The Satra
Abrigon Gusiq
Satra a race I like to think I created, filled out some with PBeM and RPGing. Somethings changed or I forgot somethings, so never know. The Satrin often act as body guards and forces of the Shinda. So never know how and why you find them? Much of the below predates SG-1 and like, more like some concepts from ERBourroghs but ...
Yes, also a fan of Chalker, ST, and many others, some I forget.. Campbell? Laumer and ... sadly lost most of my paper backs when I moved out of Nome, so ... hope the local library is much richer, sadly knowing my landlord, likely the land fill is richer more. Not much to do in Nome but hunt/fish/drink and ... procreate.
Mike
SATRA.GAM 10-22-96/7-21-1997/11-21-1998/01/12/99,6-27-00
The Satra: (I use he in a neutral fashion since Satra have a single Sex, see below for an explanation).
Satra and the Sharkan.
- Warrior Race
- Humanoid
- Hermaphrodite (can breed with others out side of their species) Only cause they are natural gene recombinate, basically they absorb genetic material and then recombine it. Their organs that look like human and male organs are gene filter/collector than actual fertilizer , but fertilization can happen via the male looking organ.
- Four Arms (many are ambidextrous in two, but as well as three and even four arms)
- Six fingers (including one thumb and one semi-thumb opposite real thumb). Number system base 24 (four hands, six fingers).
- Litter size at birth is normally 6 and is called the Stiq.
- Basic Social Unit is the Stiq (normally averages 6).
- Stiq is normally the birth litter (egg clutch if you will) (Cliq).
- Light chitin for skin/bark. In this they sort of look like plants.
- In old age they will "plant" themselves and look like trees, to include leaves, more "branches" and such.
- Most Satran stiq pledge themselves to a specific Sharkan.
- Sharkan is sort of like an old earth Persian satrap. Normally they are hereditary, but there is no rules that state that someone can not carve one of their own out. The plural is Sharkani.
- Hereditary leader of the Satra is the Plaq. More a figure head for in dealings with offworlders.
- Members of the Imperial Stiq are generally pledged to the Plaq. Sort of a built in body guard.
- All members of an individual sharkan are responsible for the behavior and conduct of its individual members, to include debts and feuds.
Universes:
- Star Trek Universe: A collection of worlds on the edge between Federation, Klingon Empire and the Romulan Empire.
- B5 Universe, not exactly sure yet.
GOVERNMENT:
For ease of dealing with offworlders, there is the semi-hereditary Plaq (Emperor), who deals with off-world affairs, but has no real power on the planet other than thru the judges and the master of the orders.
The Judges:
Judges are appointed for life. Appointed in a like number by the major clans and a like number appointed by the minor clans. Basically two houses (upper and lower). The exact number of judges of either house is up to the next wapantaken, held every 10 years. Every 10 years the combined satra gather to pledge themselves to their overlords and to show their allegiances. Who ever has the most allegiance is a major clan. Major clans are eligible to decide whom to succeed an empty seat on the upper house of judges. The other clans decide on the Lower House, major clans are not part of this process.
Star Trek:
Every ten years there is the grand contest, between the Klingon Champion
and the Satra champion, who ever wins decides who will be change for the
next ten years. Klingon Govenour or the Plaq. Some Satra have served in
Star Fleet, but mostly as excahnge officers for now. To include Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) (honorary) Morgoth Gusiq of the USS Calvin, a small exploration vessel (A PBEM campaign I am in).
Most Sharkans pledges their if anything alliegence or atleast respect to the hereditary Plaq. The Plaq came about from the days of the first contact with nonsatra, sort of an appeasement to those who seem to need to talk to a single person, even if it is a figure head.
There maybe a individual war leader who takes over the war duties of the Plaq but most of the time the Plaq is the Supreme Commander of the Satra.
Sharkan/Sharkani
The leader of a Sharkani is the Sharkan. Much like the old satrap or bratwalda on earth (see Ottoman Empire and Anglo-Saxon England). The Sharkan is ultimately responsible for EVERYTHING the individuals of it's Sharkani, to include debts and feuds. If a member commits a crime, the Sharkan and the members of the Sharkani pay for the debt/wergeld. If a Sharkan dies or retires (going to seed is a form of retiring) the next eldest in its Stiq is generally in line for succession. But if
anyone in the Stiq wishes to become the next Sharkan, then they have to right of combat for it.
