Tesz'tskaa (Tez)
A proud, desert-dwelling people distantly related to the Ejii'aari of Ejian, one of two sentient species native to Zahyr.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Biped humanoid species with two arms finished by dextrous hands and two legs.
Genetics and Reproduction
Human-Tesz'tskaa hybrids do occur from time to time on Zahyr, implying that the Tesz'tskaa are sexually compatible with humans, however, hybrids are usually sterile. Reproduction is similar to human reproduction, except that the gestation period is of twenty-six weeks instead of thirty-nine.
Ecology and Habitats
Zahyr-native species which, not unlike humans, has made itself the apex of its food chain. As desert-dwellers, they usually build permanent settlements near sources of water. Will usually carve from rock.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Omnivorous but mostly survives on meat. Hunts, and will hunt and kill humans for food if no better options are available (to them, humans have an unpleasant taste and texture). Shares food with members of clan and will kill thieves.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Characterized by bony ridges, spurs and plates which are unique to the species and almost give them an armoured look. Facial features are strongly defined, usually with ridged or spiked brows and forehead and spur-like constructs along the jaw. Dentition is human-sized but sharper to accomodate for mostly carnivorous food choices. Eyes range from yellow to dark brown, and their hair, which covers their heads in the same way as humans' do, is between black and reddish brown. Have adapted a second eyelid, specialized structures in their noses and tough skin to help survive sandstorms.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Major sentient presence on Zahyr, where they are widespread. Present to a lesser degree on Andellion, where they are confined to the Western Expanse past the Dosyn and Osyn ranges. More specifically, the Andellian Tskaa, which calls themselves Tesz'andel, mostly live in Thash, the Western Steppes or the Shattered Waste.
Average Intelligence
Human-level intelligence
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Hearing, sight and smell is better than for humans. Species does not have any Knack, Talent or Gift abilities, but all Tesz'tskaa are part of Korsh Alamak, the "Waking Dream", a sort of species consciousness which holds their history and the spirits of their dead. While most Tskaa can't directly influence the Waking Dream, Dreamwalkers and the Ancients have developed "empathy" which allows them deeper access to the common mind and allows easier communion with their ancestors.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
One name, separated in sections by apostrophes. Structure is Clan'FamilyNameName. For example: "Thask'roz'taratzt" is Aratzt, from clan Thask and family Roztar. Clan members would call him Roz'taratz and family membrs, Aratzt. If the individual wants to follow and Andellian naming scheme, he would go as Ara Thas'roz, as it's not proper for outsiders to say full Tesz'tkaa names. "Ankh'arparshe'yaratj" would decompose to Sheyaratj of family Arparsh and clan Ankhar, and she would go as Sheyara Ank'hapar.
Major Organizations
Divided into clans, which are subdivided into families. The largest Tesz'tskaa nation, Xekuj Tesz, is an amalgam of the three ethnicities where the Jat people are the scholars, the Qir people are the tradesmen and the Ran people are the warriors.
Beauty Ideals
Beauty ideals involve, for both genders, strong muscular bodies, long, lustrous hair (speaks of battle prowess), vibrant skin colour (sick individuals' skins pale) and well-defined skull ridges. Females are preferred to have wide hips for childbearing.
Gender Ideals
Both males and females are as equally important in overall clan survival and so gender distinctions come down only to distinctions due to biological sex. However, society is matrilinear and so leadership and tactical skills are slightly more highly prized in females than in males.
Courtship Ideals
Depends on the ethnicity, but usually involves some sort of competition.
Relationship Ideals
Couples split tasks evenly or according to the individuals' strengths. It is expected that both play a part in raising their young, although raising the young is also a task of the family at large.
Average Technological Level
Discovered the use of bilaterally-linked adstrumite for energy-based melee weapons (energy is used in complement to sharp blades to increase cutting). Very talented glass and lens makers. Ranged weapons are not very prized due to high winds.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Common Etiquette Rules
Deferral to elders is necessary. Baring of teeth is a sign of agression. If you are not Tesz'tskaa, you can't refer to species members by their Tska'a name but by the partial name they give in Andellian. If a member presents itself to a member of another clan, they use their full name. To a member of the same clan, they present themselves with their last name and first name, and only people in the same family adress themselves by their first name.
Common Dress Code
Depends on the clan's location. Loose clothing to help maintain moisture, with headwraps and goggles to provide extra protection in the desert.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Clan society for all ethnicities is based on specialized but flexible castes. Physical prowess and martial skill is prized in all castes, meaning that even scholars and healers are very good fighters. The keepers of knowledge and culture are by elders in nomadic clans and scholars in cities.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Due to their connection to the Tsor Alamak, all Tesz'tskaa share similar customs and traditions relating to the Waking Dream. For example, all Tskaa believe in funeral pyres for the dead in order to send them fully into the Tsor.
Common Taboos
Speaking of the Tsor Alamak to non-Tskaa people.
Historical Figures
Thask'roz'taratzt (Aratzt of Tesz'qir clan Thask and family Roztar/Ara Thas'roz), regarded by Xekuj Tesz'tskaa to have been the greatest ruler of them all
Ankh'andarek'ianz (Ekianz of Tesz'ran clan Ankhar and family Andarek/Reki Ank'handek), the Destroyer, whose name is feared and reviled by Xekuj Tesz'tskaa and praised by the "wild" Ran people as being the greatest leader of the Ran and leading them to greatness (led the Great Sacking of Xekuj)
Bahir'adabirek'kajj (Ekkajj of Tesz'jat clan Bahirad and family Dabir/Ekka Bahi'radab), the Enlightened, one of the original founders of the path of Zih'ra and the Speaker of the One Truth.
Sabiy'intinzar'taliha (Artaliha of Tesz'ran clan Sabiyr and family Intinzar/Artalih Sab'tinzar), known for defending the Jat people against the Ran and destroying the Zir of clan Sabiyr.
Common Myths and Legends
The legends about the Tohzah'lat, the Arkan'jirek and the glorious, but long-lost Tesz'kriam nation.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Depends on the specific Tesz'tskaa culture.
Genetic Descendants
Lifespan
Tesz'jat: 97 years; Tesz'quar: 85 years; Tesz'ran: 69 years (nomadic/tribal), 78 years (sedententary)
Average Height
Tesz'jat: males: 6'5'' (SD: 4'' females: 6'0'' (SD: 3.5'')
Tesz'quar: males: 6'9'' (SD: 5.5'' females: 6'4'' (SD: 4'')
Tesz'ran: males: 7'0'' (SD: 3.5'' females: 6'8'' (SD: 3'')
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Skin colour is usually rusty red to ochre which allows them to physically blend with their desertic environement
Related Ethnicities
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