Elia

The Eliasen (//, singular Elia) were a sentient canoid species from Irestego in the.

Biology and appearance
Semi- in configuration, the Eliasen walked on two legs, but had distinctly canine features. Their bodies were fur-covered, and their faces tapered to short muzzles filled with sharp teeth. Though their large ears were not located on the tops of their heads like many canines, they were higher than those of Humans. Their maxillary canines were longer than their mandibular canines, and sometimes showed past their lips. Unlike most species, Eliasen regularly lost and grew new teeth throughout their lives; barring injury or disease, an average set of teeth would last an adult Elia five to six standard years.

Eliasen had four digits with non-retractable claws on their hands and feet. They had evolved to motion, but the soles of their feet were tough pads and they rarely wore shoes except in the harshest of climates. The Eliasen also had short, vestigial tails which rarely reached lower than mid-thigh.

Due to their scavenger evolution, Eliasen could eat beyond their immediate needs, storing food for the future. After they evolved sentience, however, this trait developed into the ability to overeat to the point of corpulence.

Female Eliasen naturally grew taller and heavier than males, and had four breasts. Correspondingly, Eliasen were usually born two at a time, though one or three were not uncommon. Eliasen reached physical maturity around sixteen standard years and were treated as adults at that time.

Society and culture
The Eliasen were renowned through the Golden Empire for their adaptability; given enough time to acclimate to their surroundings, they were believed to be able to thrive in almost any environment or profession. Inventive by nature, they often designed new technologies to suit problems which they encountered. They were biologically and culturally preconditioned to not waste resources, and much of Irestego's native technology ran with high efficiency.

On their homeworld, Eliasen rarely wore more clothing than was necessary to protect modesty, as their fur coats kept them safe from most weather. Off Irestego, they sometimes chose to conform to the behavior of other species in wearing pants, jackets, and armor, although most refused to wear boots. Eliasen had a reputation as knife fighters, and most carried one or more s secreted on their persons.

At one point in their history, the Eliasen considered being overweight a desirable characteristic, as it showed the Elia in question had excess food, and consequently wealth. When it became apparent that overeating carried health risks, diet, exercise, and fitness became concerns to the general population. Nevertheless, there was a notable minority of the population who clung to the old beliefs.

The majority religion of Irestego held that a divine being known as the El had created all life—indeed, "Elia" meant "child of El", and Eliasen "children of El". While the Eliasen traditionally believed that they were the chosen of the El, they also believed the El had bestowed lesser parts of its spirit into all other forms of life; consequently, Eliasen religion was quasi-animistic. The arrival of alien species shook some deeply held beliefs, although many adherents lumped other sentients in with plants and animals—not quite Eliasen, but worthy of respect in their own way.

History
The Eliasen evolved as carnivorous scavengers. Their ancient ancestors were four-legged creatures with movement; after they evolved to standing erect and a plantigrade step, their tails gradually became superfluous and shrank through the ages. They also slowly became omnivorous.

Evolving as scavengers made the Eliasen inventive and birthed their ability to improvise with what they had if they lacked ideal components. As they domesticated animals and began agriculture, they established cities around their world. Technology developed more rapidly on Irestego than in many other sentient societies; native inventiveness allowed many Elia scientists to quickly intuit breakthroughs and ways to utilize resources more effectively. Trade, warfare, and espionage all contributed to the spread of ideas from one culture to others.

Though they were only a few thousand years past their first cities, the Eliasen were working on laser technology by the time the Golden Empire arrived in 96 ABY. Easily persuaded to join the Empire, the Eliasen quickly integrated new technology into their society.

Irestego was attacked during the Great Liberation; despite the efforts of the Prime Fleet, the Tetrarchy of Mezlagob conquered the planet. However, many Eliasen were able to evacuate with the Prime Fleet flying cover. A native resistance harassed Tetrarchy occupiers, and the planet was retaken within a year. Even though the Empire had failed to initially defend Irestego, many Eliasen were grateful to Queen Rin Sakaros for allowing their friends and relatives time to flee, and thousands of Eliasen joined the war effort to repay the debt.

In the galaxy
The Elia Centurion Syuug became one of the ill-fated Shest Minor Seven. Other Eliasen found work as spies and informants (both for Royal Intelligence and the Royal Corps of Gendarmes as well as for illegal syndicates) due to their small, inconspicuous size.

Appearances

 * The Fall of Keltrayu