-
Notifications
You must be signed in to change notification settings - Fork 47
Shucan
- Species Type: Sapient Selachi-humanoids
- Population: ~15 Billion
- Population Demographic Majority: Shucan
- Common Language: Shoudin/Galactic Common
- Government Type: Confederacy
The Shucan are a species of semi-aquatic, land-based selachimorpha based on a mostly-humid planet by the name of Shoudona, being the fourth ordered celestial body of a binary system, located further inward of the Orion Arm respective to Sol, approximately the Cygnus region. Although a dwarf in comparison to the Dominion, the United Terran Systems and the Skrellian Diplomatic Fleet, nonetheless the Shucan identify themselves geopolitically as the Shoussin Union (per romanization), and they represent the aforementioned species of Shucan exclusively. Their general cosmovision is not too dissimilar to human egalitarianism: equal opportunities for all genders; general care for life; varying degrees of individualism. Their language is generally composed of lots of /k/ and /ʃ/ (c and sh) used in their vocabulary, generally an emphasis on tongue and teeth-based sounds rather than guttural ones (although these are present as well), as well as light vibrations and reverberations to convey different meaning and context to their words, as such they tend to make emphasis of consonants when they speak in Galactic Common or other languages.
Shucan generally have rough, thick skin on their backs, shoulders, and upper chest, with smoother, softer parts being their bellies, inner thighs and inner arms, their neck is also said to be sensitive to the touch. Shucan generally have small fins on their back, running down their spine, and a few fin protrusions from their elbows and ankles, with talons built for both swimming and land-dwelling. Their spine extends into a long tail with varying amounts of fins on them, that generally ends in a caudal fin(s). Their bodies may have a great range of physiological variation, but the following are generally accepted forms of dividing up the species:
or 'frigid northerners' are said to be the first to appear as the modern Shucan, generally average in height compared to other subraces, their colours are varying shades of blue and cyan — their softer skin often having a lighter shade. Their snout is generally shorter on average but often pointy. Their caudal fin ends in a V-shape, over-and-under, and the upper fin longer than the lower one.
or 'western stripeds' have, on average, a stockier build than the other subraces, slightly shorter than fruujin, their colours are shades of brown, dull yellows and oranges — once again the softer skin being a lighter shade. They are characterized by their striped patterns along the rougher skin, hence their name. Their snouts are the flattest of them all, almost squarely so, but the sharpest teeth, giving them charismatic grins. Their caudal fin is a vertical vaguely-wedged paddle.
or 'eastern charcoals' are large Shucan of black and grey colours on their rougher skin, but contrastingly white on the softer skin — particularly the underbelly, as well as sometimes having white splotches on their rougher skin, in a symmetrical pattern. Their snouts generally are more circular-ended, and their thick tails end with a side-by-side thick V-shape caudal fin.
Although Shucan have razor sharp teeth at first glance, they have molars within their mouths, and are omnivorous, with a preference for seaweeds and algae in terms of vegetation to eat, although they don't privy themselves of meat or sweet fruits. They possess gills along the sides of their abdomens, although small and barely perceptible, and can be freely covered for they only have use when they are underwater. Shucan have an advanced sense of smell and often use it to their advantage. All in all they tend to be taller than other races, although it is not uncommon for a Shucan to be shorter than the average human.
Shucan civilization first came to be from clay-built settlements along coasts, cliffs and beaches, their dwellings often above water surface although they would build underwater basements that could be entered from the inside, eventually evolving into sprawling, Venice-like cities with street canals that could very well expand into land as well. While their buildings were at most one or two story tall before industrial metalworking, they developed firm bases from which they could build stronger buildings that remained dry and thus uncorroded by the water. They procure food from both land and sea, with underwater plantations of sea-grown plants, as well as consuming livestock kept in pens. Eventually, technological advances allowed them to have modern, alloy-based cities above the surface and under the surface, maintaining their street canals architecture, often tourists appraising the tropical environment. It is said Shucan are sailors at heart, due to their preferred method of transportation being all sorts of sea vessels.
Shucan have preferred robes and robe-like clothing since their beginnings, often loosened out of the water but tightened under it, with footwraps and footwear being used when dwelling on firm surfaces of the land. Nowadays they wear all sorts of outerwear, generally divided up into tops and bottoms preferable to bodysuits and onesies when on land - however the flowing robes remain a traditional piece of wear. They are very liberal when it comes to body modifications, often adorning their fins with piercings, beads and chains, as well as wristlets and anklets of precious metals. They even cut up their ears into various styles and symbolistic showings from their beginnings as civilization — a round hole cut into each ear then covered by studs often being a way of showing life-long commitment to a partner or marriage, or X cuts signifying pariahs or exiles. Nowadays, however, the new age of cultural trends has Shucan freely cutting up their ears regardless of their social status, much to the dismay of some Shucan populaces with conservative beliefs.
Kalaism is the most predominant faith in Shucan territories, based on the goddess of the skies and seas, Kala. Kalaism says that the way to happiness is to live an eventful but fulfilling life, kept in balance. Excess is generally the wrong way, and although it may bring you short-term extasis, it is not fulfilling in the long term. Thus, followers of Kalaism are encouraged to pilgrimage and try a bit of everything — but not in excess — in order to find their calling. As such, it is not uncommon to see Shucan travelers across other territories such as the UTS, experimenting with new lifeforms and jobs, though of course one does not necessarily have to be a follower of Kala to do this.
At the present, the Shoussin Union is a loosely united stellar alliance between their home systems' planets, mostly co-existing out of necessity should the Dominion, UTS, Skrell or others make a move, political or otherwise. Each planet mostly functions autonomously, with its own governments and sub-governments. While most shucans tend to stay within their own territory, it is not uncommon for either agnostic or Kalaism-following shucan to leave in pilgrimage to other territories, usually taking passage through the merchant fleets that travel to UTS space.
Credit for this article Deck, who wrote all of this.