SanZik

Zephala

Zephala Xenos

Veilborn Legions

Basilisks

Other Zephala Divisions

*Some music for you to enjoy while you read, by Gaston Larrouy aka La Rouille*

Map of the SanZik Homeworld: SanZik-Yemaya

 Type
 Nature
 Status
 technology
 Location
 Height
 Weight
 Lifespan
 Colour

The Sanguarix and Zikilo are a two-species collective known as the SanZik. The SanZik are the third species added to the Zephala syndicate and have since become the foremost vehicle makers for themselves and their allies. Their love for flight and speed drives them to create more advanced modes of transportation. Now, with technology to traverse the warp, the SanZik are more free than ever. No longer caged in their home system, they can finally strike back at the forces of Chaos instead of idly defending their place in the galaxy.

## History

What is known of the collective history of the Zephala Xenos can be found in the Zephala System

## Physiology

SanZik physiology is split in half. Males are the Sanguarix, and females are the Zikolo. These two sexes have similar roles to that of extinct Terran birds, but the population difference between the two sexes is quite exaggerated. About ten percent of the SanZik population is Zikolo female, and the remaining population comprises Sanguarix males. The differences between the two are not limited to the physical but extend to the psychic as well.

### Body Plan

The SanZik is a species of slender, bipedal xenos with two arms and two wings. They have taloned feet with four toes at the end of each leg and similarly fashioned hands with three fingers and a thumb. Their talons are often cut off to allow for better finger dexterity when using tools. SanZik, on average, are shorter than humans and weigh significantly less due to their hollow bones. This evolutionary trait enables them to fly, which would be impossible for the xenos, especially on a planet with gravity as high as SanZik-Yema, without it.

### Physical Apperance

Each SanZik is different, with a much wider range of physical differences than humanity. Different parts of SanZik-Yema have different-looking SanZik with differing plumage and facial features. If one were to look at a random selection of individuals from across the planet, one is likely to get a selection of xenos who look like they could be from similar but unique species. The commonalities between all groups of SanZik are:

* Multiple sets of eyes
* A beak
* Feathers
Beyond this short list, the diversity of appearance is incredible. Below are some details for the Royal SanZik, the most prevalent subspecies of SanZik-Yema.

Royal Sanguarix - Royal Sanguarix males are golden in colour and are slightly larger than females. These xenos use their stunning golden feathers as a display for courting rituals. Over millions of years, these creatures have developed the ability to change the colour of their feathers to both improve their chance of being seen by a potential mate and reduce their chance of being detected by a dangerous animal. These feathers can change into various colours, easily blending into any environment. They can also create a dazzling golden glow for even more visibility.

Royal Zikolo - Royal Zikolo are female birds that are slightly smaller than their male counterparts. They have the ability to change the texture of their black feathers, creating a surface that can absorb more than 99 percent of light, thus rendering themselves nearly invisible at night. These birds have larger eyes than males and wider, larger mouths.

### Vision

All types of SanZik possess an excellent pair of eyesight that enables them to see small objects even at great distances. However, the eyesight of Royal Sanguarix is superior to that of their Zikolo counterparts. On the other hand, Royal Zikolo have much better night vision, which is due to their more nocturnal lifestyle.

## SanZik Divination

Both Sanguarix and Zikolo are proficient in the psychic practice of Divination. While Sanguarix can foresee events in the near future, which comes in handy during combat, Zikolo possesses the same skill and more. During their evolution, these avian xenos were originally high-speed hunters. Chasing their incredibly fast and maneuverable prey animals was a daunting task. SanZik-Yema, a source of warp influence to all creatures who reside on it, twisted the SanZik evolution to make them better hunters. The Sanguarix males became proficient at reading the future movements of their prey, catching them at the exact moment they planned. With this skill, their hunt success rate increased dramatically. Zikolo females slowly became more nocturnal, casting their eyes to the heavens and seeing the future in the stars. With Star Skrying, they were able to accurately predict the nomadic patterns of many other animal species, ensuring their flock always had a reliable source of food. With this edge on the predatory competition, the SanZik evolved to be the governing intelligent species on SanZik-Yema.

