Sira

The Sira are a semi-aquatic species from the planet Anzogle. They have been a space-faring race for slightly over 200 years now, and are the leading members of the Gon Trade Federation which manages their region of space.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Can breath underwater or in oxygen-bearing atmospheres. Have humanoid forms equally adapted to life on land or in the water, although they spend most of their time on land.

Genetics and Reproduction

Although Sira can reproduce on land, when possible Sira prefer to reproduce in the water. It is a two step process: first, the male provides the female with his semen, which is used to fertilize a clutch of several dozen eggs at once. Second, the female then produces an ovipositor, which transfers the fertilized eggs back to the male's brood pouch overlapping his stomach. Although Sira have monogamous primary relationships, popular or powerful individuals may have a following of males who wish to curry favor by volunteering to assist with brood gestation. In these circumstances, Sira women may divide their clutch among as many as eight males at a time. Rich individuals may even 'outsource' gestation in this way.
Gestation takes seven months, and usually produces 2-4 offspring per male. Before the modern age, this was usually reduced to an average of less than one each due to infant mortality, even now miscarriage rates are above average for species of their technological level.

Ecology and Habitats

Anzogle is a world with small continents and many islands. Sira are believed to be adapted for life in the water due to the limited number of land-based resources and living space available. Although their modern civilization is almost entirely land-based, Sira will often spend as much time in the sea as they can get away with, for vacations or child-rearing.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Sira are omnivorous, with a preference for seafood and fruits. Many Sira become famous chefs, and the presentation of food is often more important than the taste of the food itself.

Additional Information

Social Structure

The Sira are friendly but competitive. Children are often made to compete with each other, with the most favored children inheriting almost everything and the rest receiving only enough with which to make their own way. This is not exactly an abandonment, but rather a trial - if they can adapt and improve themselves, they may one day once again rise to the top. Statistically this is rare, but often popularized in media when it happens.
The Sira are led by a representative democracy usually controlled by the rich, generally speaking, but with high rates of turnover among individuals as fortunes rise and fall.

Facial characteristics

Face and joints are often distinguished with vestigial fins and spikes, which are often further adorned with piercings, jewelry, tattoos or other decoration. Sira eyes are a solid black.

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

Jurrney - the most powerful megacorp in Gon Federation space, with a focus on software, entertainment, and automation.

Average Technological Level

The Sira have five primary colonies, and seventeen colonial interests shared with other members of the trade federation. They have a strong interest in exploring new worlds and using a high level of automation and AI to do it with. Space-based habitats are starting to become common in Sira space, and investment funding is being collected to fund development of larger projects.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Sira are eager to discover new races, and have in fact uplifted half a dozen primitive species solely so that they could then sell them products.

Known Individuals

Barracuda

Lifespan

95

Average Height

6 Feet

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Sira often come in green, yellow, and blue skin, and are accented in vestigal fins that are usually yellow, red, or orange.