Manuconte

The Manuconte, or known in their language as the Shamashi were a large, bipedal species of aliens from Manu and closly resembled humanoid tortoises. They were a very warlike race and had no love for peace or harmony, just conquest. Their hard shells were natural armour, so their protection in battle was stronger than if with out. Due to lust for power, many civil wars sparked and assassinations were common in politics, especially the Magnus Concilium, or "Great Council".

The Manuconte were very sturdy and well-trained in combat, speedy despite their size and weight. They crafted spears chiefly, made of wood and adorned with tribal ornaments. These weapons were used to fight and also hunt the variety of native animals. The Manucontian cities are larged domed buildings with muirals painted inside, depicting special battles and figures through their honorable history.

Through the height of the Grand Manucontian Empire, they became known to everyone else as the Manuconte, or Evil Armour. They built temples also to honour their gods and leaders, and had a intricate hierachy amongst their culture.

Biology and appearance
The Manuconte were sturdy short creatures. Nearly 90% of the Manuconte population were dark red in colour, and their shells were hues of brown to black. The other 10% of the population were dark green, and outcast as impure and unworthy to exist with their red kin. If they resisted, the red Manuconte killed their kindred and displayed their skin on their own to say they were slayers of traitors. The Manuconte had very sensitive eyes and could be blinded by light at high levels and that was one of the reasons why they protected themselves from their powerful sun Manu IV. They had extremely long necks and extended them in and out of their shell in different circumstances, such as sleep or fear, an emotion scarce in most Manuconte. They had whisker-like mandibles that sense motion in the dense wood undergrowth off their faces and no visible noses. Manuconte spoke with gurgling voices as their vocal cords were developed like that due to the atmosphere of Manu.

Approximately, each Manuconte measured 1.37 metres although some were shorter or taller. If a Manuconte was taller than usual, he/she was greatly admired and considered bless. If they were shorter, then they were considered childish and immature, no matter their age. Their arms were shorter than their legs as they rarely or even never walked on four legs. The Manuconte were fingerless, instead possessing limbs similar to tortoises.

Government
The Manuconte government was called the Magnus Concilium, or Great Council, and had superior power over all Manuconte that lived in their lands, sometimes snuffing out hermits and forcing them to succumb to their rule. The Magnus Concilium consisted of up to 1000 members of different hierachy and stationed to different affairs in their society. All council members were male, as females were thought only to exist for reproduction and labor.

The Pugna Concilium, a minor council that dealt with military and war, were the chiefs of warfare and took control of wars and battles during their time. This council was much more violent then their superiors and if dissagreements occured, the Manucontes involved would most likely undergo Trial by Spear, a fight to the death with the winner claiming the loser's every belonging, sometimes even his wife.

Along with the Pugna and Magnus Conciliums, there existed Fabrica Concilium, who dealt with trade and distribution of foodstuffs and weaponry. They often set up market places were the people of Manu could purchase food and equipment from various merchants employed by the Fabrica.

Weaponry
The main weapon of the Manuconte was the telumshi, or "spear" in Galactic Basic. When a Manuconte male turnt twenty, he was given a freshly made spear with no ornaments. He would have to hunt, defeat rivals and other things to obtain this ornaments which would give him rising hierachy in his society. It was considered bad for another Manuconte to steal his kindred's telumshi and he would sometimes be exiled or even killed.

Early recordings
According to ancient archieves of the Great Jedi Empire, the planet Manu had existed in the Manu System for approximately 700 years before their arrival. The primitive Manuconte could not speak Galactic Basic and only their own language, finding it difficult to relate with the Jedi and make terms. These early species were not as warlike as their descendants.

This ended when the Manuconte discovered the Jedi had means to conquer their planet and the First War of Manu erupted. The Manuconte population dwindled after this war and the Jedi left Manu for centuries, leaving the natives to develop a society ready for war.

War years
In approximately 509 BBY, the Manuconte were faced with a foe of extreme power, the Sith. The Dark Jedi came in their thousands and attempted to eradicate the Manuconte, but were driven from the planet by the natives. The Sith continued campaigns to conquer the resiliant planet and were not sucessful.

When the Sith finally left, another species came to colonise some 100 years later in 618 BBY, the Vanseradii. The Manuconte fought hard and caused their foes much casaulties, but came close to almost loosing their planet when Vanseradii reinforcements arrived. Back on Vanserad, the government were planning to sent their expansive fleet to destroy Manu, but were stopped by the Jedi who forged an timely alliance with the Manuconte.

The Vanseradii, enraged, launched a full scale war against both the Jedi and the Manuconte, only ending in their empire's collapse. The Vanseradii were vanquished from the galaxy and the Manuconte deemed the Jedi worthy friends to their people.

Civil war
Between the years 890 BBY to 1130 BBY, a costly civil war erupted between the Manuconte. The argument was between to councils of minor authority, the Socius and Terra Conciliums. The Socius Concilium were in charge of diplomacy and the Terra Concilium in charge of the enviroment. Supporters of both councils joined the war and some families were torn apart due to it. The war's prominence became known to the galaxy and the Mandalorians mockingly called the Terra Concilium the "Turtle-Hippies", although this did not reach the ears of the Manuconte. The Civil War ended in 1130 BBY, when the Magnus Concilium stepped in and threatened to disband both councils if the war did not end.

Notable Manuconte

 * Hyjuntl Merrunta

Behind scenes

 * Many words, such as the Manuconte's name and council names, are derived from Latin.