Dragon Ball: Prodigals




Appendix




Here is a short appendix for Dragon Ball: Prodigals. It will be added to as the story is written. Please be aware that this is provided for those who would like a glimpse into the background and structure of the story. I cannot guarantee that the information here will not contain spoilers and/or hints for later chapters. Also, information may become outdated, rearranged or changed at any time. If I keep my head on straight, the appendix will be updated at the same time as anything listed is changed in the story itself.


Table of Contents



Characters
  • Main
  • Secondary
  • Other
Species
  • Aisu-jin
  • Buki-jin
  • Doku-jin
  • Fuzen-jin
  • Konchuu-jin
  • Mizu-jin
  • Namek-jin
  • Neko-jin
  • Saiya-jin
Worlds and Empires
  • Doku-jin Empire
  • Planet Trade
  • Tsunagisei
  • Other places of note
Languages
  • Common
  • Aisua
  • Namekian
  • Saiyan




Characters:



Listed below are the characters in Prodigals, including original characters and canon characters.  I have tried to include as much information as I can without devoting full pages.

Name

Position:
Name origin:
Age:
Species:
Gender:
Parents:
Birthplace:

Appearance:

Personality:

Abilities:

Weaknesses:

Bio:


Main Characters



Maimai

Position: Escaped slave from Emperor Seisan's harem
Name origin: maimai, Japanese word for snail
Age: 23
Species: Namek-jin
Gender: Female
Parents: Rea (mother - deceased), no father
Birthplace: Dokusei

Appearance: Has typical Namekian features, though her face is slightly more delicate in appearance than a male's would be.  Slender, boyish figure.  About the same height as Dende at the end of DBZ.  Wears traditional clothes once she escapes, consisting of: long sleeve robe, neck ruffle, rose vest and light blue sash.

Personality: Generally shy and quiet.  Her experiences have made her wary of drawing attention to herself.  She prefers peaceful surroundings, especially forests and gardens.  Enjoys eating, cooking, playing or listening to music and agriculture.  She will try to get along with most, though will react if certain boundaries are crossed.  Sometimes comes across as naive.  Finds herself struggling between looking for the good in people and her knowledge of how cruel others can be.  Is dedicated to what she believes is her duty to preserve the female Namek gender.

Abilities: Healing, flight, some Namekian magic.  Some cooking, forestry and farming skills.  Plays a few instruments at an amateur to intermediate level.  Speaks Common and Namekian.

Weaknesses: Little to no fighting ability or battle sense in her normal state.  Has developed a berserker state that is triggered by extreme rage, fear or life-threatening situations.  When in the berserker state has no conscious control over her actions, some increase in power and fights by instinct and will attack anyone she perceives as a threat.  A tendency at times to put herself in danger to help others (especially when she feels responsible for a situation).

Bio: Mai was born on Dokusei, a few hundred years after her mother landed there.  She has inherited many memories from her mother.  Lived with her mother for sixteen years in a secluded hut located in a large forest.  Her mother was killed when they were out collecting food and were discovered by some Doku-jin.  Mai was held captive for a few days, then transported to the Emperor's palace.  After that, she lived in the seraglio.  Eventually, she befriended another slave, Brussi.  The two escaped when revolutionaries attacked the palace.

---

Brussi

Position: Escaped slave from Emperor Seisan's harem
Name origin: brussels sprouts, a type of vegetable
Age: 29
Species: Saiya-jin
Gender: Female
Parents: Wasabi (father - deceased), Kinusaya (mother - deceased)
Birthplace: Tsunagisei

Appearance: Has an Amazon-like quality.  Somewhat tall, height is a few inches more than Mai.  Spiky black knee-length hair with bangs, black eyes, brown tail which is kept curled around her waist.  Muscled, but not overly so.  Facial features could be described as more handsome than traditionally pretty.  Tends to scowl a lot.  Definitely not the delicate type.  Prefers to wear Saiyan body armor once she escapes.  Armor consists of: black/dark blue body armor with brown guards, black/dark blue hand guards, and black/dark blue boots.

Personality: Brash and somewhat impulsive.  The past has mellowed her Saiyan spirit a bit, but not too much.  She will push the limits of her social situation, trying to take as much control as she can, often using threats or her physical strength to obtain her goals.  She can be arrogant, rude, condescending, distrustful, cynical and sarcastic.  She expects no kindness or consideration from others, especially strangers, and is suspicious when it is offered.  She will take advantage of almost any situation that promises to make her stronger or her situation better, as long as it doesn't affect her Saiyan pride.  This often makes her seem selfish, as she will look out for herself first over most others.

