Droyne
Intelligent
major race
derived from winged omnivore/gatherer stock on a
homeworld
whose location is unknown, but thought to be in the
spinward
region of the
Imperium.
The prime candidate is
Andory
(
Five Sisters
/
Spinward Marches
0235). They presently inhabit scattered worlds within an area slightly larger than the region of the current
Third Imperium.
Physiological details of the Droyne suggest that their homeworld was a low gravity world with a dense atmosphere (both necessary to make their wings functional).
Droyne society is divided into rigid castes (esorde) determined when an individual reaches adolescence (approximately 12 standard years of age). There are six castes: Worker, Warrior, Drone, Technician, Sport, and Leader. These all serve different tasks within Droyne society, but are not just social groups; they are biologically distinct categories. Once a caste has been selected, an individual's development changes, and they "grow into" their chosen caste during the next year. For example, young leaders experience a nearly 30% increase in brain size in that year. The ritual to determine castes is called the Iskyar (Year of Casting).
Workers perform manual labour and other mundane activity; they are the least intelligent and most placid caste.
Warriors are trained specifically for combat, and are the enforcers and protectors of Droyne society.
Drones raise the young, play a major role in the casting ceremony, and perform administrative functions.
Technicians maintain, build, and design equipment.
Leaders manage and direct society, and are the most intelligent Droyne, capable of initiative & intuitive thought.
Sports are a deliberate exception to the caste structure; they can cross caste lines to become independent and self-reliant, capable of separation from Droyne society for long periods. A Sport is the most probably encountered Droyne away from a Droyne world.
All Droyne have a tail and six limbs, the middle pair being developed into wings and the rear pair digitigrade. Arrangement of limbs is basically humanoid, but the bone structure is quite different and more like that of birds; bones are hollow and brittle, making even the largest Droyne much lighter and weaker than humans of comparable size. Wings are black and batlike, spanning three or more metres. Skin is tough and scaled, and is a grayish tone marked with black patterns. Hands and feet have four digits apiece: fingers are long and flexible, fully opposed to all others on the hand; the feet have three toes and one bony spur or talon which is effective in combat. Eyes are large and compound, giving a wide field of vision.
Most physical variations between Droyne are based on caste. For example, the Droyne are a small race (generally standing 1m tall), but large Workers and Warriors can be larger than humans (up to 2m). Weight generally ranges from 25 to 60 kg. Their skin patterning varies according to caste.
Droyne have three sexes; Alpha Male, Beta Male, and Female. Gender only develops after casting. Drones are Female; Leaders, Sports and Warriors are Alpha Males; Workers & Technicians are Beta Males. Reproduction is complex; pheromones generated by Beta Males are necessary before a Female can ovulate and be fertilised by the Alpha Male. The Drones lay clutches of fertilised eggs & nurture them after they hatch, taking on both a father & mother role.
Droyne society, like most things, is governed by the caste system. There is little individual freedom; tasks are caste-based, and thus the concept of society and government merges into one. Workers work; Leaders lead. All of society is dedicated to providing food, shelter, and the other amenities that make life enjoyable. In addition, there is little discord in Droyne society when things are running smoothly, as each member of society has its own function to perform. Only when disaster happens is the group forced to strain. Droyne are not mindless, but all accept the central group as a part of their of lives and work for its benefit above their own.
The basic unit of society is the family (tyafelm). This is a group of at least six Droyne, one from each caste. Between three and eighteen tyafelm group together to form an extended family (dreskay). Dreskayin may schism (esivoy) to form two or more dreskayin, dividing their assets between them and going their own ways. These then build up once more. A collection of related dreskayin are called a community (oytrip), usually geographical in nature. The head of an oytrip is called the Leader-of-Leaders. Finally, a special social group known as the fraternity (kroyloss) is often created to provide companionship for Droyne who set off into the world, but who are not yet part of a tyafelm of their own. It has a minimum size of six, one Droyne of each caste, and can range in size up to 20 or more. Unlike the tyafelm, the kroyloss is a voluntary group, and is not committed to reproduction. In many ways, it is a practice at being a family, but is not as bound by society. A kroyloss can build a partnership or enterprise, explore, prospect, or innovate, or even just wander.
Oynprith
is the common tongue among Droyne.
(ADV-3, 1106
ADV-12, 1107
ALIENS-5, 1111)
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