Tilharii

*"Our steadfast allies in this cruel galaxy, it's a shame they are so few. They are loyal and grateful, but they are still alien. Perhaps their version of loyalty is not the same as our own but a part of me hopes that is not true. Though I have no reason to doubt them I cannot shake a lingering sense that there is more to them than meets the eye."*

***-* Wotan**

## Tilharii

### Leader

First Mother

The **Tilharii**, sometimes called \_\_\_ or \_\_\_\_, are a race of space fairing sentient beings first encountered by the Solar League during the year \_\_\_\_. Physically imposing, intelligent, and capable of diplomatic communication with many different races, the Tilharii embody the very essence of both "Noble Savage" and unchained wrath, depending on whether they view you as ally or foe. Tilharii are primarily seen as a mercenary race, with their idea of mercenary work being a very noble and honorable profession. Their worlds are primarily located in the tightly packed cluster of stars known as the Dragon Nebula, with only a single point of entry deemed safe for travel in or out of their systems. This section of space, aptly named the "Dragon's Maw," is one of the most heavily defended locations in the Disk of Woes, allowing much of their military to be used as profitable mercenaries instead of defending their borders. Greatly owing humanity for their survival during the early days of the Disk, they frequently loan themselves to the Solar League at greatly reduced costs, often protecting nearby Solar League worlds out of a sense of duty, even without payment. However, in the rare occasion where they are hired against Solar League forces, they will not hesitate to attack, seeing it as a matter of business. Even with that, Tilharii forces refuse to attack undefended League civilians, only attacking armed opponents.

## Society

### Religion and Culture

Tilharii are a matriarchal society built around the survival of their species and the propagation of each of their four phenotypes. Additionally they are a war loving species, not in the way of loving destruction but in the sense that they love the thrill of combat. Their religious beliefs are built around the concept of honor and duty towards the success of their people. To them, a mercenary contract is a sacred oath, one that they must fulfill to honor their ancestor spirits and the breaking of such an oath is considered an act of unspeakable shame. Should the other party break the oath, Tilharii will respond with brutal violence, with all available Tilharri attacking the party in question in what is known as a Retribution Crusade until the offended party feels that a sufficient amount of damage has been inflicted proportional to what is owed.

## History

### First Encounter

The first encounter humanity had with the Tilharii took place in the year \_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_ years after the Disk of Woes was formed. During this time, Tilharii forces were being driven back from their home worlds by the Abyss, and the Tiharii were quickly becoming a species of refugees. Desperate for shelter, the Tilharii survivors offered to fight for human colonies in return for food and supplies. The combined human colony forces and their Tilharii allies were able to halt the Abyss invasion. After the Tilharii built enough strength, they left to regroup on their homeworld of Tilharus, where they prepared for a major counter attack against the weakened Abyss forces.

### The Dragon War

During the year \_\_\_\_\_\_, Tilharii forces lashed out at the Abyss, determined to reclaim their lost worlds in the Dragon Nebula. Initially, Abyss forces, already weakened from their failed invasion of nearby human colonies, were overwhelmed by the Tilharii and quickly driven back. Once they Abyss regrouped, the war began in earnest, a brutal grind between the two factions that lasted well over a decade. Eventually the Abyss abandoned the sector, seeing the conflict as far more costly than it was worth and Tilharii forces were victorious, reclaiming the Dragon Nebula for themselves.

### Rules of Conduct

notes: an established code of honor/ethics governing their mercenary, established during the year \_\_\_\_\_. Dictates their stance on involvement in wars as well as their complicated relationship with the Solar League.