Peleng - 1138

[b][u]Initial Q&A:[/u][/b]

[b]Will this race be crew playable after it's coded (if ever)?:[/b] No. Not right off the bat.

[b]Is it an another anthropomorphized Earth creature?:[/b] [url=http://orig07.deviantart.net/d76e/f/2015/026/1/3/peleng_by_obman_veschestv-d8fjftf.jpg]N[/url] [url=http://pre14.deviantart.net/8bc9/th/pre/i/2013/175/5/8/peleng__space_rangers_____by_lizardeng-d6ajg9u.jpg]o[/url] [url=http://www.valera.tr1.ru/pic-800/peleng.jpg].[/url] It's effectively an original design made almost two decades ago by some surrealistic Russian concept artists. Though it would be somewhat apt to say, "elephant-trunk for a face amphibian with four eyes, slimy green skin, with a tusk sticking out of the back of their head", but even then it's nothing that exists on our planet or is anything close to modern depictions of aliens.

[b]So what's the point if I can't fantasize about i-:[/b] Get out of here, you degenerate, it's a 2D spaceman game! But seriously, I don't see why not. I think something on this level of "wow this is certainly different" would be fun for players to react to and interact with. I would love to see it in action. srs, let's ayy it up in here. Henceforth, I present...  ehh, I'll get to it in a minute.

[b]What's the source of inspiration for this? This obviously isn't your art, so what's up?:[/b] Space Rangers. The most recent rendition, SR:HD:AWA is on steam. Look it up, it's amazing and it's only $15. Given this server doesn't ask for payment in regards to using race concepts (of which, said races are not copyrighted, only the title and licensing of the game is), I consider it fair game to rip an alien concept from them. I do not think they will mind either, CHK-games has been real cool about fanart depictions.

[b]Can you get on with it, please?:[/b] Yes'm.
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[center][size=150]Peleng[/size][/center]
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[center][img]http://pre14.deviantart.net/8bc9/th/pre/i/2013/175/5/8/peleng__space_rangers_____by_lizardeng-d6ajg9u.jpg[/img][/center]
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[size=150]--- Overview[/size]
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The Pelengs are a race of cervix branchiae amphibians, referred to shorthand as leprases. They exist within the mostly unexplored Frontier sector, sharing (either willingly or unwillingly) territory with pirates, unified coalitions, smugglers, colonists, refugees as well as Syndicate territories. Their appearance is generally abnormal, almost freak-ish and abominable in looks. Their space suits are even more alien and abnormal, the Pelengs are often seen as ghastly specters of the Frontier, several horror stories are told by drunken ex-navy pilots or pirates of the ghostly, four-armed creatures with sharp and fierce-looking fins sticking out of their heads like sharks, yet able to stand on two legs, carry cargo, converse with each other and generally act like sentient, civilized creatures "doing people things".

The Pelengs come from the Arts system. Their home planet, Shukheo, is a lush swamp world with a heavy fog concealing the upper atmospheres and constant rolling storms occurring within the lower spheres. The cultural structure of the Peleng race could be equated as similar to the Turko-Mongol Khanate structure. Ruled by totalitarian Lyakushkas (Lord of Generals), the Peleng people are strangely patriotic and very much welcoming of being lorded over by what others would describe as criminal thug leaders. The Grand Lyakushka (Supreme Lord of Generals) lords over every aspiring lyakushka and lower kushkas (generals, morein referring to 'general' literally as part of the common people of Pelengs). Every kushka abides by a code of honor, though the Code of Hitzjal is intentionally written to be loose in interpretation. In order to gain status, a kushka must deceive or bring down another kushka in status indirectly, and win the favor of more powerful and influential kushkas to gain status for themselves. Being seen as a direct responsible party for another's downfall is seen as, ironically, reprehensible and dishonest, therefore making it difficult to gain status. The past-times and traditions of the Peleng race are often queer in some areas, such as the infamous pentathon of no-holds-barred deadly mud-pit fights, or very familiar in others, such as Hachboll, which bears resemblance to the Human form of soccer, except that all contact hits are effectively legal (if not encouraged) and the only bounds are within the enclosed space.

