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 the first alien race that humans made contact with. They are renowned for being focused on commerce and trading. 

== History ==

The Banu are the first sentient species [[Human]]ity has met. Discovered by a [[NavJumper]] named [[Vernon Tar]] who was out exploring when he accidentally stumbled upon an unknown ship, which he fired upon. This action nearly started a war, fortunately, all shots missed the target.  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> They later discovered the Banu pilot, who was helping them with understanding each other, 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 technology and 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. 

== 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]].

Compared to humans, they 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 don't have beds. Instead, they take catnaps wherever they happen to be sitting or standing and are refreshed and ready to go in about 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 their '''''[[Souli]]''''', which can be considered a parallel to human guilds. These groups of non-blood related individuals form the surroundings in which they 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 what powers all of the Banu systems. 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. Anything can be procured with the Banu if one has credits.

It should be noted that craving for profit describes the majority of Banu, however, there are some who value other things or even despise the thought of monetizing every waking moment of their life. But they have difficulty fitting into Banu society.

== Society and culture ==

=== Role of history in Banu culture ===
Since Banu culture is more focused on the "present," they don't preserve history or historical documenwwts. They only preserved practical knowledge like the usage of tools or documentation for trade deals. Information with no monetary or practical value, such as dates of star system discoveries, is simply forgotten.<ref>[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 by a hired contractor.<ref>[https://youtu.be/0Frdtlbyang Star Citizen Live: Alien Week Roundtable (June 2020)], acc. 2020-06-13</ref>

=== Origin world and others ===
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 planets within them. None of them has a known date of discovery or colonization, as they deem such information not valuable.

==== Banu-inhabited systems ====
{| 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 ===
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 in so much as possible.

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

Although, as stated above, Banu don't produce works of art unless it has a practical reason for it. There is however one exception, as their monk equivalents do 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, that 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}}
Description	What you type	What you get
Italic	''Italic text''	Italic text
Bold	'''Bold text'''	Bold text
Bold & italic	'''''Bold & italic text'''''	*Bold & italic text*