Sinnyazh

Šinn-aānum yázhícska or Sinnyazh
Biological classifications
Designation	Mammalian felid humanoids
Subspecies	Several
Physical characteristics
Height	0.9m-2.5m
Mass	14kg-120kg
Distinctive traits	Usually including: everyone knows what a cat is.
Lifespan	70-120 cycles
Socio‑cultural characteristics
Homeworld	Šinn, often simplified to Sinn or Shinn
Habitat	Warm, whether dry or wet
Diet	Carnivorous
Language	meow

Physical Description

The Sinnyazh are a felid species. Over many years of internal struggle to improve themselves, their genetic code has drifted as they seek ever greater heights of physical prowess, stealth, and endurance. They can resemble a variety of the Terran Felidae family.

History

The Sinnyazh homeworld, Šinn, was originally a vast and vibrant jungle world turned into a near wasteland by constant fighting. The Sinnyazh continuously pushed themselves forward through combat, trying to outdo one another in honor battles, which eventually propelled them into the stars. Their discovery of faster‑than‑light travel came by purely accidental means: a trap set for their own orbital craft during one of their conflicts entangled an alien ship with an underspace drive. The Sinnyazh wasted no time in reverse‑engineering it and scrambled out to the stars.

Society

The Sinnyazh do not have a standard government. When issues arise that are significant enough to warrant it, leaders of each pack are called together to deal with those issues, involving one or more packs. The only thing that would directly unite the packs is an attack on the Sinnyazh home systems. Many current packs serve under the League of the Free Colonies, but this is not universal; there are many packs that serve other masters and do not recognize the authority of the Free Colonies.

The Sinnyazh inhabit only a few planets, preferring to stick to colony or pack ships. They do not understand the concept of borders and choose to go where the hunts are.

The Sinnyazh focus on smaller combat ships which, for their size, outmatch most ships of their class. Conversely, they lack large combat ships. The only large ships they possess are colony or pack ships, massive vessels that house civilians and other necessities for the smaller ships. Their ships are armed with disabling weapons to allow boarding actions, as well as a variety of ballistic and energy weapons. The Sinnyazh strategy relies on cloaking and low‑heat‑signature to set ambushes, treating combat as a hunt.

One of the biggest ways to rise in Sinnyazh culture is to complete a series of dangerous tasks, upon which honorific titles and duties are acquired. Examples include stealing an enemy spaceship without killing any crew members, and infiltrating an enemy position to steal an item belonging to an officer or equivalent rank. After completing several such tasks, a Sinnyazh may claim the role of Hunt Leader or Master in group hunts (though hunts can happen without them); they become the de facto leader.

Ranks are universal among all Sinnyazh:

• Grand Maw: leader of many packs

• Elder Fang: great pack or bloodline ruler

• Clan Fang: pack chief

• Blood Fang: sub‑pack or branch leader

• First Claw: champion or enforcer

• Pride‑Captain: warband or ship commander

• Marked Hunter: proven warrior

• Claw‑Bound: full warrior

• Unmarked: unproven member or recruit

Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behaviors

Sinnyazh culture revolves around the hunt. Hunts do not have to be deadly, but they must be dangerous. Prey may be live dangerous beasts or warriors of high renown; the hunt ends with the capture or death of the hunted. Activities that qualify as a hunt include boarding a hostile vessel, sieges, and other acts of military might.

Though many see the Sinnyazh as bloodthirsty, they mostly abide by a code: the hunted must be armed and capable of fighting back, and they must see the faces of those hunting them. With new technology and alien species, new forms of hunts have emerged: proficient hackers or engineers who take over an enemy’s network are considered victorious. Espionage against enemy ships or fortifications (but not stealthy killing of individuals) also counts; if a Sinnyazh disables an enemy ship and escapes back, that is a successful hunt.

While the Sinnyazh love fighting and acts of martial prowess, they also partake in drinking, storytelling, and competitions of martial might. A famous drink called Kibja, a white alcohol made from fermented milk, is a cultural icon. Songs and stories extolling the deeds of mighty hunters and warriors of old are another major aspect. Young Sinnyazh returning from their first hunts with tales of victory are honored at massive gatherings on colony ships. A rite of passage and a famous sport is the Daz'Riak, a competition much like Earth wrestling where two opponents grapple, and the first to be pinned loses.