Species Data: Tarael (Open Species)

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Species Name: Tarael (Tah-rah-eel)

Noun: Tarael (pl. Tarael, or Taralians)
Adjective: Taralian

Basic Appearance:

The Tarael are digitigrade humanoids with slender, tall forms ranging from 5’ ½ to nearly 7’. They all have between four and six eyes, with the first two along the midline of the face, and the second usually either right above or right below them, and any more are typically mutations that are counted as secondary eyes.

On either side of the head, they have four to six frond-like antenna, which capture vibrations and aid in their ability to hear low tones (the primary way that the species communicates with eachother, often sounding like a very low purr). Though they outwardly function similarly to the long ears of some earthly creatures, Tarael fronds are highly-specialized organs that are extremely sensitive and also act as an aid for their sense of balance.

Their skin is covered with a layer of fur, which can range greatly, from straight to curly and short to long. This fur can be a variety of colors, typically ranging from lighter colors such as grey, gold, or brown in males, and brown, dark gold, and black in females. However, there are rarer colors such as red and white, which are due to a mutant gene for the fur color. It's not rare or uncommon to see Tarael of all gender with manes and other decorations of grooming done to their fur, though it often depends on their political status and wealth in society.

After birth, a Tarael's fur is also marked in a distinct pattern, which can cover their body either partially or fully in a tone a shade lighter or darker than their general coloring. This design can vary in complexity and is often connected and similar to the designs of others in the family, much like a fingerprint--each set of markings is identifiable to a family line. The marks are visible at birth, and often fade away to the general color of their fur by the time a Tarael has reached adulthood.

They have the ability to have the design fully or partially dyed or tattooed to their bodies (often depending on the thickness, color, and texture of their fur). Regardless of the amount, this is a somewhat common activity to see done for many Tarael whom are maturing into their adulthood.

They have thick, powerful legs and tails that give them an incredible jumping ability and sense balance--this was largely useful when they were treetop predators, using their legs to jump from branch to branch and their semi-prehensile tails to cling to the trees and balance themselves.

The most mysterious, dangerous, and perhaps least noticed feature of the Tarael are their incredible jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth. These jaws and mouths, which are normally hidden away as per a current cultural stigma, were once thought to be the most important part of their anatomy when they were still hunters and lacked technological knowledge. The size of their teeth actually render it very difficult to move their jaws repetitively as one would with most other spoken languages, so they've adapted their language to be spoken with a closed jaw.

Also to be noted that they produce a venom that is considered toxic to many other races across multiple words. To their own species, the symptoms of this venom are mild. To those of other species however, it can be incredibly painful and extremely deadly.

There are multiple subspecies within the Tarael, and they're usually based upon one of the 10 districts their family originates from. 

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Homeworld Name: Ev’ren (Ever-ehn)

Homeworld Description:

Ev’ren is a rather large planet, just a little bigger than earth. It’s within a solar system of four other planets, the others occupied with various other intelligent races that the Tarael have contact, trading relationship, and a close alliance with.

It’s a rather temperate planet, covered with vast, lush forests and plains with no deserts to speak of. Little water covers it surface, so it has no oceans and only very large lakes (thus leading to an almost hilarious lack of swimming ability from most species living on the planet--including the Tarael). Due to the thick atmosphere during most the year (consisting largely of water-vapor), the surface is under almost constant twilight.

This has rendered a number of species with special adaptations to living in this sort of darkened environment, such as the Tarael, with their wonderful eyesight and extreme sensitivity to vibrations and movement.

With the advancement of the Tarael, much of Ev'ren's land has been cultivated and built upon, with some protected areas and preserves still in their natural, luscious state of forests and plant life.

The Districts: 

There are a total of 10 districts on Ev'ren. These districts go far back into the Tarael's culture when they were little more than primitive tribes, with a matriarchy political system based purely on bloodlines. The capitol of the planet, Credea (which means 'Creation'), is home to the most powerful district family, which itself is lead by the Tarake, the equivalent of the planet's Queen.

Though there isn't any modern difference to these districts besides what their main item of trade and production is, they used to have very stark differences in the appearances of the Tarael that were born and lived in each, with subspecies different enough to know what district their family was from simply from appearance alone. It's also said that each district will birth new generations of Tarael that have specific mental and physical abilities, though it is mostly lore and myth in the modern era.

