Asheri

The **Asheri** (singular form: "asheran") are a humanoid species from the planet Asher IV,

# Biology

The asheri typically have green skin, with shades ranging from bright green to dark green. Most members of the species possess hair in a variety of colours, although most members of the species possess hair on the lighter end of the greyscale spectrum. Other known hair colours include platinum blonde and beige.

The asheri possess a level of strength similar to baseline humanity, with the average female being approximately 1.12x as strong as the average male. However, they have slightly more in the way of upper body muscle mass. Their metabolic rate is slightly slower, leading to a longer average lifespan and decreased nutritional requirements.

Asheran physiology is mostly compatible with human physiology, with both species possessing hemoglobin-based (red) blood, and many of the same reactions to toxic chemicals, although many members of the species exhibit a slight intolerance towards lactose. Likewise, humans may experience some low-level side effects when consuming products that contain fallericen, a mildly toxic chemical that features prominently in asheran food.

## Reproduction

The species consists of two sexes, roughly analogous to human sexes. Unlike humans, however, the asheran reproductive process is more akin to marsupials such as kangaroos or koalas.

The females do not possess any apparent mammary glands, instead possessing a pouch on the front of their lower abdomen, where a baby goes after a gestational period of four to six weeks. Once the gestational period is complete, the baby asheran travels down the birth canal. In a natural birth, the mother then lies on her back while the baby crawls across her abdomen, and into the pouch. With the advent of rubber gloves, however, the baby is gently picked up and placed into the pouch, generally by a doctor or surgeon. A baby asheran will typically stay in this pouch for 9 to 12 months before it is fully developed, where it is then removed by the mother. During the baby’s stay in the pouch, the insides secrete a sticky substance, intended to help keep the baby in place. Once the baby is removed from the pouch, these secretions will stop, although it is recommended for mothers to wash out their pouch after removing the baby to remove any residual stickiness.

# Culture and Society

Asheran culture places a great deal of value on forming positive relationships, referred to as “bonds”, with those around you, both on a personal and administrative scale. This is due to a widespread belief amongst members of the asheran species that unity is the best way to develop as a species, an ideal held since the early days of asheran culture. As such, asheri family and social circles tend to be very tightly woven, and diplomatic relations are generally very strong.

Because of this emphasis on unity, asheran society did not go through the same nation-state stage as many other societies, instead opting to form one nation spanning the entire planet. Violence is rarely committed by asheri, used only when diplomacy has failed to gain results, and will almost always be abandoned when a chance for a diplomatic resolution arises. As such, the Asheran Union Defence Force consists primarily of craft geared for defence, with very few offensive craft at their disposal.

## Relationships

Asheri bonds are complex, and hard to define using human terminology. The closest concept in human society is known as “relationship anarchy”, wherein relationships are evaluated individually, rather than using labels defined by wider society. However, this is an imprecise comparison, as asheri do not draw any distinction between platonic and romantic behaviours.

Compared to some other species, asheri tend to form bonds with others very quickly. While normal for their species, their level of closeness can often disturb members of other species, who are more used to developing relationships slowly.

## Food

Food is an important part of asheri culture, as it is believed that the process of forming bonds is aided through developing a mutual understanding of each other, including an understanding of one’s tastes in food. As such, invitations to meals with asheri are fairly common as a bond develops. While it is viewed as rude to decline such an invitation, most asheri are very understanding and will simply reschedule. Traditionally, food is eaten while standing at a table, although recently, some have begun sitting on the floor, at a low table. Asheran food is generally spicy, with the degree being up to the chef and consumers’ tastes. Dishes consist primarily of various forms of vegetables, although meat is commonly served as well. Meat tends to be well-cooked and tender. Before cooking a meal, the chef will often do research on the intended consumers’ personal tastes, unless the content of the meal is intended to be a surprise.

## Clans

An important part of an asheran’s identity is their clan. Unlike many examples of equivalent entities in other cultures, an asheran clan is merely the origin of their genetic material, more analogous to a human’s extended family. This is to help prevent interbreeding and incestuous relationships, as two members of the same clan are not allowed to engage in sexual relations. An asheran’s clan is determined at birth through genetic testing, and their name is added to the central clan database on Asher 4. There are currently several thousand genetic clans in existence, with lists being consolidated and divided regularly.

## Names

An asheran’s name is made up of four parts. In order, these are their given name, their biological mother’s name, the name of their clan, and the place they were born.

## Religion

The asheran people harbour a multitude of religious beliefs, ranging from ancestor worship to worship of the stars themselves. Of these religions, there are three dominant ones: star worship, Asher worship, and the Shards of the Universal Soul.

