Orions use genetic manipulation to create a slave caste. At first these slaves were considered designer products, used as body servants, often made mute or slow. But then some wanted to use the technology to create a laboring caste, ones that retained their intellect so as to be better workers. Orion culture split between worlds with designer and those with laborer castes. Few military actions occurred, and the factions were so evenly matched that they are now in a Cold Civil War that has lasted a century. Some laborer worlds treat them as property (slaves), and others as people (serfs). Despite negative reactions to diplomatic overtures by Terrans who insisted on freeing the laborer castes as a condition of alliance, some owners experimented with expanding their privileges and actually found an increase in product production. There is a growing, but deeply secret, sentiment of freeing the laborers and allying with humans, some for no other reason than an expanded market.
Family is all in Orion culture, but family reputation and marital fidelity are inextricably bound to that idea(l). Orphans are a rarity, always some distant family to take them in. However, if a scandal occurs that touches a whole family, but the children are obviously not involved, they are removed and fostered; they still carry some disgrace and fall from their class, but they are spared any other reparation.
Orions are proud of their exploration of space, so basic education includes extensive astronomy. They value luxury, but also take pride in their work ethic.
Drell settlements are concentrated near, in and under water sources. They have narrower temperature thresholds than humans, cannot endure extreme heat or cold. Must constantly hydrate when on dryer planets and on spaceships, voices still tend to be thin and scratchy.
Most Ktahtet are pastoralists (crepuscular hunting?). Females have two pairs of teats, only recognizable as "breasts" towards the end of a pregnancy. Average of two or three kits per pregnancy, usually spaced six years apart. Kits are born with grey eyes, change color after six months. Palms and soles are able to pick up more subtle vibrations than humans, but when visiting industrialized planets this ability is a distraction. Can withstand both higher and lower temperatures than humans. Prefer sleeping in high places (top bunk bed?). They have a complicated language based more on their empathic abilities and body signals rather than vocalizations, and lack a writing system, which creates difficulties in communicating with other species. Several art forms pervade their cultures.
Family is all in Orion culture, but family reputation and marital fidelity are inextricably bound to that idea(l). Orphans are a rarity, always some distant family to take them in. However, if a scandal occurs that touches a whole family, but the children are obviously not involved, they are removed and fostered; they still carry some disgrace and fall from their class, but they are spared any other reparation.
Orions are proud of their exploration of space, so basic education includes extensive astronomy. They value luxury, but also take pride in their work ethic.
Drell settlements are concentrated near, in and under water sources. They have narrower temperature thresholds than humans, cannot endure extreme heat or cold. Must constantly hydrate when on dryer planets and on spaceships, voices still tend to be thin and scratchy.
Most Ktahtet are pastoralists (crepuscular hunting?). Females have two pairs of teats, only recognizable as "breasts" towards the end of a pregnancy. Average of two or three kits per pregnancy, usually spaced six years apart. Kits are born with grey eyes, change color after six months. Palms and soles are able to pick up more subtle vibrations than humans, but when visiting industrialized planets this ability is a distraction. Can withstand both higher and lower temperatures than humans. Prefer sleeping in high places (top bunk bed?). They have a complicated language based more on their empathic abilities and body signals rather than vocalizations, and lack a writing system, which creates difficulties in communicating with other species. Several art forms pervade their cultures.
