Eldig

Originating from the mountainous worlds of Montane and Jurmount, the **Eldig** have evolved to excel in underground conditions. With large claws and sensitive noses, Eldigs have the capacity to dig tunnels without the need of tools. Eldigs outside of an underground environment are uncommon due to near blindness above ground; some wear specialized goggles to see in sunlight. Eldigs are commonly employed as laborers. Eldigs are often unpopular, as they lack mouths for vocalization and most refuse to use electronics to allow them a voice. Eldigs sense and eat through tentacles on their noses.

## Biology and appearance

Eldigs evolved from a large subterranean mole specie. They retain the same general appearance and characteristics. Eldigs are squat and stubby, with heavy layers of fat to act as protection when deeper underground. Their eyes are small for their size, with permanently enlarged pupils. Aside from their paws and snout, Eldigs have a thin layer of hair, commonly brown or grey.

Eldigs have large claws on both their hands and feet. These claws are made from hardened bone and grow over time; if untrimmed, they can disrupt the movement of the Eldig. The claws gain a thin sedimentary coating when underground, from interactions with the mineral heavy air. This gives the claws strength and durability, sufficient enough to dig through rock layers.

Eldigs have a short snout. This snout lacks hair or other bodily holes. The end of the snout is a set of nostril tentacles. These allow senses when underground and lacking light. The pink tentacles are short in length and are autonomous. Lacking a mouth, Eldigs eat through pores on their hands and feet. These pores only open during feeding periods and only allows small substances or liquids. Eldig physiology allows their body to ingest sediment; nutrients are absorbed from the soil.

Eldigs are unable to fully live above ground, suffering malnutrition and light overexposure when above ground for longer periods. Specialized protective equipment mitigates these issues. Eldigs also lack the ability to speak, relying on Eldig Claw Language to communicate to other Eldigs. The introduction of transistors allows Eldigs to communicate with other species. Eldigs once had a need for hibernation, but as they advanced and invented heating systems, the trait was lost.

Though the average female Eldig is smaller and has shorter claws than the male Eldig, both are still generally active underground. Female Eldigs even dig while pregnant. Eldigs reproduce in the standard manner; female Eldigs give live births of one to three cubs. Unlike most species, there is no notable subspecies of Eldig; there is slight variations of culture when comparing Montane to Jurmount, but Eldigs are standardized throughout the galaxy.

## Society and culture

Given their biology, early Eldig culture revolved around excavation. Though modern technology has made the need for Eldig claws obsolete, Eldigs still participate widely in both professional and recreational mining. Many Eldigs, despite the dangerous environments of Montane mines, prefer the darker recesses of underground areas.

The Eldig society hinges on a barter system, with valuable subterranean resources used as currency. It primarily follows a gold and gemstone standard, even concerning offworld trading. Eldigs offworld utilize this system, scavenging items to use in barter agreements. Eldigs place high value on these underground resources. Those of dangerous origin, such as high depths or from extreme environments, boost the Eldigs' social status. With easier access to these materials over time, less value is given to them. Still, some Eldig purposefully undertake dangerous mining expeditions to discover valuable resources.

As Eldig physiology and society revolves around mining, the Eldigs have an established method of mining based around a grid like pattern. For other species, the conditions within these mines seem treacherous but Eldigs, with their strong front claws, darkness adapted eyesight, and the ability to survive pressure, can withstand or even enjoy these conditions. Still, Eldig mines are not exempt from accidents; many, especially older mines utilizing outdated equipment or even natural Eldig biology, are prone to accidents like collapses or explosions.

Many Eldigs view modern excavation practices as weak and spoiled, preferring older styles of excavation. Efforts by the Eldig to expand beyond the fascination of mining often fail from rejection from Eldig communities. As such, Eldigs struggle to appear as more than manual labor to other species, a stereotype most Eldigs are content with. Eldig created companies, such the Effetta companies, lack business from fellow Eldigs, who view them as commodifying Eldig culture.

Eldig culture is structured around the mine systems adapted by the specie. Above ground cities are based around rail transportation systems and are named after the primary export of the local depot. A major exception is the capital city of Montane, Gold-3, that abandoned its mining past in favor of appealing to other Eldig and offworld interests. The adoption of modern technology proves a contentious point among Eldig populations, with a large gap in between rural and urban populations.

## History

Eldigs evolved from a mole like specie. Adapted to live underground, Eldigs used their claws to dig passages and create burrows, only advancing above ground to scavenge before hibernation periods. Despite the importance of mining, tools were not used until long after the creation of the mine system, with Eldig natural claws proving sufficient enough when digging. As mines expanded downward, tools were deemed necessary as the rock grew harder. The first above ground homes were constructed as points for Eldig populations to travel between, largely to trade resources between the main sources.

An important discovery was the development of steam power through burning coal and other natural gases. This allowed for the industrialization of Montane's mines, quickening the excavation process. As such, new mines were quickly established planet wide, with a steam powered transportation system developed to connect the mines. One population center, Gold-3, was eventually contacted by the Cogre, who introduced limited transistor technology and bot models in return for Eldig's manual labor and their resources.

Despite the benefits, this relationship was not positive, with the Eldigs acting as slave labor for the Cogre-Orspeer Empire. The Eldigs, lacking advanced weaponry, had no means to oppose the much more advanced Cogre. Montane, and its Eldig population, joined other colonies in rebelling against the empire. Initially successful, the Eldigs remained distant from the other colonies, contributing to their weakness when reorganizing. Montane was subsequently blockaded in the Second Colonic War.

Afterwards, Montane was accepted into the Planetary Union. In attempts to expand, numerous Eldig settled on Jurmount. Jurmount, rough but rich in resources, contributed greatly to Eldig prosperity during this period. As the mechanization of Eldig mines and burrows continued, conditions worsened. A workers' rights movement sprang up, largely protesting against the quickly growing Effetta company and the dangerous conditions of the deeper mines. Following a mountain collapse at Palladium-1 that killed nearly 10,000 workers, the movement grew in momentum. Especially on the floundering Jurmount, the movement attempted to gain political power, attempting to promote a member to the Union parliament. This began the Week of Sharp Picks, a series of violent Eldig strikes on Jurmount and Montane. Large strikes aimed to blocked access to main mines: these were met with force by the mine owners and Effetta forces. Many of these strikes broke out into fighting, but the superior strength of the corporate forces destroyed the strikers within a week.

While distant from the direct fighting of the Secession War, many Eldigs were split on their allegiances. Many Eldig allied ideologically with the System of Independent Alien Planets, identifying with their traditional mindset. During the war, small terrorist groups, allied with the SIAP, appeared on Montane. These Eldigs largely targeted Union affiliated posts, utilizing bombings and hiding within the deeper mine networks.