The Trogarai

Line art by Bryan Gibson

Background

The Trogarai were the third extraterrestrial sapients encountered by humanity, when a fleet of warships transitioned into Martian space in 2144, touching off the Interstellar War.

Physiology

Trogai are endothermic bipeds, similar to Terran humans in most respects. This is because they are derived from ancient homo sapiens stock, gathered
from Earth and removed to Trogar millenia ago by an as-yet-unknown starfaring species.

Trogarai physiology has been modified to adapt them to their arid homeworld. They tend to be tall and long-limbed, with copper-colored skin, dark
hair and eyes, and large pointed ears.

Society

Trogarai society is based around clan-like extended family units called Houses. There is much competition for status between Houses, and in times past
this competition could often flare up into open warfare.

One of the basic elements of Trogarai social structure is the praälda, a concept most often translated as "warrior-sibling-pair", though this is
only a superficial definition of a complex interpersonal relationship. Trogarai have a long-standing tradition of training their children in warrior skills, and
it is during this training that praälda are formed, usually between children of three to eight years of age. Pairs are composed of either two males or two
females, and are never mixed or composed of biological siblings unless the chidren are twins. A praälda bond is lifelong: the two Trogarai
train together, eat together and sleep together, sharing their life experiences as they mature. Any pairs who serve in the United Uniformed Services are always
posted together.

The basis of Trogarai Houses is the dapraälda, the four-person family unit formed when two praälda of opposite sexes join together. This ancient
tradition dates back to the hunter-gatherer stage of Trogarai society; constant vigilance was necessary to protect oneself and one's fellows
from the harsh planetary conditions, many large and dangerous predators and rival bands of hunter-gatherers, and it became the norm for people to move about in
same-sex pairs for mutual protection.

A pair of Trogarai dressed in native garb.
Color Illustration by Bryan Gibson