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Contents
Physical Data:
Having evolved in the thick and treacherous jungles and forests that cover their homeworld's surface, Myini have a distinctly rodent look about them. The average male stands at roughly five feet, whilst the females are usually for feet tall. They look somewhat like a large, bipedal flying squirrels, complete with arm wings that nestle against the body when not in use. They are equipped with retractable claws, and generally possess the slitted eyes of a night hunter. All members of the species have a bushy tail. Fur colouration varies generally between brown, green and white.
Variations of the species are known to possess fangs, and a more sleeker appearance suited to hunting.
The Myini have evolved to be dependant on the unique telepathic field that Circe provides. On a subconcious level, each member of the race is effected by this field, primarily the part of their brain that stores long term memories. If a Myini has left Circe, they must return once every five years to meditate on the planet's surface, or they risk The Madness.
Psionic Phenomena:
Due to their dependence on Circe's telepathic field, every member of the Myini is born with a certain degree of telepathic potential. Most never learn to focus this gift, however a small proportion of the population choose to develop it. Among these telepaths are the Shaman, a group of highly trained telepathic warriors who have undergone the Trial of Souls.
There are however a very small portion of the Myini who are born with no ability to access Circe's telepathic field beyond the simple meditation required to avoid The Madness. These Myini are instead known to be gifted with Biokinetic potential, and are called Druids. Once a Myini discovers they have these abilities, they are approached by another Druid and sent on the Trial of the Claw. Failure to attempt the trial results in their execution.
Shaman:
In the old days, these were Myini who were particularly sensitive to subtle changes in Circe's telepathic field. By monitoring these changes, they were said to be able to predict changes in weather, or the coming of a natural disaster. The old tribes were lead by a Tribesleader and a Shaman.
These days, Shaman are the group of Myini are considered to be among Circe's elite. Their skill with traditional Myini weaponry comes second only to their mastery of telepathic warfare. Able to move into an area and psionically cripple opposition, they are both the most feared and respected group on of people on Circe, receiving orders only from The Council of Patriarchs.
Becoming a Shaman:
For a Myini to become a Shaman they must show both extraordinary telepathic ability, endure rigorous physical and psionic training, and survive The Trial of Souls.
The Trial of Souls:
A well guarded secret, the details of which are not disclosed outside of the Shaman. Within the heart of R'tut city lies a passage that goes deep beneath the surface of Circe. The passage ends in a chamber where Circe's telepathic field is almost crippling. Every Myini faces this chamber differently, but it is not uncommon for them to experience severe pain and hallucinations. Most who attempt the trial die, or slip into a coma. Those who survive are worthy of the title of Shaman.
Patriarchs:
The best of the Shaman undertake yet more trials beneath the surface of Circe. Patriarch are considered to be the finest of Myini. To have one lead you into battle is to be guaranteed a glorious victory, or a glorious death.
The Order of The Druid:
Some of Myini are unable to further understand Circe's telepathic field, and are instead born with the potential to become Druid. These are considered strange members of society, who have for the longest time devoted their lives to the study of the spirits of the living and the dead. To become a Druid, one must live away from one's people for five years. One must survive alone, and in the hostile forest survival relies on wit, speed, and bravery. This is called The Trial of the Claw.
The Druid have always been applauded as able warriors, and they are deadly enemies. All Druid are born with a biokinetic potential, and none are born with telepathic ability. Druid are still required to mediate on Circe at least once every five years. A member of Myini who is born with the ability to become a Druid is usually approached by an actual Druid, and sent into the forest to live alone for five years for their trial. Any who refuse must be severed from Circe, and are killed.
The Trial of The Claw:
A Myini who is found to have biokinetic powers must survive this trial to be allowed to exist on Circe. It follows a few simple rules, these are a few of them:
1, You must live apart from society, in the wild, among the creatures of Circe 2, You must not contact another Myini in any way 3, You must not be seen by another Myini 4, You must not leave Circe
Once their five years are up, they may return to society as a Druid if they wish.
Shapechanging and the Druid:
Circe's wilderness is a harsh and unforgiving place. It is next to impossible to survive alone. To this extent, all Druid shapechange into a creature of the wilderness, and become part of a pack. Learning to live, and thrive in a pack is the true challenge of their trial. It is this animal, the first that they shape change into, that becomes their Totem creature.
A Druid can only shapechange into their Totem creature.
A Druid can only have one Totem creature.
This is another, closely guarded secret of the Druid, and is by no means common knowledge.
Its is not uncommon for a Druid to have particular tells in their physical appearance that would give some indication of what their totem animal is. For example, a Myini who shapechanges into a reptile might have patches of scales when in their normal form. A Myini who shapechanges into a bird may have patches of feathers in their normal form.
Though these days the Druid are less feared, they are still by no means trusted by the vast majority of Myini. The Order of The Druid are known to take up arms in desperate times, and have recently heeded the call to war.
Dress:
The tribal origins of the Myini show through in their clothing, members of their species usually wearing very little. Loin cloths have only very recently fallen out of favour with the young, who are starting to prefer wearing things like shorts and trousers. Generally steering away from shirts, they adorn themselves in various decorative robes. Jewellery is rare, as the Myini do not often covert such things.
Lifespan:
Myini have an average life span of sixty years. They start their education at the age of five, which encompasses everything from academics to hunting.
Naming Conventions:
Common male names:
Grr'itchit S'bek Rotat Chirrrka T'riti
Common female names:
Loka Y'ini Sa'lo Keeta Sa'mi
Patriarchs of note usually receive a new last name, the highest form of honour that can be bestowed upon a Myini. This last name usually has direct relevance to how the Patriarch achieved their heroic feat, such as the famous R'tichi Bloodtooth who is said to have bitten through the spinal cord of an Alethinn serpent.
Occupations:
Most Myini never set foot on a starship, content to tend to farms, mines, and the hunts. However, it is not uncommon for a Myini to become a pilot, a warrior, or a businessman in order to exploit the vast wealth that the Bright Cluster has to offer.
Culture:
In Myini culture, Circe is all important. Seen as almost a deity, the planet has for the longest time been respected and worshipped. In this culture, for one Myini to murder another Myini is among the most despicable of crimes. This is perhaps because when a Myini dies, its telepathic connection to Circe is cut, therefore lowering the overall telepathic field by a fraction. In place of execution, they would rather torture and imprison.
On Circe, war between Myini is almost unheard of. In their ancient history, there have been two examples of war amongst themselves, the details of which have been lost to time. There are far too many occasions of times when the Myini have had to unite to drive back a common threat, whether it be natural disaster or a plague of the planet's dangerous wildlife.