Aoshanti

> "*The Throneborne*"
>
> **- Unknown**
>
>

The **Aoshanti** are a species of charismatic avians who originally developed on the planet Lessos. Communal and hierarchical by nature, these feathered beings form strong bonds with one-another, with their societies, and with forces at work in the galaxy. The depths of Aoshanti feeling and meaning ascribed to such things as family, tradition, fate, authority, responsibility, the exercise of power, and so on, are difficult to fathom for other races.

Tens of thousands of years before the present, the Aoshanti kingdom of Abzu united the species under one banner, forming an Empire which would come to rule over most of the Aegis Cluster, with a presence in every galaxy, until the Sacking of Abzu approximately 15,000 years ago. The Old Aoshanti Empire, its legacy, and its faith have had either a direct or indirect influence on almost all galactic civilization since its time.

The Aoshanti typically believe themselves to have a special connection to the galaxy and its life, and galactic history as retold in their myths and stories has a tendency to bear this out. They are prevalent in a large number of modern states, most notably the Aoshanti Republic and Empire of Pomaria.

## Demographics

Aoshanti of some variety can be found in nearly every galaxy in the Aegis Cluster, due to the expansion of the old Aoshanti Empire. Current states with prominent Aoshanti populations include:

Aoshanti-Majority States
* Akran Theocracy
* Aoshanti Republic
* Aoshanti Empire (Pomaria)
* Bonames
* Titian

Significant Aoshanti Minorities
* Phero Ecumene
* Naer'si
* Arboros
* Kingdom of Aratacia
* Illarian Empire
* Kleitos
* Serene Dominion of Lunsariat
* Adresaas Empire

## Biology & Appearance

Aoshanti are bipedal and roughly humanoid, covered in a mix of feathers and down, which naturally grow into prominent crests on their heads and vestigial wings on their arms—though the latter are often clipped. Their skeletons are lightweight, their legs digitigrade, and their fingers long and ending in talons. The color and style of their plumage can vary widely by ethnicity and culture.

Aoshanti beaks include two prominent pairs of mandibles, vestiges of their predatory ancestors which now play a role in language and expression. The top of the beak is segmented, extending into a pair of tough but flexible brow crests.

Aoshanti live to be roughly a hundred years old and experience aging. They are generally monogamous and have two sexes, one male and one female. Aoshanti reproduce by laying eggs. They are about a head taller than a human on average.

### Phylogeny

It is thought that, many millennia ago, the ancestors of the Aoshanti species were predators who hunted high over the mountain peaks of Lessos. However, after the cataclysmic ice age that suffocated most forms of life on the planet, the Aoshanti emerged an intelligent, bipedal race covered thickly in feathers and relying on complex tribal societies for survival. Their bones were thicker, they had completely lost the ability to fly, and they now moved on foot with great athleticism and speed. While they lacked the brute strength of other animalia, they were able to rely on maneuver, discipline, and guile to vanquish and thrive.

## Culture

### Aristocracy

Aoshanti traditionally organize under powerful aristocratic families and monarchs, some of whom trace their heritage as far back as the Old Empire.

### Naming conventions

*To generate many Aoshanti names, we use an Old Roman Name Generator*
Although Aoshanti have many cultures, and so different naming traditions across cultures, certain patterns recur. Aoshanti gain first names and family names at birth, though these given names reflect the family lineage. Eldest sons will most often inherit their fathers' names and their mothers', creating a primary line within the family of individuals bearing the same name. Traditionally, female Aoshanti take their husband's last name when they get married, although many matriarchal families exist where the reverse is true.

Second sons tend to receive a wider variety of names, often historical, religious, or in honor of friends and allies. If the eldest son dies, it is common for the second son to change their name to that of their parent to preserve the family line. Sometimes, a father and a son might change their name together to restore a dead line, such as Honil Karathon and his son, Macarius, changing their names to Veritas and Leontus respectively.

In order to tell family members of the primary line apart, a number in Aoshanti numerals is often added to the end of the name, i.e. Ketor Kathura IX. This is often provisional, as Aoshanti of the primary line will look to acquire a third name which reflects their accomplishments, i.e. Leontus Karathon Herrata, where Herrata is a prestige name earned to reflect Leontus Karathon's deeds at the Battle of Herrath during the First Concourse War.

## Trivia

* The original Aoshanti appearance was designed by Shiznasty.