Dasphati (Das-FAH-tee)

Heirs of the Dragon King...
Meaning "to spite Das", the term became a pejorative used against those who adhered to the teachings and beliefs of Das Anazhar, the first Supreme High Overlord of the Thunthen and antithesis of Thanged's Queen Danaetanera III. Anger had simmered for thousands of years after the Dragon King of old abandoned his plans of conquest in favor of peaceful exploration. At the turn of the century by Human reckoning, Sur Daggur of the Daggur Clan chose to strike, defeating the current Supreme High Overlord in a notoriously imbalanced duel and ordering all descendants of Das Anazhar be rounded up and imprisoned. Unwilling be slaughtered like trillohogs, Takshi Anazhar fled the homeworld taking his personal fleet and a multitude of disaffected and loyalists. Those who remain living in secret or languishing in incarceration are scorned and mocked as Dasphati. Those taking refuge in the distant Redali System have renamed themselves the Sons-in-Exile.

Naming Traditions

Family names

Not all Dasphati are necessarily related to Das Anazhar by blood, however far removed. Many have assumed false identities to throw off the Obsidian Guard. Anyone showing a modicum of sympathy for the Dragon King are branded Dasphati whether Nobeyl, Khamen, or Pesak.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Highscript, Thunthen

Shared customary codes and values

Benevolence, not brutality, insight, not intimidation. Dasphati adhere to the values espoused by the Dragon King in that they cannot simply steal the future from another world, they must forge it themselves.

Average technological level

Takshi Anazhar did not simply flee with his tail between his legs, he took Sur Daggur to the cleaners, ransacking the shipyards of their stockpile of inert phergon and taking a significant portion of space-worthy ships including dreadnoughts, cruisers, troopships, and D-Class fighters with him. Many scientists, engineers, and metalworkers defected along with him, and Naz Dassyr, Tar Uhnin, and Ita Tarmvun joined Bak in his escape to Earth. The brain drain has done little to slow Mal Daggur's offensive, however. While they've made further developments with the aid of the Redals, neither faction has the military might needed to topple Mal Daggur.

Common Etiquette rules

Dasphati tend to be more civilized in contrast to Mal Daggur's forces, as seen with the Highlord's mellifluous mannerisms.

Common Dress code

While Bak and his crew adhere to the traditional padded armor, the Sons-in-Exile have adopted a form of scaled and lacquered armor made of glazed obsidian somewhat reminiscent of ancient Japanese styles.

Art & Architecture

Das Anazhar drew inspiration from the exquisite architecture he glimpsed in Bainshaebo, blending traditional Thunthen and Thangien styles in his personal residence.

Foods & Cuisine

The long interim of peace and exploration saw exposure to wider food varieties. Members of Bak's crew such as Miz Paufan as well as parolees in Peirolyth have taken a liking to dishes found on Thanged and Earth.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Combing the beard, shell-bowing, and claw-salutes remain the most common form of courtesy and greeting.

Common Myths and Legends

Nexxus' Folly

Cautionary tale about the destroyed neighboring system to Thuruk concerning reckless technological pursuit.

The Warlord and His Sweet Tooth

A prideful Nobeyl attempts to one-up the Dragon King by marching on Bainshaebo only to be thwarted by his love for sweet cream readily provided by Lonesteaders.

Ride The Mountain

A Thangien on his pegacorn steed taunts a Thunthen from on high, so the Thunthen vows to meet him in the heavens.

Historical figures

Das Anazhar

-The legendary Dragon King and visionary leader who attempted conquest of Thanged three thousand years ago only to be humbled by Danaetanera III's sacrifice. Attempted to steer Thunthen culture towards exploration and innovation.

Takshi Anazhar

-Current ruling Highlord of the Sons-in-Exile. Currently residing in the Redali System.

Bak Thraplek

-Great grand-nephew of the Highlord and leader of the Dissidents. Currently residing on Earth.

Ker Barzduk

-Despite being a Khamen, he joined the Highlord's exodus to the Redali System. He doesn't consider himself a Dasphati at present since joining Gage Wendell and staying with his widow Caroline.

