Zanth

Basic Information

Anatomy

Zanth are bipedal humanoids with bilateral symmetry; they have two legs and two arms. Physically they look like teddy bears, having fur of various colors, roughly ursine heads, large hands and feet with claws like bears. They also have small tails.

Biological Traits

The average Zanth lives 20000 to 35000 years. They are one of the longest lived non-dragon species in the known galaxy.

Genetics and Reproduction

Zanth have differentiated sexual dimorphism, generally referred to as male and female. The are viviparous, typically having a single offspring, with twins being a rarity. Larger litters are excedingly rare.
Male genitalia consist of a penis with a long, thin baculum or os penis (penile bone) enclosed in a furred sheath. Below the sheath is a scrotum that houses two testicles, covered in thick shaggy fur, particularly on the seam between the right and left sac. The penis does not have a knot, but is generally large enough when aroused to maintain both the erection and remaining inserted in the female without effort from the male.
Females have a vagina with a minimal external presence when not in heat. When in heat, a female's external genitals engorge and swell for easier mounting by a male. When not in heat, females are still sexually receptive, but lack the increased stamina they have while in heat to keep up with their male counterparts. Female Zanth have two breasts on their upper chest, and will only lactate when they are about to give birth.
Special Note: By a mechanism not fully understood by the Zanth or Obsidian dragons, and into which the Zanth don't specifically want to look, certain individuals among the Zanth are interfertile with Obsidians, while others are not. This subset of Zanth have no discernible differences in their genetic codes, but emit a strong scent that has a psychic component that attracts a specific individual Obsidian to them. Typically only one dragon is attracted to one specific Zanth, and the two will feel a deep overpowering psychological compulsion to breed. Zanth believe this to be the Mother guiding them to their promised reward. Such couplings are often celebrated, with the normally stoic Zanth throwing parties for family members who have found "their dragon". It should be noted that this isn't exactly common knowledge. The celebrations are traditionally kept to Zanth and Dragons only.

Growth Rate & Stages

Zanth cubs are born blind and deaf, mostly helpless, and needing a great deal of care. Zanth are devoted parents, and both the male and female take an active role in child rearing. Females nurse their cubs for roughly 3 years, though they are mostly self-sufficient and capable of feeding themselves after about three months when their eyes and ears open and they can see and hear. Until that time, they can only understand their world through their psionic senses, which are still quite potent.
Zanth cubs become sexually mature around the age of 1000, when they are considered adults. A Zanth cub is brought before their community's ruling authority, and they are made to swear their first blood oaths to the Obsidian Throne and their community, in that order, resulting in their first oath scars. Following their swearing in, the community celebrates their coming of age with a very chaotic and hedonistic party at which the newly fledged Zanth will experience their first true sexual encounters, usually with both sexes.
There is no taboo against homosexuality. Because of their bond with Obsidian dragons, and their hermaphroditic nature, a Zanth will probably spend a great deal of time engaged in homosexual activity with their dragon when and if they find him. This goes for both male and female Zanth. Dragons are intense sexual beings, even when they aren't in heat, and when they are in heat they are even more intense.
Following sexual maturation, a Zanth will have attained their full stature and mass, and they are fully expected to become productive members of society. They will be assigned a position within the community by their community's Boss. It will be one that makes use of their natural talents, as no Boss wants to be seen assigning one of his underlings inappropriately, as it would look petty and trite. Whether they stay in that position their entire life or rise through the ranks to become more is up to them entirely.

