Inactive
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To codify some NPCs for future RP.
- Image Credit: Romas Kukalis | Hoàng Lập (Solan) | geying (all images edited by me)
- Role: Personal bodyguards/handmaidens of Rhiannon Dinn and her family.
- Permissions: N/A
- Links: N/A
- Unit Name: The Apsara
- Affiliation: Rhiannon Dinn | Arcturus Dinn | The Dinn Children
- Classification: Bodyguards
- Description: The Apsara are thirteen female Zaathri selected by Rhiannon to serve as her personal bodyguards. In addition to defending her family, they also perform the roles of handmaidens. All thirteen of the Apsara are former slaves who were freed by Rhiannon, and thus hold loyalty to her.
- Unit Size: Small
- Unit Availability: Unique
- Unit Experience: Elite
- Equipment: While most of the Apsara rely on their tail blades in combat, some use spears, energy bows, axes, throwing knives and glaives. These weapons are typically made from songsteel, a lightsaber-resistant metal alloy.
- Combat Function: The Apsara are bodyguards; their job is to defend against any threats to Rhiannon or her family. They accompany the family in their travels throughout Zaathru, sometimes posing as servants. During public appearances, they can be seen surrounding the family in a protective circle. They are fearless, believing that they will be rewarded in the afterlife should they die defending the Dinns, and will throw themselves at any foe with fanatical zeal.
- Force Abilities: N/A
- Eye Stalks: While their humanoid eyes are only slightly keener than a human's, their mobility allows the Zaathri 360-degree vision.
- Bladed Tails: Long enough to reach well past their heads, Zaathri tails end in a sharp scythe-like blade, allowing them to deliver devastating, whipping blows to an opponent. Similar to a snake's fangs, these blades can secrete a potent venom produced in glands at the tip of the tail.
- Speed: Zaathri can run very fast, around 60 - 80 kph (37 - 50 mph), although those in peak physical condition may press on even faster.
- Zealous Loyalty: The Apsara are fanatically devoted to Rhiannon, Arcturus, and their children, believing them to be gods who have come to Zaathru to usher in a new era of peace, prosperity, and freedom. Their strong faith also makes them brave and bold in ways which are atypical for the timid Zaathri.
- Sign Language: Possessing no vocal cords, Zaathri communicate through their own unique form of sign language, or through the use of the written word. Rhiannon and Arcturus are able to communicate with the Apsara via Comprehend Speech.
- Planetbound: Zaathri consume pollen for nourishment by absorbing it through their skin. If they do not have access to pollen (such as within the airtight confines of a starship), they will starve. Rhiannon thus cannot bring the Apsara with her when she leaves Zaathru.
- Mood Fur: It is sometimes said that the Zaathri cannot lie - but it is more accurate to say that they cannot lie convincingly, because their fur will exhibit signs of stress by changing color. The Apsara suffer from this weakness, albeit in a milder form than the average for their species.
- Primitive: While they are capable of learning new things, the Apsara do not understand most modern technology. This applies to their choice of weaponry and fighting styles.
The Apsara were once thirteen Zaathri slaves living in the city of Arboria, the largest permanent settlement on Zaathru. They each came from different walks of life. Some worked in the fields, others in the homes of their masters. All of them experienced the cruelties of slavery and longed for freedom.
Emancipation came in the form of Rhiannon Dinn, who arrived at Arboria and instantly took the city by storm. Awed by her powers, the High Priest proclaimed her the Shaalite Sky Goddess ("Adamanthea") incarnate and honored her with sacrifices and feasts. It is said that the first slave to be freed by Rhiannon was Altrea, a Zaathri who was due to be sacrificed. From there, she insisted that all slaves in Arboria be liberated. Afraid to defy her, the High Priest obeyed. All those who continued to oppose Rhiannon's freeing of the slaves were either killed or driven out of the Holy City.
Altrea would go on to become the first Apsara. The rest were taken from the ranks of the newly free female Zaathri. Each one was chosen individually for her specific talents. On the surface, they appear to be mere handmaidens, but under Rhiannon's orders they have been extensively trained and conditioned into fierce fighters.