### Sanguarix Powers

Sanguarix have skills in many of the common abilities of Divination that are used in combat. These abilities make the Sanguarix incredibly good at their preferred methods of combat. They become snipers who can hit a moving target from impressive ranges and unshakable pilots who never lose track of their target.

* Precience: The Sanguarix can predict the path of bullets and swords in a limited span of time, skillfully dodging or parrying incoming attacks.
* Misfortune: An aura of misfortune that acts on all enemies inside. Sanguarix misfortune does not have consistent effects. Instead, it makes it more likely for enemies to experience unfortunate occurrences. Weapon malfunctions, friendly fire and crumbling infrastructure fall on enemies.
* Perfect Timing: Sanguarix, when targeting one specific enemy, can determine their future movements with great precision. This future sight can be shared with others, making Sanguarix incredible snipers and spotters. They and their allies fire before a target even reveals itself, lending the perfect kill shot on an opportunity the enemy does not yet realize they provided.
* Foreboding: A power that gives the Sanguarix heightened combat instinct. In the current of the warp, they feel how well a battle will go, reading the battlefield before it even changes. With Foreboding, Sanguarix can warn against potentially disastrous choices.
### Zikolo Exclusive Powers

* Precognition: Precognition allows the Zikolo to see potential futures, which lead to success. As generals and shipmasters, they painstakingly direct their forces to make one of these futures a reality. The true skill of this technique comes when the Zikolo must make up for variables out of their control. Seemingly minor details could have an enormous impact on a battle, and the Zikolo must compensate for these details, changing their strategy to compensate.
* Star Skrying: The Zikolo are at the top of the species hierarchy thanks to their power of Zikolo Star Skrying. By analyzing the formation of the stars, they are able to pull meaning from their formations and use this knowledge to prevent undesirable futures whenever possible. Recently, it was discovered that when a Zikolo enters the void between star systems and looks at the stars around them, they can see different futures for different locations. The tides of the Immaterium vary depending on location, so the futures observable to the Zikolo also vary. This discovery makes it essential for expeditionary ships to take Zikilo to different parts of the galaxy to discover unknown future possibilities and relay them back to SanZik-Yema. It's worth noting that, unlike the farseers of the Aeldari, Zikolo Star Skryers can only see the future in an area around themselves. Calamitous events on the other side of the galaxy would be completely out of any Zikolo's range.
## Reproduction

Like all of SanZik society, reproduction rituals heavily favour the Zikolo, with Sanguarix constantly vying for the attention of a potential mate. The SanZik, unlike the other Zephala xenos, have a surprisingly "normal" reproduction method. Chosen males pass genetic material to females, who then lay eggs, which must be incubated before hatching. This simplified explanation leaves out much of the process's inner workings, which will be covered below.

### Courting ritual

SanZik mating rituals are centred around the Sanguarix's ability to foresee danger. As Terran birds would dance to impress a female, the Sanguarix take part in elaborate dances and duels to capture the affection of the Zikolo. In these dances, a large group of Sanguarix gather in the middle of the night with their preferred blades in hand. The Zikolo who desire a mate attend to watch the event with their keen night vision. On instruction, the Sanguarix begin their dance, a whirling dance with blades flying at unpredictable angles. Each attendant male must be able to predict the movements of the others in attendance, dodging and blocking attacks they cannot see. Once a single feather is sheered or a drop of blood is spilled, the contest is halted. From the available options, the Zikolo can choose from all Sanguarix, sometimes picking multiple. There is no need for the Zikolo to choose if they do not like any of their options. Often, the Zikolo already know who their choice will be, drawing these answers from the stars in the sky. Choosing multiple options is never out of greed but out of understanding the tides of time. The Zikolo can predict the best mate for the next mating season and will actively attempt to secure this option before they are needed.