In spite of these traits, Brussi does have a sense of honor and sometimes acts in a contradictory way.  Though she finds weakness disgusting and is quick enough to bully the others when she feels like it, she also feels contempt for the Emperor and Hiso for their abuse of the harem slaves.  She harbors no feelings for the others, at most sparing a moment or two of disinterested observation if one returns hurt, yet is fiercely protective of Mai.  She will often earn herself punishment for insulting the Emperor or Hiso, but at the same time backs down in or avoids situations that might end in an execution (that being an ignoble death because she would be killed without a fight).

Abilities: Stronger than most humans or Doku-jin, some fighting skills and battle sense.  Has some knowledge of various alien ships and technology due to her time in the Bukisei shipyard and a knack for fixing machinery.  Speaks Common and Saiyan, may also know a smattering of other languages.

Weaknesses: Cannot control ki in any way.  Because of this is unable to use ki blasts, fly, sense power levels, or reach Super Saiyan levels.  Is unable to transform despite having a tail.  Becomes overconfident easily.  Sometimes has trouble controlling her emotions, resulting in her jumping into situations before she thinks things through.

Bio: Brussi was born on Tsunagisei, in a colony founded by ex-slaves.  Her mother and father had been previously captured by the Doku-jin empire and engineered a slave revolt to gain their freedom.  They, along with others who escaped with them, settled on the planet to begin a new life.  When Brussi was four, the colony was discovered and attacked by the Doku-jin.  Her parents were killed, she was captured and sent to a slave labor orphanage.  Up until about the age of ten, Brussi was shuffled around, doing hard labor due to her above average strength.  She was then taken to Bukisei, where she spent four years working in a shipyard.  At the age of fourteen, she was given to Emperor Seisan for his harem.  For the next fifteen years, she lived in the seraglio.  During this time she met and befriended Mai.  When revolutionaries attacked the palace, Brussi was quick to take advantage and escape along with Mai.



Secondary Characters:



Hiso
Supreme Palace Guard Captain

Name means: arsenic
Age: ??
Species: Doku-jin
Birthplace: ??
Bio: 50ish in appearance. Short, mouse brown hair and mustache. Light tan skin. Still well muscled but has jowls which tend to rest on the stiff collar of his uniform jacket. Likes to parade around in his war ribbons and medals, carries his ferengor almost constantly. He is sadistic, looking for any excuse to punish the women of the harem.

---

Seisan
His Supreme Self Emperor Seisan

Name means: cyanide
Age: ??
Species: Doku-jin
Birthplace: ??
Bio: No determined age, appears middle-aged. Has slicked back black hair with streaks of silver and royal blue. Skin is tanned, though perhaps artificially. His body is oddly shaped, in some areas appearing muscled (though stocky) and other areas appearing fat laden. Rumors contend he has had body alterations done, possibly on the genetic level, to allow himself to live longer than normal. Considering the length of his rule, it's plausible.

Leader of the Doku-jin Empire. Very cruel and sadistic, he will attack out of anger or boredom. Gets a perverse joy out of humiliating others, especially those in his harem. Demands at least one female of high lineage or nobility from each of his subject planets, though he will not turn away an outsider female if she's exotic enough.



Other Characters:



Atsu, Lieutenant Doon
Name means: doughnut
Human
Member of the West City police force. Portly, short, 50ish

Bachi
Name means: (divine) punishment; curse; retribution. (derived from kibachi - wood wasp)
Konchuu-jin (insect/bug)
hominid w/insect like features, wings, hard skin, small mandibels on sides of mouth, faceted eyes w/mobile membrane, antennae

Dorei
Name means: slave
Buki-jin (weapon)
Tall, sandy hair, olive skin
Somewhat tyrant leader of the harem

Ekian
Name means: liquid ammonia
Doku-jin (poison)
Average height, yellow tone skin with dark hair
One of Emperor Seisan's personal guards

Furyo
Name means: captive, prisoner of war
Neko-jin (cat)
No tail or whiskers, soft tan fuzz on skin, pointed ears and short, sharp fangs
Friend of Toriko and Rachi

Kaisui
Name means: ocean water
Mizu-jin (from Mizusei - water)
hominid w/fish like features, blue-green skin w/soft scales

Kaju
Name means: butler
Human
Butler in the Briefs' household

Keeki, Officer
Name means: cake
Human
Member of the West City police force. 30ish, average height.