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Biology - General:

The Tarael have three distinct sexes, two of which correspond to the male and female equivalent in humans. However, the Tarael species also has a small percentage of beings who are neither distinctly male sexed or female sexed, as they instead have some combination of both biological female and male genitalia. This third sex makes up about 10-15% of the total population, but as it is ingrained in various religious, evolutionary and sociocultural reasons, they are most often found in the high-standing families of power (both political and wealth). This does not relate to gender, however, as the Tarael as a population recognize a vast variety of genders and gender expressions, and have very few strict roles that are influenced by physical sex.

Biology - Female:

Sex: The main internal female sex organ of the Tarael is the thick-muscled uterus, set within the abdominal cavity just behind and above the sheath housing the outer genitals. Normally it is about the size of an apple or fist, but can expand many times its original size when carrying a single or clutch of eggs. The walls of the uterus are thick and muscled, both to aid with the birthing process and add protection to the eggs within if pregnant. The lining of the organ is normally dormant, but can be stimulated into producing a hormone that assists to attach the eggs from a male to the walls of the uterus, where the female’s sperm-like gametes would fertilize them.

General: Females tend to have thinner, longer tails than their male counterparts. Their fronds are typically larger in size, and they have a better sensitivity (hearing) than males due to the difference. Unless effected by a mutant gene that controls fur color, they are more often darker in shade, such as deep browns, golds, dark greys and black.

Biology - Male:

Sex: Without proper stimulation the male genitalia is nearly invisible, pulled into the sheath between the legs. When stimulated and unsheathed, it shares a similar phallic appearance to human male genitalia, though it’s generally slightly longer and tapered near the tip. This is to allow a higher chance of conception when depositing eggs into a receptive partner. The internal organs consist of the small, egg-producing sack that lies near the base of the tail. Over the course of a heat cycle, this small organ produces anywhere between one to two dozen eggs. These are mixed with a nutrient-rich liquid, and assists with the acceptance of the eggs into the mate’s body for fertilization.

General: Males often have shorter, thicker tails and smaller fronds. Their coats are typically lighter in color, usually light brown, gold, beige, and grey shades. 

Biology - Intersex:

Sex: With little to add besides the fact that those of the third sex simply carry both sets of genitalia, it is key to mention that these features can indeed be lopsided in any direction--in other words, they can bolster more prominent female genitalia and lesser male genitalia, and vice versa. This does not hinder on the function, but in some cases can influence certain reproductive habits (certain family lines that have less prominent female sex organs are only able to have a single egg in one breeding cycle, for example).

General: There is little to note for the difference in general appearance with those of the third sex, mostly because they do indeed play a genetic middle ground--they only genetic oddity is that those of the third sex have a far higher chance of inheriting, expression, and passing down mutant genes; this can include those such as genes for red or white fur, black or white eyes, etc.

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Language:

Naming Structure:

The format for Tarael names are as follows: [Given Name] nas [Birth Family] beh [Current Family].

Their given name is the equivalent to our first name, the most personal name to the individual Tarael themselves. The Birth Family name comes from the family that the Tarael was born or adopted to and raised by. The 'Current Family' name refers to the family the Tarael is currently apart of, whether that family or household is romantic or platonic in makeup. 

While the connective word between their first name and birth family name will almost always be nas, literally meaning 'from', the connective word for the current family name will differ depending on how the Tarael chooses to introduce themselves. The standard word is beh, meaning 'with', but there are dozens of other connective words to denote a Tarael's status in the family and if the family itself is made of romantic or platonic partners.

Example name: Mek'la nas Varin beh Sashin; Mekla was born to the Varin family, but is currently with the Sashin family. Depending on how they desire to introduce themselves, they could use a different connective word besides 'beh' or simply leave off the current family name entirely, going instead as Mek'la nas Varin, which is acceptable in most casual circumstances.

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Mating:

Males go into heat several times a year, where their bodies’ actively produce up to half a dozen eggs (or more, depending on family genetics) to implant inside a uterus for them to further fertilize. Because of this, females do not need to go into heat themselves, as their bodies are constantly able to fertilize any eggs implanted within them.

However, they are affected by the heat of a male depending on the closeness, relationship, and duration of an exposure to a male in heat. A female may indeed go into a state that is known as ‘heatlust’. There is little to no physiological change in a female’s body, though there is increased arousal and various hormones through the body to induce bonding.

Those of the third sex rarely (if ever) go into heat or are affected by the heat of a male. Instead, their body naturally produces eggs at a rate of approximately one to three per month, with varying degrees of fertility depending on the time of the month and season.

