gifAge of Consent for the OtacaiansFor most Otacaians the age of consent for all matters (intimacy, voting etc.) is 15-17 years old. You are considered an adult at 15 in the Opar-Han Confederacy, Rumaeri Union, Jithran Senate, Dinak Assembly. The rest of the countries have it at 16, with the exception of the Pharae Order, Enalla Congress and Bannarai Republic who have it at 17. I know that for many of you reading this you may think that is WAY too young, they're still children, and some of my Human characters in Otacaia will be inclined to agree with you. But it is important to remember the Otacaians are aliens from another planet and as such their beliefs would be different from Humans in this regard. To you (and to the Human characters in Otacaia for that matter) a 15-year-old is considered a child incapable of consenting to matters of intimacy, voting, etc., but to the Opar-Han, Jithrans, Akryans, a 15-year-old is considered a full adult by their traditions, cultures, and laws, and they are granted these privileges at this age.The Syblot and The Crugg, An Otacaian Children's StoryThe Syblot and The Crugg is a widely known tale throughout Otacaia. Despite the animosity and distrust the Otacaians have toward one another, they all know this legend. Each version of the tale is different depending on which Otacaian race you ask but the plot is more or less the same: Long ago, in a lush jungle (or forest) a male Syblot named Jama, known for his kindness and wisdom, lived with his wife, Lika and their 11 eleven children. In this same jungle lived a female Crugg named Iza, she who established herself as queen of the jungle through sheer might and used her position to ridicule and intimidate the other animals. One day, Iza came across Jama and his family and insulted the family of Syblots, calling them weak and feeble creatures and demanded they show deference to her. Jama stood up to Iza, defending his family and berated her for her insulting manner. Amused that a little furball would dare stand up to her, Iza remarked that due to her size she could easily defeat him in any game. Jama stated that although he wasn't big or strong as Iza, he would accept her challenge and if he won, she would leave him and his family alone. Iza agreed, roaring with laughter. Jama's wife Lika decided that the first challenge would be a race, which Iza almost won due to her speed. Confident that she would win against the slow Jama, she decided to bathe in a pond not too far from the finish line, while Iza was distracted, Jama won the race. The next challenge was a series of riddles and questions which Iza asked and her husband, Jama and Iza had to solve. Jama, having exceptional life experience and intelligence, won the game. For the final challenge, Iza and Jama were to defeat Arnzar, a Haar-Jazz. he was an absolute monster known to kill anyone and anything in his path. Iza challenged Arnzar directly, ignoring the cautions of Jama. Arnzar easily defeated Iza, injuring her and attempted to eat her. Jama called Arnzar away from Iza, luring him into the jungle. Jama knew the hidden advantages of the jungle, he taunted Arnzar into a blind rage before leading him into the entrance of a deep underground cavern, covered by foliage, where he fell and died. Jama had won the third and final game. Humiliated at losing these games to, and being rescued by a mere Syblot, she cursed his kind, saying that their descendants would be mortal enemies. Jama, not wanting to hold a grudge, tried to reason with Iza, but she refused to listen, and returned to her royal den. According to legend, from that day on, Syblots and Cruggs were mortal enemies throughout the planet. The Crugg is the main predator of the Syblot and have been known to eat them and their eggs. But the Syblots have used their underestimated intelligence to develop countermeasures to defend themselves against Cruggs by attacking in groups.