The Colykytes (Archive/Lore)

## General Info

The Colykytes hail from the Shumarian planet of Rhegohume. They are an insectoid race, characterized by their larger-than-average size, chitinous armor plating, and their pronounced mandibles. A very self-sufficient people, they were historically a very isolated and territorial species on their home planet, but Rhegohume's colonization and subsequent outreach from the Mozari has led them to socialize with other races more often.

Their interactions with most other races can be characterized as dispassionate and impersonal, as most Colykytes are displeased by their planet's colonization. However, their interactions with the other native races of Rhegohume (being the Mozari and Phideans) are much warmer.

## Physical Appearance

The Colykytes, as a native species of the unforgiving Rhegohume, are a very hardy race. Tracing their early evolution from a local species of beetle, the Colykytes are largely humanoid, with several key features linking them to their insectoid ancestry.

### Key Features:

* Size: The Colykytes are larger than most other humanoid races, typically growing to be nearly 8 feet tall (and nearly as wide).
* Limbs: The Colykytes possess six segmented, insectoid legs, giving them a fair range of mobility. They are also in possession of a pair of humanoid arms (the only notable difference being their three-fingered hands) and a pair of vestigial, pincered arms.
* Natural Armor: Colykytes have thick hides and segmented, chitinous armor which grows with age. Young Colykytes armor is sparse and thin, but the oldest of the species possess thick, almost complete coverage.
* Coloration: Colykyte flesh is typically a dull, sandy brown, but the true variety comes from the color of their natural armor, which takes its coloration from the earth around a young Colykyte. As such, it can take on a number of hues, with ruddy maroons and reds, royal yellows and gold, and rocky gray, brown, or black being common colorations.
* Facial Features: Colykytes have a slightly elongated skull structure, possessing a prominent pair of mandibles and black insectoid eyes.

Additionally, Colykytes possess the ability to breathe fire - the presence of a specialized organ called a 'gunk sac' (essentially a stomach-lung hybrid) allows them to take in the methane from Rhegohume's atmosphere and exhale a processed methane-spittle compound, which can then be lit ablaze by the Colykyte striking its mandibles together.

Colykytes have not only adapted to the harsh Rhegomian drylands, but nearly overcome them - they are resistant to dehydration, able to go long periods of time without food, and can have lifespans of hundreds of years.

## Culture

(Historically, the Colykytes were a nomadic people, walking the windswept, barren soil of Asanti in search of reliable food sources, shelter from the elements, and other Colykyte families to interact with. With time, the Colykyte population shifted away from their nomadic lifestyle, settling around sites they deemed suitable to claim and defend as a home.) Move to History when you get a chance.

### Use of Fire:

Colykytian culture revolves around their innate ability to spit fire. Casual, low-impact use of flames is commonplace, such as for cooking or keeping warm. High-impact uses are sometimes used in industrial settings, with the most skilled with their flames able to melt metals and even stone. Combined with Rhegohume's relative abundance of natural resources, as well as their sharp mandibles and powerful hands, many Colykytes find sculpture and stone/metalworking to be enjoyable hobbies. Colykytes also find enjoyment in modifying the colors of their flames, with accelerants and additives common in products such as chewing tobacco and gum.

### Merits and Pride:

The merits of an individual are often considered the litmus test for a Colykyte - the more an individual has accomplished, the more they are respected. As such, those who are active in their communities are often seen as local leaders, and very little time is given to those who are incapable or unwilling to act. The Colykytes are also a very prideful race, each having great confidence in their strength, smarts, or skills. As such, competitions of all kinds are looked upon favorably, as there is no greater way to settle an argument than a duel in their society. These duels can take a variety of forms based on the dispute in question - tests of knowledge, wits, endurance, and professional skills all have their place in Colykytian culture.

### Respect of Elders:

Age plays a prominent role in Colykyte culture - the oldest are usually the most prominent members of society, as it is believed that the older one is, the more experienced and wiser they must be. The young are typically seen as the lowest in society, which has influenced the robust educational systems in Colykyte culture: the sooner the young learn a trade or occupation, the better.

An old Colykyte who has accomplished much in their life is seen as belonging to the highest class, and may be nominated as a representative of their city (see Political Structure).

## Religions

The Colykytes have strong sets of religious values, most of which have survived the test of time (at least for those who live on Rhegohume). The cultures of Colykytes can be divided into two distinct sects: Kuu Traditionalists and Opidan Coexistents.

### Kuu Traditionalism:

Kuu Traditionalism was the dominant religion for the vast majority of Colykytian history, and is still the dominant religion after Rhegohume's colonization. It honors the patron god of the Colykytes, Cthchak-Kuu the Firebringer, and strives to uphold his ideals and practices.

