H'Tarrans

H'Tarrans are a bipedal humanoid species native to H'Tra B and C, two D-class sister moons orbiting a Class T gas giant located in a distant sector of Federation space. The nearest large populated system is Pacifica, 37 light years distant. The H'Tarrans were able to visit planets and moons within their own star system for the last two centuries, but only achieved warp flight just over a decade ago. Federation first contact was made by the USS Yeager in 2371. The H'Tarran maintained their independence until 2384, but have petitioned the Federation Council for membership. Currently the H'Tarrans are provisional members of the Federation.

Physiology & Physical Characteristics

Both native H'Tarran moons have extremely high gravity As a result, the H'Tarran have evolved durable physiques with incredible physical strength and stamina as a result. Despite this strength, H'Tarrans are naturally tall and slender with an average height of approximately 6'6" and weight typically under 200 lbs. Their physical maturity and development occurs in the earlier teenage years, with a lifespan averaging 60 years. H'Tarrans are capable of psionics such as telekinesis and telepathy, though telepathic abilities are exclusive to males. Female H'Tarrans are natural telepathic suppressors. These abilities lend them highly acute spatial perception and coordination, though the latter is somewhat impaired when H'Tarrans are introduced to a lower-gravity environment. The combination of telepathy and suppressor allow the women within H'Tarran society to help modulate the uncontrollable urges common among the males during their first episode of Tahl'Jahtae.

Their skin and hair color varies between different shades of gray, but the pigmentation of their irises can be any color in the spectrum. Culturally, darker skin is preferred due to the moons' position as always in the shadow of their parent planet rendering each moon in a constant state of night and the darker skin tones permit the H'Tarran to be a better hunter. H'Tarran blood is bright violet when oxygenated.

H'Tarrans do not have ears, but rather dermal membranes that transmit vibrations in the air directly to the jaw. Instead of an ear canal like most humanoids, the H'Tarran jaw is partially hollow and contains nerve clusters which detect sound as transmitted through the dermal membrane and jaw.

H'Tarrans generally do not have a strong sense of smell. They are prone to being overwhelmed by heavy pheromone producers through skin absorption rather than inhalation making proximity to races such as Orions and Deltans causing most H'Tarrans to lose their inhibitions quickly as well as their ability to regulate their temperature and control their telekinetic and telepathic abilities.

Due to the high-gravity conditions of the moons H'Tarrans inhabit, their skeletal system is capable of withstanding incredible force. Skeletal strength is incredibly high and Combined with their dense musculature, H'Tarrans are able to lift objects weighing up to three times their body weight in a standard-gravity environment. Their telekinetic abilities are extremely limited in comparison to their physical strength - usually accounting for little more than a simple parlor trick or as a "third hand." The most powerful H'Tarran telekinetics are capable of lifting anything weighing up to 50 pounds. The H'Tarrans that choose to use their telekinetic abilities to such an extent often suffer irreversible damage to their synaptic pathways.

Since their native moons are almost constantly in the shadow of a gas giant, the ambient temperature is regularly low. What is comfortable, even warm for an H'Tarran, is uncomfortably cold for most bipedal humanoids excepting Andorians. In contrast, warm climates often cause H'Tarrans some discomfort. A conscious effort must be undertaken by members of this race in order to maintain body hydration in order to regulate their body temperature.

Upon entering their mid-twenties, H'Tarran males enter a state of hypersexuality known as the Tahl'Jahtae. The telepathic abilities of a male H'Tarran enter their final stage of development at this age, causing hormonal imbalances that cause loss of control over their psionic powers and drive males to seek mates. After the Tahl'Jahtae, their telepathic abilities will occasionally peak in a similar manner bi-monthly.

Since the two moons where H'Tarrans evolved were almost in a constant state of darkness with only minimal light, all H'Tarrans are extremely light sensitive and often have to wear shades to protect their highly sensitive eyes. While light sensitivity can be a limitation, the H'Tarrans are renowned night fighters and see as clearly at night as most humanoids at the brightest part of the day. The H'Tarrans are not familiar with most Federation species and have suffered castigation and some reported incidents due to their remote resemblance of the Rukakon.

Culture and Customs

H'Tarran culture is remarkably similar to human society, though it is considerably different in some regards, mainly due to the evolution of telepathic abilities in the y-chromosome. Males use their telepathic abilities to bond their consciousness, allowing shared for shared perception. The more a telepathic bond is maintained, the further distance it is able to be maintained over.

H'Tarrans almost universally believe in a trio of deities. Burrooma, or the dark mother, is worshipped as the mother of all H'Tarrans. Beo'yur, or the dark father, is worshipped as the father of Kur'run'gol - he is thought to be the first H'Tarran who fought and defeated the ancient gods of the sky and bonded with Burrooma to create the Siul'ri'lan, also called the night everlasting. Kur'run'gol, or Black Wing, is thought to bless and curse based on the honor and sanctity of their actions during the hunt.

H'Tarran families consist of eight males and eight females called a Siul'ran. Siul'rans are arranged by a council of telepaths in each town and city to ensure compatibility, fertility, and stability. Relations within the Siul'ran are open much like Denobulan marraiges, but relations outside the Siul'ran are forbidden. Up until two decades ago, the penalty was death. It is not uncommon for siblings or cousins to be part of a Siul'ran, but there is no stigma against this behavior within H'Tarran society. All adults participate in providing within the Siul'ran financially and socially. Typically the Siul'ran will live separately until enough wealth has been accumulated to build a Culwat where all members of the Siul'ran will live until their death. There is no social convention such as divorce or romantic love within the H'Tarran. All children born within the Siul'ran will be raised as equals - treating all of the adults equally as parents. Not all H'Tarran elect to commit to a Siul'ran, but without the telepathic bond of the men within the family unit, procreation is nearly impossible for no discernible medical reason.

Government

The H'Tarran system of government is an aristocratic republic with a central monarchy. The central ruling family creates laws based on suggestions and debate from elders from each province. Breaking the law in H'Tarran society results in an intensive, thorough investigation followed by criminal indictment and trial by a provincial appointee. The most severe sentence possible within modern H'Tarran society is banishment into the light.