The Azal'qa are the most prevalent race on the planet Tempus. They are a humanoid species native to Tempus, known for their spiritualism and rich cultural heritage. Their society is built around three distinct tribes, each following their own path to enlightenment.
The Azal'qa are a humanoid race with distinctive features: long, forked tails, elongated ears, and sharp claws. Their skin comes in either raven or ashen tones, adorned with contrasting markings across their bodies. Their eye color—magenta, yellow, or cyan—indicates their tribal origin (Al'qoqin, Dha'faras, and O'qazeni, respectively). They have accents that can glow in colors matching their eyes. All Azal'qa possess dark, flowing hair and specialized fingertip pads that grant them memory-reading abilities.
In cases of mixed tribal lineage, offspring will inherit the eye color and markings of only one parent, seemingly at random. This phenomenon is known as "Aza's Choice" among the Azal'qa, who believe it represents the goddess choosing which path the child is destined to follow. The inherited traits always match perfectly with one parent's tribal markers—there are no blended or mixed color variations.
Adults typically range from 5'8" to 6'4" (173-193 cm) in height, with females tending to be slightly shorter than males. Their build is generally athletic and lean, adapted for both agility and endurance. Azal'qa possess remarkable stamina, allowing them to traverse the varied terrains of Tempus with ease. Their physical attributes, combined with their heightened senses, make them naturally adept at both hunting and stealth.
The Azal'qa can read memories through touch using the special pads on their fingertips. This allows them to gain insights into others' past experiences and emotions. However, their memory reading abilities do have limitations. They can only access memories that the subject has personally experienced, and the clarity of these memories depends on how recent and emotionally significant they were. Extended memory reading can be mentally taxing for both the reader and the subject. Additionally, some individuals can develop mental barriers that make their memories harder to access.
Their glowing body markings serve as a form of non-verbal communication, often reflecting their emotional state or intentions. The Azal'qa also demonstrate enhanced agility and balance, thanks to their long, forked tails.
The Azal'qa believe they descended from Aza O'noi, a goddess who came down from the heavens. Before returning to the skies, she bore and raised three sons: Al'qoqin, Dha'faras, and O'qazeni. These sons became the namesakes of the Tat'qa Ra'bai—the Three Tribes. Each son sought enlightenment to reconnect with their divine heritage, but they disagreed on how to achieve it. Al'qoqin believed enlightenment came through honor and glory in battle, leading his tribe to become fearsome warriors and leaders. Dha'faras saw knowledge and wealth as the path, guiding his people to become wise and prosperous. O'qazeni chose to reject worldly pleasures, and his followers became monastics living simply off the land. These contrasting philosophies often brought the three tribes into conflict.
Azal'qan society is divided into the Tat'qa Ra'bai, each following their unique path to enlightenment:
Despite their different philosophies, the tribes maintain diplomatic relations and gather at significant locations like the Shrine of Elders to discuss matters of mutual importance. However, tensions between tribes still exist, particularly over territorial disputes. The Azal'qa have chosen to maintain neutrality in interplanetary politics, focusing instead on their spiritual pursuits, though individuals may choose to involve themselves with various factions.
Marriage between tribes is considered uncommon in Azal'qan society. While not explicitly forbidden, these unions often face cultural and social challenges due to the vastly different lifestyles of each tribe. When inter-tribal marriages do occur, the couple must navigate complex traditions and expectations from both tribes, and their children typically align with one parent's tribal identity based on Aza’s Choice.