Tapazmal
Minor
human
race native to Dlaekan (3134 Reft A383657-D). Dlaekan
is a hot world, its
mean surface temperature exceeding 70 degrees Celsius. Dlaekan
has an unusually
dense core and a surprising amount of tectonic activity. The
early Tapazmal
lived on the slopes of Dlaekan's high peaks, where the
atmosphere was thinner
and temperatures lower.
Physically, the Tapazmal are little dffferent from the
rest of humaniti. One notable
feature is
their low birthrate, a result of geneering
by the Ancients. This
modification likely
served to limit Dlaekan's population in Ancient times, thereby
conserving
the mountains' scant resources.
Interstellar contact in more recent times first came around
-4700, when the Loeskalth - another
minor
human race, native to neighboring Gushemege sector
- intermittently raided the Tapazmal for artwork and other valuable
objects.
(The Loeskalth had long since received jump
drive from another Vilani
client, but were not absorbed into
Vilani culture until later.)
These raids continued until the Vilani themselves came
to Dlaekan several centuries later. The Tapazmal eagerly
accepted Vilani
offers of technological aid and protection, at the cost of submerging
their
native culture in the Vilani Way. Tapazmal civilization grew
under Vilani
custody, but it never reached beyond Dlaekan.
This situation changed after the First
Imperium's fall. Old cultural records were unearthed and
studied, and
the Tapazmal tried diligently to return to the ways of their distant
ancestors.
The expanding Solomani, eager to have
a
base in the area, granted the Tapazmal several colony worlds in return
for their cooperation.
Today, the Tapazmal occupy six worlds in Reft - Dlaekan,
G'haenbaz (2733 Reft), Bokilbom (2834 Reft), Pamraeltan
(2932 Reft), P'hakar
(2934 Reft), and Hoilhapuli (3229 Reft) - as well as one world
in Gushemege:
Choltonrul (0136 Gushemege). Despite their reach, the low
numbers of the
Tapazmal have kept them from being a major force in Imperial politics.
The Tapazmal are known for their great artistic and architectural
skill, combining modern technology with traditional styles and
motifs.
A conservative, unaggressive, and mystical people, their roles in
society
are strictly defined. Individualists defy the old standards at
substantial
risk. Nonetheless, Dlaekan and its daughters are pleasant
worlds, their
inhabitants hard-working and at peace.
-TD20 ref