The Aslan are a race of intelligent beings with an established
interstellar empire spinward and rimward of the Imperium; in addition, large
numbers have settled within the Imperium.
Aslan stand roughly human-sized, averaging 2.0 meters in height and
weighing about 100 kg. They are
descended from four-limbed, upright, bipedal carnivore/pouncer stock originally
adapted to a solitary arboreal existence.
The earliest Terran explorers saw in them a vague resemblance to the Terran lion, and they have been described (by Terrans) as lion-like ever since, although there is very little true similarity. The derivation of the word Aslan is unknown. There are two sexes, male and female. The most notable external difference is the increased size and mane of the former. Females outnumber males by 3:1
Aslan have a single highly specialized dewclaw under each thumb which
folds back jackknife fashion into a horny covering in the base of the thumb and
palm.
A vast Aslan-dominated empire (the
Aslan Hierate) lies to spinward and
rimward of the Reavers' Deep, but Aslan themselves have ranged well beyond its
borders, with many settling on the independent worlds of the Deep.
Aslan Society:
The Aslan are a warrior race, proud, noble, and devoted to those in
authority above them. An individual
Aslan is usually a member of a family of from 2 to 12 individuals under a
patriarchal leader. Several
families will combine into a pride with one family dominant. A number of prides form a clan, again with a top pride.
Aside from military organizations and the ruling council (within the
Hierate), the clan is the highest social-political organization among the Aslan.
A deep-seated territorial instinct causes the Aslan to have an inordinate
(from a human standpoint) concern with land.
For male Aslan, owning land is a major goal in life.
An Aslan's stature is determined by the amount of land he (or her
husband) controls, or by the amount of land owned by any higher lord the Aslan
may be vassal to. The lowest
classes of Aslan are landless, and provide the farmers, laborers, craftsmen, and
factory workers. A holder of a
large territory will often grant authority over it to vassals (usually sons,
brothers, or male relatives by marriage) who administer the land in his name.
The sexes have very different roles in Aslan society.
Males (in all but the lowest classes) are concerned mostly with military
operations, acquisition of territory, and political affairs.
Females are concerned with trade, industry, and the accumulation of
knowledge. Upper class males have
little conception of money and are literally incapable of functioning in a
technological society without aid, so they are thus seldom encountered without
the supervision of a wife, mother, or other female relative or employer.
For instance, a typical Aslan mercenary unit will be organized by a
wealthy married female, who will then assign its operation, for a share of the
proceeds, to an unmarried female relative.
The battle commander and most of the troops will be unmarried males (many
of them also relatives) hired with the promise of land grants (and the
opportunity to gain honor and reputation in combat); however, staff, operations,
supply, and intelligence officers will generally be female.
The extremely deadly nature of any combat between Aslan has led to a
rigid, ritualized pattern of behavior designed to reduce conflict.
Aslan are very polite, and while most have learned to be patient with
non-Aslan, accidental fights still occur.
Disputes between individuals are handled by the patriarchs; disputes
between families are handled by the pride leader; disputes between prides are
handled by the clan leader.