The Eeyunadi

When the Naga began traveling through space, the first sentient civilization they discovered were the Eeyunadi, a far more technically primitive species. For millennia, the Eeyunadi were subservient to the Naga, partially as slaves and servants, but the Eeyunadi believed the Naga to be superior celestial beings to whom they owed their fealty.  This became an unbreakable partnership through the ages until the Naga dispersed throughout the known universe as a form of cultural suicide.

Prior to their disappearance, the Naga placed the Eeyunadi into conservatorship of their colonies and technology; however, the Eeyunadi are, in general, less suited to scientific pursuits as theirs is a warrior culture.  Only those who are not physically suited to martial training are provided the education and training to maintain Naga technology.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Hominid in general structure, Eeyunadi have only a vague resemblance to human beings.  A general first impression for humans is to equate an Eeyuned with werewolves due to their fierce, feral appearance. 

The head has a long muzzle with upright, pointed ears near the top of the head, which swivel freely to catch small noises.  Eyes are forward-facing.  Teeth are sharply pointed for tearing flesh, as Eeyunadi are apex predators in their various environments.

All genders are heavily muscled.  Most of the body is covered with short fur save for the face, chest and belly.  A long prehensile tail is used for balance when running, to grasp and hold an opponent while fighting, and occasionally as an aid for climbing, though Eeyunadi are not adept at this due to the round, flat soles of their feet, shaped rather like an elephant's.  Hands are in similar arrangement to a human's, but the digits are much longer and the palms feature thick layers of tough skin.  Each finger is tipped with curved non-retractable claws.

Eeyunadi are quite tall, ranging from six to nine feet in height.

Biological Traits

Males have manes that cover the tops of their heads, back and sides of the neck all the way down to the shoulders, except among the Vothé, who are always black and have short, smooth coats regardless of gender.  Vothé have upward slanting, narrow eyes affected by heterochromia iridis, with one eye brown and the other blue.

Ga'el always have pale fur, usually quite long and luxurious, in shades of white, cream or gray, though some may be spotted with other colors.  Ga'el eyes are always blue or green and tend to be larger than other races of Eeyunadi.

Kaleh have orange or yellow eyes.  Their fur colors are usually in the warm shades of tan, orange, copper and chocolate brown.

Genetics and Reproduction

Females go into estrus at maturity (around fifteen years) and will mate indiscriminately, so the Clan (Pua) looks after who has access to females as they approach this state.  The estrus period lasts approximately one week, usually resulting in pregnancy if the female has access to a mate.

Gestation lasts approximately seven months.  Between one and four live births is typical.  Twinning is frequent.

Females are fertile throughout their adult lives, though the number of live births often diminishes as she approaches old age.  The leading cause of death among females is childbirth.

Males are able to reproduce at approximately age twenty and are fertile throughout their lives.

Ecology and Habitats

This species is highly adaptable to most climates, from icy mountain to desert wastes.

Dietary Needs and Habits

This species is an apex predator on most worlds, as it is a cunning and ruthless hunter.  Their diet is chiefly fresh, raw meat, but will forage for some fruit and vegetables.

Additional Information

Social Structure

The Eeyunadi are Clan structured.  Clans hunt together, eat and drink together, share resources equally.  The strongest warrior is always Clan chief (Shehata Rishi), but can be either male or female. 

Each Clan, or Pua, is part of a larger unit called a Puapési (House), which in turn belongs to a regional Maa.  These are then clustered into the three nations, or Maa'Pua of the racial groups of Ga'el, Kaleh and Vothé.

In order to prevent inbreeding, Pua in the same Puapési exchange members every five years as new generations come of breeding age.  Following the exchange, the new Pua members participate in hunts to welcome them into the Clan and determine their rank.

Facial characteristics

The head shape of the Eeyunadi is generally canine, with a long muzzle, forward-facing eyes and tall, upright ears.  Faces are generally devoid of hair except for long, drooping whiskers on the lobed upper lips and cheeks.

