Myron
Godslayer
Afriel
Images:
The Godslayers clad in their iconic armor
Utero Hominis
A Reiman scout steals the infant Afriel children in the night
A small tribe hunts the local game of Utero Hominis
Name: Afriel
Designation: Sentient
Homeworld: Utero Hominis (Originally, prior to planet destruction); Currently Dispersed across the Galaxy at large.
Language: Afrialis
Average height of adults: 1.7
Skin color:
- Pale, No Peach Tones: 77% of Population
- Tan, Peach Toned: 23% of Population
Breathes: Type I, type II, in some cases type III (Depending on the existence of nitrogen)
Strengths:
- Myostatin: The Afriel have a noticeably higher count of Myostatin in their cells. This was discovered by the scientific examination/dissection of the species. Myostatin (also known as growth differentiation factor 8, abbreviated GDF-8) is a myokine, a protein produced and released by myocytes that acts on the muscle cells' autocrine function to inhibit myogenesis: muscle cell growth and differentiation. It is encoded by the MSTN gene.Myostatin is a secreted growth differentiation factor that is a member of the TGF beta protein family, noted originally by the first republic. Afriel have evolved with a significantly greater muscle mass due to the Myostatin which grows in their densely compacted muscle cells. Which, because of the density of their muscles mass, allows their muscles to not expand and grow excessively large. Like it would in other humanoids. Furthermore, individuals who have mutations in both copies of the myostatin gene have significantly more muscle mass and are stronger than the average Afriel. They display strength up to three times the average human. Being able to lift 250 kg with little struggle. Which could equate to the weight and size of the 614-AvA speeder bike. This could vary according to each one, though averagely it was noted that stronger Afriel were seen being capable to lift small one-manned spacecrafts. Such as the Eta Actis class-light interceptor. Blocking the activity of myostatin, otherwise stated as not 'working out', will eventually cause applications in muscle wasting diseases such as muscular dystrophy.
- Heightened Senses: (Hearing): The average species has two muscles that regulate "how" they hear. One is the Musculus stapedius, which can increase the "stiffness" of the stapes (the bone that bangs your oval window, which leads to your inner ear) and thus reduces their sensitivity to sound and the other is the Musculus tensor tympani, which increases the tension of the eardrums (this leads to more sound being reflected back outside instead of being channeled onto your ossicles - thus it also decreases you sensitivity to sound). The Afriel have another mechanism located outside of the processing pathway, which is the so called olivocochlear tract, which is able to control outer hair-cells located in their organ of corti (which is the actual hearing-organ in their inner ear). Outer hair-cells function as amplifiers and increases the frequency-resolution. So the olivocochlear tract is another pathway that modulates the intensity (and even the spectrum) of sound, before it is processed. Therefor the Afriel have modified all three membranes (or at least the basilar and reisner-membrane). While it does result in a wider frequency band, there is a lower frequency resolution hearing that is much worse than the average humans, i.e. they cannot discern different frequencies as good, since the number of heard-frequencies would be overwhelming to process. Because of this slight modification their hearing is amplified by about 70,000 hertz, ranging from each one. This compares to the average human’s hertz of 15,000. (Smell): When an Afriel smells, just like humanoids, tiny molecules made up of tens of atoms drift through the air up the nose, travel through a thin layer of mucus and are detected by a set of about 400 receptors high up in the nose. These receptors are expressed on nerve cells which have a direct link to the olfactory bulb which is in turn linked to a primitive part of the brain associated with emotions and memory, giving us strong memories linked with smells. However for most humanoids that is it. The biology of an Afriel operates under a lock-and-key method. They have a specific-shaped molecule fit into a specific-shaped receptor. And that would fire off the receptor. Such mechanisms are well established for processes that involve enzymes, but there are some differences between smell and enzymes. By triggering a combination of the 400 smell receptors our brain interprets that signal as a smell. But the lock-and-key method creates a much more potent smell and allows for their nose to detect even the slightest memory of a scent from much further than the typical humanoid could.
- Uzuur: The unique biological trait of the Afriel, same as the Alua’an’s, is the uzuur. The uzuur is a small organ, similar in size to the appendix found in humans, with varying sizes depending on the overall size of the subject, which works to convert nitrogen atoms into an essential form of sustenance, capable of breaking the nitrogen-nitrogen bond found abundantly in most Type I and II atmospheres. An Afriel’s entire biology requires the uzuur to function, as its muscle fibers to its internal organs and so on all require nitrogen intake, it allows the species to adapt to less welcoming atmospheres, such as planets with low levels of oxygen that humans might require a breathe-mask to respire. Due to the nature of the filtering and conversion found in the uzuur, the side-effect is a higher tolerance to gaseous toxins and poisons that other carbon-based lifeforms might be intolerable to due to their reaction and bonding with oxygen - so long as a high enough amount of nitrogen in the air is present for conversion to take place. Their resilience to toxins are only applicable to inhaled toxins, while ingested and injected toxins would affect them as normal.
