Yarasi

Earnest. Isolationist. Mystical.

The Yarasi are a long-lived people with powerful innate psionic abilities and deeply entrenched cultural gender roles. Like the Sillibar, they formed an interstellar empire long before the emergence of the Tartaran Veil, and they suffered immense losses during the war against the Dowd two hundred years ago.

Ever since, the Yarasi have ruthlessly policed and enforced the borders of their Empire with an armada of cloaked psionic ships. Outsiders are not permitted within the Empire, with the sole exception of the planet Oscura, the “Gateway to the Empire” where Yarasi do business with other cultures. Other Yarasi colonies have been extensively terraformed over the years, creating numerous lush, verdant worlds within their borders rather than attempting to expand elsewhere. This philosophy has created some of the most prosperous planets in the Cluster but left them with the smallest amount of raw territory.

Yarasi society is matriarchal, with women running nearly all governmental and military functions. Men serve in an advisory capacity, using their innate clairvoyant abilities to prepare the Empire for the future. They also serve as artificers (psionic engineers) by designing and creating new ships and technology.

Because nearly every Yarasi has at least some telepathic ability, their society has evolved to be incredibly open. There are no secrets and no shame. Outsiders often find their directness intimidating or off-putting.

Art Credit: Andra Moisescu