Average Intelligence

The Eeyunadi are generally on par with humans, ranging from simple to genius.  They have an affinity for languages and most learn to speak many tongues from childhood.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

As hunters, Eeyunadi have very sharp senses of smell and hearing.  Eyesight is in the same range as that of humans.  Reflexes are quick.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Ga'el name their children after a trait they hope the child will develop, such as "Seniuk" (Courage).

Kaleh choose family names from previous generations.

Among the Vothé, children choose their own names at the age of twelve.  Until that time, they are called "Child" (Pu) and their mother's name; i.e, Pu-Kirjarie.

Major Organizations

Each Nation (Maa'Pua) of the Eeyunadi is represented in a council made up of equal numbers of each House (Puapési).  When a tiebreaker is required for a vote, it is decided by the council's Shehata Rishi, or senior warrior.  His/her place is decided by annual combat.

Beauty Ideals

Strength and fighting skill are admired in all genders, but physical beauty is based on symmetry of features, color and pattern.  What nature does not provide, salons create in vibrantly dyed patterns in various symmetrical shapes such as stripes, spots, sigils or entire paintings on the fur of females.  Males typically go for shiny adornments such as jewelry, wearing a multitude of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, anklets, and even having larger pieces woven into their fur to resemble armor; however, this must be removed prior to engaging in hunts or arranged fighting matches as the jewelry can provide hand-holds for an opponent.

Gender Ideals

Females are taught to be submissive to males except in hunting or fighting.  It is preferred for females to have soft voices and be well spoken, graceful and intelligent.

Males are expected to adhere to rigid rules and to uphold the laws and customs of their region (Maa). 

Other genders are allowed more latitude in their appearance, demeanor and professions.

Courtship Ideals

There is no courtship, as such.  No male is allowed exclusive breeding access to a female, so mates are selected by the Clan Chief (Pua Rishi) from among the strongest and most intelligent of the males.

Relationship Ideals

Females are encouraged to form relationships with other females, but discouraged from attachments to males who are not direct family members.

Average Technological Level

The natural accomplishments of the Eeyunadi prior to the arrival of the Naga was slightly more advanced than the Age of Steam among humans in the 18th Century; however, as caretakers of the Naga's technology, their ranking exceeds that of current human development.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

There are seven language groups among the Ga'el, who occupy numerous islands and a large portion of the northern hemisphere of their homeworld.  The Kaleh, chiefly in the southern hemisphere on a single continent, have only three groups.  Scattered along the equator around the globe, the Vothé have fifteen separate languages and an additional six dialects among those.

All Eeyunadi love language and most are taught numerous tongues from an early age.

Common Etiquette Rules

In addition to cultural differences among the three races, there are numerous rules governing social behavior.

Mating Etiquette

Among the Ga'el, it is polite for a male to avoid making eye contact with a female at their first introduction.  One generally does not look a female in the eye unless he has mated with her. The Kaleh males make and hold eye contact with females as a means of trying to impress her Pua and hopefully one day mate with her.  Once a male has mated with a female, he avoids eye contact with her. When a Vothé male is introduced to a female, he openly studies and compliments her adornment and physical attributes.

Greeting a Stranger

Friend/ally:
Ga'el: Arms open wide, chin raised
Kaleh: Arms extended forward, palms up, making eye contact
Vothé: Facing forward, one hand on chest, one hand extended to the side, canted head

Enemy:
Ga'el: Half-crouch with steady eye contact
Kaleh: Stiffly upright, arms extended forward, palms down
Vothé: Angled slightly to one side, one hand in close, the other extended forward, both palms outward with claws extended

Common Dress Code

Both sexes wear short skirts to cover their nether regions.  Females typically wear a halter top to cover their breasts when out in public; however, at home they generally go topless, especially when nursing.  These garments are usually made of brightly colored cloth.

Though the soles of Eeyunadi feet are quite thick-skinned and tough, many wear tall boots away from home as an additional adornment opportunity.  All footwear is flat soled to enable running.  (Shoes are left at the door when entering a building.)

