* PHYSIOLOGY * THE_HOMEWORLD * SOCIETY_AND_CULTURE * ROLES_IN_SOCIETY * TIMELINE_*
Very little is known of Shaytonian physiology because of their taboos on research either by their own researchers, or, (especially) by any others. A great deal can be surmised though. Descriptions of external physical characteristics are, of course easily gathered and usually very graphic. (This is due to their perhaps main characteristic, vampirism. Shaytonians 'feed' from a wide variety of lifeforms. Why is not known but it is assumed that it was cause a part of a physical shock to the race when it was forced into our universe from a parallel dimension. Readings from where their home planet was assumed to be show a large rift in space. Their planet itself is actually caught in a 'bubble' in space and as yet can only be travelled to through their own gateways.)
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Descriptions given below are only of native Shaytonians. Breeders are also inhabitants of the planet but are mostly just human norm and norms of other nearby races.
Height and weight both tend to be greater than human norms for all three races although the differences are greater in the 'mer' and noble races. Averages are given below. (See table 1.1)
MALE
Mer Wolf Bat Noble Height (m) 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.9 Weight (kg) 70 68 60 65 FEMALE
Mer Wolf Bat Noble Height (m) 1.9 1.7 1.6 1.8 Weight (kg) 65 64 59 60
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Mer are closest in appearance to human myths of merpeople, hence the adoption of the name. They normally blend the two legs to form a tail. Claws become more obvious and teeth become incredible sharp and pointed, similar to shark teeth. Canines are prominent but not fully extended. The hair becomes stronger and courser. There are variations such as scaled legs, but these are rare and normally found amongst the Wild tribes.Wolfs are larger than wolf norm and with far stronger claws and teeth. Coats and colouring tend to mimic those of cold climes but they vary from pure white through browns and greys to black. Black is rare though and normally found on Nobles.
Bats are again larger. They are believed to have sonar but the other senses are not as limited as in Earth bats. Bats do tend to be light sensitive though and prefer the dark.
Nobles can take more than one of the above forms and some combinations, i.e. bat wings on human form, a siren mer form (without the more animalistic features). They do tend to pick one form which they prefer and develop it. Therefore the largest wolf in the pack is often a Noble even though their human form may be smaller.
There are rumours that a handful of nobles can also change to other forms, the most notable lion. This subject is taboo amongst them though, so hard to confirm. The fact it is taboo suggests it is possible, otherwise why ban it?
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Solid food is also necessary for full health but not in any great quantity. It seems to be based on personal choice but common choices are berries such as mulberries and blueberries, and nibbly dishes such as pheasant wings, diced vegetables and small cuts of meat such as knuckles. The breeders often cook these only as an afterthought as raw is fine.
Large quantities of food are only really ever eaten if a hunt brings down a large beast, but this is the exception and often done more as an adventure for the young than as a source of food.
Preferred drinks are fresh water, (a scarce commodity), Glishka and Minta, which are the equivalents of Terran red, and white wine. Glishka is the only substance that they willingly take that has a narcotic effect as it is also the only one that does not have considerable harmful side effects.
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The Shaytonian woman is unable to give birth alone as she must not only control her own body but also ensure that the children do not transform. Usually there will be a close relative, normally a woman, and the father present at the birth to aid the mother and keep her conscious. If, as Shaytonians are prone to do in times of stress, she loses consciousness, it would be fatal for both her and the children. To survive both children and the mother must feed soon after birth.
Children are considered sacred, their lives instrumental to the survival of the species due to the low birth rate and high death rate of adults.
They must be tested after birth. Once they pass the test, (there are no failures due to the precautions taken prior to birth), the children continue to be monitored throughout their life until they reach Naming age. As a result very few children ever die until adulthood, possibly a sound reason for the strict birth control.
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CAPABILITIES:
All Shaytonians have psionic capabilities. These seem to differ greatly due to gender and race. Males have limited telepathic and empathic abilities but little else. The only exceptions to this are a few scattered Nobles. These seem to have not only the full range of female abilities but also others, although these too seem to be concentrated on extensions of the mind.
Most females have telepathy at much higher levels and telekinesis, (sometimes evident as a mental force field of some kind). Some Nobles have other powers that seem peculiar to them but these are just specialised adaptations of the basic abilities.
Both sexes seem to have no limitation on the level of intelligence of the being they are trying to communicate with. Whether the being is an animal or an 'intelligent' being does not seem to have the same significance for them as it does for other races.
The ability to shapeshift is also dependant on the gender and race of the individual. The males and 'lesser' races normally only have one form, other than that of their father. (The father, or Breeder, due to the sterility of the vast majority of the males, is often from another race, mostly human.)
A rare few can also heal using the mind. This seems to be an extension of the Council's ability to genetically alter fetuses. Healing is an inbuilt ability though and able to be used even off-planet, thought o less effect. All abilities drop after leaving their homeworlds, perhaps part of the reason most do not travel. 'To be weak is to be dead' is one of the altruisms they all seem to believe. An easy one to see if you take the violence of their planet into account.
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ANATOMY:
The basics to not seem to be greatly different from the Earth norm except in the ways already discussed. Internally, the main difference is the adrenal processing and circulatory systems.
