Zeltrex (A1-0)
 | |
| Biological Classification | |
|---|---|
| Designation | Sapient |
| Classification | Humanoid |
| Ancestral species | Humans |
| Races | Azeenti Fopti Mutpei Praanti Teedici Argiyar Graedal Oapiy Ounsil Uit Qraunsil (extinct) |
| Related species | Alari Arkanians Chiss/Cheunh Dhaneghulans Humans Jhadorans Panuri Prill Owette Xalarians |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Average height | 1,86 m |
| Skin colour | Light pink to crimson red |
| Eye colour | Brown, blue, yellow, orange, purple, black |
| Hair colour | Pink, red, purple, grey |
| Breathe | Oxygen |
| Lifespan | 80 standard years |
| Maturity | 16 standard years |
| Sexes | 2 |
| Notable abilities | Pheromone producing organs in hair |
| Sociocultural characteristics | |
| Place of origin | Unknown Zeltrox (speculated) |
| Star nation |  Zeltrex Freehold |
| Total population | Unknown |
| Key worlds | Nomadic Hedunia |
| Languages | Zeltrish (common language) **Azeentesh (dialect) **Foptesh (dialect) **Mutpeesh (dialect) **Praantesh (dialect) **Teedicesh (dialect) **Argiyarish (dialect) **Graedalish (dialect) **Oapiyish (dialect) **Ounsilish (dialect) **Uitish (dialect) Eweno (adopted) nglish/Austral (adopted) |
| Religion | Atheism Pantheo of Eriza and Kadan |
| Marital customs | None |
| Notable individuals | Pirate Queen Analosa |
"Business before pleasure, before pleasure."—Mogul Uilodova of the Moonlight Dancers
The Zeltrex (singular: Zeltrex, plural: Zeltrex, adjective: Zeltrex) are a near-human species, distinctive from humans by their skin which comes in an exotic variety of colours. Their lifestyle is also distinctive as they live in large nomadic fleet and wander the Sector in search of commerce and pleasure. They boast a sector wide reputation for their jovial culture and gullibility. Their appearance is also found attractive, even to more xenophobic and non-humanoid species, though it is highly debated whether this solely due to their appearance as theories suggest this is due their pheromones.
Biology and appearance
The Zeltrex are similar to humans/Terrans and some might even consider them a subspecies of humans, though this is still highly debatable. The origins of their homeworld Zeltrox remains a mystery, but considering their similarity to humans, scientists suspect Zeltrox was a planet just like the many planets which are now inhabited by humans. Despite their more exotic look compared to humans, they also tend to be a bit shorter as well as their lifespan. However their most important differential are their pheromones which are produced by glands at the roots of their hair. As a result, if people get too close to them, especially when odour organs reach the hair of Zeltrex, the pheromones will enhance the attractiveness and likeability towards the Zeltrex. Usually the Zeltrex will use this to entice members to proceed to have intercourse with them. Because of this, the Zeltrex have been known to carry STD's. Their pheromones capabilities are controllable, though they produce naturally when the Zeltrex are drunk or under influence of drugs. Contrary to their human counterparts, Zeltrex males don't grow beards. Even sideburns are considered a rarity and they frown upon humanoids which keep their facial hair as a fashion sense. Apart from the pheromones the Zeltrex have a second liver which allows them to consume much more alcohol than humans and are on par with the more larger and resilient species in the sector when it comes alcohol consumption. The Zeltrex are also very keen on their fashion and will be sure to show it off. Both male and females wear revealing clothes often. It goes without saying that they are highly individualistic in their fashion, but also their nature. To the point that they barely have uniforms and customize whatever they have according to their tastes. Their extravaganza is renowned. Even when wearing more elegant clothes, one can always expect female Zeltrex to reveal more than other species.
A young Zeltrex male.
A young female Zeltrex in a lavish dress.
