Basca

The Basca (//, singular also "Basca") were the sentient natives of Vytuia.

Biology and appearance
Humanoids, the Basca had an appearance similar to Humans, although they were genetically not. They had tough skin in shades of brown and brownish red, and had builds slightly stockier than Humans. Their skin developed ridges of hardened flesh all over their bodies.

Basca normally lived between 70 and 90 standard years. The gestation period was eight standard months, and Basca gave birth to live young, usually one at a time.

Society and culture
Basca society placed a high value on honor, and observing formal courtesy and doing things according to tradition were expected of all social classes. Both politics and the military were considered prestigious careers, though many of the most successful politicians were also former soldiers. Some societies were more warlike than others, but the species in general were reputed in the Empire for their toughness and tenacity.

Swordsmanship played a role in Basca culture, even after swords had become archaic as actual weapons of war. Gentlemen were expected to have at least basic proficiency in swordplay, and in many nations, sword dueling was not a criminal offense, even if it ended in the death of one of the combatants. The Noble Order of the Pyriolari was the most influential body of swordmasters and instructors on Vytuia.

The nuclear family unit was the key component of Basca life; although honoring elders was stressed, it was uncommon for adult children to live at home or elderly parents to live with their children, except in cases of illness or great infirmity.

History
Exactly how the Basca developed their strict rules of conduct was not clear, although it was thought to originate in war. Until the invention of irrigation, most Basca lived close to the coasts. At some point two armies agreed to fight in a vast, little-used prairie rather than closer to home. This agreement to standards of conduct even in the most vicious of sentient endeavors might have contributed to further regimentation of society; it is also possible that Basca were raised for discipline in order to make them better soldiers.

The history of most Basca nations was tied around warfare with two groups: other Basca, and Vytuia's other sentient occupants, the aquatic Zwushtu. For centuries the Basca did not know the Zwushtu were sentient (and vice versa), and fear of the open ocean and the "sea monsters" dwelling in it was widespread around Vytuia. Even after each realized the other was a reasoning species, conflict between the two continued until the arrival of the Golden Empire.

Vytuia was brought into the Empire in 110 ABY. Conflict between Basca nations was forcibly brought to an end, and Basca militaries were disarmed and disbanded. Many Basca joined the Royal Army and Royal Navy instead.

In the galaxy
Member of the Pyriolari and Basca captain Sato Raltharan won great fame as a Centurion of the Order of Keltrayu. He served as an officer of the Armada and a Consul before dying as the last of the Shest Minor Seven.