Shiraya's Odyssey
Intent: To create a unique new species for people to write and play
Image Credit: Sylessae, Sylessae, Ren Escar, MFTFernandez, MFTFernandez, NanFe, Itswibel_art, Tiara L'Hommedieu, Seciaart
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Name: Mythari
Designation: Sentient
Origins: Mythara
Average Lifespan: 900 years
Estimated Population: Planetary
Description: A near-human species native to Mythara, distinguished by their strikingly diverse and often otherworldly appearances, extended lifespans, rigid social stratification, and a culturally ingrained ruthlessness.
Breathes: Type 1
Average Height of Adults: 1.8 - 2.2m
Average Length of Adults: N/A
Skin color: White, Black, Purple, Blue, Yellow, Red, Green, Pink
Hair color: All colors
Distinctions: Elongated ears, physical symmetry, and unconventional skin tones like green, pink, violet, and many others are common, with a baseline height comparable to humans. Visible signs of aging only appears around their seventh century of existence, and variations among the species arise from factors such as lineage, natural selection, and geographical influences. Examples of these variations include the Atraxari, Thevara, and Eladorrin.
Force Sensitivity:
- Ruling Caste/Eladorrin: High
- Lower Castes: Low
Centuries of selective suppression and systemic eradication have concentrated Force sensitivity almost entirely within the Eladorrin caste.
A T R A X A R I
The Atraxari are the tallest of the Mythari species and boast broad physical features, with many known to file down their nails and protruding teeth to have razor-sharp edges. Their skin coloration varies from dark to muted shades, providing them with natural camouflage. The Atraxari are generally more prone to engage in aggressive displays of strength and cunning to establish power within their communities. Their natural inclination towards bloodlust, their combative prowess, and drive for dominance can make them either valuable allies or fearsome foes. Despite their inherently violent tendencies, the Atraxari maintain a twisted sense of honor and hold themselves to a strict code that prioritizes loyalty and fearlessness, especially once allegiance has been pledged. Many Atraxari find easy work as soldiers.
The Atraxari are the tallest of the Mythari species and boast broad physical features, with many known to file down their nails and protruding teeth to have razor-sharp edges. Their skin coloration varies from dark to muted shades, providing them with natural camouflage. The Atraxari are generally more prone to engage in aggressive displays of strength and cunning to establish power within their communities. Their natural inclination towards bloodlust, their combative prowess, and drive for dominance can make them either valuable allies or fearsome foes. Despite their inherently violent tendencies, the Atraxari maintain a twisted sense of honor and hold themselves to a strict code that prioritizes loyalty and fearlessness, especially once allegiance has been pledged. Many Atraxari find easy work as soldiers.
T H E V A R A
The Thevara, also known as love-talkers or honey-mouths due to their remarkable ability to swiftly establish trust or desire in others, bear a general resemblance to basic Mythari, with features like pointed ears and a wide range of skin tones and hair colors. However, unlike other Mythari, the Thevara exhibit specifically striking characteristics that set them apart, such as feline eyes and distinctive-patterned skin markings that are often mistaken for tattoos. It's believed that a specific pollen the Thevara have been known to ingest for hundreds of years is what caused this biological change in their appearance.
This same pollen is the source of the Thevara's unique abilities and further distinguishes them from other baseline Mythari. Over multiple generations, the Thevara have become adept at cultivating and harvesting a rare and poisonous plant species that only grows on their home world. Once this plant has been harvested, the Thevara ingest a mixture of its pollen, along with other elements, to greatly enhance the effects of their natural pheromones for a specific period of time, often depending on the amount they've ingested, giving them the ability to deftly manipulate others' affections. Within society, the Thevara typically assume roles that capitalize on their natural talents, such as diplomats, negotiators and even interrogation specialists.
E L A D O R R I N
The Eladorrin belong to the ruling class of the Mythari and differ from the other Mythari offshoots by their human-looking appearances, save that they can have skin tones that range from bright jewel hues, to the more beige palate of baseline humans, delicately arched ears, and longer, more graceful limbs.