### Asher worship

Of the three main religions, this one is the oldest, and also the least prominent, seeing a following of less than 15% of the asheran people. It is centered around belief in a benevolent Mother Goddess known as ‘Asher’. Followers of this system believe that Asher created the entire Asher system and all life forms within, including the asheri. In particular, it is believed that the star at the centre of this system is related to the Mother Goddess in some fashion. There are two prominent versions of this interpretation; one that believes that the star Asher represents the focal point of her influence on reality, from where she listens to those who pray to her. The other believes that Asher is either dead or has departed this plane of existence, and the star represents the last vestiges of her presence in our reality. A third subgroup, that arose some time after the advent of star worship, believes that the star, and every other star, is Asher. However, this new subculture is not as well-known as the others.

Despite the conflicting nature of these viewpoints, followers of Asher are generally accepting of another’s viewpoints. This is due, in part, to the cultural beliefs of the asheran people, as detailed previously. As well, one of the primary messages spread by followers of Asher is that of love and tolerance for all, even those that disagree with you, for diversity is an important part of life.

Ceremonies held in Asher’s honour happen once every five asheeran days, and generally involve a large dinner, and other such merriment. A larger celebration, held on the asheran new year, gives thanks to Asher for the year that has ended, and asks her to bless the new year, may it be as prosperous as the last.

### Shards of the Universal Soul

Originally a system of beliefs originating from a nearby alien race, adherents of the Universal Soul believe that the soul of every sapient being is a tiny fraction of the universe’s grand consciousness, split off in an attempt to gain a greater understanding of itself. When a person dies, their soul is reabsorbed by this grand consciousness, where it is later split off again as part of a cycle lasting billions of years, and spanning the entire universe. The core principles of the movement are built around respect and kindness to fellow sapient beings, alongside the quest of achieving greater understanding of the surrounding world. As such, there is a tendency for adherents to move into humanitarian and scientific fields.

### Star Worship

Despite being a relatively new belief, star worship is the most prominent religious system in the asheran species, practiced by over 50% of their people. It is centered around the fact that the energy of stars is vital for the continued function of life. Without their energy, the galaxy would be a dark, lifeless place, for everything comes from stars. As such, stars are characterised as benevolent, god-like entities, that freely give their warmth to nearby worlds so that life may continue to function.

The most prominent holy day in star worship, the Celebration of Light (often named for the nearest star, e.g., the Festival of Asher’s Light for those on the asheran homeworld) takes place on a colony or other facility when it reaches its periapsis with the primary star of the system. The festival generally lasts for one local day either side of periapsis, and involves large celebrations, the exchange of gifts, and sharing in the joy of existence with your fellow sapients. A lesser celebrated but equally important holy day is the Dwindling, held at the point of apoapsis. It is a solemn celebration,

# Government

*Main Article: Asheran Union*

Unlike many other prominent species, the asheran government does not hold any legislative power, existing primarily to maintain public utilities like emergency services, infrastructure such as water supply and communications, maintaining diplomatic relations with other species, and to uphold legislation. This is because the asheri govern themselves through consensus democracy, in which every member of the species is given an equal voice in creating policy and decision making. Any member of the species may propose a new policy, and every member of the species is allowed to decide on it. Additionally, every non-asheani citizen of the Asheran Union is also allowed the right to participate, and anybody is allowed the right to view the proceedings.

# Technology

## FTL

For FTL transit, the Asheran Union has access to two different methods. The first is a standard warp drive, with most civilian units capable of a maximum speed of warp 6. Experimental military drive cores, however, have the capacity to push warp 6.8.

The second method, referred to as “hyperspace fling”, is similar to soliton wave technology, first pioneered by Doctor Ja’Dar of Bilana 3, in the year 2368. However, asheran scientists seem to have solved the issue that ultimately caused Ja’Dar’s design to fail as it did. Additionally, the asheran soliton wave seems to phase itself out of normal space entirely, along with whatever ships it carries, existing solely in subspace for the duration of travel. This allows a ship to essentially ignore the dark matter concentrations and ionic storms that play havoc with more traditional forms of FTL travel.

Asheran soliton wave travel consists of two components. The first is the soliton wave projector, referred to as a “fling beacon”, stationed in orbit above most inhabited asheran worlds. It consists of 24 subspace field generator coils, capable of generating a subspace distortion of over 1,000 cochranes each. This coil assembly is powered by solar power stations in close orbit of the local star, which beams the generated power to the coil array. The second is the asheran version of a deflector array, equipped aboard every asheran starship, used to collapse the soliton wave and reintegrate it, and its passengers, with normal space.

Due to the rarity of antimatter and dilithium in asheran space, and the cost efficiency of producing one fling beacon over multiple warp drives, combined with their impressive speed, capable of matching warp 7.8, fling beacons are the preferred method of transportation in the Asheran Union, with warp drive reserved for long-range exploration and military starships.

Despite their relatively advanced knowledge of warp travel, asheran scientists have yet to crack the secrets of subspace communications. Instead, they utilise a tachyon carrier wave to send messages across long distances.

# References

* Asheran
* Asheran Union Technology
* First Contact and Assistance of Distressed Ship