The adrenal glands are shrunken to the point of almost missing, explaining, in part, their vampirism. The processing is mainly done in the canine teeth. One operates as an intake valve, regulating the follow of blood into the body. The other processes this blood by filtering out the useful chemicals and returning the rest to the source. The second heart may be to handle the rapid intake of adrenaline and seems to operate as a storage unit and back-up.
One element of their physiology has had a dramatic effect on their society. An earth woman brought to Shayton as Queen took her newfound responsibilities to heart. She found that her own health dramatically improved as the King fed only from her.
Latent telepathic abilities also started to form. She also noticed that her 'Husband' had to feed less often and seem to improve his own health and emotional stability. He became able to concentrate on matters for long lengths of time and distance himself from the episodes of violence that seemed to be caused by a link between him and the planet's upheavals.
Suspecting a symbiotic relationship, she took some 'volunteers' and made some collars to enforce fidelity until she could prove her theory. She found that it was possible to calm Shaytonians enough to make living in a city environment possible.
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Shaytonians live in a very crowded community that would be considered unacceptable to many other races. Due to the hostility of their world, they have formed two safe havens of relatively calm. Here they live in communal halls with very little personal space. This lack of space is often cited as the reason that such a tight control can be kept on the populace without rebellion.
Although a space-faring race by virtue of their gateways, they seem unable to leave the planet for any length of time. The race as a whole seems to suffer from a kind of agoraphobia and is unwilling to expand outwards even on their own planet. A lack of sufficient energy is cited as the main reason, but any discussion shows their near horror at even a casual mention of the idea.
The analogy of the shipwreck carries over to the interaction between the Shaytonian races as well. Each has a deep-seated distrust of the other but also can not survive without them. In the past this hostility was shown in almost open warfare. Once the Cities were formed and every citizen was necessary to power the Barrier between them and the Wilderness, this hostility became an art form. Dance, song and stylised battle became the way to prove superiority.
Shaytonians seem to lack any of the so-called higher emotions. Their ability to communicate with 'animals' may be because of this. Due to their close interaction with 'intelligent' races, they often mimic the emotions that seem appropriate. Sometimes this can be off-putting, as they will get it wrong.
The borderline between straight survival induced emotions and 'real' emotions is a narrow one though, and may be caused by a massive form of culture shock rather than a lack of the inbuilt ability. The most noticeable effect of this 'shock' is that the Shaytonians show very little ambition in life. An attempt to foster some interest past eating and feeding, is giving each named citizen a personal project to complete in their lifetime. As many males are not officially named, they are left to occupy themselves as they see fit.
The exception to this rule is again the nobles that seem to be driven almost to the point of mania.
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The Shayton of this universe is apparently a shard of the original planet. It is captured in a 'bubble' of space that can be reach by breaches in this bubble called gateways.
It has a variety of zones, but none of these are stable enough to draw any sort of a map. There are four main zones, mountains, seas, plains and forest. Being able to have any sort of weather over them then further differentiates these. The types of weather are snow, tropical heat, temperate warmth, rain and hail. Any combination of any two or more of these can be found in any one section. Some tend to cancel each other out, such as tropical heat and snow - which leads perhaps to a gentle shower. Others tend to escalate, i.e. snow and hail becomes a storm that is capable of flaying the flesh from the bones of any unarmoured form.
The only two stable areas of the planet are the two cities.
The first and biggest of these is called simply the City. It is the seat of the Council, the reigning government of Shayton. It consists of large buildings that shelter a small section of surrounding land. These buildings contain the Great Hall and Council Chambers, as well as living quarters for all the Citizens of the City. The living quarters are divided into married and singles, gender and race. This building also houses the main power source of the planet. This power source is also the basis of their religion. It is the focus of the living energy of every being on the planet. "The Mother" controls it. She has fallen almost into legend, but she was a human, the late Queen of Shayton killed during the failed attempt to place Shayton on a planet in our Universe.
The other important feature of the City is a small park situated at the Gate to the Wilderness. Consisting of a sheltered pool, it is the place where all births take place on Shayton and where the dead are viewed before their bodies are returned to the planet, (see Religion).
The other city, known as "the Pitt", is the seat of the King and the old seat of government before the Attempt. This is just one large hall with one end partitioned off for the Kings quarters. Other citizens have no set room or space of their own but merely find an empty pallet if they are tired. The main feature of the Pitt is the entrance to Hell. Hell is where adults fight to the death if they are unable to settle arguments in other ways.
Descriptions of the main places on Shayton are found below.
The first thing to be noticed is the sharp, fresh, thunderstorm smell. Either side of the yard is lined with barrack like buildings.
The top end of the courtyard is an imposing hall, a large, brown box with a door. Unadorned, it was impressive only by its obvious age, its wood was worn smooth by hundreds of years. The remaining side of the quadrangle was an open park, leading down to a wall that stretched off in the distance.
Beyond the buildings to the left was a stadium that looked like ancient Roman Colosseum.
The right side led into a small wooded area. The middle held a large fountain. It was made from a gray polished stone shot through with colours. A large pool supported an 8-ft tall, twisting spire spouting crystal clear water.
