Difference between revisions of "Dalar"

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==Biology==
==Biology==
Dalar are externally similar to humans, often able to pass for human to those unfamiliar with them. Anatomically, they are generally taller and skinnier than humans, with proportionally very long limbs (including fingers and toes). Their skulls are more "triangular" than humans, with broad foreheads and narrow jaws and chins. Because of their limited population, there is less variance in appearance compared with humans, with virtually all dalar having a "medium" skin tone comparatively to humans, with dark brown or black hair and brown eyes. On average, [[Sanmra_people|Sanmra]] dalar are lighter than [[Tuanmali_people|Tuanmalis]], but the [[Lorhan]] ethnic group (primarily located in Sanmra) is significantly lighter than both.
Dalar are externally similar to humans, often able to pass for human to those unfamiliar with them. Anatomically, they are generally taller and skinnier than humans, with proportionally very long limbs (including fingers and toes). Their skulls are more "triangular" than humans, with broad foreheads and narrow jaws and chins. Because of their limited population, there is less variance in appearance compared with humans, with virtually all dalar having a "medium" skin tone comparatively to humans, with dark brown or black hair and brown eyes. On average, [[Sanmra_people|Sanmra]] dalar are lighter than [[Tuanmali_people|Tuanmalis]], but the [[Lorhan]] ethnic group (primarily located in Sanmra) is significantly lighter than both.
Despite stereotypical depictions, dalar do not have notably larger, thinner, or "pointier" ears than humans.


The majority of dalar have highly limited senses of taste and smell, with nearly half being born with congenital anosmia (total lack of sense of smell). Their eyesight and hearing is comparable to that of humans. Dalar are naturally excellent at picking up on the emotions of others, enhanced by skin-to-skin contact, leading most dalar cultures to have strict taboos against casual skin contact.
The majority of dalar have highly limited senses of taste and smell, with nearly half being born with congenital anosmia (total lack of sense of smell). Their eyesight and hearing is comparable to that of humans. Dalar are naturally excellent at picking up on the emotions of others, enhanced by skin-to-skin contact, leading most dalar cultures to have strict taboos against casual skin contact.


The most significant distinction between humans and dalar is in life cycle. Dalar mature and age at a significantly lower rate than humans, with a total lifespan of 150-160 years on average, although it's not uncommon for one to reach 180, and the oldest dalar have reached over 200. Dalar reach physical and mental maturity at around 30 years of age (although they don't reach their full height until about 25), then more slowly age until around 150, where they begin to rapidly age. (For a more in-depth look at dalar aging, see [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/101zvC9aENgwKdjkKglbUs7-dhRO7iTdSBwKePBQ8c8g/edit?usp=sharing this analysis].) They are somewhat more durable/faster-healing/disease-resistant than humans, leading to their longer lifespan. Dalar tend to live at a much slower pace than humans and do not have as much stamina, only being capable of short bursts of high-energy or high-stress activity. They require regular sleep and food; in situations where these are not available, they weaken much faster than humans.
The most significant distinction between humans and dalar is in life cycle. Dalar mature and age at a significantly lower rate than humans, with a total lifespan of upwards of 150 years on average, with the oldest recorded dalar having reached 200. Dalar reach physical and mental maturity at around 30 years of age (although they don't reach their full height until about 25), then more slowly age until around 120, where they begin to rapidly age. (For a more in-depth look at dalar aging, see [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/101zvC9aENgwKdjkKglbUs7-dhRO7iTdSBwKePBQ8c8g/edit?usp=sharing this analysis].) They are somewhat more durable/faster-healing/disease-resistant than humans, leading to their longer lifespan. Dalar tend to live at a much slower pace than humans and do not have as much stamina, only being capable of short bursts of high-energy or high-stress activity. They require regular sleep and food; in situations where these are not available, they weaken much faster than humans.


===Dalar hybrids===
===Dalar hybrids===
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Dalar are capable of having children with humans, one of the major reasons their status as a separate species (as opposed to a sub-species of ''H. sapiens'') is debated, although such pregnancies are rare due to various biological factors and are prone to miscarriage. When they do occur, dalar-human children are notable more susceptible to serious medical problems, both physical and mental, including unusually high rates of schizophrenia, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and other disorders with a neurological component. These effects are less serious on second and third generations, however.
Dalar are capable of having children with humans, one of the major reasons their status as a separate species (as opposed to a sub-species of ''H. sapiens'') is debated, although such pregnancies are rare due to various biological factors and are prone to miscarriage. When they do occur, dalar-human children are notable more susceptible to serious medical problems, both physical and mental, including unusually high rates of schizophrenia, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and other disorders with a neurological component. These effects are less serious on second and third generations, however.


Dalar-human hybrids tend to take after their mother's species. In particular, with regards to lifespan, hybrids with a human mother tend to live somewhat longer than average for a human (e.g. living to 100 would not be uncommon), while hybrids with a dalar mother tend to live somewhat shorter than average for a dalar (e.g. 150 is old).
Dalar-human hybrids tend to take after their mother's species. In particular, with regards to lifespan, hybrids with a human mother tend to live somewhat longer than average for a human (e.g. living to 100 would not be uncommon), while hybrids with a dalar mother tend to live somewhat shorter than average for a dalar (e.g. 150 is extremely old).


