Nendrelan

The Nendrelan are one of the two native sentient species of Nendrelus, evolving on the planet’s vast glass plains, shallow seas, and geothermal fields. Their society is defined by their ancient relationship with molten silica, volcanic glass vents, and the arcane artistry of glassblowing—an art they believe was taught to them by the Great Mother, the living spirit of Nendrelus itself.

Nendrelan physiology retains protective adaptations from the planet’s volatile early eras, including hardened calcium plates on their hands and feet designed to shield them from razor-sharp glass shards. Though this adaptation became mostly redundant over time, it found renewed purpose in their glassworking traditions.

Closely related to the Arkitan, the Nendrelan share a deep ancestral lineage. They evolved separately after the melting of the planetary ice caps divided their homelands, only later reuniting during a critical moment in history.

Biology

Nendrelan physiology reflects a species molded by silica-rich plains and geothermal hazards.

Physical Traits

• Calcium Hand and Foot Plates: Thick, hardened plates that protect against glass shards. A vestigial adaptation from early epochs when molten silicate frequently coated the surface.
• Heat-Enduring Skin: Their skin tolerates radiant heat from glass vents and kilns.
• Sharp Visual Acuity: Adapted for spotting glints and fractures in molten or cooled glass.
• Moderate Strength: Especially in the forearms and hands, allowing precise control of heavy glassblowing tools.
• Omnivorous Diet: Originating from coastal hunting and geothermal agriculture.

Evolutionary Background

Nendrelan ancestors developed their protective plates when Nendrelus was still cooling from the death of its parent star, leaving glass fields across much of the early planet. Over time, as the mantle cooled and glass plains eroded into sandy basins, the plates ceased to be essential—until the rediscovery of volcanic glass vents renewed their importance.

Early Culture

Nendrelan culture was shaped by:

• volcanic silica harvesting
• early geothermal farming
• coastal hunting and fishing
• spiritual reverence for geological forces

Glass was the core of their society—functional, artistic, spiritual, and symbolic.

The Art of Glassblowing

Nendrelan tradition holds that the Great Mother (the planetary spirit of Nendrelus) taught them glassworking by revealing the molten glass vents. Glassblowing remains sacred, practiced with ritual precision.

Even after the rise of the Ecumenopolis, pilgrims still descend into ancient shafts to retrieve raw glass from active vents.

Glass objects are used as:

• ceremonial offerings
• status markers
• tools
• weapons during early eras

Society and Warfare

The Nendrelan were not typically a warlike people. Conflicts existed but were rare and focused primarily on:

• territorial disputes around rare volcanic vents
• access to silica-rich plains

Being natural predators, they crafted early hunting tools from cooled glass shards and obsidian-like silica formations.

Arrival of Off-Worlders

When the first off-world traders arrived, they were astonished by Nendrelan glasscraft, leading to robust trade in exchange for:

• alloys
• heavy metals
• medicine
• electronics
• starship components

This dramatically accelerated Nendrelan societal development.

The Solar Flare Catastrophe

The technological progress of the Nendrelan was nearly erased when a catastrophic solar flare struck Nendrelus. Their infrastructure collapsed, and they faced near-extinction.

The Arkitan, positioned safely on the night side and possessing advanced technology derived from their mineral-rich island, intervened. Their relief efforts saved the Nendrelan and cemented cultural unity between the species.

Genetic studies later confirmed that the Nendrelan and Arkitan descended from the same ancient ancestor, separated after the ice caps receded and populations diverged.

Relationship to the Arkitan

The two species share deep bonds:

• common ancestry
• shared planetary identity
• complementary cultural strengths
• mutual technological exchange

The Arkitan became scientific vanguards, while the Nendrelan became masters of material artistry and geothermal engineering.

Modern Nendrelan

In the multi-layered Ecumenopolis of Nendrelus, the Nendrelan continue to:

• serve as master glassworkers
• engineer hydroponic and geothermal systems
• act as spiritual caretakers of the glass vents
• preserve ancient rituals in a world dominated by industry

Many still wear decorative glass pieces as lineage symbols.

See Also

• Arkitan
• Nendrelus
• Ecumenopolis Worlds
• Galaxa Species Index