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The interior of the building is surprisingly cool compared to the temperature outside, and lit by sunlight streaming in through windows set high in the walls. It has a smooth wooden floor covered with several ornately woven rugs and plump looking pillows. A center aisle that was more of a pathway between pillows than an aisle.
The far wall of the building is dominated by a dais upon which sat a row of chairs and an intricately carved table. It serves a meeting area. Three quarters of the entire population live in those buildings outside. It is not dissimilar to an old time Viking long house. Weddings and meetings are held in there. It also holds the Mother. She who gave us birth in a safe haven, She who keeps the City steady.
Two very faint lines hint at doors to another room further on where She is kept but it is forbidden to go there unless invited.
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Almost a perfect copy of the old roman colosseums, it is where they play sports such as Dath'mala a traditional Shaytonian game a combination of wrestling/sumo and handball. The match is played in the briefest of pads- a thin strip across the chest and another that covered the kidneys. Played in various combinations, the most frequent is six combatants on the field, three men & three women. Obstacles are provided such as filling the arena floor with water, that help make the game more difficult, but the main object is simply to keep the ball moving between the partners without loosing it to the others.
It is described as being like watching the ballet, or ice-skaters. It was graceful, even beautiful. Then a loud crack or thump remind you that it is a battle. One by one, combatants are worn down and replaced by other players. When they surrender their place, they bear their necks to the winner's fangs. The roar of the crowd is loudest when this capitulation is made.
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Accessed by a well-travelled, narrow path, it looks, like people only come here in ones and twos. The path opens up into a small clearing. A large tree shelters a deep pool. This is where many are born and conceived. It offers an overwhelming sense of peace, protection and life.
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Each room is left to the occupier to furnish, but for the vast majority, they have a futon or hammock and a shelf to hold a few items and not a lot else. The rooms are about the same size a student quarters i.e. tiny.
Council rooms are a bit bigger as they hold meetings in their rooms at times. They will add long couches and low tables. Most spend all their time outside except for sleeping.
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A long low stone wall, obviously ancient. It varies in height from about thigh high, to roughly 7 foot tall past most of the City. There is a gate that opens up off the path to the pool. It opens out into the wilderness and is always guarded to prevent intruders.
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Around the City is still reasonably stable, but the further you go, the more tortured it is, constant storms, rain, snow, sleet, hail and electrical, frequent earthquakes and landslides. Animals and plants have learned to eat anything and everything, and how to roll with the terrain until it calms again. There are some shaytonians that chose to live out here, but they are stone age by choice. Everyone gets an education as a child regardless of birth. Everyone gets the basics, reading, writing, self-defence, dance, manipulation of others and sex. Then the girls go on further to higher studies. Males are allowed to continue but all scholars need to be sponsored. The only reasonably safe areas are around the caves.
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Caves filled with small natural and carved alcoves where people can sleep. Mostly populated by the big cats and those few Shaytonians that chose to live out here.
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Think Dante, fire brimstone, tall stone pillars providing the only floor and they often tumble. It is the final jury, two go in, one comes out. As the one is often the Hell Maker, the best fighter, trained to the ways of Hell and with supplemented powers, it is normally a death sentence.
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A part of the cave system known as the Pit, the only real indication of the place is the guarded and shielded door on the way in and on the King's personal room.
That has a large wooden door similar to the portal room and is also always guarded. Inside is a large throne.
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SHAYTONIAN SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Shaytonian society is very much based on the good of the whole. Any decisions are made on a complex basis of rules that have no shades of grey. Once the Council or the King makes a decision, it is final and to question it means instant death. To balance this tyranny, the individual has a great deal of personal freedom until called upon. There a very few social mores and the ability to do just as they please is a source of pride.
This seeming conflict is resolved by choosing a child's path at birth. The child is allotted a certain task or tasks and is allowed to do anything that does not conflict with the completion of the task. The majority of citizens have the easy task of parenting one set of children and seeing that they survive to adulthood. Often Nobles are given harder tasks. Sometimes tasks are given out even before birth and genetic engineering takes place to ensure their ability to perform the task.
Shaytonian culture is very much a female orientated society. Females hold the main positions of power and the main responsibilities. This seems to be due to the difference of abilities between the two sexes. This was apparently caused by chemical warfare from a race that greatly disapproved of their vampiric needs.
Males seem to have withdrawn from all areas of society and now merely live out a series of 'parties'. Females have taken over the running of the society, but even here there is little that they do. The shield from the Wilderness has about ensured Survival and food is small worry, therefore there is little to engage their ambition. Only a handful, notably the Council, seem to direct the people at all. The citizens concentrate on proving their prowess in their chosen field and care for little else.
The family unit has little importance once the children are grown. Indeed, once the child is considered adult, it takes its place in society and stands on an equal footing to its parents. Sometimes this goes to the extent that parent and child may be lovers. There seems to be little regard held for the usual family ties, but this often only a surface image and family members will look out for each other, over and above the normal regard for their own race. The loyalty hierarchy for most Shaytonians seems to flow down from the Council, to their mate, family, race and the population as a whole. Rarely will they feel loyalty to any being beyond this. The exception to this is when they swear fealty. This then takes precedence over all loyalty except to the Council.
