Haifisch

One of the resident “aliens” of this planet are shark-based with half humanoid and aquatic characteristics in nature and in physical appearance, with that their biology consists of a small lung system and gills for oxygen filtration for living underwater while being able to live on land due to their humanoid nature. They are heat resistant and carnivorous, and have cities on land and underwater. Dubbed "Haifisch" (German for shark) in honor of the German astronomer who first discovered them, they are descendants of a little-known group of sentient beings called the Star Wanderers. Where and how they travel has been lost over time. (currently unknown why).

They have no males and thus are genetic clones of their mothers. Their "mothers" are known as Composer.

Social structure: Haifisch are focused on technological advancements that can go deeper into the waters of Ithun (what they call Proxima). The only purpose of their land cities is to harvest materials for deeper exploration and bringing light down below. Also to store their written records. Those that live in the land cities are often ridiculed by those who live in the water for being separated from their ability to hear the song of their deities (more on this in religious section).

On land, Haifisch still need access to water on a daily basis or else wear watersuits to prevent them from drying out. Often cities are built near rivers or near craters/lakes/etc. Because of this, they try to build their cities to withstand flooding or sinking - though many that sink deep into the water are then used as accomodations to Haifisch that prefer water living. These in-between residents are called Roamers and are often dignitaries/ambassadors that smooth communication between the two factions (Listeners and Harvesters).

Their economy is religion based. Their goal is to serve their deities. This can be complicated as divisions deepen. See religion below.

Religion: They have a universal religion based on The Song of Gods. It is a written collection of songs they can hear through the universe. Because of their latent abilities to detect sound in every frequency, they claim to have heard the voices of their deities. They consider each star to be a deity as they are the givers of life on their surrounding planets. Alpha Centauri is known as the Divine, and the planet is considered the ultimate Mother whom they call Ithun.

Everything emits a note or signature that is then joined to The Song of the Gods (SoG). Evil is considered discordant, however, it also acts as points of balance in the overall tone (harmonizing points). You can't have sorrow without joy, and you can't know truth without understanding lies. In this way, they can justify the slaughter necessary to survive, including moments of famine where they have population culling.

There is a string of music coming from the depths they claim to hear. This song is constantly beckoning them and drives their activities/purpose (as noted above). Due to their need for land resources harvested towards this goal, a team of Haifisch were chosen to develop land colonies. However, this created a problem bc those on land did not hear the song so strongly. This means that their drive was lessened, and innovators are starting to look towards the stars rather than depths. Prior, it was agreed that there was no need to travel to other planets bc those were not their divinely designated Mothers. Contention is slowly grating relationships and religious union has just started showing some cracks.

Religious leaders are beginning to debate implementing a rule for Harvesters that demands mandatory time back in the water to spend time in reflection of their deities' voices and their Mother's heart song. Harvesters begin to grumble about withholding goods from the Listener cities and focus their attention on other things.

Any interaction between humans that is positive could allow for access to information that going closer to the heart song - there are signs that point to a potential wormhole existing at the deepest point. This begs the question of whether the core is truly hot or whether the planet is sustained by some other force and whether or not travel could be initiated through it.

Listeners believe if they can reach the heart/portal/etc - they can become deities themselves or at minimum be absorbed wholly into Ithun.

Culture: Haifisch have made an alliance with Havroids. In exchange for added labor force and more effective harvests, they barter with knowledge and skillsets. It is noted that while Havroids do have this knowledge, they do not always implement its use. They still seem to enjoy their more primitive (in comparison to Haifisch/humans) communities. Haifisch have implemented the more conservative and sustainable agricultural methods used by Havroids. Haifisch have also been known to protect Havroid clutches in special enclosures designed for optimal growth. Notably, on occasion Haifisch must deal with the frustration of Havroids wandering off after they've lost interest for a task or feel there is nothing left to be learned. This is sometimes preempted by promises of new tasks in the future or else introducing a changing element or job rotations.

The Shallows: Eggs are laid in the Shallows for all Haifisch. Where those are located will vary by colony. Eggs near magma flows are expected to have more even growth, thus less susceptible to genetic mutations vs those born in the colder or varying areas. They are sung to as eggs, the idea being that the song sung to them will be added to the SoG once they're actualized as citizens. However, this can vary by position, region, and depth of buy-in to the local variant of their religion. Currently, there are whispers that males are coming back into their lines as they evolve and adapt, but it is uncertain whether they actually exist. Any males that might exist might be hiding within society.

Naming: Haifisch name themselves. They do this after understanding what their "lifesong" is, which is what they call their purpose within the Song of Gods.

**A Haifisch Poem**

Who am I to question the expanse above?

It did not birth me.

It does not hold me.

It does not nourish me.

No. Those things come from the water.

In the depths, I can listen to the heartbeat of Ithun (Proxima)

Thrumming, like the pulse of energy we harvest.

It thrills me.

It moves me.

It sustains the hunger of my heart.

I will not stay on the land

For it sucks the weeping joy from my skin.

It tears at me with harsh winds and bitter creatures that bite as I bite.

No. I am safe in the water.

Take me into the darkness where light is soft and kind.

Take me back to the oceans' warm embrace.

I will die in the waves and my body will melt into Ithun.

There are two evils that exist in the world: those who will not learn and the clutch takers. One comes from within us and the other from without. May the Devourer consume the bodies of our enemies to understand why they murder us and put their dark thoughts to rest. - A prayer from Havroid worshipper as witnessed and transcribed by a Haifisch entomologist.