The Tellia

## Overview

The Tellia are one of the key species in the Union of Planets, renowned for their warrior-poet culture, which emphasizes poetry, martial prowess, and emotional intensity. As members of the Union, the Tellia hold ideologically to the Union's stance on self-determinism and oppose homogenization. They are most commonly found on their home planet of Tel Adder, with a significant population on the moon Tel 1.

## Physical Characteristics

The Tellia (and the Goral) are two of the few known sentient mammalian species to have an exoskeleton in addition to their endoskeleton, which is flexible and pleasant to the touch. Their bodies are highly adapted for mobility and combat. On average, they are slightly shorter than the typical sentient in the galactic scene.

## Culture

### Emotional Intensity

The Tellia value feeling emotions deeply, especially overwhelming or powerful emotions, and believe that embracing these emotions leads to a fuller understanding of oneself and the universe. Many Tellia strongly oppose the use of substances like alcohol or drugs, which they believe dampen true emotion. However, the use of virtual reality varies greatly among individuals.

### Warrior-Poet Tradition

All Tellian soldiers are poets to some degree, with poetry writing and interpretation being highly valued skills in their society. This combination of martial and artistic expertise makes the Tellia formidable opponents in battle and reflects their belief in the importance of personal growth through intense experiences. Even those Tellia who are not soldiers will often at least dabble in poetry as well.

### Ancestral Veneration

Although the majority of modern Tellia are now Adan Created, the legacy of their ancestral religion involving the veneration of key familial figures lives on in various aspects of their culture. Idiomatic expressions and certain rituals still reflect the desire to seek approval and guidance from these ancestors in their day-to-day lives.

### Cuisine

Tellian cuisine is characterized by bold flavors, with a strong emphasis on very spicy, bitter entrees and sour desserts. Using unique and exotic ingredients native to Tel Adder and Tel 1, Tellian chefs create dishes that stimulate the senses and encourage emotional exploration.

## History

### Primitive Era

Before achieving faster-than-light travel and joining the Union, the Tellia were divided into various warring tribes. Some of these tribes practiced ritual sacrifice and sometimes cannibalism, offering up often innocent members of other tribes to appease their ancestors. This practice was eventually abandoned as the Tellia evolved socially and technologically, but it remains a dark stain on their history.

### Union Membership

In the year -603C, the Tellia entered into the Ledev-Tellia Alliance with the Ledev D'sahn. This is often seen as the birth of the Union of Planets, although that name would be applied later on. The Tellia remain one of the most prominent species in the Union, alongside the Ledev D'sahn, and—to some extent—the Frex.

## Religion

There are a variety of beliefs, including atheism and agnosticism, among the Tellia. However, the majority of Tellia belong to the Adan Created sect, which holds that the highest form of revelation is to learn the name of the Creator. However, there is a divide among Adan Created regarding the prohibition of interspecies romantic unions. Some adhere to this teaching despite galactic social pressure, while others believe it's time to move on from this outdated practice.

Religious and areligious tolerance is a key value in the Union, and as such, it is championed by almost all Tellia.

## Calendar

The Tellia have an unusual calendar system, as they have no months or days of the week. They simply number each day starting at zero for the first day of the year. There are 424 days in a typical Tellian year. Read more about the various year conventions in the galactic scene here.

## The Goral

While it is true that ultimately only one true "sentient" species typically survives the long evolutionary battle of a planet, that is not always the case. On Tel Adder, there exists another sentient species called the Goral. The Goral share a common ancestry with the Tellia. They are characterized by their stouter bodies, thicker exoskeletons, and more reserved temperament. The Goral primarily reside in the Goralli Isles, where they have lived in relative isolation for approximately 20,000 years. While they are part of the Union of Planets, their interest in space travel and involvement in the Union is minimal.

## Exida

Exida is a large, nationalist, traditionalist country on Tel Adder that has resisted assimilation into the larger Tellian government. With its own capable military, Exida has a strained relationship with the Union, pushing anti-Union rhetoric and maintaining a strict legal prohibition on interspecies romance. There are concerns that the situation may escalate into violence, and the Union has threatened to expel Exida from the organization.