Laukhi

Laukhi Appearance and Characteristic Behavior

The Laukhi are the shortest Khanvarian race with height ranging between 1 and 1 1/3 meters, from head to toe. However, the first characteristic that most will notice when first meeting a Laukhi is their wings. When folded, Laukhi wings give Laukhi another 1/3 to 1/2 meter in height. When extended their wingspan measures between 3 and 4 meters. Laukhi have high metabolisms and eat frequently, yet still are careful about their intake. Retaining their aerodynamic shape is nearly as important to them as breathing. Laukhi do not have hair as many other species, instead they have a soft down that comes in many different colors and patterns.

The Laukhi are a fascinating study in contrasts. The Laukhi are a very social people, yet it is common for Laukhi to seek periods of isolation. The Laukhi are more organized, culturally speaking, than any other race, but they are sometimes impulsive to the point of recklessness. They avoid conflict whenever possible; however, their military, while small comparatively, is one of the most efficient and effective of any in known space. They seem to exist on a fulcrum point between being totally in control and totally out of control.

These contrasts are also present in their matrimonial practices. Laukhi mate for life, but are not monogamous. When two Laukhi have intercourse for the first time, they form what is called the 'Mating Bond'. The bond alters each lover's body chemistry in some important ways. First, the bonded pair are only fertile with each other. Second, a light empathic connection is formed that helps the couple understand each other better. Though the mating bond is strong, Laukhi often find themselves attracted to other people in their lives. Since Laukhi do not believe in supressing physical urges, this kind of exploration and experimentation is encouraged and considered healthy behavior. Living life to the fullest without regrets for desires left unexplored is a popular Laukhi philosophy. That is not to say that everyone practices this level of freedom or that all mated couples are comfortable with the idea of sharing their mates. For the Laukhi, there is no social stigma either way.

In many respects, the Laukhi's religion is knowledge. Their entire society is built on the pursuit of discovery and understanding. They accept all religions as equally valid, but have few of their own. For many Laukhi, religion is just another phenomenon worth studying. For some, study turns into faith, and for others faith is discovered spontaneously. Finding one's own true path is what is truly important.

The politics of the Laukhi people

For the Laukhi, learning and politics are intertwined. In Laukhi culture, everything from sewage to knitting to quantum physics are studied continuously. There is little that the Laukhi have not done at least some research on. To start with, all children are provided with a basic education. When this education is completed, the students are given a series of aptitude tests designed to identify general areas of interest where they might excel. Once sorted, these students, now called Novices, are sent to learning centers that provide broad exposure to the many areas of study available within the Novices' area of interest.

When they complete their introductory classes (usually within a year), they are asked to select their first specialization. They are tranferred to a learning center where their specialization is focused on and from this point they are considered Apprentices. Once they have completed their apprenticeship (anywhere from 2-4 years), they take a test and if they pass they are considered Journeyman. Journeymen are expected to take their knowledge from the classroom and apply it by either joining a research team or taking a job where they can utilize their knowledge in an applied way. In other words they might choose to work on a team looking for the cure to some disease or they might choose to work with a construction crew building a new hotel.

Once they have at least a year of experience, the Journeyman may return to schooling or they may continue what they have been doing. Pursuing additional schooling generally means either they have decided to pursue other areas of learning or they wish to attain a mastership in their current area. Journeyman who wish to pursue other areas of learning are treated differently depending on how different the new area is. In related fields, they pick up as if they had just selected their first specialization. In completely unrelated fields they must once again become Novices.

Becoming a Master takes 3-4 years of study and at least one more year of internship. At the end of this time, they must present a Thesis for consideration by three Masters in their field. If the thesis is accepted, they are elevated to Master status. Only Masters are eligable to hold an office. Masters who are not interested in an office or who are waiting for a position to open up typically take positions of leadership over teams of journeyman (either research or applied teams).

Heads of learning centers are elected offices and are responsible for the operation of the schools, research programs, and applied teams. When an office is vacated, any Master interested and having the appropriate qualifications campaigns to get the nomination of their peers. All Masters in related fields vote, and the two nominees with the highest votes are put on the ballot for the general election. All Masters, Journeyman, and Apprentices that are governed by the office are then allowed to vote on which of the two they feel is better candidate.

Learning centers fall into three specific areas. Physical Science (Physics, Biology, Chemistry), Mental Science (Psychology, Sociology, Religion), and Arcane Science (Magical Studies). There is an administration for each of these areas that helps coordinate between other areas when the need arises. Heading each of these administrations is a Grand Master, the qualifications for which are mastery of at least two areas of specialization. These three Grand Masters are known as the Council of Scholars and as a group are responsible for interstellar relations.