The Ambymander Species
A marketplace is filled with the scents of mouth-watering food, the sounds of laughter and price bargaining, and draped in colorful patterned tapestries, silken and elegant. The culture bleeds into the very structure of the town, positioned on a planet perfectly catering to the people who live there- oceans stretch for hundreds of thousands of miles, and streams run through cities like lifeblood. The air is often thick with cool, refreshing water vapor, and the planet itself rarely sees much sunlight; the people embracing the dark with bright fabric, warm lanterns, and stories.
You have found yourself in an Ambymander settlement, original home to a sapient amphibious species characterized by their six-frilled heads, a pair of gills, and a wide range of colors.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Ambymanders come in a wide range of coloration and body shape, but all (or most) share a trait of three frilled stalks on each side of the head. "Hair" is thick and almost rubbery, water hardly affecting the shape at all. No documented case of Ambymanders growing facial or body hair exists. Gills are positioned on the neck, opening only when submerged in water. Rectangular pupils against a colored sclera. Soft "pads" line the underside of their hands, providing help with grip- as well as a slight webbing between fingers, a leftover trait that would help with a species very accustomed to swimming.
Biological Traits
A well-lived Ambymander should be nearly 200 years old before passing, but this isn't always the case. The species is often described as lithe, but there's a great variation in weight. Perhaps prone to being the tallest of all primary species.
Genetics and Reproduction
so like, remember that scene from "The Shape of Water?"
Ecology and Habitats
The Ambymander's ideal home environment is densely packed with water vapor, as well as many local sources of clean water. Plant life is frequent, and lives in harmony with the population, who may use it for canopy or food. The species is moderately sensitive to sunlight or extreme heat, so an ideal environment is hidden from direct sunlight.
Dietary Needs and Habits
A species practically dependent on cultivating and growing their own food, they naturally have a very plant-and-grain-based diet. For protein, many hunt for fish in the local streams or oceans, as well as the red-meat of the local wildlife. Their dietary needs are basic, but their sense of smell has made them a stickler for the richer more flavorful things in life. Often, their cooking will utilize spices to their best ability, creating mouth-watering culinary treats.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Often smooth/round faced, with small round eyes and defining frilled-stalks on each side. The structure of teeth are divided into different types- The first being sharp canines to help with tearing food, with smaller teeth for crushing plants and grain. The second sees a squid-like "beak" structure, with one large, sharp frontal tooth and smaller teeth lining the rest of the mouth. The third is an uncommon serrated "cookie-cutter" type teeth structure, small sharp teeth perfect for tearing apart meat.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Ambymanders usually inhabit a very canopy-dense, cool, watery environment close to sea level.
Average Intelligence
Usually considered a very intelligent, academic-driven species. (Excluding the opinion of the Chimpkind of course.)
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Prone to poor eyesight for whatever reason, but adapted to have keen senses of smell- this has likely made them better at creating flavorful dishes. Some regions have adapted Echolocation into their speech patterns, frequenting their language and speech with clicks.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
Ambymanders are very in-tune with the aquatic world, depending on it for comfort, food, hydration, and skin-care.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Firstname Lastname standard set-up, middle names are almost nonexistent. Often, names will be long or have strong linguistic ties, before being anglicized by the Chimpkind- this damages and erases a large part of their history.
Major Organizations
The Ambymanders did not have a strict central government until the arrival of the Chimpkind and establishment of the "universal Government", disrupting their way of life entirely. Often villages or towns would have an elder figure who would officiate marriage ceremonies and help settle disputes, while the community openly arranged a council to solve larger issues.
Beauty Ideals
The beauty ideals of Ambymander culture before the influence of the Chimpkind was strongly tied to hair, decoration and size of frills, and quality/color of fabric. Free-flowing, large hair was considered attractive, as well as large elegant frills often adorned with jewelry or other hanging decorations. After the arrival and objectification of the Chimpkind, their beauty ideals and way of life only became a way to further depersonalize their culture, becoming "exotic" beauties. In professional fields, their hair is mandated to be put up or kept short.
Gender Ideals
Gender was originally a very vague concept, defined very much by presentation and self-identification, but with the arrival of the Chimpkind they have been forced to assign as Male or Female, often having their gender forced onto them from a young age.
