Government: Military Dictatorship
Formerly divided into several tribes in ancient times, the whole of the planet was unified under one unifying conqueror, Dáskal, who began the Dáskali Dynasty. While he was excellent, his descendants never lived up to his talents, easily losing favor with the people, leading to coup d’état. Under the words, “Siviril suiq tes sorit satnulov nousod,” or “He who is mightiest will lead,” the following leaders would be decided on whomever was the most influential—leaders could step down and appoint new leaders, or a new leader could take his place based on a fair challenge between the Nousoda and the challenger. Nousoda was the official title given to the reigning dictator.
Time and time again, they have proven themselves as the deadliest warrior race alive, and have an unparalleled capacity for violence. Many of the greatest killers the galaxy has ever known trace back to the Suldari.
Primary Language: Asóglas (Suldari)
Secondary Language: Lavaíno (Ancient Suldari)
Terrain: Suldar is a relatively dark planet with frequent storms and eruptions. Its plant life survives underground. While ancient Suldari resided underneath, technology allowed them to build very sturdy cities above ground to survive the storms and other natural disasters occurring all around.
Physiology: While they are humanoid in external appearance, many of the differences reside within. The Suldari possess a black sclera with brighter irises (often colors like blue, red, green, and yellow)—this allows them to see exceptionally well in the dark, but they are more sensitive to light, which is why they utilize helmets, goggles, and visors. They possess denser tissue, powerful lungs, a second heart, thicker skin, and very strong bones. Their tissue is three times heavier than the average human, though this makes them stronger, faster, and more durable. Their bodies are excellent for survival, allowing them to go approximately three and a half months without food or water. For their lifespan, it’s estimated to approximately a hundred and eighty-five years. They heal at a slightly accelerated rate in comparison to humans. They have keen predatory abilities, such as acute senses. In comparison to humans, they are tall, the average height being 6' 4", the tallest of them around 7' 3".
Society: Their society is without-a-doubt warrior based, the eldest being consulted for wisdom, while the young men and women train to be warriors. They advanced in technology when they became more creative killers, building ships to sail the cosmos, raiding nearby solar systems and planets, which is what earned them their warrior raider infamy. They were modernized by the Escala, offered their technology and guidance if they vowed not to raid their world, though they ultimately failed to change the warrior ways of the Suldari. Men and women are considered equal, as gender plays no part in a warrior’s skills. They have a knack for reproduction, as having more children means more glory to the family’s name, and discarded if they are born deformed or lame. The children are taught to fight as soon as they are born, though many children die for being too weak or incompetent. They believe that only the strongest of them deserve to live.
In regards to their view of other peoples, they believe they are the supreme race and that all the others are beneath them. It’s uncommon but not impossible that they have hybrids, but hybrids are considered abominations and aren’t welcome in their society.
Additional Customs:
Minomar – considered their equivalent to marriage, minomar is a union of two, dedicating their love and affection to one “nioncu” or mate. There is no custom on which gender may request minomar; it’s just as common to find women asking men. The traditional minomar ceremony is done by handfasting a cloth after a small cut is made on the chest, letting the blood of both onto the cloth to signify the union of families. It is a brief ceremony, the handfasting followed by Ileka, mating performed minutes after.
When looking for a mate, the traditional appeal to look for is skill as a warrior. Marriage-wise, they look for someone that can either match them or best them, though the most admirable union is equivalent might. Becoming rivals with someone of the opposite gender is equivalent to flirting.
Ileka – a gesture of affection, setting one’s forehead on another’s forehead. When the eyes are open, it signifies brotherhood or friendly affection, but when the eyes are closed, it means “satira” or love. The Suldari don’t find kissing or hugging casual; this is more commonly done. Using only body language, one might close their eyes when performing Ileka, and if the other also closes their eyes, the love is mutual.
Namutra – crouching forward in a predatory way is considered a threat, taunt, and/or challenge to fight. If namutra is performed and directed to someone, a fight is likely to ensue if the challenge is accepted. In order to differentiate the difference between a friendly match and a fight to the death is whether or not the hands are open or in a fist. If there’s a fist, it signifies the intent to kill.
Lisikró – or challenging, is common practice among the Suldari. When fighting friendly, it builds brotherhood, maybe even considered flirting if with the opposite gender, when fighting to kill, it is evident hostility. Lisikró, when denied, is considered cowardly unless the challenged is reputed to be far better. The challenged can look upon surrounding Suldari for their opinions; if the surrounding Suldari think the match will result in undeniable victory, declining Lisikró is fair. If not, the challenged will be considered cowardly or weak.
Upon reaching adulthood at age fifteen, they may pick a warrior’s name for themselves.
Common Foods:
Marambu – equivalent to saltwater fishes, resided in underground pools of water. Marambu can be eaten raw, but the more modern Suldari prefer it cooked. It can be cooked like plain fish.
Simré – large, blind worm-like mammals that dig through the planet; they have echolocation through their shrieks. Renown for having flesh similar to the taste and texture of beef. Simré blood (which is unusually spicy) is mixed with Runatla juice to create a special sweet hot sauce.
Runatla – an abundant, underground, fruit found from Runatla trees. They uniquely come in many sizes, round fruits ranging from the size of a berry to the size of a watermelon.
Isoman – similar to wheat, an underground plant that can be harvested and made into dough for things like bread or cake. Such cakes can be of Simré, Runatla, and Marambu.
Common Drinks:
Water – salt water is the primary drink, since there’s very little freshwater, they’ve adapted to this.
Runatla juice – a common drink squeezed from the Runatla fruit.
Runatla wine – fermented like earthly wine.