Ecology and Habitats

Zanth serve the Obsidian Throne. They swear a blood oath to the Throne, the Emperor, the House of Obsidian and the Empire, in that order. The specific wording of the oath makes it clear that their duty to the Throne is only to one who sits upon it legitimately, having proven that they have the undisputed right to declare themselves the Emperor. This duty bleeds directly into the second, which is to the Emperor himself. His word is law, and by his word they act without question. In a more limited fashion, they serve all Obsidians and any Obsidian can give a Zanth an order that they will do their best to fulfill, unless already under orders from a higher source. And lastly, they serve the Empire in any capacity they can, often in the military, fighting alongside Rubies, and in the Court, as ministers and administrators with and/or under the Jades. Because of their oath to the Empire, they do not posture with the Jades, as the Jades are also acting in accordance with Her will, and they are, therefore, compatriots and equals.
For their part, the Jades also see the Zanth as worthy equals, and any Zanth who is working with them will be expected to act as professionally and with the same competency as the Jade. There is no cause for envy, ego, or jealousy. Jades are above such petty concerns. They only care is someone isn't capable of performing their duties.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Zanth are obligate carnivores. With rare exception, they cannot and do not derive nutritional value from vegetative matter, though they use some roughage to clear out their bodies when they are upset.
Zanth react like most species to alcohol, but because their internal body temperatures are much higher than most, they find it hard to get truly drunk. This doesn't stop them from trying, and a drunk Zanth is an impressive sight to see. From a distance. On a surveillance system. In another star system. Zanth tend to be rowdy when drunk. This is why they pal around with dragons.

Biological Cycle

Zanth are hot-blooded creatures, and when the weather gets colder, they become more lethargic. They do not enter into a true hibernation state, but they are able to sleep for extended periods without the need for food, water, or movement. Their bodies will slow significantly, to the point where they will only be active for a few minutes every few weeks. Raising the temperature of their environment will increase their activity levels, and bring them back to normal rates.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Zanth have a hierarchy that applies to them internally only. It is, however, split, because it applies only to normal Zanth, and does not apply to those Zanth who have been taken into dragon society.
At the top of each community is the Boss. Bosses are typically boars (males) and generally are either larger than most or smarter, of possibly both. Bosses interface with the Jades and Zanth ministers who run non-Zanth society, and are among the first to volunteer their people to find missing or kidnapped hatchlings if some go missing. A Zanth out of his community is one on a mission, and he will be assisted by any other Zanth community he enters to complete his noble task.
Under the Boss are several to dozens of Sub-Bosses. Sub-Bosses handle specific groups within the community, typically in alignment with their personal specialties. Despite the less refined nature of their titles, Zanth are hardly unrefined, even if they play up this aspect in order to throw off people who would try to use them. Sub-Bosses are responsible for keeping the various elements within their groups in balance in order to bring status and authority to the community as a whole.
Under Sub-Bosses are a variety of lesser agents whose titles vary by their field. They supervise individual gangs of Zanth who work under them. They're the last level of management and report to their Sub-Boss in order to keep the day-to-day running smooth.
Cubs follow the same sort of structure as their adults, but since they are not considered part of society, this is more to provide structure to their "extra-curricular activities" than anything else.

Facial characteristics

Zanth have ursine faces, with broad skulls, small muzzles, and large fangs capable of crushing bone. Their eyes are average sized for their faces, and they have a good field of view. Their noses are wide and typically dark in color. Their eyebrows are expressive, but aren't extremely obvious. Their lips cover their fangs completely, and when in an aggressive stance, their tend to bellow ferally for intimidation.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Zanth can be found everywhere in the Empire. They are engaged in every aspect of the imperial economy as workers, management, and ministers.

Average Intelligence

Zanth intelligence is on par with human normal.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Zanth have extremely sensitive hearing from subsonic, visual sensitivity in the visual and ultraviolet ranges, and fairly sensitive senses of touch, taste and smell. Zanth engage in blood oaths, but do not have any particular advantages in nociception.
All Zanth are telepaths. They have specific advantages common across all of the species, though they tend to be sensitive to biological states, like emotional stress, biological stress, pregnancy, and injuries. The only special advantage they have is the ability to know at a glance if someone has broken their word. This is a concern for them only when its another Zanth.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Zanth are considered to have a symbiotic relationship with Obsidian dragons. They have a need to serve their dragons partners, and in return receive a great deal of authority and protection from them. Additionally, individual Zanth may have a personal connection to specific dragons, and their bonding is stronger and much more intimate.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Male Zanth names tend to be breathy, containing h's and x's in locations to emphasize the hard exhale part of the name. Examples include Mikh (/micah/), Kohr, and Alexander.
Female Zanth names tend to sound pleasant or soft. Examples include Tylora and Raina.
Adults do not receive their names until they reach the age of majority. When they have sworn their First Oath, they are officially named by their local Boss, who also assigns them to their first gang. Until then, cubs make up their own names, and their parents have names for them as well, which might differ from those bestowed by the Boss, though only rarely and only if there is a good reason not to use their family name.