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Spawning/Rearing Young:

The birth of young largely depends on the number conceived. Though it is mostly due to their modern knowledge and technology, the mothering Tarael has two options in which they can birth their young. This can either be done sooner in the pregnancy, giving birth while the young are still in their eggs, or far later in the pregnancy and giving live birth to them after the egg shell has been dissolved by specific enzymes that are released from the uterus. The former is normally induced around six or seven earth months into the pregnancy, and the latter around nine or ten.

There are few pros and cons to either option, and it largely depends on the situation of how many young are conceived. Without medical interference, a mothering Tarael’s body will opt for the former if there are more than two eggs, and the latter if there are two or less. This gives the young the best chance for growth and safety, as larger clutches of eggs are more common in larger, more dominant mating groups, and fewer in smaller and possibly more agile ones.

Up until a certain age, kits are mouthfed from their parents. This is due to a specialized pouch just beside and above the stomach, designed to hold food to be regurgitated and fed to the offspring. Mouthfeeding not only assists in partially digesting the food for the young, but it also stimulates their body to begin producing their own unique venom that they will continue to make for the rest of their lives. This venom is particularly crucial in the intake and digestion of most all foods, and is very much considered a disability if they lack this crucial part to their anatomy. Tarael of all biological sexes have this specialized feeding organ in their body, so any parent is capable of mouth-feeding their young.

Without stimulation of mouthfeeding, a young Tarael is still more than able to begin producing their own venom--it simply takes a little longer and it may not be as potent. Venom, like fur markings, are very much tied with family lines and Tarael from each of the 10 districts have very similar venom to one another.

A Tarael Baby + Lifecycle:

When a Tarael child, or kit, is born or hatched, they will stand at approximately 1.5 feet tall. They age and grow similarly to a human, reaching the end of adolescents by the time they are 15 years old, and considered fully adult at 20-25. 

Generally, depending on the district in which they are born and raised, young Tarael will attend either a public or private schooling until 15-16 years of age, where they would then choose a craft or other career and then begin schooling specializing into that particular craft or career. By the time they have turned 20 to 25, they are expected to be experts or masters in some field or another. For Tarael who cannot choose a craft to specialize in or those seeking employment as an adult in a new field, there are typically options available to them for schooling, but otherwise each district usually has a semi-military-like security force that defends it and enforces the law that they tend to join.

Depending on the family and bloodline, it is normal for the entirety of a Tarael extended family to help in the care of new kits born to parents. Whether this comes in the form of sharing a large family home, sharing wealth or simply keeping well in-touch and facilitating the care of the young kit/s, it isn't uncommon for aunts, uncles and older cousins to have just as much of an influence on a kit's growth as their own parents.

Infertility 

It is rare for a Tarael to be infertile, but it does happen. For many, the revelation is considered with the same grief that humans have upon realizing they can't have a child (especially if they were hoping to have one themselves). While this grief does play against the simple and sometimes biological desire to have young, it also carves a social stigma against the afflicted Tarael's name: being infertile means that they are broken, a step farther than their perception of what 'perfection' is, which is a very important concept in their primary religion.

No specific sex of Tarael are more likely to be infertile, but there are instances where it can pop up and stick to a family line--as intersex Tarael are more likely to be of high social classes, they are more visible when such an affliction is revealed, creating an outside stereotyping that intersex Tarael are more likely to be infertile.

Tarael, especially those high placed in society, have an almost feverish importance on 'biological perfection' and being a 'True-blooded Tarael'. To them, being intersex is considered the height of perfection, being able to both birth and fertilize an egg (though it's extremely uncommon, if not taboo, for them to try and reproduce asexually). It has some basis in their religion; being a 'whole being' is considered as perfect as a mortal can be. 

While there is no single importance placed on female, male or intersex  Tarael individually to have babies, there is an importance on every Tarael to be capable of having young and raising a family. 

Adoption + Orphans

With many cultures of people, there will always be the unfortunate circumstances of orphaned children. Whether their families have given them up or they have no living kin to go to, the care of Tarael orphans are often left up to the District government from where they were found or came from. It's relatively uncommon to have a Tarael who would be completely given or of the government's care, since they put so much importance on the aspect of the family (blood bonds and created relationships alike). Nevertheless, the adoption system on Ev'ren is largely left up to each specific district, with little overarching influence by the main government.

