Waheya

Waheya are a species of alien life living in the purple jungles of Tantsuy. Considered 'barbarian' by the Chycurish, the most technologically advanced and dominant species on the planet, waheya nonetheless have a complex cultural society that is far different from any of the other species currently dwelling on Tantsuy.

Appearance

Body structure: Waheya are eight-limbed, with four arm-like appendages sprouting from their upper torso, connected to a pair or mirrored broad scapula-adjacent bones that extend down the majority of their upright thorax area to allow attachment of the lower pair of arms. The four leg-like limbs attach to an abdomen that is typically horizontal, although waheya can stand on their back legs and shift both thorax and abdomen vertically. They are arranged not unlike a humanoid purple spider. Their limbs and tail are prehensile and strong, capable of grasping and maneuvering their bodies, which stand in their relaxed posture at around 6 feet tall, around the tree canopy of their home.

Colouration: Their colouration camouflages them with the natural world of the Tantsuy jungles. There is not much variation in patterning, merely some slight differences in the hue of their lavender-purple skin.

Hair: Like humans, waheya grow hair from the crown of their head, varying in shades of black to white covering the grey/silver spectrum. Unlike humans, their hair is thick and produces a natural oil that is hydrophobic, never allowing their hair to get wet in their high-humidity environment. Waheya also are covered in a layer of fine hairs across their entire bodies. Unlike humans, these hairs are dense across their skin and stick straight upwards, providing another layer of protection against moisture and giving the waheya an almost velvety feel to the touch.

Facial Features: Beyond their body structure, waheyan facial features are surprisingly similar to human ones. A flat, broad nose sits in the centre of their face, large, white-sclera around their brown, gold or red coloured irises, and black pupils that constrict or dilate in response to a variety of stimuli.

Culture

Waheya are a dying race, as such, the techniques they use to reproduce have heavily influenced their social dynamics. The ratio of female to male waheya is heavily weighted towards males. Females take on a harem of male mates to serve her and their offspring. Males of the society are divided into three castes, each one with specialist roles that are theirs and theirs alone to take care of. While these three roles are meant to best ensure that a harem has all aspects of life covered to care for their female and their offspring, even males that are not part of a harem are also divided into their roles upon coming of age. Unmated males serve the tribe as a whole. Deviating from the strict caste roles is simply not done, and trying to serve a role that does not suit your skills or attributes is looked down on.

La'mya - Translation: Centre of All - The Centre of a harem, traditionally female (although such low numbers of female waheya have led to some harem groups forming around a male la'mya). La'mya loosely translates as 'Centre of all' or 'heart'. When their society wasn't on the brink of extinction, La'mya were the homemakers.

Et'war - Translation: Voice that speaks - Et'war speak for the harem, the charismatic politicians of the group, who liaise with other tribes, harem groups and unmated males within the tribe. Notably, those who wish to speak to a La'mya, or be considered to join a harem, may only do so through an Et'war.

S'dare - Translation: Blade that bites - The specialist hunters of the group, these male waheya protect their harem or their tribe and travel in the Tantsuy jungles to bring back fresh food for those who rely upon them. They are the only waheya allowed to kill, with a few notable exceptions in the case of an Et'war answering for a verbal slight to their group.

T'vesa - Translation: Hands that make - Traditionally a companion for the La'mya, T'vesa are the craftspeople of the tribe and a harem. Crafters, builders, cooks, they are often handier than a La'mya although they may share similar tasks dependent on their harem dynamic.