Eshaar Ashah
| Eshaar Ashah | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Base Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Herbivore | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Minor Race | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locomotion | Walker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terrain | Rough | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Body Form | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Confluence | Non-humanoid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bio-Identenoid | Alien | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Size | 2.0 meters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 90 kg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Culture | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Languages | Native Language | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Social Structure | Oligarchy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technological Epoch | TL:0-3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Psionic potential | Standard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin World | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Homeworld location | Eshaar (Far Frontier 1826) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UWP | E6B4838-8
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| Primary Star | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Atmosphere | Corrosive | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Off-world presence | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zoetic individuals | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reference | Ordeal by Eshaar 5-7. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canon | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Also see | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Eshaar Ashah, or "Eshaarans", are a technologically primitive minor race found on Eshaar/Taemerlyk (Far Frontier 1826).
Physiology & Environment (Ecology)[edit]
Natives of a exotic atmosphere planet between the Zhodani Consulate and a few Imperial client states, they believe that they are part of a planet-wide organism.
Adult Eshaarans average 2 meters in length, stand 1.2 meters tall, and mass around 90 kg standard. Their most striking features are the broad mantles running from the ends of their major tentacles to the base of the tail; these may span 2 meters. The membranes serve both as surfaces for chemosynthesis and as gliding wings. In the powerful updrafts and dense atmosphere over the Great Canyons, Eshaarans can stay aloft for 15 minutes. Eleven pairs of jointed, armored legs run from thorax to tail; these are equipped with pincer claws of various sizes. Two pairs of tentacles -- one large, one delicate -- surround the single, large eye, which is normally deep golden to red in color. Vision is largely in the violet-ultraviolet range.
Two orifices are located on each side of the thorax and are used to vent steam, a metabolic byproduct. Modulated release of steam produces the hissing, whistling Eshaaran language, which has been compared to the shriek of leaky power plant steam pipes. An abdominal organ similar to an anemone-flower absorbs sulfuric acid and excretes liquid sulfur.
Eshaarans can produce powerful electric discharges between the tips of their major tentacles. Although certainly a side-product of the being's electro-chemical chemosynthesis, the nature of the discharge ability is not known. The Eshaar Ashah do not hunt and have no natural enemies, so this admirable defensive weapon's original purpose remains a mystery.
Culture[edit]
All native customs, beliefs, and ethics are centered around the world deity. They believe that Eshaar "calls" them by showing signs of erosion in their cave-like homes; this compels the community to move elsewhere in a great migration. There are no permanent cities, just cave systems "provided by Eshaar" for the temporary use of the natives. Their entire concept of mental well-being is based on a feeling of close and continual communion with Eshaar and the ecology. The concept of killing any living being is foreign to Eshaarans, and mining operations of any sort would be viewed as an attack on a living being (the planet).
Language[edit]
Given the steam-based sound system, there are a limited number of translated phonemes:
• Affas: The silicone analog of hydrocarbon petrochemicals, consisting of various arrangements of silicon, sulfur, oxygen and hydrogen atoms.
• Efisah: "City"
• Eshaar Ashah: "Companion-Protectors of Eshaar"
• Eshaarsha Sheeaar: Translated roughly as "Ordeal by Eshaar". This ceremony is central to Eshaaran civilization. Newly adult Eshaar Ashah are "introduced" to Eshaar and proven worthy to join the ranks of the companion-protectors of the planet by what is essentially a survival test.
• Sah: "Highlands"
• Sha Ev: "Chosen" (loose translation). Ruling bodies of Eshaar Ashah communities. Membership depends on some dramatic blessing or sign bestowed by Eshaar, such as the finding of a sulfuric acid spring or a deposit of metal ore vital to native biology.
• Sifahsah feesh: Deep canyons carved by acidic rivers
• Vah: "Lowlands"
• Vah Ifsiss: Lowland sulfur seas
• Vif: A political faction in the Sha Ev.
• Vif Efah'f: Called the "Imperial faction". It favours closer ties with the Third Imperium.
• Vif Eshaarah'f: Known as the "isolationist party".
• Vif Faffs'f: Referred to as the "Zhodani faction" or "Zhodani party". It favours closer ties with the Zhodani Consulate.
• Vif Shah: "Conservative party"
History & Background (Dossier)[edit]
No information yet available.
Astrography[edit]
This race is primarily located in the following areas:
Homeworld: 1105[edit]
The homeworld of this race is:
- Eshaar (Far Frontier 1826)
World Listing: 1105[edit]
Significant communities of this race are known to exist within the following systems and worlds:
References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]
- J. Andrew Keith, William H. Keith Jr.. Ordeal by Eshaar (FASA, 1981), 5-7.