There is never a time when the Council is not the primary concern. Many speculate that this is due to the indoctrination at each stage of their life that the Council is watching. Nearly all ceremonies are done as group affairs with citizens of the same age being named, married, and having children at the same time.
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The mother and father then link minds to monitor the bodies of the mother and the children to make sure they do not try to change during the birth. The birther then has the task to ensure that all goes smoothly.
Once the children are born their cords are severed and they are immediately thrown into the air above the pool. Bat forms then change and fly, mer change to swim in the pool and wolf grow their shaggy coat to counteract the coldness of the water. Some Noble children do all three. This is considered very good luck.Usually the child shows its preferred form and is fed from the neck of its mother, then its father and then fed from the breast. The Speaker then pronounces each child's duty and the children are left in their parents' care.
If a child does none of these things, it is considered Shandulan or non-powered. It will be rescued from the water, cleaned and fed from the breast. This rarely happens though on planet. Off planet, children are often Shandulan as normally only Exiles would give birth off-planet.
Exiles are not allowed to advertise the presence of Shaytonians to the outside universe and having powered children who would not be as able to hide would be a major breach of this rule leading to the execution of parents and children.
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Although both male and female adolescents are tested if they are citizens of the Pitt, often male children of the City are not tested unless someone puts their name before the Council. As this test is the only way to have a child's name formally recognised, citizenship therefore does not seem to be extended to male children. As very few children live in the Pitt, this extends to males in general.
The ceremony itself is very simple. The populace is called together and the child walks to the centre of the room and is scanned by the Council. The Speaker then says that the child was born in his presence, has survived this long, and is now recognised as...(fill in the name). Sometimes the child's name is changed during this ceremony to emphasise some task that have to do etc.
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The petitioner and the child then train with a ceremonial blade. Once the child is considered proficient enough to survive a battle using the weapon, they are committed to combat. If the child is being named at the same time, the blade is used to aid survival in the Wilderness. If already named, they must choose a person to fight. It once was a fight to the death in Hell, but the battle is now highly stylised and fought before the populace in the Council chamber.
Whichever way they fight, if they survive, they are melded to the blade so that the blade is attuned to their mental call. They can then chose to follow the field of their choice and state before the Council their Goal for their life. Depending on their choice, they are given the right to wear robes of certain colours and the duty to wear their blade until they die.
The choice of fields and robes are science (blue robes), dance (black), battle (purple), politics (silver). Edges to the robes show the level of achievement in particular areas. White is for visitors and newly named, silver for Council acknowledgment of their good works and black for leaders. Royalty is gold. They are the only ones allowed to wear more than one colour at once.
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A collar is then attached to each mate. These collars are made so that they can change shape according to the wearer's whim. This allows the native Shaytonians to shapechange without restrictions. It is rumoured that its shapechanging properties are because it is made from Shayton itself. Whether this means an element of the planet or the dust of dead Shaytonians is not known, as both items are given the same name. These collars cannot be removed unless one of the partners is dead. Early removal means death. Death is also the result of infidelity. This is a carryover from the days when Shaytonians were forced to stay with a partner for long enough for the symbiotic benefits to take effect. Now that these benefits are well known, there is no real reason for these collars but the Shaytonians associate them with survival and cannot fathom the idea of marriage without them.
Once married, the couple is given a time to breed. These times are allocated as citizens die so the population remains static. There is not normally a long wait though as travelling outside the City is very hazardous.
Females are trained from birth to allow their bodies to adapt the genetic material from their mates. This overcomes the normal barriers against inter-breeding and allows for the Council to influence the genetics of the new born children. Twins are always conceived.
Couples in the City may be married without the need to breed. This is allowed because it was found that their vampirism has a symbiotic effect for both mates. The ceremony is similar and is still often done as a group.Very rarely a Shaytonian will choose their own mate without the Council's guidance. In this case, they can submit to the Council's blessing, which involves a ceremony very much like the normal wedding but with only one couple. If the lights do not find them a suitable couple, they must part or be exiled. They can fight for the partner as well, but this rarely works for the best.
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Death of someone else holds little real significance to Shaytonians unless it is their mate. The only real ceremony involves giving a quick blessing, (head, heart, belly), and destroying the body with the special dusts that each citizens keeps on them from birth. Attuned to their body, these dusts quickly decompose the body to its own fine dust. This is done to prevent any study of the body. If a Shaytonian dies alone, the Council quickly sends someone to perform the ceremony. No body is ever left whole. Many Shaytonians carry this dust in their blades, or if they are not "adults", in a similar weapon.
When the death separates a couple, the withdrawal from the symbiotic relationship causes a great deal of illness until the partner can adjust. Breeders are sometimes unable to adjust, and die soon after. If they are a married, or' collared' couple, the survivor often retains the same collar but with the lethal element removed until their next marriage.
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The ruling castes are the only place where this distinction is made oblivious. The men are allowed into the Council Chamber but must not speak unless granted permission. This is only waived if the male is under discussion, or a visitor and not always then.
