Halai

The Halai are a race of elf-like humanoids native to the world of Aval, located in the Kalia system. Believed to have been one of the first races in the galaxy to begin expanding beyond their home system, the Halai are known for producing some of the finest starships in the galaxy, with a particular focus grace and speed. Today, the Halai are one of the most influential star nations in the galaxy, even being a founding member of the Free Systems Alliance, and are a leading force in the Alliance in the exploration of Dark Space.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Halai have a tall, slender, humanoid build with some traits similar to avians, with two arms ending in hands with four fingers and a thumb, two legs with five toed feet, eyes that are slightly larger than usual, and long, pointed ears lined with feathers. Additionally, the skeletal structure of the Halai is slightly lighter than that of most races, though also weaker.

Genetics and Reproduction

The Halai give birth to live young.

Ecology and Habitats

While capable of surviving in a wide variety of environments, the Halai are most comfortable in temperate environments.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Halai are omnivorous.

Behaviour

As a result of their natural psoinic affinity, the Halai have heightened empathic senses compared to most other races.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

The Halai have sharp facial features, eyes that are slightly larger than average, and long, pointed ears lined with fine feathers.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The Halai are found throughout the galaxy, particularly their homeworld and the systems controlled by the Avalian Star Kingdom.

Average Intelligence

The Halai have average intelligence.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Halai have keen sight and hearing. Addiitonally, the Halai have a high chance of being born with the ability to use Psionics, and can detect the presence of Impulse in their surroundings better than most other races.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Halai names tend to sound melodic.

Male: Mhaenal, Aimar, Cyran, Ryo, Vesstan
Female: Saria, Edea, Meriel, Nere, Vanni
Last Names: Varieth, Kelmys, Caileth, Leoxis, Farran

Beauty Ideals

The Halai consider gracefulnes, in both appearance and mannerisms, to be highly attractive.

Average Technological Level

The Halai have highly advanced technology, with a particular affinity for terrestrial and extraterrestrial vehicles, which are renowned for their speed and grace. Additionally, the Halai are renowned for producing many of the finest Pulse Blades in the Free Systems Alliance, as well as their skill at building and maintaining advanced mechs built for mobility and speed.

Common Dress Code

Halai clothing is typically light, and frequently uses vibrant colours.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Even after becoming an interstellar civilisation, some trappings of their worlds feudal age have managed to persist into the modern day. Some notable examples include the use of knights as commanders and elite units (including a number of knightly orders), the existence of Houses (though their modern incarnation refers to star sectors and their leadership, rather than noble families), as well as a political structure similar to that used by the high kings and queens of the past, with the greater star nation being broken up into smaller "provinces" (star sectors) that are govenred by their local House while answering to the central leadership (though these leadership positions are elected from a roster of qualified individuals, rather than being hereditary).

Additionally, the Halai have always had a strong sense of respect for the power of Psionics. Since the majority of their population has at least some affinity for Psionics, combined with their natural ability to sense Psionic energy in their surroundings, the useage and observance of such abilities have been a part of many aspects of Halai culture, including military, art, and communication. This fascination with Psionics and the force behind it, Impulse, as well as the various anomalies they cause, persists among the Halai into the present day, who continue to try and unravel the numerous mysteries that surround them.

History

Like many of the races of the Proxima Galaxy, the early history of the Halai before was fairly typical of apre-FTL civilisation. This would all change, however, during the feudal age of their homeworld, when the future first high king, Arun Heilaris, would find an ancient Pulse Blade forged with Shaper Technology, using the discovery of such advanced technology, and the belief held by many at the time that it had marked him for greatness, to win considerable support from many powerful allies for his cause of uniting the disparate kingdoms of his homeland under one banner. Many more similar discoveries would be made in the years since, including a handful of Shaper mechsuits (each given to one of his most trusted knights), the first mentions of the Shapers (known as "the Elders" among the Halai at the time), and eventually even the means to create facsimiles these technologies themselves, and while the initial mysticism that coloured their perception of these technologies had long since been dispelled, these initial discoveries and the stories around them continue to be celebrated among the Halai for the role they played in the eventual planetary unification of the Halai, and for shaping their society into what it is today.

Eventually, the Halai would make their most significant Shaper-related discovery while conducting an archeological dig, where a Shaper vessel had been found buried deep in the side of a mountain. While the vessel itself was unrecoverable, the knowledge that could be recovered allowed the Halai to make significant advancements in their ship designs and energy production technologies, both of which were instrumental in their expansion across the rest of their star system, and eventually the wider galaxy beyond. It's during this period of galactic expansion that the Halai would gradually establish themselves as a galactic power through their uplifting of the Aradi and the newly arrived Exodians into galactic civilisations in their own right, as well as the role they played in the founding of the Free Systems Alliance.

Historical Figures

Arun Heilaris: The first high king of the Halai. Believed by the feudal era Halai to have been chosen for greatness after chancing upon an ancient Shaper made Pulse Blade, Arun was able to leverage his own leadership ability and the mysticism surrounding his newly acquired blade to unite the kingdoms of his homeland under one rule, laying the groundwork for the eventual planetary unification of all of Aval. This, combined with the many heroic feats associatted with him through numerous historical legends, has ensured that Arun remains a celebrated figure among the Halai well into the present day.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Halai maintain strong relations with their fellow Alliance members, particularly the Exodians and the Aradi, and are considered to be one of the leading powers of the Alliance.

Lifespan

140 years

Average Height

Male: 6'3" Female: 6'1"

Average Physique

All Halai have a tall and slender physique.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The Halai typically have light skin (though more tanned tones are also common), and dark feathers lining their ears. Their eyes are typically shades of blue, green, brown, yellow, amd silver, and their hair is typically black, brown, or white.