HighlordSketchb.jpg

Highlord (Thumbnail) by Mardrena

raw pencil sketch

Ideals

Gender Ideals

The Sons-in-Exile have relaxed attitudes towards one another, abandoning the use of matrons for clutching.

Courtship Ideals

Long-term monogamous marriage is slowly taking root among the Sons-in-Exile. Koi Udsarrin also has developed a bit of a crush on Ita Tarmvun.

Relationship Ideals

Dasphati prefer dialogue and diplomacy to death and destruction. Bak's father, one of the Dasphati slave-soldiers Ander cut down at the Siege of Bainshaebo, tried to relay information about the Thunthen before being rudely executed. Takshi Anazhar used to have low opinions of humans until meeting individuals such as Gage Wendell and Caroline Masters.

Major organizations

Dissidents

Bak's vast network of informants, sabotuers, and sympathetics back on the homeworld as well as his close and loyal crew. While his contacts at home remain at large, unfortunately all of his contacts embedded in Mal Daggur's fleet were exterminated after being outed by Phitdaitiarona, Empress of Night.

Sons-in-Exile

Led by the great old Highlord, free Dasphati have established tenative colonies abroad, lending military support to the denizens of Redal IX and humanitarian relief to Redal IV. While they maintain small outposts and orbital stations, they are reluctant to commit to full-scale colonization.

Highlord (Thumbnail) by Mardrena

Related Locations

• Daggur Clan Shipyards
• Planet Thunthen

The main screen beeped and a strange insignia depicting a stylized Thunthen head with claws splayed by the neck appeared. Miz stiffened in his seat.
“uhh...uhh...Captain! CAPTAIN!! We’ve got an incoming burst-wave transmission from the Sons-in-Exile!” Miz hollered over his shoulder.
“Who are the ‘Sons-in-Exile’? Rowen asked.
“They’re descendants of Das Anazhar, like the Captain, but instead of forming an entrenched resistance to the Daggur clan, they decided to abandon the Homeworld and focus on colonizing worlds we explored in the past. They’re primarily based out of the Redali System,” Miz explained.
“Is it the Highlord?” Bak Thraplek asked sounding almost nervous as he entered the room. Miz nodded rapidly. Ryo didn’t know what to think when Bak began combing his beard and head crests hastily. The Thunthen Noble tugged his padded armor to straighten it out and scratched his nose ridges before drawing himself up and clasping his hands behind his shell. The main screen flickered and an image appeared of an elderly Nobeyl with red beard and crests streaked with white. The Noble wore armor composed of rectangular obsidian tiles coated with red glaze, giving him the appearance of a great hoary shogun. “Guin mauthuak Highlord,” Bak greeted and shell-bowed reverently.
“Guin mauthuak Bak Thraplek. I realize in the past I have made it known how much I disapprove of your associating with humans.” The way the Noble enunciated the word drew frowns from both Ryo and Rowen. “You and your crewmembers are far too clever to be wasting your talents languishing in a rancid backwater system like Sol!”
“Hey! Where do you go off-!” Rowen growled and took a step forward, clenching a fist.
“*TSSK*!!” The two Ronin glanced at Miz who shook his head frantically in warning, placing a finger infront of his lips. Ryo and Rowen held their peace and glanced back at the screen.
“However, I have to admit I’ve changed my mind!” the “Highlord” stated, apparently having pretended not to hear the two Ronin or ignored them outright. “I just finished talking with young Hyra Sassun of the Blue Isis crew, and she told me a most intriguing yarn. Apparently the son of the Good Mother Pirate is a ‘Ronin Warrior’ who deployed fantastic powers and managed to bamboozle a Redali dreadnought! I think I would very much like to meet a ‘Ronin Warrior’...”
Ryo, Rowen, Bak, and Miz stood there staring at the main screen, jaws slack. “Whoa...hang on a sec: can you run that by us again?” Ryo asked and pointed at the floor, both eyebrows raised.

— Cataclysm War Ch. 8