View source for Banu

{{Cleanup|Should be rewritten with an encyclopedic tone (neutral, 3rd person). See Xi'an article for reference.}}
{{Infobox Species
| Name = Banu
| Image = Banu_-_Essosouli_Lin_Sool.png
| Domain =
| Kingdom = Animal
| Phylum = 
| Class =
| Order = 
| Family = 
| Genus = 
| Species = 
| Sentient? = Yes
| Capital = [[Bacchus II]] (assumed)
| Founded = 
| Language = [[Banu language]]
| Religion = Multiple
* [[Cassa]]
* [[Taernin]]
| Government = [[Banu Protectorate]] (republic, minor control)<br/>[[Souli]] (guilds, major control)
| Ruler = Numerous Souli leaders
| Currency = Unknown
| Territories = 7 known systems
* [[Bacchus system|Bacchus]]
* [[Geddon system|Geddon]]
* [[Gliese system|Gliese]]
* [[Kins system|Kins]]
* [[Ophos system|Ophos]]
* [[Trise system|Trise]]
* [[Yulin system|Yulin]]
| Habitat = Temperate
| Status = Prosperous
| Discovered In = {{Start date and age|2438|sctime=yes}}
| Discovered By = [[Vernon Tar]]
| Extinct In = 
| Cause of Extinction = 
| Diet = 
}}
The '''Banu''' {{SClang|pa=/BAH-new/|ochoa=ubanu|srb=uBanu}} are a sentient, bipedal species. They are a mercantile society, maintaining peaceful trade relations with all currently known spacefaring civilizations. The [[Banu Protectorate]], a republic of planet-states, has cultivated a strong relationship with the [[United Empire of Earth|UEE]], built primarily on economic trade and cultural exchange. 

== History ==

The Banu were the first sentient species [[Human]]ity encountered. Discovered by a [[NavJumper]] named [[Vernon Tar]] who was out exploring when he accidentally stumbled upon an unknown ship. Mistaking the Banu vessel for a competing explorer, Tar opened fire. This action almost started an interspecies war, however all of his shots missed the target.  Upon realizing that the Banu vessel was an [[Alien vehicles|alien vessel]], Tar relayed his coordinates to the [[United Nations of Earth]] (UNE). A delegation party led by General [[Neal Socolovich]] was immediately dispatched to the system to undo any diplomatic fallout and open communication.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/17622-Alien-Week-2950|text=Alien Week 2950|accessdate=2020-06-13}}</ref> It was later discovered the Banu pilot was on the run from local officials for embezzling funds. Once the two civilizations came together and signed the first [[Interstellar Peace & Trade Accord]], they began to trade information and technology to help each other expand into the universe. Once the Banu spread out, they formed the [[Banu Protectorate]] to oversee all of their systems. 

The Banu are traders and culture-hounds of the universe. Their planets are varied and colorful. Many tales of intrigue start in the murky back alleys of Banu cities. The Banu openly trade with all known spacefaring civilizations, including the [[Vanduul]], though this relationship tends to vary planet to planet. 

== Life of the Banu ==
The Banu are a spacefaring species. They are technologically advanced and capable of both [[terraforming]] and traversing via [[jump point]]s and [[quantum travel]]. Banu lifespans are significantly shorter than that of humans,<ref name=":0">[https://youtu.be/DLo7q53VDp4?t=446 Loremaker's Guide - Bacchus System]</ref> though they are more resilient, and can survive and prosper even under very harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures<ref>[https://youtu.be/0Frdtlbyang YouTube: Star Citizen Live: Alien Week Roundtable] (June 2020), acc. 2020-06-13<br /></ref>

Banu do not have beds;  they sleep wherever they happen to be sitting or standing and are refreshed and ready to go in approximately ten minutes. Those who are exhausted may sleep for up to 90 minutes at a time, but more than that is considered unhealthy.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/CQCPdyOhxpJ/ Instagram: 2951 Alien Week fact #2] Accessed 2021-08-12</ref>

=== Social life ===
Individual Banu are members of one of many '''''[[Souli]]''''', which can be considered a parallel to human guilds. These groups of non-blood related individuals form the surroundings in which Banu work, live, and educate young members in mastering a single skill since their childhood.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/galactapedia/article/0NwpYPpNZ4-banu|text=ARK Galactapedia: Banu|accessdate=2023-04-05}}</ref>

Trade is a major driving force in Banu society, and every Protectorate system reflects this. While each of the planets boasts its specific flavor of culture and tradition, a love of money and trade bind them all. Banu worlds are vibrant, dangerous places with criminals and nobles brushing shoulders in the various marketplaces. The Banu bear a well-proven reputation for being able to procure anything, if one only has the credits.

It should be noted that while craving for profit describes the majority of Banu, there are some who value other pursuits, or are uncomfortable with the thought of monetizing their life to the degree their broader species tends to. These individuals are few and far between, and they have difficulty fitting into Banu society.

