The Maki (/'mɑ:.ki:/, singular also Maki) were a sentient humanoid species native to Makreal in the Unknown Regions.
Biology and appearance[]
The Maki possessed numerous reptilian characteristics. Their flesh was covered with tough scales; the scales came in a variety of colors and the color pattern was unique to each Maki, although darker colors tended to predominate, with brighter colors as accents. Scales also varied in size, with centimeters-wide scales on the torso and tiny ones surrounding the eyes. Their pupils were slit and their irises broad, and came in a variety of colors; most Maki had a base iris color, with a different, bright color surrounding the pupil.
Despite these cosmetic similarities, the Maki were endothermic, and thus most xenobiologists separated them from true reptiles, such as Zykeds. All of their teeth came to at least some degree of point, but the Maki were omnivorous, and their bluntly-pointed back teeth were used for grinding foods. Many Maki had a preference for meat, but they could subsist indefinitely on fruits and vegetables.
Maki had night vision far exceeding the capabilities of Humans and most other humanoids, and could see nearly as well in the day as they could at night. They had a color vision range similar to Humans.
Maki had five digits (four fingers and a thumb) on their hands and three on their feet. Their fingers were tough and ended in sharp claws. While they had no hair, their scalps featured long, hair scale strands which extended back from their heads and had the appearance of Human braids either slicked back with grease or blowing in the wind. These cranial scales were tough enough to withstand a substantial amount of force, which protected the Maki from some head trauma.
Maki reached physical maturity between sixteen and nineteen standard years of age, though emotional maturity varied more widely. They could live up to 130 standard years, and did not begin to experience noticeable physical limitations until roughly a century of life. Female Maki bore live young, had breasts, and nursed their infants, frustrating generations of xenobiologists seeking a way to classify them as reptiles.
Society and culture[]
Maki were markedly individualistic by the standards of almost any other sentient species. Long-term committed relationships of any kind (romantic or platonic) did not come easily to them, and it was not at all uncommon for female Maki who wanted children to simply find mates to impregnate them and raise the children alone. Male Maki who wished to be involved in their children's lives usually arranged split-custody situations, but such arrangements were very rare. Some Maki did commit to long-lasting or even lifelong romantic relationships, but they were a minority.
The Maki made friends more easily than lovers, but they were an introverted people who required long periods of time alone to feel comfortable. Though many Maki had close friends, they tended to interact with their friends one-on-one rather than in group or party settings.
History[]
The Maki evolved as the apex predators of their homeworld. Their own scientists felt confident they had originally been carnivores who later evolved into omnivorism, based on their sharp teeth. The exact genetic history which had given rise to warm-blooded quasi-reptilians was more of a mystery, but scientists believed the Maki had the color vision they did (equivalent to Doloy and other mammalian humanoids, and less precise than some reptilians) because they needed to distinguish edible from poisonous prey and food, but relied on auditory and scent markers rather than visual ones related to color for sexual attraction. Ancient Maki ancestors were territorial hunters, usually meeting other Maki only to mate.
As they evolved to sentience, technological progress was noticeably slower amongst the Maki than other sentient species. The individualistc Maki resisted banding together with others to form cities; after they did, they traded only when absolutely necessary, stunting the free exchange of information among societies. Maki scientists also disliked collaborating with peers, which prevented some intellectual discourse.
When Makreal was discovered by the Tetrarchy of Mezlagob not many years after the acquisition of Synno, the Maki were unable to collaborate on a defensive strategy and were swiftly conquered. Makreal was a vassal world of the Tetrarchy for decades, but many Maki accepted the new government and furthered its goals. Eventually, the four Tetrarchs agreed to promote Makreal to full member world status.
During the Great Liberation, Makreal was far-removed from much of the fighting. After the Empire surged back in the wake of the Battle of Tizgo V and captured the Vall`to sector's capital and military depot, Makreal surrendered without a fight. Its people and resident Tetrarchy garrison were integrated into the Empire without bloodshed.
In the galaxy[]
The Maki Centurion Arcantha Syr was a lightsaber combat instructor for the Order of Keltrayu and a personal protégé of Praetor-Blademaster Kieran Sapphire.
Relatively few Maki opted to serve in either the Tetrarchy or Royal militaries, disliking the need for tight, intimate bonds with a large number of comrades-in-arms. However, many Maki scientists worked throughout both governments.