Maraquoi

Maraquoi

(Creature)

Type

Humanoid
(maraquoi)

CR

By class level

Environment

Any (Marata)

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Adjective

maraquoi

Source: Alien Archive, pg(s). 74-75

Maraquoi are a race of simian humanoids native to Marata, the largest moon of Bretheda. They have a highly specialised reproductive cycle involving seven distinct genders.

Appearance

Maraquoi stand slightly taller than humans on average. They lack ears, and their bodies are covered with silky fur that acts like thousands of tiny antennae, sensing sound. Maraquoi also each have a prehensile simian tail that allows them to manipulate objects.

Ecology

Maraquoi have seven different sexes, each playing a different role in the process of reproduction. The ilsha (earth-sire), qsha (sky-sire) and susha (water-sire) each contribute genetic material to the uisha (sharer). Shortly thereafter, the uisha passes the fetus on to a klsha (bearer), who carries the child. A newborn maraquoi is undeveloped and must be passed on to a mesha (cradle), who carries the child in a pouch and nurses them until they wean. The zysha (facilitator) does not have much to do with the physical reproduction, but their presence is still vital, as they psychically pass on elements of their genetic code to the maraquoi child.

History

The maraquoi have only begun their development recently and have since made rapid technological advances as a result of interplanetary trade, yet they maintain many of the traditions of their ancestors. Efforts to declare Marata a protectorate of the Pact Worlds have succeeded, but expansionists haven't been able to block strict sanctions that isolate the moon from outside trade.

Some tribes have embraced technology and built cities, mining and exporting Marata's natural resources in violation of their communist traditions. Tensions are rapidly increasing between them and the more conservative groups, and some maraquoi fear that their society is on the verge of irreversible fracture.

A fringe group of isolationists has begun calling for the zysha gender to force a return to traditional values. The Pact Council has repeatedly discussed methods to defuse the tensions but hasn't yet figured out how to do so without further interfering in maraquoi cultural development.

Society

Monogamy is unknown in traditional maraquoi culture. Despite the influx of media from other worlds, most maraquoi view the concept with perplex or amusement. As the loss of several tribe members could prevent reproduction altogether, maraquoi have a deep respect for life and the notion of family, and every life, maraquoi or not, must be protected and treasured: each hunt is traditionally followed by a ritual honouring the slain beast. Nearly all maraquoi consider others family, and intertribal conflict is rarely lethal.

The abundance of predators on Marata means that maraquoi warriors are both common and skilled. The practice of working as mercenaries has divided the maraquoi in recent generations: some believe there's no conflict with their traditions so long as they never kill other maraquoi, while others see this as an abandonment of virtue and the exploitation of their noble guardians by outside interests. Maraquoi mercenaries retain much of their traditional honour, with rituals recognising fallen friends and foes alike.

The seat of the maraquoi intertribal government lies at the newly built city and spaceport of Ha Quoia. Conservatives argue for isolation and a return to traditional ways with the Xenowardens' backing, while progressives push to Pact Worlds membership and the financial and societal opportunities that come with it. The maraquoi have been allowed to develop according to their own direction, but the breakneck pace of their cultural development has led some xenoanthropologists and maraquoi conservatives to insist on greater protections, despite the majority's insistence on Marata becoming a full signatory of the Absalom Pact.