Thaggeshi
| Thaggeshi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Homo sapiens thaggeshii | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Base Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Omnivore/gatherer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Minor Human Race | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locomotion | Walker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terrain | Forest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Body Form | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Confluence | Humanoid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bio-Identenoid | Human | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Size | 1.65 meters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 65 kg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Culture | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Languages | Anglic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Social Structure | Dictatorship | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technological Epoch | TL:10-12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Psionic potential | Standard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin World | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Homeworld location | Thaggesh (Vland 2530) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UWP | B6668A8-A
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Primary Star | F6 V M7 V M6 V | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Atmosphere | Standard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Off-world presence | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zoetic individuals | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reference | "Thaggeshi Minor Human Race". Alien Realms Volume 1 Issue 3 (HIWG 1991): 3-5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canon | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Also see | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Thaggeshi of Thaggesh (Vland 2530) are a technologically sophisticated Minor Human Race.
Physiology and Environment
To speak of Thaggeshi physiology is somewhat difficult since the members of this race display a wide range of variation. While the range of genotype variations is by no means as extensive as among the Solomani, the range is much larger than has come to be expected among the minor human races. This variation is one thing that sets the Thaggeshi apart from the other Minor Human Races.
Height & Weight
Thaggesh possesses a marginally lower gravity than 1-G, and this has affected the Thaggeshi physique. The average male Thaggeshi stands about 1.65 meters tall and weighs about 65.0 kilograms. Females stand about 1.55 meters tall and weigh around 60 kg. By no means, however, does this average preclude variation. Depending on the region of Thaggesh from which they come, Thaggeshi exhibit a great deal of variance. The aforementioned is merely a statistical average.
Appearance
Again, one cannot make generalizations. Most Thaggeshi have somewhat swarthy skin tones (given that Thaggesh is part of a trinary star system). Those from more northerly regions have lighter skin tone, while equatorial and southern Thaggeshi have darker skin. Hair is usually dark, even among northern Thaggeshi, and straight hair predominates. A chance mutation gave about 5% of the Thaggeshi population platinum-colored hair. This hair color looks more striking among the dark-skinned inhabitants of the equator and farther south.
Diet
The Thaggeshi exhibit omnivorous dietary habits. The native life is not completely compatible with human biochemistry. Consequently, the Thaggeshi learned (or were taught by the Ancients) the skills needed to make the food ready for human consumption. Unlike the Vilani, however, no shugilii-type class developed, since the Ancients also transplanted to Thaggesh a few animals like the bovine herbivore called an ashat which has become domesticated and a staple of the Thaggeshi diet. Thus, the Thaggeshi subsist on both specially-prepared native foods and a few transplanted animals and plants.
Reproduction
Thaggeshi differ little from Vilani-Solomani norms. Females bear live infants after a nine-month gestation period. Their lower level of medical knowledge resulted in a number of taboos and superstitions about pregnancy and childbirth, some of which survive to this day. Chief among these is the belief that the unborn child is capable of contact with God before birth. Thus, how the child kicks or moves has been interpreted in various ways as auguries and divinations coming directly from God. Other, similar ideas persist despite Thaggesh's technological advancement under Vilani supervision.
Senses
Thaggeshi senses are about the same as other humans: they show no real differences in sensory abilities. They believe, however, that there are six senses, not five. This sixth sense is somewhat analogous to common sense. They say this sense gives them their innate ideas about the world around them.
The Thaggeshi do not adhere to the "blank slate" theory of epistemology. Instead, they believe that one is born with certain ideas, and that one can come to conclusions about the universe from extrapolating those ideas.
Anatomy
No major deviations from norms found elsewhere. Like the Zhodani, however, they have only 28 teeth. Their teeth are somewhat larger than Solomani and Vilani teeth. Blood types include F, G, H, N, and P, with the dominant types being F, G, and H.
Lifespan
Typical lifespan is between 80 and 90 years. Thaggeshi with mixed Vilani blood and those who live in the northern latitudes show greater longevity. The reason for the latter has been deduced to be dietary, since these Thaggeshi eat native wildlife almost exclusively: the ashat cannot survive in the colder climes.
History & Background (Dossier)
Because technology is used in such a limited fashion in Thaggeshi society, the Thaggeshi were able to survive the onslaught of Virus much better than most other inhabitants of Vland Sector.
The priest/technologist class quickly and efficiently determined which technological elements were at fault and removed them from use.
As a result of these actions, the listed technology level of 9 reflects the use of non-computer technology. Thaggeshi computer technology would be more accurately described as TL–8.