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PITTERS:
This is the special group. The population of the Pit is made up largely of the few powered males left, and those who are restless with the ease of the City. Here there are very few couples or children as most still journey to the City when it is decided that it is their time to have children. It is too hard to protect a child from the Pitt, and the same ruling of death goes to any who allow a child to die. The basic role of the Pitt is to allow the residents to feel that they are really surviving. The Pitt has only minimal shielding and there is regular flooding, earthquakes and wild animal attacks, (though most animals have learnt the danger of approaching even the most seemingly defenceless.)
To supplement this, Pitters also have a firm hierarchy. This is based on who has survived the longest. The obvious way to climb in this society is to kill or injure the one above you proving that you can survive better. The higher the level, the more likely it would be that an outright kill is needed. There is no distinction between male and female in the Pit, but as the females are powered higher than the males, they often hold the top few positions. When they return to the City, their rank is often held up to the population as the reason that females deserve their higher rank in Society at large. The notable exception here is the King, born before the regulation of breeding and off planet when the virus went through. The King has almost legendary powers and very strong survival instincts. It was he who created the shields and his wife that created the City.
He is also mad. He emerges from his rooms only rarely, but when he does he distributes favours and death with equal ease. It is said that he once took his own daughter to the edge of Hell.
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WILD TRIBES:
Wild tribes are groups that have decided for a variety of reasons, to stay in the Wilderness rather than stay in the safety of the City or even the Pitt. They have very similar mores and traditions and even acknowledge the rule of the King and the Council for the most part. This is though a bit of a moot point because the Council still inflicts punishment whether its rule is acknowledged or not.
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SONG and DANCE:
Song and dance forms an integral part of Shaytonian life. Dance has replaced the violence that Shaytonians used to use to resolve almost every problem. Just about every situation has steps that accompany its resolution. The marriage ceremony is just one example. Dance also provides the one story in Shaytonian legend that could get close to a love story. A couple was once so suited to each other that they could cause to planet to calm by the force of their dance.
Song is also very important as the only way they record their history. Even the Mother stores Her memories in song. Their technology is also soundly based on music. Many controls for the Gateways and the Mother Herself are controlled by a combination of dance and song. Mainly because of this, the study of dance is the most respected profession.
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SCIENCE:
Science is anything that tries to answer questions about travel, healing, storage of power or the increase of the abilities of the race. There is a certain mystic quality accorded to science that is very similar to the Earth attitude to science found in the Dark ages. Technology was viewed as either weapons or magic. Either meant a collection of great power and was therefore feared by the bulk of Shaytonians. A few brave souls try to follow the example of the King and try to develop new gateways and shields, but they often wake up dead and not always due to experiments gone wrong. Therefore science is considered a noble profession but a dangerous one.
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POLITICS:
Politics is the chance for citizens to argue their points before Council. Council members are often chosen from those who argue their points convincingly. Spaces very rarely become vacant and a seat on Council is a lifelong position. Now that the Council can keep track on every citizen, the turnover of seats has substantially slowed.
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- 'Thank the Fates' is another common saying meaning that worse events have been avoided.
- Words common to the whole populace:
Dath'mala - the Shaytonian national sport a combination of wrestling/sumo and handball
Glenuk - a lesser being normally human, non-Shaytonian.- Gohnack - an expletive, lit. - shit me.
- Keemarn - A battle to unconsciousness.
- Kelak - an expletive, a more forceful version of rubbish.
- Shandu - Someone who bears non-powered children to a Shaytonian.
- Shandulan - Non-powered children born to human/Shaytonian parents.
- Shoolan - Other half, soul mate, twin.
- Tensyon - A time of emotional cleansing done annually. To not do it may lead to death.
- Trellorn _ someone who has fought for the Rite to be able to speak before Council. i.e. be considered a real person. Normally male and/or a visitor.
- True Blood - A pure blood Shaytonian.
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CLOTHING:
Clothing is worn to emphasise beauty and sensuality. There is no taboo against nudity. It is very common. Often the only article of clothing worn is the see through robe given to each citizen as they reach adulthood. These are worn as togas or skirts. The other common item is jewellery. All couples of course wear collars. They also show the symbol of office. The symbolism of 'fulfil your duties or die' that the collar gives is a real one. Failing in office is a death sentence.
Other jewellery is worn to show the skill of the wearer in obtaining them. As there are very few jewellers on Shayton, the bulk of jewellery has been wiled away from its previous owner.
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It is said that whoever wears it is to rule Shayton forever and bring it safely into the Universe. Unfortunately, the one attempt to close the dimensional bubble and return to normal space, was the King's aborted attempt that killed his wife and sent him mad. Trying again is unlikely.
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SEX- As sex has little to do with procreation, it is merely a form of pleasure and a way to make the act of feeding more pleasurable. Due to the current distaste of using fear to heighten the amount of adrenaline the breeders produce; sex is almost synonymous with feeding. As feeding is Survival it does keep some value as a significant act, but not much. Forced sex though comes under the same heading of distasteful as killing a breeder. It is not done in polite company. This includes the Pitt, unless the victim being raped is someone above you in the hierarchy.BASTARDS- Bastards are, by definition, are children that society had not planned for. They are treated fairly carelessly. Although someone is assigned to look after them while children, even females are not trained or sponsored. Often they are put into groups of argumentative people, and hopefully killed off once they have passed the age of childhood. Punishment for a child being born without Council approval is death. The only exceptions to this rule are children born to the few remaining full strength males or children accepted once they turn ten.