The Pelengs are commercial enthusiasts, with a fair deal of business being done with pirates, spies, traders and many others who wish to do good business with the Pelengs. While not inherently honest, generous or good-intentioned, the Pelengs do not forget their business partners and do what they can for collective profit.

The Pelengs would currently be within the process of establishing relations with NanoTrasen and the Sol Alliance, though no deals nor promises would be made in regards to Peleng integration of civil society. Pelengs are not limited in their range of career applications. The lower end castes would work mostly in public service and be content in doing so, the middle castes would function effectively in white-collar environments such as low to medium level business. The high castes would function well as community, local, state or national leaders, or perhaps military coordinators and organizers. The highest castes of respect deserving of the title Lyakushka sit on a council to advise the Grand Lyakushka him/herself, or perhaps to plot in overthrowing them. Who can say, though, the inward motives of the Pelengs by default are often not known, sometimes for the better.
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[size=150]--- Biology[/size]
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Born at birth as wriggling, disgusting leech-like worms in swamp pods from microbial pheromones, the leprases minori are forced to compete with their fellow pod boomers, consuming lesser microbial entities such as acidic plankton and riff sediments. Evolved microbial leprases begin to cannibalize each other in order to sustain themselves. Upon developing more comprehensive brain functions, the leprases grow at an incredibly quick rate into the worm-like entities mentioned earlier. The mid-level evolution stage prey upon other lifeforms within the biome they developed in, using a sharp proboscis to drain energy away from their prey, though still consuming microbial entities such as other forms of swamp plant-life, plankton or other sedimentary biologicals. Eventually, the leprase evolves into its final stage in which it achieves sentience, the proboscis begins to invert to the back of their head and their spine structure begins to form. The "horn" existing on the back of the Peleng head is actually an ingrown part of the spine, though it is a vestigial part of the Peleng body. In common culture, more pronounced "horns" are viewed as symbols of longevity and racial pride.

In their bipedal stage, they stand between 5 to 6.5 feet tall, though their exoskeleton is naturally structured in a manner to create a hunched appearance. Their feet are digitigrade, though specialized footwear is a social standard when not divulged within water. They have four arms, some Pelengs can have arms that are longer than their legs. They are four-fingered, and their hands and feet are webbed, though they are retracted when above water to allow for more dextrous gripping of objects, as a result of selective genetic trait breeding in the race. They have a short tail protruding from their back, somewhat snake-like in form but effectively stiff in function. It's speculated that the tail assists a Peleng keep their balance to further establish their dexterity, though by default Pelengs are evasive, quick-thinking and reactive organisms. Within their bipedal stage, they can live up to 150 years.

Though most comfortable breathing nitrogen, a Peleng is safe to breath certain sane concentrations of almost any gas within the atmosphere, provided nitrogen is within the atmosphere. Unlike the Vox, oxygen is not poisonous to a Peleng. In EVA, however, Pelengs must breath at minimum 22kpa distribution of nitrogen. Oxygen alone is not sustainable for a Peleng. Pelengs can breathe certain amounts of phoron gas, though eventually through extended exposure to it their circulatory and digestive systems will attempt to reject the gas and they will violently vomit. To also mention, the stomach contents of a Peleng are several times more toxic and corrosive than a human's. Recovery of Peleng stomach acids and bile can be a useful corrosive reagent if promptly recovered in time. Peleng saliva, while not as corrosive as Peleng bile, can be fairly debilitating and functions as a hallucinogen when other organisms are the victim of the Peleng's last line of defense and most gross defense mechanism: projectile spitting. Peleng spit is also a rare commodity for the otherworldly junkie crowd.

Pelengs do not take kindly (naturally, that is) to zero-pressure environments, given they live on a high humidity and high pressure world. Low pressures even slightly below the average 100 kpa environment can cause some asphyxiation and hasty decompression, faster than that of humans. They may also explosively decompress in extreme cases. Extreme high pressures cause them to suffer from bone necrosis and other crippling disorders.

