Ga'teran

Homeworld: Ga'ter

History

The history of the Ga'teran people is one of war, war and war. Tribes vs tribes. Then nations vs nations. Then came the last war. They lost 7/10ths of their total population. Whole regions were depopulated. It was at about this same time that they learned that they were not the only race in the cosmos. Faced with this they were forced to alter parts of their culture.

Government

The Ga'teran people do not have a centralized form of government. In fact only the 2 main continents have any recognizable form of government. The smaller land masses and islands seem to have a communal work ethic that enables them to co-exsist and work for the common good.

The smaller continent and its city of Crindoo has a military government that protects and defends not just themselves but the planet as well. The larger continent and its city of Adillee seems to have a council made up of 7 members who between them control the policies and contact with all off worlders. While both governments are totally independant they both control and govern totally different aspects of the overall planetary policies.

Description

As a race the Ga'teran male has wide shoulders, a deep chest and well developed arm and leg muscles. The neck is short and very heavily muscled. They have sharp claws on their hands and feet. They has no nose, just 2 perpindicular slits for breathing. They have no ears, instead they have two pale grey sections of sound sensitive skin where their ears should have been. The teeth are extremely sharp and pointed and their skin is very thick and tough, just like a crocodile. As for skin tone for the most part it is gray with some individuals haveing darker or lighter hides than others. While intelligent, it is with an animals cunning more so than true intelligence.

Physiology

The main difference between males and females is their size. A male ranges in size from 6' to 6'6 with an average weight of 200 to 280lbs. The female on the other hand ranges in size from 5'8" to 6' and weights between 140 and 180 lbs. Of course their have been cases where individuals have been outside these racial norms.

Psychology

Just below the surface of every Ga'teran is the blood mad rage of a berserker. They have to fight to control it. For most of them it is an easy thing to do, but there are others who can and have lost control. Depending on what they did when they lost control many are sentenced to Final Justice. For most they can release the beast when they need to. Rechaining the beast after can be very hard for some.

Religion

The Ga'teran people do not have a religion.

Mythology

First One

In the begining all their was, was swamp. Then life emerged from the swamp in all it's violent forms. One of those forms proved to be smarter and more violent than the rest. The first one defeated all lizard challengers, proved it's worth, captured mates and fathered those who became the Ga'teran race.

The Rage

When the first one had finished proving he was not to be ignored, he fathered children in his image. He tought them and watched them. Then one day his oldest child disobeyed and the first one struck him. That blow released the rage. The child turned on his father in a blood thirsty frenzy. One that sparked similar reactions in his other children. Once the rage had cleared the first one and 3 of his childen were found to have been killed and partily eaten. The 4 survivors were shocked at what they had done and have since then all Ga'teran have worked hard to maintain control.

Society

They have a tribal society with each tribe haveing it's own festivals, celebrations and minor difference's. They have an intricate, yet delicate balance between the tribes that often result in various forms of conflict resolution that includes first blood and war.

Culture

The Ga'teran people are not a race to which most people would attribute culture. The fact is they are more at home hunting, eating, fighting or drinking.

Epic Tales

Epic tales are the one form of none violent entertainment they have. Kind of like opera but with very loud, off key singing and much clashing of weapons. The stories are always re-enactments of famous battles from their past.

Arena Matches

Combat in all it's physical forms is the primary form of entertainment for the Ga'teran people. As such arena matches with physical combat such as wrestleing, slamming (kind of like terran boxing but without the gloves or rules) and first blood matches draw large crowds.

Customs

Releasing the Beast

For the Ga'teran race it is an accepted fact that at times, there is a burning need to release the berserk rage and fury they have been keeping caged inside. At these times they will seek out one of the many easily available solid steel cages available in every community and on most large farms. Once they have been locked inside they can release the beast with out haveing to worry about who or what might become injured other than themselves.

Final Justice

For most serious crimes their is only one punishment. Death. When someone is found guilty of a serious crime they are taken to an arena which has a large 100 foot circular area that has 2 feet of swamp water floating in it. The stands will hold up to 50,000 people. The convict is released into the arena with no weapons but his bare hands. Then a pack of 7 Rap'ters is released. These giant lizards are smart, cunning, fast, deadly and hunt in packs. No one has ever escaped them.

First Blood

When ever 2 citizens have a disagreement or their is a minor disagreement between groups or tribes it is settled by a form of ritual combat called First Blood. A single fighter is selected and while they sometimes go and fight in an arena, they are just as likely to select any location that is agreeable to both sides. The 2 combatants meet with no weapons, anything goes but the battle ends when the first blood is lost from the body of the opponent. At this time the fight ends. The winner or his tribe are considered to be in the right and the losers have to accept the final verdict.

War

Any time their is a major disagreement between tribes, factions or any other large grouping of Ga'teran's it is settled by a war. Now days these wars are fought in an arena with rules and limited numbers of warriors on both sides. Usually the teams will be either 5, 13 or 27 to a side. Hand weapons are allowed but no firearms. Both sides must agree on the number, type and size of any and all weapons. Both sides meet and wait till a loud gong is struck. Then they fight till only one side still has any warriors left standing. The winning side is declared the victor

Technology

While they have warp technology most of the planet is pre industrial. Other than transportation which is more advanced and wide spread most of the natives seem to prefer a more hands on existence. A true contradiction in terms they understand and have access to post industrial technology but do not import it or use much of it on the planet surface except for weapons and transportation. The 2 major cities hold the only true manufacturing facilities on the planet. As a rule they do not work in those facilities them selves. They use slave labour for that.