THE PLANET
Astronomical Overview
Sah'aar, some one hundred
light-years distant from Terra, is the second planet of six
orbiting the star Zrr'aal, a G-class sun somewhat smaller and
more orange than Sol. Sah'aar orbits at a mean distance of
approximately 145 million kilometers. The innermost planet is a
tiny, rocky, sunbaked world, useless for colonization; the
remaining four are gast-giants approximately the size of Neptune
in Sol system, and possessing numerous moons and faint, dark
rings. Between Sah'aar and its outbound neighbor lies a wide,
dense asteroid belt, rich in iron, cobalt and other valuable
minerals. Most of the larger asteroids are honeycombed with
mines, while independant operators work the smaller rocks.
Sah'aar has two small moons in low, swift orbits. Sah'riil is the outer, larger satellite; his "mate" Ehm'riil is about one-third smaller. Both moons are extensively colonized and deeply mined.
Sah'aar has a slightly higher average temperature than Terra, and a smaller percentage of its surface--just over half--is covered with water. The surface gravity is .92 G. The atmosphere contains an approximately two percent higher concentration of oxygen than Terra's.
Geography
Sah'aar has three large continents,
and a number of subcontinents and islands. Many of the
latter--due to the Sah'aarans' deep dislike for water and
boats--remained uninhabited until well into the modern era. There
are two major oceans--the Western and Eastern--and a small number
of minor seas. Freshwater lakes are small and scattered; Sah'aar
has nothing resembling North America's Great Lakes or Siberia's
Lake Baikal.
Sah'salaan Continent, occupying most of the Northeastern Hemisphere from the arctic circle to the northern tropics, is by far the largest land-mass, being one-third again the size of Eurasia on Terra. Much of its interior is flat and rolling, with an average elevation of no more than fifty meters, and is covered with millions of square kilometers of grassland, studded with dark, twisted Tatak trees. As one travels north the Tatak forests gradually become thicker, before giving way to narrow band of evergreens, and finally to the barren, windswept, uninhabitable wastes of the arctic zone. The Western seacoast is rocky and abrupt, and still somewhat tectonically active. The Eastern coast is flatter, with many hundreds of kilometers of gently-sloping beach, forming dangerous, shifting shoals. The interior of the continent is a "stable craton," with virtually no tectonic activity.
The central portion of Sah'salaan Continent has an extremely arid climate, with the annual rainfall restricted to a single two-week drenching monsoon, the so-called "Interval," dividing First- from Second-Summer. Sah'aar's capital city, also called Sah'salaan, lies just west of the geographic center of the continent.
Ehm'tarr Continent, approximately half the size of Sah'salaan, straddles the equator in the Western Hemisphere. High mountains on the Eastern seaboard, combined with the prevailing westerly winds, act to funnel moisture into the deep bowl that is the interior. Much of Ehm'tarr is thus covered with lush, dense rainforest, thickest in the equatorial belt. The annual rainfall is easily a hundred times that of Sah'salaan Continent. Huge, towering hardwoods form an impenetrable canopy, and are such a distinctive feature of the continent that the common Sah'salaan term for a native of Ehm'tarr translates literally as "Tree-climber."
In the past, extensive tracts of Ehm'tarr rainforest were cleared for grazing; but in the modern era that trend has been halted, and in many cases even reversed. It is estimated that the Ehm'tarr forests produce approximately one-fifth of the free atmospheric oxygen on Sah'aar.
Sah'taam Continent, three-quarters the size of Sah'salaan, lies in the Northwestern Hemisphere, extending from the high temperate zone across the North Pole. The higest latitudes are mountainous, ice-bound and uninhabitable, and even today are little-explored. The lower latitudes are flatter, but gouged by numerous, deep canyons, the rivers within fed by the glaciers of the far north. Much of the continent is covered with dense forest, the trees evergreen and similar to Terran conifers, though generally lower-growing. Fishing, fur-trapping and herding the local, shaggy variant of the common grazer have historically been the major industries of Sah'taam.
