Yautja Roleplay Standards & Lore

system · April 23, 2023, 5:26pm

Yautja Roleplay Standards

The Yautja are a technologically advanced tribalistic space-faring species whose society has honor as its primary cornerstone. All aspects of society and everything deriving from it (including hunting) are kept in check by an honor code, rigorously upheld by Yautja enforcers.

What is Honor?

Honor is many things. In a society often governed by ‘might is right’, honor is combat prowess and physical and mental strength; but honor is also honoring religion, one’s clan, traditions, ancestors, elders and ancients; honor is also often tied to a Yautja’s age, the longer having gone on living, the more experienced and looked up to. It goes without saying that partaking in and succeeding in the activity of hunting is also honor.

In a nutshell, it could be said that ‘honor’ in Yautja society is anything that helps uphold or reinforce the status quo of the caste-based, clan-based, hunting-dependent and strength-ruled society.

Honor should always be upheld and defended.

Hunting

Aeons ago done out of necessity, in present day, the hunt is done to uphold tradition and the aforementioned honor system.

As a rule of thumb, the Yautja hunt dangerous, intelligent game, all the while being careful not to collectively endanger prey or to make it go extinct. The more dangerous and rare a prey, the more the Yautja predilect it - and make trophies out of them to prove their deed and worth.

Hunting is only done by nobility, meaning that commoners and slaves alike are forbidden from the activity - further contributing to the caste system. It is also done alone.

A Hunter’s Behavior

While every hunter’s behavior can vary, a lot of a one’s behavior can be presupposed from the points above and from a basic knowledge of how human tribal cultures are.

With other Yautja, while petty scuffles may exist between young and/or prideful hunters, no weapons would be drawn on another hunter without challenging them to an honor duel. Ancients are respected regardless of clans, and some elders may be, too - while inter-clan relationship is up to the hunters themselves, though the Yautja are known to be prideful and vain, especially the young.

With prey, in principle, hunters must remember they are only that: prey. All Yautja hold a species-supremacist thought when it comes to prey, seeing themselves as above both humans and xenos. They are not friends. Worthy prey may be regarded with some respect if one wants to, while honored ones are usually entitled to it.

Humans are physically weak, but cunning and agile - some of them even honorable to the point of being able to partake in the Hunt.

Serpents are innately dangerous, and unable to understand the concept of honor: as such, they shouldn’t be referred to as ‘cowards’, nor should anyone complain or be surprised that they ‘fight unfair’ or use any means necessary. Bear in mind that serpents may still commit dishonorable actions. Given the xenos’ near non-RP standards, most times they shouldn’t be chatted up.

A Hunter’s Language

A hunter’s language with other yautja and with prey is concise, not too vernacular like a marine’s, but nor like a Shakespearian character. Do not call prey nor other yautja ‘retarded’, ‘fuckface’, and such: get creative with your insults if it’s not going to be something simple like ‘idiot’ or ‘moron’. The translator mimics and repeats words it hears, therefore being choppy and janky, proper conversations are hard to achieve: it’s not the actual yautja speaking. Military jargon like ‘FOB’ is something the yautja do not use, even if they may know what it means.

Yautja Lore

Please continue to check this page periodically for updates to the lore

Origin of the Yautja

For an eon the clans roamed the lush continents of their homeworld as nomads, trailing the herds of their various prey. Encounters between tribes were rare, and often aggressive or violent. The clans rarely stayed long in any fixed location, as the seasons turned so did their prey migrate around the globe.

Their infrequent meetings, and it’s accompanying aggression, severely inhibited their technological advancement. Even after a hundred thousand years following this lifestyle the Yautja ancestry continued in this fashion, following the food across continents. Speech was well developed, but extremely narrow. Each clan had their own dialect and few could communicate with other tribes.

The ages passed and the clans continued in their primitive state, chasing the twin suns as they hunted. Many millennia onwards and their way of life was thrust into a race for survival.

A large asteroid of unknown origin smashed into their world and tore it’s continents from their bedrock. The entire planet rapidly heated and became a baked desert world, it’s environment now hostile to most forms of large life, many perished in a short period of time, whole clans were wiped out and the majority of the fauna the Yautja depended on to feed were decimated. Faced with cooperation or death, the survivors gradually grouped together to honor the fallen and to endure the disaster.