For the most part, the only true requirements for adopting an orphan is that the adoptive family be financially and socially able to raise the child. They have to have stable housing, income and must prove that they understand how to adequately care for an orphan of the age that they are adopting. There can be more requirements depending on the district, but these can largely be done by submitting required paperwork as proof or taking specific classes so that they have an adequate understanding of raising a child. Most of these resources are given freely through the district.

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Diet/Eating Habits:

Early in their evolutionary line, the Tarael were hunters. They had a diet that mainly consisted of meat, which helped develop their strong jaws, long/sharp teeth, and their ability to produce venom.

Early in their evolution, the Tarael had little if any extrasensory abilities. These evolved over a large range of time, as the initial genes were a mutation and found at first only in small pockets of the population. Over time however, this gene proved overwhelmingly helpful in the near-constant darkness on their planet, soon rendering the need to vocalize almost null, as it lessened the chance that they could be caught by predators or sensed by prey (who had not developed such a unique sense at first). They began to rely more upon vibrations, scent, and extrasensory abilities than simple auditory stimulation, and soon enough the mouth only had use in the process of eating, bonding and mating, and fell into a social taboo where it was considered inappropriate for it to be publicly visible and open, which many labeling and associating it as a reclic of their 'savage past'. Because of this, it is a taboo for a Tarael to have their mouth visible then they are not mouthfeeding an infant or eating, though many still abstain and tend to do many of those functions in a more private setting if they do not have a mask. 

Masks of all sorts are commonplace in the species, often looked upon as a traditional adornment to be decorated in accordance to one's place in the social and political ladder. One with a high standing might have one made of precious metal or adorned with gemstones, while those far lower may only wear a strip of cloth or scarf of some sort.

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Basic Social Structure:

The hierarchy of social life with the Tarael begins simply with politics. Their controlled portion of their planet is ruled by a single ruler, called the Tarake (Tah-Rah-Kay). They are the the most powerful leader in their culture, and is kept in balance with a council consisting of 10 heads of families, one from each of the 10 districts that make up their planet. The representing family heads and Tarake pass down the authority as head of the district/leader down to one of the next generation of their family--thus, no position of political power can be earned and must be born or married into.

From there the hierarchy continues into the artisans (artists, musicians, chefs), the social workers (consisting mostly of those participating in the local and planet-wide military, police, law workers, scientists, ect ), and then into the lower-class population groups with lesser jobs or influence. However, these roles are not inherently set in stone, and particular influence or popularity instead relies on family lineage and the sort of contacts/friends one has. They are quite fluid, and to some degree aren’t even recognized as set ‘levels’ of power, as one has the ability to move up (as much as down).

The lowest in the hierarchy are servants. They are those who, for various reasons, are in debt to a family line or individual for anywhere between a single to multiple generations. This is also the same caste that many species outside those of the Tarael are initially peers to, and like their counterparts, the servitude can indeed be bought or worked out of, often depending on the circumstances surrounding it.

The Tarael are not very fond of those outside their own species and have been considered one of the shyest or most introverted of species in their own solar system. While they do not completely disregard the benefits of having allies and trading partners, they're very much isolationists in their philosophies.  

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Romantic Etiquette:

By far, there is no single label that can be given for the ‘correct’ number of lovers or romantic partners a Tarael might have, as they are neither monogamous or polygamous, and these numbers often depend on their power, influence, the season, and thensome.

While sexual relationships are by themselves casual and not unusual to be had with many pairs and groups at any time, romantic relationships take on a far deeper and intimate meaning in their culture. These are the relationships that often foster young between those included, and share several key distinctions from far more casual relationships that may include intercourse. These includes activities (beyond mating during heat) such as venom-sharing, scenting, and grooming (through grooming can be done between those of deep friendship--it often depends on the particular bond in question).

Scenting and grooming are by far the most common of activities that mates will partake in. Not only do these behaviors actively mark each as being taken by another, it also assists to cement the bond between them. Grooming keeps their fur, fronds, tails and hair clean. Scenting ensures that, even outside the heat and mating seasons, those who are spoken for are easily visible to others of the species as being such.

Venom-sharing is what could be considered the closest related to the human activity of kissing. While it does induce feelings of pleasure, closeness and happiness, it also has a very practical purpose of letting one another’s body adjust to the effects of the other’s venom. In sense, it builds an extremely strong tolerance so that they will not have a negative response in the future. This tolerance however lasts for an entire lifetime, and acts as the anatomical equivalent to a marriage between those involved--their venom will not act harmfully towards one another, wheres it can be mildly poisonous if this venom-exchange isn’t performed in certain bonding activities.