The Eladorrin are also predominately Force Sensitive, and typically more powerful than the average Mythari. Trained from a young age by various mentors, it is common for older Eladorrin to possess the knowledge of unique and rare Force abilities, including Metamorphosis, Teleportation, Soft to Solid, Mind Walking, and Phase.
Depending on where the Eladorrin hail, will also color their Force usage and which side of the spectrum their abilities tend to favor. Those from Thalorande typically prefer pacifistic and defensive abilities, where those from Felnoreth may trend closer towards combative and aggressive abilities.
The Thevara, also known as love-talkers or honey-mouths due to their remarkable ability to swiftly establish trust or desire in others, bear a general resemblance to basic Mythari, with features like pointed ears and a wide range of skin tones and hair colors. However, unlike other Mythari, the Thevara exhibit specifically striking characteristics that set them apart, such as feline eyes and distinctive-patterned skin markings that are often mistaken for tattoos. It's believed that a specific pollen the Thevara have been known to ingest for hundreds of years is what caused this biological change in their appearance.
This same pollen is the source of the Thevara's unique abilities and further distinguishes them from other baseline Mythari. Over multiple generations, the Thevara have become adept at cultivating and harvesting a rare and poisonous plant species that only grows on their home world. Once this plant has been harvested, the Thevara ingest a mixture of its pollen, along with other elements, to greatly enhance the effects of their natural pheromones for a specific period of time, often depending on the amount they've ingested, giving them the ability to deftly manipulate others' affections. Within society, the Thevara typically assume roles that capitalize on their natural talents, such as diplomats, negotiators and even interrogation specialists.
E L A D O R R I N
The Eladorrin belong to the ruling class of the Mythari and differ from the other Mythari offshoots by their human-looking appearances, save that they can have skin tones that range from bright jewel hues, to the more beige palate of baseline humans, delicately arched ears, and longer, more graceful limbs.
The Eladorrin are also predominately Force Sensitive, and typically more powerful than the average Mythari. Trained from a young age by various mentors, it is common for older Eladorrin to possess the knowledge of unique and rare Force abilities, including Metamorphosis, Teleportation, Soft to Solid, Mind Walking, and Phase.
Depending on where the Eladorrin hail, will also color their Force usage and which side of the spectrum their abilities tend to favor. Those from Thalorande typically prefer pacifistic and defensive abilities, where those from Felnoreth may trend closer towards combative and aggressive abilities.
- Telepathy
Mythari share a synchronous link that allows them to sense surface thoughts and emotions among one another. This is believed to be one of the leading reasons why their language places such a strong emphasis on misdirection, as direct lies and emotional intent are much more difficult to conceal, forcing them to deliberately redirect their own thoughts and feelings to try and 'trick' other members of their species.
The Thevara learned how to amplify this through the use of a native pollen, allowing them to not only read thoughts and emotions with greater ease, but also instill emotions in their targets. The drawback, however, is that this effect only lasts for a limited amount of time and depends on their continued ingestion of said pollen.
The only exception to this shared link is found in the Eladorrin, who remain capable of reading the thoughts and emotions of other Mythari, but evolved in such a way that granted them the unconscious ability to shield their own minds, rendering them unreadable to their own kind and resistant to outside Force-assisted mental abilities, as well.
- Agility
Along with a second liver, Mythari have a larger heart, lungs, and flexible spine. These evolutionary traits allow them to move quickly, with their speed typically expressed in short bursts rather than maintaining a sustained output, since their energy levels are closely tied to their metabolic needs. In close quarters combat, this comes in especially handy, as they are capable of drawing, striking, and repositioning in a matter of seconds, with movements that can be difficult to track in real time. However, this relies heavily on timing and the opponent's awareness, and is far less likely to be effective against those trained in the Force.
