Yruntadite (Dendrius Galaxy)

The yruntadites are often considered the most respected sentient species in the galaxy, and are known for their disciplined and militaristic culture. This is partly due to the fact that the yruntadites were among the earliest races to achieve interstellar flight after the legendary Time Paladins.

Originally from the planet Ithir, yruntadites are best known for their military role. They are respected for their public service ethic but are sometimes seen as imperialist or rigid by other races.

A mono-gender race, the yruntadites are distinctly masculine in appearance, but a genetic mutation causes some to possess maternal instincts. Their unique physiology, expressed in a millennium-long lifespan and the ability to reproduce with a partner of any gender or species, gives them a conservative yet convivial attitude toward other races.

Biology
Yruntadites resemble humans in terms of basic skeletal structure with five fingers on each hand and legs that are relatively straight. A typical yruntadite has a light yellow to white complexion, though a rare silver complexion is possible. They have facial markings, which are unique black or grey patterns that vary for every yruntadite. Some of these facial markings resemble the eyebrows that humans have. In the place of head hair, yruntadite possess spines, which are hollow hairs made stiff with keratin. Yrundtadites are said to have navels as well. Yruntadites also have a robust cellular regenerative system; while they do not heal faster than other species, they are known to reach over 1000 years of age. Yruntadite blood is black.

There is some conflicting information regarding the gender of the yruntadite. Yruntadite are a mono-gendered species with no concept of gender differences. At the same time, yruntadite are often viewed as an all-male race. Yruntadite appear male with voices that sound male. Even among the yruntadite, individual yruntadite are referred to using masculine pronouns like “he” and “his” instead of gender-neutral terms like “they.” Yruntadite also bear masculine titles like “warlord” and “patriarch” and yruntadite offspring are usually referred to as “sons.”

However yruntadite gender is defined, they are innately different from humans, for yruntadite can mate and successfully reproduce with any other gender or species. Although they have one gender, they are not asexual and do in fact require a partner to reproduce. However, yruntadite reproduction is very different from other forms of sexual reproduction. A yruntadite provides two copies of his own genes to his offspring, one of which is passed on unaltered. The second set of genes is altered in a unique process called melding, also known as the joining. During melding, the eyes of the yruntadite initiating the meld dilate as he consciously attunes his nervous system to his partner's, sending and receiving electrical impulses directly through the skin. Effectively, the yruntadite and his partner briefly become one unified nervous system, sharing memories, thoughts, and feelings. The offspring is always a yruntadite, regardless of the species or sex of the "father" and in the case that the offspring is of two yruntadites, the mother is the one who gives birth.

Uniquely, the yruntadite are known to be perceived as attractive to many other species. This may be because of shared physical characteristics. The mechanism behind the yruntadite's cross-species attraction may be neurochemical in nature. The offspring resulting from such interspecies pairings are always yruntadite as no DNA is taken from the partner. Instead, the yruntadite uses the meld to explore his partner's genetic heritage and pass desirable traits on to any offspring and as a "map" to randomize the genes of the offspring.

The drawback to the yruntadite means of reproduction are the Dawnasach. These individuals possess a rare genetic defect that causes a yruntadite’s mind to overwhelm and destroy his partner’s mind when joining. The condition seems to appear only amongst pureblood yruntadites, those whose parents are both yruntadites.

Yruntadites pass through four climacteric life stages, marked by biochemical and physiological changes:


 * The Rogue stage begins at puberty, which is around the age of 50, and is marked by the drive to explore and experience. Most young yruntadites are curious and restless, and it is not uncommon for many to try their hand working as mercenaries during this time.


 * The Dauntless stage of life begins around the age of 200, though it can be triggered earlier if the individual melds frequently. This period is marked by a desire to get a stable job in areas of economy and formal military.


 * The Erudite stage begins around 450 years of age. Erudites become active in their community as professors and politicians. They also have a strong desire to settle in one place and raise children.


 * The Patriarch stage begins aroung 750 years of age, or earlier if the individual melds rarely. Patriarchs become respected in their society as priests and councilors, dispensing wisdom from centuries of experience. Their knowledge and guidance may be one reason why Patriarchs are rarely seen outside yruntadite space.

While each stage of life is marked by strong biological tendencies, individuals do make unexpected life choices. For example, there are Rogues who stay close to home rather than explore, Erudites who would rather serve in military than build a family, and Patriarchs who have no interest in community affairs.

Culture
Because of their long lifespan, yruntadites tend to have a "long view" not common in other races. When they encounter a new species or situation, the yruntadites are more comfortable with an extended period of passive observation and study than immediate action. They are unfazed that some of their investments or decisions may not pay off for decades or centuries. Patriarchs can seem to make incomprehensible decisions, but their insight is evident when their carefully-laid plans come to fruition. In interstellar relations, this long view manifests in the unspoken policy of centrism. The yruntadites instinctively seek to maintain stable balances of economic, political, and military power.

Traditionally, yruntadites spread their influence through military domination and intellectual superiority. They invite new species of advanced development to join the galactic community, knowing that their ideals and beliefs will inevitably influence the existing culture. The yruntadites tend toward communal, consensus attitudes among themselves too: for example, they prefer to live in shared spaces aboard starships even if there are alternatives available.

Yruntadites believe that their offspring acquire the best qualities of the "mother" from the melded genes, but evidence is anecdotal. They frown upon intraspecies conception, since genetic traits and cultural insight is gained from mating outside their species, so it's considered wasteful for yruntadites to reproduce together. The results of such unions are occasionally referred to as "purebloods", a great insult among contemporary yruntadites. A rare genetic defect known as Dawnasach, which makes yruntadite destroy the partner's mind during melding, occurs much more frequently among the sons of purebloods.

Yruntadites are well aware they tend to be attractive, and are comfortable expressing their sexuality, as can be witnessed by their "lack of clothes" culture. Young females of other races tend to have a fascination with yruntadites.

Because of their natural sensuality and ability to mate with any species, yruntadites are sometimes rumoured to be promiscuous. These rumours are mostly a result of misinformation. In fact, yruntadites have to accept that if they mate outside their own species, they will almost inevitably outlive their partner. Therefore, they have had to apply their philosophical "long view" to relationships as well, savouring the time they spend with their partners rather than focusing on their inevitable loss. As a result of the age difference many yruntadites raise their sons alone, especially if the "father" species is short-lived. Despite their partner's death, a part of them will live within their other.

A few yruntadites abandon all but a few personal possessions to become Ceartars, members of an ancient order of yruntadites adhering to a strict code. Ceartars operate inside of yruntadite space correcting injustices, often through harsh means, including death. It is rare for a ceartar to leave yruntadite space as it could cause a diplomatic incident with other species.