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#Post#: 1905--------------------------------------------------
Overview of the Asari Republics
By: guest135 Date: September 17, 2016, 6:26 pm
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[center]
HTML https://static.artfire.com/uploads/product/8/128/21128/8621128/8621128/large/asari_symbol_mass_effect_decal_ac5491cf.jpg[/center]
[center]General Information on the Asari Republics of
Thessia[/center]
[center]Government[/center]
[center]The cornerstone of the Asari Republics is their practice
of absolute democracy, made possible by dedicated communications
infrastructure. Every adult citizen (including naturalised
non-asari citizens) is able to access virtual legislative
chambers - akin to extranet chat rooms in basic function - where
opinions are shared and their merits debated, and ultimately
political policy set by the direct consensus of the citizens
themselves. There are no political officials or representatives,
nor any individuals or groups with special authority or right of
veto. In practice though, Matriarchs are hugely influential in
setting Republican policy - while having no greater absolute
authority than any other citizen, Matriarchs' centuries of
experience are shown great deference by the vast majority of
asari, and where Matriarchs involve themselves in an issue, the
discussion tends to revolve around exploring the merits of one
Matriarch's position against another. Generally the process
stops short of being an effective rule by Matriarchs, though, as
many Matriarchs actively encourage younger asari to analyse and
critique the contributions of their elders; in political circles
it is often considered disrespectful to advocate another's
position, even that of a Matriarch, without having thoroughly
explored it first.
Given the difficulties of procedure inherent in direct dealings
between such a democracy and the representative/hierarchical
governments of other species, the Asari Republics Diplomatic
Service serves many of the procedural functions of a
hierarchical government with regard to interstellar
affairs.[/center]
[center]Laws[/center]
[center]Laws vary from locale to locale, as do the mechanisms
for enforcement and judicial process, however a high degree of
flexibility in interpreting the law is generally permitted to
those passing judgement. Outright prohibitions are rare, with
social and familial groups responsible for policing themselves
to a considerable extent; where these mechanisms falter, local
Matriarchs generally seek to address individual situations
rather than enforce practices on entire communities.
The Republics are generally open to tourists and foreign
commercial interests, although the processes required to comply
with local regulation efforts can sometimes seem lengthy. Travel
to Thessia, for instance, is heavily regulated (although not
discouraged as such) to combat smuggling within the planet's
element zero industry. Immigrants are similarly welcome provided
they comply with local laws; the asari predilection for mating
outside their species results in significant populations of
aliens joining their mates in living on asari worlds, and
non-asari residents without direct familial bonds are also not
uncommon, usually living in enclaves, but welcomed readily
enough by asari natives.
Justicars
Seemingly at odds with the generally liberal Republican approach
to law are the justicars, an order of elite warriors sworn to
uphold the ancient Justicar Code, which they follow to the
exclusion of all else. The dictates of the Code, and thus the
actions of justicars, are endorsed by all Asari Republics, but
due to its absolute definitions of right and wrong which permit
no room for interpretation, justicars confine themselves to
pursuing only the most dangerous and destructive asari
criminals. Although sometimes compared to equally powerful and
colloquially 'above the law' organisations, the Justicar Order
differs in that its focus is entirely internal to the Republics
- justicars act against non-asari only when they involve
themselves in existing investigations, or in times of direst
need.[/center]
[center]Military[/center]
[center]The Asari Republics' armed forces are composed of asari
huntresses, who form special operations ground units, and crew
the powerful warships of the Asari Navy. While the asari
military is small compared to those of other species, the
individual level of training and experience in each huntress
serves to offset this numerical disadvantage. Huntresses are
trained and equipped by their home Republics - although there is
much sharing of personnel and experience between huntress forces
- and each Republic forms military policy, and consults and
coordinates with its neighbours, on its own initiative; the
highest level of this voluntary cooperation, functionally a
permanent institution, is High Command, based on Thessia and
composed of Matriarchs and senior commandos from all major
Republics.[/center]
[center]Language[/center]
[center]High Thessian (also known as simply "Thessian", "asari
standard", etc.) is the closest the Asari Republics come to a
single common language. In fact, though, it is not a language in
the usual sense at all - High Thessian is rather a framework of
rules and conditions for combining multiple individual languages
into a single multilanguage. Asari speaking High Thessian - or
any of the dozens of other multilanguage structures common in
asari space - switch between individual vocabularies and
syntaxes, often in mid-sentence or even mid-word, in order to
augment the literal meaning of their words with additional
shades of meaning. In other sapients' terms, the technique bears
the hallmarks of poetry, or structured musical improvisation.
High Thessian as typically spoken by asari is a combination of
between three and fifteen individual localised languages - the
theoretical maximum is in the low forties, but fifteen can be
regarded as a practical upper limit for everyday conversation.
Like many multilanguages, High Thessian sentence structure
contains indicators specifying the languages an asari intends to
employ, and her particular relation to them; the process is
somewhat like a "handshake" in electronic communications terms,
after which, having established what amount to groundrules for
each participant's intentions, conversations tend to grow far
more linguistically complex.
Education
As a complex linguistic structure, education in multilanguages
must be preceded by a solid fluency in their component languages
- virtually all asari are multilingual in the traditional sense,
thanks both to the extended "childhood" period which, compared
to most other sapients, affords a great deal of time for
education, and the rapid assimilation of language made possible
by the use of melding techniques. Asari entering primary
education are typically fluent in whatever local dialect is
their "native" language, as well as one of a number of more
widespread languages to facilitate communication between
children from different geographical or cultural areas. By the
time asari begin the equivalent of tertiary education, they are
generally quite fluent in most of the Thessian "grand languages"
- those native to Serrice, Armali, Dassus, Kendra, and other
prominent city states - as well as their own local dialects, and
a number of specialist "component languages" relating to
specific areas of culture and education they have taken an
interest in.
