Who Are The Selcar
Indigenous to the planet of Delata located in the Omega Star System less than 100 light years from the planet of Hyprus, the Selcar are neutral in relation to the affairs of other races but are highly territorial when their sovereign space is violated without first obtaining proper approval.
Selcar have a mix of lizard and salamander type characteristics with smooth glossy skin variations, slender bodies, blunt snouts, short arms, robust hind legs for leaping large distances, and thick tails. Their feet have no more than five digits, while their relatively short arms have a max of four digits. Male and female Selcar display average heights from 1.3 to 1.5 meters with respiration occurring through the skin.
Due to the potential for rapid proliferation, Selcar live between 70 to 80 years of age and distinction between the sexes is not readily apparent. They use tactile and olfactory cues to identify potential mates. Just like similar species found on other planets, pheromones play an important part in their mating process, which are produced by the abdominal glands in males and by the cloacal glands and skin in both sexes. Fertilization is internal where the male typically spreads his essence over the eggs in special birthing pools. Female Selcar will then pick up the fertilized egg and carry it in a pouch for approximately two months, where they are then removed and observed until hatching occurs. Young Selcar emerge at approximately 0.6 meters tall and mature rapidly over the course of 12 months until they reach adulthood. Courtship tends to be less personal and ritualistic than it is with other races.
Selcar society is tribalistic in nature with both male and female holding positions of authority. There are seven dominant tribes whose membership can range anywhere from 12 members to several hundred, each having a “capital city” or Taream. Disputes are rare and their history is not marred with prolonged periods of war or civil unrest. When conflicts do arise, the tribal leaders, who are housed in their respective Taream, meet with the leaders of the opposing tribe to settle their differences. If three or more tribes are involved in a quarrel, the matter is then brought before the Eneerie; a body comprised of one key representative from each tribe.
The Eneerie provide oversight to the Selcar populace as a whole and direct its intergalactic affairs. The Selcar are particularly adept in the science related fields, especially oceanography, ecology, meteorology, genetics, and chemistry. The development of interstellar travel came much later in their evolutionary development due to a number of historical setbacks, especially during an epoch when they were enslaved by a race long since extinct. Like a small number of other races, the Selcar fleet is comprised primarily of living ships with minor integration of non-organic materials.
The Selcar home world is 76% percent water with four large landmasses and several small island chains. Delata’s geography is comprised mostly of remarkably unmolested jungle and rainforest. Although the Selcar are Delata’s primary humanoid population, they do share their surroundings with a diverse number of species many of which are predatory. Delata has maintained a delicate balance between the beings living on its surface and the resources needed to sustain them. For this reason, very few foreign species are allowed on its surface in order to avoid introduction of potentially harmful pathogens. When communicating with other races, face-to-face meetings are conducted on one of the three specially designed space stations orbiting Delata.
Selcar are decisive in judgement and swiftly deliver verdicts when a consensus is met. They maintain strict adherence to honor and cultural norms, while also exercising remarkable tolerance towards other species. There are many in the main Selcar tribes who view such tolerance with disdain, citing it to be a sign of weakness. On the opposite side, diverse pockets of the Selcar populace view such stringent scrutiny as holdovers from the time when they were slaves, emphasizing a need to move forward cautiously when dealing with other species rather than living in constant fear of betrayal.
This is a rough overview where nuance will evolve over time. Feel free to post your questions, comments, or concerns. I will respond, if need be, when I able.