Sah'aar has no antarctic continent, but the polar icecap does enclose a number of small islands, unknown until discovered by orbital radar scans.
Seismic activity on Sah'aar is generally low, though there are several dormant volcanoes in the high latitudes of Sah'salaan and Sah'taam continent, and the low latitudes of Ehm'tarr. The mountains on the eastern coast of Ehm'tarr are gnerally thought to be of the "Himalayan" type, thrust up by the collision of two continental plates. The Eastern Ocean contains several ranges of active, spreading seamounts, and the Western Ocean has no fewer than seven well-mapped deep subduction trenches. Apart from these depths, Sah'aar's seas are relatively shallow, and quite warm. They are thus somewhat less productive than Terra's colder seas; but the life-forms that do exist are widely-varied and spectacularly colorful. Only in very recent times has any concentrated exploration of the oceans been undertaken.
Flora and Fauna
A complete listing of the native
plants and animals of Sah'aar is beyond the scope of this work.
We will therefore restrict ourselves to mentioning a few of the
more important species. Native names are given where easily
reproduceable (see "Language"); otherwise, the most
common translations are provided.
Plants
Trees
Tatak
(Literally, "life-shade")
The most common tree on Sah'salaan Continent, and sparsely found
on Sah'taam, Ehm'tarr and many of the temperate-zone islands. A
huge, spreading hardwood with shaggy black bark and dark-grey
wood, it most closely resembles a Terran oak. It is deciduous,
and has small, oval, dark-green leaves, which are lost in late
winter. The tree produces tiny, sweet-smelling white blossoms
after the Interval, which in autumn become small, tri-lobed nuts,
food for many small animals and a popular export item, especially
relished by Terrans. Tatak wood is an extremely common building
material, most especially for furniture. Fortunately the trees
are relatively quick-growing and germinate easily under
cultivation.
Talla
(regionally, "boat-wood.")
A pseudo-conifer with large bundles of long, light-green,
corkscrew needles. A yellow-barked variety is extremely common on
Sah'taam Continent; it also grows sparsely in northern
Sah'salaan. A red-barked, much taller variety was at one time
very common along the cool western shore of Sah'salaan Continent,
where it was commonly used by the prehistoric Fisher-Folk to
build dugout canoes. Red Talla is now rare, the once-dense
stands having been clear-cut for building material. The remaining
forests are legally protected. Yellow Talla has been a
common export of Sah'taam Continent, though it is now seldom used
in house-building.
Aar'chalak
(literally, "sky-shadow.")
The most common tree of Ehm'tarr Continent, where it forms a
major component of the rainforest canopy. An immense, evergreen
hardwood, it bears huge, bright-green, heart-shaped leaves almost
a meter long. The yellowish-white wood of Aar'chalak is
also commercially valuable, as is the land the trees occupy (see
"Geography," above); but the remaining stands are
protected, and harvesting is strictly limited.
Broadleaf
Common to the riparian fringe of
permanent waterways on Sah'salaan Contininent, Broadleaf has
smooth, light-grey bark and hand-sized, almost round leaves. It
is evergreen, but loses its leaves and enters dormancy in times
of extreme drought. It is not commercially valuable, though in
earlier times it was occasionally cut for firewood.
Bushes and Shrubs
Serpent-Bush
A meandering shrub with long, thick,
green stems, it is the most common plant along waterways in
Sah'salaan Continent. Leafless, the photosynthetic cells are in
the stems themselves. The branches are sticky, and a wise hunter
avoids getting tangled in them.
Pillow-clover
A low-growing, ground-hugging bush
with tiny five-lobed leaves and--in Second-Summer--small odorless
pink flowers. Its innocent appearance is deceptive: the leaves
conceal long, sharp, barbed thorns, which can easily penetrate
the Sah'aaran foot-pad, and are difficult and painful to extract.
A careful hunter sticks to the trails.
Grasses
Ta'chlaas
(Literally, "Life-Grass.")
