Balaceti
Basic Information
Anatomy
Humanoid, hairless, smooth black skin, broad hands and feet adapted for swimming, small noses
Genetics and Reproduction
Courtship practices differ between balaceti subcultures, with some groups pairing off for life and others having the pod matriarch oversee competition among the females.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Balaceti society is matriarchal. Pods are generally organized around a single older female, and are composed of her offspring and other relatives. Levels of interaction and cooperation with other pods differ depending on location and culture, but generally pods that make their living by hunting (the "drift pods") are more open to helping other pods than the ones that make their living by fishing (the "grove pods"). Another group of balaceti that make their homes in underwater cave systems (the "deep dwellers") and cultivate jellies that exhale breathable air are almost entirely cut off from the rest of balaceti culture.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Worldwide, but concentrated in the water near coasts
Average Intelligence
Sapient. Balaceti are one of three truly cosmopolitan societies on Teshelyn, along with orcas and silverfin dolphins.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Balaceti eyesight is not as strong as humans' in air, but much stronger underwater. Their sense of hearing is above average as well, but weaker than that of dolphins.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
Aquaculture is a core part of any balaceti group. From the fisheries of the grove pods to the deepsky jelly nurseries of the deep dwellers, the balaceti have perhaps been the Tesheli culture that has had the largest impact on their environment.
Lifespan
80 years
Conservation Status
Least concern
Average Height
6 feet
Average Weight
180 lbs
Average Physique
The lifestyle of the balaceti requires individuals to be strong swimmers. Adult balaceti usually have powerful legs and are capable of holding their breath underwater for an extended period of time.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Balaceti skin is almost pure black. Most individuals have lighter patterning on their bellies and chests - similar in coloration to an orca. Many individuals paint orca-like eyespots on the sides of their heads.
Related Ethnicities
Related Myths
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