{%hackmd theme-dark %} # Rachnids ###### tags: `Lore` `Species` ## Overview Rachnids are aliens with coincidental physiological similarities to Sol spiders. Despite visible adaptations that would make them excellent hunters, modern Rachnidian culture revolves around honing the skills and talents of oneself, treating them as forms of self-expression. Rachnids tend to focus on their work intensely, priding themselves on a job well done and languishing if they think they are underperforming. ## Physiology Rachnids are bipedal aliens with a chitinous exoskeleton, four eyes, lithe bodies, and eight limbs. Their diets are primarily carnivorous, although the modern Rachnid is capable of digesting plant matter if necessary. They are capable of spinning strong webs with various uses. Four of the Rachnid's limbs are entirely vestigial and have little function beyond expression. Their eyes were adapted for hunting in the dark and are highly sensitive to any amounts of light. Silk creation for Rachids is energy intensive and web spinning is exhausting. Rachnids exhibit moderate levels of sexual dimorphism, likely as an evolutionary leftover. Female Rachnids are both larger and stronger on average than their male counterparts. This has contributed at least in some part to Rachnidian society's matriarchal structure. ## Origin Rachnids evolved from a species of massive, eight-legged xenofauna in the system of Syebenaltch. Much of their physiology owes itself to this. They had the blessing of an independent, untampered development, and managed to discovered bluespace flight on their own. It is an established principle in modern biology that, regardless of circumstance, any location with life will, at some point, evolve spiders independently if no spiders exist. Perhaps we are lucky that Rachnids are as peaceful as they are, compared to some of the universe's other spiders. Their discovery of bluespace flight provides insight into Rachnidian thought. The top scientists of the Aerospace Guild arrived at the conclusion of how to harness bluespace almost simultaneously after decades of independent research. However, their theories were wildly different, each based on differing findings and assumptions. Seeing this, the Matriarch of the Aerospace Guild ordered them all disbarred and made her own theory after another decade of work, a theory that is still used to this day. ## Culture Rachnids are theorized to descend from a species of arachnid which had hunted local insects that flew between the branches of trees. Rachnid anthropologists propose that Rachnids developed social intelligence in a evolutionary competition between another species of intelligent insect that where eventually hunted into extinction. Consequently many aspects of rachadian culture differ greatly when compared to other civilized species. Modern Rachnidian culture centers around expression of oneself through art. Artistic thought is dominant in Rachnidian society, with nearly every imaginable subject being viewed through an artistic lens. While this means Rachnids develop wild new ideas at an expedient rate, it also means that optimizations to existing concepts are done rarely, if at all. Rachnids are individualist by nature, striving to be unique and frequently gravitate away from conformative beliefs. While Rachnid are capable of close collaboration, most prefer to work independently. Stepping on another person’s turf, physically or professionally, is frowned upon greatly. Many Rachnids take extreme pride work well done, focusing on minutia most others would ignore. Some will become despondent and anxious if they think that they are under-performing, and become desperate for approval and validation. Female Rachnids are additionally held to unusually high standards in Rachnidian society due to the expectations placed on them to take valued positions as guildmasters or guildmaidens. Many Rachnids take extreme pride work well done, focusing on minutia most others would ignore. Some will become despondent and anxious if they think that they are underperforming, and become desperate for approval and validation. Female Rachnids are additionally held to unusually high standards in Rachnidian society due to the expectations placed on them to take up leadership roles. A consequence of their noctural biology, or perhaps due to their hazardous environment as a result of the suns intense UV radiation. The symbolic significance of light and dark is inverted to that of most sapent speices. In other words where light is often seen as positive in most cultures, light is often depicted as a malicious force in Rachadian media. This inverted cultural meaning has an impact on common vocabulary and metaphor, which can cause confusion for non-native speakers and translators. ## Society A primary facet of rachadian culture is the guild. Where rachnids would follow and seek education/apprenticeship from another rachnid to learn a desired skill or compete and hopefully surpass in their teachers profession. While some rachnids adhere to a singular guild to someday compete for the guildmaster title many join a series of guild to gain a general education before pursuing a singular profession. The general structure and objectives of a guild can be roughly interpreted by the Union it operates under. Although the specifics of a guild can vary quite substantially a majority of guilds have the following recognized positions.