- Beauty
Mythari possess an uncanny, otherworldly beauty that many species find difficult to ignore. Whether that is due to their unusual symmetry, striking colorations, or the unsettling grace with which they move, there is a quality about them that most describe as mesmerizing. But, like a siren whose song distracts from its teeth, the effect usually fades once their true nature becomes clear. Though, typically by then, the danger is already set in.
- Toxin Resistance
Naturally more resistant to plant-based poisons, venoms, and other organic compounds that would typically be harmful to other species, often requiring significantly higher doses to produce the same effects.
- Bacta Incompatibility
Mythari possess a highly selective immune system that aggressively rejects most foreign forms of healing agents that are not from their home world, especially when it comes to products like bacta. While the microbiotic organisms found in bacta stimulates healing in most species, it does not absorb properly in the Mythari's bodies, instead triggering an extreme immune response that can cause inflammation or systemic shock, often leading to death or grotesque disability.
- Low Reproductive Frequency
Mythari reproductive cycles occur much more infrequently than baseline humans, often separated by decades. When a fertility window finally opens up, it places a significant amount of physical strain on the female and requires her to enter a prolonged period of rest and recuperation afterwards. Pregnancy is similarly taxing, and can result in a gradual decline of physical health with each subsequent birth.
- Special Dietary Needs
Due to their secondary liver, Mythari possess a highly specialized system that's adapted to process natural, organic compounds with exceptional efficiency. However, this specialization limits their ability to break down synthetic additives, processed sugars, or other chemically altered substances.
Even minor intakes of these compounds can cause upset, like nausea and vomiting, while larger quantities may result in rapid systemic toxicity and organ failure. Their high metabolic demands also require frequent consumption of suitable foods; without it, they experience rapid fatigue that can progress to metabolic collapse.
Diet: Omnivores*
- But with a leaning towards being nectarivores, as the majority of their dietary needs comes from natural high-sugar sources for energy and nutrients, which their bodies metabolize with exceptional efficiency thanks to an extremely high metabolism and secondary liver - meaning that they must eat often and frequently. Dairy products, plant matter, and other protein sources can also be consumed, but are typically used to supplement their diet for long-term health.
Communication: The Mythari's original language was lost as they integrated into broader galactic society centuries ago. In its place, they've adopted the use of Galactic Basic. Despite this, Mythari communication and their use of language differs from the rest of Galactic society in that often what they tell you, and what they are actually saying underneath, is not usually the same thing.
Technology Level:
- Advanced. Mythari technology typically exceeds Galactic Standards in most areas.
- The Mythari do not follow a religious system and do not worship deities, instead believing themselves to be the pinnacle of evolution and superior to all others. This belief is not limited to the upper castes, as even those with more moderate views or lower standing often consider themselves inherently above other forms of life in the galaxy. This perspective extends to their understanding of the Force as well, which they regard simply as something that exists, a phenomenon to be contained and controlled by those uniquely suited to do so, rather than something living with a will of its own. As a result, both Jedi and Sith philosophies are viewed as misguided attempts to impose meaning onto something that requires neither faith nor devotion.
General Behavior:
- Mythari behavior is often perceived as amoral, unpredictable, and difficult, shaped by a culture that values deception, control, and social advantage over what the wider galaxy considers conventional morality. Their deliberate use of language makes business agreements and other bargains inherently dangerous, as they strictly follow exact wording, fulfilling requests literally and disregarding implied meaning or intent, often in ways that benefit themselves at the other party's expense. They are also known to hold grudges and may respond to minor slights with disproportionate retaliation, due to a strong sense of pride and superiority.
Society and Culture:
- Names: In Mythari culture, names are believed to hold significant power. This belief is rooted in long-standing cultural myths passed down over the generations as cautionary tales, often involving individuals who were subjected to the full control, wills, and power of those who learned their true name. While there is no scientific evidence to support the validity of this, many on Mythara still regard these accounts as factual. As a result, true names are closely guarded secrets. On the rare chance that a Mythari share's their true name, it is often considered an act of absolute vulnerability and trust, and more intimate than any physical or romantic bond.