This is the single most common plant on Sah'salaan Continent,
covering many millions of square kilometers, and feeding
uncountable numbers of herd animals. Grey-green in color, with a
pale-yellow seed head, it sprouts after the Interval and grows
throughout Second-Summer, autumn, winter and spring, except in
the far north, where it becomes dormant in winter. With the right
soil, it can reach heights of three meters. It dislikes extremely
rocky or alkaline soil. A shorter variety grows on the southern
steppes of Sah'taam Continent.
Flowers
In addition to the Ta'chlass
grass, the plains of Sah'salaan Continent are also home to a wide
range of seasonal wildflowers, which bloom immediately after the
Interval. Among the more conspicuous forms are Blood-drops,
Goddess' Eyes, Blue-claws, and Violet Creeper.
Animals
Mammals
Grazers
Large, shaggy, bovine creatures with
solid hooves, native to Sah'salaan Continent. The meat of the
grazer is somewhat tough and "gamey," but still much
relished as a delicacy. In contrast to their domesticated
cousins, wild grazers are wiley and even dangerous creatures,
difficult to stalk and nearly impossible to bring down
single-handed.
Maxigrazers
The domesticated version of the
Grazer. Almost twice the size of its wild relative, the
Maxigrazer has extremely tender, but surprisingly lean, meat, and
is also remarkably efficient, producing a large quantity of meat
with a relatively small input of food and water, and an
astonishingly small quantity of waste material. Maxigrazer meat
is a popular export item. The animals are the result of millennia
of selective breeding, and several centuries of genetic
engineering. A slightly smaller variety has been bred for dairy
purposes. Sah'aarans are especially fond of fresh, warm
maxigrazer liver and kidneys.
Spotted Leapers
A small, gazelle-like creature, with
long, delicate legs and slate-grey coats, with brown spots on the
hindquarters. Both sexes possess four horns, two pointed straight
up and two straight forward. Extremely fast, and capable of
prodigious leaps, they are commonly hunted from ambush.
Rooter
A large pig-like creature, with four
splayed toes on each foot, a wrinkled brown hide, and a short
trunk-like snout. Native to the wet jungle-floor of Ehm'tarr
Continent, and has been domesticated as a food animal on
Sah'salaan and (to a limited degree) Sah'taam. Intolerant of cold
and drought, they would not be successful in the wild on either
continent.
Ha'chaar
(literally, "little
digger.") A small, rodent-like creature with chisel teeth,
short grey fur, and large, round ears. Native to Sah'salaan
Continent; accidentally imported to Sah'taam and Ehm'tarr, as
well as most islands, where they are considered a pest. As the
name implies, they are burrowing creatures, and create elaborate
warrens. On Sah'salaan Continent this activity helps to turn over
and aerate the soil. They are opportunistic feeders, but their
most common food is the nut of the Tatak tree. Most Tatak
germinate as the result of nuts gathered and stored underground
by Ha'chaar. Not considered edible, tame Ha'chaar
are occasionally kept as pets.
Tree-Phantom
A pseudo-feline creature native to
Ehm'tarr Continent, and a distant relative of the modern
Sah'aaran. (see "Evolution," below.) Nocturnal,
extremely rare, and almost never seen; it is a long, lithe
dark-furred creature, preying largely upon small creatures in the
upper branches of the forest canopy. Seldom if ever ventures down
to the ground. A clever animal, but by no means sapient. It does,
however, possess fnger-like digits on its forepaws, which it uses
to grasp the tree-branches. This perhaps points the way to the
true toolmaking hands of the Sah'aaran.
Night-Screamer
Another distant relative of the
modern Sah'aaran; in fact the only other one still extant. A
native of the cold, windswept steppes of Sah'taam Continent, it
has shaggy white fur with grey stripes. A compact creature, less
than a meter long, it preys mostly upon small mammals. It is
particularly fond of Ha'chaar, which makes it well-liked by the
inhabitants of Sah'taam. It is named for its nocturnal habits,
and its distinctive and penetrating mating call. Another
intelligent and cunning predator, but not sapient.
