Aslan
The Aslan are a major race of
intelligent
beings with an established interstellar empire
spinward and rimward
of the Imperium; in addition,
large
numbers have settled within the Imperium. The Aslan have been Imperial
allies
(although rather passive) in the wars against the Solomani. Major contacts with the
Aslan
in the Spinward Marches
are
the result of trading missions which gather rare or valuable goods for
shipment
to the Aslan Hierate.
Aslan stand roughly human-sized,
averaging
2.0 meters in height and weighing about 100 kg. They are
descended from
four-limbed, upright, bipedal carnivore/pouncer stock originally
adapted to
a solitary arboreal existence. They evolved on the world Kuzu, situated 135 parsecs
rimward
from Capital.
The earliest Terran explorers
saw
in them a vague resemblance to the Terran lion, and they have been
described
(by Terrans) as lion-like ever since, although there is very little
true
similarity. The derivation of the word Aslan is unknown.
There
are two sexes, male and female. The most notable external difference is
the
increased size and mane of the former. Females outnumber males by 3:1.
Aslan have a single highly specialized dewclaw under each thumb which
folds
back jacknife fashion into a horny covering in the base of the thumb
and
palm. They also have good night vision and a heightened sense of
smell.
A vast Aslan-dominated empire (the Aslan
Hierate)
lies far to rimward, but Aslan themselves have ranged well beyond its
borders,
with many settling within the Imperium and attaining full status as
citizens.
As citizens, they subordinate themselves to Imperial authority,
although
they have remained culturally separated from human society. Aslan
serve
in the Imperial armed forces; they achieve nobility;
they pay taxes; they run businesses.
Aslan Society: The Aslan are a warrior race, proud, noble, and
devoted
to those in authority above them. An individual Aslan is usually
a
member of a family of from 2 to 12 individuals under a patriarchal
leader.
Several families will combine into a pride with one family
dominant. A number of prides form a clan, again with a top pride.
Aside
from military organizations and the ruling council (within the
Hierate),
the clan is the highest social-political organization among the Aslan.
A deep-seated territorial instinct causes the Aslan to have an
inordinate
(from a human standpoint) concern with land. For male Aslan,
owning
land is a major goal in life. An Aslan's stature is determined by
the
amount of land he (or her husband) controls, or by the amount of land
owned
by any higher lord the Aslan may be vassal to. The lowest classes
of
Aslan are landless, and provide the farmers, laborers, craftsmen, and
factory
workers. A holder of a large territory will often grant authority
over
it to vassals (usually sons, brothers, or male relatives by marriage)
who
administer the land in his name.
The sexes have very different roles in Aslan society. Males (in
all
but the lowest classes) are concerned mostly with military) operations,
acquisition
of territory, and political affairs. Females are concerned with
trade,
industry, and the accumulation of knowledge. Upper class males
have
little conception of money and are literally incapable of functioning
in
a technological society without aid, so they are thus seldom
encountered
without the supervision of a wife, mother, or other female relative or
employer.
For instance, a typical Aslan mercenary unit will be organized by a
wealthy
married female, who will then assign its operation, for a share of the
proceeds,
to an unmarried female relative. The battle commander and most of
the
troops will be unmarried males (many of them also relatives) hired with
the
promise of land grants (and the opportunity to gain honor and
reputation
in combat); however, staff, operations, supply, and intelligence
officers
will generally be female.
The extremely deadly nature of any combat between Aslan has led to a
rigid,
ritualized pattern of behavior designed to reduce conflict. Aslan
are
very polite, and while most have learned to be patient with non-Aslan,
accidental
fights still occur. Disputes between individuals are handled by
the
patriarchs; disputes between families are handled by the pride leader;
disputes
between prides are handled by the clan leader.
See also Aslan Border Wars, Aslan Calendar.
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