Arkanians (A1-0)
 King Oldem III Sorr, a male Equatorial Arkanian. | |
 Queen Zara II Zish, a female Polar Arkanian. | |
| Biological Classification | |
|---|---|
| Designation | Sapient |
| Classification | Humanoid |
| Ancestral species | Humans |
| Related subspecies | Alari Dhaneghulans Jhadorans Panuri Prill Xalarians |
| Related species | Chiss/CheunhOwette Zeltrex |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Average height | ~1,85 m |
| Skin colour | White to light beige |
| Eye colour | Brown, blue, green |
| Hair colour | White |
| Breathe | Oxygen |
| Lifespan | 350 |
| Maturity | 18 |
| Sexes | 2 |
| Notable abilities | Heightened reflexes and above average strength |
| Sociocultural characteristics | |
| Place of origin | Unknown Arkania (adopted) |
| Star nation |  Arkanian High Kingdom |
| Total population | ~3,8 billion |
| Key worlds | Arkania, Thxan (moon), Ashlar (moon) |
| Languages | Arkanese |
| Religion | Jo'Dai Religion |
| Marital customs | Monogamous |
| Notable individuals | King Oldem III Sorr Queen Zara II Zish Jo'Dai Master Zeva Nassu Jo'Dai Master Krala Resh |
"Combat is more than just a means to accomplish a certain goal. It's a form of art. Like poetry, it reveals one's true heart and eventual inner peace. It can even be used as a method of meditation to find balance. We Arkanians understand this more than anyone, hence why our martial prowess is known wherever the Tiyanki roam."—Jo'Dai Master Zeva Nassu
The Arkanians are one of the most renowned species in the Tiyanki Territories. Their martial arts skills are known either by first hand experience or myths of their legendary performance. The Arkanians are an off-shoot race of the Humans who are masters of combat. Arkanians serve as both allies to the Jo'Dai Order and protectors of the Tiyanki. Through numerous interferences, they have manifested the place of their kingdom within the realms of the Tiyanki as the so-called "Tiyanki Guardians".
Biology and appearance
Arkanians have their distinct white hair and eyes which sets them apart from humans. While they may interbreed without problem with humans, the Arkanian genes seem to be dominant in most cases. The exception being the Polar Arkanian's skin colour and their slightly pointed ears. The pointed ears however, appear to be a result from previous genetic manipulation before they settled on Arkania. However, studies reveal that these pointed ears have grown smaller and fewer in numbers over the ages.
A difference in skin tone can also be seen, with the Polar Arkananians having whiter skin due to less sunlight exposure.
Arkanians are at the same stature as humans, but can live up to 350 standard years. They also have heightened reflexes and above average strength. These are all results from genetic tampering from before their arrival on Arkania and the planet's own harsh elements.
Due to their daily physical training and nutritious diet, the Arkanians tone their bodies to near perfect beauty. Especially Arkanian women are often considered to be angels throughout the Tiyanki Territories. Often leading to even more mysticism around their species. It's their cultural belief that the body is the result of their mind. Because of this belief, they view obese beings as repulsive and inferior. Arkanians will proudly boast that there has never been an obese Arkanian.
Polar Arkanians can also be seen wearing blue tattoos. These have an ancient origin from the ancient Arkanian Kingdom of Polxuve as a rite of passage. Both male and females have these self made markings which remain there for life. Names and such are forbidden to be engraved unto one's body as their actions should speak for themselves. The markings represent the finesse and artistry of the Arkanian in combat and must be earned through it. Different styles exist with each northern city having a distinct tradition. Some are more symmetric and blocky while others who are more curvy and fluid. This tradition is still alive today and used by all generations..
Society and culture
Throughout their history, the Arkanians have shown obedience and loyalty towards their monarchs. This is the reason why this archaic governing method holds to this day. The Arkanian monarchs are both wise and strong leaders. Their society has grown around the High King's court, yet the Arkanians see nothing wrong with it. They perceive it as their form of societal balance. Both parties must shown restraint respectively. A ruler cannot rule over those who do not wish it and those ruled cannot allow tyranny to overcome them. The archaic laws surrounding this system have survived millennia thanks to the societal consensus when they adopted the Jo'Dai religion. Without this mutual understanding, Arkanian society could fall back into a renewed age of infighting. Therefore the monarchy has become a pillar of Arkanian society and the Arkanians will protect it dearly, retaliating when their Kings and Queens are insulted. Although in the Age of Seven Kingdoms a strong caste system was present, this has largely changed with the rise of the High Kingdom. Every individual citizen swears loyalty to the High King and not to any Lord in between like in the old days. The nobility however remains intact and instead form the basis of the Royal Council who help administer and protect the Arkanian High Kingdom. Many of these Lords serve as the High King's representative and are what some consider to be the local government. They have in fact a fief in all but name and are proud families who serve as an example to the local populace.