Functioning males are encouraged to breed regularly, i.e. once every 50 years or so, in an attempt to restore the whole race to full strength. Surprisingly, very few ever take up the option. The two exceptions to this rule are the King and his oldest son, Markus. They are known to breed frequently and with almost anything. Markus himself has a lioness mother.
STEALING- There is very little sense of property rights. There are only two things that are not to be stolen, blades, and the Power from the Mother. Both are religious items and to misuse them means death.
LYING- Shaytonians are very much like children when it comes to the truth. Crossing their fingers or not telling the whole truth are accepted forms of behaviour. An argument is often like listening to children, "I washed my hands!"
"No you didn't"
"Yes I did, yesterday."
KILLING- Killing adults is permissible so long as the victim is someone who is your acknowledged better. Killing anyone else is very bad form. This extends to human norms and other race norms as they are almost always weaker. This also extends to males.Of course to even injure a child, even by accident, means death. Killing while feeding comes under the same guidelines. Death is always regrettable and you are stopping someone else's Survival. Anyone that makes a habit of killing, especially while feeding, will be cautioned. If they persist, they will be sent to Hell.
HUMANS- Shaytonians have a soft spot for humans in particular as they were the first race they met and the easiest to blend in with. Humans do worry them though. Although a naked human is never a match for a Shaytonian, and face it this is the way they most often see them, they have the unnerving habit of creating weapons. The 20th century started a wave of worry through the whole race. This happened roughly about the same time as silver bullets replaced stakes through the heart.Paranoia grew and only the need for Breeders and feeding kept the Gateways open. Allowing a human to find out about Shayton is considered a crime, punishable by, you guessed it, death.
ANIMALS- There is little if no distinction made between animals and any other race of beings. Wild tribes even breed with animals similar in form i.e. wolves etc. The resulting offspring are accepted as full citizens if a sponsor steps forward. Many wild tribe members do take their children into the City for training to increase the chances of Survival.
HUMOUR- Shaytonians find very few things funny. They will often laugh at things but anyone that knows them well knows that it is usually only to keep others happy. One of the few things that really strikes them as funny are word plays not puns as such but things more like," beware the llama spits, and he was, and it did." Slapstick is a definite no-no. It offends their sense of survival.
LAW- Justice is absolute. There are no shades of black and white. Either it is OK to do an action or it is not. Unnecessary killing involves a caution. Everything else means death.
MONEY- As food and possessions are readily available, there is no real monetary system. There is a bank though and it does very well. Each Shaytonian allowed off-planet, is given a certain amount of currency to ensure easy living wherever they are going. The money is raised by selling off the gemstones that litter Shayton. It is then invested long term. For a Shayton, long term means that they are never short of money.
GOALS: The goal of the race as a whole is to Survive. The only other goal is to regain their lost glory, to be strong enough to be able to deal with the regrettable technology of the races they rely upon for food. There is one drawback to this. Their entire culture is now based on keeping the one-sided power base and an inbuilt terror of technology or increased power.
HEROES: Shaytonians have very few heroes, the King is their main one. He made the barriers, kept his powers and brought the Mother into their lives. He also did all these things against the flow of apathy normally associated with Shaytonians and against their inbuilt fears. Others include The Dancers of legend, and very successful Dath'mala players.
VILLAINS: Strangely the King is also the villain, and for mostly the same reasons.
FEARS: Their strongest fears are anything that upsets the careful balance that ensures Survival. It is not death that they fear but the loss of Shayton as a whole. This flows down to their hatred of change and the accumulation technology. Survival is harder when the status quo changes.
HOLIDAYS: The main holiday is when the populace journey into the Wilderness to keep their hand in. It is often followed by a return in triumph to the City and an orgy of food, drink and sex.
LOVES: They love anything that feels good. Soft silk, feathers, beautiful music, soft air through their wings. Love of people is not something they do well. They show reverence, respect but rarely love.
HATES: The chief hate is the race that caused the virus that ruined their race. This hate does not extend to thoughts of violence though. The main reaction to mention of their name is the equivalent of a shrug of the shoulders and c'est les vie that camouflages their fear.Change, and more powerful beings are things they see as threats to Survival. Loss of the whole race is their greatest fear, anything that threatens this is a hatred. Suicide is counted as one of these things. The greatest shame is to be declared as a suicide. The family left behind is covered with shame.
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Near the centre of the shard, there are relatively stable areas. The first of these to be found was the Caves. These were still subject to quakes and weather changes but were stable enough to allow possessions. Items could now be left at one collection point This also increased the chance of foetal and young survival. A culture started to develop. Dances formalised and song developed into two or more parts. Writing and art could now he kept. Jewellery the one thing that some still had from before the Split could now be fashioned anew. Reluctance to leave this safe haven could explain the long gap between this and other discoveries. The population started to rebuild to current levels of 800 1000. Population pressures in the Caves may have also contributed to the next expansion.