Courtship Ideals
Budding romance between Ambymanders is circumstantial and has no real defining way to go about courtship- they believe very much in true love, though, and are considered a romantic species.
Relationship Ideals
Marriage ceremonies are quiet and usually private, both parties taking a day off together beforehand and sharing their home, food, and clothes. The actual ceremony takes place late in the day or at night, an Elder officiating their union and giving them a ceremonial finely-woven blanket that one party may cover the other with at the shoulders. Jewelry is usually woven into the hair of each party, as well as hand-painting done beforehand. Regional differences may vary the ceremony and experience, but marriage always binds both partners together regardless of experience.
Average Technological Level
Ambymanders have been noted for several accomplishments in the textile industry, as well as literature and major advancements in mathematics. They're also noted for their penchant towards puzzles and board games, creating some of the earliest versions known in the galaxy. Unfortunately, a large amount of their advancements or technological success is erased or claimed by the Chimpkind.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
The root Ambymander language was prevented from being passed down by Chimpkind who refused to let the teaching of the language continue.
Common Etiquette Rules
Ambymanders are already considered sometimes overly-polite neighbors, often sharing resources or dropping by to deliver gifts. It is expected to remove shoes upon entering someone else's home, and to be provided tea.
Common Dress Code
Dress code is mandated only by what your spirituality dictates and your own self expression, but due to cool conditions Ambymanders are often seen with arm-length sleeves and ornately patterned silk wraps.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Ambymander culture runs with the water and their relationship with the world around them, and is also tied to self-expression and freedom. Eternally grateful to the canopy, the water, the planets and all that it's provided, they aspire to live life to its fullest while keeping in balance with nature. Colorful, fine textiles are everywhere you look, as well as rich food, art, academics, and extensive libraries. Unfortunately, their culture has been extremely damaged by the imperialism of the Chimpkind, leaving them to live under supervision and often random raids on villages from Somapex officers.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Aside from previously observed marriage customs, other traditions include holidays celebrating the harvest, festivals, celebrating the New Year, and other colorful displays. A common theme in these regional holidays is lighting up the darkest nights with the most colorful, wonderful festivals of lights and song.
"Of Age" celebrations are also common within villages, celebrating younger Ambymander adolescents coming of age with members in the community contributing food and gifts.
Common Taboos
It is often disrespectful to refer to someone by their first name upon first impressions, as well as entering someone's home with shoes still on. Other than that, common courtesy is expected.
Historical Figures
Many historical figures have been discredited by the Chimpkind from Ambymander history, but whats left of their history includes figures such as a woman who had made extreme mathematical advancements that are still prevalent in modern algebra, multiple connoisseurs of fashion, authors, and a 300 year old Ambymander who allegedly disappeared in the mountains to never return.
Common Myths and Legends
Often mysticism will be alluded to within nearby bodies of water, such as assuming the water itself has a spirit or attributing a physical magical creature to a lake or stream. A legend foretells a two-headed three-eyed four-armed Ambymander who emerged to protect her chained people, as well as many other legends passed down from revered pieces of literature, preserved only through tongue after the original texts were burned.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The Ambymander people, although largely private communities, have historically been on good terms with other species. Providing new taste, hundreds of people have traveled across the galaxy in pursuit of Ambymander fabric and spices. Historical relations to Autos prove difficult however, due to their aversion to water. Chimpkind have had the largest, however negative impact on the race as a whole. Tearing Ambymanders away from their homes in large numbers and relocating them into mandated camps, or occupying them under the guise of "helping" their species, their lives have been disrupted and uprooted en masse. The Chimpkind have even started entire village massacres to get their hands on rarer spices.
Currently, the Chimpkind barely view Ambymanders as more than objects, certain chimp celebrities toting them around like paid props- ones who can never talk freely, or God forbid say no to whatever they demand of them, knowing there's no home to go back to. They're nothing more than a fashion statement in their minds.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Genetic Descendants
Scientific Name
Amphibia
Origin/Ancestry
Chordatial
Lifespan
150-200 years
Average Height
6'0 - 6'10 feet
Average Weight
140 to 170 pounds
Average Physique
Usually lithe or even lanky, but its not uncommon to see Ambymanders gain significant weight or muscle.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Colorful and extremely varied by nature, but Ambymanders do have significant markings, such as round secondary-colored "plates" on each cheek, a differently colored underbelly, and pads on the under-side of each hand.
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