Chelon

At one time on the brink of extinction, the Chelon are a divided species torn apart by philosophical differences. A chance meeting with the Senec uplifted them from a period of civil unrest while also splitting them into two distinct groups: the Temmrac and the Atterac. Inspired by the robotic Senec, the Chelon use their hardiness for tasks other species are either unable or unwilling to perform. With the ability to withstand intense radiation and survive conditions and injuries that would certainly kill others, Chelon are capable not only as workers, but also as warriors.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The most defining characteristic of the Chelon is their shell. Incredibly resilient, their shell renders the species nearly completely immune to conventional weaponry when a Chelon retreats into it, but not for very long. It is known, however, that a Chelon can recover from any injury that does not immediately kill it. The shell itself is made from a rather dense chitin-like substance woven in a manner similar to that of Kevlar used in the early space age of Earth. With sufficient support, while in its shell, a Chelon can survive atmospheric re-entry without vehicular assistance. Some Chelon pirates and mercenaries exploit this for shock tactics by firing individuals from mass drivers.
The Chelon have broad foreheads tapering down into a snout. Males grow crest-like horns from either side of the head in varying numbers. Though it is not a belief held by the Atterac, the Temmrac believe horns to be a symbol of virility and power. The more horns, the bigger horns, the better. These are made of the same material as their shells, and grow constantly through life. Similar horns grow from their chins, as well as horns that only grow a set length from their eyebrows (though these horns in particular are present in females as well). Their flesh is tough and dense, transitioning into bony plates along their neck. This portion of flesh is what forms the seal that protects Chelon as they retreat into their shells.

Genetics and Reproduction

Chelon live to incredible ages, and as such achieve sexual maturity much later in life as well. Full sexual maturity occurs around 50 years of age. Chelon have an oviparous reproductive cycle with single egg clutches. The eggs in question are tended to by a spiritual broodmother known as an Imric, who tends to the eggs until hatching and also helps raise the children born in the clutch.
The Temmrac, on the other hand, do not protect their eggs as such, and birth among them is very rare. The doomsday cult of the Temmrac only raise children to weaponize them, and they see life as the greatest curse imaginable. To them, bearing a child is a punishment for crime, including mercy, incompetence in battle, or returning from capture.

Growth Rate & Stages

Chelon are born with soft shells that harden as they grow. Typically, they develop speech within 5 years of life.
Sexual maturity occurs around 50 years of life, as well as cultural recognition of adulthood. In these 50 years, the Chelon are educated, mostly in forms of labor, though higher level education is not unheard of. In the Temmrac, however, these years are spent in combat training to spread the blessings of death.
Chelon do not die of old age. It is not unheard of for a Chelon to live well past the age of 3,000, and a rare few have lived for the entire duration of the human species.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Chelon are omnivorous. Between the Atterac and the Temmrac, however, diets vary wildly. Atterac prefer largely vegan diets, while the Temmrac are true omnivores.
Atterac culture espouses the value of hard work in the service of others, which is often expressed as agrarian duties that feed a large portion of the galaxy. As such, they will eat their keep on their own supply while still providing more than enough for the galaxy at large. Temmrac, on the other hand, take food where they please, often stealing from supply lines.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Atterac Chelon are vaguely communistic in nature, in that all work for the collective good of others. Their lives are almost monastic, with a single spiritual leader known as a Mata presiding over collective systems. They spend their days in the service of other sapient species, utilizing their unique physical characteristics to do what others cannot or will not.
Temmrac Chelon are more brutal in their dealings with each other. The strongest male among them (given the title Torkhan) is given absolute power and is able to be challenged for his role. Females are often forced into support roles like accounting or inventory management while the males fight and kill. The Torkhan's role is to lead the Temmrac to the best killing; nothing more, nothing less.

Facial characteristics

Males of the species grow crest like horns framing their faces. Atterac Chelon often shave these horns down to a more manageable size, but Temmrac allow them to grow, seeing it as a symbol of power. Members of both sexes grow smaller horns on their chins and eyebrows.

Average Intelligence

Chelon exhibit roughly human-level intellect.

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

• Atterac: The predominant philosophy among Chelon, translated "The New Way". Its central tenet states "Life is long; use your gift for the lives that aren't."
• Temmrac: The older philosophy, aptly translated as "The Old Way". It espouses the belief that "Life is long and painful. To shorten it is the greatest gift."

Average Technological Level

The Chelon are technically a spacefaring race, though their technology is based on that gifted to them by the Senec.

History

The Chelon's homeworld of Chukwa was facing a problem. Given their long life-span, the whole planet was facing an overpopulation crisis in spite of their low birth rate. Slowly, but inevitably, the population grew and grew. Resources were dwindling. Extinction seemed inevitable, and while bodies piled from disease and famine, they grew to question the meaning of their long lives. A philosopher named Arrau posed the idea that the purpose of life was to ease suffering, especially in times of scarcity. Arrau amassed a huge following. His words gave the Chelon hope and purpose, but eventually, he succumbed to an illness spreading through the packed streets of Chukwa. His followers were left without their leader, and left to their own devices, they questioned what Arrau truly meant. They decided that the only way to end suffering was to end the source.
The killing began slowly. They formed death squads, and while initially sheepish concerning the thought of taking a life, they quickly overcame the fear and soon whole cities were murdered. Others soon joined in the carnage, first in defense but the Way of Death, as it came to be known, spread to nearly every Chelon. Governments were toppled. Public order was nonexistent. The Chelon nearly destroyed themselves, and were close to complete extinction until the Senec arrived.
Originally, the Senec were only on Chukwa to observe through drones and remote camera emplacements, but when it was apparent the Chelon were about to completely eradicate themselves, they intervened. At first, the Chelon simply destroyed the Senec's operating platforms, but when the AI's names began to repeat, they realized they could not be killed in any meaningful way, they left them to their ways. The Senec, however, were hard at work to restore the planet while also leaving operating platforms in key locations. When the time was right, a single ten minute operation was all it took to completely disarm the Chelon. Peace, although a shaky one, was reestablished on the planet, and the Senec offered them a solution to the new problem they found themselves in.
Those Chelon who wished to continue the Way of Death were given the opportunity to leave the planet. Those who tired of the killing stayed behind and listened to the Senec. The Way of Death was termed Temmrac (The Old Way) by those who remained on Chukwa, and they adopted the philosophy of the Senec, which they called Atterac (The New Way). The species, now divided, lead drastically different lives, but one way or the other, the species thrives. The Atterac, a life of survival, and the Temmrac, a life of death.

Common Myths and Legends

Chelon religious belief is mostly agnostic in nature. Though some practice religions of other species in the Milky Way Galaxy, the vast majority of them do not bother with such things, due in part to no guarantee of death. A prevailing train of thought among them is the thought that there is too much in this world to begin questioning the next, and that should they ever die, they will find out then.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Atterac maintain healthy relationships with the Senec, and very amicable dealings with other species. The Temmrac form begrudging alliances should such an arrangement benefit their overall goal.

Lifespan

~3000 years, though individuals do not die of old age.

Average Height

1.7 to 2 meters

Average Weight

220 to 300 kg

Average Physique

Chelon are wide and stocky. Their strength is unparalleled, but their speed leaves something to be desired.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Chelon colorations, to include skin coloration and markings, are dependent on parentage. Many Chelon who live and travel through space are often able to recognize each other on sight due to long life and low birth rate.