The bipedal Peleng diet consists of consuming algae, plankton, microbacteria and various forms of liquid sustenance. They are strictly herbivorous at this stage of life, given their proboscis becomes a vestigial, unusable organ, though they consume various forms of non-animal protein. They have three mouths from which they eat, drink and speak from.

Pelengs can be various shades of green, from dark to light, they can be a light orange, and they can also be blue-green.

(...I dunno, ask questions or ask me to elaborate further, I think I've covered everything I've thought of.)
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[size=150]--- Social[/size]
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[size=125][b]Mannerisms[/b][/size]

Peleng mannerisms and social nuances vary from case to case, though in terms of consistency, it is not uncommon to see a Peleng go above and beyond with treating a superior with utmost respect, having done extensive cultural research in regards to mannerisms of other races and attempting to impress. Effectively, all Pelengs must learn to be professional flatterers/suck-ups, as the Code of Hitzjal mentions one of the only truths in life is that even the most respected Peleng will one day meet their betters. With equals, Pelengs are fairly formal yet often curt, with the exception of being in the presence of another superior. Pelengs always refer to superiors (inclusive to non-Pelengs, as well) as 'Dyakushka [Lastname]' except when in the presence of a Lyakushka, in which 'Lyakushka [Lastname] of my honor' is used. Though extremely rare in occurrence, an underling would refer to the Grand Lyakushka as 'Supreme Lyakushka who owns the stars above and my very life'. With fellow Pelengs they view as equals, most Pelengs treat others as though they were family or in a close bond of brotherhood/sisterhood. Non-Peleng superiors are not treated with such zeal as Peleng superiors are by those lower in Peleng caste, though nevertheless an effort is almost always made.

How higher-caste Pelengs treat the less unfortunate Peleng is a different story. Lyakushkas often treat the Zubetzakushka, or the shorthand "general filth", as tools to be dispensed and disposed of depending on the situation. This is not always the case, as more benevolent and generous Lyakushkas do exist, but nevertheless the duty of a great Lyakushka is to posture their affluence as much as possible to show they are firmly rooted in power. The complacent are often quickly ostracized due to black PR orchestrated by an aspiring Peleng that often end up taking their place. The Zubetzakushka are not always pleased of the idea of being pushed around by the Lyakushkas and their followers, but most often accept their fate as reef-feeders and are content to live their lives as the downtrodden.

Physical contact is generally discouraged, with some exceptions. Hand shaking (the Pelengs actually have humans trumped in regards of elaborate handshakes, often the secretive criminal elements partake in such gesturing), professional or formal posturing, so on, are common. Pelengs have little concept or interest in regards to intimacy, given that reproduction is undertaken by a young adult Peleng, whether female or male, simply going for a swim and releasing their eggs/sperm. The females lay the eggs, the males release the equivalent of sperm, the birds and the bees occur and microbial organisms take place of a stork and life begins anew. Because of the discouragement regarding the more personal methods of showing trust by physical means, Pelengs that trust each other often take part in verbal banter in the form of jokes, political debate, arguments, citing Peleng poetry or literature, and so on.

[size=125][b]Speech Patterns[/b][/size]

In the Pelengan language, there exist almost 56 different dialects on Shukheo. The most common and standardized form of Pelengan language is best known as "Pachvaru", named after the official cultural mammal of Shukheo, the Pachvarus, a five-legged herbivorus animal with three eyes on one side of its face, one front leg, two legs behind that and two hind legs, praised for its instinctual talent to survive in addition to its limited intelligence and tendency to form tribal bonds with fellow pachvaruses. In Pelengan language, speakers use guttural grunts similar to that of what the pachvarus makes, in combination with typical creaks, croaks and heavy throaty vibrations from their three "mouths". Pelengs can speak other languages with only mild to moderate difficulty, though they often make a loud, throaty, "Hhagh", before addressing a non-Peleng in another tongue. Certain consonants such as "h" are pronounced in a manner that sounds phlegmy, and the vowels that follow to them are often more pronounced, too. Such examples as "Hhghyew-man", "hhgyate", and so on.

