Comparative physiology of the Iridonian Zabrak (Zabrakii Vulgaris) and Dathomirian Zabrak (Zabrakii Fatalis)
By F. Silvestris, P. Leo, F.S. Cattus, L. Lynx, P. onca
Zabraks are sentient, medium-sized bipedal feliforms native to the outer rim planet of Iridonia. The two extant species the Iridonian Zabrak and Dathomirian Zabrak diverged around 20 million years ago, with speciation continuing after the advent of space-travel.
Similar to mammals, Zabraks are warm-blooded and have hair (regressed in Dathomrians) but do not lactate, lacking both nipples and mammary glands. The female breast is a result of sexual selection, with fat storage being an indicator of fitness. Infants are born toothless and eat pre-digested food that is regurgitated by adults.
Dathormirans are obligate carnivores and lack the ability to taste sweet foods. Iridonians are omnivorous and eat small amounts of plant matter. Both species are red colour blind, have sharp canines, and predominantly eat meat, suggesting they diverged from a common carnivorous ancestor.
Dathomirians are crepuscular and sleep up to 12 hours a day, they do most of their hunting at dusk and dawn. Iridonians are diurnal and sleep 7-8 hours a day.
Fossil footprints indicate ancient Zabraks live in packs of up to 10-20 individuals. They are persistence hunters capable of running at moderate speeds over great distances. Modern Dathomrians are able to kill without tools, using their powerful jaws to crush the prey’s windpipe and hold the throat closed until the animal suffocates. This allows them take down animals much larger than themselves. Dathomrians have a hunting success rate of 80% but they are often robbed of their kills by larger animals, such as the Sabre-toothed Fossa.
Zabraks process a sensory ability that is not well-understood by science. Anecdotal evidence show that the Dathomirians are able to coordinate their hunts with incredible precision, locate their prey and avoid predators even when devoid of sight, smell and sound. This ability seems similar to fish electroreception, but the organ responsible has not been identified.*
In Dathomrians, infants of both sexes are born with disruptive colouration which camouflages them from predators. The female pattern fades with the onset of puberty while males retain their colouration. Males accentuate their naturally-occurring stripes with tattoos, which provides camouflage, tribal identitfiers and aesthetics. ——–
*1 At the time of writing “the Force” was not common knowledge or widely studied.
> 0500h Finished patrol of Veragi Trade Route. Issued 5 citations for mechanical violations + 2 reckless flying. All well. > 0626h Refuelled at Dantooine spaceport. > 1334h Entered the Outer Mandalorian Border to investigate disturbance. Fantailintercepted unregistered Chasm-class shuttle belonging to unknown militia. Found illegal contraband [redacted]. All Chasm-crew were found [redacted]. Strong evidence of [redacted]. > 1415h 2 survivors, aliens of unknown species, brought aboard the Fantail for medical treatment and questioning. Cpt. Shrike
- Mandalorian sign language is based on NZ sign language - I was inspired by the amazing deaf Din Djarin AU “The theory of harmony” by @r0b0tb0y - also paying homage to the deaf Hawkeye Marvel comics by Fraction and Aja - the Crew’s tattoos are inspired by ta moko . The lines are comprised of hundreds of microscopic designs unique to the individual.
aka: my elaborate plot to make everyone learn NZSL.
these guys don’t get named until part 3 and I’m running out of variations of “the big/little zabrak” so I’m just gonna call the big guy Fang and little guy Cookie.
Fang has been treated like an animal for so long he has become one. Our first impression of him is a snarling beast, fearful and ready to lash out. He reclaims his agency by rescuing Cookie with the Power of Love ™ and regains his speech, forcing the Mandalorians to acknowledge his humanity. (Pardon the human-centricity)
A few more examples of MSL. Zabraks have their own sign language as well as elaborate pictograms, mostly used for hunting. How does Fang known MSL? Stay tuned to find out!
I really like this clash of personalities. Fang is so direct. “Can I trust you?”/ “Will you help me?” In spite of the suffering he has endured, he is willing to take a leap of faith. But Jambe’s response is so evasive.
Although she’s sympathetic, she doesn’t trust him. Her first priority is the safety of her crew and that means getting the dangerous alien cuffed and neutralised as fast as possible, even if it means making him re-live the trauma of captivity.
(Shown in a visual callback, with the iron shackles and the reoccurring motif of tally marks)
In the end, he is willing to endure all of it again, for the love of this child.
I reject labelling characters in simplistic “good/bad” terms. They’re acting on what information they have, to the best of their ability. Fang was acting in self-defence…but not all the people he killed were combatants. Jambe wants to resolve a situation without violence, and she will resort to deception if necessary.
In this AU Mandalore has enacted a policy of strict isolationism. Armed guards like Jambe Shrike and her crew patrol the border, keeping the rest of the Galaxy out. The fledging New Republic’s resources are spread thin and their influence still does not extend to the Outer Rim. In all likelihood Fang and Cookie will be deported and left to fend for themselves with minimal help from the NR…TBC in part 3
> Mandalore restored! After decades of turmoil, Mand’alor the Unifier brings order to the lawless Outer Rim under the New Mandalorian Republic.
>Although his people prosper, Mand’alor Djarin has declined to join the New Republic under the leadership of Prime Minister Organa, choosing to pursue a policy of strict isolationism.
- Mandalorian Sign Language was inspired the AMAZING deaf Din Djarin AU “The Theory of Harmony” by @r0b0tb0y. My version of MSL is based on New Zealand SL and US military signs. Most Mandos only know combat-related signs and few are fluent speakers.
- the tattoos on Jambe Shrike’s chin are inspired by ta moko . The lines look simple, but they are actually comprised of hundreds of microscopic designs unique to the individual.
- the Fantail ships are named after my 2nd favourite bird. They are fast and acrobatic, similar to their namesake.
> Peace at last! The Empire is defeated and freedom rings once more throughout the galaxy. 30,587 star systems have joined the New Galactic Republic under the leadership Prime Minister Organa. The memory of war is but a distant shadow. A new era dawns!
> Mandalore restored! Mand’alor the Unifier brings order to the lawless Outer Rim. Although his people prosper, Mand’alor Djarin has declined to join the New Republic, choosing to pursue a policy of strict isolationism.
—Extract from NR Propaganda Reel #435, 18 ABY, Orion Library Archives.
