Humans evolved from Apes, we evolved from Cats, though evidently we and Humanity have a somewhat similar evolutionary history since we are genetically very similar to Humans.
—A Heshtian
The Heshtian race was a race of Near-human/Humanoid Felinoids from the planet Heshti, located in the Border Planets region of the N'Akkiarl Galaxy.
Humans were known to be compatible with Heshtians, and there were cases of humans and Heshtians getting married and having children, founding the Homo-Heshtian race, the creation of the Homo-Heshtian race brought the Human and Heshtian races even closer together, both races had created the species, and both races accepted their joint-parentage of the Homo-Heshtian race and worked together to ensure the future and success of their "child" race.
As descendants of Cats the Heshtians had traits they have inherited from their Feline ancestors, like whiskers, a long tail and large, pointy ears. Other than Feline features they look quite a lot like Humans. Genetic testing revealed that the Heshtian DNA was extremely similar to Human DNA, which hinted at a very similar evolutionary history, it was believed that this was the reason behind the compatibility between Humans and Heshtians.
In 32,935 BBY Heshti was given an offer by the N'Akkiarlians to become part of the N'Akkiarlian Star Empire, the Heshtians agreed and accepted the new rule with open arms, most Heshtian welcomed their new masters, and some Heshtian females performed exotic dances for them, this would mark the start of the tradition for some female Heshtians to enter the stripper/exotic dancer trade.
We perform, exotic dances, shall we say, to the N'Akkiarlian and Human soldiers because they're our friends, they keep us safe, and they're very respectful to our people, those boys are a long way from home, their families, their wives and sweethearts, we wish to give them companionship and friendship, as well as ease their loneliness.
—A Hestian exotic dancer on why members of her profession are happy to perform in front of N'Akkiarlian and Human soldiers.
Government[]
The Heshtians were ruled by a monarchy, the monarchy was the result of thousands of years of the Heshtian race coming together and finding civilisation, within around 3,000 years primitive tribes of Hunter-Gatherers led by a Tribal Chieftain or Chieftess had been replaced by a single King, King Heshti I, and his queen, Queen Ishui. Later the monarchy created the Royal Council to give them advice on matters like the military, society, politics and healthcare.
The Heshtians were fiercely loyal to their monarchy, they were proud to serve their monarchs.
Because the Heshti peacefully agreed to voluntarily join the N'Akkiarlian Star Empire the N'Akkiarla allowed the Heshtians to maintain their own independent government.
Views of other species[]
We hold two alien species in high regard, Humans and N'Akkiarlians, I welcome you to Heshti, my Human friend! I hope and pray Human-Heshtian relations continue to flourish, and our two great peoples can work side-by-side, hand-in-hand, together, in the spirit of brotherhood! Long live Humanity!
—A Heshtian to a Human
Widely regarded as a friendly species, especially by Humans and N'Akkiarla, the Heshtians held both races in high regard, the different Human races who had made formal diplomatic contact enjoyed good relations with them, and several different Human civilisations had friendly alliances with the Heshtians.
Aside from their good friendships and alliances with the Humans, some Heshtians also held N'Akkiarlians in high regard, despite the fact they remained a de jure colony of the N'Akkiarlian Star Empire, most Heshtians viewed N'Akkiarlian-Heshtian relations as a "traditional friendship". This friendship meant the Heshtians were one of very few native races of the colonies who were permitted to have a voice on the N'Akkiarlian Imperial Council.
Most Heshtians viewed their time as a "N'Akkiarlian colony" simply as a protectorate, or as an autonomous region, of the N'Akkiarlian Star Empire, the N'Akkiarla did indeed have a very relaxed attitude towards Heshtians during the time Heshti was officially a N'Akkiarlian colony, essentially allowing them to run their own affairs completely independently, but gave advice, support and protection when they felt the Heshtians needed it, for example, despite being an imperial province the Heshtian government was able to enter into diplomacy and foreign alliances more or less at will, even if with N'Akkiarlian advice for and against the diplomacy or alliance, for example the Heshtian-Ingzan Alliance, an alliance founded between Heshti and the Ingza, another race which was a subject of the N'Akkiarlian Empire, the N'Akkiarlian monarch suggested the alliance to the Heshtian monarch as part of his campaign to get the subject races of his empire to work even more closely with each other.
Religion[]
We are born to Life, one of two goddess', Mother Life is queen of the living, during our time of living we all serve her, however, when we die we pass from being servants to Life to that of Death, Life's sister, Life and Death are both sisters, after Life created living things Death took her name and agreed to take care of living things when their lives ended. When a Heshtian dies their spirit passes to the Land of the Dead, the realm ruled by Queen Death, Death acts as both "mother" and mistress to the dead, she takes care of the dead, and in return expects their servitude and worship, we are all truly equal in death, for we are all servants to Death, overlady of the dead, we all bow to her as obedient and loyal subjects. Those who refuse to serve Death are cast out of the Land of the Dead by her, to wander the mortal realm as a ghost.
—A Heshtian briefly explaining the Heshtian religion
The Heshtians followed a bitheistic religion which was led by two goddesses, two sisters called Life and Death, Life created the universe and gave birth to living things, whilst Death was the queen of the dead and ruler of the Land of the Dead, when a Heshtian died they passed into the Land of the Dead, and therefore their servitude passed from Life to Death. When Life created living things she and Death agreed that Death would look after her creations when they died, in return for which the dead creations would bow before Death and embrace her as their queen and mistress. Life and Death were depicted as two female Heshtians, wearing a white dress and a black dress, respectively, white represented life and purity, whilst black represented death, mortality and mourning.
Behind the Scenes[]
The Heshtian race is inspired by the Ctarl-Ctarl race from the Outlaw Star Manga series' universe. The Heshtian character design is based on the Ctarl-Ctarl, but the Heshtians were a lot more friendly with Humans than the Ctarl-Ctarl.
The idea of some Heshtians finding work as strippers in Human (and N'Akkiarlian) clubs is borrowed from the Ctarl-Ctarl, some of which took part in such work when relations between the Humans and the Ctarl-Ctarl warmed up.