[size=125][b]Naming Conventions[/b][/size]

Peleng names are often very complex and are difficult for a non-Peleng to immediately pronounce, given that Pelengs communicate information in seemingly quick croaks. The Grand Lyakushkala('la' is added to the title of kushka when addressing a woman, and the current Supreme Lady of Generals is female) of Shukheo, for instance, is fully named "Dhaghulyakushkala Horyepershing Alkhatzhing", not including personal claims to land or titles seized by her opponents. Pelengs often choose short-hand nicknames for non-Pelengs to address them by, provided both parties are equal in status. For instance, if the Grand Lyakushkala and the current president of Biesel were to meet on an informal occasion, she would go by "Hory".

Other Pelengs, normally businessmen/women, pick more relatable humanized names, normally those of Chinese origin.
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[size=150]--- Culture[/size]
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Peleng culture is surprisingly diverse, though with diversity in combination with the presence of a totalitarian oligarchial state that the Grand Lyakushkala and her council of Lyakushkas, comes a fair deal of animosity between the castes divided by wealth, occupation, influence and overall power. Nevertheless, ideas are spread amongst the rich, fair-to-do and even the poor in the societal divides. The Lyakushkas may control the Peleng media networks, the natural market and the economy by itself, but the winds always change and the Lyakushkas find themselves adapting frequently in order to stay within power and maintaining their power bases. The poor often engage in talks about what a communist or perhaps an anarchistic system would be like, in which true freedom for the people would be acquired, but they would often change their minds when the Lyakushkas would come to protect their vassals when they're needed from other exploitative parties. The middle class has a fairly high employment rate and is an industrial hotbed of new ideas and improvements to quality of life for not only the middle class but the upper classes as well. Some of the middle class that care a bit for the general welfare of the less fortunate do their part in donating sums of currency to help out the living conditions of the less fortunate. Though, often, these donations are simply made because it makes the donators look good in the public eye.

Though Pelengs would not normally stand up too well in terms of brute force to Unathi, much less the average human male, the Pelengs pride themselves on developing cunning training regimens and dirty sports to learn about and exploit weaknesses in fighting styles. In battle, the standard has always been that there are no rules in a friendly, or even unfriendly, scuffle. Throwing dirt or sharp/blunt objects, spitting, kicks, elbowing, choking, slamming and other dirty fighting measures are nothing a Peleng would ever think twice about. Pelengs do not have a concept of glory, only of ending fights quickly and surely. Moreso if they can humiliate and impress.

Other Pelengs prefer schooling themselves in the art of the lie, or as they refer to it as 'storytelling'. Concerts are regularly hosted in the larger cities for clever and charismatic Pelengs to tell stories of something that happened, or something that they wish had happened. The most prominent Pelengs that take center stage are the ones that dress up their stories in mystery, intrigue and provide an interesting narrative to their version, and insert clever puns, quips or in-jokes that are almost memetic. The less prominent ones go too far in terms of believability, fall short in the storytelling department and are booed off-stage.

Men and women in Peleng society are equal in terms of responsibility with certain exceptions, such as the expectation of the females to take in and raise the youngest Pelengs that recently evolve into their bipedal stage, and teach them important Peleng values in addition to homeschooling them on the necessities. Males and females theoretically are equal, but the class system tends to create such divisions between the genders anyway.

Schooling is split into career categorial instances. Once a Peleng enrolls in a specific line of schooling, they are effectively pressed into the career upon graduation by local governments. It would not be impossible for a Peleng to enroll into another line of schooling while on the job, in which afterward they would be repurposed and moved to a new career. This allows for a bit of flexibility in case the Peleng in particular wishes to move up in life or simply pick another job more befitting to them.

