Harkalic
The Harkalic are a space-faring sentient species of apes originating from the planet Hark. They were one of the first alien species that humanity came into contact with and the first one to be fought in a major conflict. The Harkalic discover FTL travel around the same time as humans did, but were more limited in their expansion out into the galaxy due to the sector of space they originated from being hemmed in on two sides by the Shar and the Rigelians, one side being exposed to the intergalactic void and sharing a border with Human Space through a particularly hazardous section of space known as The Gate.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Harkalic are very similar to humans in general body layout, with two arms, two legs, a head and a torso, with a upright bipedal gait.
Genetics and Reproduction
The Harkalic reproduce sexually, via internal fertilization, with the young developing inside of the female for a duration of 11 months. Harkalic infants are born slightly more developed than human infants, being able to open their eyes hours after birth and cling to their mothers without support within 2 months.
Growth Rate & Stages
The Harkalic grow slightly faster than humans, reaching physical maturity at age 16 on average. The process of growth to maturity is nearly identical to humans, with adolescence progressing to young adulthood via a hormone triggered development period similar to puberty.
Ecology and Habitats
Hark is a slightly more arid planet than Earth, with extensive grass steppes and deserts. As such the Harkalic prefer dry environments with a comfortable temperature being 26-28°C. The vast majority of the Harkalic are incapable of swimming due to the low exposure to large bodies of water on the planet Hark.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Harkalic are omnivorous with meat protein forming 65-67% of their diet on average compared to humans with 45-55% meat protein on average. This need for a higher intake of meat has led to a more aggressive and predator-prey mentality among the Harkalic, though ideals such as veganism and pacifism are prevalent.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Similar to humans
Facial characteristics
The Harkalic have facial features that appear as a cross between humans and the two closest simian relatives they have on Earth, the Gorilla and Chimpanzee. The Harkalic have pronounced upper and lower canine teeth.
Average Intelligence
An individual Harkalic has a comparable mental acuity to the average human, though they are slower to use complex strategies, relying more on the brute force provided by their more developed physical attributes. This dogged mind set produces a slow to react response to sudden complications. It is this handicap that helped humanity to outmaneuver and defeat the Harkalic during the Harkalic War.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Harkalic have sensory capabilities comparable to humans, though it should be noted that psychic powers are significantly rarer than in humans.
Civilization and Culture
Beauty Ideals
Similar to humans
Gender Ideals
Similar to humans though slightly more emphasized, it is still very rare to see female Harkalic in military or political roles.
Courtship Ideals
Similar to humans
Relationship Ideals
Similar to humans
Average Technological Level
TL4
Major Language Groups and Dialects
The most widespread Harkalic language is Chuul, which is a language of short barking words strung into compound word chains for added nuance and complexity. Most Hark that live on the border with human space, as well as many politicians, learn Basic in order to communicate with those outside their species effectively. Most Harkalic are known to spit excessively when trying to speak Basic and have difficulty with any words that contain the "sh" and "th" sounds, which end up sounding like the "ch" sound.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
The Harkalic have a rich cultural tradition of hunting, with fathers taking their sons out to hunt using the traditional methods (aka. without electronic technology or firearms) upon the son reaching physical maturity as a form of coming of age ceremony. Upon the successful completion of the hunt by the son without direct help the pair will bring the quarry back home for a feast with the extended family where the patriarch (usually the boy's grandfather or great grandfather) will bestow a treasured family heirloom (usually a hunting trophy of a particularly dangerous beast or a hunting tool belonging to the family for generations) to the boy, symbolizing his ascension to manhood.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Ritual scarification occupies a similar cultural niche as that of tattoos for humans.
History
Much of the history of the Harkalic reads very similarly to human history but with a larger focus on warfare and conquest. Before the Harkalic achieved reliable space flight they had already experienced five global conflicts, three of which earned the sequential designations of "World Wars". It was after their World War 3 that the Harkalic united under a single world-wide government known as the Federal Republic of Hark.
After the discovery of FTL travel the Harkalic expanded out into the area of space surrounding their home system, but quickly found that they were hemmed in by two much more well established species, the Shar and the Rigelians, as well as the open void of intergalactic space. Quickly deeming that aggressive annexation of their neighbours' territory was the only way to expand further (at this point in history, the Harkalic were unaware of the safe path through the area of space known as The Gate, due to their limited knowledge of Metaphysical space and its navigation), the Harkalic swiftly attacked the Shar Meritocracy as they shared the largest border with them. The initial gains were very successful and played a significant part in the complacency of the Harkalic when the Shar called upon their new ally the Terran Democratic Hierarchy. The Harkalic Military Command were unimpressed with these unimposing, hairless, lesser apes, having convinced themselves that with the lackluster performance of the Shar military, any allies that they may have would be equally pathetic. What they did not expect was the cold fury and aggressive maneuverability that the humans would bring to bear in the assistance of their ally. The final nail in the coffin for the Harkalic war effort was the unexpected flanking assault that the humans executed through the section of space now known as The Gate, that allowed the human fleets a straight, unimpeded shot at Hark itself. Shortly after the Harkalic capitulated and returned all captured territory back to the Shar and seeded all the areas of space on their side of The Gate to the Terran Democratic Hierarchy.
The Harkalic underwent a period of upheaval during the time of the Age of Strife and have only recently returned to a state of relative internal stability in the past several decades. This has produced some anxiety in human communities close to Harkalic space as many Harkalic politicians have increased their rhetoric about "reclaiming what is rightfully theirs", implying that the Harkalic are looking to expand in the absence of a united human government.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The Harkalic maintain tense but cooperative relations with much of the other major species of the galaxy since the end of the Harkalic War. In recent decades political and social unrest within the central Harkalic government has led to an increase in aggressive, confrontational political leaders that advocate for harsher foreign policies and belligerent attitudes toward alien species.
Scientific Name
Homo Sapiens Simiae (Simian Wise Man)
Origin/Ancestry
Mammalian, Primates
Lifespan
67 years, variable based on ethnicity and medical treatment
Average Height
1.6-2.3 meters
Average Weight
70-140kg
Average Physique
An individual Harkalic is more muscular than a human of comparable size.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Skin colour can vary from medium tan to black.
+1 Strength
+1 Constitution
-1 Intelligence
-1 Wisdom
Starting Alien Focus - Aptitude for Violence - The Harkalic have a long cultural tradition of hunting and fighting, leading to an instinctual talent for combat. A Harkalic Player Character has a permanent +1 to hit a target on top of other modifiers. In addition a Harkalic Player Character has a +1 modifier to any saving throws made while in combat to represent their somewhat berserker-like ability to ignore pain and psychological factors when fighting.
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