Asrai
The Asrai are a sentient humanoid species that are found on the planet Asrai Prime, located in Sector 6309. They are physically very similar to Humans in stature, intellect, adaptability and body form and structure. Like humans, the males of the species are usually more muscular and physically better built for the pursuit of works of aggression such as warfare and hunting.
Unlike humans, however, the Asrai have limited dermal pigmentation. They are pasty white in pallor and this is a very beneficial adaptation. The lighter pigmentation allows the melatonin in their skin to better produce the critical metabolic vitamin D. Due to the dim light of their Binary parent stars, this is a critical adaption.
As a result of this lighter skin color, Asrai tend to have hair in the lighter color ranges, usually blonde, while darker tones such as blacks and reds are almost non-existent.
There are "crack-lick" crenelations that appears on the dermal surfaces of Asrai as they age. This is completely normal, and is believed to be the vestigial remains of some primitive protective plates that are no longer present.
Asrai are very intelligent, and have a highly developed social structure and culture. They are a spiritual people, who believe in a race of deities known as the "Aowa" which means "The Most Ancient Ones".
Technical Development
The level of technical development of the Asrai is difficult to define, as different sectors of their lives vary somewhat on the Richter Scale of Cultural Development. For example, the vast majority of technological development is considered appropriate of the Pre-Industrialization age, Classification D-. There are, however, signs of extensive steam powered travel between major populations centers, which is a technology firmly within the grasp of civilizations that have reached the Classification D. Yet, even more rarely, there are signs of Electric Age technologies, Classification D+, isolated in areas predominantly controlled by the religious orders.
There has been some speculation as to the potential of the Asrai having once been much more technologically advanced, and due to unknown circumstances, losing that technology.
As a result of the most widespread level of technology being that of a pre-inductrial nature, it is best to assume that the general or average technological development of the Asrai civilization falls within the Classification D-.
Culture
The Asrai Culture is an exceptionally complex web of interlocking and hierarchal castes. There is a distinct series of caste controlled social levels. Those of the lower castes are generally only in direct interaction with those castes that border them directly, as well as those few castes that intersect with them. The lower the caste, the more menial and physically demanding the work that must be performed. The Inverse is also true, with the higher castes more generally focused upon intellectual or religious pursuits.
The higher the caste's position in society the fewer members of society within that caste. Thus through the application of the caste system, the members of the ruling elite within the upper castes rule the larger population of the lower castes.
There is a Slave caste, which is very close to the bottom of the Caste. The lowest caste however is that of the outcast. Each caste within the Asrai culture is hereditary, so that an individual is born into a specific caste. It is possible to transcend one's caste, but it is exceptionally rare.
One can also lose their current caste status and be placed into a slave or outcast caste, from which there is no hope of redemption. Only the Religious castes are non-hereditary, as those castes take in children for the purpose of filling their ranks and training the future stewards of their religion.
Asrai culture is rich in the oral tradition, as a very few members of the population have the ability to read or write. There are a large number of highly qualified artisans within the lower castes. There are also poets, scholars and philosophers amongst the upper castes.
Spiritual beliefs are very widespread and most Asrai are dedicated to the worship of the Aowa. This strong spiritual focus is a result of the religious castes command and control over the other castes as a result of their access and knowledge gained from the Aowa.
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The Asrai were first seen in the USS Rosenante Mission The Third Law