Stiq:
The basic litter born to a Satra is on the average 6 and it forms the basic social, military unit of the Satra. Though some individual Satra have formed their own Stiq and it is not a disgrace. The War Stiq is a classic example of individual satra
forming a blood bond with other Satra for self protection or feud or other reasons.
Telephathy:
Stiq members born together seem to share a semi-telepathic ability with each other. Thou some non-birth Stix have done this too (not common).
Social Classes:
Other than the Imperial Stiq and to a limited degree the Sharkan Stiqi, there is no real social classes, atleast not acknowledged ones. Some say there is a caste system at work in the Satra. Especially as the need for beings to do the non-warrior work, their arose the need to other races to do these tasks. Or other groups. For example the Knights/Healing Hand/etc. Also there is the major and minor clans. The difference is mostly a war strength then actually status. See Judges for more info.
Though the Satra are not unknown to hire non-satra for the mundane work at times. Most have a set contract, and are given passage off-planet.
STAR TREK:
In the Star Trek universe around 300 BCE the Satra home world was "invaded" by the Klingon Empire who quickly found them-selves in a guerilla style war. After 50+ years the Klingons agreed to negotiate and in the process take along select "hostages" from the Satra clans for peace. Over time the Klingons found that the Satra were honorable opponents and the Games came about. The games is a series of contests of warrior skills that is held once every Satran year (around 3.3 earth
years), it decides the fate until the next games, if the Klingons win then they rule, if the Satra champion wins then the Satra rule themselves. Over the years the weapons have stayed much the same as those that are in the compact. Weapons of non-mass destruction only. Sword, Bow, Staff, etc.
More like a collection of clans who work together than a true government. Satra are totally functional hermaphrodites, basically they have the sex organs of male and female and a bit more. They can store genetic material from a donor, the donor need not be of their race, as long as it is compatible with their genetic code it can be stored (normally humanoid), recombined and used by the individual Satra. Satra have two totally true arms, and 2 under near true arms. And two legs, the middle limbs some times act as legs if needed, sort of how a ape does it. Satras normally have litters of 1-6 children, called a Stiq, the stiq is the basic
social/political/military unit of the Satra. All are equal in the stick, but generally one is chosen as leader, it is sort of an informal thing most of the time.
Above that is the family (parent and previous siblings) - Stiq.
Above that is the Shakar (extended family) - Shakar
Above this and equal to is the Clan, sort of a Shakar but more political
than genetic.
Clan Warfare is all was going on. Thou most are like old Italian commune
blood feuds than total war. Warfare is the highest expectation of a Satra, all is
bent for it. But war has select rules.
The Compact:
The basic compact is that no weapons of mass destruction. Basically weapons are limited to medieval level weapons. Cities are neutral. Trade Routes are neutral.
The wars are as ritualistic as New Guinea cricket game wars. And the penalties are extreme for those who break it. The Compact is enforced by the Knights of Tiln (need a name), Tiln a diety of war, whose Knights are Satra who for various
reasons join in, normally cause they are the last in their Stiq. They are above Clan
violence. Same with the members of the "Hand of Tela" a healing/mercantile order.
The Judges:
Persons appointed by the major clans (around 22), and then also 22 others from the other clans, each time a members dies/retires/etc there is a weapon take, and single combat, those who are left have the right to assign the new judge, the new judge is their for life, and is neutral, and no longer a member of his clan/family, but of the Satra proper.Judges are called on to judge and referee wars and other disputes. In reality the judges have a small army of those who are the referees and only the major cases are passed to the judges. Major cases such as when the Klingon Empire sent a star ship to the home world. Their patron is Uruk. (Combat does not have to be lethal).
Knights of Tiln:
an order made up of members from any clan/tribe/etc, most are persons who are the last survivor/losers of a clan war, with out a clan they are defenseless, so the Knights take them in and they loose all previous clan rights since their clan is now dead. Tiln is their patron diety, and he is known to travel
the byways testing the people of the Satra and the Knights and his worshipers, basically a diety of chivalry and law.. Basically the Knights are neutral in any
clan war.
