Welcome to Thursday's Pact Days! Today, we have the Mar'Sani.
The Mar'Sani people play a major roll in the series. Their royal family adopted Zeus, thus embroiling them in a dangerous plot that has spanned decades. Because they are the primary species for the first two books in the series, their file is much larger than the others and it might grow more. I did add a few things while I wrote the third book in the series, Constant. Though that information you won't find here. No spoilers! LOL Enjoy!
A couple of side notes: For a list of species that have been posted so far, see the
The People of Valespia page. I'm placing these in alphabetical order so I won't unintentionally place importance on any specie. I will leave off information on the species that will spoil future books. My standard sheet has the same categories for all species. So there will be blank categories just because that species didn't need them.
Species: Mar'Sani
Planet: Atlainticia
Other races on the
planet:
Chimera, People of the Longing,
Planetary Terrain: large ocean,
mountains, jungle, desert, volcanic lands
Capitol: Thrace
Country:
Patron Ryo Pardeep: Light Bringer,
Poseidon, Whirlwind
Description: Bi-ped reptilian
& amphibian, some have scales while others have sharklike skin, avg. 2 meters
tall, immense strength, strong, heavy tale they use like another appendage, no
white in the eyes, forked tongue can be used to scent the air, many have retractable
barbs but there are those who don't have barbs at all. Psionic nulls who are
invulnerable to psi attacks.
To Zeus, they smell like sea air and
scale.
Omnivore, bear live young & suckle
them. Must have plenty of water and moderate temperatures.
Royalty: black scales, yellow eyes,
poisonous red ridge & red tipped barbs, some of the royals have a poisonous
bite.
Feudal
society with tradition of loyalty and responsibility between nobility and their
client families. Militaristic, proudly displays courage
in
battle. Have a tradition of independence that makes them impatient of bureaucracy.
If they are sent to the dessert and kept
from the waters of Poseidon, it is agonizing. Their bodies change appearance.
These outcasts make up the desert tribes and sages.
Historically, emperors all have a touch of
premonition. It is an ability that the fathers teach their predecessor how to
access and use. It is used carefully and often times sparingly, the ability
tires the user excessively and most times is extremely vague unless the person
learns how to read what they see.
The emperor rules with a governing council
of Noble Houses. Militaristic, proud of displaying their courage in battle.
They have a tradition of independence that makes them impatient with
bureaucracy.
Why do the Mar'Sani use first names
instead of last names with their titles? (i.e. Warlord Sohm'lan, Warlord
Mestor.) In Mar'Sani culture, they do not use family names (last names &
Noble Houses) like other species. Family names are secondary to the individual.
The person can rise or fall on their own merit and not ride the coat strings of
a family's clout or popularity. This is also why younglings are not named after
someone.
Mar'Sani (males and females) wear a black
veil when in mourning.
Atlainticia's Terrain: Outside Thrace,
separating the city from the mainland are the Somiathracen Mountains. On the
opposite side of that range is Mount Rhodes where Light Bringer and Pegasus
lives. There is a wormhole outlet at the peak. The jungle gives away to
grasslands that edge the Black Sands Desert where the deadliest snake lives,
the Gerrho'Sauridea aka Striker. The snake is invisible against the dark sands.
Beyond the Black Sands is the Volcanic Desert called Inferno. On the opposite
side of Inferno is the city Carge, boarding the ocean.
Udens Mahte'lan "water mother" –
pregnant mate. Mar'Sani males protect their pregnant females to the point of
death. The threat of danger turned then vicious and uncompromising. By custom,
they gather their family and sequestered them until the youngling is born.
Breeding couples were honored among Mar'Sani, the community helping to secure
the nest, bringing them food and other amenities. To nest, nesting instincts
fouled by too many scents in private space. The house would be considered
"under Uden's Care" when the family became sequestered.
Mar'Sani mothers sometimes feel the life
thread connecting them to their younglings. Some sense the connection more than
others.
The Gerrho'Sauridea have dark green
scales. Their hydes are used for light armor by the military.
Common Occupation: Engineers,
Builders, Art & Poetry, Military
Government Systems: Constitutional
Monarchy
Current Leader: Emperor Valdor &
Empress Ashari Vondorian; Azaes Vondorian
Council of Neighn
of Member:
Valdor Vondorian
Allies: Ryo'Pardeep,
Alpha-Zetamite, GyrFalconi, Fal'Amoric, Conti'Quan, Battion, Chi-Lin, Orion,
Gaziniti, Giante,
The alliance with the Chtichlian was
broken after Zeus was abused by them.
Star System: Portunus Star
System
Other planets
occupied by species:
Military Leader: Chief Warlord
Sohm'lan
Monticore – the elite royal honor guard.
The only regiment allowed to guard the royals off grounds, and the deadliest
(with the exception of the Chimera). There are enough Monticore to man The
Gorgon. Honor bound.
Basilisc – The palace guards. The Home
Guard. The next best to the Monticore. Their responsibility is the palace and
the surrounding grounds.