Culturally, this was an act of extreme trust to one another--if your venom would never harm the other for the rest of their life, it would mean you held the deepest trust that they would never hurt you, especially since you would not be able to fight back with the toxicity of your own venom.

This above, along with mouthfeeding, plays the key reasons for the cultural taboo of having one’s mouth visible and in use. And while it may seem obvious, it is also the reason that kissing in the Tarael culture is seen as incredibly romantic and intimate, not usual at all for those who are not mated. It is in many senses, the equivalent of intercourse itself in terms of significance.

Flirting:

Due to their large maws and teeth, it's very difficult for a Tarael to speak with a moving jaw, especially a language that requires a lot of rapid movement or complex tongue-to-teeth motions. The language of the Tarael has developed with this challenge, evolving into something spoken completely with a static, unmoving jaw, and most of the sounds being made with the lips or the tongue behind closed teeth. If a Tarael is speaking while moving their jaw or otherwise showing off their teeth, it's unspoken, but culturally-known that they are trying to show off to a mate. Sharp, cared-for and shapely fangs are seen as aesthetically pleasing.

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Family Life Roles:

Family life with the Tarael is a very varied thing, as the essence of a family unit has a great range of possibilities. Instead, it boils down into a few key positions that are filled in some way by those that make it up; these positions include the providers, the caretakers, the representatives, and the protectors. These are not strict rules that a family /must/ abide by, nor is it ever honestly kept track of--it is however, their equivalent of the 'Nuclear Family' model.

The providers are the ones who work and make money for the family unit, often times having to be away for stretches of time depending on the job.

The caretakers are those who care for the family members who are very young, very old, or sick. They do not often leave the household beyond simple errands, and are seen as part of the backbone of the family unit.

The representatives play a legal part in family matters, and they assist with keeping the family’s financial and political matters and reputation in positive extremes. These are usually extended family members who provide the same role for other family units of the same lineage, since the reputation and financial ability of the family is just as important to them as the individual.

Protectors are, simply put, expected defenders of the family in total. Often times this role is combined with the former or the role of the caretaker, but depending on the size of the family unit can be a category all its own, often depending on the active state of defense for the planet/district. It is not uncommon for those filling this role to be active members of a district's internal military force.

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Gender/Sex Roles and Stereotypes:

Males are the only ones that go into any sort of heat, and are often regarded as impulsive and hormonal, especially when they are close to their cycling heat. Females are regarded less so, as they do not go into their own heat without the influence of a male, and instead are highly stereotyped as being better thinkers and more level-headed.

Those of the third sex, regardless of gender, are looked upon as the example of perfection in the Tarael culture. They carry both the ability to sire and carry young, without the common issue of enduring heat, and without the ability to be influenced by another’s heat. They are fertile through the entire season, and as such, became the backbone of the political system. The first district families were put in place many generations ago when hermaphroditism was far more common in the population (before diverging off into the other two separated sexes), and to this day make up a majority of the political system due to the ideal Tarael image of perfection, decision-making ability, strength and cunning.

In all, it is still true to be said that those of the third sex are regarded as royalty, as they have the strengths of both halves without the disadvantages that come with them.

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Architecture/Technology:

There was indeed a time in the Tarael culture where shelter and buildings were little more than hobbled-together shakes of wood and leaves. Skip many millennia beyond that, and they have far surpassed the level of technology that they could ever have hoped to achieve: they have very advanced lives, with buildings made up of a variety of materials.

For the most part, their buildings are made with common materials you would see in first-world cultures in our world [Earth]. The architecture can also vary from one district to another, with each having a distinct style and purpose according to their environments and needs. If ever in doubt, the closest equivalent to their level of general technology and architecture would be just beyond a first-world country on Earth, as they have just recently captured the small nuances that allow for comfortable space travel.

Residential homes can get extremely large for a Tarael, as it is customary for them to live with multiple generations within a family. It isn't uncommon to see three to four generations all living under the same roof, and it is considered highly prized to afford enough space and land to house and take care of them all--family is considered one of the most important aspects of a Tarael's life.

Regardless, there are still a variety of other residential structures available, such as apartments with enough space for one or two Tarael at a time. While this is considered abnormal or even rebellious, it is often associated with a Tarael's young and mismatched years of trying to find themselves before settling in with a family.

