The Perdians

## Overview

The Perdians are a sentient species native to the now-destroyed planet Orgullo, characterized by their distinctly round heads, gray or blue-gray skin, and uniquely circular "ears." This occurred during the Mission's attempt to uplift and assimilate the Perdians. Once a thriving civilization with a rich culture, the Perdians were drastically reduced in number following the catastrophic destruction of their homeworld. Today, the surviving members of this species, with one exception, reside in Union space and are among the staunchest supporters of self-determinism.

## Physical Characteristics

Perdians are easily recognized by their round heads and large, circle-shaped "ears." These "ears" are actually massive cilia that are highly sensitive to sounds coming from any direction. It is extremely painful for a Perdian if their "ears" are struck with any force. They have gray or blue-gray skin.

## Destruction of Orgullo and Aftermath

Orgullo was destroyed in the year 332C, during an attempt by one of the factions to use advanced Mission technology against their enemies. It is not known which side wielded the weapon. This tragic event claimed the lives of nearly 10 billion Perdians, leaving only about 400 survivors who were off-world at the time.

The catastrophe had a significant impact on the galactic scene, with the Union using it as a prime example of the importance of self-determinism. In contrast, the Mission argues that species left to their own devices could still face extinction due to various factors, such as nuclear war or disease.

Most of the remaining Perdians have settled in Union space, predominantly in their own district within the Court. They mainly harbor a deep resentment towards the Mission and are active proponents of the Union's ideals.

### Javie Lepe

One notable survivor is Javie Lepe, a female Perdian who often collaborates with the Union Defense Force and delivers presentations on self-determinism

### Frere Veve

Another notable survivor is Frere Veve, a male Perdian. Veve is a controversial, divisive figure who supports the Mission and resides on Sorall. Veve is the only Perdian who resides in Mission space and is considered to be something of a traitor by the remaining members of his species.

## Culture and Religion

Perdian culture was heavily influenced by the celestial display in Orgullo's night sky, which featured numerous bright, large stars. The star goddess Ali was worshipped by the Alimentai faction, while Orgullo's four moons were revered by the Razoni faction. These two factions held differing religious beliefs and doctrines, which eventually led to a bitter civil war that plagued the planet.

The Alimentai and Razoni factions competed fiercely, leading to a period where each attempted to outdo the other in terms of religious holidays and significant events. As a result, the Perdian calendar was filled with nearly as many holidays as "normal" days. Some of these holidays involved lengthy and intricate rituals that were both physically and mentally demanding.

The Razoni faction was the one slated to be chosen by the Soran Order.

## Breeding and the Continuation of the Species

The survival and continuation of the Perdian species has become paramount, leading to significant changes in some cultural practices. Breeding, which was once a deeply personal affair often dictated by love and personal choice, is now largely influenced by an algorithm created to maximize genetic fitness. This shift in breeding practice is a conscious decision made by the Perdians in order to ensure the best possible chance for their species to thrive, given the bleak circumstances.

To execute this, the Perdians have built a sophisticated breeding program that matches individuals based on their genetic profiles. One of the notable outcomes of this program was the pairing of Javie Lepe and Frere Veve, despite their divergent political beliefs and individual distaste for the arrangement. Unique aspects of Perdian biology have made artificial insemination a fraught and difficult affair, and the general recommendation is to use a more traditional method. Thankfully, due to the ease of the Perdian birthing process, Perdians are naturally able to continue giving birth long into their elderly years without issues. Recognizing the gravity of their situation, Frere Veve traveled to the Court from Mission space temporarily. they fulfilled their duty to their species, after which Javie's newborn was given to a young Perdian couple for raising.

These nurturing couples, some of whom now care for as many as tweleve children, are hailed as heroes within the Perdian community. The children, although not all biologically linked to their caregivers, are raised with equal care and love, their origins serving as constant reminders of the sacrifices made for the continuation of the Perdian species. The Union government and other Perdians provide ample assistance to this "mega families." Javie's two biological daughters from two different fathers, now eight and five, are some of these children—beacons of hope for their species' future. Javie, like many Perdians in her situation, refers to her biological daughters as her "nieces," and she keeps a light correspondence with them, checking in on them the way an aunt might. The Perdian society, through its shared adversity, has grown to accept these new norms, sometimes resorting to humor at the absurdity of it all as a coping mechanism. Such has been their resilience and adaptability in the face of their existential crisis.

## Diet and Health

The destruction of Orgullo resulted in the loss of the native food sources that Perdians had evolved to consume. Union scientists have developed synthetic foods to sustain the remaining Perdians; however, the lack of knowledge about Orgullo's original food composition has left many survivors in a state of poor health and somewhat disinterest in eating.