Anazcans

The Anaszcans (alt.: Anazcans) are an ancient race, having experienced hundreds of thousands of years of civilization. Dispersed far and wide throughout Elyrion and the vast expanse of the former Conclave and Kingdom of Oran, many groups nevertheless retain many common traditions - many a traveller has found themselves baffled by the utterly byzantine, yet apparently well-maintained etiquette and bureaucratic particulars of Anaszcan society. Anaszcans are a bipedal avian race with bright plumage and reptilian features, sturdily built and with affinities for magic and arcanomechanical engineering. While exceptions to the rule are present from time to time, Anaszcans are known for their close adherence to tradition, and everything that comes with.

Origins

Originally hailing from Tazk'etaia IX, the Anaszcan's pre-FTL history is long and rich, but their evolutionary origins are difficult to discern. Millenia of development and countless high-tech wars (including devastating orbital bombardments during the Ley Wars) have made archaeological investigation difficult. Genetic analysis of what life currently resides on their ancient homeworlds and terraformed colonies paints a partial picture of their evolution from savannah scavengers, with their closest living relatives being a species of brightly colored raptor-like creatures which have traditionally been kept as pets by the old Anaszcan elite.

Biology and Appearance

Anaszcans are bipedal tetrapods, typically standing between 6 and 7 feet from head to foot. Their scaly skin is covered by brightly colored feathers whose reflectivity can be altered by subtle changes in angle. The visual patterns created by rapid flashing of the more nimble feathers of the face is the basis for most ancient Anaszcan languages. While capable of singing in a range of tones and pitches, surgery of the tongue and neck is required for them to be able to pronounce most common interstellar languages; this procedure is relatively straightforward, however, and most feel no need to employ linguistic cybernetics.

Culture and Language

Mainstream Anaszcan culture in the current age is split between the traditionalists (a broad category referring to those who retain facial feathers and visual language) and a newer mode referred to by adherants as "vesk". Traditionalist Anaszcans follow many ancient practices which they trace back to their pre-Silence and in some cases pre-FTL heritage. These traditionalists tend to cluster in communities largely closed off to outsiders, and are often supporters of hardline isolationist parties in polities of Aenaz and Mal Pacifica.

Traditionalist Anaszcans are taught from birth the languages of their ancestors, many of which are mutually intelligible despite the prolonged separation of the Silence. Orani and Old Anaszcan forms are by far the most common, differing primarily in the tonal affects and plumage shimmers used to complement the lyrical and silent forms of the language, respectively. It is common amongst such Anaszcans to be able to communicate using both forms at once, effectively holding two conversations simultaneously; this skill is the basis of many social intricacies and jokes in traditional Anaszcan society. Orani Anaszcan dominates in Mal Pacifica and rimward regions, while Old Anaszcan is predominantly used in Aenaz and the core regions.

Vesk anaszcans' most obvious practice is the removal of their feathers from their entire body. This gives them a notably lizard-like appearance, and many choose to accent their faces and limbs with surgically implanted bone ridges and horns. While derided by traditionalists for abandoning their heritage (the shaving of face feathers prevents them from using the ancient Anaszcan languages), many Vesk are of the belief that Anaszcan tradition doomed their ancient empires, and that their species must re-imagine itself for the post-Silence era. The name Vesk is loosely derived from a transliteration for an ancient Anaszcan term for "rebel" or "traitor". Whether the term is complementary or pejorative is entirely dependent on the speaker. Vesk speak a variety of languages derived from lyrical versions of traditional Anaszcan language. Veskara and Veskori (derived from old Anaszcan and Orani Anaszcan respectively) are the two most common, with vesk from Aenaz and core regions typically learning Veskara, and those from Mal Pacifica and rimward regions preferring Veskori.

Both traditional and vesk anaszkans are known for their martial traditions; their species' natural strength and fortitude leads many of their traditional martial arts to require more strength than many other species can readily muster.

Regions of Prevelance

Anaszcan populations are concentrated in Aenaz and Mal Pacifica, the territories of their people's former major empires.