|
This creature is still under construction. Unlike {{work}}, this means that the original creator(s) of the page is still intending to finish it. |
“Raaauughyiiaaaaugh!”
- - Common D'tra war cry
The D'tra are a species of flying bipedal crustaceans native to the planet Sikara.
History[]
Prehistory[]
The prehistory of the D'tra is largely obscure, as the species' prehistory varies considerably between syndicates. The D'tra syndicates developed independently from each other and were rather prosperous, living off of the planet's oceans and by mining for rare minerals. Over the course of centuries, these large organizations gained their own politcal beliefs, ideologies, and social ethics that were shared by the denizens of the groups. Although the groups attempted to remain apart from each other, the groups became very wealthy and powerful. The joining of many of the largest groups into one empire is deemed to mark the start of modern D'tra history.
Empire Age[]
Many thousands of years before the Dark Ages, the Tralu'ta Empire had risen to power and had expanded over a large portion of the Outer Rim and parts of the Mid Rim. The Tralu'ta ruled for many thousand of years in overall peace, and was a wealthy and powerful empire at it's peak. Despite controlling vast expanses of space, the Tralu'ta Empire was a diplomatic empire, and had gained most of it's power through intricate diplomatic negotiation. The era of the Tralu'ta is often deemed the "Golden Age" of D'tra existance, and was the setting for many technological, scientific, and cultural achievements that helped to shape the modern D'tra society.
After approximately 19,000 years of power, the Tralu'ta Empire experienced a sudden destabilization of government and subsequent loss of politcal and geographic power. What exactly had caused this sudden upset in power is unkown, though it is believed to have been war, an assassination of prime government officials, or an attack by a foriegn power. The Tralu'ta government was left disorganized and highly unstable, and it was only another hundred years before total collapse of government. The sudden loss of government had substantial effects on D'tra society, including the loss of trade, law enforcement, and the lack of higher authority. With no higher power, the individual D'tra syndicates had no choice but to fend for themselves in a now lawless D'tra expansion.
Dark Ages[]
The loss of government meant lack of trade and commerce, which caused widespread famine and supply shortages. Medicine was unable to be properly distributed, and disease killed hundreds of thousands of D'tra citizens. In an effort of self-preservation, the D'tra syndicates clung to any resources that they had. On top of the lack of trade, this only increased the problem of not enough supplies. War frequently broke out among syndicates, both internal and external conflicts.
Biology[]
External[]
The exterior of the D'tra is covered entirely with a thick chitin exoskeleton that offers both protection and support to the D'tra's interal organs and muscles. The exoskeleton is highly resistant to blasters and bladed weapons, and also helps the D'tra retain moisture and acts as insulation against the hot and dry conditions on Sikara's surface. The D'tr are noted for having four large, leathery wings developed from pleopods. While small in appearance, the wings are normally kept folded on themselves several times, and can be unfurled to several times their normal size for flight and aquatic propulsion. The D'tra posess a short, muscular tail used for swimming and balance while on land. The "horns" at the end of the tail appear to be the remnats of the tail fan and teslon. While mobile on eight legs as adults, the D'tra lose their additional legs on the onset of adulthood, with the foremost and rearmost legs becoming the arms and legs, respectively. An interesting feature of the D'tra is the inner jaw, which is capable of being extended up to 2 feet from the mouth.
Depite being classified as branchiopods, the D'tra in no way resemble the latter during adulthood. It is likely that exposure to ionizing radiation from Sikara's sun induced mutations to D'tra DNA, introducing unusual features such as bipedalism, flight-capable wings, and reptile-like mouthparts.
Internal[]
Most of the D'tra's organs are located in the torso, with some organs located at the base of the tail. The D'tra posess an open circulatory system, with blood pumped into the haemocoel by a heart located near the dorsum. A D'tra's blood contains hemoglobin, giving it a red-crimson color similar to many other organisms, albeit with a yellowish tint. The D'tra are capable breathing air through moistened gills when not in water, but dry air usually causes discomfort if the D'tra breathes it for long periods. The D'tra usually prefer a high humidiy when breathing air, though it is not necessarily required for normal function. While designed to focus light in water, the D'tra's eyes can see rather well on land but are often nearsighted. The D'tra's eyes do in fact have pupils, but the pupils are the same color of the sclera, making the gaze of a D'tra often unnerving by other species. Similar to the eyes, the D'tra's vocal cords are capable of fuctioning in air as opposed to water. Due to the change in substance, the normal D'tra usually must speak in a staccato manner with a very tight embouchure to be comprehensible in an atmosphere. If speaking is not done in this manner while in air, a D'tra's voice will sound very legato and guttural. Although a D'tra will usually sound "normal" and unlabored to an uneducated observer, speaking outside of water is very strenuous and difficult, so much so that it is often considered a skill to D'tras that have lived long periods outside of water.
Adaptations[]
Most of the D'tras adaptations center around an aquatic lifestyle such as gills and a powerful swimming tail. While young D'tras initially have soft exoskeletons, succesive moulting during the D'tra's life results in a very solid exoskeleton as an adult. Since the D'tra's home planet of Sikara is frequently exposed to large amounts of ionizing radiation from common solar flares, the D'tra have become very radiation-tolerant, and can remain undamaged from long-term exposure.
Society[]
Behavior[]
Due to the instability and turmoil prevalent in the D'tra's history, the average D'tra mindset is described as being loyal to friends and family, but distrusting of outsiders and strangers. The D'tra are highly religious, and are faithful to their syndicate and family heritage. Despite these seeming hostilities, the D'tra are quite tranquil in times of peace . D'tras have been known to be loving and curious creatures when not engaged in war or conflict. To outsiders, the D'tra are friendly, but often hide true emotions from strangers, making them not often trusted.
Most D'tra cities are located on the continental shelfs of Sikara's few continents. Sikara's above-water land is mountainous and rugged, and is frequently soaked in radiation from solar flares. To protect themselves from Sikara's exposure to radiation and low oxygen levels, the D'tra built most cities underwater. These cities are usually overseen by the syndicate that controls it, with most working jobs benefiting the syndicate.
Technology[]
While not hyper-advanced, the D'tra are resourceful and willing to exploit any avalible material. The most advanced D'tra technology includes various metalworking methods and mining devices. The D'tra industry, while often unstable due to conflict, is capable of producting robust and reliable machines at a steady pace, even under stresses like war or sieges. D'tra military technology can be described as barbaric and tough. Handheld weapons are destructive, but often akward to use by an untrained user, and spacecraft are slow but tough and well-armed.
Clothing[]
In D'tra culture, complex clothing is generally reserved for special events such as funerals, religious ceremonies, celebrations, and days of mourning. Since the D'tra's exoskeleton covers the entire body and offers protection from the elements, most D'tras do not wear much clothing and usually wear functional items like bags or status symbols such as R'la (traditional pauldrons)
Religion[]
While there are several key religions that dominate D'tra culture, the Di'trilan religious movement is becoming increasingly popular with the D'tras. The movement states that glorification of the faith's primary deity Di'trila will end the reign of conflict that has fallen over the D'tras over the last several thousand years and bring well-being to the D'tras.
WIP
Quotes (Add your own!)[]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The D'tra's design was heavily based off of the Toho kaiju Destroyah, including his appearance and juvenile form