- Afriel Cry: The Afriel Cry dubbed it's name when an Afriel would cry in battle or when being taken into slavery, though, it was no 'cry' at all. In fact it was no sound at all, at least not a hearable one. The scream sent out a frequency of vibrations that was capable of an immensely loud pitch, how much depending on the Afriel creating it. It would cause the subject to be dazed at it's weakest, and at it's strongest causing painful headaches and momentarily impairment of the senses. In it's simplest form it was the loudest 'sound' the Afriel were capable of emitting from their vocal chords. What made it so loud though was that the scream wasn't characterized by volume or pitch like most sounds. The real key is an acoustic feature called roughness. When the frequency of a sound modulates more quickly than humanoid ears can differentiate. it is considered “rough” and we perceive it as extremely unpleasant. Hearing very rough sounds is correlated with activity in the brain's amygdala, a region associated with feelings of fear. Screams, along with dissonant chords and artificial alarm sounds, all fell within the roughness domain. The more such roughness modulation a sound has, the more scary it seems – and the more effectively it activates the amygdala, which in turn can strike fear into the hearts of a Afriels enemy. The sound was depicted as like being exposed to nothing, but everything at the same time.
Weaknesses:
- Slavery: Similar to Wookiees and Fanalis, the Afriel are considered great slaves, their pure strength makes them extremely valuable alone. Simply owning one is a great way to raise the status in a society, or a death threat, as this is how rare they are. In fact most do not even know what they are as they are so rare, that when a slaver sees them or hears about them they are immediately willing to pay immensely for such a prize. Entire clans have been captured by famed slavers and sold for huge profits. At an estimated 3,000,000 million credits for a single Afriel. Any Afriel should be weary of slavers when in the public eye.
- Winded: Due to the nature of requiring nitrogen to breathe, rather than oxygen, this species suffers a delay in the vital delivery of nitrogen molecules to muscles and organs which means an Afriel requires more breathing to perform a strenuous task than a human would - one breath perhaps powering a human to lift something heavy, in proportion to their own physiology, while two or three might be the case for an Afriel. This is comparable to a non-smoking human athlete to a smoking human athlete, in which the non-smoker, or in this case the human, is likely to have more stamina and endure longer trials than the Afriel. Due to the delayed delivery of their oxygen-substitute, Afriel muscle tissue undergoes lactic acid fermentation at a faster rate than most other species that breathe in oxygen. This can also be attributed to the density of muscles in their biology. The main reason behind this delay is not the lack of nitrogen in the air, as it out-numbers Oxygen almost three-to-one, but because nitrogen atoms bond to each other in such a strong ionic bond that the uzuur is not able to work as quickly as human lungs to break apart nitrogen bonds as a human lung would break apart oxygen bonds. Wearing heavy armor, although possible due to such naturally denser muscle fibers, makes movement for Afriel especially difficult. Running or performing especially nimble feats of athletics while wearing heavy armor is relatively hard for Afriel to do naturally, without the assistance of cybernetics or other forms of aid.
- Shorter Average Lifespan: The average Afriel only lives to around sixty years, thirty years less than the current average human life expectancy. This can vary, depending on the amount of negative-mass that their body has been subjected to, but only by around five to ten years at best without outside intervention.
- Medical specifications: Simply put, operating on the Afriel is nearly impossible. Basic medical attention like cleaning wounds and giving shots, without expensive and professional care, is just not not feasible, especially not in quick time. This is due to their non-Newtonian skin. Akin to its strengths, attempting to cut into the custard-like skin is very diffucult. Even if a doctor was to cut open the Afriel's skin once inside most doctors wouldn’t know how to operate on their body as the layout of vital organs is different from most species.
- Force Sensitivity: Similar to the Yuuzhan Vong's, the Afriel possessed an absence of being sensed through the Force. In other words, they are not force sensitive. However they aren't force dead, and can still be sensed through the force. There was never a force sensitive Afriel, and there never will be. The species has no connection to the living force.
- Nitrogen Dependency: Due to the required intake of nitrogen, the primary element that the uzuur requires to carry nutrients and such to the rest of the body after initial intake through the lungs, and several other issues with the species' biology, an Afriel, just as an Alunrovaan, is unable to breathe while in an area without sufficient amounts of nitrogen, comparable to humans and oxygen. Removing the uzuur would immediately kill the subject, and a lack of nitrogen would cause a sensation identical to asphyxiation.