Healing Hand of Tela:
A neutral order, whose mission is to protect those under Tela's care. They set up roadhouses, trade routes, hospital and orphanages. The Order provides an escape valve for many people. Orphans, as well as those who were on the loosing side in a clan war. Members of the order wander the face of the planet and the local
habitable planets/stations and such, building the building their order builds (to include space stations (cities as roadhouses). Children, the infirmed, and the elderly are under the protection of Tela. The Order is neutral in any clan war.
The Emperor (The Plaq):
Each champion from the games is called the Plaq, and as such serves as
the leader of the planet in those affairs from outside the planet/civilization. The Plaq is more ambassedor/foreign minister combined and a outward Emperor for those who are non-satra who need it.
Civilization:
Civilization is odd, in that other than space crafts, they do not use
modern weapons, other than the Knights who do use stunners (Klingon
type, neural stunners and very painful). Other than that, their civilization is comparable to Federation median to low end, highly influenced by Klingon technology.
Offworld Contacts:
The Satra (Federation word for them), were discovered by the Klingon Empire approximately 300 year ago, their culture was near modern 20th century earth level, with various differences, they had already discovered atomics early on (the home world has a high uranium content), and had already experimented with it to a great loss, one of the major reasons for the compact was this usage. The Empire
appointed a govenour for the planet, and he was quickly challenged and
dispatched, head sealed in ballistic jelly was sent back to the Empire, with a
proposition! Hire the Satra as mercenaries, allow us to live our own lived or be destroyed, the Klingons thought on this, and decided to allow them their wish, but they had to fight for it first. By Satra law no less, and the Satra won (barely), each
year this contest is repeated and so far the Satra have won most contests for each year. This year the Satra are independent, next year they may have a govenour,
you never know.. Such is the fate of War. Satra are still hired by the Klingon Empire for special guard duties and tasks.
See below for other ideas.
I wrote the below as a description for the race for a Star Trek PBEM
game I once was in.
My persona is a warrior, full of life, but a member of a semi-religious sect on his/her home world, so the reason for becoming a medical person. He has kids, but he left that behind to join star fleet to further his profession and religious
convictions. A member of the Order of the Healing Hands on his home world, they practice healing, setting up orphanages, teaching, and self defense martial arts. Generally they travel in small groups across the face of his home world,
setting up orphanages/half-way houses/road houses and such. The diety Tela
is their patron. War is good, but only for the combatants. The Order provides a escape valve for many people. Orphans, as well as those who were on the loosing side in a clan war. Satra (name for it in Fed records), is a near Fed level world,
separated into clan factions. Sort of like a giant Italian City State Confederation. Less war than some think. In part cause of the Compact. It was put forwarded ages ago by dieties/person name of Tiln and Tela. Tiln was for chivalrous war, is supposed to travel the world testing his followers. Tela is a healer, and such.
The basic compact is that no weapons of mass destruction. Basically weapons are limited to medieval level weapons. And the penalties are extreme for those who break it.
Anything more? Basically my character is a lay priest in the Order. Has some missions of his own (Orders missions and such)
ALTERNATE DESCRIPTION:
Genetically enhanced humanoids (creator unknown) who with four arms and
uncommon speed and knowledge of martial skills are the Shin'da Imperial Guard or of those who are rich enough to rent them. Known for their silence (rumor is they are mute) and stealth. Who are very strong physically, but weak in the areas of magic and psychic powers, other than powers of illusion.
Physical stats:
Height: 6-7'+
Weight: 200-300 pounds
Frame: Heavy
Eyes: Generally dark but maybe Ice Blue or Green or Grey but rare.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Four Arms. Teeth are more near male Gorilla in size.
Power transference/Inheritance: Only in Satras
Sexual: Has only one sex (Hermaphrodite).
Language: Satra speak the language of the nearest race that they respect (fantasy world: Giant types).
Alignment: Satra have a slight bent towards Law.
Special Abilities:
- Near ambidextrous (favorite type of attack is with a spear in one hand, a shield in another and a sword in another with the fourth hand ready for other things),
- A 50% resistance to any type of heat/fire/energy (magical or otherwise) (only in a fantasy world).
- A better than average constitution/health and a good resistance to disease (Magical or otherwise)
- The ability to regenerate limbs and health back.
- Known for the speed and dexterity.