Beauty Ideals

Zanth are physical beings. Their ideas of beauty revolve around earth tones and metallic coloration.
Males try to be as big as they can, often trying to enhance their genitals in an effort to appear more virile. Status between males revolve around the number of cubs they have sired, particularly sons, but they love their daughters just as much. Extended families are important, and a male with a large family is seen as sexually desirable, both by females, as well as other males.
A female's beauty is enhanced considerably when she is pregnant, and having cubs is seen as exaltation of the Mother and an ideal to strive for. While pregnant, a female Zanth will usually wear clothing that leaves her breasts exposed, particularly toward the time of birthing, when they swell up considerably. They prefer flowing outfits that often leave little to the imagination when trying to attract a mate. When in heat, females are known to wear nothing at all, and will present themselves to their prospective mate's sire first to see if he finds her attractive.

Gender Ideals

While Zanth society is post-egalitarian, with males and females sharing the work load equally and doing the same jobs with the same efficiency, there are, none the less, still some gender-specific behaviors.
Males are very protective of the community, cubs, and their status. Threats to any of these will be met with a proportional response, except for threats to cubs, which will be met most likely with violent, possibly homicidal rage. Intentionally harming or killing a Zanth cub is a death sentence when the Zanth find out, and not in the formal sense. Male Zanth have been known to tear someone limb from limb for hurting a cub.
Females tend to be most protective of other Zanth, including cubs, particularly their own. For them, the community is not about status or locations, but the people in it. Threaten that, and, like males, they will respond proportionally. They will also go into a homicidal rage if a cub is harmed or killed. Unlike males, who will leave enough to be identifies so they can be used as an example of why you don't hurt Zanth cubs, females have been known to kill in such a way as to leave nothing to work with, including DNA. Truly, the female of the species is the deadliest.

Courtship Ideals

Special Note: Zanth are bound to the Obsidian dragons by a blood oath their goddess, She Who is Mother to Us All, told them would lead them to perfection of their species. This would be accomplished by interbreeding with the dragons. There is a very special way that this happens.
First, the dragon will approach the Zanth. This is because the Zanth will have a certain scent that sets them apart from other Zanth to the dragon. Their fur will smell a certain way, regardless of any attempts to cover themselves up. The scent is partially psionic in nature and the Zanth is unknowingly signalling the dragon that they are the one who is genetically compatible with them and they need to breed with them soon. This scent signalling always coincides with when a dragon is just about to come into heat again.
Next, the Zanth will psionically consider the dragon to see if they are a good psychological and emotional match. This will be conveyed to the Zanth by scent as well, and the dragon will smell particularly appealing.
If both of these conditions are met, the pair will find some place secluded from the public, though there is no concern in hiding their activities from other Obsidians or their Hybrid and Shifter servants. Indeed, the first coupling of new pairs is often witnessed by several Obsidians and/or Zanth of rank. It is not uncommon if an Obsidian is witness for that Obsidian to mate with the dragon after the Zanth has impregnated them, to give the new bondmate a full clutch. Zanth only ever sire one egg with their Dragon mates, and laying a single fertilized egg will cause tongues to wag.
If the female is the Zanth, the process is reversed by a male Zanth Hybrid witnessing the mating so that he can accept the offspring as his own. They will enjoy the privilege of is elevated status, and perks that will make their lives easier. If the dragon sire is of higher rank that the dragon he already serves the dragon will often ask his patron to transfer him to them so that he can have a more access to his new mate and provide more support for his Hybrids offspring.
This would seem to favor female Zanth mating with dragons, but male Zanth enter into the service of their mates, too, and while the dragon cannot officially acknowledge the offspring, because the entire hybridization process is very... under the table, that doesn't stop them from being able to support their mates, or stop them from having a healthy love life with them. Often, a dragon is in the service of a more powerful dragon, who will take on the Zanth to keep up appearances, and the two can fraternize openly (in higher courtly circles, not in public). The dragon still can't acknowledge their offspring openly, though.

