Lilithian
| Lilithian | |
|---|---|
| Status | Variant Human Race |
| Classification | |
| Size | 6 feet 5 inches |
| Weight | |
| Homeworld | Lilith (The Beyond 0000) |
| Multi-world | no |
| Canon | no |
| Extinct | {{{extinct}}} |
| Reference | Michael J. Maley |
Lilithians are a variant human race native to Lilith (The Beyond Mapepire). Descended from early Vilani colonists after the fall of The Rule of Man, their biology is mutated from generations of exposure to the pollen from the blue Toreis flower. This flower, which grows all over Lilith ( wild & domesticated ) binds with estrogen to produce a mutation over 7 generations.
The mutation, for starters, has created a lack of sexual dimorphism known to most human species, with males & females averaging between 5'6" to 6'5" in height. Also hair color can range from norm human hair color to the bizarre (greens, blues, etc.) In the female of the race this mutation has startling results, the most visible being surreal beauty,a pale alabaster skin tone (a mutation of the melatonin causing lighter skin & an inability to tan) and more than human strength.
The most important mutation is a hyperactive pheromone level that makes human sentients unable to resist Lilithian women. This hyperactivity commences with puberty, at which females are segregated from males.The pheromone surges are uncontrollable when they first occur so females along with other school exercises must practice hormonal control exercises until they can be re-enter society. Training takes anywhere from 3-5 years, though a girl gifted with the Psi talent Awareness can cut the training time down to 1 year. Failure to control pheromone surges is a very frowned upon social taboo as it can send nearby males (and susceptible females) into a frenzy. It has become norm for Lilithian women to use their hyper-pheromones in acquiring partners for short or long term relationships. In fact mating rituals have become friendly competitions.
Another mutation that is shared by both sexes is the Lilithian ability to produce vitamin C in the body. This makes this race, unlike the rest of human which ingest vitamin C from fruits or similarly laden foodstuffs. This latter mutation is relatively unknown to most off-worlders.
Males tend to be very handsome, androgynous, also very pale, but as off-worlders can find out, very tough. Lilithian males also are more resistance to pheromone surges by females.
The Lilithian genes are quite dominant; 85% of matings between Lilithians and off-worlders will result in Lilithian children. However, interbreeding with non-Lilithian human stock tends to 70% less fertile due the greater compatibility of Lilithian chromosomes.
Lilithians are a narcissistic race who make the worship of beauty, hedonism, & physical fitness paramount in their lives. Because of this Lilithians wear little or no clothing (it's also due the warm nature of their planet). The paradox is that they are also a people who also prize self-discipline, a strong work ethic and monogamy in marriage (when a Lilithian does marriage-many don't until about age 40).
The Religion of Lilith is a mixture of Shinto/Buddhist beliefs due to the influx of Solomani of Japanese descent prior to the Tenbatsu War a thousand years before. The harbor resort/shrine town of Renamenire (dominated by the the semi-active volcano Mt. Yheriene) is the major religious center.
The planet is governed by a charismatic council (The First) made up of the elders of the first families (Des Plaines, Vhiliush, Danziol, Nauris, Fhovirol, Naves, Des Rhouin, Coipres, Des Yhvires, Manhouriv, Phaluu ) of the planet'c colonists. Most of these were also the first to achieve mutation. Though the elders reside in Auriole (the capital & only city of Lilith ), most of the first families reside in estates that small town themselves.
After a catastrophic war a thousand years before, the Lilithians have eschewed war and kept their tech level down to 3 except in the fields of communications, chemistry ( the main exports are perfumes, aphrodisiacs, & pheromone products), and are a major importer of recreation vehicles.
There are numerous festivals on Lilith extolling beauty and athletics, the most important being the New Year's Festival held at the coastal town of Ophalion. There are numerous sailing events ( sailboating, windsurfing & other watersports being a passion ) held each month at the coastal sites of Ophalion, Kirhoi, Manariol, Bhaerod, & Lios. The national sport is Remii, a lacrosselike game brought to the world by its original Vilani colonists. The planetary championship is held after harvest at Renamenire.
The most important trade items are those based upon the natural pheromone products, often used in perfume & beauty enhancers. The Lilithians have produced not only pheromone perfumes to attracts humans, but have produced scents that make anyone attractive to any mammalian ( & rumored non-mammalian ) race. These products ( derived from Lilithians & the Toreis pollen itself are highly prized offworld. Most off-worlders have given up on stealing a live Toreis plant, since the few smuggled through the tight security have failed to flourish. Still some companies such as SuSAG still try procure specimens of at least pollen. The Lilithians have made smuggling the Toreis off world a capital offense.
More sinister, is the kidnapping of Lilithian women for experimentation, spearheaded by Tuablin, Inc ( they offer 50 Million credits for a healthy, intact females ). This was followed by hit & run raids on Lilith itself. Reaction to these crimes changed a formerly friendly people & has caused many drastic actions by the Lilithian council to protect their citizens. The first (in 802) was forbidding travel off-world except under special conditions. Then in 845, the starport was downgraded from a B-class to a D-class. In 901, after unsuccessfully petitioning the Comsentient Alliance for a defense force, a permanent orbital mercenary base was established for a fleet of 16 SDB's & a regiment of marines. This supplemented by a military alliance with planet Beaumonde in 912. Recently there have been clandestine dealing with Webrunners and Dark Goddesses for protection, transport & clandestine operations. In the year 967 the once tight travel restrictions were lifted when Trieudyne was created by local chemists. Trieudyne is a poison that kills the victim & renders their DNA useless unless an antidote is taken every 2 days.
All these events has created distrust of off-worlders which fomented a downsize on the tourist trade the last 2 centuries. Hardest hit has been the Houronii, the famed courtesan guild of Lilith. Formally known as the Gesinhiige Sinha (derived from the Japanese 'Geisha".with the loss of on world clients & the danger of travel, their income shrank considerably. Their reaction to this to expand their activities under Grand Lady Sheriiva des Mouirr to espionage & murder. Many of the Houronii now are dedicated to protecting the secrets & property of Lilithian citizens, & to carrying the fight to offworld enemies. Many of these women are armed with high TL techniques & weapons from off-world sources ( the rumors indicate that Dark Goddesses & the Eshenilli are the main suppliers ). Call them Gesinhiige or Houronii have become quite popular under their new status as bodyguard/companions for the rich & famous.
These developments have also created factional fighting in the council between the Protector Faction ( who believe in rapid tech level advancement to protect the citizens ) & the Traditionalists ( who what to maintain the same TL or advance the TL by slow stages ). Many of the Protectors also wish to drop out of the Comsentient Alliance & ally to some powerful planetary grouping like Die Weltbund.
Lilithians can be characterized as a vain (flattery as long as not to overboard or cheesy is effective), overactive (in work & play) , friendly people who few desires besides satisfying the basic needs (food, shelter, love, happiness ) in life. They will be polite but guarded against off-worlders whom they see as beings to alternately, feared, tolerated, or to be manipulated. It is hard for an off-worlder to gain a Lilithian's trust, but if he/she can, that off-worlder will be treated as a friend for life. The Lilithian have a strong sense of community and will pull together to help one another, & even helping those of only partial Lilithian blood ( if they can prove their heritage).