- Mating Period: Almost any time of the year but generally during late summer early fall, but it can be held off up to seven years depending on safety and the possibility for food for the newly born Satras. This does not mean they abstain from sex for seven years, they just keep the collected genetic material till later (when food is plentiful or it is "safe").
- Mating Rituals: Bloody fight may break out over nesting areas and choice
- non-satra bed partners (Male or Female). The satra in some areas have taken over a modified form of the Shin'da bride price custom. (where as you capture your bride, and if you can keep it from it's relations, then you get to keep the "bride".
- Sexual/Reproduction: Male looking hermaphrodite (no breasts). They are
- basically asexual but they may collect and use genes from another
- humanoid by way of sexual liaisons (yes they are homosexual by
- definition). A Satra's Genitals of which there is two, first looks like a
- overly large human males, and the second looks like a female genitalia, both acts as a genetic material absorption device, which collects the genetic material (Sperm or Egg) from the satra's sexual partner and breaks it down into its genetic material for later use. Satra may lay up to 6 eggs per clutch, called a "stiq". Needless to
- say satra in some areas have a tendency to look some what like the local
- humanoid races. 5% of all Satra born of a mixing of Satra and non-Satra
- may be follow their non-satra parent in genetic outlook.
Social Units:
- The stiq (or clutch of eggs) is the basic unit of the social
- order for Satra, who ever hatched first is the leader until killed.
- The Ul: A social grouping of all Satra born in a particular
- year.
- Clan/Tribe: The clan and tribe many time over laps. A tribe is
- more a confederation of people/families with a common interest. A clan
- is a group of Satra who are possibly distantly related.
Worship/Gods:
- Mainly either a god/goddess of the giants or some warrior/sexual/fertility type of god/goddess, this if and when they do worship.
- Most famous is Shiran Hermaphrodite God/Goddess of the Blood
- Soaked Death, who was supposedly originally a satra. Known Characteristics:
- Well known for their loyalty to their Patron (even if money is very late, unless the Satra does not trust the patron), as well as their honesty and love of justice.
- Satra's love battle, dislike learning (not always true).
- Known for their silence (rumor is they are mute) and stealth.
- Satra's hate assassins with a passion. They hate subdefudge, dislike thieves and think dwarves/halfings are "Short People" and are a form of vermin at worst or ignored at best, Kenders don't last long (they make good finger food).
- Satra almost never ride any beast of burden/transport except maybe a rhino or hippo sized animal or an animal of the same basic body type.
- Satra are generally not very religious, and many times can be very blasphemous.
- A walking killing machine.
Job opportunities: Many times a satra will work as Mercenary commanders to some
deity/patron who wishes a very loyal servant if albeit expensive one.
Reputation: Humans generally if they know about satra's generally leave them alone, unless there is a pseudo-puritanical type religion in the area and the
satra will be at best only be be attacked by fruit, but...
Some basic stuff so far for the Satra (I know ADND, but).
Name: Satra
Terrain: Any, but tend for rural areas.
Frequency: Uncommon
Org: Family Group (Stiq) or larger.
Activity Cycle: Any?
Diet: Omnivore but favor carnivore.
Intelligence: Human and above.
Treasure: personnel, probably more than average.
Mostly weapons if magical.
Alignment: Lawful normally.
# Appearing: 1-6 (normally)
AC: 8 or better
Move: 12 or maybe 18?
Hit Dice: 7 (I Think, similar to an Ogre or like HD)
THACO: 18?
# Attacks: 5
Damage pers attack: Depends on weapon, normally
2)bucklers, spear and
sword/axe, and then bite.
Special Attacks: Bite
Special Resistance: Fire 1/2
Special Weaknesses:
Magic Resistance:
Psionic Resistance: Average, but possible to have some
psionic ability.
Size: M to L (6' - 10')
Morale: Extreme (not normally give up the field)
XP Value: Good to high.
Ambidextrous, attacks normally buckler (x2) for defence and for bashes,
spear and sword (or axe). Normally are not into missile weapons. Many also have excellent wrestling skills, all will do holds and all with their four arms.
Normal organization is the 6 members of a sibling Stiq, with one in charge.
Limited telepathy between Stiq members.
Tanya Boyce
THank you fo rthe offer but I have too much on my plate at this point of time.
Tanya
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