MADAKTARI

“Here we remember the actions of those who defied atrocity, and those who mistook neutrality for virtue. The former merely lost a homeworld, while the latter disgraced an entire species.”
– Statue Inscription, Mombolezani Institute.

Summary

EX 1

Artist: @Kaaz_ck

Commissioned by: TaliaDumbDog

EX 2

The Madaktari at the time of MIDNIGHT ARRIVING are primarily descendants of revolutionaries and partisans. Playing as any kind of 'remnant' of the Ascendancy is strictly disallowed outside of explicit player approval by staff on the forum's moderation board.

A modern Daktari is often associated with solitary teachers, explorers, and particularly ruthless measures against The Adversary's parasites. Typically, the Madaktari embed themselves within in-need communities within the Emergency Coalition, or more isolated societies. Their family units are irregular, as the majority of births from this species are the result of artificial gestation. Due to this quirk, it is common for a Daktari to have a greater affinity for the cultures they were raised in rather than species familiarity.

What is common to Madaktari, however, is the expectation of willpower. A Daktari will not only be given cultural names for contributing to the public good through science, but also through the breaking of authoritarian cycles. Contemporary Daktari teachers will often train their young, Daktari or not, to employ critical thinking and active resistance against inequitable rule. Violence and harm are not shunned in these cases, and may even be seen as moral imperatives.

Reference Data

Madaktari are bipedal humanoid sentient beings. They are most recognized for their thickly tentacled 'hair' and segmented facial structure made of mandibles. Typically, they possess six glowing eyes that seem to lack pupils. It is common for a Daktari to have artificially induced coloration on their skin or tentacles, though they naturally can be of virtually any color.

Naming

When raised in Madaktari fashion, an individual is typically given an initial name. Additional names are given socially, as the individual performs anti-authoritarian deeds of worth, or service to the public good (e.g. physically assaulting dictators, using one's platform to disavow rogue political actors, developing a vaccine, etc).

While Madaktari names in-character are based on their own vocalizations, out-of-character they are based on African languages such as Swahili.

Naming Examples

Examples include:

“Baraka”,“Jabari”,“Mwanga”,“Shomari”,“Khamisi”,“Azizi”,“Mshale”,“Jengo”,“Rashidi”,“Kiboko”,“Jabir”,“Mwamba”, “Mutego”,“Kamau”,“Zuberi”,“Nguvu”,“Sanamu”,“Makali”,“Tajiri”,“Kivumbi”,“Mtume”,“Shujaa”,“Bahari”,“Kiongozi”,“Hasani”,“Mtemi”, “Kifaru”,“Chuma”,“Mfalme”,“Zamari”,“Bahariq”,“Mwanzo”,“Taziri”,“Kamori”,“Azumu”,“Jalimu”,“Ruvani”,“Sakari”,“Maliji”, “Neraji”,“Kaviri”,“Ombeni”,“Luhari”,“Zubani”,“Thamani”,“Kivori”,“Maruji”,“Simalo”,“Juwari”,“Fikiri”,“Akili”, “Hekimu”,“Nabiri”,“Kiwazo”,“Mawazo”,“Busara”,“Tafiti”,“Ujanja”,“Wanasayansi”,“Huruma”,“Rahimu”,“Tendaji”,“Zawadi”, “Sahihi”,“Jasihi”,“Mshirik”,“Hekumi”,“Wema”,“Zavumo”,“Marogo”,“Kaviri”,“Bashara”,“Tangori”,“Rokandu”,“Simaro”,“Gavanu”, “Makayo”,“Ruviko”

Demographics

Average height: 6'8“ - 7'2” (203 cm - 218 cm)
Average weight: 240 lbs (108.8 kg)

Cultures

Madaktari created cultures of curiosity, examination, and careful progress. While wisdom is typically valued over strength, they consider prowess and force smartly applied better than intelligence that has gone malignant. As such, there are key technologies they consider to be 'malignant', or morally unworthy of exploration. These beliefs are fairly uniform, as these were formed in as a result of their species' deeply disturbed history, as a part of practical steps in redeeming themselves.

Two major cultures exist as a result of Daktari influence. Abolitionists put emphasis on the progress of the cultures within the Emergency Coalition, and seeking true integration with sector society at large. Preservers are those who maintain the technology from the Ascendancy, within strict ethical guidelines. While uniquely in opposition to each other, these cultures are syncretic enough to share spaces within Daktari institutes of learning, which are considered neutral ground for those within the culture to share findings and observations.

Abolitionism

A culture formed in response to the Ascendancy's crimes against existence. The proud revoluntionaries that executed the politicians and agents of the Ascendancy instilled the values of anti-authoritarianism, interventionism, and the shunning of three forbidden technologies. While proud scientific traditions remain, Abolitionist Daktari are raised to reject the iconography and hardware of the society that committed genocide against innocent species of the sector.

Values:

To learn of the known galaxy.
To spread innovation to combat The Adversary and protect the Emergency Coalition.
To learn of and value other cultures.
To shun genetic exploitation, anti-matter weapons of mass destruction, and plasma weaponry.

Preservism

A newer culture formed from the natural results of Abolitionist cultures. Of the Daktari that have embraced other cultures, there is a belief that technology of all kinds can be utilized to protect the people they've grown near. As such, while the three shunned technologies remain in the zeitgeist as forbidden, there is a draw to become more syncretic with the cultures they've formed around, and take more scientific risks. It is common for elder Daktari to attempt to replicate, or preserve, weaponry and technology from the old world to benefit their neighbors.

Values:

To serve the common good.
To protect communities small and large.
To preserve and utilize any technologies that give an edge to survival.
To shun the practices of the Ascendancy.

Spirituality and Philosophy

“It does not matter if the hand wavers. Even in the sweatiest palm, a dagger lodged into a dictator's back is the moral imperative of all life.”

Those raised or educated in a Daktari fashion often are taught that spirituality and folklore are methods to explain morality. Religion is not shunned, and is instead often subject to what amounts to an endless inquiry. It is considered to be of one of the higher virtues to be allowed to study sensitive cultural matters faithfully, and are judged harshly on the part of the reporter. While many Daktari-heavy areas do not have formalized religions as a norm, an open mind is necessary to interpret the functions of the universe. It is not uncommon for a Daktari researcher to adopt foreign folklore in their pursuit of understanding.

While matters of ESP and the arcane are poorly-understood matters to many Daktari institutes, there exist furtive groups made to protect these individuals, and study them from afar.

Argumentation, study, and direct action are considered virtuous in common Daktari philosophy. Ethics are to be understood as more than theories at certain points, especially when speaking on the treatment of entire populations. An expectation of mandated reporting, or at the very least direct intervention, is seen as moral imperatives. Having learned lessons from the Ascendancy, many Daktari taught their descendants that being a passive participant is supporting injustice.

History

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Interesting Facts

Fact 1

A Daktari's head tentacles can fall off, much like the tail of a lizard, and likewise regrow.

Fact 2

Prior to Humanity's induction into the Emergency Coalition, the Daktari were on average the smallest species.

Fact 3

Madaktari are often oblivious to romantic or sexual gestures from other species. Culturally, their courting rituals tend to involve the movement of mandibles, and the creation of specific oft-inaudible sounds.

Fact 4

While the Daktari typically reproduce artificially, they engage in romance and sexual activity recreationally. Many papers have been published to Daktari institutes on these matters, making them well-informed on the exact matters of courtship, even though they may be oblivious to attempts to start.

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