Varran
From Jalassociatecomics
The Varran are a lizard-evolved race of alien who live in the Procyon system. There are several factions of Varran, including the Black Claw, the Bottom Tooth and the Yellow Crest organizations.
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Varran biology
The Varran, from the neck down, are roughly similar to Gaians, but with scales covering the body. Contrary to popular belief, they are not slimy - they are only scaly. The head has a long snout reminiscent of their repltilian origins.
A large number of Varran have a large yellowish crest on the top, the primary identifying feature of the Yellow Crest faction of Varran. A large percentage have a sharp accentuated right claw, the feature that distinguishes the Black Claws. The rest (around another third) have the teeth of the bottom jaw sticking out (as opposed to the front)are fittingly called the Bottom Tooth.
Hybrids are possible, but most of the time they are ostracised in society, and have to hide their distinguishing features based on who they're talking to. The most common hybrid are the Bottom Tooth and Black Claw, due to their slightly better relations.
Varran language
The language of the Varran is a simple syllabic one, constituted primarily of grunts, hisses, and clicks (the only sounds they can produce, although they can very contrivedly speak Common, although the Gaia and the Caasuri have similar difficulties expressing themselves in the language.) It is impossible for the Varran to pronounce a "ch" or "sh" sound.
There are at least seven tones in the language, making it the only difficult part of the language to master. There are four variations of the grunt, three lengths of hiss, and five clicks. The structure of most sentences is SOV (subject-object-verb), and it is written from top to bottom, lines crossing the page from left to right.
The dialects in the language usually differ in syllable order and intonation. For example:
English - "Death to Spies" (SMERSH slogan)
Black Claw - ǀˆ»»˚ ○ǂˇ (Death is given an angry tone in the first syllable and a slow one in the second, Spies is given a pointed tone)
Bottom Tooth - ○ǂ˚ˆ ǀ˛»»˙ ('Spies' comes before Death, and both slow and angry. Death is slow and sudden.)
Yellow Crest - ǀˆ»»˙ ○ǂˆ (Same order as Black Claw, but Death is angry and sudden, and Spies are regarded with rage.)
Intonation
The seven tones are written as such:
ˆ An "angry" tone, usually called "aggravated". Used for words/syllables with connotations of rage.
ˇ A "pointed" tone, not as rageful as "aggravated", but still quite piercing.
ˉ A "calm" tone, used for objects with no emotional luggage.
˘ A "happy" tone, usually identified with objects that are "nice".
˙ A "sudden" tone, a quick tone, relatively rare.
˚ A "slow" tone, drawn out, sed for melancholy.
˛ A "sad"tone, drags out, and tilts "down", relatively rare.
Clicks
ʘ - a dull "cklo" sound
ǀ - a sharp "tsk"
ǃ - the typical click (the tongue goes from the back to the bottom of the mouth)
ǂ - an unvoiced click prduced from bending the tongue backwards
ǁ - a click voiced through the side of the mouth
Of note is the fact that due to their long snout, it is far easier for Varran to replicate the click than us.
Grunts
ө - a "sudden swallowing" grunt
ə - a "smooth-down-the throat" grunt
● - a "mm" grunt
○ - a "ŋm" grunt
The grunt is directly related to the "tough" nature of the Varran.
Hiss
This is, of course, the most natural sound to the Varran, seing as their being evloved from lizards. The three sounds are written thus:
> short hiss
» medium hiss
»» long hiss
Varran religion
The Varran are atheistic, after being severely disillusioned by their prophets. This radical change was brught about when a crack team of scientists began a search for their God. They explored the entire of their galaxy (thanks to the [dimensional superdrive]and brought back no conclusive evidence of such an existance.
This spraked off a planet-wide revolution, and thousands of religous leaders were killed in their legions. The incident would be turned into the new Year Zero of the Varran, as it was the most dramatic change in its history.
Prior to that drastic change in theology, the planet's various factions had been ruled by priest-kings and priest-ministers, each giving different views on their holy and eternal rewards/punishments. The three main factions each believed in their own Holy Consciousness (as they called it.)
Bottom Tooth - King of War and Destruction
Yellow Crest - God of Dominance and Rule
Black Claw - Lord of Trickey and Wile
