Nitaaru

The Nitaaru and the Kartanin first met during the forming of the Kartanin Empire. Unlike many other encounters during that time, it passed peacefully, in fact, it was little more than the signing of a business contract. It was decided that the Nitaaru would join the Empire, and support the growing military with their vast economical power. In return the Empire would grant them full sovereignity withhin their own space and their protection. This treaty has hold together until this very day, and it is doubtful that the Kartanin would have ascended to what they are again after the Empires fall without the insectoids.

They are an extremely peaceful species, and while they would have easily enough resources to maintain a large defense force, they restrict themselves to a few corvettes and starfighters for police and escort duties. Their main aim is always to amass riches, first to the species as a whole and second to oneself. The social standing depends on how much a certain individual has done for his species. However, money is not a topic to be discussed among Nitaaru themselves - money you just have.

They are gifted with anything directly involving finances and money (or plain numbers) in general - making them perfect traders or financial advisors. In addition many of them are exceptional microtechnicians, and of course, they have mastered the work with crystals and gemstones to an art.

An average Nita'ara stands about five feet - 1.5 metres - and weighs less than forty kilograms. They don't get very old, usually less than seventy years. They have chitin-like exoskeleton and facetted eyes. Like all insectoids, they have six limbs. The lower pair is used as legs, the middle arms however are the so called running arms. While they can be used to manipulate objects too, they are far more useful when speed is required : a Nitaaru using both legpairs can easily reach velocities of up to forty kilometres an hour. Finally, the top ones are simple, but very precise arms. Nitaaru are of slightly weaker physical strength than humans, but are far more resilient, both physically and in their resistance to radioactive radiation.