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Centauran: Difference between revisions
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→Physiology: Updated and restructured, clarified some strangely subjective parts of the entry here re: Centaurans' appearances.
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Due to the inherent physical isolation between oceanic landmasses, early Centauran history is characterized by significant cultural and political fragmentation and factionalization. It was common for individual islands, or island chains, to coalesce into city states centered on one capital. During this period, jingoism, isolationism, and fierce political loyalty were ubiquitous, with each competing city state focused solely on ensuring their own interests. Many distinct cultures and political systems flourished during the early period of Centauran civilization. | Due to the inherent physical isolation between oceanic landmasses, early Centauran history is characterized by significant cultural and political fragmentation and factionalization. It was common for individual islands, or island chains, to coalesce into city states centered on one capital. During this period, jingoism, isolationism, and fierce political loyalty were ubiquitous, with each competing city state focused solely on ensuring their own interests. Many distinct cultures and political systems flourished during the early period of Centauran civilization. | ||
==Physiology== | |||
Centaurans are outwardly quite indistinguishable from Humans as a result of convergent evolutionary forces, often being mistaken for humans by everyone except physicians. | |||
Developing advanced scientific and medical techniques several centuries ahead of Earth societies, Centaurans have long been characterized by good health and long lives. Early explorers from Earth would often comment on the natural beauty of the Centaurans they met - though this is generally attributed to the species' notable vitality and typically-graceful features. | |||
With minor differences in organ placements and DNA in comparison to [[Human]]s, Centaurans and Humans are able to interbreed with little difficulty - as such, it requires only minimal medical supervision. One such minor difference is in the placement of the heart which, in typical human physiology resides between the lungs, slightly to the left of center; In Centaurans, the heart is located further to the right<ref>[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-ops/c/0Dv8PsXOZ9s/m/TVS6UgTnAgAJ Ensign Madison Marsh - "Madison is the Man"] (SD 240008.14)</ref>. In Human-Centauran hybrids, either placement is possible. | |||
The average lifespan of Centaurans is considerably longer than Humans, despite their outward similarities - with it not being uncommon for healthy Centaurans to reach ages of over 250 years. | |||
=== Telepathic and Empathic Abilities === | |||
Some Centaurans are capable of manifesting empathic or telepathic abilities anywhere from E1 to E4 and T1 to T3, though most are not. This preternatural ability may be linked to a recessive genetic component, however it has been known to appear spontaneously in families with no history of the ability. | |||
==Psychology== | |||
Centaurans, as a rule, tend to be artistic, contemplative and analytical. Many are pacifist and think deeply about any significant action before taking it. Of course, as each city-state is distinctive, this stereotype can change radically. | |||
They are, as a rule, the most invisible people in the Federation. While carrying a great deal of pride in their homes, they also know that they are members of the Federation, as is everyone. Thus asserting their own race above being a Federation citizen reminds them of the city-state patriotism that led to the Plague Wars. Because of this belief, and a lack of assertion of their own racial identity, they are often mistaken as either Human or [[Betazoid]]. Many do not seem to mind - they know the truth in their hearts, and they know that just because they aren't rubbing peoples' faces in their culture doesn't devalue it. This is evidenced by the fact that they let themselves be called Centaurans. Such is a Terran term; they call their planet Velestus. They know it is Velestus though, so they don't need others to call it such. | |||
Though a small percentage of Centaurans are capable of empathic and/or telepathic abilities, they tend to shy away from revealing them. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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The other major advance of the early days of the proto-Federation was a simple esoteric one, but one which has much impact. The Centaurans were able to make the early scouting ships much more livable, so that the long treks between stars became actually bearable. These livability touches continue to this day; it was a Centauran who invented the Federation Holodeck, which aid modern starships in training and recreation. | The other major advance of the early days of the proto-Federation was a simple esoteric one, but one which has much impact. The Centaurans were able to make the early scouting ships much more livable, so that the long treks between stars became actually bearable. These livability touches continue to this day; it was a Centauran who invented the Federation Holodeck, which aid modern starships in training and recreation. | ||
==Government | ==Government & Society== | ||
Without usurping the rights of the individual, the Centaurans have managed to find a fine balance in a loosely structured communal society. The population is spread out into self-contained communities across the planet's many island -- each settlement known as a da'den can exist alone but they regularly trade goods and knowledge and breeding stock. | Without usurping the rights of the individual, the Centaurans have managed to find a fine balance in a loosely structured communal society. The population is spread out into self-contained communities across the planet's many island -- each settlement known as a da'den can exist alone but they regularly trade goods and knowledge and breeding stock. | ||
==Culture== | ==Culture & Customs== | ||
: See also: [[Centauran/Language|Centauran Language]] | : See also: [[Centauran/Language|Centauran Language]] | ||
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Children on Alpha Centauri are raised in a grouping that translates as a crèche until they are five years old and are then either raised by their biological family or, if the parent or parents are not interested, by some other pairing to be supervised and mentored. It is not as cold as it seems -- the Centaurans are naturally affectionate, if at times a bit intense. They take pride in what they can contribute to the community and that pride shows up in their children. | Children on Alpha Centauri are raised in a grouping that translates as a crèche until they are five years old and are then either raised by their biological family or, if the parent or parents are not interested, by some other pairing to be supervised and mentored. It is not as cold as it seems -- the Centaurans are naturally affectionate, if at times a bit intense. They take pride in what they can contribute to the community and that pride shows up in their children. | ||
== | == Mythology & Religion == | ||
==Technology== | ==Technology== | ||