With the landscape permanently disfigured, barren and strewn with the remains of countless lives the Yautja were forced to advance rapidly or face extinction. The remaining clans came together and pooled all their knowledge, resources and skills and elected a body of the wisest Yautja in hope of guidance to a return to their former strength. This guiding entity would later become the Council of Ancients.

Reformation

For centuries after the disaster that befell their world the clans struggled to survive, but the Council of Ancients was the light in the darkness that had enveloped the landscape.

Strict disciplinary action on what, where and when the clans could hunt was the first edict set in stone. For if what little of the food supply that remained were to be hunted into extinction, then the entirety of the race would face annihilation.

Prior to the disaster, the clans had a loose system of religious beliefs that varied mightily. Some clans held animilistic beliefs, others held the belief that the two orbs in the sky were gods, some had no beliefs at all. The Council of Ancients, seeking to centralize the clans, saw the benefit in an organized religious system, one to which could help to drive the clans forward and out of the wastes of their battered homeworld. They were quick to seek out the wisest of the surviving Seers and Shamans and quicker still to set them to work on centralizing the myriad of religious systems into one.

Nytara and N’ithya, old names for the two stars in the sky, were adopted as the father and mother pairing who travelled the universe looking to create their offspring.

Upon reaching what would become the homeworld of the clans, Nytara and N’ithya found Ger’Cetanun, a great titan made up of rock that rested upon the planet. Tired and battered from their journey, the two gods wished to rest but Ger’Cetanun would not allow it and demanded the interlopers move along. Facing exhaustion if they continued on without pause, Nytara and N’ithya fought the titan until they defeated it, crushing its inflexible, jagged body into rubble. In the brief span before his demise Ger’Cetanun swore he would return and seek vengeance. His proclamation made, Ger’Cetanun shattered into millions of pieces with his remains settling to become the planetary ring.

Having dispersed Ger’Cetanun across the skies Nytara and N’ithya dwelled heavily on his warnings of vengeance. Knowing deep within themselves he would one day return to take his revenge, the gods decided to create the perfect warriors born of their blood. Beings that could one day stand against Ger’Cetanun and vanquish him for eternity. Drawing upon the spilt blood of Nytara pooled in the skies, N’ithya sent it falling to the planetary surface, swirling around as they fell the pools of blood split and scattered into a thousand droplets which rained down on the world.

Upon striking the surface each droplet crystalised in the ground leaving intricate patterns in their wake, owing to the creationary nature of Nytara’s blood and the blessings of N’ithya, these patterns would later begin to replicate in the surrounding environment and later still would become the sigils of each clan. Everywhere the blood struck life blossomed, jungles sprouted and plains grew, over the course of 3 years Nytara and N’ithya nurtured the world into a landscape of immense dangers and strength. The gods poured their energies into the planet and vastly accelerated the development of it’s flora and fauna until they deemed it ready for their offspring.

Cetanu Crisis

In the depths of empty space a dark seed began to stir. Left by Ger’Ceteanun long ago this seed would grow to become his vengeance, his legacy of destruction and suffering. Cetanu, the black death.

Like his father before him Cetanu was a Titan. Owing to the deep connection Ger’Cetanun had with Cetanu while he was developing lightyears away, Cetanu imbibed many of the strengths and traits N’ithya and Nytara presented in their battle with his father. This adaptation would give Cetanu an edge Ger’Cetanun was greatly missing and make his resurgence all the more devastating.

From the dark shadows of the stellar void Cetanu observed the planet his father had resided upon and saw that the two gods had created a formidable race of warriors in their image.

Over the ages, Cetanu prepared himself for battle with the interloper race to which had laid claim to the homeworld of his father. Once the time was right, Cetanu fulfilled his destiny and unleashed himself onto the homeworld of the trespassers, destroying the majority of the planet and the warrior race to which staked their claim. Cetanu could not fully fulfill his destiny though. The warrior race turned out to be much stronger than he had anticipated. They crawled up from the fires of extinction and vowed to eliminate Cetanu.

As the clans re-established themselves, and their religion became more organized, Cetanu was eventually adopted into the pantheon as the embodiment of death, and the ultimate warrior to which the hunters would strive to defeat in battle.

As the ages passed the hunters and their faith developed, the pantheon grew larger. Gods and goddesses symbolizing various real world aspects were added to the Pantheon.