Reptiles
Brush-Demons
Three meters long, low-slung, with
pebbly grey skin, a short, wide, craggy spike-fringed skull, and
a beak-like mouth filled with sharp snaggle teeth. Oviparous; the
females lay from six to ten eggs, but only one or two from each
brood commonly survives. Breeding males have a purple throat sac
and an unmistakable, musty odor. A nocturnal carnivore and
scavenger, this Sah'salaan Continent native holes up during the
day, close to water, and emerges at night to hunt. Exposure to
First-Summer heat would kill it. Extremely vicious, it must be
approached with caution. Not hunted for food, but the populations
are sometimes thinned to protect herds of Grazers or Spotted
Leapers.
Aquatic Life
Redstripe
A large schooling fish, which occurs
in great numbers on the Sah'salaan coast of the Western Sea. A
major foodsource for the ancient Fisher-Folk, in recent times the
Redstripe flirted with extinction. Current populations, bolstered
by pollution-control and stream-management measures, are healthy,
and support a sustainable fishery.
Nutshell
A rather bizarre mollusk, which
burrows in the mud on the tidal flats of the Western Sea. It is a
trivalve, the shell having three distinct segments. The
common name indicates a superficial resemblance to the
three-lobed nut of the Tatak tree. Along with Redstripe,
Nutshells formed an important part of the Fisher-Folk diet, and
is still used in the regional cuisine of western Sah'salaan
Continent.
Spikefin
A freshwater fish, common to the
rivers of southern Sah'taam Continent, and successfully farmed
elsewhere. It has a succulent pink flesh, very similar to Terran
catfish. Its skin is bright silver, and its fins and tail are
narrow, with sharp, dangerous barbs. Extremely hardy, they can be
raised in crowded tanks, with very little attention.
THE PEOPLE
General Description
Sah'aarans (scientifically, Xenofelis
sapiens Sah'aar) are sentient, bipedal mammals, bearing a
strong--though entirely coincidental--resemblance to certain
Terran felines, both in physical appearance and behavior. They
are rather small, and deceptively light in build. The average
adult male stands approximately 170 centimeters tall, and weighs
perhaps fifty to fifty-five kilograms. The average adult female
stand approximately 160 centimeters, and weighs forty kilograms.
Sah'aarans possess a long, tufted tail, a little over a meter in
length, which is expressive and flexible, but not prehensile.
They have large eyes with vertical-slit pupils, usually
greenish-gold in color, and tall, triangular ears which can move
independently to "zero in" on sounds. Their jaws are
strong, with a pronounced muzzle, and their teeth are sharp, the
canines especially so. Their muzzles are lined with long, stiff,
black whiskers. Their feet are digitigrade, meaning that they
walk upon their toes and the balls of their feet. They have four
toes; an undeveloped fifth digit, or "dewclaw," at the
back of the heel is commonly amputated soon after birth. The toes
possess long retractable claws, which "express" for
traction either at will or involuntarily. Their hands have four
digits (a dewclaw at the base of the palm is also removed in
infancy.) The three fingers appear stubby, but are remarkably
sensitive. The thumb is fully opposable. Fingers and thumbs also
possess claws, extremely strong and sharp, the care of which
occupies a great deal of their time. (See "Culture.")
With the exception of the palms of their hands and the pads of
their feet, their bodies are entirely covered with
fur,
the color and texture of which
varies by ethnicity. The natives of the Sah'salaan continent have
smooth fur of medium length, ranging in color from golden- to
dark-brown. Those from other areas vary considerably. The natives
of the equatorial Ehm'tarr Continent will often have short,
coppery fur, and markings--such as pronounced "tear
streaks" on the cheeks--are common. Those hailing from
Sah'taam Continent, where the climate is colder, will generally
possess a much thicker, "fluffier" coat, especially in
winter. Muted stripes and/or spots are common to all ethnic
groups. Sah'aarans experience shedding seasons twice a year, a
two-week period of extreme physical discomfort. Upon their heads,
Sah'aarans of both genders possess
manes,
a mass of fine, straight hair that
never curls. Mane colors vary extensively, again due to
ethnicity, but are commonly a variation on orange. This can range
from an almost fluorescent hue to a more muted red/orange mix.
