Zaractok

The Zaractoks (//) were a sentient species hailing from Zorabos in the Unknown Regions.

Biology and appearance
Though vaguely humanoid in bodily appearance, the Zaractoks were non-humanoids because of their large wings, the span of which could equal nearly double their heights. Zaractok wings were made of tough, leathery material which was resistent to tearing or cutting, and the bones in the wings were less hollow than those of avians. This made them hardier, but, combined with their limited span and the weights of the attached bodies, also constrained the Zaractoks to gliding on currents of air rather than actual flight. Zaractoks could flap their wings and briefly spring a few meters into the air in doing so, but could not sustain this altitude.

Zaractok hands had four fingers and a thumb, but were thicker and slightly longer than a Human's, as they housed retractable claws. Their "feet" were closer to pads, like the Zykeds, although they had a back claw on each foot. The front two clawed toes and the back claw could hook into prey below, and the claws were sharp enough to pierce skin and even bone in weaker species.

Zaractoks were able to flourish in slightly thinner atmospheres than the norm, as their rock cities could be kilometers above the surface of Zorabos, where the air was naturally thinner. By contrast, unusually heavy atmospheres, or even extreme humidity (as found on some swampy worlds), could make them uncomfortable.

The Zaractoks were carnivorous predators who hunted from their high rock cities by using their wings to dive down on unsuspecting prey. They had great muscular strength in their arms, which allowed them to grapple with prey they failed to kill on the first blow, as well as climbing back up to wherever they had dove from. Nocturnal by evolution, the Zaractoks had weaker daylight vision, and their skin and hair both came in colors suited to blending into the darkness of Zorabos. Zaractoks grew hair on their heads and had tough skin and a second, transparent eyelid to protect their faces from the harsh winds which accompanied their diving attacks.

Zaractok females gave birth to live, wingless younglings. Wings began to grow within a standard year of life, and Zaractoks could begin to glide around age five or six. They reached physical maturity around the age of fourteen.

Society and culture
Despite being carnivores, the Zaractoks were reputed throughout the Golden Empire for being intelligent, composed, reasonable beings, not prone to fighting with one another or other species unless directly attacked. If provoked to conflict, however, they were ruthless and violent, rarely accepting the end of a battle unless the aggressor was exterminated.

Both male and female Zaractoks wore their hair long, and usually loose. Many often kept their wings folded tightly to their bodies unless they were actively preparing to hunt or fight.

History
The Zaractoks evolved on Zorabos by hunting other species from above. Some Zaractok (and later Royal) biologists believed that this may have begun with Zaractoks living in the tallest trees of Zorabos, but there was indisputable evidence of habitation in rock cities ten thousand years before the Zaractoks encountered the Golden Empire, proving that at least some of the species had moved out of the jungle by then. The existence of equally dangerous predators on the surface of the world suggested that moving to higher ground might have been a species-wide move of self defense; the Zaractoks considered themselves one of the apex predators of their homeworld, but not the only one, and opted to live in and attack from a starting point better suited to their biology.

Most Zaractok communities grew into independent city-states, which dotted the globe. Rock cities in the same general area often banded together under loose alliances, but those farther removed from one another were simply too remote to be worth fighting over, especially given the ample predation range available to each. On the occasions when Zaractoks successfully attacked and conquered other city-states, these were often so distant from their point of origin that the conquerors would develop into a separate culture from their original home.

By 88 ABY, the Zaractoks had developed steam-powered tools and machines and ore refineries, which allowed them to mine the mountains and rock ridges where they lived and build increasing complex cities, both along and into the surface of the rock. In that year, they were met by Rin Sakaros and other agents of the Golden Empire, who persuaded them to join her nascent Empire with promises of intersystem travel and technological progress. Under the Empire, the Zaractoks were able to use repulsor technology to bridge the gaps among their cities, facilitating trade and exchange of ideas. They also worked to take control of some of the jungle, cutting down broad swaths of forest around their mountain homes and turning it into grazing land for some of the prey species on which they fed.

Zaractoks were divided over whether this change was positive; while some saw the innovation as improving their quality of life, others feared the Zaractoks as a whole would be sedentary and lazy, being able to attain more while working less. Nonetheless, they remained generally loyal to the Empire, and many Zaractoks left their homeworld to explore the galaxy with the Armada. A disproportionately high number of Zaractoks volunteered for service in the Royal Starfighter Corps; when asked, many said they relished the opportunity to finally stop gliding and actually fly.

In the galaxy
The male Zaractok Aquila Corcer became the second Centurion of the Order of Keltrayu, after its namesake. When he was killed on Synno attempting to apprehend Zhin-Vel, his death was mourned over all Zorabos.

Appearances

 * "It Takes Only One"