Zanari

Zanari are tall, Near-Human (although they debate this status, since they are unable to reproduce with base-line Humans) sentients rather infamous in the galaxy for the males androgyny and seductive powers.

Biology and Appearance
Zanari have evolved over time to have a very distinct sexual dismorphism. The males are tall and appear delicate to the viewer's eyes, however, this is not true as some males have been known to best Wookies in unarmed combat. Males of the Zanari race have been called 'pretty boys' thanks to their appearance and attitudes, while female Zanari are often mistaken to be children due to their rather plump bodies and short statures. Female Zanari are 'plump' because they shed about thirty percent of their body fat in pregnancy, no matter how much they eat before or during. Zanari are all born with wing like appendages on their back, which actually stores fat for the infant's 'metamorphises' which occurs when they are five standard years old. The wings cover the baby and harden into a cocoon, which after another standard year they break free from resembling long limbed human children with nubs on their arms, which grow over the years into armblades, which are retractable (although according to many Zanari, it hurts the first few times they do it). As they grow, their body eventually catch up and for males they generally become less plump in appearance and more slim and shapely. A typical Zanari will go through three metamorphesis in their childhood, which lasts for fifty human years. Males have longer and sharper arm blades, and although both sexes can produce poion, the females carry lethal poison while the male's only produce a anesthesia like kind. Descendants of nocturnal carnivorous mammals, Zanari all have slitted pupils which gradually expand in darkness. Some Zanari have very sensitive sight, so brighter lights then those of their sun often blind them temporarily.

Zanari are aptly described as the 'near apex' predators of their planet. Males often hunt the larger predatory non-sentient animals that inhabit their planet, while females hunt in packs after the somewhat smaller herd animals. Male Zanari are rather violent, although not many people see this side of them off their planet, and a few have gone after rancors. Some of them have arms in an attempt to kill a rancor, while some rancors have lost more vital body parts. In fact, most people do not believe that something so pretty looking as a Zanari male could actually be so vicious. Indeed, Zanari seem to be able to control their tempers better abroad then at home, however, if enough blood is spilt, or if someon is unwise as to insult their appearances, a Zanari male could easily show his sadistic side.

An interesting thing to note is that the Zanari have three stomachs, and since their body strives to absorb every single nutrient, vitamen, and mineral within their meals, after eating a large meal, a Zanari can go a week and a half living on just water. Also, when fuly broken down, digested, and absorbed, the unconsumable matieral is pushed into a little sack, when it is too large, it'll squeeze the material back into the Zanari's stomach, and the Zanari will promptly vomit the waste.

Culture and Society
Zanari culture, like the giant crystals they built their cities inside, is rather vibrant and varied. With school 'years' taking up a large part in their lives, a youth subculture is readily seen. Males usually served as soldiers and hunters, while females held goverment and building roles. As years passed, these gender traditions became blurred until it was as common to see a female Zanari piloting a NAO Streaker as it was for a male to be holding staff in their Aluvia Council. Zanari lived in giant crystals called Aluvia. The smallest Aluvia, Biana-ka, holds 200,000 Zanari. Each Aluvia has an Aluvia Council, the governing body made up of up to fifty Zanari. The Zanari also had a Emperor, the Emperor of Tesaki, who lives, with his concubines, children, and advisors, in the Forbbiden Aluvia. The location of this Aluvia is not known to the public, nor to most goverment officials. During a time of great need, the Emperor will come from his home to an Aluvia of his choosing to speak with the collection of governing bodies in Tesaki. An event such as this is called 'Aluvia Resia' or 'Aluvia Session'. Apparently, a succesor, called the Emperor Succesor, is chosen when the Emperor senses he's about to die. This is done by choosing thirty Force-sensitive youth who are taken to the Forbbiden Aluvia to touch the egg of the Emperor's 'Sigal', a mysterious creature which bonds with the Force of a individual of it's choosing.

Zanari females do not raise children with the male, in fact, the male almost never has a part in the rearing. Some Zanari do have civil unions though, usually to multiple females. They view monogamy as quiant, but not for them. Females who are busy, or choose their careers over their children, give them to males. Male Zanari are just as capable as females to rear children.

Younger Zanari are often defined by painting their lips black and wearing darker eyeshadow then older Zanari. Male Zanari also wear typically revealing or otherwise what one may call 'strange' clothing. Female Zanari wear less elaborate clothing, maybe a shirt and a long skirt.

Behind the Scenes
Zanari males are largely based off of visual kei artists in Japan, Visual Kei is a genre of rock that incorporates rather color costumes and the like to give their music a sort of 'theme'. There are many different styles, sub-styles, and alterations within it.