![]() The red men and white men call them the black pirates or kilrav since they historically raided enemy cities for female slaves. This last no doubt explains why they did not become the paramount civilization. They are a grim, bloodthirsty race with an unquenchable desire to fight and a cultural aversion to work. Their eyes are well set and large, though a slight narrowness lends a crafty appearance their irises are black and set in clear white eyeballs. They have fine, regular features their skin is like polished ebony. They are a proud and handsome people the men stand six feet and over in height. The black men or kilmad call themselves the First Born or Ee-ay based on the story of the Tree of Life or Mors Vak, also known as the First Mother or Ay-vai. “Xodar, Dator of the First Born of Barsoom, is accustomed to give commands, not to receive them.” GM/7 Apart from their longevity, the fact that their skins are a light reddish-copper color and that they are oviparous constitute the two most marked divergences from terrestrial standards. Red men differ but little in physical appearance from Earth humans. They were originally bred to survive the shrinking of the oceans, but are now the self-appointed protectors of the planet. Red men or aysismad are the dominant civilization on Barsoom, inhabiting fortified city-states protected by disciplined warriors and flying navies. The natural lifespan for all races on Barsoom is more than a thousand years, but few reach that age since violent death is very common. Warriors also carry extra ammunition and a supply of concentrated rations. A than of the navy, infantry or cavalry wears a battle harness and is armed with the long sword, short sword, dagger and radium pistol. The warrior or than is the primary fighter of Barsoom. They are used to reconnoiter and report on enemy defenses and movements. The scout or tabthan is sometimes referred to as an air scout (navy) or an outrider (cavalry). The most gifted scientists master multiple disciplines. Barsoomian scientists begin as specialists in one of five disciplines: “imaginary scientist” or povar, “ray scientist” or isvar, “planet scientist” or soomvar, “life scientist” or morvar, “man scientist” or madvar. The scientist or var seeks knowledge and invents technology to exploit it. In times of war such panthans within the domain of a belligerent nation are compelled to don the insignia of that nation and fight with her warriors. ![]() In the intervals they wear no insignia, their war-worn harness and grim weapons being sufficient to attest their calling. When their service is over they discard the metal of the nation they have been serving until they shall have found a new master. Panthans sell their services wherever war exists, and in the occasional brief intervals when there is no organized warfare between the red nations, they join one of the numerous expeditions that are constantly being dispatched against the green men in protection of the waterways that traverse the wilder portions of the globe. The wandering soldier of fortune or panthan is common upon Barsoom, where most men love to fight. Some nobles find it wise to keep a skilled mentalist on staff, appointing them as “psychologists”. The mentalist or toonlat possesses superior psionic talents. Major nobles will have a personal guard, comprised of multiple bodyguards, such as Tul Axtar’s Black Guard or Kadar Kil or the former Zodangan’s jeddak’s force, The Guard or O Kadar. A bodyguard is responsible for thwarting assassination attempts. The personal bodyguard or kadar protect nobility or the wealthy. The members of this ancient fraternity are guided by a code of ethics which they scrupulously observe and seldom, if ever, can anything persuade or force one of their number to divulge the name of his principal. Even though their activities are illegal and punishable by death, these organizations exert political influence within a city-state. Most assassins belong to a specific guild or udak. Particularly notorious assassins are looked upon by the common people as national heroes. ![]() When a notable person hires a bodyguard the hireling is expected to also serve as his personal assassin. While their skill in firearms is questionable, gorthans are handy with swords. ![]() The professional assassin or gorthan kills others without compunction, relying mainly on stealth and using a dagger or poison.
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