Yara-mah-yahoo (A1-0)

Yara-mah-yahoo
Yara-mah-yahoo
	Single Male Yara-mah-yahoo
Biological Classification
Designation	Sapient
Classification	Amphibian
Physical characteristics
Average height	25 cm
Skin colour	Red, Pink, White
Eye colour	Black
Breathe	Oxygen
Lifespan	36 standard years for males, 210 years for females
Maturity	8 standard years
Sexes	2
Distinctions	Slippery smooth skin, bulbous eyes, noxious toxic spray
Notable abilities	Amphibious, nimble
Sociocultural characteristics
Place of origin	Gooríalla
Star nation	W̰oṉā̰ṃbi
Total population	~30 trillion
Languages	Modern Standard W̰oṉā̰ṃbían
Religion	The Big Bang

"Grik'thok buva, zok kro'tal lumu gur, va'grib gol! Grok'ta uz, nok'vi husar'um ribba ulon!"

(In the depths where light dares not venture, we find our strength! For it is in the unseen currents that true power flows!)
—Anonymous Proverb

The Yara-Mah-Yahoo or Yara as they are commonly known, are a tiny yet formidable amphibious species native to the lush, water-drenched continents of Gooríalla, one of the planets in the Ríalla-system and the capital of W̰oṉā̰ṃbi. Their homeworld is a vast, humid archipelago, with enormous rainforests, interconnected marshes, and shallow seas. They have evolved to be agile, resilient, and highly adaptable to their aquatic environments. Though small in stature, their bodies are built for fluid movement, both in the water and on land, with long, webbed limbs and highly flexible spines that allow them to swim with remarkable speed and leap great distances. Their skin is amphibious and changes color to blend in with their surroundings, making them skilled at hiding from predators. For much of their history, the Yara-Mah-Yahoo were prey to larger, more dominant species, including gigantic predatory fish, feathered avian-like monsters, and other larger amphibians that ruled the deep lakes and rivers of their planet. These larger creatures were formidable, often hunting the Yara in the waters and on land. In their early stages of development, the Yara-Mah-Yahoo lived in constant fear, moving in small, isolated groups and adapting to the dangerous ecosystem. Their populations were kept in check, with their kind often culling one another as predators stalked them from above and below. However, the Yara were not content to remain prey forever. Over time, they began to develop an intense drive for survival and to protect their kind. They discovered the power of the toxic sprays hidden within their glands, a defense mechanism that had evolved as a last resort against larger predators. This biochemical spray was initially weak but, through generations of careful cultivation and refinement, it grew into a potent weapon capable of incapacitating even the most fearsome of their enemies. The chemical compound in their spray acted as both a paralyzing neurotoxin and a repellent that could dissolve the flesh of larger creatures, giving the Yara a fighting chance.

Biology and Appearance

The Yara-Mah-Yahoo are small but formidable amphibians, typically standing less than 30 centimeters tall. Their bodies are streamlined for both aquatic and terrestrial movement, with long, webbed limbs that allow them to swim swiftly and leap great distances. Their skin is highly adaptable, capable of changing color to blend seamlessly with their surroundings, providing excellent camouflage. This skin is also amphibious, allowing them to thrive in both water and on land. Their eyes are large and sensitive to low light, perfect for their dim, underwater habitats. Additionally, they possess specialized glands that produce a potent biochemical spray, used for defense against predators.

History

The Yara-Mah-Yahoo’s history is one of survival and adaptation. Initially, they were prey to larger, more dominant species on their home planet of Gooríalla. These predators included gigantic fish, avian-like monsters, and other large amphibians. The Yara lived in constant fear, moving in small, isolated groups to avoid detection. Over time, they developed a powerful drive for survival, discovering and refining the toxic sprays from their glands. This neurotoxin became a crucial defense mechanism, allowing them to incapacitate and repel even the most fearsome predators. Through generations of careful cultivation, this spray evolved into a potent weapon, marking a turning point in their history from prey to formidable survivors.

Society and Culture

The Yara-Mah-Yahoo society is built on unity and resilience. They live in close-knit communities, often centered around the lush, water-drenched environments of their homeworld. Their culture values adaptability, resourcefulness, and the collective strength of the group. Rituals and traditions often revolve around their survival skills, with ceremonies celebrating their ability to blend into their surroundings and their mastery of the biochemical spray. Leadership within their communities is typically based on wisdom and experience, with elders respected for their knowledge of survival tactics and their role in refining their defensive capabilities. Despite their small stature, the Yara-Mah-Yahoo are known for their fierce determination and their ability to thrive in the face of adversity.

Enslaved populations

The Yara-mah-yahoo have exploited a variety of non-sapient and semi-sapient species for labor and resources, adapting these creatures to suit their needs across different environments and tasks. Here are some examples:


Name of Species	Level of Domesticity	Planet of Origin	Level of Sapiency	Description
Olgoí Korkoí	Fully Domesticated	Gooríalla	Non-Sapient	Opalescent velvet worms that create a soft and ever-moist silk used in Yara-mah-yahoo fashion. They also act as guardian pets, often screeching, defecating, and flashing when someone unfamiliar shows up.
Ugruí Korkoí	Fully Domesticated	Gooríalla	Non-Sapient	Massive, lumbering, eye-less hexapedal creatures with thick, leathery hides. They have a symbiotic relationship with local flora, hosting mosses and fungi-like organisms on their backs that thrive on their nutrient-rich sweat. Used as animals of burden.
Ekmoí Korkoí	Semi-Domesticated	Gooríalla	Non-Sapient	Parasitic leech-like creatures about the size of a fist, with bright, bioluminescent bodies and retractable tendrils they use to attach to hosts. Used in Yara-mah-yahooan therapy and medicine, as well as a recreational hallucinogen.

Naming conventions

In the naming conventions of W̰oṉā̰ṃbí's spacefaring culture, planets are referred to with the prefix Goo-, while space stations are identified by the prefix Noo- followed by the name of the nearest inhabited planet. This system of naming helps distinguish the celestial bodies from their orbiting structures and highlights the close relationship between planets and the stations that serve them.

Yara-mah-yahoo in Sector A1-0

Derogatory terms

Frogger, Sapo, Dori, Ribbityhoppers