- Vision Quest: The discovery of one's true name is a deeply personal rite of passage into adulthood, discovered through what is known as 'Vision Quests'. Through the use of hallucinogenic drugs found on their home world, and conducted under the supervision of an elder member of the family, the young Mythari enters into an altered state of consciousness where they encounter reflections of themselves and pathways of their future that they must reconcile with, if they hope to find their true name and wake. In some rare cases there have been documented deaths during these events. While such outcomes are regarded as tragic, they are not considered unnatural and generally accepted as the result of being unready for the next stage of life.
- Lying and Deception: Social intelligence is highly valued and rarely will you ever catch a Mythari in an outright lie, viewing it as the mark of the unintelligent and crude. Instead, they will often mislead through half-truths, selective omission, careful phrasing, and double meanings, allowing others to arrive at false conclusions on their own and leaving the burden of understanding with the listener. Being able to fool another through clever wordplay is considered the ultimate show of self-control and social mastery.
- Force Sensitivity: The Force is regarded as a natural phenomenon that must be carefully cultivated and controlled, with its use restricted entirely to the Eladorrin caste, under the prevailing belief that they are the only Mythari capable of wielding it. Anyone born Force Sensitive outside of this caste is systematically removed under Eladorrin authority. In rare cases, families have attempted to hide or flee with their 'afflicted' children, but such efforts are seldom successful and those who are discovered, along with any who aided them, rarely face leniency.
- Social Classes and Structure: Mythari society is deeply stratified, though these structures differ slightly between two Kingdoms, Thalorande, and Felnoreth, and the way that these two ruling bodies go about enforce these roles. In both Kingdoms, individuals are expected to remain within whatever social status they are born into. In Thalorande, this expectation is reinforced through cultural and philosophical guidance, where individuals are encouraged to embrace their place as part of a greater whole. Personal fulfillment is often framed as something found within service to the collective, and deviation is discouraged through social pressure and societal shame. In Felnoreth, these societal roles are strictly imposed and maintained through pervasive oversight and enforcement. Failure to conform often results in severe punishments, which can include imprisonment for up to five years, and in particularly egregious circumstances, execution.
- Genetic Selection: Due to the rarity of viable pregnancies and the physical toll they take on the mother, Mythari place significant importance on the 'quality' of their offspring. In Thalorande, couples use genetic screening and early medical intervention to try and curtail any problems, with pregnancies terminated if undesirable traits or disabilities are identified. In Felnoreth, the process is scientifically-controlled, with unwanted traits altered or suppressed through direct genetic modification. Access to these practices is largely determined by caste, leaving lower classes with limited or no options for 'intervention'. Children born outside the accepted standards are frequently abandoned, while families who choose to keep them risk facing social stigma and status-loss, as their decision is viewed as selfish and a threat to their societies long-term survival.
- Slavery: Slavery is a normalized institution within Mythari society, rooted in the belief that non-Mythari exist solely to serve them, ironically abhorring slavery beyond their world, as they view this as a disruption of the natural order. Others are meant to serve them, and slavery practiced elsewhere falsely elevates other species to their level. While the lower classes do not typically own slaves, it becomes increasingly common from the middle class upward, with larger numbers reflecting greater wealth. Compliance is maintained through a substance derived from a native fruit on Mythara. While harmless to the Mythari due to their biological adaptations, it induces a hallucinatory and compliant-like state in non-natives, and is regularly put into the food of their slaves. The effects of this causes them to perceive their conditions as ideal, even if they are living in the most extreme and abhorrent states of squalor. As a result, outsiders familiar with Mythari practices often refuse their food, wary of falling prey to the same fate.
Concrete evidence surrounding the Mythari's origins remains scarce, due in no small part to their deliberate control over historical records and their refusal to permit off-world archaeological study on Mythara. What survives beyond their own archives is fragmented and often contradictory, leaving outside scholars with little more than competing theories.