Relationship Ideals

Zanth value large families and those pairings who can have many cubs are seen as particularly successful and are in the ideal relationship. Males who cannot or do not sire cubs are seen as odd and generally avoided, unless this is a result of battle wounds which have render the boar unable to sire. In these cases, while female will occasionally engage with them sexually as part of their social obligation to promote the veteran's stable psychological health, the veteran is often seen as everyone's "Uncle" and is the go-to boar when someone needs something handled discretely and can't go to their own family.
When a pair have had their first cub they swear vows to remain with one another. Vows sworn cannot be abandoned by Zanth without great penalty, and if the relationship falls apart, both might suffer the penalty for it. This is not something they would do willingly, and so some pairs that were not wisely considered persist and try to make things work, or find discrete ways to fake it so that neither is put at risk. Oathbreakers are a blight on the entire community.

Average Technological Level

Before swearing service to the Obsidians, the Zanth attained a Kardashev Level 1 society, including interstellar flight. Their long lives and keen minds made long interstellar trips fairly easy to make. As part of the Empire, they now enjoy the higher technology level that the Obsidians have attained.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Zanth have their own language, a deep, growling language that contains many words unpronounceable by humans. They also speak High Draconic, many of the human languages, and some Amboran tongues. Because Zanth society is so uniform in the Empire, there is really only one language they use.

Common Dress Code

Zanth prefer leather and hide outfits, despite being technologically advanced. They enjoy the cut of a finely tailored uniform, suit or other outfit, but prefer the feel of the skin of an animal next to their fur when they are in general society. Black is the preferred color of clothing among almost all Zanth.
Then in their own communities or around dragons, they don't generally wear clothing. They don't want to block their scent from potentially finding their dragon and enhancing their status. Additionally, females in heat who are not bonded prefer to "keep their options open" by not hiding their state under clothing that could send mixed signals.

Common Taboos

Oaths are unbreakable. This is a well-known fact about the Zanth. Once a Zanth has sworn to do something, kill someone, serve someone, or bond with someone, that oath is sealed with his own blood. In a semi-mystical manner, the Zanth will use his own claws to open an "Oathscar" which will only heal enough to stop bleeding and not present a risk of infection. Once this is done, that scar will remain for as long as the oath is in effect. Once completed, a scar will heal and only the fur where it was will remain discolored to indicate that it was once there, and the oath was fulfilled. This is seen as a mark of pride for many Zanth of both genders.
However, this is a well-known fact of the Zanth, and criminals do try to force Zanth into situations where they are required to swear oaths of service to them in order to get an unpaid enforcer. This brings shame on the family of the Zanth, and since they are usually forbidden from speaking about it, some end their own lives. However, since they cannot swear and oath until they have sworn their First Oath, which takes primacy over any other oath sworn, asking a dragon to ask about his scars is a way that a Zanth can tell the dragon that he is in trouble because he cannot refuse a request from a dragon. Because of this criminal behavior, the Jades have recently added a ruling that forcing a Zanth to swear allegiance to an illegal enterprise is a crime punishable by death. This has stopped all but the worst criminal elements form trying to exploit the Zanth.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Zanth are well regarded by most species in the Empire, and are treated with respect or fear by those outside it. Even the Sergal fear and respect Zanth because of their raw martial prowess. Zanth are generally friendly and helpful, and despite their large and imposing appearances, they really are the "teddy bears" they look like.

Genetic Descendants

• Stage 1 Hybrid

Scientific Name

Ursus Erectus Sapiens

Lifespan

20000 to 35000 years.

Average Height

3.0 m to 3.3 m

Average Weight

350 kg

Average Length

n/a

Average Physique

The average Zanth is as strong as the top power lifters. On average, a Zanth can lift anything even the strongest human can, and they are equivalent to their revered Obsidians.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Zanth fur coloration comes in a wide variety, from the typical white, black and brown, tans, creams and reds, to blues, greens, greys and orange. Patterns range from solid and front/back splits to striped like tigers, panda patterning, and some combinations of all. And this is before personal body modifications are considered.

Related Organizations

• The Eternal Empire