Again, faint stripes and/or spots are not uncommon. Males
generally wear their manes at shoulder-length, or slightly
longer; any shorter is considered gauche. Females usually wear
their manes quite long, past the base of their tails, and will
often hold the hair back with clips or other ornaments. As a male
enters adolescence, fuzzy "sideburns" matching his mane
will begin to descend his cheeks. In adulthood they will join
beneath his chin. In both genders, the tuft at the end of the
tail matches the mane in color and texture.
Exceptional
Colorations
Two marked exceptions from the
normal range of fur- and mane-coloration are known to occur. The
first is albinism. As with most species, this results in white
(actually pigmentless) fur, pale-pink flesh, and red, sensitive
eyes. In Sah'aarans it is also commonly accompanied by a range of
other physical, and even mental, ailments. In earlier times
"whitefurs" would be viewed as worthless to a hunting
community, and would be shunned or even killed.
The other (more accepted) variation
is the "blackfur." This is an extremely rare mutation,
which turns every hair on a Sah'aaran's body jet-black. An
accompanying mutation turns the eyes emerald green. Blackfurs do
not suffer from any marked physical or emotional ailments, and in
earlier times they were much prized, looked upon as mysterious or
mystical. This may have resulted in part because they were more
effective night-hunters, and were thus strongly associated with
twilight and shadow. Even in modern times, blackfurs are
considered strikingly beautiful. To have a blackfur as one's mate
is to be fortunate beyond belief.
Gender Differences
At first glance, the most obvious
difference between an adult male and adult female Sah'aaran is
one of size--as well as the aforementioned male
"sideburns." In every dimension--height, weight,
thickness of torso, limbs and tail, size of the muzzle--the males
are distinctly larger. In children ("kits") and
adolescents, this is much less pronounced. Neither the male nor
female genitalia is readily apparent to the casual observer. An
adolescent or adult female will possess a single pair of
mammaries, carried (as in humans) on the upper region of the
chest. They are generally inconspicuous, however, except when the
female is fertile, pregnant or nursing.
Biology, Reproduction
and "Bonding."
As previously noted, Sah'aarans are
mammals, practicing both live birth and lactation, and have two
distinct genders. They achieve sexual maturity between the ages
of eleven and thirteen (Terran Standard.) At this time both
genders begin to broadcast an insensible cloud of pheromones.
When two Sah'aarans--of the opposite sex--with matching
pheromones (often described as the "key" to a hormonal
"lock") encounter each other, they undergo the process
called "bonding," forming an unbreakable physiological
connection which will last as long as they live. Thus Sah'aarans
are biologically "hard-wired" for monogamy. During
adolescence there will often be a certain degree of sexual
"experimentation"--occasionally with members of the
same gender--but only a bonded, male-female relationship will
stand the test of time. Bonding can occur at any time after
adolescence, with the vast majority of Sah'aarans finding their
life-mates before the age of twenty. It can occur with lightning
rapidity, or can take days or weeks to develop. With very few
exceptions, bonding is utterly unpredictable, and thus can be
termed the "great equalizer" of Sah'aaran
society.
Sah'aaran females are fertile just twice a year, for approximately one week on each occasion. With one exception, however, they are sexually receptive at any time, an adaptation which facilitates bonding. The single exception is the unbonded female. During her fertile period, she will reject the advances of every male, except the one to whom she is destined to be bonded. To him she will be extremely receptive; thus bonding and pregnancy often occur together. For unbonded females, the fertile period--and the days leading up to it--are extremely unpleasant, accompanied by violent mood swings. Hormones are often prescribed to help the female cope. These symptoms largely disappear with bonding, and entirely so with menopause, which normally occurs after age fifty. Sah'aaran males are sexually receptive at any time. After bonding, however, neither gender is capable of sexual relations with anyone other than his or her own mate.