- Breeding: Desire and arousal are controlled by brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Afriel have a increased amount of neurotransmitters due to evolving in lower numbers and in extreme environments. This raises their drive to mate greatly, so much so that their hormones will cause them to act wild, reckless, brash, and just more aggressive in general. While this may seem a strength as much a weakness, their aggressive ways can often overload their body and impair the senses. A good example is how most Afriel consider themselves invincible, in some senses.
- Energy drain: Because of their strength and heavy mass, the Afriel felt a serious amount of pain and lack of endurance after only a few strong acts of power. Having the Uzuur organ was no help either. Many Afriel would kill themselves by pushing it too far. Due to their heavy amount of neurotransmitters and how erratic and impaired they would become in battle, when overdoing it some wouldn't even notice, and then like a heat stroke just fall over dead. Especially depending on the amount of mass that they were using. While an Afriel had no limits in the amount of strength they could use, they were seriously limited in how long they could use it, and overloading was a big problem as well. Their hearts can only take so much, as well as their body's.
- Sensitive: While the Afriel have heightened senses, and this is very much a strength, with heightened senses also comes many drawbacks. Afriel are capable of focusing their hearing on certain sounds with some training. However, this does little to prevent against an enemy purposely trying to overload them with excessive sound, causing extreme cases of pain. Although the Afriel are able to increase their pain threshold, having it broken results in them experiencing an even more excessive sensitivity to the pain. With it making some go so crazy to the point that they will begin to try and hurt themselves to stop the pain in their ears. To put it simply, sound related attacks and even highly loud casual areas (like cities) will cause the Afriel to become impaired or dizzy minded at a light sound, and go mad if prolonged exposure in more extreme cases.
- Spiritually minded: Spiritual ties are actually so great to their gods that not only do they not widely use advanced technology, but they shun things like blasters and lightsabers thinking such things to be evil magicks or spells and wielded by daemons and evil sorcerers. While this lessons as the Afriel are exposed to the outside galaxy, it is still a problem as many, more than half of the population, still view the force as an evil use of dark magick.
Distinctions: The majority of the Afriel population have muscular builds, in that muscular tone is usually more visible or noticeable due to the higher density of muscle. Men appear more effeminate, being more slender with narrower shoulders, and generally having a faster growing head of hair than most humans. Women generally are more inclined to be more slender in bust and posterior, as well as shorter in stature than their male counterparts. The Afriel are most noted in appearance for their deep and desirable scarlet locks. So much so that slavers owning an Afriel encourage the growth of their red hair as to show off their slaves like a treasure. While some Afriel grow their hair long and see it as a sign of their pride and heritage, others shave it or dye it in a hope to not draw attention to themselves. As far as eye color is concerned, the Afriel all possess the eye color of red, the tone varying slightly from a dark pink to a blood red, and light blue. Though it should be noted that finding an Afriel with the blue eye trait is rare. Afriel also have noticeable markings on their skin, usually seeming in patterns around the eyes or cheeks. It is not known if they are born with these markings or if they are carved into the skin. Another trait, which various from each one, is piercings. Afriel were seen with many piercings on their body, this has followed with the culture even to current times. Afriel living in the Reiman empire have a signature piercing directly underneath the bottom lip. It is speculated that the tribe the original godslayers were taken from had them as well, and it was simply passed down. Reiman historians suspected that distinct characteristics on the skin; like markings and piercings were tribally influenced. This proved to be true, and helped them to trace back many Afriel tribes.
Average Lifespan: Sixty galactic standard years
Races: Just one.
Estimated Population: The Afriel number in the low 50,000s.
Diet: Because of their intense strength and elevated workings of the heart and other important organs; the Afriel require more food than the most humanoids.The average male adult needs approximately 4,500 calories per day to keep his weight constant, while the average adult female needs 4,000.
Communication: Other than a thick accent over their speech, the Afriel speak galactic standard normally. Their native language however, the Afrialis, is known only by them. With the exception of past Reiman historians and philosophers.
