Dromi

The Dromi are a sapient race of amphibians.

Culture and society
The Dromi are a clan-based society. Each clan has a specialization. There are ruling clans, warrior clans, research clans, etc. Each clan is ruled by a Patriarch (or Zong-er-Zong, Elder-over-Elders), who is also the oldest member of the clan.

Dromi clans are strictly hierarchical, with the hierarchy based on how many generations a Dromi is removed from the Patriarch, who is seen as the clan's progenitor. The youngest larval Dromi are called Hallaha, which means "brainless" in the Dromi language. Indeed, the Hallaha are not truly sentient. The Sinn-Ko (Named Ones) are regular workers and soldiers. Once they reach twelve or fourteen years, a spot develops on their bodies that signifies reproductive maturity, which also marks their transition into the Zong-Tii caste, meaning Elders-with-Spot. The next caste are the Zong-ap-Sidura (Elders-under-Big). Three to five individuals of that caste are chosen to be elevated to the Sidura-Zong (Big-Elders) caste after receiving life extension treatments, while the rest eventually die off at around the age of fifty. Since the Dromi continue growing throughout their lives, the Sidura-Zong and the Patriarch are too large to be able to move on their own and instead ride antigrav chairs.

The length of a Dromi's name indicates their caste and grows whenever they are elevated to the next caste.

Technology
Dromi technology is lagging behind that of Humans and many other galactic races. Their main advantages are their vast numbers and lack of fear. Much of their tech comes from the Lo'ona Aeo during the two millennia the Dromi were their Defenders.

Notable members

 * Patta: A Zong-Tii who was sent by his mentor Tihava to secretly work on sabotaging the Dromi was effort in order to ensure Human victory. Tihava's argument is that Humans are the only galactic race that will not exterminate the Dromi after beating them, only forcing some much-needed social change (such as limiting the Dromi unrestricted birth rate, which drives their expansion).