Thesserit
Notable among languages employed in education is Thesserit,
which occupies the role of a "scholarly language". Thesserit is
a multilanguage structure, like High Thessian, with which it
shares a significant amount of its structure, however it also
encompasses a range of unique linguistic properties and a
considerable vocabulary, drawn from multiple fields of study but
most prominently epistemological theory. Half-evolved,
half-designed, Thesserit is a precise, content-rich language
which in its use encourages open discourse and critical
thinking. Most asari will be at least familiar with introductory
forms of Thesserit; asari who have completed university-level
education can generally be expected to be fluent in the complete
Thesserit multilanguage, and will habitually use it in academic
settings.
Written Language
The written forms of asari languages share the multilanguage
structure, employing shifts between alphabets and writing styles
to a similar effect; alphabets are not so much linked to
specific languages as defined as a series of overlapping areas
of influence. The majority of scripts include calligraphy-like
features which modify or alter the meanings of the more
conventional alphabetic forms they surround; the practice is
intended to replicate the array of meanings added to spoken
language by non-verbal cues, such as intonation, body language,
facial expression, and so on. In some cases, particularly in
artistic compositions and lyrics, phonetic alphabets may be
omitted entirely, with the written language taking a form more
akin to expressionist artwork.
Nonetheless, virtually all asari written languages (barring
certain forms used primarily in ceremonial settings) can be
transcribed in "plain text" if needed, although to non-asari,
the "plain" alphabets used in such cases still encompass a
seemingly unwieldly number of distinct characters.[/center]
[center]Biology[/center]
Asari resemble humans in terms of basic skeletal structure with
five fingers on each hand and legs that are relatively straight.
This similarity allows asari to wear human armor. A typical
asari has a blue to purple complexion, though a teal complexion
is possible albeit seemingly rare. Some asari have facial
markings, which are unique colored patterns that vary for every
asari. Some of these facial markings resemble the eyebrows that
humans have, but the asari do not think of the markings as such
themselves. In the place of head hair, asari possess
semi-flexible, cartilage based scalp crests that grow into
shape. These structures are rigid, and do not "flop around" as
some believe. Asari are said to have navels as well as breasts
that continue to grow with age. Asari also have a robust
cellular regenerative system; while they do not heal faster than
other species, they are known to reach over 1000 years of age.
Asari blood is purple.
There is some conflicting information regarding the gender of
the asari. Asari are a mono-gendered species with no concept of
gender differences. Male and female have no real meaning for
Asari. At the same time, asari are often viewed as an
all-female race. To humans at least, asari appear female with
breasts and voices that sound female. Even among the asari,
individual asari are referred to using feminine pronouns like
“she” and “her” instead of gender-neutral terms like “they" and
"them." Asari also bear feminine titles like “huntress” and
“matriarch” and asari offspring are usually referred to as
“daughters.”
However asari gender is defined, they are innately different
from humans, for asari can mate and successfully reproduce with
any other gender or species. Although they have one gender, they
are not asexual and do in fact require a partner to reproduce.
However, asari reproduction is very different from other forms
of sexual reproduction. An asari provides two copies of her own
genes to her offspring, one of which is passed on unaltered. The
second set of genes is altered in a unique process called
melding, also known as the joining. During melding, the eyes of
the asari initiating the meld dilate as she consciously attunes
her nervous system to her partner's, sending and receiving
electrical impulses directly through the skin. A common phrase
used before melding is "embrace eternity", presumably to help
focus the partner's mind. Effectively, the asari and her partner
briefly become one unified nervous system, sharing memories,
thoughts, and feelings. The offspring is always an asari,
regardless of the species or sex of the "father" and in the case
that the offspring is of two asari, the father is the one who
does not give birth.
Uniquely, the asari are known to be perceived as attractive to
many other species. This may be because of shared physical
characteristics. The offspring resulting from such interspecies
pairings are always asari as no DNA is taken from the partner.
Instead, the asari uses the meld to explore her partner's
genetic heritage and pass desirable traits on to any offspring
and as a "map" to randomize the genes of the offspring.
The drawback to the asari means of reproduction are the
Ardat-Yakshi. These individuals possess a rare genetic defect
that causes an asari’s mind to overwhelm and destroy her
partner’s mind when joining. The condition seems to appear only
amongst pureblood asari, those whose parents are both asari.
It is also possible for an asari to meld with another for the
sole purpose of transferring thoughts, without reproduction. The
asari initiating the meld can both send and receive information.
The melding of minds is a sign of a deep connection between two
individuals, something often reserved for friends and family
members; it is also a way to say “farewell.”
Life Stages
Asari pass through three climacteric life stages, marked by
biochemical and physiological changes:
The Maiden stage begins at puberty and is marked by the drive to
explore and experience. Most young asari are curious and
restless, and it is not uncommon for many to try their hand at
dancing in bars or working as mercenaries during this time.
The Matron stage of life begins around the age of 350, though it
can be triggered earlier if the individual melds frequently.
This period is marked by a desire to settle in one area and
raise children.
The Matriarch stage begins around 700 years of age, or earlier
if the individual melds rarely. Matriarchs become active in
their community as sages and councilors, dispensing wisdom from
centuries of experience. Their knowledge and guidance may be one
reason why Matriarchs are rarely seen outside asari space.
However, it should be noted that each stage can be started
whenever an asari feels that she has reached the correct level
of maturity. While each stage of life is marked by strong
biological tendencies, individuals do make unexpected life
choices. For example, there are Maidens who stay close to home
rather than explore, Matrons who would rather work than build a
family, and Matriarchs who have no interest in community
affairs.
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