3rd Generation
True telepathy and shapeshifting began to show. Ages were now noticeably longer, although this
may have come earlier and remained undetected due to the low survival rate. The price for these developments was a hunger that increased remarkably. The earlier reliance on flesh reduced to an attraction to blood. The loss of the much overused adrenal gland meant that this chemical must he replaced. The vampirism grew to be the major food source. Possibly the emotional part of this feeding prompted the full conversion to vampirism.3887 BT Head of Council Born
Currently the oldest surviving citizen and Head of the Council she looks to he in the equivalent of her mid sixties. Born in the Caves, she has very little of the bias shown to the Wildness Tribes or in the conventions of the City. She does not allow the breaking of any rule, but she is known to bend them considerably. She has no surviving children, but some of her grandchildren are in line for Council positions. She is the paternal aunt of the King.
3858 BT Melinski Born
The only other surviving member of the 'third' generation Melinski has gone out of her way to avoid rule of any kind. She is still a powerful voice in Council. A direct descendant of the Dancers, and maternal aunt of the King, she has raised most of the current royal family. Therefore she is allowed certain leniency such as the birth of her single son Talkar No other children survive, having been killed in the first Enemy attack.
3850 BT Crystals Discovered
The ability to focus energy through crystals was a major advance. Used in medicine, the Arts and
Combat, the focused energy was an invaluable bonus. The crystals themselves were created for the intense pressures of the shifting land. They could be found scattered around like gravel. It way have been the increasing power levels of the Shaytonians themselves that prompted this discovery rather than a rareness of suitable crystals. However, that complete crystals were rare, and these own became highly prized.4th Generation
This was the first generation to show a full range of present day powers The complete onus on vampirism was now a biological necessity.
3514 BT First Blades Produced
It was discovered the metals as well as the crystals could be a focus for powers. This was most often used in the creation of the Blade. A throwing weapon it can also be used in hand-to-hand combat. Skill with this weapon became a major part of the culture, and took on a great significance. Long use with one particular blade, meant that it could be 'trained' to return to the thrower. This is probably due to the focusing of the telekinesis/forcefield power in the blade. This would explain the inability of most modem males to use, this aspect of the weapon.
3415 BT King Born
The legitimate firstborn descendant of the Dancers of each generation is entitled to rule. The current King was responsible for that of the discoveries that allow the City. He was the fist to consolidate and in many cases create maps of the Portals and stable area of land. He found a way to that energy a well as focus it through the crystals He found the way to join crystals to create a large unit He was also a constant traveller. He often just 'took off into the Wilderness or Portals This curiosity explained his many discoveries, but it also contributed to the development of the Council. He recognised the need for stable leadership while he was travelling.
3618 BT Stable Portals Mapped
Some Portals were discovered to be stable. This meant that they could be opened at any
stage, usually by concentrating power through a crystal. More importantly these opened to the same areas each time. This meant travellers could know what to expect and be more prepared Travellers could expect clothes, supplies, even money to be available at these Portals. These items were considered community property.The Shaytonian side of the Portals most often used had banks of crystals installed to facilitate use. Strangely, often many of these Portals seemed to be close together. One particular site, actually inside the City, was found to have sixteen stable Portals in the one area. This became the main travel point for most.
2265 BT Use of Crystals to Store Energy
Although it was now commonplace to use crystals to focus energy. a way of storing energy for long term use had still not been found. Constant experimentation allowed the King to find the combination of crystal and mental training that could often energy into the crystals It was found that some crystals already stored some of the massive build-up of energy from the friction of the world around them This could now be released, or increased. The use of crystals to help guard encampments and similar duties became wide-spread.
2912 BT True Stable Land Found - City Built
Although small areas of relatively stable ground were well known, the King found a way of combining these areas into one. This provided truly stable ground for the first time in Shaytonian history. The use of crystals to form a Barrier meant that weather and quakes were now controllable. This caused a separation of those that chose a more animalistic lifestyle and those who wished to return to City living. The Wilderness tribes remained in the Caves, and others joined the King in a new City on the plains. This first City was often no more then a collection of huts on carefully guarded ground.
2799 BT First Enemy Attack - Males Sterilised
Assumed to be a race that found a way through one of the Portals, the Enemy was the first outside attack the Shaytonians had faced They came through in waves spraying a chemical over the population. Although often of the Enemy died, the ''disease'' was soon felt through the entire population. All males were sterilised. They also suffered a severe drop in their power levels.
Two things happened. The Portals in the direction of the attackers were off-limits. A reorganisation of the City was also experienced. the King was away during the attack. During his absence, a group of older women gathered the survivors of the attack into central barracks. The Barrier was strengthened. The City became a survival tool. All citizens swore allegiance to those to protecting the City and chose a guard to protect them from further attack- It did not take long for this guard to become a ruling clan.
As the powers of the women were unaffected, the Society became matriarchal. The King returned to
find the change already established. He found his own powers were not effected but he did not attempt to reassert his control. Instead he spent more and more time travelling.2798 BT Marcus Born
Marcus was the first male born after the attack to have full powers and the ability to reproduce. Born to one of the lioness from the prides near the Caves, he prefers his mother's form. Raised originally as a big cat, Melinski took over his care when he became old enough to require human education as well. The King was still travelling widely and did not have time to look after his son.
