#xuma

Xuma (Planet)

Pretty dark planet, it’s ‘sun’ doesn’t generate a lot of light or heat

Not icy/snowy, but pretty cold

Lots of water. Rains a lot

Lots of forests, mountains, grassy plains, caves. No big cities, only small settlements

Animals much like earth’s, but the majority are better suited for the night/the dark

Xuma (People)

Three main variations of Xuma: forest, plain, and cave

Forest Xuma are naturally cautious and introverted with the other Xuma. They are very self-sufficient, and very few of them leave the forest to trade. However, they are very warm and friendly within their own communities. They are typically hunters, trappers, and leatherworkers. They are the most open to change, and are not as concerned with tradition as the others, but are in no rush to change what’s currently working. Typically anywhere between 9-11ft tall

Plain Xuma tend to be farmers, ranchers, and textile workers. They are somewhat serious, and hold very tight to tradition. Change and innovation makes them wary. Even so, they have a fondness for traveling and trading, and will often approach the other Xuma communities, offering food and other goods in return for useful tools and materials. They maintain a very good transactional relationship with the cave Xuma because of this. Typically anywhere between 8-10ft tall

Cave Xuma are mostly miners, metalworkers, and scavengers, and are surprisingly the most socially driven of the Xuma. They are merry and hardworking, and like to drink. Their favorite import from the plain Xuma are the crops that they can store and ferment into alcohol. They are somewhat welcoming of innovation, but are still hesitant to make changes that interfere with tradition. Typically 7-9ft tall

Xuma have adapted well to their environment. They have thick, water-resistant skin, and generate a lot of body heat, and therefore do not do well in warmer, drier environments. They sleep communal rest piles, in order to keep both warm, as well as share dreams

No sexual dimorphism in any of the Xuma. No sense for gender or sexuality (they/them for everyone) 

They age and reproduce slowly, and raise young as a community. Deaths are heavily mourned over a long period of time. Even Xuma from different communities will come to mourn, bringing gifts and sharing food and drink 

Xuma share a special mental link with each other that makes them able to share feelings, thoughts, and memories, and they can even extend this power to other non-Xuma species

Sharing dreams is an important bonding ritual for the Xuma, as the burden of experiencing dreams on your lonesome can be mentally taxing. This is also why casual mental links are important, and why Xuma must live in a community

They are deeply empathetic and are extremely averse to senseless violence. Still, they are omnivorous, so they kill to eat, but nothing more. Fighting, even between different types of Xuma, is almost unheard of 

They do not pick official leaders, and instead, turn to the oldest and most experienced of their communities to make decisions 

There have been ships that landed on Xuma, and they have regarded their few visitors with cautious hospitality. Luckily, their visitors have been peaceful thus far, but the stories they’ve heard about the rest of the galaxy makes them anxious about drawing attention to themselves. They would far rather have their small planet stay under the radar, if they can help it 

Aom 

Plain Xuma 

Finds the other two Xuma communities far more interesting than his own, but ESPECIALLY loves the idea of going to other planets 

Disinterested in farming or trading, really loves inventing 

He began to invent when he met a spacefaring alien who taught him about spaceships and other pieces of advanced technology when he was a child 

After receiving some books and such from the alien, he began to study and tinker on his own, and completely gave up on trying to fit in with the rest of the Xuma 

Unfortunately, there is only so much one can do with the materials on Xuma, so he left on one of the visiting ships, promising to do free repairs and such in return for a one way trip 

The elders in his community said he would not be welcome back if he leaves, due to his cruel disregard for tradition and the people who raised him, but Aom holds onto the hope that he will be able to come home one day… after he has finished learning all he wants to learn of course 

The first planet he found himself on was Alternia 

He quickly realized how harsh of a place it was, but luckily managed to find his way to Ilioneus, where he settled down for the time being, so that he may learn and invent in peace 

Along with learning things about science and technology, Aom also learned about Alternia’s culture. He was especially intrigued by gender, and decided he would be most happy if he was referred to with he/him pronouns