Zolesso
The Zelesso are an anthropoidal species, similar to stature to humans, that are most known for the ridges the run across their face, over the skull, and down the back. While not nearly as protective as the bone plates of the Jakkax they can certainly stop a blade from cutting a vein or the spine in a pinch.
The most notable thing about the Zelesso is the way that their society thinks and operates. Completely rigid in its structure and highly militarized, the authority of higher-ups is absolute and to resist that authority is a societal sin. What truly sets it apart from other authoritarian governments, however, is the prevailing 'paternalistic' outlook of its leaders. An overarching sense of duty to one's people and that one, and only that one, knows what's best for their people.
This societal development can be, in part, blamed on their homeworld. Ruilea . A medium-sized world covered in expansive tracts of flat, farmable, land. A gift from the gods to any species, these farms quickly expanded their working fields along with an explosion of the population. They continued to expand. Every new field causing the population to grow. Farther and farther, until... the Zolesso ran out of arable land. Their fields could grow no further but the population maintained its momentum. In a supreme case of oversight, their society came crumbling down.
As food became stretched thin, factions quickly formed, attempting to secure enough resources to care for 'their' people. People caught in the middle had to take sides as these new factions came to blows with each other and with other nations. Most governments failed under the strain, further fragmenting the political situation. Soon after that, what had been riots in the streets became all-out war. Luckily for the Zolesso, they had not advanced far enough that they would wipe themselves out. As little consolation to the Zolesso as that is. The war, dubbed the Grain Wars by future historians, dragged on for nearly 60 years. Millions in treasure, lives, and material fed into its hungry maw as well as fragments of Zolesso society. Gone forever and ground into dust.
As the war milled onwards, the idea of a 'nation' was eroded and any notion of returning to what they had before was lost in one charge or another. In it's place, a unique way of thought developed. Every leader was determined to stand, fight, and protect their people. Soldiers became attached to the officers that lead them, taking their orders over any other. Like pieces pf metal too close together on reentry, military hierarchy and defacto leadership fused onto the Zolesso zeitgeist, and are now the two main pillars of their society. When the war finally ended, more with a whimper than with a bang as people realized they had inadvertently fixed their overpopulation issue, that mindset remained.
Now the most important thing in Zolesso society was the Zogtsh. A sort of clan of varying size that forms the basis of government and living. Each Zogtsh has a single leader who designates their subordinates, who designate their subordinates, who designate theirs, and so on and so forth. This hierarchy is absolute. To resist it or deny it outright is an egregious sin, and one's place within their structure is simply their lot unless promoted by one above them. Specific Zogtsh can have their own traditions and their own unique structure, but all share one constant. Every leader, even if they have a mate or descendants, holds all the power. They might as well be a god given flesh for that Zogtsh. A parent and their children.
This authority makes dealings between and with the Zolesso incredibly difficult. Between themselves, they are societally pressured to never bend to each other. The leader of the smallest Zogtsh will not accept any order from the leader of the largest, no matter how heavy-handed the negotiations are. The stronger leader must simply ask for something to be done, circumventing the idea od 'orders'. Between the Zolesso and outside powers, it is nearly impossible to deal with the whole species. Any deal has to be presented to hundreds, if not thousands of political leaders of varying size and might. The situation is worsened by the size of the Zolesso armed forces, able to match the majority of foreign powers in military might.
Because of this, the other races view the Zolesso as a live grenade on the political landscape of the galaxy, and each one keeps a close eye on them. And their gunports.
The most notable thing about the Zelesso is the way that their society thinks and operates. Completely rigid in its structure and highly militarized, the authority of higher-ups is absolute and to resist that authority is a societal sin. What truly sets it apart from other authoritarian governments, however, is the prevailing 'paternalistic' outlook of its leaders. An overarching sense of duty to one's people and that one, and only that one, knows what's best for their people.
This societal development can be, in part, blamed on their homeworld. Ruilea . A medium-sized world covered in expansive tracts of flat, farmable, land. A gift from the gods to any species, these farms quickly expanded their working fields along with an explosion of the population. They continued to expand. Every new field causing the population to grow. Farther and farther, until... the Zolesso ran out of arable land. Their fields could grow no further but the population maintained its momentum. In a supreme case of oversight, their society came crumbling down.
As food became stretched thin, factions quickly formed, attempting to secure enough resources to care for 'their' people. People caught in the middle had to take sides as these new factions came to blows with each other and with other nations. Most governments failed under the strain, further fragmenting the political situation. Soon after that, what had been riots in the streets became all-out war. Luckily for the Zolesso, they had not advanced far enough that they would wipe themselves out. As little consolation to the Zolesso as that is. The war, dubbed the Grain Wars by future historians, dragged on for nearly 60 years. Millions in treasure, lives, and material fed into its hungry maw as well as fragments of Zolesso society. Gone forever and ground into dust.