The Sah'aaran gestation period is eight months, Terran Standard. In almost every case, a Sah'aaran female will give birth to fraternal twins, male and female. This fact is so ubiquitous that a Sah'aaran without a sibling is considered literally "incomplete," and is the object of both pity and scorn. The kits are born quite helpless, with their eyes closed and their limbs and tails somewhat undeveloped. No matter his or her ethnicity, an infant's fur will be light in color, with camouflaging spots and stripes, most of which will disappear in a few weeks. Until they are about six months old, kits' eyes are bright blue.
Sah'aaran children grow very fast, and usually reach their full height and weight by age seventeen. Not until adolescence, however, do their claws harden sufficiently to hold a sharp point--a fact which has doubtless prevented many tragedies.
Sah'aaran females are extremely protective of their kits; a perceived threat can send a mother into a state of almost berserker rage. The kits themselves are protective of their siblings, and are extremely close, oftentimes sharing a bed until adolescence. Playful bickering between siblings is common, but physical violence is unknown, and even the arguments seldom last long.
Evolution
As with Terran humans, Sah'aarans
are the final remaining "twig" on their particular
branch of the evolutionary bush. Their physiology and brain-size
has remained essentially unchanged for approximately forty
thousand Terran Standard years. The fossil record contains many
recognizable ancestors, some of which existed contemporaneously
with the modern form for a (geologically) brief period. Judging
by cranial capacity, none of them were as intelligent as the
current model; nor did they possess the hands of skilled
toolmakers. What happened to them is unknown; possibly they were
out-competed by the modern Sah'aarans, or were actively
exterminated by them; or perhaps (the prevailing theory) there
were climatic changes with which only the more intelligent
species could cope.
Unlike Terran humans, however, who have numerous primate relatives, only two other examples remain of the pseudo-feline order from which Xenofelis sapiens Sah'aar arose. Like Terran primates (the chimpanzee, for example), they are animals of superior intelligence, but are not sapient. See "Tree-phantom" and "Night-screamer" in "Fauna," above. Other forms have existed, but again, were unable to compete with an intelligent competitor.
Aging
In general, most modern Sah'aarans
live to well over a hundred years old, thanks largely to advances
in geriatric medicine. In their early fifties, both genders will
experience a gradual greying of their fur and manes, usually
beginning with the muzzle and whiskers. By the time they are
seventy, most will be pure white. Approximately 90% of
Sah'aarans, before they reach the age of eighty, will require the
implantation of an artificial heart, as their own hearts
"wear out," developing extreme valvular insufficiency
and muscle degeneration. As they age, Sah'aarans are also subject
to such ailments as arthritis and cataracts, but these can
generally be kept in check. In general, Sah'aarans retain
their mental agility and senses until just before death. The
oldest known Sah'aaran reached an age of one hundred and
twenty-two years; that record, however, may be broken as advances
in nanotechnology continue.
Senses and Abilities
Sah'aarans evolved as hunting
carnivores, and thus possess all the tools for the job. Apart
from their teeth and claws, discussed above, they also possess
extreme agility and a surprising degree of strength. Their vision
and hearing are many times more acute than a humans', as is their
sense of smell. They can see in near-darkness, and like those of
a Terran cat, their eyes glow green in low light. They can hear
much higher- and lower-pitched sounds than any human, and at a
far longer range. They are easily able to distinguish individuals
of any species by scent alone. They have a finely-tuned sense of
balance, and perform well in such activities as gymnastics and
high-wire walking, as well as any sport that requires speed and
flexibility. They move with almost absolute silence, even when
they do not consciously mean to. In general they are extremely
intelligent, adaptable, and have a well-developed ability to
think on their feet.
Emotions
Sah'aarans experience a range of
emotions very familiar to humans, though they tend to feel them
more strongly. Pleasure is expressed by purring, or by a
closed-mouth smile. Irritation--depending on the degree--is
expressed by a growl, a flicking of the tail (which is also a
general stress-release), or the involuntary expression of claws.
