--- /dev/null
+The Ujuian People
+-----------------
+
+You can redistribute and/or modify this file under the terms of the
+GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software
+Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or at your option) any
+later version.
+
+The Uju evolved from crustaceans on their planet. They're cold-blooded
+with reddish/organgeish exoskeletons, which tends to become paler as
+they age. Some are born with a rare (approximately 1 in 8 million)
+genetic condition that results in their exoskeletion being more
+yellowish instead. Their flesh is a greyish blue and their blood a
+deep purple. They've evolved lungs and have nonfunctioning vestigial
+gills located on the lower front of their body, near the top of their
+legs. They primarily live out of water, although they still return to
+salt water as part of their reproductive cycle. Their lungs are more
+efficient than a human's, which helps them to remain underwater for
+long periods of time but will die if left submerged in water long
+enough without the ability to breathe oxygen. These highly efficient
+lungs also help them to function in oxygen poor atmospheres.
+
+They have two arms with eight fingers each although two seem more
+claw-like; an evolutionary holdover from their distant past. They have
+a large mouth full of sharp teeth for chewing food. They usually eat
+the sea creatures of their home planet but have been known to eat land
+animals or even offworld foods when it's not dangerous to do so. Their
+digestive system can process only a limited amount of human food, with
+help. A small amount of alcohol or fermented fruit juice will do the
+trick.
+
+They have two vertical eye slits that are more sensitive than our
+eyes. Their eyes can both see more of the spectrum than humans and in
+lower light situations. The average lifespan is about 70 years.
+
+They have three legs and no hair. They have a crest of cartilage and
+bone running from their nose to the top of their heads. They can
+"elevate" this, and in so doing open their nostrils to give them a
+better sense of smell, which even then is less advanced than a
+human's. They have developed their hearing to an amazing level, able
+to hear much better than a human. They're smaller than humans and are
+usually 3 to 4 feet in height. The tallest recorded was around 5 feet.
+Their arms are longer and legs shorter than a human's would be at that
+height. They typically weigh less than a human of similar build. Their
+bodies grow larger as they mature, and the males tend to be larger and
+stronger than females.
+
+They have a high-pitched/shrill voice that can produce a larger range
+of vocal sounds than humans can. For this reason the Uju/English
+dictionary is only an approximation, based on how close humans can
+come to the actual sounds.
+
+The Uju are a very old race, with a recorded history going back over
+200,000 years but it is only been about 500 years since they developed
+a single worldwide system of government. Before that they were a race
+of scattered tribes. The exact number was in constant flux as they
+would join forces for greater strength, or split into factions to
+pursue different goals but usually ranged between 50 to 100. Each
+tribe had its own name but they but they are also known by a larger
+designation, shared among multiple tribes, based on the continent they
+inhabited.
+
+The turning point for the Uju toward a more unified world was when
+they were "enlightened" by a philosophy professor. He taught them the
+value of education, reading, writing, and math. He also taught them
+that they had a duty to their community and their planet.
+
+This professor was eventually executed for his beliefs, but by then
+the changes had been made. By the time he died, the Ujuian people were
+beginning to see themselves as a single unit, rather than numerous
+sovereign autonomous tribal units. Within a century of his death they
+had formed their first single government but even today, tribal lines
+can still be seen.
+
+Ujuians are generally a cold, serious but also stalwart, proud and
+fearless race. They have a very militaristic society that's based
+around codes of honor and duty, and they measure each action by that
+code.
+
+Ujuians believe in the concept of duty to the group. They believe that
+their lives are spent for the good of the their community, and every
+death is a sacrifice for the greater good.
+
+Despite unification each Ujuian is still born into a tribe although
+tribes are not viewed as important as they once were. Each tribe has a
+different code of honor which are as varied as the tribes themselves.
+If two Ujuians had a dispute they would attempt to solve it themselves
+with honor rather than involving any outside interference. As tribal
+lines become less important these various codes of honor are slowly
+combining and there are some aspects that appear to be universal. No
+matter the tribe or combination of tribes, certain things are just not
+done.
+
+They do not lie, and do not tolerate laziness. Everyone is expected to
+fully contribute to society. They are also very orderly. They keep
+their living areas spotless and everything in its place. They are
+fastidious about their weapons, keeping them clean and
+well-functioning.
+
+War is a dirty business even among the Uju. Most Ujuians would not
+attack another without reason. Attacking another without a just cause
+is against all codes of honor. While not overly aggressive or cruel,
+they see war as an inevitability, and prepare for it as such, though
+they are slow to anger. If a Ujuian was ever defeated in combat, he or
+she would be expected to surrender and submit to the winner. The
+winner may exact tribute or a penalty of some kind, but the loser
+surrenders any right to take any further action regarding the
+conflict. This sort of surrender is done to prevent perpetual blood
+feuds.
+
+The Ujuian people as a whole are expected to defend against outside
+aggression. If there's an outside attacker, the Ujuian people as a
+whole are expected to unite in defense. Their military tactics are
+focused to bring about an end and win as quickly and efficiently as
+possible. They do not waste time with strategies designed to cause
+terror or hardship among the enemy.
+
+Prisoners are seen as a resource, not a burden, and are assigned labor
+positions. Those who are too young, too old, or too infirm to be of
+use are kept comfortable and well fed, but not given luxuries. Some
+may be interrogated to gain military intelligence. Torture isn't
+generally a standard practice among the Uju.
+
+They are a welcoming and inclusive people, accepting of anyone who
+values their code of honor.
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projects / uju.git / commitdiff