Tenzei

[WIP]

Tenzei (*Lumina iridesci*) are a species of humanoid amphibians from the planet Gadena.

## Anatomy & Physiology

Tenzei are amphibians who spend most of their life underwater. Their DNA has eight letters and they live for around 100 radials (358 years) on average.

Their skin is plain white. Some parts of their body (webbing between fingers and toes, sclera) are bioluminescent and glow in a specific color (which is always at 100% saturation and brightness), and other parts (hair and irises) have a lighter color (same as their glow but 25% saturation) but do not glow. Their pupils are either vertically or horizontally slit, vertical being the dominant trait and horizontal being recessive. Tenzei tails are thick and muscular to help them swim. Tenzei do not have external ears.

Tenzei have two horns on top of their head that are always symmetrical. They can only have two horn bases (one on each side of the head), though the horns themselves can be about any shape that doesn't harm the person. Tenzei also have scales all the way from the top of their necks (starting just below the jaw) to the tip of their tails, these scales are only along the front/underside of their body and are long (stretching the entire width of the scaled portion) but not very tall. Around the edge of the scaled portion of their body there is no skin pigment and their blood color can be seen through their skin. Both their horns and scales are grey and made out of the same material as their teeth (which are also grey). Tenzei teeth can grow in any biologically reasonable shape that does not harm the person.

Tenzei have three strings of spherical beads on their body, one stretching from the tip to the base of their tail and the other two stretching from the tip to the base of their horns. Their tail beads always run along the top of their tail, while their horn beads can run along any side of the horns as long as they're symmetrical. Tenzei start out with a specific amount of tail beads and no horn beads after hatching, and gain one extra bead on each string for every radial they live. New beads appear while the Tenzei is asleep at the end of the string connected to the tip of the tail/horn. Beads and the string they're on are the same color as Tenzei blood, usually a dark green (#002c00).

### Sex & Reproduction

Tenzei have three standard biological sexes (not including intersex states), which are called red, blue, and green. Reds (XX sex chromosomes) are most analogous to human females, blues (XY) are most analogous to human males, and greens (YY) are exclusive to Gadenan life. While these sexes are commonly associated with bioluminescence colors, sex chromosomes are only one factor out of many in the color outcome. From here on out Tenzei sexes will be referred to by their chromosomes instead of colors.

XX Tenzei are able to lay eggs, up to 10 at a time every two radials. An XY Tenzei is required to fertilize them, though usually cannot do so for the entire clutch. A YY Tenzei must contribute their genetic material after this, though exactly how much is up to them. The resulting clutch of eggs will usually produce 3-4 hatchlings in half a radial. Eggs that do not produce a hatchling will usually be given back to the sea. Intersex Tenzei are almost always infertile, but if they are not they will take on the role most dominant in their sex chromosomes (Majority X = XX role, majority Y = YY role, split equally = XY role).

### Life Cycle

Tenzei start out as eggs around the size of a baseball, growing as an egg for around half a radial (1.79 years) and reaching the size of a basketball. Eggs glow white, with the intensity of the glow increasing the closer the egg is to hatching. All eggs in a clutch will hatch within a week of each other, the ones that do not usually did not get fertilized properly. Hatching Tenzei will usually break the membrane of their egg with their horns.

The glow of a hatchling Tenzei is pure white, and will cool down into their color within a few months. Because of this, newly hatched Tenzei have no visible irises. During infancy a Tenzei's color may move around a bit. Tenzei can walk and swim within weeks of hatching, and talk within months. While Tenzei hatch with teeth, they do not become prominent until a few months later. The infancy stage of a Tenzei is generally considered to last until their first hatchday (when they're 3.58 years old).

Tenzei are considered children from 1 to 4 radials old. During this time their color stabilizes into the color they'll have for the rest of their life. 4 radial old Tenzei are considered teenagers. At 5 radials a Tenzei is considered an adult, and around this time they gain the ability to reproduce. The average lifespan of a Tenzei is 100 radials, though the lifespan can be increased drastically via artificial measures (see 2.7.3 - Light Bearer's Council).

### Injury & Disease

#### Blood Color Mutation

On rare occasion (about once per three generations per Spire), a Tenzei will hatch with their blood and bead color as a much lighter green than normal (#78bc78). These Tenzei are physically weaker than average, and have a higher chance of sensory impairment (e.g. blindness, deafness) and autoimmune disorders. They often have shorter lifespans than their peers because of this.

However, these Tenzei are commonly revered as prophets and gifted by the Light. Modern healthcare can mitigate any health issues that come along with the mutation and accommodations for sensory impairment can easily be provided to those who need them.

#### Dehydration

As Tenzei are amphibians who absorb water through their skin, they are much more prone to dehydration than humans. A Tenzei cannot go without water for more than a few hours, and if they are on dry land they must continually rehydrate themselves. Tenzei cannot sleep out of water without risking severe dehydration.