Humor is expressed by a curious sound, halfway between a purr and
a hiccup, which with practice can be distinguished as
laughter. Physically speaking, Sah'aarans do share with humans
the habit of expressing grief or sadness through an excessive
flow of tears--in other words, crying. But in virtually all
Sah'aaran societies, including the dominant Sah'salaan culture,
weeping is strictly taboo. It is considered a weakness, both by
males and females, and is not tolerated in any but the smallest
kits. (On Sah'salaan Continent there is one interesting exception
to this rule; see "Holidays and Celebrations" below.)
In general Sah'aarans are an affable people, easy to get along
with, and both war and crimes of violence are extremely rare on
Sah'aar. This is good, because with their claws, teeth and speed,
an adult Sah'aaran would easily be capable of killing another--or
even a human. An interesting aspect of Sah'aaran behavior
involves
water.
Most Sah'aarans dislike open water,
with reactions ranging from mild nervousness to outright
hydrophobia. The majority do not know how to swim, nor do they
wish to learn. It seems likely, however, that this may be more
cultural than instinctive. History contains many examples of
Sah'aarans living at the seashore, or beside lakes or rivers, and
depending on fish or shellfish for the bulk of their diet.
Evidence also suggests that Sah'aaran kits, if introduced to
water carefully, can become enthusiastic swimmers and/or
boaters. It is generally thought that the
"proverbial" Sah'aaran fear of water originated in the
land-locked, dry savannah of Sah'salaan Continent.
Diet
Sah'aarans are carnivores. In order
to maintain good health, approximately 95% of their diet must
consist of animal protein. They are capable of assimilating
carbohydrates, in moderate quantities--and in fact some studies
suggest they are healthier if they do--but the protein base must
be adequate to insure proper digestion. Vegetable
matter--especially uncooked--is bad news: the Sah'aaran digestive
system cannot handle it. A green salad would not only be
emotionally repulsive to a Sah'aaran, but would make him
physically ill as well.
Sah'aarans prefer their meat raw, at body temperature, and fresh; but they will eat previously-frozen, or even cooked, meat, if necessary. The staple of the Sah'aaran diet is the "maxigrazer," a huge, bovine creature genetically engineered to provide the maximum of lean meat with the minimum of byproducts. Sah'aarans also relish Terran beef, poultry and fish. They are very fond of spices and sauces, most especially Terran black pepper. Very few Sah'aarans will ever hunt their own meat, though opportunities do exist. For the most part they content themselves with a visit to the butcher's shop.
Sah'aarans cannot successfully consume alcohol; their livers are incapable of breaking it down with sufficient rapidity. Thus a single drink usually results in extreme--and long-lasting--intoxication, followed by a violent and unpleasant hangover.
Sah'aarans have a high metabolism, and must eat fairly frequently to maintain their strength. In times of famine they will lose weight and energy at an alarming rate.
Sleep
As with most species, Sah'aarans
require a period of restful unconsciousness. Most adults function
well on seven to eight hours a day, though kits and adolescents
require more. Unlike Terran felines, however, Sah'aarans take
their sleep in solid blocks, rather than frequent quick
"cat-naps." An exceptionally high percentage of the
Sah'aaran sleep-period is taken up with REM or
"dreaming" sleep, and Sah'aarans experience extremely
vivid dreams, which they usually recall in precise detail. Many
attach considerable symbolic significance to their dreams,
looking to them for spiritual guidance. Sleep-deprivation (or,
more specifically, the deprivation of REM sleep) has dire
psychological and physical consequences, causing extreme
disorientation and lack of coordination, erratic, incoherent and
often paranoid behavior, and terrifying hallucinations.
Many Sah'aarans have the interesting ability to "re-tune" their sleep cycle, almost at will, making themselves either fully diurnal or completely nocturnal. This ability--which no doubt evolved, along with the Sah'aarans' keen eyesight, to enable them to hunt at night if need be--means that "graveyard-shift" work is seldom a hardship.
