Heyrnese

The **Heyrnese** were a sentient species native to the planet Heyrn, the capital of Heyrnese Space. They were recognized for their blue skin, big floppy ears, and starry eyes. The Heyrnese were known for their musicality and academic prowess.

## Biology and Appearance

Heyrnese were similar to humans in their biology, but with several clear distinctions. Arguably their most defining trait was their big floppy ears that gave them heightened sensitivity and synchronization to noise and music. When met with irritating or excessively loud noises, their ears would curl up. Their skin could be colored in shades of blue or indigo. Heyrnese eyes could be either gold, pale blue, pink, or white in color. Instead of proper pupils, white four-pointed stars marked their irises. Some believed that these eyes allowed the Heyrnese to "see music". All Heyrnese typically had naturally pale blue-colored hair. Some Heyrnese had freckles, either colored a pale pink, pale blue, or gold.

Interestingly enough, the Heyrnese were known to have aged twice as fast as humans and other humanoid sentients, up until the age of 8, which humans considered the age of 16. When a Heyrnese turned 8 years old, they would begin to age roughly around the same rate as humans and other humanoid sentients.

Most if not all Heyrnese were said to have had remarkable and clear singing voices. Scientists often debated on whether this trait was attributed to their biology or their cultural values. Regardless, many Heyrnese used sound and song-based magic.

They had the capability to reproduce with humans and most other sentient humanoid species.

## Society and Culture

As a civilization built on the principles of knowledge, the Heyrnese were known to be thinkers and creators at heart. Their society embraced magic, primarily music and sound-based magic. Music and mathematics were valued greatly in Heyrnese society, and so everything from the arts to their architecture was something that many were proud of. Open conversation and debate were seen as a good way for these sorts of new ideas to be shared and built upon. The Heyrnese believed that such discussions would allow their society to continue prospering in the arts and education. To be wise and knowledgeable was desired above all else in Heyrnese society, so much so that the title of leader for Heyrnese Space's government—Heyrn's Enlightened—was "the Wisest".

Wisdom was such an important core value to the Heyrnese to the point where it played a part in their religion. Eyranity was a widespread religion across Heyrnese Space, with the Goddess of Wisdom, Eyra, being the deity that many worshipped. Prayers made to Eyra and blessings made on the goddess' behalf were said to bring divine wisdom and protection.

### Kinship

Heyrnese kinship differed from that of regular humans and other humanoid species around the Cassiopeia Galaxy. The traditional idea of mothers and fathers was not too widely recognized, and as such, marriage was not a common practice amongst the Heyrnese. Often times, one Heyrnese woman would act as the biological mother for multiple children from different Heyrnese men. This being said, Heyrnese children were often raised cooperatively by their fathers and by the Heyrnese schooling institutions. Siblings born under the same mother and father were often close, while half-siblings (those with the same mother but different fathers) were often not particularly close.

Mothers on Heyrn were often very close with one another and considered themselves as family. The Heyrnese goddess Eyra was also called the All-Mother. Eyra's wisdom was said to bless the mothers of Heyrn with prosperous, long, joyful lives.

Despite this kinship system, a good number of Heyrnese inividuals were known to have had close relations with their mothers, fathers, and half-siblings. This was especially common with those who lived outside of Heyrnese Space, or were born and raised apart from standard Heyrnese traditions.

### Naming Conventions

Typically, the Heyrnese were named after words—predominantly nouns but sometimes verbs—that started with the letter R. Such names included Rhythm, Remedy, Rendition, Reason, and Romance. Those born outside of Heyrnese Space sometimes forwent this tradition.

### Language

**Heyrnese** was the native tongue of the Heyrnese people. The language was distinct enough from Common where those fluent in Heyrnese spoke with noticeable accents when speaking Common.