Eggs are even more prone to dehydration than hatched Tenzei, not able to survive out of the water for more than a few minutes.

## Society & Culture

Almost all Tenzei live on the planet of Gadena as it's their home planet and best suited to their bodies. The small minority of Tenzei on other planets are either ambassadors, tourists, or trying to escape the Gadenan government.

### Gender, Sexuality, & Queer Identities

Tenzei have three standard genders (red, blue, green), plus one "umbrella gender" for those who don't identify themselves with any of the main three (non-primary).

Standard gender pronouns:

* Red - She/Her/Hers
* Blue - He/Him/His
* Green - Xe/Xem/Xir
* Non-Primary - They/Them/Theirs

Gender is assigned to children on their first hatchday, and is based on the hue of their glow.

* Red - 344°-13°
* Blue - 169°-260°
* Green - 78°-168°
* Anything outside of those ranges is considered non-primary.

When a Tenzei visits the Registration Office after their 5th hatchday (see 4 - Naming Conventions) they are expected to give their preferred gender and pronouns, which are recorded along with their color. They can change their officially registered gender or pronouns after this, but it's a complicated process which usually requires the help of a lawyer. Transgender Tenzei sometimes use their innate Light powers to change their glow color to match their desired gender presentation.

A Tenzei is considered heterosexual when they experience attraction to both of the other primary genders but not to their own or to non-primary people. Homosexuality is attraction to only their own gender, and pansexuality is attraction to all genders including non-primary people. Monosexuality is the attraction to only one gender that's not the person's own, and bisexuality is considered as attraction to two genders that are not the primary genders the person doesn't have, both of which are commonly considered as among the asexual/aromantic spectrum for Tenzei.

Queer Tenzei (those who are not heterosexual, not heteroromantic, not cisgender, or any combination of the three) are typically seen as defects in society who, for whatever reason, fell away from the Light. If the government knows about their status as queer, they'll be sent to weekly therapy sessions that must be attended or the person will have to pay for them on their own. The government endorsed therapists often share the idea of queer people being defects, and will try to "fix" them. Escaping to planets under the Alternian Empire is relatively common among queer Tenzei public figures, as Trolls are more understanding of the concept.

### Religion

Most Tenzei recognize two deity figures: the Ocean and the Light. These are roughly analogous to the human concepts of Mother Earth and Heaven.

The Ocean is the home of Tenzei, and is the medium which gives them and everything else life. However, it can just as easily take that life away. Tenzei believe causing too much harm to the Ocean will cause it to retaliate, and therefore they don't create new structures unless it's absolutely necessary. If a Tenzei believes someone is beyond redemption, they may pray to the Ocean to take said person away.

The Light is the sun and stars in the Gadenan sky. Tenzei believe it is what gives them sapience and separates them from the rest of the Ocean's creations. They believe the Light guides them using the sun and constellations. Prophets are considered descendants of the Light, and Light Bearers are considered as chosen by the Light to spread it to those who are not as lucky. Praying to the Light for good luck or redemption of others is common among Tenzei.

Tenzei do not have official places of worship, but during holidays parks are decorated in accordance with the celebration.

#### Afterlife

Tenzei do not believe in afterlives, instead believing that their energy gets repurposed into a new being after they die. If they die of natural/internal causes they believe the Light uses their energy to create a new Tenzei, while if they die of unnatural/external means they believe their energy is used by the Ocean to create more sea creatures.

Funerals are usually celebrations of the person's life, and it's common practice for the deceased's children to each receive one of their beads.

#### Holidays

##### Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice is celebrated by Tenzei as the day when the Light is strongest in their hemisphere of the planet. Homes, businesses, and parks are decorated with colorful lights and people travel to the top of their Spire to pray in the direct path of the Light. The Summer Solstice is considered a day of freedom and is a federal holiday on Gadena.

The Summer Solstice is celebrated on the same day as the Winter Solstice, but in the opposite hemisphere.

##### Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice is celebrated by Tenzei as the day the Ocean is strongest in their hemisphere. Lights are turned off unless they're absolutely necessary, and people travel to the bottom floor of their Spire to pray and give offerings to the Ocean. Fasting during the day is common as all Gadenan food is seafood. The Winter Solstice is considered a day of respect and is a federal holiday on Gadena.

The Winter Solstice is celebrated on the same day as the Summer Solstice, but in the opposite hemisphere.

##### Equinoxes

Equinoxes are celebrated by Tenzei as days when the Light and the Ocean are most unified. Homes, businesses, and parks are decorated with ribbons and public entertainers from all over the Spire can be seen in parks. Equinoxes are considered days of generosity and are federal holidays on Gadena.