Sex changes are possible in Peleng society, though the recent Grand Lyakushka has put a ban on sex change operations. The only way to circumvent the ban and allow themselves to have their sex changed, is to perform and complete a secret ritual to be permitted the license for a change of sex. No Peleng has ever completed the ritual, though in underground movements there are rumors of alternative facilities that can perform the operation.

A lower caste showing disrespect to a higher caste often means punishment for the former. This can range from beatings, vandalism, scare tactics, blackmail, kidnapping or even assassination. Only the Grand Lyakushka and their subordinate Lyakushkas can order a Peleng to be put to death.

Traitors to society are not uncommon, but Pelengs without class are considered to be abominations, lesser animals that are deserving of release from their life.
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[size=150]--- Political Structure[/size]
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The political structure of Peleng society would be best described as a power base. The ultimate source of authority, starting from the top to the way bottom, is thusly:

[list][*][b]The Grand Lyakushka(la) of Shukheo[/b]: The all-powerful and ultimately respected dictator figure, who lords and rules over every Peleng. They command great influence in Peleng society and are considered to be elevated organisms above normal Pelengs. They are also considered the Dons of any organized criminal structure within Peleng society, and regulate business both legal and illegal. Their word among Pelengs is law.
[*][b]Lytuno(a)kushka[/b]: The life partner of the Grand Lyakushka, the most respected Peleng the Grand Lyakushka(la) can ever know. The current Lytunokushka is Dahatzing Alkhatzing. While they view each other as parallel equals in status, the Lytunokushka does not represent the whims of the Grand Lyakushkala, but nonetheless they command their own respect and do what they can to support their life partner.
[*][b]The Lyakushkas of the Green Council[/b]: The Lords of the Generals command a hefty amount of respect, and are considered the first and foremost enforcers of the rule of the Great Lyakushka. There are 49 Lyakushkas on the Green Council, and can only be 49 at any one time, one for each province on Shukheo. They have less influence in criminal networks than the Grand Lyakushkala has at present due to her current popularity, but nonetheless the work of the Lyakushkas is delegated to lesser thugs to carry out the whims of the Lyakushkas.
[*][b]Bhadurkushka[/b]: Shorthand for a federal governor. There are 49 Bhadurkushkas respective to the amount of Lyakushkas, they each only answer to their own province Lyakushka (rare exception goes to receiving orders from the Grand Lyakushka), though it would not be uncommon for Bhadurkushkas to voice their lack of favor for their own Lyakushka and start to endorse someone else for the position. Are delegated tasks by their Lyakushka, in which in turn they dispatch loyal Pelengs to complete errands or do favors in the name of the Lyakushka that orders it. In times of war, Bhadurkushkas serve as the commanders of their provincial standing military.
[*][b]Subigkushka[/b]: Shorthand for a governor on the local level, each Subig is based in the city they were chosen to govern, though more wealthy subigs may command from opulent estates or fortresses. The amount of Subigs generally vary as not every province is the same size. The amount of Subigs in a province depend on the total population of Pelengs living in a province. They answer to anyone higher up on the list, though not required to listen to Lyakushkas not belonging to their province. Subigkushkas create local ordnances based on their own whims, only being allowed to regulate certain aspects of trade, the legality of certain commodities, and other nitpick local regulations.
[*][b]Dhyalkushka[/b]: Shorthand for a community leader, mayor or other equivalent title. They enforce the laws and regulations set by the higher-ups in the chain, without question. They often serve as mediators for local community issues and establish precedent on a case-by-case basis. Some Dhyalkushkas are more tyrannical than others, others are not. They function as local law enforcement commissioners.
[*][b]Felkushka[/b]: A 'law enforcement agent', though nothing more than a pawn, thug or gangster in civilian-viewed status. Felkushkas range in specialty, whether it be brute force intimidation, shrewd diplomacy, spymasters or even assassins. Everyone in this tree has their own Felkushka, and each Felkushka has a different form of status from another dependent on their deeds. Assassins are generally viewed as the most reprehensible gangsters, whereas the more benevolent forms of Felkushkas are hailed as local community heroes and status icons. Despite the reputation Felkushkas have amongst the public eye, their skills are prized by more powerful kushkas that may hold grudges against other influential pelengs. They answer to their employed master and only execute the orders given, no more and no less. Felkushkas command no authority over anyone except themselves, in which they consider themselves public servants to society.[/list]

