Za'tachk
| Za'tachk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Base Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Omnivore/gatherer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Minor Race | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locomotion | Walker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terrain | Rough | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Body Form | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Confluence | Non-humanoid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bio-Identenoid | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Size | 1.5 meters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 150 kg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Culture | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Languages | Gurvin (language), Za'tachshprakh | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Social Structure | Balkanization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technological Epoch | TL:13-15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Psionic potential | Standard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin World | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Homeworld location | Loza'tch (Wrenton 2330) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UWP | A664AW7-A
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Primary Star | K2 V | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Atmosphere | Standard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Off-world presence | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zoetic individuals | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reference | Hivers 12. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canon | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Also see | Hive Federation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Za'tachk of Loza'tch (Wrenton 2330) are a technologically advanced Minor Non-Human Race with a Non-humanoid appearance.
They are one of the oldest races associated with the Hivers, and a key demographic within the Hive Federation.
Physiology & Environment[edit]
The Za'tachk are descended from trisexual omnivore/gatherers. Like the Hivers, they use their limbs equally well for movement or grasping. They are similar in size and weight to the Hivers.
Za'tachk have four eyes and no teeth, with bony plates in the jaw resembling a beak.
Their hairless skin has a rough texture on the dorsal surface and a smooth texture on the ventral. The colouration is deep auburn with shades of black on the limbs and golden brown on the face, fading to white during winter.
Circulation and Metabolism[edit]
Za'tachk blood is green in colour. Their metabolism switches to external temperature regulation when they sleep, causing them to enter into a torpor-like state. Sleeping Za'tachk can be difficult to rouse and they tend to be somewhat sluggish until their metabolism switches to internal temperature regulation.
Reproduction[edit]
Za'tachk reproduction is complex and flexible. The species has triploid genes, which can fuse in either diploid or triploid fashion. A member of the scout sex (oygui) and homesteader sex (oysgui) could mate to produce a sterile version of either sex, and a matriarch (Ohyugua) could also mate with a scout or homesteader in a diploid coupling, producing sterile scouts or homesteaders. Alternatively, triploid mating yields fertile members of all three sexes. Both matriarchs and homesteaders can control the sex of their young. Impregnated homesteaders give birth to a homesteader or scout after six months of gestation. Matriarchs can also give birth to a homesteader or scout, and are the only sex that can produce young matriarchs, which are gestated for 12 months. Za'tachk only mate for reproductive purposes, and only when the right pheromones are produced.
Diet[edit]
Za'tachk evolved sensitive bitterness preceptors in their mouth lining to assist them in discerning which plants were best to eat. To further aid in their digestion, Za'tachk consume clay which lines their stomachs and binds with plant toxins.
Za'tachk have no standard mealtimes, nor a tendency to gather together specifically to eat. Instead, they graze throughout the day, regardless of where they are and what they are doing. Za'tachk always carry food with them as a matter of course and every gathering will include a selection of foods, regardless of the formality.
History & Background (Dossier)[edit]
The Hivers discovered the Za'tachk and eventually made them part of the Hive Federation. They are noted as administrators, pursers, accountants, etc. One might call them the Bwaps of Hiver space.
Society & Culture[edit]
Even before being discovered by the Hivers, the Za'tachk were similar in many aspects of culture, being non-aggressive, pacifistic, and highly cooperative in all phases of society. Unlike the Hivers, they are also somewhat timid and lack the burning curiosity that typifies Hiver behavior.
Za'tachk instinctively seek to escape uncertainty or aggression by achieving "higher ground"; this can be literal, or an appeal to moral establishment, proven theories, or tradition.
Social Organization[edit]
The race has an obsession with order, loving all aspects of organization and development.
A Za'tachk group is called a 'nest' and always consists of at least one mature matriarch, a minimum of one fertile scout and homesteader, and any unattached young produced. This is the minimum number for a nest; they will often include many more individuals.
Language[edit]
Like most of the Hive Federation, the Za'tachk have adopted the language of the Gurvin. Their own old languages, outside of some specific vocabulary, are only preserved by scholars.
Za'tachk also rely heavily on pheromone messaging with other members of their species.