== Society and culture ==
[[File:Gift For Baba 3.jpg|thumb|A Banu serving [[Sloma]]]]

=== Role of history in Banu culture ===
Very little is known of Banu history; their culture is one that prioritizes the present, and as such they see very little point in preserving history or keeping records. An exception to this view is practical knowledge, such as technology, trade routes and documentation. Information with no monetary or practical value, such as dates of star system discoveries, is simply forgotten.<ref name="youtu.be">[https://youtu.be/0Frdtlbyang Star Citizen Live: Alien Week Roundtable (June 2020)], acc. 2020-06-13</ref> Criminals will be traced as long they are on a 'wanted list' or searched for by a hired contractor.<ref name="youtu.be"/>

=== Origin world and others ===
The origins of the Banu are unknown to the [[United Empire of Earth|UEE]], and most likely even to the Banu themselves. They inhabit several systems and the planets within them, however none of them have a known date of discovery or colonization, as they deem such information not valuable. Many in the UEE theorize that the Banu homeworld may be [[Bacchus II]], however the Banu are unable to confirm nor refute this theory, as they do not tend to keep records.<ref>[https://youtu.be/DLo7q53VDp4?t=309 Loremaker's Guide - Bacchus System (Bacchus II segment)]</ref> In fact, when presented this question, many Banu will simply respond that their homeworld is the world on which they were born, or, if they were born on a spacecraft, the name of the vessel.<ref name=":0" />

==== Banu-inhabited systems ====
Many of these systems were 'discovered' in 2439, shortly after the [[Interstellar Peace & Trade Accord]] was signed. The Banu revealed the location of several Banu controlled systems to the [[United Nations of Earth|UNE]], presumably to facilitate trade.<ref>[https://youtu.be/DLo7q53VDp4?t=211 Loremaker's Guide - Bacchus System (Overview section)]</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! Name !! Description
|-
| [[Bacchus system|Bacchus]] || Binary star system with three planets.  '''[[Bacchus II]]''' is a planet considered, by many UEE officials, to be a Banu homeworld. This assumption was made under the influence of known information that a species-wide ''[[Gathering]]'' is held on its surface, during which important decisions are made.
|-
| [[Geddon system|Geddon]] || System containing one star orbited by a single planet
|-
| [[Gliese system|Gliese]] || An important trade hub this system with 6 planets is widely known and visited
|-
| [[Kins system|Kins]] || 
|-
| [[Ophos system|Ophos]] || 
|-
| [[Trise system|Trise]] || 
|-
| [[Yulin system|Yulin]] || Popular system visited by tourists as a "vacation resort"
|}

=== Political system ===
The [[Banu Protectorate]] is a republic of Planet-States, each run under its own political system. The leaders (or selected representatives) of each planet will gather for a quorum to discuss/debate legal and trade issues that affect the entire species. Otherwise, each is left to their own devices to succeed or fail.

==== Diplomatic status ====
[[Human]]s: friendly.

[[Xi'an]]: friendly.

[[Vanduul]]: precarious but friendly. This breaks down on a planet-by-planet basis, but generally, the desire for money and trade outweighs loyalties and grudges.

=== Religion ===
There are multiple deities, out of which [[Cassa]] (the Patron of Luck) and [[Taernin]] (the Great Traveler) are the most common.

The [[Banu Protectorate|Protectorate]]'s spiritual center is located in the [[Trise system|Trise System]]. While [[the Gathering]]s on [[Bacchus II]] handle the legal and political matters, "[[Banu Council|The Council]]" is responsible for the social and moral dictums that define and direct Banu society.

Their calling requires pure objectivity when dealing with their race, so they are separated from the rest of their people as much as possible.

There are no great Banu pilgrimages, so worshipers flocking to a system is not to be expected. Separation of the ''Council'' from the rest of society is mandated by the law. 

As stated above, Banu don't produce works of art unless it has a practical reason for it. However, there is one exception, their monk equivalents produce elaborate copper-based artwork which has a certain kitsch value. Another product of their religion is a variety of medicines, concocted by their healers, which have been shown to have a positive effect on [[Human]] diseases.

=== Military ===
The Banu don't have a dedicated standing army of any sort. At peaceful times the [[Banu Militia]] keeps the (relative) tranquility on a day-to-day basis within their systems. This militia operates on a rotational basis, drawing volunteers (even some criminals) from the various Banu-inhabited planets to keep an eye on things in space. To call their approach to law enforcement 'fast and loose' is an understatement. However, when in conflict or near it, the Banu can quickly pull together a formidable military force not to be reckoned with.

=== Crime ===
Suffice it to say, there is a lot of crime in the [[Banu Protectorate]]. The woeful lack of communication between the various planet-states means that criminals can simply hop from world to world when their current one becomes too dangerous. Since the [[UEE]] (even the [[Advocacy]]) is forbidden to pursue criminals over the borders, the [[Banu Protectorate]] is a haven for [[UEE]] criminals. And if an attempt is made to reclaim fugitives through official channels, it will be rarely met with agreement followed by the extradition of the wanted fugitives.

That hasn't stopped some of the more creative thinkers within the [[Advocacy]] from deploying Agents undercover, tracking and abducting fugitives, then smuggling them back into [[UEE]] space.

== See also ==
* [https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/12988-t Writer's Guide: Part Six]
* [https://imgur.com/a/q6mIP#0 Imgur Gallery - Concept Art]

== Gallery ==
<tabber>
 RSI Images=
{{gallery
|Banu_-_Essosouli_Lin_Sool.png
|Banu_-_Various_role_concepts.jpg
|Star_Citizen_races_-_Height_silhouette.png
}}
|-|
 Original Design=
{{gallery
|Banu_tease_2_comp.jpg
|Banu_tease_5comp.jpg
}}
</tabber>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Alien Races]]
[[Category:Lore]]

{{Navplate manufacturers|Banu}}

{{Short description|Sentient alien race renowned for commerce}}