There are certainly other positions to name, but they are Zubetzakushka and not worth elaborating upon, for their worth is nil. It is said that the poor sometimes show their love for the Peleng political structure and act as informants, reporting on any un-Peleng behavior to their local Felkushka.
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[size=150]--- Mechanics[/size]
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[list][*]Four-armed. That means they have two sets of hands. This allows them to use light objects and perform dexterous acts such as activating a row of hands in order to perform a dual attack. Dual-wielding toolboxes becomes suddenly more deadly. Ranged weaponry is treated similarly, except that a Peleng with four pistols cannot fire all four at once, only one active set at a time. However, it often begs the question, [i]who the hell let a Peleng scrounge four energy guns?[/i] Though it offers a serious amount of advantageousness, it comes with its weaknesses.
[*]Unable to consume solid food products. Especially meat. They are only able to eat vegetarian soups or bacterial byproducts.
[*]Slightly faster than a human being, though not on par with a Tajaran.
[*]Threshold for bone breaks is much lower, especially the arms.
[*]Can breathe any form of gas, provided there is nitrogen present in the atmosphere. Only phoron is toxic, though it requires extended exposure before the Peleng begins to suffer from poisoning. Laughing gas and CO2 causes knockouts, but the latter does not cause nitrogen deprivation. In EVA, Pelengs must use nitrogen tanks set to 22 distribution pressure, minimum.
[*]Intolerant of low pressure environments, begin to take damage at 70 kpa. Anything lower than 40 kpa can cause radical asphyxiation and explosive decompression. At below 20, the Peleng will gib without EVA protection.
[*]High pressure environments are survivable until the Peleng steps into 150+kpa environments, in which they suffer from the same symptoms as any other mob without EVA protection.
[*]Peleng vomit can be recovered by a non-corrosive beaker and used as an alternative to polytrinic acid, albeit much more effective.
[*]Pelengs gain a verb in abilities, "Spit." Pelengs can spit a fair deal of distance, up to 3 tiles, with somewhat decent accuracy. Upon skin contact, Peleng saliva causes a hallucinogenic reaction similar to space drugs in addition to disorientation (such as screen-flipping from radiation exposure) and occasional hallucinations. Has a fairly long cooldown, almost 5 minutes before another spit can be charged up again. Only works on folks lacking in sterile equipment or not wearing fullbody suits. An assistant with only a grey jumpsuit will suffer from the effects of the hallucinogen, but a doctor with a labcoat and medical doctor jumpsuit might not, provided they don't get hit in the face. [i]Strictly[/i] a self-defense mechanism and not as a grief tool, the long cooldown is to reinforce that. Any Peleng that does it haphazardly can be arrested for assault, for instance, given it's effectively doping someone by force with drugs. Pelengs that spit on other Pelengs are not affected, though it clears up their senses. Can take a Peleng's spit away by surgically removing the gland that allows for projectile spitting.
[*]Burn sources are amplified by 1.3x.
[*]Toxins do not rise as quickly due to a strong natural metabolism. Their rate is slowed by 15%, but the queues for toxicity (Your body is stinging) do not appear until it reaches 100 toxins.
[*]Are more likely to dodge melee attacks (including stun prodding) due to natural dexterity and reaction speed.
[*]Process drugs slower. This means chloral doesn't effect them until a fair deal of seconds, for instance, but they are harder to heal via cryo or by chemical injections.
[*]CPR doesn't work on a Peleng in the event of nitrogen deprivation. They need to be revived some other way.
[*]Have their own language. :p[/list]
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And there's my presentation. I don't have anything historical up because I don't find it important until such a project is even accepted to start with. This is a lot, so, thoughts?