color (extreme black). Some rare cases, generally among those whose entire life and recent family line has been in space, have been known to exhibit odd aberrations with slight blue or green tinges to their skin. It is thought that this is due to some effects of increased radiation exposure when in space. Although, many of the cases are curable through C strand (see below) manipulation.
Due to a long history of interbreeding, the extreme majority of the population is an amalgamation of the various subspecies that originally comprised the Galarens of Glaneron. Of the remaining minority, the most prominent group is the Deralt (generally lighter tones, ranging from extreme white to high pink) subspecies. This is largely due to a long lived but now dead stigma once associated with this particular group. Historical records lead many to believe that pre-space flight Glaneron was stratified largely on pigment, rather than social standing, as it is today. Notable other groups include: Gebors, which is the overarching title given to those with the colorful aberrations, and the Dekluns, which are at the darker extremes of the spectrum.
Facial Characteristics
The general facial structure consists of a recessed jawbone, average sized cranium, and generally mid level cheek bones. (Somewhat elfin in appearance)
Physical Aptitude
The Galaren species is a very resilient one, able to survive in almost any environment that will support them. That does not mean that they can thrive there. Many years of hardship, as well as the continuing growth of the colonization of space has led to a decline in some of the Galaren faculties. Many members of the species are unable to run for extended periods of time. Although they may not be exceptionally long winded, this does not mean that they cannot run. A Galaren can be likened to a cheetah. It can sprint at relatively high speeds for short periods, but beyond a few seconds, it cannot maintain its pace, and often will have to stop to avoid lasting damage to the body. Due to the relative lack of body fat, Galarens are unable to survive extended periods of time without nourishment of some sort.
Personal Defense
With such a violent past, the Galaren species has developed many effective close combat systems. Modern members, when fighting or sparing will mix many of the styles, creating a deadly flurry of kicks and punches. Some have even become proficient in using their entire body to assault an opponent. However, due to their diet, they are unable to take a great deal of crushing punishment, as their bones are rather brittle.
Genetic Makeup
The Galaren genome consists of a triple helix, commonly referred to as TNA (trioxy-ribonucleic acid). It has a main double helix (A and B strands), that uses 6 bases (dubbed by Humans bases alpha 1-4, and beta 1 and 2). The third strand (C strand) is believed to be an artificial alteration, but it is not known where it came from, or why; however, it is made up of many different compounds and is used to amend commands normally issued by the base pairs. An entire field of study has been developed around this particular strand of TNA. Many new modifications have been developed, allowing for easier hardening of the population against certain ailments, and other effects.
The prevailing theory is that Glaneron was seeded with a primitive version of this TNA many millennia ago; however, much speculation beyond this point generally stalls out, as no credible facts can be derived.
It is theoretically possible for Humans and Galarens to mate, although it is unknown what would result. In laboratory tests, adenine is able to mate with alpha 1, and guanine is able to mate with alpha 3. How this would work in terms of RNA replication has not been tested.
The main helix sequence is constructed by pairs of alpha 1-2 and 3-4 matings. In the Galaren equivalent of RNA, beta 1 replaces alpha 2, and beta 2 replaces alpha 3.
Although it has long been known that the C strand could be altered, the actual ability to do so was lost many centuries ago in the ages of war that mark the Galarens’ past. Manipulation of the C strand was once a common occurrence, but it is commonly accepted that this manipulation caused the sudden upswing in violent tendencies in the Galarens’ past. Hence, C strand manipulation for anything other than critical means has a tendency to induce an extreme fear of the changed individual, and often results in that being’s total expulsion from Galaren society. The current period of diplomacy is attributed to the natural selection of the more docile modifications.
Diet
The Galaren digestive tract is actually rather sensitive. Many contemporary Galarens have become accustomed to the artificial foodstuffs produced by the Fruitful Worlds Coalition (FWC). At one point in their past, many Galarens were fairly strict carnivores, but due to the continuous war, shipping meat around grew too cumbersome. Another factor affecting the current diet can be attributed to the Long March of 2316, when Lord Akdar released the bovine plague that wiped out most of the Galarens’ meat sources. It was this event that caused the formation of the FWC.
The FWC was a group composed of certain planets that had unusually high algae and plant concentrations. These worlds became the predominant food suppliers of the Galarens all the way up until the formation of the Third Great Empire. Many modern Galarens see any attempts to hinder or harm the fruitful worlds as a personal affront. For many, the worlds hold an almost magical aire about them. It is considered taboo for almost any off-worlder to visit the Fruitful worlds.
Due to their high protein and vitamin rich diet, many Galarens can easily pass the 80 year mark without technological intervention. Beyond that, the average Galaren lifespan generally ranges from 125 to 140, with assistance. The oldest known Galaren died three days after his 162nd birthday.
Mental Aptitude
The Galaren brain is something of an oddity. It functions on a more primal level than that of most humanoid species. Rather than being the central locus of the body, certain, limited, functions can be maintained by the existing nervous system within the body. That being said, a Galaren who suffers a spinal separation can survive for a short period of time on residual signals within the nervous system. The heart will still pump, and the lungs will still force air in and out of the body. The longest known survival time was 3 minutes and 6 seconds. Very few people make it past the two minute mark; although, the survival rate for those who receive a partial abridgment of the spinal cord is only about 30%. Due to this unique operating method, the Galaren brain is not quite as quick as that of other comparable races. This lag has often been mistaken as a lack of intelligence, often to the detriment of the offending party.
General Morality
A Galaren will not look at a situation as though it is black and white. Often they will analyze the underlying motivations of an action before they will judge it. As there are more shades of gray than there are of black and white, it is not uncommon for a conflict to have three or more factions, all mutually opposed to one another. In many cases the number can reach double digits. Due to the unique way in which a Galaren will view something, other species often question their morality. There is no real consensus among the Galaren populace of what is right and wrong. Instead, it is replaced by what and why. The leading mindsets of the species are: What is good for one is for the best of all, The many is above the one, and, oddly enough, a high sense of compassion and understanding for other races and groups. These camps often go by the names of Populists, The Greater Good, and the Weaklings, respectively, although these may be the more colorful names.
Technological Progress
The Galaren race has made many leaps and bounds in scientific research. Of course, each accomplishment is almost invariably followed by another war, which often sets them back a century. The species has been able to surpass the speed of light for roughly 2000 years; however, they have lost the ability to produce ships capable of these speeds at least twice. Some of the cCentral wWorlds still possess technological feats that have scientists baffled. One such device is a multilayer shielding system designed to protect the Theodosian capital from orbital bombardment, and any kind of invasion for that matter.
The primary means of FTL travel employed by the Galaren Union involves manipulating extra-dimensional fields. The art of its manipulation has only recently been reacquired.
