Mesutaani
Short and thin methane-breathing aliens, Mesutaani are known for their superior shielding technology, loner attitude and an ancient order of supernatural trackers.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Mesutaani are humanoid in form, standing slightly shorter than Humans and thinner than their strength would attest; in truth, the gravity from their planet has toughened their bones and muscles to work more efficiently. Their skin is leathery and pebbly, ranging in coloration from pale green, gray, yellow, or purple. Their faces feature two eyes set deep within skull ridges, folds of skin around the eyes and mouth, and a mouth that is opens on the vertical axis instead of a horizontal one. While the mouth contains sharp teeth for tearing flesh, the main mastication of food happens in a gizzard where specialized bones grind the food.
Mesutaani are adapted to life on their home planet of Caligo, breathing methane and peering through onium mists and fog. As a result, Mesutaani need both a breathing apparatus and protective goggles or lenses when off-world. Often, a Mesutaan will simply wear a helmet that performs both of these functions.
Genetics and Reproduction
Mesutaani do not discuss their reproduction methods, claiming that such knowledge is not discussed openly.
Ecology and Habitats
Caligo, with its methane atmosphere, onium mists, rivers of ammonia and hydrogen trees, is the natural environment for the Mesutaani. On Caligo, Mesutaani tend to live in cave complexes, as the planet is the frequent recipient of meteorite strikes.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Mesutaani possess hearing, smell and taste similar to Humans. They manifest mystical powers at the same rate as Humans. Mesutaani have enhanced vision that permits them to see in near total darkness.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Mesutaani naming conventions are peculiar compared to those of other alien races. As a child, a Mesutaan would be known only by their childhood name, given to them at birth by their biological mother or close female relative. At an annual adulthood ceremony for children of the same age, a Mesutaan will request to be called a new name, which will be their adult name. Naming ceremonies and the names themselves are considered very serious business; only one Mesutaan may receive a particular name for that year, and fights have broken out over who will get to choose a certain name. The settlement will ultimately vote as to whether to call a youth by the name they have selected for themselves. Upon being granted their name, the now-adult Mesutaan will be known as Ka’Tane [name] for a male or Ka’Wahine [name] for a female, which translates to The Male or The Female. This will remain until a Mesutaan gains their Epithet. An Epithet is an adjective that is chosen to define a Mesutaan. It is not proffered by the Mesutaan, but instead chosen for them. An Epithet is not gained at any particular point in a Mesutaan’s life, but usually they gain it during young adulthood.
Common Dress Code
Mesutaani tend to dress simply, with a minimum of ostentation. Clothes are typically loose-fitting and easy to move in, and are made from reliable and tough materials that will stand up to the harsh Caligo climate.
One idiosyncrasy is a Mesutaan’s fondness for hats and helmets. Historically, travelers would wear metal helmets to protect themselves from the dangerous predators of their world, and soldiers adapted such head wear into protection during the wars. A rounded circular helmet has become iconic with the Mesutaani in general, and Baran Do Sages in particular.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Mesutaani come from a harsh environment and thus, a harsh culture. Tight living quarters within their settlements means a Mesutaan typically has little to no privacy. Instead, the Mesutaani take moments of quiet privacy within their mind during the day. To outside races, a Mesutaan would have no sense of physical privacy, but would appear to be daydreaming frequently. Mesutaani are a quiet people, speaking only when necessary.
Mesutaani gather in clan settlements that are typically related by blood. While elders are respected, every adult has a say in how the settlement is operated. Thus, there is typically no established leader, only specific individuals who have taken on (or being assigned to) specific roles.
Children are considered a blessing to any family that has them, and young are raised by the entire extended clan settlement. As a result, a Mesutaan’s allegiances are typically to their extended clan or settlement, rather than their immediate family. Despite being raised in a loving and supportive environment, Mesutaani often yearn to be alone, which drives many of them to take up traveling, either on Caligo or out into the galaxy.
History
Debates rage among galactic anthropologists about the origins of the Mesutaani. Some argue that they are genetically modified humans, while others argue that they are an example of an artificially created race. The lack of evolutionary fossils drives both arguments, without any clear conclusion. Most Mesutaani simply shrug at such hypotheses; life is difficult enough without wasting time wondering where long-dead ancestors came from.
Early Mesutaani collected in close extended family settlements for resource collection and protection from the elements and the large predators upon their planet’s surface. While the name of their planet, Caligo, means “home” in the Mesutaan native language, the word has several nuances, many of them negative.
As they explored, Mesutaani fought bitter internecine wars with each other over resources and land, devastating their populations and leaving massive swaths of their planet without an established government that the people could turn to. Also, the clouds and fog were an added hazard to any Mesutaan who left the safety of their home; to become lost on the surface of Caligo, with its dangerous weather systems and monstrous fauna, was very nearly a death sentence.
During this period rose the Dol Vorso Sages. The Dol Vorso, mystics who could determine the location of a wayward person or pierce through to the truth of a matter, became the law in lawless places. As supernatural trackers and detectives, Dol Vorso were called upon to keep the peace and judge any accused of crimes, including carrying out executions. They would find lost travelers and maintained the surface trails between villages. Over time, they became a shadow government, working parallel to, but outside of, any established government entity. Few dared to challenge those who bore the tattoo of the Mist Eye.
Significant meteorite activity to Caligo brought a wealth of rare minerals to a people who became well-skilled in metallurgy. Their technology advanced, particularly in force field and navigational sciences. Prodded by the Dol Vorso, settlements began to make peace treaties and learned to share knowledge and resources. By the time the Ka La discovered the planet in the early years of the Second Breath, the Mesutaani were starting to colonize their moons. They joined the other starfaring races in exploring the galaxy, albeit in their own ships outfitted with their atmospheric needs.
Attributes:
8 HPs
Mesutaani start with two Traits:
- Natural Ecologist: You gain Advantage when attempting to find your way through natural environments, and when attempting to identify dangerous alien creatures.
- Dark-fighter: You do not suffer Disadvantage for having your sight impaired
Geographic Distribution
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