Emerë

Emere
Emere
[ Emerë - E-meer-a ]
Designation: Sentient
Homeworld: Jeddesh
Language: Galactic Basic, Amhuic

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Average Height: 1.8 - 2.1 meters
Average Weight: 63 - 96 kgs (140-190 lbs)
Hair Color(s): Black, brown, silver, gray
Eye Color(s): Black, brown, hazel
Distinction(s): Pointy ears, thin athletic frames, markings and extensive childhoods & early adulthoods. Most are caramel to dark in complexion. A few are tanned and fair skin.
Average Lifespan: 300+ years

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Society and Culture:
The Emere were homed on Jeddesh near riverbeds in hidden villages, but were renown as adventurous and nomadic. A matriarchal society, the women often were picked as lead priestess and clan representatives. Democratic councils governed the small village clans. Twelve existed throughout the planet and they'd converge every months end to represent their clan’s grievances and make plans for planetary changes. While the settlements were small in size, only peeking at 150, they were tightly knit and highly skilled to technology and attuned to nature. Much like the Sephi, they'd develop a culture of elegance, sophistication in art, which was reflected in their delicate designs in artillery from flyers, cloaking devices and tanks. Deeply spiritual and often religious people who tend to follow protocols of conduct, politeness, and non-confrontation.

Two major religions existed which revolved around similar beliefs related to the "Force" as a magic, coupled deities (as in woman and man), heavens, ancestors and tales of heroism of those blessed. The two are religions called Lewcus and Fourthu.

Lykus is a belief that two spirits run the galaxy and must always stay at balance. Those two spirits are mother and son. Believers must keep those things in balance through their actions and thoughts. There is no good or evil, or light and dark, but a thought that life cannot be enjoyed without purification and balance. Liberation cannot be found without it. Practices are not strict, but there is an emphasis on meditation and lifelong struggle with purifying one self. The eventual goal is to feed of the two spirits (Unifying Force combined with Living Force) and ascend. Legend says the idea of Force ghost is tied deeply to this belief.

Fothu is much the same, but there are several deities of woman and man involved who oversee the focuses of ethics, work, liberation and consequences. Worship is a major part of this religious faith, which calls to the deities, spirits and magic to summon in moments of guidance or assistance. Priests are entrusted with these roles as worshipping practices are carried out as part of daily or weekly routines. Scholars believe this to be a synthesis of numerous older religions which have become one over time. Temples throughout Jeddesh and the known galaxy exist to practice the theology, as the Mai (the written scribes) detail the philosophy, mythology, physical activities, and rituals of the Fothu believers.

Due to these beliefs being a driving force in the culture, those whom have participated in the Jedi practices are intended to see the Jedi way as more a means to these ends than a mean in of itself. The Jedi tenements are seen as a subset of these religious beliefs, where the philosophies can be further explored.

Through most of the naturalistic customs of two religious sects, natural hairstyles are not simply prominent but expected; dreadlocks, long flowing hair or large afros are standard looks for the Emere.

Greetings are often formal and warm after a personal relationship has been established with same sex. Three kisses are given to one another at greetings & departures. Also, it is customary to bow when being introduced to an elder or one of senior position. Gifts are given with both hands, never the left. Gifts aren't opened when received. Alcoholic beverages aren't a large part of the culture, as both religions forbade such earthly afflictions.

However, the Emere people are extremely festive and welcoming. They invite many to house dining parties and similar occasions. Punctuality isn't strict, nor is the concept of time. Shoe removal is done at house doors. Only the right hand is used for eating. Most of the food is eaten in wraps and by hand. Guest feeding often is done in small morsels where the food is placed in the guest's mouth.

Emere can be very sensitive when it comes to communication. Since they have only recently begun working with foreigners in business situations they are still getting used to new ways of doing business and communicating. As a general rule, they are humble and respect that quality in others. They generally speak in soft tones. Loud voices are seen as too aggressive. Emere pride themselves on their eloquent speaking style and expect others to speak clearly and use metaphor, allusion, and witty innuendos. They often use exaggerated phrases to emphasize a point. As a rule, Emere tend to be non-confrontational and offer what they believe is the expected response rather than say something that might embarrass another. Honor and dignity are crucial to Emere and they will go out of their way to keep from doing something that could bring shame to another person. Emere business colleagues with utmost professionalism and never do anything that would make them lose dignity and respect.



History:
The Emere were the ancestors to the Sephi of Thursta system. A little less than half it's populous was force-sensitive. Legend says the race rose before the Infinite Empire and developed terraforming and traveled to many parts of the galaxy before settling in the Expansion Region. During the formation of the Old Galactic Republic, scholars learned the present day Emere concentrated their migrations to Jeddesh. When the Great Manifest Period began, Republic vessels came upon the planet. What followed were corporations, which the Emere deemed barbaric as they attempted to set up buildings & tear down the forest and jungles. Special guerilla warfare tactics and unusual stories of magical activities ran out as the corporations pulled their businesses from growing settlements.

Wayfarers took note. The Emere were capable, technologically savvy and unusual. In the coming centuries slavers who masked themselves as anti-establishments and exchange programs invaded the Emere. Many men were sent off world to never return. In their absences the society grew more matriarchal. During this period of Galactic Expansion, the Emere were growing more isolationists. Hidden villages were formed in the brush. A cloaking device was developed. Clans democratic systems were established and communications between splintered clans by the corporations & invasions began to be created.

For the following centuries the Emere quelled all interest in their planet by seeming uninhabitable. Corporations that dared to land permitted and deal with by the invisible hand of the Emere. Priest and military officials moved swiftly in accordance to their council's wishes. Short pilgrimages became a facet of the youth's development during this period. However, it was not until the Great Sith War that anyone was allowed to travel beyond the Expansion Region for more than 30 standard days. Intrigue had set in for the clans on the ways of the Jedi. Liaisons were sent to encounter and question of their code. A secret meeting was held, where the Emere set up an exchange. By permitting some of their youth to learn under the tutelage of the Jedi Order, Jeddesh was to be kept secret from most Galactic maps and their students origins protected by the Grand Master. No one else would have clearance on the specifics of these exchanges.

In times of war, less Emere were sent. By the time of the Clone Wars there was no new Emere the Jedi Order. When the Galactic Empire was formed, the Emere who had expanded to off world settlements were quarantined. None could return until council approval. Only two were permitted back for safe passage to return.

When surrounding systems were liberated by the Alliance of Free Planets, all the offworld Emere returned and advised support and expansion in the Alliance's cause. Since, trade has been established and a treaty against corporate expansion was signed.

Additional Info (optional):

• It is assumed Fay was Emere.
• Extended childhoods. Average human's 10-12 development is from 10-30 for Emere. Cultural impact is there is a strong emphasis on youthfulness.
• Puberty for the Emere is a 6 year period which is heavily prepared with rituals and teachings as the prepubescent period is so long. The Emere call this period the "gäbbaň" which is Amhuic for "understanding".
• Extended young adulthood. Average human's 18-25 development is 36-150 for Emere. Cultural impact is there is a strong emphasis on youthfulness.
• Surnames don't exist within the Emerë. Instead of being given a family name, children are given their mother's name as their last if there may be confusion within the generation with their first names.
• Word / Phrases of Importance:
  
  • Leni - [lean-e] signifies a ruler. gender neutral.
  • Lulit - [lew-Lit]followers of the Lykus way
  • Fozeya - [fô -ZE-yuh] followers of the Fothu way
  • Sehum - [se-hum] direct translation is peace. used in greetings with all
  • Tensentell [ten-sin-tell] aka May they bless you - Greeting & Parting words