Males may have metal pieces woven into their fur as a decorative "armor", especially over the hairless chest and belly.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

The girrah is an annual hunt that most Eeyunadi enjoy.  Even those whose jobs are mundane, scholarly or technical participate in this bloody ritual, which usually takes place over a three-day period on the homeworld, but may be shorter on other planets, depending on the current population of whatever creature(s) is being hunted.

This tradition is taken so seriously that one's lack of participation in the girrah marks them as undesirable, something to be ashamed of.  A common insult is, "S/he does not hunt."

Common Taboos

Leaving a female unguarded at time of estrus.
Breaking a vow made in front of witnesses.
Letting a wounded animal go.
Harming a child.

History

Prior to the arrival of the Naga on the Eeyunadi homeworld, these people were technologically capable and ecologically stable.  They maintained close ties with nature due to the regular activities of hunting and gathering, but had also developed numerous machines to make life easier.  Careful attention was paid to the creation of such technologies so as to avoid damaging or polluting the environment. 

Because the Eeyunadi are such adept fighters, their history was fraught with battles and skirmishes over territory, often on the regional level.  It was not until the arrival of the Naga that peace came to the three races of the Eeyunadi, and each learned respect for one another.  There have been no major conflicts among this species since the arrival of the Naga.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Eeyunadi are excellent peacekeepers and are often utilized as protection by the Jinn, the Yun'dzai and Tirmas.  While the Eeyunadi are represented in the Consortium of Intelligent Species, they see themselves as placeholders for their revered patrons, the Naga, and maintain the system of laws set by their masters rather than institute their own.

One of the Eeyunadi was female and heavily pregnant. The other was huge and copper-colored, his fur streaked with metallic gold highlights, his naked face pale and pink, sprinkled with freckles. Golden jewelry winked all over him as he moved and his only garment was a short, ornately designed purple and gold skirt with black trim. Muscles bulged everywhere. The creature was a colossus, every bit of nine feet tall.

Lifespan

Females live to approximately fifty years, while males average to seventy years.

Average Height

Males range from six to nine feet tall. Females are generally shorter, averaging six feet in height.

Average Weight

Obesity is a rare thing among Eeyunadi, as fitness is a cultural requirement. Due to their heavy musculature, the average Eeyuned weighs more than a human of similar height. Males generally weigh upward of 250 pounds/115 kg, while the smaller females often top out at around 200 pounds/90 kg.

Average Physique

Eeyunadi are as heavily muscled as gorillas, with similar build but an upright posture more similar to a human's.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Though most of an Eeyuned is covered in fur, some skin shows.  Their complexions vary from pale pink to dark gray and may be solid colored or spotted.  Fur colors may be white, gray to blue-gray, black, tan to chocolate brown, orange to copper.  On very rare occasions, an Eeyuned may have brindle markings.  These are highly sought after as breeding partners.

Although Eeyuned generally have solid colored fur, they are fond of bright colors and patterns and females will dye and/or trim their fur into interesting designs that give them the appearance of stripes, spots or other designs.  Males are partial to jewelry as adornment, even weaving pieces into their fur, particularly into their lush manes.

He’d been studying the Eeyunadi during their treks through the city and had discovered that the creatures were incredibly vain. The females wore no ornamentation but favored interestingly dyed patterns in their fur. The males, on the other hand, were peacocks in almost every sense of the word. Their clothing sported metallic trim in silver, gold, and copper. Jewelry of all kinds dangled from ears and necks and was even woven into their fur. Their manes were elaborately styled, and they painted their bodies and pelts to be noticed, often in wild color combinations.

The creature was small for an Eeyuned, standing only more than six feet tall. Obviously male from all the decoration and jewelry, his white fur had been dyed with black and azure stripes, making him look rather like a psychedelic white tiger. Bright blue eyes stared back at them, openly curious, without a trace of the dark suspicion other Eeyunadi had exhibited around them.