The separation of the castes

To further centralize their burgeoning civilization, the Council of Ancients decreed that a focus needed to be placed on the rapid development of technology and industry. The families to which had their skills centered around the trades, arts, and sciences were conscripted and let loose to conduct their work, under the leadership of the warrior caste - who had always led the clans. Due to their vital work, the council of ancients made it law that the offspring of all members of the trade caste would be educated in the ways of their elders, to ensure that there would be a continuity of knowledge and that no momentum would be lost.

Advancement

The process of moving forward wasn’t without it’s cost. The planet did not properly begin to cool and stabilize for many millennia, making the simplest tasks difficult and treacherous at the best of times. Brute strength, perseverance, and a refusal to see their honor tarnished through failure, allowed the clans to keep moving forward.

During the Ikthala Reformation, the hunters saw their creation by the twin gods as an act of creating the perfect race. This dogma began to propagate throughout their society, it’s roots being in their survival after the arrival of Cetanu. It was believed that the gods had blessed them with their perfect forms, and surviving Cetanu had reinforced this belief of divine heritage.

Elements of proclamations made just after Centanu’s arrival remained. The hunters were kept in check via strict discipline within their clans, a remnant of when order was key for survival. Unruly, treacherous, and unhinged members were remanded and punished harshly, sometimes via exile but often through capital punishment. At times there were such egregious acts committed that the stain of imperfection from the act sunk deep into the guilty hunters clan. In cases like these the clan was exterminated to prevent the act from recurring and from the dishonor spreading.

Within the stabilization period there was a quick advancement in technology. The clans saw remarkable scientific breakthroughs over the next 10 millenia. Dirt and rubble evolved into brick and mortar, bronze and tin into iron and then steel, and so on. From industrial, to atomic, to digital, the hunters were an intelligent species that, once given proper direction, could perform remarkable feats. As they progressed, the clans began to view their technological prowess as an extension to their divine strength.

As their technological level progressed, so did their society. The strict decrees set forth by the Council of Ancients evolved into an overarching set of laws that began to govern all facets of society. The issue of union, the value of work and trade, how hunts were properly performed all fell under this new code of honor.

Soon enough the hunters had reached the age of space flight. They were able to explore the other planets in their system and see for themselves the entirety of their cradle. As the hunters began to explore the other worlds in their system they discovered the next planet out from theirs was rife with life. The hunters were not alone in the universe.

With the fauna on their planet still limited, the clans began visiting their neighboring world and hunting the local alien species, both for sustenance and as a source for honing their skills. As the millenia passed the clans were able to explore further and further, eventually reaching the point where they were able to touch other stars. Upon setting foot on planets underneath other stars, the hunters began to see the universe as being theirs by divine right, bestowed onto them by their creators.

Although long ago, the damage to their homeworld was near irreparable. This drove the clans to begin seeking out territory elsewhere. While countless clans continued to reside on the homeworld, many created large vessels and set forth into the stars, returning to their nomadic roots and roaming the stars, calling no place but their vessel home.

As the hunters touched other star systems, they came into contact with other sentient life. Most of the species they encountered were in much lower technological states than them, and were incapable of warding off the hunters however, most had individuals or groups that were able to provide ample sport or fodder to the burgeoning clans. Worthy specimens were seized from their homeworlds and planted onto reserves so as not to disrupt the natural ecosystems and destroy the future of the stock, for the hunters had learned how valuable ecological and biological balance is.

After asserting their strength across the near galaxy the Hunter Clans settled into a lethargic routine. Periodically hunting the many worlds within their expansive domain, they did nothing in a hurry as their lives grew long and their hunts became leisure and pride over necessity. This state is how they have existed for over a thousand years, and how they will continue for a thousand more.

Biology

The hunters are an endothermic bipedal reptilian species. They have limited sexual dimorphism and both genders mature at similar rates and to similar builds. The species grows to be between 6 and 8 feet, and an average mature individual rounds out at around 500lbs.

The species can live upwards of 2,000 years, though there are accounts of members of the species living 2,500 or more. Members of the species live very arduous and brutal lives, and incur great amounts of physical damage through their lifetimes. This fact sees many individuals dying ‘early’ with the average life expectancy of the species therefore around 800-1,000 years.