===Dalar-vodholk hybrids===
===Dalar-vodholk hybrids===

Revision as of 17:26, 1 October 2018

Dalar
Scientific classification (disputed)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Haplorhini
Family: Hominidae
Genus: Homo
Species: H. dalaris or H. sapiens
Binomial name
Homo dalaris or Homo sapiens
Trinomial name
Homo dalaris dalaris or Homo sapiens dalaris

The dalar are one of the sentient species inhabiting Sahar. They are physically comparable to humans in many ways, but have several distinct biological differences that lead them to be classified as a separate species (though this classification has been challenged by some authorities, who view them as a subspecies instead).

Habitat and population

As of 2015, the dalar population was possibly approximately 50ish million or so, concentrated primarily in Boroso and Alpa, with about 33 million in Tuanmali, 5 million in Sanmra, 4 million in Lhavres and the remainder distributed throughout the rest of the world.

Dalar cannot into space.

Biology

Dalar are externally similar to humans, often able to pass for human to those unfamiliar with them. Anatomically, they are generally taller and skinnier than humans, with proportionally very long limbs (including fingers and toes). Their skulls are more "triangular" than humans, with broad foreheads and narrow jaws and chins. Because of their limited population, there is less variance in appearance compared with humans, with virtually all dalar having a "medium" skin tone comparatively to humans, with dark brown or black hair and brown eyes. On average, Sanmra dalar are lighter than Tuanmalis, but the Lorhan ethnic group (primarily located in Sanmra) is significantly lighter than both.

Despite stereotypical depictions, dalar do not have notably larger, thinner, or "pointier" ears than humans.

The majority of dalar have highly limited senses of taste and smell, with nearly half being born with congenital anosmia (total lack of sense of smell). Their eyesight and hearing is comparable to that of humans. Dalar are naturally excellent at picking up on the emotions of others, enhanced by skin-to-skin contact, leading most dalar cultures to have strict taboos against casual skin contact.

The most significant distinction between humans and dalar is in life cycle. Dalar mature and age at a significantly lower rate than humans, with a total lifespan of upwards of 150 years on average, with the oldest recorded dalar having reached 200. Dalar reach physical and mental maturity at around 30 years of age (although they don't reach their full height until about 25), then more slowly age until around 120, where they begin to rapidly age. (For a more in-depth look at dalar aging, see this analysis.) They are somewhat more durable/faster-healing/disease-resistant than humans, leading to their longer lifespan. Dalar tend to live at a much slower pace than humans and do not have as much stamina, only being capable of short bursts of high-energy or high-stress activity. They require regular sleep and food; in situations where these are not available, they weaken much faster than humans.

Dalar hybrids

Dalar are capable of interbreeding with both humans and vodholk, although pregnancies are rare due to various biological factors. There is strong social stigma against dalar/non-dalar relationships in many dalar communities, including Sanmra and Tuanmali, as well as against dalar hybrids, regardless of their non-dalar parent's species.

Dalar-human hybrids

Dalar are capable of having children with humans, one of the major reasons their status as a separate species (as opposed to a sub-species of H. sapiens) is debated, although such pregnancies are rare due to various biological factors and are prone to miscarriage. When they do occur, dalar-human children are notable more susceptible to serious medical problems, both physical and mental, including unusually high rates of schizophrenia, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and other disorders with a neurological component. These effects are less serious on second and third generations, however.

Dalar-human hybrids tend to take after their mother's species. In particular, with regards to lifespan, hybrids with a human mother tend to live somewhat longer than average for a human (e.g. living to 100 would not be uncommon), while hybrids with a dalar mother tend to live somewhat shorter than average for a dalar (e.g. 150 is extremely old).

Dalar-vodholk hybrids

Dalar-vodholk hybrids are possible, but as with dalar-human hybrids, are rare.

Cultural overview

Sanmra

Sanmra is fairly culturally and ethnically homogeneous. They can be somewhat mistrustful of non-Alpa humans, but largely don't mind other species, treating them all equally. They do not have a great relationship with their Tuanmali relatives, viewing them as the annoying, argumentative younger sibling to their wise older self. Nevertheless, they would immediately defend Tuanmali in political/military conflict, believing it is important to protect their fellow dalar against non-dalar.

Sanmra culture is oriented around families/clans led by elders. Even non-dalar living in the nation largely end up organized along similar lines. Organized religion is relatively rare, although most people participate in religious/spiritual rituals, including worship of ancestral and nature spirits and (very common!) fortune-telling. There is a heavy emphasis on nature, and outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and hunting are very popular.

It is sort of a welfare state (in the UK sense), with a lot of nationalized industries, although people outside the family/clan system tend to fall through the cracks.

Tuanmali

Tuanmali is significantly more diverse than Sanmra, and isn't nearly as unified. It is very much a democracy and believes strongly in independent thought and independent freedoms. Compared to Sanmra, there isn't much emphasis placed on family beyond the immediate family. Instead, the focus is on the community, with everyone expected to participate in local politics--the political system includes a lot of elements of direct democracy. Tuanmali is somewhat isolationist, distrusting many human nations (particularly those outside of Boroso) but allying with some non-humans (e.g. Fals). They feel kinship with Sanmra as the only other dalar-dominated nation, but also feel that Sanmra (the wealthier and older of the two) is full of itself and wants to control dalar relations despite the distance between the two nations (both physically and historically).

Tuanmali is very capitalistic, leading to a lot of income disparities but a strong work ethic. They also have a lot of guns and boats (and possibly horses).