Naza

mod Kart

A combination of sphinx, frog, and monitor lizard. hairless and intimidating, these four-armed creatures often seem gross or weird to humans. The impression of “gross” is certainly accurate; they can spit two kinds of spit, and both are nasty.
Off their homeworld, Naza have no trouble adapting to space-age technology and environments. Because individuals can reproduce on their own, they have spread into nearly every corner of the galaxy. Humans in particular see them as a nasty invasive species. Due to outside cultures frowning upon or fearing the use of their spit, Naza have had to adapt their habits. Many neighborhoods and public spaces have out-of-the-way receptacles to give Naza a place to spit in order to avoid excess buildup. Naza may even be “born” from these receptacles, though very rarely are they created and even rarer do they survive long enough to dig their way out of the bin. Such offspring are usually called “gutter-born” but are saluted for their exceptional toughness.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Naza come in a wide variety of colors, though most planets are only inhabited by a few types. The base color of their skin is always pinkish, but may be tinted ever-so-slightly by the color of their blood. It is oftentimes covered or mottled with other, darker hues. Eyes surrounded by unpigmented skin are blue. Other colors include yellow-eyed purple-grey, green-eyed cinnamon, copper-eyed dark black, periwinkle-eyed silver. Pigmented sections of skin can have spotted or striped patterns of their own independent from mottling with the base. Heterochromia on mottled naza isn't uncommon, and neither are chimeras with two or more different pigments. In terms of body type, they’re usually are almost always chubby. A thin Naza is invariably an unhealthy Naza. Some Naza have small, stubby tails, others might have ears of nearly any size or shape. The teeth of a few grow constantly like a rodent’s. They can be anywhere from five-and-a-half to just over eight feet tall. There is no sexual dimorphism because Naza only have one sex.

Genetics and Reproduction

Their entire mouth/throat/stomach/small intestine system grows and replaces itself quickly to compensate for the acid that often burns it. They can digest nearly anything and are omnivores. They only have incisors and canines at the front of the mouth bc who needs molars when you can dissolve anything and everything into soup. Teeth are always growing in. Naza reproduce in vast numbers, but few survive to adulthood. If they aren’t killed by acid as they’re born, young may be eaten by larger siblings or even parents. Acid remains a threat throughout their adolescence, especially when they reach maturity and develop their own spit.

Ecology and Habitats

They are exothermic and thrive near their home world's equator. The terrain there is somewhere between a swamp and a jungle. The dark-leaved and tree-like plants absorb much of the sunlight but allow the heat to pass through to the muck below. Naza are skilled climbers thanks to their six limbs; they travel quickly through the branches.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Naza eat everything. Everything. Even each other. Nothing is safe. Their behavior has been compared by some to that of human toddlers. Even though the insides of their mouths are mostly numb, Naza often chew on things or spit on them, just to see what happens. Their ability to speak Galactic is also diminished by their unsensitive tongues; Naza can only produce “easy” sounds like babies first learning to speak.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The first spit is produced in the mouth and acts as both saliva and tears. Naza lick their eyes to moisturize them, and drool a bunch instead of crying. it is yellowish-clear in color. Sometimes known as “primer.” It isn’t harmful, only gross. The second type of spit is even more gross. It is produced in a small sac on the creature’s lower throat and serves as the creature’s genetic/reproductive soup. It’s the color of that Naza’s blood and sometimes slightly chunky or stringy. When the two are combined, they create a nasty, brightly-colored acid. This can be spit up to a few yards away for use as a weapon. The components may be spat separately or mixed together in the mouth. A handful of blood color variations exist, but the two or more hues of some chimera Naza will blend together forming a unique shade. They are, from most to least common: red, purple, blue, and green. The color of a Naza’s blood affects the hue of their spit and tongue, but has no bearing on their health or spit potency.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Due to the chaotic nature of their habitat and reproductive system, Naza rarely keep track of bloodlines. They usually raise children communally, with the entire village taking turns watching over the brood. Figures of importance may keep their children separate, but this is highly uncommon. Even off-planet, family lines are rarely preserved. Naza attempting to integrate into human society sometimes give themselves last names, but these are of course meaningless.

