Aslan
The Aslan are a race of intelligent beings; their starfaring culture is the youngest of all the Major races, having had star flight for less than 3,200 years. Despite their youth, their spread through space has been rapid, driven by the instinctive territorial desires which are central to the Aslan male.
Aslan are descended from four-limbed carnivorous pouncer stock which was originally near the top of the food chain in the forests of their home world, Kusyu. About 1.8 million years ago Kusyu's climate shifted, with the result that the extensive forests of Tafohti (Kusyu's largest continent) almost completely disappeared. As the forest dwindled, so did the small fauna upon which the Aslan had preyed, forcing them to venture out into the expanding grassland plains. The large grazing animals in these regions were too much for a a lone Aslan to kill, and they began hunting in ahriy (prides) of several families. The strongest male became the leader, and his family received the best parts of kills, choice sleeping places, and were first in line at any waterhole.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Aslan which has evolved from those beginnings is, like a human, and upright biped averaging two meters in height and 100 kg in weight. There are two sexes: male and female, of which the most notable external difference is the male's increased size and more impressive mane. Females out number males by ratio of 3:1.
The Aslan hand has three fingers opposing one medially-placed thumb, and all have retractable claws. In addition, Aslan have a single highly specialized claw under each thumb; this dewclaw folds back jack-knife fashion into a horny covering in the base of the thumb and palm. The presence of these claws and the general nature of their body structure make the Aslan somewhat clumsy by comparison with humans, but what they lack in dexterity they more than make up for in strength and endurance.
Aslan all have tails, although the length of this appendage has diminished over time and is now little more than a vestigial stump in some bloodlines.
Biological Traits
The Aslan are Lion like beings that walk on two legs.
Genetics and Reproduction
The Aslan gestation period is roughly one Ftahea, or ten months in human terms. Most are single births twins are virtually unheard of, and are almost always female. Cubs mature quickly, learning to walk in only two months.
Growth Rate & Stages
Asian develop faster than humans, and are considered adult at fifteen years. A male Aslan is in his prime from the age of twenty to around forty, whereupon he begins to decline rapidly. Males live naturally into their sixties; females reach the mid-fifties on average. Gerontology is not a priority for Aslan medical science, so aged Aslan who wish to prolong their lifespan unnaturally must seek out alternative sources of medical treatment.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Aslan are almost exclusively carnivorous. They consume a few nuts, fruits, and berries, but scorn root vegetables, grains and other plant-based foods as being fit only for "herd animals". The Aslan practise extensive agriculture to maintain their vast herds of live stock, and there is some archaeological evidence to suggest that early Aslan ahad a diet higher in vegetable matter, but cultural emphasis on predation and carnivorous behavior means no modern Aslan would willingly eat plants. Aslan eat very little raw meat. Most of there meat is cooked and spiced very well. The Aslan are well known for there spices for cooking.
Additional Information
Social Structure
An individual Aslan is usually a member of a family (ekho) of 2-12 persons under a patriarchal leaders, this family will generally include the male family head, one or more wives, plus children and various blood relatives of the leader (unmarried brother and sisters, aged surviving parents no longer maintaining separate families, adopted orphans of blood relatives). The Aslan do not distinguish between mothers- all cubs sired by a male aare cared for equally by all the male's wives. Patrlinear descent is all that is important in Aslan society. Cubs are more capable than human infants, and grow more quickly. A cub can walk by the age of three months, and can speak within five or six months. A child is considered part of the father's family until:
- She is married off to a male (if female)
- He acquires Territory (if male)
- The father dies.
Facial characteristics
Lion like
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
True to their pouncer ancestry, Aslan are capable of short bursts of speed somewhat greater than that manageable by humans. Thye also have slightly superior hearing and night vision. Other wise, they are one of the most human-like of all alien races, excepting, of course, the Vargr( who are, after all, genetically-altered mammalian stock originally from earth)
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
The Aslan Hierate is the interstellar, multi-sector government of the many Aslan clans. Aslan society centers on the clan. Within the Hierate, the family structure of the Aslan and the governmental structure are the same. The Aslan term for their empire is Htoifteirlakht, translated as "the bountful lands ruled by the lords of honor".
Tlaukhu
A council of twenty-nine clan leaders chosen from amongst the most powerful clans performs the highest governmental functions. The Trokh name for this council is Tlaukhu, which has a literal translation of thirty-five (Aslan numbering is in base-8, this is 29 in base-10). Like Vland's Igsiirdi or old Terra's United Nations, the Aslan Tlaukhu stands as one of charted space's great political councils. While lacking true governmental power, the Tlaukhu exerts great force upon the politics of the Aslan Hierate.
Lifespan
Males 60's Females 50's
Average Height
2 meters
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
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