From ae3b8e2522c9330d7619bba67a7a4528cebeaa35 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Jason Self Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2021 20:51:42 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] Add description of the Uju --- Description | 125 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 125 insertions(+) create mode 100644 Description diff --git a/Description b/Description new file mode 100644 index 0000000..05c4177 --- /dev/null +++ b/Description @@ -0,0 +1,125 @@ +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. \ No newline at end of file -- 2.31.1