Sarnian

Tall humanoid entities which have spread across the galaxy. Holding a fondness for everything vertical, they have been responsible for building some of the largest buildings as well as all major cities within the Rodirin Throng. They genocided a shorter cousin race of theirs, the Jauqa.

In the sprawling expanses of a desert world, there exists a remarkable species known as the Sandstriders. Towering and elongated, these humanoid beings possess a striking physique perfectly adapted to their harsh desert environment. Standing at an average height of ten to twelve feet, their slender frames are draped in intricately woven garments designed to shield them from the relentless sun and abrasive sands.

The Sandstriders' elongated limbs, sinewy and graceful, enable them to traverse the vast desert expanses with an effortless grace, their footfalls leaving barely a whisper of disturbance in the shifting sands. Their skin, a dusky hue reminiscent of the desert sands themselves, is adorned with swirling patterns that tell the stories of their ancestors and the trials they have overcome.

But perhaps the most distinctive feature of the Sandstriders is their profound affinity for verticality. Unlike other species who may spread out horizontally across the landscape, the Sandstriders are drawn to the sky, their cities rising like mirages amidst the dunes. Utilizing advanced architectural techniques and a deep understanding of their environment, they construct towering spires and soaring structures that seem to defy gravity itself.

Each Sandstrider city is a marvel of engineering, with intricate networks of walkways and bridges crisscrossing the sky above. The tallest towers reach dizzying heights, their apexes crowned with shimmering crystalline structures that capture and refract the desert sunlight, casting kaleidoscopic patterns across the landscape below.

Within these vertical metropolises, the Sandstriders live in harmony with their surroundings, drawing sustenance from the sparse resources the desert provides. They are a deeply spiritual people, revering the ancient rhythms of the desert and paying homage to the spirits they believe dwell within its shifting sands.

Despite their affinity for heights, the Sandstriders are not isolationists. They maintain trade routes that stretch across the desert, trading goods and knowledge with neighboring civilizations. Their cities serve as beacons of light amidst the vast expanse of sand, drawing travelers from far and wide who seek the wisdom and craftsmanship of these remarkable beings.

But while the Sandstriders may seem ethereal and aloof, they are also fiercely protective of their desert home. When threatened, they are formidable warriors, their agility and speed making them formidable opponents even against larger, more heavily armed adversaries.

In the endless expanse of the desert, where the heat haze shimmers and the dunes stretch on to the horizon, the Sandstriders stand as a testament to the indomitable spirit of life in even the harshest of environments. With their love for verticality and their deep connection to the desert, they are truly a species unlike any other in the galaxy.