Zythyns

Zythyns are a widespread intelligent species native to the planet Lokira. They are the most common species in the Aggregate Aylathiya and Cenades regions of Cosmoria. With only a few thousand years of drift separating most Zythyn populations, they are fairly uniform for such a widespread species. They have one living cousin, the Blumeran, who live mostly in the Cenades region.

Zythyns are typically bipedal vertebrates, but some communities had adopted "habitual quadrapedalism," although this is a cultural preference. Since contact with other obligate bipedal species, most Zythyns prefer to be bipedal. Their biology seems adapted for both forms of locomotion. Their tough endoskeletons, made up of protein reinforced with calcium, protect their internal organs. Compared to their forest-dwelling ancestors, Zythyns are far more adapted to the plains. They retained their effective pack-hunting strategies only bolstered by complex language and the ability to fashion weapons with their opposable hands. They are the only members of their family to be omnivores, evolving relatively recently as horticulture replaced the hunting lifestyle. Zythyns are distantly related to Humans, both of which occupy the Mammalia clade. More distantly related are the Kya who occupy the Chordata phylum along with the Zythyn.

Features

Zythyn metabolize carbon-based compounds using oxygen as the principle electron receptor. Across most domains of life, this is the most common form of biochemistry. Mostly made of water, their internals are slightly basic. Their genetic material, stored in DNA, shares the same four base pairs as all other life descended from Ma'eau. Zythyns range in height from 1.7 to 2.3 meters when standing upright.

Like many other members of the Carnivora order, Zythyns have retractable claws on all four limbs. When not in use, they retract into their digits. The claws on their forelimbs are far smaller than those on their hind limbs. Zythyns retained their tails as they evolved to rely more on their hind legs, helping them with balance. Zythyns are very diverse color-wise, with possible coat colors including brown, black, grey, silver, orange, white, or cream. There are a large number of patterns as well, but most have stripes and swirled patterns across their body.

Society

Zythyns have a clan-based structure that seems to be a relic of their old pack-based hunting. Across most Zythyn cultures, the clan is a powerful social group with a common identity and claim of ancestry. They typically have a leader in more collectivist cultures or are decentralized in more individualist cultures. On Lokira, for example, the clan is largely symbolic while on Ivathiya's moons the clan is a legally-recognized social unit.

Science and Thaumaturgy

Zythyns first encountered thaumaturgy well after developing science, meaning the art form was never of particular religious import. Of course, the religion of Aeternalism, the most common practiced among Zythyns, places special spiritual emphasis on it. When Sedrua conquered the Zythyn in 5475 CE, the then-waning clan system was reinforced. Clans formed around powerful magi, the users of thaumaturgy. This immediately dissolved notions of gender amongst magi while leaving these notions amongst the agricultural and rural clans that fed the magus clans. This divide nearly fort-five hundred years ago explains much of the differences between modern Zythyn populations.

Politics, Trade, and Government

The clan structure, while invisible on many Zythyn worlds, remains relevant in a more abstract sense. When a nation or culture becomes one's "clan," the same fierce loyalties reemerge. Zythyn nationalism is a well-known force in politics, most well-exemplified in the revolution that formed the Sovereign States of Aylathiya. The Zythyn overthrow of Victorious Lowyzol and its collapse into a great many states—in addition to the violent aftermath—is one of the most well-known episodes in Zythyn history. Today, states like Lowyzol and Vaspujian are not doing much to dispel any such stereotypes.