Females are the birthing gender in the species. Hunters have a very long gestation period, lasting around 3 years. Infants ‘pups’ are born live, though encased in a hard embryonic sac. The struggle to breakfree from the sac is a difficult process, but it assists pups in quickly developing their muscles. Not all pups are able to break free from their sacs, and it is common within the darwinian culture of the hunters to allow for those pups to die - as these are seen as imperfect offspring and were not meant for life. Pups who are successfully reared reach puberty at around 100 years, with maturity occuring at the 200 year mark

The hunters are a carnivorous species, their diet consisting of protein and lipid rich meats. They are incapable of processing carbohydrates, their livers being unable to break them down. This evolutionary dependence on meat has resulted in the species not having established any crop growing agriculture systems.

Hunters have very large hearts, and a strong cardiovascular system that has allowed for their large growth. Subsequently, this has resulted in the hunters generating great amounts of body heat. This heat is regulated via a set of tentacles, akin to dreadlocks, that extend from the back and side of their skulls. These dreadlocks shed waste heat from the body and continue to grow until death. The removal of one’s dreadlocks is a death sentence, as soon after their bodies will cook their own organs until death.

Hunters have 4 mandibles that protrude from the front of their face that surround the entrance to their mouth. These mandibles are tightly pressed to the entrance to their mouth, making the process of opening their mouth somewhat difficult. This has resulted in the species developing a language centered around the use of clicks and rattles to which they form with the use of their mandibles. There are a number of sensory organs lining each mandible which are able to pick up small changes in air pressure and detect aromas in the air.

The species sight is in the infrared spectrum, allowing them all weather, all day vision. Their eyes are protected by several membrane layers that protect against the environment and soft debris.

Phenomenal strength is a hallmark of the species with the average mature individual able to jump three times their height, and easily capable of ripping flesh from bone and in some cases directly parting bones from bodies regardless of the flesh attached. Due to minimal sexual dimorphism in the species, males and females gain the same amount of muscle mass and grow to near identical sizes.

Their bodies are incredibly resilient, being able to endure significant damage before critical failures begin to occur. The majority of their skeletal structure is made up of a weaved network of bone and cartilage that helps to protect and cushion against blunt force trauma.

Thick quills grow over time on the face, back and chest of the species. These quills act as a defence mechanism, but also as a sign of maturity and one’s position within society. Quills begin growing shortly after a pup breaks free of it’s sac, and they appear black and are pliable, but turn grey and brittle in old age. As a Hunter grows it will lose many quills throughout its lifetime, and while they do grow back with time, each new set is less durable than the one that came before it.

Social Structure

All Yautja everywhere adhere to the honor code, a strict set of laws that govern all facets of Yautja society, but more importantly, the hunt. The hunt is a cultural ritual which evolved from the Yautja’s early hunting practices back when the species was still in its infancy. The hunt has a myriad of meanings and purposes, though it’s mostly as a right of passage and a way for one to obtain and maintain his/her honor and prestige. While the hunt is not the only way to obtain honor and prestige, it is the most highly valued. Yautja society is broken up into many different clans. Clans can contain a multitude of individual families. Each clan holds territories and properties on Yautja Prime and elsewhere.

The Hunt

The hunt is a traditional exercise performed by the warrior caste that allows for one to gain recognition, honor and prestige. All Yautja warriors, who are at least blooded members of their clans, are free to engage in independent hunts, though most warriors often travel with their clans and hunt in medium to large sized groups. These hunts often involve grave danger and hunting species to which pose a significant threat.

Clans

The Yautja, since the dawn of their civilization, have organized themselves into clans. Yautja clans are formed out of hundreds of Yautja families, each one belonging to one of the two primary castes, those being the Worker/Trade and Warrior castes. Caste designations are hereditary, though some Yautja, usually individuals, are adopted into the other caste.

Castes

Worker and Trade caste: These are Yautja who are skilled in the sciences and trades, and who develop, build, and maintain the technologies and infrastructure of Yautja society. While they are honoured for their knowledge and work, they will never rise to positions of leadership within their clans. This caste does not share the same titles as the warrior castes (Unblooded, Blooded, Elite, et cetra) and most never participate in the hunt. Skilled and prestigious members of the caste are often brought on into the retinues of their clans hunting parties, playing supporting roles such as servicing the clan’s ships, smithing and maintaining Yautja weapons, and an assortment of other infrastructure and technologies . Members of this caste are sometimes adopted into the families of the warrior castes, allowing them to achieve higher rank and status within society. Should they be successfully adopted, they will begin as an unblooded member of the warrior caste.
Warrior caste: These are the Yautja that we know from the movies, comics, books, et cetera. The warrior caste seeks honor and rank through the hunt and combat with other Yautja. The warrior caste has a progressive ranking system to which all members strive to climb. All members of the warrior caste are born unblooded. Once a pup hits puberty they become eligible to be selected as Youngbloods and have a chance to test the various ritualistic rights that will allow them to become blooded warriors within their clans. All clans have their own unique rites and rituals that allow for the unblooded to become blooded, but the vast majority involve the unblooded participating in a monitored hunt.

