Sammichian
Overview
The Sammichian race is one of the oldest and most prominent races in the Shire, alongside Humans, Enderians, Acadians, Laurelians, and Enpeecees. Ancient texts and fossils suggest they rose around the year 6,000 PRY, on the icy tundra island of Thrennex. Soon, they had built up a civilization on the island, completed with its own stone shelters and hierarchy, which evolved into the Old Sammichian Empire. The most powerful Sammichian family known to date is the ruling Ich Dynasty of the New Sammichian Empire.
History
Sammichian civilization is believed to have risen on the island of Thrennex in the northwestern Shire. Many scientists speculate that the Sammichians evolved from a variety of monodontidae and monodontids, which include narwhals, beluga whales, dolphins, and porpoises. While the narwhals and beluga whales inhabited the frigid waters north of the island, the dolphins and porpoises inhabited the warmer waters around the south of the island. As all species began following prey which swam closer and closer to the shore, they themselves moved closer to the shore but found it difficult to move in such shallow waters. They soon began to grow stubby legs, and were capable of walking in the shallow water. Their transition to land was easy, since they already breathed air and did not require the evolution of lungs designed to breathe above water.
It was not long before the Sammichian race became bipedal, despite only reaching a standing height of four feet, as their nautical bodies shrunk to ensure that their weight could be supported on land. As they used their legs more often, they grew longer, as did their arms and torsos. The anatomy became strikingly human-like, even the faces. Use of their brains caused them to grow astronomically, especially in the dolphins. Around 2,000 PRY, they had built a city named Ceriumuse.
Sammichian Hierarchy
The Sammichians were locked in an organized yet flexible caste system, based on what species they were. Animosity was never recorded between the class systems who were roughly equal. While these classes aren't as prominent today, many Sammichians choose to place themselves into these classes.
Narwhals
Narwhals existed as nobility and the ruling class of the Sammichians. While this isn't particularly true today, many assume a Sammichian person in a position of power is a narwhal, such as Emperor Sammich the Magnificent. Narwhals became royalty because of their just and clear-minded ways, which has mostly ended with the rise of the Ich Dynasty. Their horns were also seen as a noble blessing, and those who had two horns were deemed to be deities among man.
Beluga Whales
Belugas were noted as skilled merchants in Sammichian society, their gregarious and opportunistic ways proving to be an advantage in the marketplace. Today, family businesses still run within beluga bloodlines, and belugas are among the wealthiest of Sammichians. The Biltbobble Family, the wealthiest family in the Shire, are beluga Sammichians.
Dolphins Noted for their high intelligence, dolphins became the intellectuals of the Sammichian community. They existed as scientists, historians, and advisers to the narwhal nobility. They are still considered vastly intelligent and compromise most high-ranking positions at places such as DePrey Institute. They are also heavily active in the artistic and musical community.
Porpoises
Though smaller than other Sammichians, the porpoises were noted for their speed and aggression. Such traits gave them large opportunities in the Sammichian military as soldiers, generals, and even spies. The training and field work soon took their toll on the porpoises, though not negatively. They grew taller and more well-muscled, and now stand an average of six feet. They compromise the largest portion of the current military of the New Sammichian Empire, and many today have careers in modeling.
Psychology
Sammichians are known for being a generally sneaky, unscrupulous, and unfriendly race. While lore would tell you it's because of the evil Fulfmeister who influences the Sammichian people, science would tell you that it's an excess of the chemicals phenylethylamine, norepinephrine and dopamine, which cause love and ultimately jealousy and envy. They also have a lack of the chemical serotonin, which regulates emotions such as anger and contributes to happiness and friendliness.
This does not mean that all Sammichians are like this. The belugas are remarked for their friendliness, and the dolphins are above emotions such as jealousy. Sammneural Syndrome, it's called, is most prominent in the narwhals, but is still very common in all other subtypes.
Anatomy
Over time, Sammichians have become very similar to humans in term of bone structure, but still retain characteristics reminiscent of thousands of years ago. All Sammichians are born intersex, and can undergo procedures to become a certain gender at a young age. Some choose to remain intersex. Sammichians have white hair, though many choose to go hairless.
Narwhals
Narwhals today are built very much like humans, though they have longer limbs. Their skin is smooth, and of a mottled gray in most cases, though mottled brown is not unheard of. Their horns usually extend to two feet long, and has become a more pearly white than the yellow-brown it used to be.
Beluga Whales
Belugas are built like humans, but are stouter and a higher percentage of fat/blubber. Their skin is shiny and white, and many have slightly protruding foreheads where their "melon" used to be.
Dolphins
Dolphins are very thin and graceful, with skin similar to belugas but a darker shade of gray. Their snouts have receded, and the only remnant of their snouts are their noses, which are longer than average. They stand around the same height as narwhals, and have very full lips.
Porpoises
Due to their heavy military involvement, porpoises are inherently muscular and stand taller than other Sammichians. Their skin is identical to dolphins', and many consider porpoises to be very attractive. They are a common sight in Fulfwotzian strip clubs.
Notable Sammichians
- Emperor Sammich the Magnificent - current monarch of the New Sammichian Empire. (Narwhal)
- Biltbobble Family - wealthiest family in the Shire, owning Biltbobble Pharmaceuticals and heavily invested in the oil industry. (Beluga)
- Kara Ylus Luzu - world-famous Fulfwotz fashion designer, hailed for her revolutionary KYL line and president of the Luzu Modeling Agency. (Dolphin)
- Ser Leif - legendary Sammichian hero, who led the assault on Fauna against the Lilladonians, slaughtering thousands of innocents. (Porpoise)
- Armac Pessides - CEO of Follywood Film Company, known for numerous publicity stunts. (Beluga)