Neighbors of the L'narri and the Atriarians, the Meganthans hold six systems in a star cluster between the Federal Alliance of Worlds and the Lanniconian Monarchy. A humanoid species that appear somewhat elfish though with features similar to those of Eastern Empire natives or the Pentaxans, leading to speculation that they may be related to one or both. Since they have not allowed any DNA studies on their people, it will likely continue to be the subject of speculation. Males average 5'6" to 5'9" an females average 5'0" to 5'5" in height.
Megantha is the 4th of 17 worlds, classified as an Extreme Temperate planet with temperatures usually between 10 and 150 degrees F. and occasional extremes in weather conditions. It is a world of deserts and forests with 42% land surface comprised of 3 large continents and 11 small ones with many island chains over its surface. A large, craggy planet with a surface gravity of 1.2g, its five moons may be a failed companion world, indeed the largest of the five, known as The Titan, is almost the size of a small planet itself. The sky is so dramatic that many a native is known to say "By the moons of Megantha!" or "By the all the Meganthan moons!" as a mild exclamation.
Their society is split between the Ewaan (EE-wahn), high tech, upper class scientists, industrialists, merchants and legislators, and the Analein (ah-nuh-LEEN) who pursue simple lives of faith and hard work as farmers, ranchers, miners and crafters to produce much of the food and natural products in their society. Many of the simple foodstuffs produced by the peasant farmers are considered to be great delicacies by the upper crust. There is a third class, the Fausht(fowsht)who deal with both and are more or less looked down upon by both. The two main classes respect each other for their dedication to their own ways, but these middlemen blur the lines, an affront to the Meganthan sense of order.
One area where class distinctions completely disappear is in the military. The saying goes "In combat, we are all Meganthans!" Although entirely voluntary, it is considered by most to be the civic duty of every young Meganthan to serve a term in the Defense Force before settling down to live out their lives in their chosen way of life. It is only through marriage or through service in the MDF that any young person has the chance to change their path in life and take up the ways of a class other than that of their forbearers. Farmers' children may attend academies of higher education and the young of the upper class may choose to study the ways of the Analein and live the rest of their lives in that caste. A rare few of any caste may make a career in the military, the retirees from which are generally considered to be Ewaan upon their separation from the military. How you gonna keep them down on the farm once they have seen deep space?
Almost all Meganthans have a great love for everything equestrian, the breeding of fine riding horses being one of the few things the Ewaan and the Analein agree on and connect over. The love of horses is so strong that there are more riding trails on Megantha than paved roads. The species of "horse" on their worlds is similar to that on many other humanoid world, though here again, no genetic tests have been allowed, so no conclusions can be made on their origins. It is interesting to note that the breeds of riding horses and work horses are not that different, a strong, stout, intelligent animal being important in both cases. Long, lean breeds are nice to look at, but are considered to be too fragile to be of any use, either for work or for riding. It should come as no surprise that equine imagery figures prominently in their heraldry. For example, the symbol for the Lord/Lady Protector has two rearing wild horses, a stallion and a mare, flanking a golden heater shield that has crossed swords behind it. A banner above the shield proclaims "Our Spirits Will Always Run Free!" in ancient Meganthan. A plaque beneath the shield reads "Order and Fidelity" in the ancient language. The Meganthans see no contradiction is an orderly society and free spirits, believing that even in order there must be a little chaos.
With seven star systems, the Meganthans are second most powerful race in their local group, valuing their independence so much that they would fiercely defend it or may even pursue conquest to ensure it. Theirs is a somewhat martial culture, their ancient history one of many great wars before they settled down into the two-caste system that exists today. Males and females are more or less equal in their culture and anyone can rise to be Lord or Lady Protector of the Realm. Politics are mostly democratic, though trial by combat (almost never to the death) to impress the voters is common. Because of the unique construction of the Meganthan inner ear, they have incredible balance and are almost incapable of becoming dizzy. Because of this, they have developed a unique spinning martial art that is half fighting and half dance. Though slightly weaker on the average than many humanoid species, mostly owing to their smaller size, their grace and dexterity makes up for this deficit and give them a solid edge in close quarters combat. They admire strength and dexterity in an opponent, figuring that anyone that is hard to beat is a worthy adversary. They also value honesty and integrity in their both their interpersonal and foreign dealings. A dependable friend and a worthy foe are given almost equal respect in their eyes. Indeed, it is speculated that they view some alien powers as potentially both.