Caste ranks

Warrior Caste

Unblooded: Are pups and adult Yautja who are either not yet of age to be chosen to become Young Bloods, or, have not been chosen to become young bloods after they have reached puberty. They have little to no honor to call their own. Should an unblooded pup come of age but not be chosen to become a young blood, then they become serfs to the clan, performing the lowest of tasks. Adult unblooded can be chosen to become Young bloods, but it is rare.
Young Bloods: are Yautja who have hit puberty and have been chosen to take their clan’s rites of passage. This is a crucial point in life for all Yautja. Most rites of passage involve grave danger and tests of strength and courage, and not all Yautja succeed. Those Yautja that fail will either succumb and die to the challenges faced, or, will be forced to commit suicide should they fail their challenges but live.
Blooded: are warriors who have completed their clans rites of passage. Once blooded, a warrior becomes eligible to participate in the hunt and are recognized as honoured members of their clan. (NOTE: All Yautja on the WL are considered blooded members of their clan. this may change in the future)
Elites: are blooded Yautja who have obtained large amounts of honor, renown and prestige through many hunts and duels. Their words and deeds are highly valued and they often take on ancillary roles in their clans, such as becoming enforcers, shamans, taskmasters, adjutants, et cetera. (NOTE: Councilors in-game are Elites. This may change in the future)

Ancillary roles

Councilors: Renowned Elites who are selected by their clan leaders to advise on internal matters that relate to the clan.
Enforcers: These Yautja enforce the honor code for the clans. Yautja who break the honor code are disciplined by Enforcers. Minor breaches are met with severe beatings or mutilation, larger ones are dealt with via exile or gruesome execution.
Hound Masters: Hell-Hounds (Kol-Kovn), therapsid like beasts are native to Yautja Prime and have been used for countless centuries as trackers and herders. These beasts are cruel, highly aggressive, and require great skill to handle. Hound Masters are adept tamers of these beasts and can be found in most hunting parties.
Taskmasters: There are many Yautja warriors who are never selected to become Young Bloods. Those that are never selected continue on in life as unblooded members in society. Taskmasters put these Yautja to work and oversee them as they perform unforgiving and humiliating work for their clans.
Adjutants: Hand selected by clan leaders, these Yautja ensure that discipline is maintained within the ranks of the clan.
Shamans: The Yautja have a polytheistic belief system worshipping a large number of gods and demigods. Shamans organize and oversee the many traditions and rituals associated with each god. The various clans have built countless temples over the eons, on Yautja Prime and elsewhere. Orders of Shaman’s maintain and operate these temples.
Elders: are highly respected and honoured Yautja who act as teachers for young bloods and the unblooded. They are older Yautja who have made a name for themselves by becoming masters of specific skills. They will often lead hunting expeditions, and have near sole authority in choosing which members of the clan participate. Elders will vy to become Clan Leaders once the current Clan leader perishes. (NOTE: The Yautja maintainer is an Elder in-game)
Clan Leaders: are the highest authority in Yautja society aside from the Council of Ancients. Clan leaders oversee all aspects of their clans, and have complete authority over each member of the clan. Clan Leaders have participated in countless hunts, killed many rivals, and gained a lifetime of honor and prestige. Clan Leaders hold their position until dying in combat. Clan Leaders can go on to become sitting members on the council of Ancients.
Ancients: make up the ruling body of Yautja society known as the Council of Ancients. All clans pay fealty to the council. Ancients are incredibly old and wise Clan Leaders who have been chosen to sit on the council by its current members. An ancients word is law and is something that is never ignored. To ignore the will of an ancient is to bring death and dishonor on you and your clan.
Bad Bloods: To be labeled a bad blood is the worst possible shame that can be casted upon a Yautja. Bad Bloods are Yautja whom kill another Yautja outside the rules of the honor code. Most who break the honor code in this way are executed soon afterwards, but there those that escape judgement. Those who manage escape are hunted down mercilessly by clan Enforcers.

Religion

CURRENTLY UNDER REVISION