Psychology & Philosophy
Despite the lack of homogeneity among the Thaggeshi in physical terms, one is somewhat surprised by the existence of what one might call a Thaggeshi mindset. Yet the Thaggeshi do have several aspects of their psychology that one finds all over their homeworld. The extent to which one adheres to this way of thinking determines membership in the Thaggeshi community. Offworlders of even non-human extraction who follow Thaggeshi ways would be considered more of a "true" Thaggeshi than a human from Thaggesh who had abandoned the traditional ways.
First, Thaggeshi are a very traditional people. They have great respect for their ancestors and their accomplishments. Ancestor-worship is a common form of piety; most Thaggeshi have small shrines in their homes dedicated to their famous and influential ancestors. Thaggeshi are rather slow to change. If something works, there is no reason to change it in any way. Early Vilani explorers found this aspect comforting. Unlike the Vilani, however, the Thaggeshi have rather ritualized their respect for tradition. Many taboos and superstitions still exist, because they have always existed and they seem to be in keeping with the truth.
Second, ritualism and traditionalism have made Thaggeshi society somewhat stagnant. When the Vilani contacted them, the Thaggeshi had been at tech level 1 for several thousand years. Even the Vilani considered them somewhat backward and plodding. Under their influence and encouragement, Thaggesh has advanced in technology without any real change in the basic Thaggeshi mindset.
Third, technology is seen as another form of magic. The principles are a little different, but the basic concept is the same. Technology is kept in the hands of a few, but is used for the benefit of the whole. Thus, technology is not used as a means to enslave lower classes. In keeping with their shamanistic past, the Thaggeshi merely passed control of this new magic onto a special group.
Fourth, Thaggeshi have great respect for their planet and its nature. From earliest times, the Thaggeshi have been acutely aware that upsetting the delicate balance of their planet would result in their deaths. With only a few animals edible without preparation, one tends to be very much concerned about keeping those plants and animals healthy. One reason that magic and technology were always kept in the hands of a few was to prevent its misuse.
In this way, the Thaggeshi developed a kind of ecological mindset that is often found among primitive peoples. The advance of technological sophistication has not altered this thought pattern as it often does in other races. Such would not only be a violation of tradition but just plain stupid.
Culture & Society
To many, the Thaggeshi seem a living cliche, the noble savage living in harmony with nature. Such a picture is not entirely accurate, but the ideal does not exactly reflect the reality. Thaggeshi society is certainly harmonious and well-ordered, but at the expense of creativity and innovation. One may see the Thaggeshi society as an ideal, but most people would probably prefer their own way of life, whatever its problems.
As an interstellar society, the Thaggeshi have had a difficult time of things. Trying to prevent outside contamination of ideas is very difficult and well nigh impossible. Thus, it is conceivable that Thaggesh may very well undergo an upheaval in the future. Given the nature of the Thaggeshi people, such a revolution could be very dangerous indeed.
Social Organization
Thaggeshi society has no really distinct classes with the exception of the priestly class of technologists and the rulers. The remainder of the population has no distinctions other than that of occupation, and one can easily change occupations. No lower class really exists, since Thaggeshi mindset holds that one should help the less fortunate. This principle is a logical extension of the governmental principle of enlightened despotism. If one were to ignore the less fortunate when one is himself able to help, then someday one may be in the same situation and without anywhere to turn. Furthermore, society as a whole would be seen as failed in some way if a lower class were allowed to develop.
The priest/technologist class is charged with the handling and advancement of technology. Entrance into this class is determined through various traditional divinistic methods at birth. These people are trained from an early age in the ways of technology and its proper uses in society. The remainder of the population has little or no understanding of technology beyond what they need to lead their daily lives. Even then, what the Thaggeshi may know is mostly by rote and of a "black box" mentality. This stems not from any specialization ideal like the Vilani, but rather from a desire to use technology properly.
Government & Law
Society revolves around tradition. The government of choice is autocracy. The autocrat knows, however, that abusing power would not be good for him or his people. One might call Thaggeshi government an "enlightened despotism."
The concept of tyranny is one that the Thaggeshi do not really understand. For this reason, the events of the Rebellion seemed very odd to the Thaggeshi. First, they do not comprehend the idea of killing a leader. (Such has never occurred in Thaggeshi history). Second, they don't understand there being such a thing as a bad leader.
Astrography
This race is primarily located in the following areas:
Charted Space:
Homeworld
The homeworld of this race is:
World Listing
Significant communities of this race are known to dwell within the following systems and worlds:
References & Contributors (Sources)
- James Holden, Joe D. Fugate Sr., Terrance McInnes. Vilani & Vargr (Digest Group Publications, 1990), 18.
- James Maliszewski. "Thaggeshi Minor Human Race". Alien Realms Volume 1 Issue 3 (HIWG 1991): 3-5
- James Maliszewski, Chris Griffen. BARD CARI 8003
- Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science