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The Arts:

Art in any form is something that’s highly prized with the Tarael. Looked upon as a deep expression of the inner spirit (and by extension, something to be applauded and created by all), it’s not something that’s lacking in their culture. Music, theater, animation, drawing, painting and thensome, they are all activities that are seen to be very important for every individual.

Beyond the subculture seemingly dedicated to turning older generations on their head (in the showcasing rather than hiding of the mouth), there are numerous ones dedicated to various other interests--the most prominent and growing one is (surprisingly) the one dealing with humans. It isn’t wrong to say that some of the population is absolutely crazy for the entirety of humanity and their complex cultures.

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Clothing/Fashion:

Since the Tarael live mostly in climate-controlled cities and are surprisingly non-explicit in their sexual features outside heat or stimulation, the pressure to wear clothing isn’t nearly as heavy on them as it might be for another species. Fashion is less of a necessity to wear clothes, and instead a way to express one’s family line, prominence, wealth, and interests. Logic and reasonable meaning plays little in fashion, since by it’s very meaning it is to play more for aesthetic appeal than any sort of actual use.

The most basic clothing are skin-tight full-body suits, which can have various other technology incorporated, and allow for the monitor of body functions. It is the most practical of the common fashion in the species.

Masks of the Tarael

For the Tarael species, masks are a very important part of their culture for a number reasons, with most all of them relating to one very important piece of anatomy: their mouths. Within a mouth of a Tarael are large, venomous fangs that can impart anything between a light cold-like illness or a near-lethal reaction, depending on the species and exposure that the Tarael had bitten. The mouth of the Tarael is held in very high importance not only for the hunting and consumption of prey, but also in bonding, reproduction and spiritual importance. Due to this intimate connection with their mouths, the Tarael have, since the dawn of their earliest civilizations as tribes across their homeworld, have held a cultural taboo and norm that the mouth should be covered and unseen in public areas.

Much like how ankles are to the old Victorians, or perhaps even breasts are to modern-day earth-goers, the mouth of the Tarael plays an important part to very personal matters but is not inherently sexual in nature. It isn't uncommon for one to see a Tarael's mouth in a public setting if they are feeding a child or eating food, but it is otherwise considered crude to have it visible otherwise. Private settings are another matter, such as within a family or friend's home, where it's considered normal and platonically (or romantically) intimate. 

Due to this level of taboo and importance placed upon the wearing of such masks, it is in itself a large industry and fashion statement for the type of masks one wears. Much like the luxury of clothing and how it can be a tell for the wealth and influence of the Tarael wearing it, a mask also plays an important social queue and can speak much about the wearer in their wealth, stature and even their age in some respects, as younger Tarael generations have begun to protest such an 'archaic' symbol that has no practical purpose.

Though wealth has some influence, personal preference is a very close second when it comes to choosing and wearing a face mask. Tarael who have more money or who are higher up the chain may be smug and elitist when it comes to masks that they see as 'lesser', but the majority of their species don't give more mind to a simple, tossed-on masks over one made of leather or metal. 

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Religion/Spirituality:

The Tarael have multiple religious belief systems, but most if not all of them stem from one primary religion, which is worshipped by the Tarake and many head families in all 10 districts. While it is not inherently the majority in those who worship it, it is often considered the official religious system of Ev'ren, if only due to its connection with the Tarake.

This primary religion, often called 'The First Soul', believes that at first breath of life on Ev'ren, every living creature inhabited the same being--that each Tarael and creature are all pieces of one puzzle that had been broken apart for millennia. They worship less of a physical diety, and more in the form of self-growth and a goal of 'perfection' that they want to achieve.

This primary religion is largely why intersex Tarael are often in positions of great social influence and material wealth--they are simply seen as being closer to perfection than others, having both physical traits of the male and female sex. Though very few Tarael believe this so literally, it is still obviously a huge part of the building blocks that made up their modern culture.

This is also why the family is such an important part of the Tarael life--what is the individual puzzle piece by themselves? With more family, more bonds and friendship, the web of connection and 'wholeness' grows, thereby (spiritually at least) moving the Tarael closer to 'perfection' for when they pass on.

After death, the Tarael do not believe in a heaven or hell; instead, they believe that reincarnation is what will take them, a cycle determined long ago to continue until each and every one of their race achieves personal perfection so that every one of them can achieve unity and be one being again. Like other things in the religion, there are very few Tarael who genuinely believe this to be a fact of life, but it is still a driving force and baseline of morals and karma on Ev'ren and across many districts.