Safir
 Seoni Miłarna, a Daian safìr | |
| Founded | Approximately 1.2 Ma |
|---|---|
| Founder |
Ancestrix Fleet (Daia and Lessa) (ultimate origins unknown) |
| Leader(s) |
Vâstra II of Firnerámnen (Safir Empress) Yrkavra Celeđi Libitina (President of the Executive Commission of the Safir Alliance) |
| Capital |
Aňira Qalani Uchan Qilapel |
| Home world | Daia |
| Base of operations |
|
| Official language |
Classical Âirumâli Lessan Înêmâli Many others in member states |
| Currency |
Firneramnese ari Wuqojimese mark Ešišei jeciba Many others in member states |
| Flagship | TBD |
| Official religion | Ilathnarari dominant; many others official or majority in member states |
The safìr (Classical Âirumâli: 
) are an alien species from, but not native to, the planet Daia and the continental moon Lessa, and the senior member species of the Safir Alliance.
First contact was made between the Safìr Alliance and Micras in 1562 AN, and they possessed a colony on Micras from 1577 to 1582. After the collapse of this colony, most safìr exited Micras, but a small, albeit notable, diaspora remains. Of note is Natopia, where the largest safìr community exists. To date, three safìr have been Kaisers of Shireroth: Rei (1577–1579), Semisa II (1608), and Daniel III (1624–1629). All of these remained active in Shirerithian society and public life until the Safirian Exodus had most Micran safìr leave Shireroth and the planet. Additionally, safìr have featured in the upper echela of several other countries' governments and high societies.
In contemporary Micras, most of Micras's safìr live in the Natopian demesne of the Principality of Whales, with the second-largest group of safìr living in Opaeghia (also a Natopian demesne).
Biology
Safìr appear humanoid in their outward features; according to the theory of convergent evolution, their original native planet (which is unknown) must be similar to both Terra and Micras. They are not genetically related to humans, though.
The ideal resting safìr body temperature is 32 °C (89.6 °F). They as such attuned to colder climates than humans.
Safìr skin is blue in color due to their blood being hemocyanin-based, rather than hemoglobin-based as in humans. From the head protrude two large, elven ears which, some Shirithian biologists theorize, function like antennae to detect extremely subtle behavioral cues from other safìr, thus allowing safìr in the vicinity of each other to communicate through what appears as humans to telepathy. Safìr anatomy textbooks, however, while noting that the tips of the ears are rather sensitive, state that telepathy (or meraki, as it is known in Âirumâli), and other mental abilities emblematic of the species, proceed solely from the brain.
Formal research into the biological and metaphysical process underlying the safìr's psionic abilities is slowly ongoing. Safìr researchers do not yet know for certain how psionic powers — especially telepathy — work. From brain scans of safìr and other species psionic and otherwise, they know that some structure exists in the brain that is responsible for psionic ability, and theorize, based on studies into the underlying mechanism of telekinesis, that higher spatial dimensions may also be used in the process.
Some safìr, mainly belonging to a royal line of carefully selective interbreeding over hundreds of generations, have retained birdlike wings, large enough for telekinetically assisted flight. The presence of such wings in safìr royals has befuddled safìr historians for millennia.
Safìr reproduce in a manner similar to humans, and are viviparous; one notable difference, however, is the presence of ažaraw (sg. ažar), a third sex of outwardly-female safìr that are nevertheless capable of siring children as well as bearing them. The average height of a female safir is slightly above the human; of a male, slightly below the human. The average heights for female, ažaras, and male safìr, respectively, are 6’5” (1.96 m), 6’ (1.83 m), and 5’2” (1.57 m).
Lifespan
Safìr tend to live long. With adequate upbringing, nutrition and exercise, a normal safìr life ranges from 560 Norton years to 625 years (450–500 Daian years). In spite of this long lifespan, maturation occurs relatively quickly. Safìr are fully sexually functioning at the age of 19–25 AN. They remain juvenile at this age, however, reaching full adulthood around the age of 60 AN.
From this point onwards, the biological mechanisms of the body are put at stasis. Unlike humans who start decaying as soon as peak adulthood is met, safìr physiology remains constant for several centuries. Ageing, thus, begins at the age of 500 AN, where, relative to their lifespan, an onset of rapid decay begins, lasting till the natural death.
Society
Traditional safìr society appears to be matriarchal. This is reflected in females being larger and more dominant than males. Additionally, the sex distribution of safìr is heavily skewed towards the female. As such, historically, safìr societies have tended to be polyandrous, though these days monogamy and outright polyamory appear more and more common.
