The Pords
The Pords are a race of beings that emerged from the planet Nalydya many millions of years ago. It is said the gods themselves willed them into existence (along with the rest of the ecosystem of Nalydya) and this is why they are so adapted to the cold.
Generally, Pords are in the five foot range, and heavily built, with weights in the high 140kg range fairly average. This is a direct result of their heavy bone structure, dense fat, and powerful muscles that move them, while lifespan is typically anywhere from 60 to over 100 Nalydian standard years without outside interference. Black is the by far the most common hair colour followed by brown which is only slightly less common; beyond this red is in a distant third with those of traditionally Yamsai'an and Zhyssian ethnicities far more likely to sport the auburn hue. There is far less variation in eye colour among Pords; most find themselves somewhere on a spectrum that ranges from light blue to gray. |
So that they can survive the extreme colds of Nalydya, Pordish bodies are highly resistant to to low temperature and throughout their blood flows a natural anti-freeze. If a Pord gets too cold, he may even sweat some of this anti-freeze to warm himself up.
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Lifestyle
Religious festivals and observing certain dates is very important. Jlokhemit and Rekazhnar - the primary two gods - are highly respected, and celebrations in their honour are not uncommon. And so that winter will not be overly harsh, many do their best to curry favour with Jlokhemit; so the oceans are calm and do not sink their vessels, others celebrate Rekazhnar.
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About half of the nation lives in the cities that dot the Empire's planets. Those that live in the cities have many jobs, most of which pertain to keeping the nation running. With scarcity mostly a non-issue, many jobs are volunteer work, with others paying in resources. While in theory there is plenty of time for leisure, most Pords do not take part in such activities and prefer to keep themselves busy with a wide variety of activities. For the most part life in the cities is not terribly difficult.
Elsewhere in the nation, many live in small towns and villages dotted about the tundra. These hunting communities are comprised of very closely knit individuals who hunt together to bring food back and spend most of the day tending to the basic amenities that they need to survive. Although most can easily move, most chose not to. |
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As a Hunter race, Pords are largely carnivorous. Meats comprise a vast portion of their diet (upwards of 95% in some cases) and it is not uncommon for these meats to be eaten raw, although steaming and boiling are often favoured. The preferred meats for Pords include Nalydian caribou and elk, mammoth, buffalo-yak, arctic hen and bison.
Vegetables are not nearly as common within Nalydian cuisine as meats, however they do appear from time to time - especially among those who tend to curry more favour with the god Rekazhnar. Vegetables Pords eat are almost all from the sea; various weeds and sea-plants are steamed and served alongside servings of meat. For drinks, Pords are well-known for the eggnog, however they do have other types of beverages including beer, mead, various wines and more traditional drinks made from animal blood. |
Overall, food is regarded as communal and belonging to no one: Hunters hunt for the good of all and the catches brought back are for those who need it. In many cases it can be considered rude to ask for food as it is a mutual resource.
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