##### Spire Anniversaries

Each Spire has it's own anniversary, when the constellation it's named after is most directly overhead. How the anniversary is celebrated depends on the meaning of the constellation, but it's common for Tenzei from other Spires to visit and join in on the festivities. Spire anniversaries are legally recognized holidays in their respective Spire.

##### Hatchdays

While not legal holidays, hatchdays are still important to Tenzei. A person's 1st through 5th hatchdays are traditionally celebrated with their clutch via a dinner where one food of choice for every clutch member is served, plus traditional holiday foods. They are then sent to sleep so they can gain another bead, and in the morning they are allowed to open gifts recieved from the dinner guests.

A Tenzei's 5th hatchday is usually the most significant as it is when they're considered official adults. All hatchdays after this are celebrated in accordance to the individual's wishes, though a dinner with friends is still the norm.

As members of a clutch can all hatch on different days, 1st through 5th hatchdays are usually celebrated on whichever hatchday of the clutch is most convenient for the parents.

### Romance & Family Structure

Typical Tenzei relationships consist of three parties, with one of each primary gender. Single Tenzei looking for a relationship will usually seek out couples looking for a third party first and other single Tenzei second. Legal marriage is only allowed between three Tenzei. Use of dating apps/sites is common practice.

After Tenzei have children, it's considered traditional for the green to stay home to take care of the kids while the red and blue go out to work or run errands. Regardless of who actually does what, at least one parent is expected to stay home with the children at all times.

### Clothing

Tenzei often grow their hair out long but tie it up to not go past their shoulders. Over-the-shoulder bags are common for carrying items as most clothing does not have pockets. Shoes are usually only worn in situations where it would be dangerous to go barefoot. Most Tenzei clothes are not gender-specific.

Casual clothing for Tenzei usually consists of a crop top and shorts or a skirt. Crop tops usually only have one shoulder, which is meant to prevent the strap of a bag from causing irritation due to rubbing against the skin. It's also acceptable to not wear any type of shirt in casual situations. Casual shorts and skirts usually don't go past the knees. Professional settings usually require a shirt and at least knee length skirt or pants.

Formal clothing is usually robes colored according to one or both of the Tenzei deity figures (white/yellow for the Light, black/blue for the Ocean). Robes can be modified according to a person's preferences. Robes are commonly worn for holidays, weddings, and funerals.

Clothing outside of the previous categories is usually custom-made, colorful, and flowy.

### Technology

Tenzei technology is waterproof and designed to allow water to flow through it freely for cooling, however it is often clunky. This is by design due to public worries about smooth devices being swept away in stray ocean currents. Laptops are a rarity on Gadena, and most Tenzei use flip-phones. Spires have a designated server floor where government servers are stored, as well as paid rental space in a different section of the same floor. However, it is not uncommon to find private servers stored in homes. Non-mobile computers often use ethernet, while wi-fi is reserved for mobile devices.

The Gadenan transport vehicle of choice is the hydrocraft, which is designed to freely navigate the water while keeping noise and light pollution to a minimum. Hydrocrafts have a low speed cap compared to Earth cars, around 40 mph / 65 kph without modification. Hydrocrafts come in forms akin to cars, 18-wheeler trucks, tow trucks, buses, ambulances, and wheelchairs. All hydrocrafts glow slightly when turned on.

### Spires

Spires are the Gadenan equivalent of states. Spires are massive structures that stretch from the seafloor to the sea surface made of stone and named after the constellation they were built under. Spires can be hundreds of floors tall, with Spire Lumi topping out at 710 floors. Each floor of a Spire has a purpose designated when it was built. All Spire floors are 20 feet / 6 meters tall, with the exception of the very bottom floor which is five times that. While designation of most floors varies between Spire, the bottom floor is always a maintenance floor and the top floor is always a home for the Light Bearer and their family. Each Spire has a maintenance floor every 15-25 floors depending on how tall the Spire is. Toward the middle of the Spire there is always a transport floor for hydrocrafts to leave from and come in to.

Spires are ranked in power in the order they were built. The older Spires thus hold more societal and political influence. Older Spires also tend to accrue more wealth due to their higher standing as well as having more time to attract businesses.

Known

## Naming Conventions

Tenzei names follow a 3-5 pattern, with a title at the end added on after they reach adulthood.

## Trivia

* The reason for their eight-letter DNA is currently unknown, the best explanation scientists have is that Gadenan life simply stayed in the primordial soup longer.
* Tenzei have a thematic association with the Light aspect.
* Tenzei are the only members of the *Lumina* genus.

## Etymology & Inspiration

Tenzei were originally inspired by a dream.

"Tenzei" is a corruption of "Talse", as the original dream featured characters from that world.

## Gallery

Prophet symbol.Rune Mana, corresponding to the Spire Mana and the Mana constellation.