### Egg Hatching

Zikolo lay eggs, which they and their chosen Sanguarix mate care for until they hatch. During this time, all past and future mates protect the nest of the SanZik pair and their clutch of eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the young Sanguarix spend the next two Yemayan nights looking up at the sky, gifted with visions of the past and a chance to relive the history of their species. Young Zikolo, on the other hand, is gifted with both the past and an intense vision of a potential future, which they must record as soon as possible. These visions of the future can be good or bad, and sometimes they come to pass, while at other times, they can be avoided by simply being aware of their possibility.

### Sancʎ̝̊ʼu

After hatching, the Sanguarix are sent to school for training with the other Sanguarix of that season, and the Zikolo are taken under the metaphorical wing of their mother for training in the ways of Star Skrying. All mates, past and future stay with the Zikolom as their Sancʎ̝̊ʼu, or "Sanguarix Retinue." This retinue follows the Zikolo wherever they go, outside of locations where only Zikolo are permitted. They will be in service to their Zikolo until they die.

## Planetary Culture

Through the millennia, Zephala culture has become an amalgamation of cultural influences from all across the system. With so many distinct species, one might expect a culture clash, but seemingly, the peculiar creation of the system has also led to convergent cultural practices. Despite evolving on planets separated by millions of kilometres, each species' civilization is built upon a love of the arts, especially music. After all the xenos finally assembled under the Zephala banner, what should have been a discordant mess was a harmonious symphony of art and culture.

SanZik culture is heavily influenced by their powers of Divination. It has moulded their entire culture, from art all the way to governance.

### Firearm Accuracy Tournaments

SanZik contestants come together and engage in monthly SanZik-Yema tournaments in which the SanZik are armed with their favourite firearms. They are often long-range weapons as that helps with performance. The contestants then participate in a range of competition phases where varying targets are set at various ranges. Random obstacles, movement, light conditions and other modifiers are added without telling the SanZik shooters. This is a test of nerves and skill as well as a test of divination abilities.

### Precience Dance

The Prescience Dance is the more casual version of the courting ritual used for mate selection. The event is similar to the other ritual, but it happens during the day instead and without the use of weapons, with both Sanguarix, and Zikolo spectators. Instead of a free for all, the Presience Dance is a partner exercise, where two Sanguarix partner up and perform a dance without coordinating. The dance incorporates a flurry of wing, arm, and leg strikes that their partner parried and returned. Great dancers can perfectly synchronize their movements while sharing no words. The best dancers can wear blindfolds and do the same without missing a step or taking a hit. The Prescience dance is a public form of training, with the addition of an audience and the noise that comes with it. If one can perform in this setting, they might find it easier to perform during the actual courting version. Zikolo in attendance, if impressed, can choose a mate from these casual events as well, and the Sanguarix is allowed to deny if they are not ready. Sanguarix with a mate can also participate to show off their chosen students, though they themselves cannot be chosen for mating.

## Beliefs

### Yent̪ʘazəħas cʎ̝̊ʼa cʎ̝̊ʼu r̥ʌʈʂʌ Variations

The Zephala people maintain a monotheistic religion centred around the Yent̪ʘa, which they believe exists in physical form as the Bounty Trees, which lay at the center of their cities. This religion is called Yent̪ʘazəħas cʎ̝̊ʼa cʎ̝̊ʼu r̥ʌʈʂʌ, or Yent̪ʘa for short. The religion is also followed by Zephala humans, who call it Yentha's Bounty. Central to this religion is the concept of interconnectedness with the plants and animals of their home planets. Yent̪ʘa teaches all to appreciate the gifts received from the world and never to waste a gift received. The practitioners of Yent̪ʘa understand that Zephala provides everything they need to survive; therefore, they must take care of the system in turn. When the god Yent̪ʘa revealed its presence to the Zephala xenos in their time of need the belief in the religion strengthened. Yent̪ʘa, as a religion, is highly adaptable, changing with the times. Flexibility is present even in some of the most restrictive tenets. These tenets are common in each world, with variation depending on the practicing species and planet. The SanZik follow all the core tenets of Yent̪ʘa, but the SanZik sect stresses the following beliefs:

#### Protect the Yent̪ʘa Tree

The Yent̪ʘa trees and the smaller trees that sprout from their roots are the only locations where the Zikolo live and build their nests. Without the Bounty Trees, these xenos would have never been able to acquire sufficient shelter for their size and would not have become the intelligent species they became. Because of this and the constant supply of food provided to them by the Bounty Trees during times of scarcity, the SanZik will protect their Bounty Tree homes at all costs.

#### A Good Burial

The SanZik believe in the same burial practices as the Xandilu. Any recoverable piece of the fallen SanZik, preferably the entire body, is buried in the ground under the Bounty Trees. Yent̪ʘa roots are extremely fast growing and remove dead matter quickly from the ground when buried, converting it into nutrients for itself. Within a few hours, the body is gone. This is the SanZik way of giving back to the plants that allowed them to reach this stage of evolution.

#### Limit City Growth

As a preventative measure for keeping the ecosystem intact, SanZik limits the maximum size of their cities. Because of their small size, this is easier to do than for other species on any of the other Yema planets in the system. The size of the SanZik makes their cities much harder to traverse for the bigger species of the Zephala Syndicate. However, special accommodations in their buildings have been made to allow visitors to feel more welcome. Only a select amount of foreign intelligent species can live on SanZik-Yema due to this, combined with limitations to city size.

#### Combat Chaos

The SanZik provide much in the fight against Chaos. Their expertise in vehicle construction and voidcraft design, combined with the sum of knowledge stolen from the Imperium, provides the Zephala Syndicate with a reliable supply of both these things. Zikolo, intimately connected with the flow of time, makes successful ship mistresses on most of the Zephala expeditionary ships and is present on the ships that they do not directly captain. In a fight, SanZik is a talented sniper and vehicle pilot.

## Society

SanZik society is an elite democracy run by the Zikolo Females. Though Sanguarix have the ability to participate in debate, a Zikolo will have the first and final say in decision-making. Currently, Royal Zikolo make up the majority of species governance, but only because the Royal Subspecies is the majority of the SanZik population. This ruling government is made of the most talented Zikolo from each region across the planet. With their natural abilities for Star Skrying, they lead the species toward the best future their communal eyes can see.

## Combat Doctrine

The SanZik are known for their exceptional marksmanship skills, making them highly effective snipers in battle. Their uncanny ability to accurately shoot targets from a distance has proved to be a valuable asset in the fight against Chaos. In most combat situations, the SanZik are responsible for covering fire and priority target elimination for their allies, taking out enemy combatants before they can get too close. Their proficiency in sniping results from rigorous training and their powers of Divination, making them an essential part of any Zephala fighting force.

## Weapons and Equipment

* SanZik Rifle
* SanZik ʂiʂ|ara

### SanZik Marksman Rifle

This weapon is the chosen ranged weapon of almost all SanZik that go to ground for combat. Because of their relatively small size and particularly frail bodies, the SanZik prefer to be as far as possible from the actual fight. Their marksman rifles notably lack power when compared to other weapons of larger sizes, but they make up for it in precision.

### SanZik ʂiʂ|ara

The preferred melee weapon for these xenos is the SanZik ʂiʂ|ara, a poisoned basket hilt sword used only as a last resort. This sword is perfect for the SanZik, who lack the strength to benefit from larger weapons. With Divination, they find it much easier to target points of weakness in an enemy's defence and armour, applying poison with the slightest puncture.

### Armour

SanZik armour is all, without exception, very light because any heavy armour would make it impossible for them to fly. At most, SanZik soldiers are equipped with flak armour covering their vital organs and a helmet that provides a detailed heads-up display and sensitive optics.