Sah'aarans can endure a human-style bed, but they prefer one that is low to the ground and (because of their habit of curling tight around themselves when they sleep) extremely soft. Pillows are preferred but not required; the tip of the tail can substitute. Most do not bother with pajamas or nightshirts, preferring the entirely-adequate comfort of their own fur, along with light- to moderate-weight coverings.
Clothing
Sah'aarans dislike close-fitting or
restrictive clothing, but there are times when it is unavoidable.
In general, there are two unbreakable constants in Sah'aaran
dress: they do not wear shoes, and they do wear collars.
Shoes
are generally unnecessary, and can
in fact be quite hazardous. As mentioned above, the Sah'aaran
sense of balance is extremely delicate, and greatly dependent on
input from the toes and tail. Shoes, or any other sort of
foot-covering, will make a Sah'aaran unstable and clumsy. Their
foot-pads are extremely durable, being covered with thick,
leathery skin, and are proof against most surfaces. Occasionally
a Sah'aaran will reinforce his or her pads with adhesive polymer
sheeting--but even that small loss of sensitivity is resented. In
general, they would prefer to endure the occasional scrape or cut
rather than stumble. Sah'aarans who must carry heavy
loads--backpacks, for example--will often wear elastic
ankle-supports, which leave the toes and foot-pads bare, while
preventing the ankle-joint from "blowing out" under the
unaccustomed weight.
Collars
are the single most important item
of Sah'aaran clothing. They are universal, and seem to have
developed independently and simultaneously on several continents.
They are occasionally misinterpreted, most often by humans, as
symbols of domination, control or submission; but nothing could
be further from the truth. In fact the collar is intended to
preserve modesty--the neck and throat being an extremely
sensitive erogenous zone--and few Sah'aarans would willingly be
seen in public without one. Kits are trained to wear them at a
very early age. In general the collars are soft, woven or
braided, and are often elaborately embroidered or beaded. Fancier
models of gold or silver links are available for formal wear. It
is also acceptable, though uncommon, for a Sah'aaran to
substitute a silk scarf or similar covering.
Day-robes
are the most common Sah'aaran unisex
garment, having spread from Sah'salaan Continent across the
globe. Light and loose-fitting, the day-robe commonly
has a knee-length hem and short, open sleeves. Earth-tones and
other muted colors are preferred. The robe is belted around the
waist with a contrasting sash, which holds a pocket-pouch over
one hip. There are endless variations according to climate, time
of year, and regional preferences. The "evening robe,"
which is worn on formal occasions, is longer, heavier, and made
of richer (often metallic) material.
In most warm-climate regions, preadolescent kits generally wear nothing apart from a collar, except when attending school or a formal function. If a child is in need of a pocket, he or she will simply strap a pouch to his or her thigh. In the very hottest climates, such an outfit will do for school as well; even, at times, for adult wear.
There are of course professions--and circumstances--which call for other types of clothing. A good example is the Combined Forces uniform jumpsuit. These are endured, but never enjoyed, and shed as soon as opportunity allows.
An extremely common accessory is the
Bonding-band.
This is a snug-fitting hinged anklet
of gold, silver or platinum, layered over a core of steel (for
sturdiness) and inlaid with gemstones of various types. Cabochons
of emerald, ruby and sapphire are very popular, as are polished
strips of red-and-white veined "bloodstone," a variety
of marble unique to Sah'aar. Natural gems are the rule, but some
prefer synthetic stones. When two Sah'aarans bond, an identical
pair of bands is purchased by the male--or his family--and in a
private ceremony, the lovers fasten them around each other's
legs. Once in place, they are never removed: to do so would be
extremely bad luck. To minimize the risk of accidental loss, the
bands have exceptionally strong hinges and clasps. If by
mischance one is lost, its mate must immediately be destroyed,
and a new pair acquired. Planetwide, more than 95% of mated
Sah'aarans wear bonding-bands.
All information on this page is copyright © 2001 by Paul S. Gibbs. All artwork is copyright © by its creators, as indicated on the images themselves. Any reproduction, reposting, retransmission or alteration without express written permission of the copyright owners is strictly prohibited.