What makes the Arkanians so legendary, is their martial arts. They have a similar fighting technique to the Jo'Dai's Mutai called the Nauku'k Thomixeu or Weirding Way, but at its core it searches to find the inner peace of the user. It requires total control over once body and then letting the mind flow through it in conjunction with the body. These martial arts were originally intended to overcome opponents, but have been seen as a form of art since early Arkanian history. The Arkanian heavily invest time in their fighting techniques and as a result their fighting techniques have become elegant and swiftly. Outsiders often describe Arkanian duels as dances as the opponents fight with such elegance and utter precision. These fighting techniques are very costly for Arkanians as they require enormous amounts of energy to sustain for long periods of time. Some schools of Arkanian martial arts focus on the elegance of battle rather then winning it such as the Vuzue'l Xuke. To them, its most important to maintain the elegance in battle while defending yourself until the opponent is worn out. These competitions have become popular in Arkanian society and culminate in the Great Duels. The Great Duels happen once every seven years and take about three months. This free for all competition accepts all willing Arkanians to perform. This competition takes so long because Arkanians can fight nearly a whole day in these tournaments. When duellists can fight for an entire day, they are seen great warriors. But if both can hold off the enemy for two days, they are immediately considered for a place in the Arkanian Royal Guard and receive a lifetime status as a Great Champion. Every Arkanian exercises some form of martial arts in their process of waking up. It is believed that no Arkanian is truly awake before shedding a bit of sweat. Arkanian working tends tend to be shorter than most standards to encompass these rituals. It is believed that these rituals increase productivity throughout the day.
Aside from combat, the more artistic natured Arkanians spend a lot of time on poetry and calligraphy. Often drawing similarities with combat. Every 8th day of the week, poetry is read all over the markets in cities. Poetry in the equatorial regions tend to focus more on the unknown and what might be, while in the polar regions, they relate to hardship and perseverance. The Arkanian language, Arkanese, is also perceived as a beautiful and elegant language to listen to. The Arkanians have soft voices and speak in a very controlled and calm manner. The rhythm both in their day to day language and poetry are quite melodious and have ebbs and flows. Many outsiders tell stories that they never felt such peace and calmness when they witnessed these weekly poetry markets. Many warriors tend to perfect both their martial skills as well as their poetry skills. They often use it to put their feelings and philosophies in battles in perspective.
The Jo'Dai Order has heavily influenced Arkanian culture. Aside from religion, the Arkanians have also adopted the peaceful ways that come with. Rather than focusing on conquest and glory, the Arkanians now work towards perfection. While combat still is a huge part of their lives, it now serves to bring them inner peace and control over their body. The Arkanians seek to preserve their societal peace on their homeworld and its moons. While the Jo'Dai preach to search out injustice and evil, the Arkanian society aims to create a bastion where evil cannot take form. This is done through the Juo xiu Zekru or Conduct of Honour. A series of codes which dictate how any Arkanian should live. Because of these rules Arkanians have an honest blunt nature often telling what they have in mind in all circumstances and is heavily endorse by their educational system. These ancient inscriptions, which were a fusion of Arkanian and Jo'Dai teachings, are preserved by the Council of Honour who serve as the upper judicial branch of the Kingdom. When crimes are committed, the Council of Honour will serve as the judge. Though it almost always will result in either death or exile. While the death sentence is rarely given and only for the most gruesome atrocities, the result is nearly always the same. The criminal will face death by combat and whether how much he or she puts up a fight shows how much honour they still have left in them. For only Ashla is believed to truly redeem such a criminal. Like the morning rituals, the Arkanian must sweat before he or she can enter the afterlife. Practical alliances do exist with the Jo'Dai Order. When the Jo'Dai face larger threats that require large scale invasions, the Arkanian military steps in. On few occasions the Arkanians sent an entire Battlegroup in similar cases when they helped defeat the Zeltrex Pirate Queen Analosa. Though these large scale operations are few and far between in history. Arkania also holds one of the few active Jo'Dai Enclaves. This Luzu Enclave came to be as the result of the first Jo'Dai Watchman of Arkania, Krala Resh. The Watchman of Arkania is tasked to supervise the peace on the planet. While this wasn't really needed on Arkania per se, it was a show of good faith between the two parties. Jo'Dai Knight Krala Resh, with the approval of the Jo'Dai High Council, began to actively train and recruit members into the Jo'Dai Order. Arkania thus became an extension for the Jo'Dai Order and Younglings pass through Arkania on their way to Thrallum. This is to show them what societal peace looks like and what they must achieve in their quest for justice.
Arkanians have also proven to be highly inventive species. Their technology is known for its elegance and reliability in the Tiyanki Territories. This however comes at a cost of complexity and secrecy. Arkanians keep essential details on how technology works a secret from outsiders. This is to keep knowledge away from those who seek to do harm. They also find a certain beauty in making complicated things. Systems upon systems that can work in conjunction with one another nonetheless. However this elegance is also shown on the outside as they often give refined twisted carvings on the outer layers of their works.
Naming conventions
Arkanian naming system follows a certain rule set. One or two syllables are most common, though exceptions do exist. Although female names ended with the letter "u" in the Age of Seven Kingdoms, nowadays those names end with the letter "a". This is one of the few changes that has happened throughout Arkanian linguistic history. The letter "c" also doesn't appear in the Arkanian language nor their names. Like in most cultures, the children of the family will bear the family name of their father. Wives however, maintain their family name upon marriage. Family names have become a point of great pride in most Arkanians who will speak of the great acts of their forefathers.
OOC Note:
Useful link for inspiration of names: Arkanian names
Language: Translator by using Echani language and switching "q" with "th".
Akanians in Sector A1-0
Arkanians remain unknown to the Sector at large. While tales of their prowess can leave the Tiyanki Territories, they rarely do. Even then the Arkanians are shrouded in mystery and labelled as space angels. It is yet unknown how the Sector at large will adapt to the knowledge of these mystical species.
Derogatory terms
The Arkanians are seen by many as elegant and honourable. However, not all view them from this perspective. Most notably pirate factions such as Dunedari pirates, a remnant from their nomadic lifestyle, still find themselves at odds with the Arkanian Protection Forces in the Arkanian Protected Realms. These raiders often call the Arkanians "Tiyanki lovers" or "Whities".