The Gyallian coat of arms

Draconic shapeshifters, Gyallians are a proud people who can take on a draconic form whenever they so choose. In ancient times they lived on Tehare, but absconded to their own planet once space travel became more available. They are known for being extremely strong, militaristic, and isolationist.

Conventional wisdom has most people keeping their distance from them, as provocation can have serious consequences. There are only specific channels in which Gyallians will do trade with other species. Gyallian metals and alloys are highly prized, as they are imbued with magic and make them much more flexible in application, especially to other magical-inclined species.

As a species, each Gyallian has a draconic form they can shapeshift into at any time. While they are perfect shifters in that shifting almost never causes complications, the draconic form is extremely resource intensive and can only be used for a small amount of time. As a result, most Gyallians prefer to partial shift, which they also do with relative ease.

Research on how Gyallians shift is scarce, but it is mostly understood that it is a function of magic more than it is a function of science.

They have created a culture of obtaining might and power, and is used as a status symbol and determines where a Gyallian may be in society. While power of the mind is appreciated, power of the body is more heavily prized, especially when it comes to how adept one may be at controlling their shifted form and abilities.

Gyallian language is comprised of a strange combination of spoken word and special noises that can only be made by fellow Gyallians. This is more of a physiological restriction than anything else, as Gyallians have the biology to make more animalistic sounds. This language also enables them to speak in their fully shifted dragon forms, since conventional language is difficult for them when in a non-humanoid form.

Gyallia itself is an incredibly dangerous planet with extreme natural environments that most other creatures would shy away from. Gyallians took it as a challenge, rerouting volcanic magma flows, controlling the direction of winds with large structures and magic, manipulating the land to be fertile for growth, etc. Large urban centers are heavily managed and protected in order to keep their species safe, and the wilds are left to their own devices as they make an excellent deterrent for those who would attempt to invade their planet. Maintaining livable conditions in Gyallia means that large portions of the population's jobs are dedicated to infrastructure and construction, both on the physical labor and mental innovation fronts.

Gyallia's volatile environment allows materials that would normally be difficult to get ahold of more easily accessible. Because of this, Gyallia primarily exports rare materials, most notably a special kind of metal and alloy that conducts and amplifies magic through it like electricity. It is rather potent, and only a small amount is needed to get the desired effect in most magical machinery. The process of refining this alloy is a closely guarded secret that only a few Gyallian craftsmen know about.

This technology allows items like soul-bound objects to function without the user needing to input that much magical energy. It is popular amongst Teharans, but is difficult to use for people who don't have a way to perform magic.

Along with a few other special materials, this is about as much as Gyallia interacts with the outside world - trading rare goods for materials that are also difficult for them to find on their own planet.

They also maintain control over a broader territory around the planet in which they mine asteroid belts and other smaller celestial bodies.

Gyallians are considered "adults" in the sense that they can legally make their own decisions at 16 years old. When they come of age, they are given the opportunity to choose what sort of speciality they would like to go into as their potential career path. There are many options, but they mostly come down to three main categories - Physical, Academic, and Social.

Young Gyallians can change their minds if they decide a particular category isn't for them, but are generally discouraged from doing so, as socially it is expected that you will know where you will fall by the time you come of age.

Gyallians value the acquisition of power above all other virtues, for all that definition encompasses. The ruler of Gyallia is one that rose to the position by besting other Gyallians in all ways they were challenged - physically, intellectually, and socially. This permeates to the rest of the governmental system, where leaders are appointed based on their acquired "power". Leaders of all ranks may be challenged at any time by anyone, but the higher you go, the more difficult that prospect becomes. Generally speaking, Gyallian society does not provide a nurturing environment for "the weak."

There are regulations on what qualifies as a valid "challenge" depending on what level of government or business a challenge is issued for. A small business CAN be overtaken by another individual, but the process is long and arduous and involves legal battles purposefully to deter people from unnecessarily taking over someone's livelyhood. Meanwhile, a Gyallian governmental ruler can be challenged at almost any time, provided the challenge is formal. These are public "battles" meant to be spectated by the public. It's worth noting that power may not just be individual power, but also community power. If a community largely backs an individual, there is a good chance they will succeed in a challenge, as collective power is still power.

You are allowed to submit formal challenges of all kinds when a Gyallian comes of age. Only full Gyallians can submit challenges.

If a Gyallian child becomes an orphan, they are issued to government protection. If extended family wishes to step in, there is a legal process that must be undertaken in order to gain custody of that child. It is not made to be especially difficult, but there are monetary costs associated with the process, which can make reuniting family members of poorer families challenging. There are community initiatives and funding in place to help offset these costs for families that could not do this on their own.

A will or other legal document (again, requiring some amount of monetary cost) from the parents of the children stating the wish for them to be given custody to a family member supersedes this process.

Signal of Cinders is a holiday in Gyallia where they take readings on the supermassive volcano that their main city revolves around. Much like Groundhog day, it sets the tone for the upcoming seasons and how they manage their wildlife and infrastructure. There is usually a festival of some kind for the public, but is mostly celebrated amongst families as they await the news. This tradition goes all the way back to when they were on their volcanic island home on Tehare, where they would gather together at the main island to have large festivals while they waited for the Volcanic Masters to take their readings.

An olympics-style genre of sports in Gyalllia. Gyallians compete in a series of physical challenges either on teams or individually to come out the champion of their category.

There are professional teams on Gyallia that are broadcasted to Gyallians outside of the planet, but there are also local leagues hosted for people wanting to test their strength without necessarily seeking a professional level. Local leagues have been popping up on space stations away from Gyallia, as they especially help with community and morale of expats.

These sports must be unique to Gyallians in that they are a test of Gyallian strength specifically. Many involve the use of their draconic shapeshifting abilities or physical traits in their base forms. Many also involve the use of Elements, which some argue Teharans could participate in, but have rules that heavily favor Gyallian physiology.