Nacoi

Refugee status in the UDSA and Orr Confederation

The Nacoi (/nakoɪ/) are an amphibian species evolved on a planet currently occupied by the Aquatic Hegemony who are considered under a special refugee status by both the UDSA and the Orr Confederation. A part of their population has escaped their system and is currently mostly residing on planets in Orr Confederation territory.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Nacoi are amphibian. They have two arm-like front appendages used for both locomotion and fine manipulation and two strong tail-like back appendages that are used for locomotion. These typically referred to as flukes, from the Varaha'ai term Voroka and its similarity to the english word. They are extensions of the split spine present in the Nacoi, anatomically akin to tails in earth fauna. When in water, the back appendages are primarily used to move, while a slower quadrupedal (effectively tripedal) gait is used on dry land.
The Nacoi breathing apparatus is a unique hybrid of lungs and gills, which allows air to be expelled both through the mouth as well as through side slits, while water can also be breathed in but only expelled through the side slits. Survival breathing only water is possible, however strains the breathing musculature far more and therefore requires training to do for extended periods.
Nacoi skin requires high moisture and supports a significant part of water intake under normal circumstances. Most individuals living in UDSA or Orr standard environments choose to wear special undergarments typically called spongesuits to provide the required moisture in addition to carrying handheld ultrasonic misters or moistening towels for use on the hands and head.
Skin coloring is sexually dimorphic, with males having brightly colored skin and females being colored in more muted colors. The exact colors patterns vary significantly, both due to regional and individual genetic variation.

Genetics and Reproduction

The Nacoi reproduction process begins with the formation of a spermatocyst on the back of the male, which is then injected with an ovum by the female. The offspring develops in a skin pouch over a period of approximately one earth year (104 UDSA Standard Date units, 1.5 local years), during which most males choose to spend significant time living in water to reduce the strain caused by the pregnancy.
Birth involves the breaking of the skin pouch under which the offspring has been developing, often resulting in significant scarring. The scarred skin typically cannot form any more spermatocysts, limiting the number of children any one male can bear.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

In Nacoi culture, names are considered akin to souls. After an unnatural or early death, the first syllable of the given name of the deceased is typically adopted as a middle name by relatives or friends, referred to as "carrying on the name". If no one carries on a name, the death is viewed as far more significant.
Nacoi often have multiple middle initials in this manner, the number of which is considered somewhat of a measure of the hardship in someone's life. Middle names are sometimes carried on further if the bearer dies unnaturally.
In formal settings and certain religious groups, it is considered obligatory to explain the detailed origin of each middle initial when introducing one's name.
Full names follow a <family name> <middle initials> <given name> scheme, with the middle initials separated by hyphens. For example, Faro Ta-O-Ni Omadi consists of the family name Faro, the adopted middle initials Ta, O, and Ni, as well as the given name Omadi.

Gender Ideals

Nacoi society has slight matriarchal tendencies, however spirituality is traditionally considered primarily male.
Since skin coloring is the primary indicator of biological sex, it is not uncommon for Nacoi to dye their skin for the sake of gender expression. Since a significant portion of their water intake passes through the skin, it is fairly easy for Nacoi to dye their skin darker using a modified spongesuit. To dye skin lighter, medicine which suppresses pigment formation is required to lighten the skin and make brighter dyes visible.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Much of the physical manifestation of cultural heritage of the Nacoi, such as historical artifacts and buildings, was destroyed by the Vektektek occupation. A small number of people, called the Jazhano (/ʟaʑano/), are tasked with protecting items that remain, both on the Nacoi homeworld and among the refugee groups.
Much of Nacoi culture revolves around remembering the homeworld and the hope of one day returning, however with the UDSA unwilling to actively engage in hostilities with the Aquatic Hegemony and the Hegemony unwilling to negotiate, a return unfortunately seems far off at this point.

History

The Nacoi only had basic spaceflight capabilities when their home system was invaded by the Vektektek. At the time, they had established a significant orbital presence and limited settlements other planets in their planetary system but not yet left it. The Vektektek occupied the entire system and exploited particularly the water-rich Nacoi homeworld, as well as using the Nacoi for land-based labor.
After over 50 local years (34 earth years) of occupation, an organized rebellion around UDSA Standard Date 46145 was partially successful and resulted in the temporary liberation of all the planets in the system except the homeworld. On the liberated planets, a significant portion of the population escaped in hijacked Vektektek ships, reaching the fringes of UDSA space several weeks later.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Nacoi are considered a lower-level ally in the Aquatic Hegemony by the Vektektek due to their amphibious nature, however the Nacoi consider the Vektektek brutal oppressors. The UDSA and Orr Confederation have given them a special refugee status that allows Nacoi communities to more easily find homes on member worlds. Nacoi are eligible to enter the Exploration and Defense Fleet.
Currently, the largest populations of Nacoi outside their home system are found in the Orr Confederation, but smaller communities exist on more than 20 planets in both the UDSA and Orr Confederation.

Lifespan

110 - 140 earth years

Average Height

1.2 - 1.7m