Culture:
Traditionally, men take care of livestock. They migrate by following the natural cycle of grazing, and seeking water and shelter. They are thus assured with an abundance of wool, cotton and plants used for dyeing. For their part, women look after the family and handicrafts - first for their personal use, and secondly for sale in the souqs in their locality. The Afriel tribes traditionally weave kilims. The tapestry maintains the traditional appearance and distinctiveness of the region of origin of each tribe, which has in effect its own repertoire of drawings. The textile of plain weave is represented by a wide variety of stripes, and more rarely by geometrical patterns such as triangles and diamonds. Additional decorations such as sequins or fringes, are typical of Afriel weave. The nomadic and semi-nomadic lifestyle of the Afriel is very suitable for weaving kilims. The customs and traditions differing from one region to another. The social structure of the Berbers is tribal. A leader is appointed to command the tribe. In the golden ages, women had the power to govern, such as Kahina and Tazoughert Fatma in Aurès, Tin Hinan in Hoggar, Chemci in Aït Iraten, Fatma Tazoughert in the Aurès. Lalla Fatma N'Soumer was a Afriel woman in Kabylie who fought against the Reim. The majority of Afriel tribes currently have men as heads of the tribe. In Algeria, the el Kseur platform in Kabylie gives tribes the right to fine criminal offenders. In areas of Chaoui, tribal leaders enact sanctions against criminals. The Tuareg have a king who decides the fate of the tribe and is known as Amenokal. It is a very hierarchical society. The Mozabites are governed by the spiritual leaders of Ibadism. The Mozabites lead communal lives. During the crisis of Berriane, the heads of each tribe resolved the problem and began talks to end the crisis between the Maliki and Ibadite movements. In marriages, the man selects the woman, and depending on the tribe, the family often makes the decision. In comparison, in the Tuareg culture, the woman chooses her future husband. The rites of marriage are different for each tribe. Families are either patriarchal or matriarchal, according to the tribe
Technology level: Below galactic standard
General behavior: While normally very calm and peaceful people, Afriel are prone to intense mood-swings and changes in personality without much warning. In battle, the Afriel would grow a much more sinister, and wild side. Of course the personality would differ from each one, however most Afriel were intelligent and logical thinkers. There was the opinion that the Afriel were warlords across the galaxy for a large amount of their known history. This would prove to be very wrong as when the species was approached by those outside their home world the Afriel displayed a civilized society of peaceful nomads. It was only until they were approached in war by the Reim Empire that the rest of the galaxy learned to call them Godslayers.
History:
The species existed in secret for the majority of it’s existence. Living in small numbers on a jungle planet which was far off the outer rim and never inhabited by any species other than themselves and the native non-sentient life that existed there. This was partly because the gravity of the planet was so heavy that for most species living there would be too stressful on the body. The gravity field was the reason for the Afriel’s possessing such high negative mass in their biology.
For most of Afriel history they lived in peace, practicing tribal lifestyles. They spent most of their time, hunting, gathering, and worshiping their gods.
It was only until many years after their initial discovery, that the Reim Empire came into contact with one of the tribes on this planet. One of the great Imperium emperors, his name lost to history, and his fleet had came across a small tribe of Myron’s Aquila’s ancestors. The imperator only saw them as a distraction and immediately went to purge them for living on his conquered territories. With this the tribe was wiped out almost entirely, yet not without Reim causalities. In the battle a tribe of only 100 warriors was able to kill roughly 13,000 Reiman auxiliary. The imperator wasn’t just shocked, he was mesmerized.
He kept many alive, and attempted to train them. Though the unwavering loyalty of the ten or so Afriel’s was what led them to their deaths. The imperator eventually killed them as keeping just one was costing him the death of too many troops in a day, and was putting a strain on his armies soldiers.
After some time while still occupying the planet, for unknown reasons, the Reim imperium fleet was attacked by a much larger tribe of over 400 Afriel. It had seemed word had gotten out, and the people would not stand for such raiding and pillaging of their kin.
It was only with great effort that the Imperator was able to subdue this attack.
And now, he declared war or the Afriel.
Once the Reiman Empire began to battle the species their numbers slowly feel, until in less than ten years they had lost almost half of their numbers. Now, the imperator proud of his accomplishments, began a plan he had for a long time now. He pillaged remaining tribes, looking for only infant Afriel.
Eventually he had gathered the children, he re named them with names of the empire. Julianus, Ramirus, Herius Verecundius Ligur, Julianus Fadius Leon, Augustus Lucius Vonones, Flavius Ausonius Maro, Kaeso Victricius Gracchus, Muron Sepunius Paetus, Decimus, Volumnius Marsus, Potitus Lafrenius Caelianus, and Alluvia Gellius Octavianus was what would become known in Afriel history as the chosen. And later, be dubbed the Godslayers.
The rest of the Afriel population was mostly scattered tribes.
Come two centuries later with the destruction of their home planet, the species would be wiped mostly extinct; cept for Afriel slaves dispersed in wide across the galaxy, and those raised in the Reim Empire as Godslayers.
Notable Player-Characters: @Myron
Intent: To create a proper species for the Godslayers of the Reim Imperium, and for myself and others to role-play as.
OOC: A big thanks to my friend [member="Marius Severus"] for helping me out in the creation of the Afriel!
