Thalassans

Species Name

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Information
Homeworld	Pelagia
Habitats	Various stratified levels of the ocean
Unique Traits	Extremely varied, but localized to fish and marine animal traits such as fins and gills
Writer(s)	Nikki

"Optional species quote or defining cultural phrase." — Someone from this species

Thalassans are an aquatic, humanoid species that varies widely from individual to individual, due to the explosive genetic diversity of marine life. Many have gills, fins, tails, scales, webbing, and other aquatic adaptations. They are a caste-stratified species denoted by the various depths at which individuals live on their homeworld, Pelagia. They are extremely technologically advanced and have been at the forefront of scientific advancement in known space. Their culture combines an almost oppressive work ethic with a deep thirst for knowledge. As a primarily aquatic species, one would imagine that their advancements would be limited, but instead, the opposite is true. Deeply passionate about their life pursuits, Thalassans are appreciated throughout known space as ambitious and competent in many fields, though their ambitions can just as easily take a dark turn.

Core Worldview

Thalassan societies are extremely technologically advanced and have been at the forefront of scientific advancement in known space. Their culture combines an almost oppressive work ethic with a deep thirst for knowledge. As a primarily aquatic species, one would imagine that their advancements would be limited, but instead the opposite is true. Deeply passionate about their life pursuits, Thalassans are appreciated throughout known space as the leaders in many fields, though their ambitions can just as easily take a dark turn.

Thalassans live around 3x to 5x as long as humans, but vary widely depending on heritage.

Physiology and Design

Common traits found across many Thalassans include:

• Gills in some form
• Specialized sensory organs to allow for detection of electrical fields
• Fins
• Tails
• Scales
• Sharp teeth
• Fish eyes Webbing
• Tentacles and other species-specific features

Social Structures and Community

Early Thalassan History: Early in Pelagia the oceans were separated by fear and differences. The many variations of Thalassan led to such separation that the word Thalassan did not exist for much of Pelagia's history, they used different words to classify each other. This is where the existence of names like: Tiburan, Neptan, Koppo, and all the other names for intraspecific variation came to be as they were used for these separate tribes. Those words are not used often anymore as the more united Thalassan is much more popular, but older Thalassans still tend to prefer the distinction. These early tribes in Pelagia are long sense disbanded, but the ripple of the early waring periods of the tribes still affects modern Thalassan society. Groups like the Tiburon, the Valis, and the Koppo still benefit from their early dominance on Pelagia. The wealth they accumulated in those times still benefits their children and much of society is still dominated by these groups. Even though the world is not swayed by war and conflict anymore, those that are the strongest, fastest, and deadly still have more opportunities. Beauty standards, popular culture, fashion, and jobs still tend to be swayed by those ideas.

Pelagia holds many cities, all at varying depth and location to accommodate the many different variations. Variations that prefer depth and cold live in cities closer to the poles in the many trenches that carve Pelagia's surface, variations that prefer warmth live closer to he equator at floating surface cities. The variations that prefer to live in wetlands tend to live in the more rural patches of land that speckle the planet. However, the capital city of Pelagia named Coralia houses the widest variations of Thalassan and even many Abyssals.

Thalassan government operates as a partial representative democracy. Each member representing their own field, from engineering to arts. The members of this large council of leaders is decided by a series of tests according to their own fields and public voting, the combination is used to decide who would be the perfect pick. Issues and decisions are tackled by this group of leaders, each providing their perspective and view of how to make the perfect decision, this leads to many decisions taking a very long time. Each term of ruling lasts a short 42 years.

Families in the past were communally raised, and given independance as soon as a child was mature enough to make their own decision to leave or stay. Some Thalassans still do this, but a rising trend due to the individualistic nature of capitalism is a more closed off family structure. With two parents raising their children and once mature that child is forced out to begin their own path but still tied to their family.

Religion and Spirituality

What do they believe in religiously, if at all? Are there gods? Do they worship the Nullstar? Fear it?

Technology and Science

Here you guys can expand. If there's a specialty relating to one field or another, include it. Are they especially good at invention? Chemistry? Biology? You can also add a section for literature and artisinal aspects if you would like.

Traditional Clothing and Fashion

I urge you to think of what would be practical to wear given the species' line of work and environment, but also how the species would choose to dress and accessorize given their biology and physical traits. Have fun with this!

Occupations

The point of this section is to list some fields that this species could specialize in to give people more ideas for their character.

Starships and Space Travel

What does travel look like for this species? What do ships native to their planet look like? Do they travel often? Do they have bustling ports or are they more closed off?

Cultural Quirks and Daily Life

A big trivia section, basically. I'd encourage incorporating animal mannerisms and fun little traits that don't fit anywhere else.

Notable Locations

List important places tied to this species.

Interactions With Other Species

Especially the other species that they share the planet with. You may need to work with the other teams for this. But I'd like to see this section just to foster more player interactions from the get-go. It's easy plot hooks.

Inspiration Images

Add visual references here!

Concept Art

Add actual concept art here, stuff we made!