The most widely accepted view is that the Mythari evolved naturally on Mythara, shaped over centuries by environmental pressures and increasingly selective reproductive and social practices. Their biology appears closely tied to the planet's ecosystem, particularly in regard to their metabolism and interaction with native organic compounds. While fringe theories suggest an off-world origin, no conclusive evidence exists, and the Mythari themselves have shown little interest in confirming or denying such claims.
What is known, is that at some point in their early development, Mythari society fractured along ideological lines, giving rise to two dominant kingdoms: Thalorande and Felnoreth. Both still seemed to uphold the same core beliefs: Mythari superiority, a rigid hierarchy, and the right to rule over lesser beings. Where they differed was in method. Thalorande maintained order through discipline, social expectations, and cultural conditioning, shaping a society that prized refinement, obedience, and outward harmony. By contrast, Felnoreth prioritized the right to rule through fear, force, and total dominance, building an iron-fisted regime that was defined by its rapid militarization and often questionable scientific advancements. One concealed its brutality beneath the guise of harmony with nature, and elegance. The other made absolute power the face of the state.
As society progressed and the ideologies of the two Kingdoms solidified, their divisions deepened, with competing visions for control and governance over contested land and resources beginning to strain relations. What started as early political spats, eventually gave way to skirmishes between the two sides, making it increasingly clear that open war was no longer a distant possibility, but an approaching reality, with neither the Queen of Thalorande, nor the King of Felnoreth, showing any willingness to yield.
Only those within the royal courts seemed to understand what open conflict would cost. A war between the two would not leave one kingdom whole and the other broken. It would devastate both, drain their populations, and cripple their societies for generations, potentially never to recover.
Under these pressing conditions both rulers were found assassinated within days of one another, right before open war could begin. No formal inquiries followed. No tribunals were convened, no culprits named. The absence of outrage was, in itself, telling, with their deaths treated as proof of a principle already embedded in Mythari thought, and setting a precedent for all other future rulers.
Rule on Mythara would never be a matter of inheritance, nor of lineage carefully preserved through bloodlines. Such things might grant a claim, but power belonged only to those strong enough to hold it. If either monarch had deserved the crown, then they would have had the strength and wit to keep it.
What happened next, history notes, is that their successors were installed with unusual speed, and are not remembered in any surviving records by name, only that they were young, and seemed to possess even less authority than those they'd replaced - with a high likelihood that they too were taken out, once their usefulness dried up. What notes do remain of their rule, is only that the councilors of both kingdoms forced a settlement to establish the city of Eilraeth as neutral ground between the two kingdoms. Governed by a council that is still drawn from both to this day, the city became a controlled center of diplomacy and trade, but never truly quelled the rivalry between the two powers, only gave them a way to move forward without destroying themselves in the process.
As time passed, Mythari civilization entered a tenuous period of stabilization in the consequent rulers who followed, and began turning its attention toward the wider galaxy, seeking to extend its influence outward, while maintaining strict control over its borders. Entry into Mythari space was heavily restricted, and trade limited to partners who best served Mythari interests, though there were whispers that some of those "partners" were less willing participants than they appeared, their compliance perhaps shaped by the same hallucinatory influences imposed upon the Mythari's own slave populations. Whether true or not, the result was consistent. Mythari autonomy remained intact and insulated from external interference, with outsiders unable to settle on Mythara.
Unless, of course, they were brought there to serve.
Despite all of these supposed advantages the Mythari believed they'd set up for themselves, there's no denying that the model they'd established created dependencies of its own, and it was dealt a significant blow in the aftermath of the Planeshift Event, which fractured established hyperspace routes and destabilized trade networks across the galaxy, leaving their channels disrupted or lost outright.
Because of this event, and most recently in response, both Kingdoms have begun reassessing how far Mythari influence must now extend beyond Mythara. Though still cautious and highly selective, there is a growing push to broaden their reach, marking a significant shift in how they may engage with the wider galaxy moving forward.
Which, for the rest of the galaxy, given everything that we know about them, is unlikely to mean anything good.
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