Society and culture
The Zeltrex no longer have a monoculture. Their nomadic culture has divided them into different clans which live in large nomadic fleets, called Trade/Pleasure Fleets. which travel the sector in search for money and pleasure. These clans have grown so apart from each other that they have grown their own distinctive languages. Their common tongue is almost forgotten and a few Zeltrex maintain it to communicate with their own kind. Culture on these large ships also vary with some clans (Azeenti, Fopti, Mutpei, Praanti and Teedici) focusing more on commerce and business opportunities. Other clans focus more on their search for pleasure such as the Argiyar, Graedal, Oapiy, Ounsil and Uit. This division is theorized to come from tensions on Zeltrox, though even the Zeltrex don't really know this as they have long forgotten their past. Some historians have even theorized that there are more Zeltrex clans out there and some suspect others have perished. Whatever their past may be, the Zeltrex are determined to continue their nomadic lifestyle. These Trade/Pleasure Fleets are large constellations of ships ranging from 600 to 2.000 which travel the sector with different modes of FTL-travel, though Warp Field Drive is the most common amongst the Zeltrex fleets. The largest Trade/Pleasure Fleets have been identified according to their clans, though smaller fleets still exist. On their journey they search luxuries in their quest for greed and pleasure. However, these fleets have their own character and some clans might ignore formal borders while other might respect them. This further decreased the Zeltrex reputation amongst more reserved nations which value power and order. The Zeltrex on the other hand don't seem to be too bothered with their stained reputation.
A Zeltrex pleasure cruiser.
Zeltrex culture is also highly influenced by sexuality and the pursuit of pleasure in general. Most of their art and literature is devoted to the subject. They looked upon monogamy as a weird practice and preferred open and polygamous relationships. They were also very gifted with holograms, and were the renowned for their hologram programs and holosuites. It would seem that even Zeltrex technology is focused on pleasure. This is often intertwined with partying which the Zeltrex only enhance through their use of alcohol and drugs. Because of the biological characteristics these parties often result in some sort of intercourse. The Zeltrex are also highly individualistic and their ships are commonly known to be full of anarchy, with only Captains to be some sort of authority on their ships. This is also represented in their family structure as their children always remain with their mother and choose their own father figures. Children remain with their mother until their reach the age of 16 T-years. During their childhood they choose a father figure at around 8 T-years old, for themselves which is called Merit-Father. The Merit-Father helps the biological mother with raising their adoptive children to integrate them properly in Zeltrex society. When a Zeltrex comes of age they either choose a profession by a Master where they become an Apprentice for 4 years. However this sometimes requires money to begin and therefor many females and to some extent males, resort to prostitution to gain their initial capital. However there are also more productive members in Zeltrex society. Xenobiologists on their cruisers are renowned for their knowledge of multiple species and are of keen help on STD's which can plague the Zeltrexian lifestyle. However, this always comes at a price. Dancers and performers are admired by many for their beauty. Even some financial firms have made a reputation for themselves in the sector. Whether or not the Zeltrex fleets are welcomed, highly depends on the star nation they visit which sometimes results in skirmishes. The Zeltrex are also a very open species which give xenophilia a new meaning. Often females boast of their sexual experiences with the many species they have slept with. This has resulted in some cultural clashes between the Zeltrex and other species. They welcome any species unto their cruisers and try to learn about their definitions of pleasure. This they do to come to what they believe is their ultimate form of pleasure.
Religion
The Zeltrex traditional religion reflects Zeltrexian values such as money and pleasure. The Goddess of Pleasure, Eriza and God of Fortune, Khadan are highly praised in society. One more than the other in accordance to their culture. Other deities exist, but have lost relevance over the centuries. Some smaller groups might have a larger focus on lesser deities compared to the larger fleets. The Zeltrex frequently make offers to their deity to sustain their success. These offerings may vary from candles to sexual parties. The Eriza Pleasure Festival is the most known celebration. During this festival the Zeltrex indulge in a week long constant partying where the use all sorts of substances and enjoy themselves even more compared to the rest of the Zeltrexian calendar. Freedom of religion is also an important aspect and different aspects from other species their religion have been adopted by some. Most Zeltrex however remain somewhat agnostic and suddenly become highly religious during the Eriza Pleasure Festival. When confronted by this, the Zeltrex will commonly try to entice the accuser into some sort of pleasure to distract them.
Naming conventions
Zeltrex naming system is very simply as they only have one name as they don't believe in any tight familial bonds. Female names often start with the syllables Er-, El, An-, Ol-, Uil-, ... and often ends on A. Male names on the other hand, begin with a consonant and end with the syllables -on, -an, -ak, -un, ek, ... These norms are kept throughout the many Zeltrex cultures which contradict the other aspects of each other. It seems that the naming system has been the only major consistency remaining from the Zeltrish common language.
Derogatory terms
Because of the Zeltrex's reputation they are often faced with racism and scepticism. The most common names that are given to the are the following:
- Happy-go-lucky nomads
- Infectors
- Nomadic scum
- Pink skins
- Pleasure maniacs
- Pawn schemers
- Xenolovers