Acknowledged as Prince, he does not hold direct claim to the Throne as it passes down through the
Female line but he does still hold it if there are no female heirs. More likely, he would be Consort He does not hold a seat in Council but does have a voice there if he considers the issue important enough. He rarely does. He is also one of the few that can survive extended time off-planet.2781 BT City Crystal Installed - Council First Convened
The King discovered a way to join several Shaytonian crystals together. This provided a way of strengthening the Barrier enough to allow the City to expand as energy was not dependant on just one strong mentalist providing an entire 'link' of the fence. Several shaytonians could power each link, allowing every citizen to add their share. The Pool, the Portal Station and some surrounding area was included inside the Barrier. A physical wall was introduced to back up the Barrier's protection. Each citizen was linked into the Barrier through one large crystal which powered the forcefields that protected the stable area. The barracks remained but were enlarged. The guards were formalised into the first sitting of the Council. This Council was very similar to the rule of family heads that had held sway since the Split and so seemed to be accepted very readily. The Council was allowed full access to the crystal's power in order to protect the City.
2758 BT Pit Created
Although the rule of the Council was accepted by most of the populace at large extremely readily, some were tired with City easy living but unwilling to return to the Caves. A second City was created where the strict rules against fighting and loyalty to the Council were not demanded This was called the Pit and was centred near the caverns that held Hell. A sulphurous cave, Hell became the place of punishment where disagreements were settled by sending the disputing parties in and allowing only one out. The Pit itself became the place where Shaytonians proved themselves in combat. Staying alive became the only requirement to advancement
2545 BT Ceremonies Developed Marriage. Collars produced King Married Queen
The City allowed the citizens to establish some formal ceremonies. These were strongly influenced by the human wife the King brought back from Persia on Earth. Together they discovered the improved power levels and life span available if a permanent partner was chosen. The Queen was largely responsible for the introduction of marriage collars. The ability to focus power through metal, may explain the ability of these collars to adapt to the shape shifting abilities of the wearers and allow the punishment of infidelity. The King and Queen were the first to wear the collars, setting an example. They also allow the Council to use the collars to tie in a growing population to the Barrier and other protection devices. The regulations for breeding were created and enforced in order to prevent overpopulation. Genetic manipulation became a way to ensure Survival by ensuring the few that were children assigned were perfect. An analogy between an ant's nest and the City could be drawn. Many guards were needed so many were bred. Twins an already common occurrence, were now a necessity to ensure even numbers of men and women.
2464 BT King Attempts to Relocate Shayton Annalisa Born
The King experimented with the energy levels available with the new City crystal He discovered that it should be enough to allow the translation of the shard back into real space. He timed the translation to coincide with the birth of his children so that they would he born on Earth, the new Shaytonian homeland. They were to be the next breed.
However, the translation did not go well. The population panicked and the crystal threatened to collapse. Knowing that the crystal could possibly take the whole shard with it, the Queen volunteered to enter the crystal in order to provide it with manual control mechanism. This forced the Queen to induce birth of her children, but the forces involved, blended the two children into one body. The Queen herself became the Crystal, an almost godlike figure.
The merged twin became a split personality, but as shapeshifters, the different personalities took on different bodies and features as well. The Anna half of the fusion was designated heir, and the Lisa half paired with Marcus to breed the new generation.
The King went insane and retired to the Pitt. The Council took full control of the City.
2283 BT 2nd Enemy Attack Annalisa Banished
The Second attack came once the City was well established. All non combatants were gathered at the Pool for protection. The guardianship of the City was given over to Annalisa, currently living as Lisa. A full attack occurred along the Barrier between the City and the Wilderness. This was successfully repelled but a force gained entrance to the Pool area and killed several children before they were stopped. The children killed included Lisa's husband and their two year old twins. Her failure to protect the City meant her banishment to Earth even though it was a strong possibility that someone, most probably on the Council itself, must have let the Enemy forces past the Barrier. This could not have been Lisa as she was fighting in the Wilderness the whole time. Lisa, was later recalled to undertake the task of Hellmaker only to be banished again when she refused a Council command.
98 BT Leila Born
Otherwise known as the Godchild or the Chosen One. She was bred to provide the raw power deemed necessary to protect Shayton from the 'Enemy. It was also possible that she may have been able to achieve the translation of Shayton back into the real Universe.
97BT Talkar Born
Talkar was physically born to Melinski but was actually conceived by Lisa, of the Annalisa fusion. conceived at the same time as Leila, he was not born until 3 months later, putting him in the next year. The personification of rebellion, his survival was purchased by two things, the Council's need for his future son Kalib as a partner for Leila and the shared conviction of Melinski and the Head of Council that the race would need variation if it was to survive. His almost completely unmodified birth allowed the Shytonian race to reach the next level on its own without Council influence.
1 BT Kalib Born
Kalib, the first son of Talkar was bred to Breed with Lelia once her powers had stabilised the Dimension Together they were to provide the new Generation for the Rule of Shayton.
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