Average Technological Level

Naza have only progressed as far as tribal technology and cultures naturally on their homeworld, but they’ve received a boost from off-planet technology imports. Their population is also unstable due to their unpredictable birthrates and trend to war with neighboring tribes. The equatorial jungle-swamp they live in has also become cramped, Naza find it difficult to live outside of their warm, moist habitat. It's not that they don't have boats, but the sea winds and salty water are unkind to their skin. On Pokot, Naza development has stagnated due to the interference from outside worlds. The import of weapons and export of Naza wishing for more stable lives are the leading causes of this dilemma.

Common Etiquette Rules

With such a potent natural weapon, one might think that Naza would use it to assert dominance over each other. This is actually not the case; it’s considered extremely poor form for one Naza to spit on another. Disputes are usually settled by way of sumo-like wrestling matches that utilize all six limbs. Acid can be a deciding factor in the pecking order, however. Those with more brightly-colored spit are usually healthier and better bets for progeny and leadership.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Naza are practically built to be musicians due to the natural structure of their language and their “third lung” vocal sac. They have invented a variety of drums as well as a few basic reed instruments. Music is a unifying factor among naza, something they all share along with their four arms and powerful acid; they have a natural talent for song since their brains are more or less hardwired to interpret the complex tones of their native language.

Common Myths and Legends

“Deeply religious” is hardly the first thing that comes to mind when anybody thinks of Naza, but it's true. Naza have an extensive pantheon of gods that they carry symbols of and/or pray to daily. The pantheon can be represented as a whole by a string/necklace/bracelet with a bead in each god’s color on it. The number 444 is a holy number, favored by the gods for reasons unknown. Those born off-planet are usually less invested than Naza born on their homeworld, but they believe that the pantheon watches over all of their kind. Law quartet: Hoko, Paba, Toda, Obko Life quartet: Gabo, Nana, Batoo, Idap Truth quartet: Roox, Koho, Deeka, Ahbe Hoko (the Judge) God of law and storms. They deal swift justice to wrongdoing Naza. Storms that occur after worldly courts or decisions are the worst possible omen. Color and symbol: jade green, lightning bolt Paba (the Reaper) Keeper of souls and god of death. Responsible for every Naza during and after their death. Paba’s role is pretty simple, but the superstitions and rituals for staying on the god’s best side are some of the most complicated. Color and symbol: rust red, toothless skull Gabo (the Painter) God of chaos and creation. They encourage violent confusion but also inspire creativity. They work with other gods in order to design life forms, and also inspire artists to do their work. Color and symbol: dusky purple, interlocking patterns of concentric circles Nana (the Fountain) God of birth and rebirth. They are responsible for all life and deal closely with both Paba and Gabo. Gabo helps them craft the body and soul of each Naza, and Paba takes care of their creations once their body fails. Color and symbol: vibrant green, shed tooth Toda (the Bond) God of bloodlines, romantic and platonic love. Keeps records of every Naza that ever has, or ever will, live. Their watchful eye guides the Naza through life and unites them with friends and family. Color and symbol: faded orange, thread Batoo (the Flame) God of warmth, fire and messages. All worldly fires are spirits are the offspring of this god; They are like the eyes of Batoo. Candles and the like give these little spirits a place to live. Carrying something flammable invites Batoo to protect and watch over you. Color and symbol: amber yellow, a bit of tinder Roox (the Dusk) God of secrets, murky waters and foggy skies. They allow secrets to exist and protect worldly creatures by veiling truths that mortals cannot comprehend. Color and symbol: cool grey, a closed eye Koho (the Torrent) God of travel and water in all its forms. They cause water to flow and bring down rain from the sky, often accompanied by Hoko. Color and symbol: rich indigo, a raindrop Idap (the Glow) God of emotion and color. Without them, life would be grey and dull. They work with Nana to restore ways of life after a war or disaster. Color and symbol: rainbow (sometimes depicted as white), rainbow Obko (the Writer) God of neutrality, order, and fate. Because they cannot interact with the mortal realm, they instruct Hoko when to strike. Color and symbol: black, rectangle/square Deeka (the Rogue) God of Luck and Chance. Unintentionally created by Obko’s perfection, Deeka exists ruin the Writer’s plans. Sometimes works with Gabo. Color and symbol: cobalt blue, eight lines intersecting at a point Ahbe (the Greedy) God of knowledge, truth and questions. They give mortals thought and speech and can reveal Roox’s secrets to them… for a price. With each new thing a mortal learns, Ahbe plants a new question into their head. Color and symbol: sky azure, an open eye