Borellian Nomen (alternate)

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The Borellian Nomen (singular: Noman) are a warrior people from the planet Borellia who maintain a small presence within the Fleet. They are distinguished by their imposing physical stature, distinctive cultural practices, and rigid social hierarchy.

Physical Characteristics

Borellian Nomen are described as formidably large beings with "excessively hairy" appearances and broad, imposing builds. They possess thick eyebrows and an overall intimidating physical presence that commands respect and fear from other inhabitants of the Fleet. Their size and strength make them valuable workers, particularly for heavy labor tasks.

Captain Ironhand notes their practical value to ship crews, observing that Borellian Nomen "get the work done and don't complain about the quality of their rations" unless they are "on a blood trail," referring to their cultural practice of pursuing vengeance.

Social Structure and Class System

Borellian society maintains a rigid class hierarchy distinguished by surgically altered voices. The noble classes undergo voice modification procedures to deepen their vocal tones, "making their class instantly recognizable" and separating "nobility from the masses." This surgical alteration serves as an immediate identifier of social status within Borellian culture.

The noble class system includes the Drayliks, a specific subset of Borellian nobility that can be identified by their characteristic vocal modifications. Representatives of the Drayliks possess the surgically deepened voices that mark their elevated social standing.

Cultural Practices and Beliefs

Borellian Nomen maintain several distinctive cultural characteristics:

Communication Style: They are typically taciturn and "stingy with small talk," preferring direct, minimal communication. This reticence is considered normal behavior for their people.

Supernatural Awareness: Borellian Nomen possess the ability to sense the presence of other Nomen, a characteristic that appears to be innate to their species. As Lingk explains, "A Noman can always sense another Noman's presence," suggesting this is a fundamental aspect of their nature.

Performance Restrictions: Borellian culture appears to prohibit or discourage theatrical deception. According to Lingk, "Borellian Nomen are not able to deceive others on a stage. Playing roles the way you do is unknown in our culture," suggesting that acting and performance arts are considered culturally inappropriate or impossible for their people.

Blood Trails: Borellian Nomen practice a form of ritualized vengeance known as being "on a blood trail." When pursuing such vengeance, their normally disciplined behavior may be disrupted, making them potentially dangerous to others around them.

Professional Ethics: Borellian Nomen maintain a strict code of conduct that prohibits certain activities. As Starbuck observes, "Borellian Nomen are not hired assassins. It's against their code," indicating that their warrior culture includes prohibitions against mercenary killing.

Reputation and Temperament

Borellian Nomen have developed a reputation for volatile temperament that makes others wary of them. Dwybolt expresses concern about employing a Noman in his theater company, noting that "their tempers are notorious" and worrying about potential violence during performances. He fears that a Noman might "decide to beat up on somebody in the middle of a performance" if provoked by audience criticism.

Despite their fearsome reputation, individual Nomen can vary significantly in personality. Some, like the disguised Lucifer, are perceived as having potential for violence, while others may be more controlled in their behavior.

Presence in the Fleet

The Borellian Nomen maintain a small but notable presence within the Fleet. According to Lingk, "there are so few of us Borellians in the fleet" and their leader Mega has attempted to contact all Borellian survivors to maintain community connections.

Their presence is valued by ship captains despite their reputation for potential trouble. Captain Ironhand specifically notes his positive experience with Borellian crew members, stating he's "always glad to get a Borellian bozo for my crew" due to their work ethic and minimal maintenance requirements.

Naming Conventions

Borellian names often carry cultural significance and may reflect social standing or characteristics. The name "Trogla," chosen by Lucifer as his disguise identity, is noted by Lingk as referring to "the most common variety of ground-mole on Borellia." Lingk expresses admiration for the "courage" required to carry such a name, suggesting that ground-moles are viewed negatively in Borellian culture and that bearing such a name would be considered socially difficult.