#### Core Beliefs:

The primary tenets of the Kuu are:

* **Experience is Enlightenment:** Age is considered the prime factor for societal standing, with the oldest being revered as the strongest and wisest of the race. This concept has spread its roots into Colykyte culture as a whole, as shown in the previous section.
* **History is Holy:** Upholding the traditions of the past is incredibly important to Kuu practitioners. While some traditions have been scaled down or modernized, all members of the Kuu are expected to properly follow their practices and celebrate their holidays. This tenet also means that Kuu Colykytes take great pride in sharing the tales of old, as well as stories of their own personal experiences.
* **Pilgrimage is Paramount:** When a young Colykyte comes of age, they are expected to make a pilgrimage to the Grasvur Gorge, the holiest site on Rhegohume. Distance, health, and all other factors mean nothing - a Colykyte is not seen as a respectable, fully-grown individual until they have bathed in the Gorge's boiling waters.
* **Independence is Imperative:** As Cthchak-Kuu was capable of doing anything he pleased, they have inherited his ideals of self-sufficiency. While Colykytes are free to live with and coexist with other Colykytes, all individuals are expected to be capable of providing for themselves should the situation demand it. With exceptions made for the young, infirm, or wounded, an individual who cannot provide for themselves is seen as the ultimate failure of society.
* **Sparks are Sacred:** The Colykytes fire is seen as their connection to their god, and as such is a major part of Kuu and Opidan life alike. However, flames are particularly important for Kuu Colykyte, with some individuals using their breath whenever possible, regardless of the result. A Colykyte who forsakes their flame, while not punished outright, is often shunned by their peers and denied the social standing they would have (depending on their age).

#### Isolationism and Sovereignty:

The Kuu are characterized by that desire for self-sufficiency, which has led them to be isolationists for most of history. While historical interactions between the Colykytes and other Rhegomian races have been tense at best (and openly hostile at worst), the recent appearance of foreign influences have prompted them to amend their ways. Modern Kuu Colykytes favor sovereignty over isolation - while no longer hostile to non-Colykytians, they consider their culture to be superior. While they are content by themselves and do not impose their culture upon others, they are welcoming of those who show interest in their ways and beliefs. On the opposite side, they are defensive of their way of life, and have fought fiercely to defend it.

#### Cthchak-Kuu, The Firebringer:

The Traditionalists have a wide pantheon of gods, but the most revered god of all is Cthchak-Kuu, the god of pilgrimage. A cocky and arrogant Colykyte, his rash decisions and lack of respect for his elders consistently get him in trouble with other gods. While ultimately capable on his own, he is also a generous soul who has bestowed many gifts to Colykytian society, most notably his gift of fire. Legends say he was cast down from his spot on the sun after angering his grandfather. Upon landing and meeting others who were cast down, he is horrified to learn he can no longer channel fire. Unable to accept his fate, he climbed back to the sun and stole a piece of it. Returning to Rhegohume, he buried the sunshard deep in the earth, granting every Colykyte the ability to channel some of the sun's rage.

### Opidan Coexistents:

While largely the same as the Kuu Traditionalists, Opidan religion is defined by a major departure from Traditional teachings - the desire to integrate their culture with that of other races, to create a society with the benefit of multiple perspectives. Like the Traditionalists, they honor Cthchak-Kuu, but the focus of their worship is Chittit-Haii, The Traveler.

#### Core Beliefs:

The primary Tenets of the Coexistents are fairly similar to those of the Traditionalists, with a few key differences:

* Expression over Exclusion: While the Kuu are quick to shun those who disregard their ways, the Opidans are much more forgiving, and offer those with differing views a place of freedom with which to express themselves.
* Harmony over Hostility: The Opidans believe that the views of other cultures should not be discounted, but rather they should be learned from. As such, Opidan Colykytians were the first to make peaceful contact with the Mozari and Phidean races of Rhegohume, and are responsible for a great exchange of information and technology between the groups.
* Integration over Ignorance: Opidan culture still celebrates the holidays and practices common to Traditionalism, alongside several days of celebration taken from Mozari and Phidean calendars.

#### Early Opidan Presence:

The Opidan religion had existed informally for thousands of years, as there were always those disillusioned by the strict practices of the Kuu. For the most part, those who spoke out against the Kuu religion were met with disdain, ridicule, or in the worst cases, exile. Those who were forced to leave, as well as those who chose to, founded a small town in the northwestern region of Asanti, where they eventually made contact with Mozari explorers. This group quickly became fast friends with them, and were soon given the option to return with them to Keno. Some chose to stay in familiar land, but the most adventurous of them traveled to the Mozari continent.

#### Official Formation:

By 9950, the former exile town was now a thriving metropolis known as Shikith, which maintained constant contact and trade with the Mozari. When Andonian scouts made contact with the Mozari, the soon-to-be Opidans were the first Colykytes to know. With the monumental news of life existing beyond the stars, Shikith city elders sent a delegation to represent the Colykytes. When the Andonian scouts made ground in Polis Humarti, the Colykytes were regaled with tales of the worlds beyond the stars. It was here that the Shikith delegation decided to formally create the Opidan Coexistents. The origin of the term 'Opidan' is unknown, but is widely believed to result from an early mistranslation of an Andonian word.

#### Chittit-Haii, The Traveler:

While Cthchak-Kuu's contributions to Colykytian culture are still widely revered among the Opidans, their patron goddess is Chittit-Haii, the goddess of knowledge. Chittit-Haii is a direct descendant of Kktherrik-Kuu, being his great-granddaughter. A young and idealistic Colykyte, her desire to know all was seen as a blessing and a curse, as it led her into danger on many occasions. She was the source of many cautionary tales for growing Colykytes, and her most prominent tale is her last - the Eternal Pilgrimage. It is said that Chittit-Haii was one of the first (excluding Cthchak-Kuu himself) to popularize the act of pilgrimage, with her consistent travels down to Rhegohume. The praise she earned for these expeditions made her cousin, Grikkar-Shai, envious. Grikkar-Shai tricks her into thinking an asteroid is a star, convincing her make her next pilgrimage there. She follows the asteroid, never getting any closer or farther, trapped in an eternal pilgrimage.