Zylaari

Zylaari
Biological classifications
Designation	Aquatic or amphibian humanoids
Subspecies	Four
Physical characteristics
Height	0.9m-2.1m
Mass	14kg-120kg
Distinctive traits	Usually including: Gills Scales or wet skin Sharp teeth (in Zyl-krikt) Streamlined bodies Naturally psionic Fins
Lifespan	70-150 cycles
Socio‑cultural characteristics
Homeworld	Dhaarakt
Habitat	Wet, whether warm or cold
Diet	Mostly carnivorous, some omnivorous subspecies
Language	Song-like; elongated vowels punctuated by bony clicks

The Zylaari are a group of closely related aquatic and amphibious species. Their reputation is for acts of avaricious daring, frequent criminality, and exceptional natural ability as pilots and navigators. They entered the galactic spacefaring community some four hundred years ago as a client-species of the Alganna Eternity, but due to a cultural preference for nomadism and adventure-seeking, have also proliferated into other societies in great numbers. The name Zylaari, perhaps predictably, translates directly to 'people [of the] water,' which only became applied to them after introduction to the galactic community. Prior to this, they simply called themselves Zyl ('people').

Physical Description

Zylaari largely have scales (either rough or smooth), although some subspecies are known instead for their smooth and wet skin. All species are gilled, although some are capable of air-breathing as well. Many rely on tanks of water secured around their gills when out of water, but some members of species that aren't naturally amphibious have used genetic manipulation technology to become air-breathers. Zylaari naturally exist in a wide spectrum of colorations and patterns, from vivid reds and blues to more muted greys or earth-tones.

Zylaari vocalization is somewhat unique due to their aquatic history. The Zylaari larynx, referred to as the plectral chamber, has the typical open space of a mammalian larynx, but produces sounds by either drawing or plucking a set of tensioned, semi-rigid strings of cartilage using a bony plectral plate. This allows a Zylaari to produce vocal sounds irrespective of the movement of air, since not every Zylaari has lungs. Zylaari also do not need to open (or even use) their mouths to produce words, although many do in order to minimize mammalian discomfort with this ability. This also means that Zylaari vocalizations typically can sound somewhat groany or hoarse to other species, varying person to person.

The species is also naturally psionic, specifically in the form of something that resembles a high functional level of intuition. Theories as to why this is mostly have to do with how the Zylaari brain is especially mentally well-adapted for having three planes of movement. For this reason also they tend to make excellent natural pilots and navigators.

The natural psionic ability of Zylaari is most frequently described as a sixth sense of "pressure," especially regarding hostile intent, but also intent generally. Zylaari feel light amounts of this pressure from directions where they aren't being watched, observed, or thought about; and heavier amounts of it from directions in which they are. The heaviest pressure is from hostile intent.

Heritages

Zyl-krikt: The most populous species of Zylaari, the krikt most closely resemble Terran sharks. They are exclusively carnivorous and naturally aquatic. Zyl-krikt translates roughly to 'people who hunt,' given their carnivorous nature. The krikt are frequently the most ambitious or maybe even avaricious by nature, and tend to be somewhat impulsive.

Zyl-tak: fish

Zyl-ruul: frogs, newts

Zyl-gaamt: whales, dolphins

Society

The Zylaari

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