Rithyar
| Rithyar | ||
|---|---|---|
| General information | ||
| Native to | Gal-Roka, Azamond system | |
| Biology | ||
| Lifespan | 60 years | |
| Miscellaneous | ||
The Rithyar are a primate-esque species native to the volcanic moon Gal-Roka in the Azamond system. They share the world with two other sapient species, the Hyaenidae-esque Ocharo and the therapod Vraptora. It is not known if they truly share a common ancestor with these other species as their genetic heritage was meddled with by the Omni. However, the Rithyar and these other species lived as slaves until the extermination of the Omni at the hands of the Buyuk. The resulting battles destabilized Gal-Roka's tectonic activity and littered the planet with miles and miles of scrap metal junkyards and crashed starships. It was from this harsh environment that the Rithyar forged their battle-hardened tribal society.
Appearance
Rithyar have large upper bodies. They often walk on their front arms, but they are capable of standing on two legs. Most of their body consists of muscle and they weigh on average of 600 lbs as a fully grown adult. They are also covered in fur which varies in covering and color by region. Closer to the equator, their fur is much lighter patched while being either dark or brown. In the polar regions, they have heavier fur and tend to be white in color. Orange and gold fur is usually seen in temperate regions.
Culture
The Rithyar live as hunter-gatherers, collecting scrap metal to create artifacts and build hideouts. Being in constant conflict over resources with the Ocharo and Vraptora, the Rithyar are trained from as early as 6 years old to be hunters. Upon reaching sexual maturity at age 10, they become warriors and defenders. The average Rithyar can live to age 60.
Rithyar are highly social creatures that are very family oriented. They take pride in forming clans with strong sibling, familial bonds where they look after one another. They also practice a life debt custom. If a worthy, respectful individual saves a Rithyar's life, then that Rithyar becomes a willing servant to their savior. If the individual that saved them is considered less experienced, than that individual is instead offered a chance to join their clan.
The Rithyar speak with guttural grunts which can form words. When they were contacted by the Larrax, they joined them to serve as bodyguards and warriors in a bond of mutual respect. The Larrax adopted a modified Rithyar dialect to serve as a trade language with other species across the galaxy.
Clothing
Rithyar clothing and accessories are made from metallic scrap all around them. Breastplates, earrings and even gadgets used for extracting scrap metal make up their fashion. Dark makeup around the eyes is also common to serve as a form of eye protection against Azamond's strong UV light. Rithyar clans in the polar regions wear full-on sunglasses as the UV light is even more powerful there due the reflection off of the icy terrain.
Music
An important cultural practice to the Rithyar is throat-singing. When a pack of Rithyar is journeying across long stretches of land or across mountains and valley, they often sing to the accompaniment of drums, horns and metal-stringed instruments.
As the Rithyar species got reintegrated in the wider galactic community, their music became one of the most important cultural touchstones during the First Senate Era. It contrasts the Karnasians' more elegant music with grungy metal and rock. Even in the Second Senate Era, recordings of their music in the Spodan Archives became a popular influence.
The style of Rithyar music originates from their environment. As tribal warriors that lived in the scrapyards from a long-forgotten conflict between Omni and Ghorax, resources were scarce - especially organic materials from which more traditional musical instruments could have been forged. To overcome this, the Rithyar used the ancient computers aboard the wrecked starships to generate noise, distortion and various other tones. They combined these alien tones with other instruments such as metallic drums and guitars with strings made of salvaged electric cables. Lyrics and song were often tribal chants and war cries used to motivate other warriors.