Balalonian

## BASICS

● Name: Balalonian

● Homeworld: Tch'nar (t-ch-n-air)

● Lifespan: Biologically Immortal

## GENERAL INFORMATION

● Planet(s) Inhabited: Many (Balalonian Hegemony)

● Current Status: Spacefaring

## APPEARANCE

● Description: Balalonians are massive creatures that stand on two legs and have thick leathery hides. They are broadly built though females are generally larger than males in all regards.

● Height Range: 8 to 9 feet

● Weight Range: 240 to 350 pounds

● Genders: Binary

## LORE

The Balalonian species made first contact with humanity in a surprise attack against the then called Verdun in October of 2168. Dozens of Hegemony starships cloaked and activated optical camouflage to provide insurgency into small towns where a staging ground was set up for the main invasion force. A team of Sol Republic Commandoes led by Staff Sergeant Mark Tazar were sent to investigate Verdun for potential insurgencies regarding recent attacks in near Passchendaele. Originally it was believed that the attacks were coordinated by Verdun authorities seeking to gain a foothold into Sol Republic territory. Upon discovering the insurgency Staff Sergeant Tazar, Private Rayne and Specialist Reliquae linked up with local Verdun Republic Guardsmen to repel the initial invasion. During this time Reliquae was killed by a sniper, Tazar was injured and Rayne traumatized to the point of retiring from Sol Republic forces.

Balalonians are incredibly strong for a biological species; easily able to manhandle the majority of average humans with relative ease. Most noteworthy regarding this trait is their affinity for melee weaponry instead of firearms despite having demonstrated more than adequate intelligence to build and use them. They are highly aggressive; often preferring to make very direct and decisive attacks rather than waste time seeking flanks or unprotected positions. During the Battle of Verdun this affinity was exploited by Sol Republic, Virginian Imperial and Verdun Republican commanders as the Hegemony seems to prefer the most guarded targets rather than attempting to find indirect routes to achieve victory.

As a species their culture revolves around warfare with many training very close to birth to become the best warrior their society can offer. Females do not serve in combat in their culture though this appears to be due to a societal taboo rather than any physical frailness as Balalonian females are considerably larger than males. The largest Balalonian will often lead smaller Balalonians into battle and often has the highest rank; at least among Hegemony forces. While a larger Balalonian may hold higher rank it is worthy of note that the largest Balalonian may not be the one giving the commands in combat; instead delegating that responsibility to the smarter of their species.

Balalonians do not appear to have evolved naturally based on current scientific evidence. While their jaws are predatory their thick endoskeleton is typically seen in prey animals to avoid broken bones when being struck. Additionally, although they are strong they do not appear to have a skull that evolved similarly to most other races whom typically have lighter skulls to make room for more brain matter. Instead the skull of a Balalonian is incredibly thick and their elongated snout, very atypical of most bipedal lifeforms, is filled with muscle and sinew for a powerful bite. At the moment however this is mere speculation on behalf of most Alliance scientists.

## Religion

The Balalonian religion is simplistic compared to most religious orders in other species. Their gods exist in a pantheon and each deity has a specific role to play.

Their leading god of the pantheon is named Ka'bal. According to Balalonian religion Ka'bal brought life to their homeworld by slaying a cosmic rabbit and leaving its corpse to rot where the planet would eventually form. The cosmic rabbit's flesh over time became the living creatures upon the world and the bones of the rabbit became the ground. The blood of said rabbit became the small rivers and lakes that dot the harsh landscape of their homeworld. Ka'bal in Balalonian mythology is a great hunter who stalks the universe looking for prey. Though he is the leader of the gods for Balalonians, no Balalonian prays to Ka'bal for Ka'bal is an uncaring god whom neither hears the pleas nor damns his unwanted and unintended children. His only love is for that of the hunt; killing and consuming prey.

The second god in the pantheon is K'jorn whom came to their homeworld after Ka'bal had left. K'jorn is the god of wrath and destruction. According to their religion K'jorn baked their world in fire for the sins of Ka'bal leaving the carcass behind. It is because of this deity's influence that nothing goes to waste in Balalonian society as even the bones, despite there being far better alternatives, are still used in certain tools in the modern era. K'jorn is most accurately depicted as a god of punishment and torment and is the only deity in their religion to have given them strict orders to adhere to.

### K'jorn's Decrees:

Raising a weapon against an unarmed opponent is strictly forbidden though raising a weapon against an animal or using bare hands against an unarmed opponent is allowed.

The weak are to be shunned and outcasted from society to make the whole better.

Those who defy K'jorn must be swiftly and decisively destroyed.

Honor outweighs the need for food, water or even life itself.

A Balalonian must travel, at all times, with a weapon.

Third in their pantheon is D'jira; the only female in recorded Balalonian history books or religious books alike. D'jira descended from the heavens to give life from the dead cosmic rabbit which created their world. She laid several eggs inside the corpse of the rabbit while the world was still forming and eventually those eggs hatched into her children; the Balalonians. D'jira made no decrees over the Balalonian society but warned them that without reconciliation towards their foes they would eventually meet their end which would come in fire so hot that shadows burned into the very soil of the planet itself.

## Hegemony Tenants of Honorable Combat

Obey K'jorn for his wrath is infinite and your punishment will be unending.

You will destroy weakness in honorable combat with your blade, your axe, your sword or your fists.

Scorn those who do not hear K'jorn's voice in battle for they will be punished.

You will never retreat in battle even if it costs your life; instead constantly advance and give no ground.

Glory yourself in battle for it is the mark of a true hunter to prove his mettle against his foes.

Raising weapon against those who have none is the mark of a coward. Likewise, destroying your enemies without meeting them face to face is the mark of a worse coward.

Do not destroy those who are carrying life for though they may be weak their spawn may create a worthy adversary.

Grant your enemy a swift death. Torture is the privilege of K'jorn.

K'jorn's fire burns inside us all. Unleash it upon your enemies in your final hours.