Chimera – royal assassins
The Academy is were all officers are
taught and tested. All the warlords wear the green dress uniform unless they
have royal blood, the uniform is black (unless appointed by the emperor). Their
normal uniforms are dark brown.
Foot Regiments: 1st, 3rd,
5th, 7th, 9th, 17th, 21st,
53rd, 62nd
Eye of Terror [EOF], Warhound of the Red
Moon [WORM], Blu Bloods, Hylgar's Hellion Raisers,
Away team call signs: Diemos (Pain),
Phobos (Fear)
Ares Commander Center
Starships are named after Titans:
The Gorgon, The Medusa, The Stheno, The
Euryale
Research notes: "Titans were the
embodiment of nature and true immortals—including Prometheus. Mars, God of War."
War Chant spoken on the old tongue:
""Mar'Sani!
With our every step, we cause the earth to
tremble.
A warning to our enemy that we are not
easy prey!"
The Monticore's hands slapped against
their sword hilts and stomped their right feet in accord.
"My life is mine to give!
I will not be defeated!
I will not be easy prey!"
"We are born of a distinguished
people. We swim in the Waters of Poseidon." The Monticore responded.
"God of the Water, bless our younglings. May we be worthy of your
rewards."
The Monticore started again, Warlord
Sohm'lan repeating with them so that Zeus heard every shouted word of the
antiphon.
"We walk abreast as we are lead into
battle by the Invisible
By the overlooked,
By the son who hides in plain sight.
We are led by the Striker!
His sting is deadly.
When the enemy finally sees him,
They overlook him,
Only to die by the hand of the Lord of
Thunder."
Humbled by the honor the males had given
him, Zeus’s eyes stung. Rarely did soldiers add to a responsive chant. In all
of their history, only a few additions—less than the number of fingers on his
hand—were recorded.
He straightened, blinking the grit from
his eyes and continued.
"We are the seed sown in the past.
We are the unbroken link never to be lost.
We are of an honorable race! Beware of us
our enemy!"
The Monticore responded.
"Today we will make the earth
tremble.
Our enemy will hear us and know despair.
They will flinch at the sight of us and
know fear."
The wind lashed at them, but instead of
drowning out their voices, they were amplified as Zeus and the Monticore
chanted together.
"We are going to eat you,
Our mouths water for the taste of your
flesh,
With your last breath
I will inhale your soul as I claim your
life!"
The slapping of scabbards and the stomping
of feet suddenly stopped;
As one, they threw their heads back and
released a long hissing roar."
Cultural names and
terms specific to species:
Sohm'lan = soul-song = Song of my Soul
Mothers are called, Meme.
Water Father – Is much like being a godfather.
They are responsible for guiding those trusted into their care.
Oricalchum – red metal, a soft alloy that
once forged holds an edge will with certain crystal, it can be enhanced.
Bulls, younglings, birth beds, glider,
lunar month, time told by summers, solar years,
Kissing a loved one's palms, greeting
Pressing foreheads together = kiss
Greeting – 'sang a heartfelt greeting'
When someone appears to be someone of
importance but aren't known they are called, 'honored one' until the
introductions are made.
'strength to your sword arm' – warriors
prayer/greeting hissed in the old tongue.
Blowing like a bull lizard, kissing palms,
scent of an angry bull, brother mine, aggravated hiss of warning, hissing
howls, pods, hiss-click greeting, rumbling hisses, spitting hisses, whistling
hisses of pride, sing greetings, enthusiastic bellows, rolling hiss-click, hiss
of warning, trill of delight,
Cultural behaviors: (when greeting
Zeus after five long years) Yelled Zeus's name (boomed like a rocket) bodies leaned
forward, tails lashing as they stormed towards Zeus. (Looks like they are
charging to attack) stomped toward them… "their foreheads pressed together
lightly—hisses, snarls, and low whistles exchanged. Each tone of the sibilance
exchanged was deeply meaningful, speaking of family, home, joy, relief,
connections, and everlasting love. Each released breath that whistled,
punctuated in an odd musical sound, came directly from his soul as he stared
into his sibling's eyes. The greeting ended with their heads thrown back in a
resonating growl until no air was left in their lungs. The display was followed
by the hissing howls of the Honor Guard who surround each brother
protectively."
They can put themselves in a self-induced
stasis.
When they have been away from the Waters of Poseidon / Atlainticia, Mar'Sani
need the stability of the water. When they dream, a blood relative (one of the
People of the Longing somewhere in their family tree) can anchor them, allowing
them to swing the Waters of Poseidon without their soul being lost.
"Strength to your sword arm."
…hissed softly, part of a warrior's prayer in the old tongue.
Mar'Sani bulls = males
Commitment ceremony = wedding
Zeus "hummed the Mar'Sani hymn of
balance. The first song sung by Poseidon himself. The soft notes left his lips,
and his heart beat slowed to a intermittent but steady thump as his spirit was
gathered to float on the Waters of Poseidon…"
Mar'Sani Noble Houses:
House Cordyl (headed by Timsah)
House Tutatara
House Tigiere
House Xantu
House Gerrhos
House Squamata
House Mosasu
House Vondorian (Royal House)
Thank you for stopping by and reading!!