Za'tachk have a larynx but do not possess vocal cords. They have an organ similar to a syrinx, using different degrees of tension produced by the syringeal muscles to achieve variety in sounds and tones. Vocalisation is performed through the nostrils, which are surrounded by a complex muscle structure that allows them to alter their shape. Za'tachk can produce a large range of octaves. They are noted for their melodious voices.
Vocabulary:
- Atucucundrunia: Extreme defensive reflex; dropping to the ground, tucking limbs and head under the body and remaining in that position until the threat or danger has passed.
- Dutanskpaarvuaki: "Shepherds of returning"; those who prepare dead bodies.
- Nulado: "Rearmost", a title held by matriarchs and managers. The title conveys great respect, indicating that the person is considered so important that other Za'tachk (a notoriously timid species) will stand between them and danger.
- Poh'Nulado: "Next to Rearmost"
- Puth'Nulado: "Third from Rearmost"
- Ves'Nulado: "Fourth from Rearmost"
- Lo'Nulado: "Fifth from Rearmost"
- Xe'Nulado: "Sixth from Rearmost"
- Nulado'eNulado: The highest of honorifics, as held by the first secretary of the Za'tachk Alignment.
- Ohyugua: Matriarch, one of the three sexes.
- Oygui: Scout, one of the three sexes.
- Oysgui: Homesteader, one of the three sexes.
- Paarvecwruaki: "Before Returning". The ritual time spent before a funeral consumption, wherein nestmates remember the deceased and their contributions.
- Vecruakeen: "One who has returned", used as the cognomen of a deceased person post-funeral.
- Vecwruaki: Ritual consumption of the dead. It is viewed as the deceased individual making one last contribution to the nest by providing nourishment.
Naming[edit]
Each Za'tachk name consists of three parts:
- Praenomen: Similar to a surname, passed down from matriarch to offspring; usually a single syllable of two or three letters.
- Midinomen: Similar to a given name; comprised of two syllables of three letters each.
- Cognomen: Identifies the Za'tachk's profession and changes if they switch jobs. If the Za'tachk is too young to be employed, the cognomen is Maskis, meaning simply 'too young to be employed'.
The praenomen and the midinomen are separated by a comma, and the midinomen and the cognomen by a dash. The name is always used in full. An example is Col'Sanrut-Pahablan.
Government & Law[edit]
They are frequently found in positions involving administration within the Federation, and are typically encountered as starship pursers, accountants, planning officials, and so forth. Though members of other races serve in the same capacities as well, the Za'tachk are favored for such work when they are available, and naturally gravitate toward such positions.
The Za'tachk Alignment is the highest level of racial government.
Calendar & Timekeeping[edit]
It is unknown how the Za'tachk form a calendar or track time although it is assumed that Za'tachk timekeeping is based upon the cycles and periods of their homeworld, Loza'tch (Wrenton 2330).
Technology[edit]
Za'tachk spacecraft designs include the following:
- Agupan-class pinnace drone: Used to shuttle cargo or deliver combat drones.
- Blarwrir-class destroyer: Among the largest ships fielded by the Za'tachk Alignment, with a good reputation as a comfortable and safe assignment (as Za'tachk value).
- Blodra-class patrol corvette.
- Iestynin-class medium fighter drone.
- Klaront-class light fighter drone.
- Nootrook-class merchant: A regular sight on spacelanes deep within the Hive Federation, though rarely seen beyond.
- Uft-class lifeboat: The timid Za'tachk always maximise their escape options.
Astrography[edit]
This race is primarily located in the following areas:
Homeworld[edit]
The homeworld of this race is:
World Listing: 1105[edit]
Significant communities of this race are known to exist within the following systems and worlds:
| startbacknext(11 listed) |
References[edit]
- J. Andrew Keith, Marc W. Miller, Loren Wiseman. Hivers (Game Designers Workshop, 1986), 12.
- Dave Nilsen, David L. Pulver, Andy Slack, David Thomas. Alien Races 3 (Steve Jackson Games, 2000), 28.
- Darren Bulmer. Aliens of Charted Space: Volume 4 (Mongoose Publishing, 2023), 70.