OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To create a species that serves more of an "antagonist" role within the Galaxy. They have their own unique technology, and will hopefully make somewhat of a mark.
- Image Credit: X
- Canon: N/A
- Links: Chalarth is the species' home planet
- Name: Merloth
- Designation: Sentient
- Homeworld: Chalarth
- Language: Merloth/Merlese, Galactic Basic Standard (As of the last few decades)
- Average Lifespan: 70-90 Years
- Estimated Population: Planetary with rumors of at least 1 sleeper ship off-world.
- Description: The average member of the species is a little shorter than 6 feet tall, having a typical muscle mass. Their strength capabilities are roughly the same of an average Human, although this can be enhanced through genetic modification. They have a set of sharp teeth, naturally suited to a carnivorous diet, although they have proven to be omnivorous. Their skin looks relatively dry and scaly, and their eyes are a deep, jet black. They are humanoids, having 2 legs, and 2 arms. Like humans, they have 5 fingers, making their technology usable for most humans.
- Breathes: Type I and II
- Average height of adults: 1.8 meters
- Average length of adults: N/A
- Skin color: Light-Brown
- Hair color: None
- Distinctions: Unlike most species, they don't have any form of nose. Their sense of "smell" relies entirely on their mouths. Each individual in the species will have different markings on their skin, and like most Humans, different variations of things like facial structure, and bone sizes. It's also possible for them to genetically grow hair, although it's rarely used outside the richest of the population. Permanent "tattoos" are given to them at birth, differentiating their bloodlines. People without this tattoo are usually seen as outcasts, making good labor workers or soldiers.
- MOST if not ALL non-citizenry Merloth will wear some form of customized mask, or armor (excluding soldiers, who'd wear just standardized armor). If people wanted to use this species to create a character, they'd be able to find a suitable picture through these means.
- Races: "Outer" Chalarth Merloth are by far the most common race of Merloth. They inhabited the countries in the lower and northern hemispheres, before the cataclysm. They have distinctively darker and tougher skin. The Central Chalarth Merloth enhabitted the countries on the planet's equator. They have brighter skin, although it's much more fragile. As the minority on the planet, many Central Merloth are put into a "weak and pathetic" stereotype. Although this may be true in some cases, they are statistically much more intelligent than most Outer Merloth. Despite these statistics, both races are capable of out-doing each other in either of these fields.
- Strengths: Physically fit : The species' emphasis on honor and warfare means that most children are bought up with extremely active life styles.
- Unstable Genetics : It's possible to directly change the genetic build-up of the species, opening the possibility for many enhancements, such as improved strength or speed.
- Weaknesses: Xenophobic : Although the species has respect for the species that can take over large areas of space, and treat their population with respect, they will rarely seek aid from any other species, outside of enslavement or mercenary hiring.
- Unresistant to disease: The species have extremely low resistance to many diseases. Biological attacks could prove devastating.
- Technologically inferior : Although they are capable of creating many "equivalents" to most common galactic technology, it would be seen as extremely outdated.
- Diet: They eat most forms of meat, and most forms of vegetation.
- Communication: They communicate using speech, a construct developed my most sentient species. They are incapable of any forms of telepathic communication, unless they have some kind of force sensitivity. There are a few forms of sign language for those born without hearing.
- Technology level: The technology level of the Merloth is relatively low, in comparison to the rest of the Galaxy. As mentioned before, they have many "equivalents" that have the same effect, although use significantly less advanced technology. For example, instead of using blaster weapons, they use their own alternative that involves reflecting a ray of concentrated heat energy. This would be very easy for an enemy scientist to understand, due to it's low technology. As for space travel, they have recently cracked the means of creating large ships, capable of faster-than-light travel. Overall, their technology is extremely isolated from the rest of the Galaxy, making it strangely different. Civilians have access to many marvels of Merloth Technology, such as living in an underground city, or having advanced forms of Vehicular transportation. The species has it's own Radio system across their planet, each Citizen having some form of personal device for contacting each other. There are also public terminals available. The Merloth have recently started experimenting in faster than light travel, in larger ships. For this, they have designed a basic form of intergalactic communication.
- Religion/Beliefs: The species have no real surviving religions, although all of them believe in honor, and the dominance of the Merloth species. It's rare for any Merloth to spark forms of Civil War, as most of them believe in total unification.
- General behavior: Merloth are usually bought up to fill in specific roles, as suited to their bloodline. There are exceptions to this, of course. Most bloodlines that have had affilations with the military, will bring their Child up to serve in the Military. The same applies to research, civilian and scientific roles. Anyone is capable of changing their "job", although it's very infrequent. Although they paint themselves as a very nationalistic species, the typical Merloth citizen would be generally quite normal. They have all the hopes, dreams, fears and ideas that any Human would have. This is however entirely dependent on how they are raised, with Military individuals generally having a much more "war-loving" personality.
The species evolved from an ancient species of carnivorous primate. This primate served as the common ancestor between the Merloth, and their ancient rival, the Mortah. The Mortah were entirely carnivorous, being physically superior to the Merloth. The Merloth however, had much larger brains, and the mental capacity to use strategy and communicate. Whilst the hoards of Mortah would kill and consume anything that did not resemble their tribe, the Merloth had the cunning to unite their Tribes, and harness the wilderness. It was during this rivalry when the Merloth emerged out of Semi-Sentience, into Sentience. The Mortah were left behind. With this, the Merloth began to build houses, advanced forms of tools and weaponry, and even started to use things like agriculture. Although there was a seemingly eternal war between the two species, a long winter eventually killed off the last remaining Mortah. With this, the species began to advance socially and technologically.
Although at first it seemed as if there'd be peace and prosperity, the stain of Sentience slowly began to rift the species apart, with no common enemies to fight. By now, the species had managed to establish themselves planetarily. Tribes began to betray each other, and the eternal state of warfare seemed to return. Much later in the large continent to the north of the Planet, the first instances of "countries" seemed to form, under basic Communes, or Juntas. Eventually, only 5 remained. Similar things began to happen in the South, and Central countries much later. It was after years of shifting borders, when the planet seemed to rest upon some sorts of order. Years later, the first countries in the north began to start industrializing the large towns that had formed, creating the first Cities. The population at this time was roughly 1 Billion.
The species then began to expand their technology rapidly. By the time they had reached a level in which they could start researching faster-than-light travel, they realized they were in great danger. The planet had a small moon, that had been struck by a large meteorite. This meteor had disrupted the moon's orbital pattern, sending it on a slow but sure collision point with the planet. Every nation on the planet put all their resources into creating a large underground city, with the idea of space travel seeming too advanced. After spreading the news, hundreds of millions died in the ensuing chaos. By the time the small moon had reached a critical distance, only 1 billion could be saved. Since then, this number has grown to 1.4 billion. The moon's size was relatively convenient, still leaving the planet somewhat habitable, although barren and in some cases extremely irradiated. Few managed to survive in isolated communities, or personal bunkers on the other side of the planet, although none of them have survived to any degrees of success. The planet is now a ruin on the surface, and a flourishing mega-city underground.