As the war milled onwards, the idea of a 'nation' was eroded and any notion of returning to what they had before was lost in one charge or another. In it's place, a unique way of thought developed. Every leader was determined to stand, fight, and protect their people. Soldiers became attached to the officers that lead them, taking their orders over any other. Like pieces pf metal too close together on reentry, military hierarchy and defacto leadership fused onto the Zolesso zeitgeist, and are now the two main pillars of their society. When the war finally ended, more with a whimper than with a bang as people realized they had inadvertently fixed their overpopulation issue, that mindset remained.
Now the most important thing in Zolesso society was the Zogtsh. A sort of clan of varying size that forms the basis of government and living. Each Zogtsh has a single leader who designates their subordinates, who designate their subordinates, who designate theirs, and so on and so forth. This hierarchy is absolute. To resist it or deny it outright is an egregious sin, and one's place within their structure is simply their lot unless promoted by one above them. Specific Zogtsh can have their own traditions and their own unique structure, but all share one constant. Every leader, even if they have a mate or descendants, holds all the power. They might as well be a god given flesh for that Zogtsh. A parent and their children.
This authority makes dealings between and with the Zolesso incredibly difficult. Between themselves, they are societally pressured to never bend to each other. The leader of the smallest Zogtsh will not accept any order from the leader of the largest, no matter how heavy-handed the negotiations are. The stronger leader must simply ask for something to be done, circumventing the idea od 'orders'. Between the Zolesso and outside powers, it is nearly impossible to deal with the whole species. Any deal has to be presented to hundreds, if not thousands of political leaders of varying size and might. The situation is worsened by the size of the Zolesso armed forces, able to match the majority of foreign powers in military might.
Because of this, the other races view the Zolesso as a live grenade on the political landscape of the galaxy, and each one keeps a close eye on them. And their gunports.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Anthropoidal, the Zoless match humans in all of their averages; height, weight, and build. Their bones are, however, denser than that of a human, especially the skull which is able to withstand up to two times the amount of force and pressure.
Muscle growth within the species is effective but not above average.
Genetics and Reproduction
Giving birth to live young, the typical gestation period is around 12 months.
Growth Rate & Stages
The race reaches physical maturity around 20 years, and mental maturity around 22 years. The most predominant sign of maturity being reached is the full development of the ridges across the head and back.
Ecology and Habitats
A hardy species, they can make do with pretty much any climate, though they do prefer a temperate climate.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Omnivorous, they are a widely agrarian society.
Biological Cycle
As the Zolesso age, their ridges become more prominent, though they don't grow once they are fully developed. This is simply due to the physical changes of old age, as their muscles deteriorate and skin becomes thinner.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Zolesso society has a clear hierarchy. Clear to them, at least. It would most likely confuse most outside observers, it is a bizarre conditioning that outsiders can struggle to wrap their head around.
Naturally forming, said hierarchy is almost always present within any group of Zolesso and one hierarchy is always butting heads with, or straight-up hostile with another hierarchy.
Called a Zogtsh by the Zolesso, these groups always have a single leader, even if said leader has a mate. From there, that leader appoints their secondary offices, and those appoint those below them, and so on and so forth. Each level having the outlook that they and they alone have the skills and knowledge to effectively command their office and their charges.
The only way to move up in society is to be promoted by a superior, or to take the office through force or political maneuvering. Usually force.
One cannot stress the different mental state of the Zolesso compared to other political leaders and it is hard to understand without seeing it firsthand.
Facial characteristics
Other than the aforementioned ridges on the head and down the back, the species tends to have high cheekbone and the males tend to have a square jaw, while females generally have pointed jawlines.
Average Intelligence
100 IQ
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
While their sight and hearing is nothing special, they do have outstanding night vision. Even surpassing many types of nocturnal predators in it's clarity. That being said, it is not any better than their normal vision.
Civilization and Culture
Common Taboos
To reject orders from higher up on the hierarchy is a major crime, seen as knowingly denying the good of your Zogtsh.
The only thing worse would be to reject the authority of the hierarchy entirely.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Rare, but less because of a social distaste for them, but because few Zolesso live off of their own worlds. Most Zolesso barely know a member of another species, let alone develop romantic feelings for them.
Scientific Name
Declino Cultellis
Origin/Ancestry
Sharpridge, Flatridge, Roundridge, Brokenridge, Starridge
Lifespan
90 years
Average Height
5.5-6.0 feet.
Average Weight
195 pounds
Average Physique
The race has an athletic physique, with broad shoulders and a solid build.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Zolesso skin tones fall under shades of dark red. Usually somewhere between the color of wine and maroon.
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