Physical Appearance: Ashyrans are a diverse species, but on average stand 6-7ft at the shoulder and are around 200-250lbs. They are bipedal (but prefer to move on all-fours when running), have deep barrel-shaped chests, column-shaped legs and a thick tail, their necks are on average 1 1/2 to 2ft long and end in a elongated head (which could be seen as vaguely reptilian). They have no external ears but for a small hole (meatus) at the base of the jaw, they posses differentiated teeth (triangular incisors, four canines, tri-pointed premolars and flattened molars), their eyes vary in color from brown to deep green and their pupils are triangular in shape. Theirs hands have three claw-tipped fingers (the claws are partially retractable), and their feet have tree toes, with an outer toe that isnât visible in life. Each toe is tipped in a hoof-like claw, with the inner most claw being semi-opposable to aid in climbing. Their bodies are covered in hairs that come in an assortment of colors, from black, to brown, to golden to âcinnamonâ (a reddish-brown). The hairs are darkest on the back, graduating to lighter colors on the belly. Some individuals have molted or faint striped patterns. In older males the hairs may become spares showing callouses on the shoulders, neck and arms. These callouses are there to protect males as they fight one another.
Sexual Dimorphism and reproduction: Male and female Ashyrans differ primarily in size, females being substantially bigger than males, in order to develop eggs. But other subtle differences are the lack of callouses on females and males possessing a series of spines along their neck that becomes erect when agitated. Ashyrans do not have external genitals, instead having a cloaca that is only only visible as a small slot near the base of the tail. Females produce eggs which are gestated for several weeks before being layed and are incubated for three months before they hatch. Each clutch can contain anywhere from 2-5 eggs. Newly hatched Ashyrans have hair and functional eyes, they are sustained by the remains of their yolk sacs for the first few days of life. After which they are fed pre-chewed foods (Ashyrans donât nurse their young). Ashyrans are polygamous and eggs from the same clutch may be fathered by different males. However some individuals may form permanent bonds with one partner. Marriage is unheard of, however. Ashyrans can live for up to a century, and sexual maturity is reached in 20 years. They are a very promiscuous species and same-sex matings are not at all uncommon.
Naming: Ashyrans have two names, a personal name and a Line name. However if an individual had preformed a great deed they will often have a prefix added to their Line name. Line names are passed from mother to offspring, and some Line names are know to have lasted for generations. Ashyrans prefer to be addressed by their personal name, but nicknames are not uncommon (usually the first syllable is used). Personal names are put before Line names. Some Ashyrans may go by a title rather than their name.
Language: Ashyran language is primarily gestures supplemented by vocal communications. Vocal communication is more often used at a distance. Some Ashyrans have learned Earth languages but fine them difficult to pronounce due to differences in throat structure. Conversely Ashyran languages are extremely difficult for humans, not to pronounce but to understand context. And it has become something of a joke by Ashyrans that humans trying to talk in their language sound like babbling infants.
Culture: Ashyrans are very fond of keepsakes, and see those who donât keep mementoes as âoddâ. Often these include colorful gems, bones (they arenât a squeamish people), modals, relic weapons or interesting items they find on other worlds. Ashyrans do not have a religion (seeing them as pointless and harmful), but they have a deep mythos and there are many murals depicting titanic battles between great warriors in many cities. Ashyrans were once a warrior culture, and many early colonies were taken by force, but they have since tried to distance themselves from their violent past and now warriors serve purely defensive roles.
Clothing: Not having external genitals, and not having exposed flesh, clothing serves more as a status symbol than any form of modesty for Ashyrans. Politicians may wear robes encrusted with gemstones and jewelry of bones, but most Ashyrans were more practical outfits consisting of loose-fitting cloth and shoes. Warriors wear heavily armored suits and those individuals onboard spacecraft wear more extensive clothing.
Funeral practices: Ashyrans arenât immortal, and when an individual passes on they are cremated and their ashes are placed in an urn in family morgues, usually with something of importance to the deceased, such as a weapon if they were a warrior or a favored toy if they were a child. Ashyrans have deep respect for their dead, and other species are absolutely forbidden to enter morgues.