Rachi
Name means: kidnapping, abduction
no determined race
young - appears about 14, shoulder length auburn hair, peach skin, dark eyes appearing almost all pupil w/no iris, possible telepath

Toriko
Name means: captive, slave
no determined race
light blue skin, lavender eyes, black hair
Friend of Furyo and Rachi

Uwaki Mono
Name means: unfaithful person
Fuzen-jin (vice or sin)
Wife of Premier Yota Mono

Yota Mono
Name means: good for nothing person or gangster
Fuzen-jin
Premier of Fuzensei



Timeline:



I once saved a dragon ball timeline off the net for reference purposes but lost the website that I got it from. I do not know how accurate the dates referring to the canon dragon ball series are. It serves my purpose, though, so I'm including the timeline I worked up for this story.

261 AD - Disaster on Nameksei. Rea sent off world and lands on Dokusei

731 AD - The Saiya-jin partner with Frieza

732 AD - Prince Vegeta is born.

736 AD - A young Wasabi and Kinusaya are captured by the Doku-jin and transported across the galaxy to the planet Bukisei as slaves.

737 AD - Vegetasei is destroyed

739 AD - Wasabi and Kinusaya lead a slave revolt and escape Bukisei. They crash land on Tsunagisei and become leaders of the small tribe of escaped slaves.

755 AD - Brussi is born on Tsunagisei

757 AD - The Doku-jin track down the slaves and raid Tsunagisei. Wasabi, Kinusaya and most of the slave village are killed. Brussi is taken back to Bukisei and put into a slave labor orphanage.

761 AD - Mai is born on Dokusei

769 AD - Brussi is transported back to Dokusei and given to Emperor Seisan for his harem

777 AD - Rea and Mai are discovered in the forest. Rea is killed and Mai is taken to the Emperor's harem

784 AD - End of DBZ. Goku goes off to train Uub

785 AD - Rebels attack the palace of Emperor Seisan. Brussi and Mai take advantage of the confusion, steal a ship and escape. After discovering both their planets have been destroyed, they head for Chikyuusei. A few weeks later, they crash land on the planet.



Language bits:



I have the tendency to include a few species related words and phrases when I write. I just like having them ^_^ The Saiyan used is actually based on Japanese words gathered from an online Japanese/English translator. Namekian is a little different, as I do try to follow the existing style in the series.

Chae - Shit. Interjection
Saiyan word.

Fakk - Fuck. Interjection
Saiyan word.

ferengor - A type of energy whip. It make a resounding crack and sends out blue bolts of energy when used. The palace guards of Emperor Seisan's seraglio favor this weapon because it can inflict extreme pain without damaging the body. Very useful for getting reluctant harem women in line. (Extra note: the name of this weapon is actually derived from the Ferengi of Star Trek. They used a whip very similar to this in their first appearance ^_^)

fue - A type of Namekian flute. It is low and mellow, due to Namek ears being sensitive to high octave notes. The name comes from the sound it makes when blown.

Ka - A multi-use sort of expression used with friends. Usually meant to express "I'm sorry" or "What I said/did was wrong/stupid." A way of apologizing for something.
(2) it can be used as an address if there is no dispute or injury to apologize for, in that case it means "friend," especially if prefaced with "dear", "old" or "my".
(3) if used as a prefix itself to a name, it denotes close friendship. Brussi might refer to Mai as KaMai.
Saiyan word, Brussi uses this sometimes when addressing Mai.

KuRas(h) - Spineless fool, the lowest sort of coward. Literally: A jellyfish. To make plural, add the h at the end.
Saiyan phrase. Brussi refers to the other women as this.

Mida - Mother, specifically a female parent of either natural born or egg-born children. Applies also in a situation where the female is not the birthing parent. Never used with a male parent of egg-born, even if the male births the egg.
Namekian word. Mai refers to Rea as this.

Pida - Father, specifically a male parent of natural born or egg-born children. Does not apply if the male births the egg.
Namekian word.

Poda - Father/sire, only used with males who birth an egg.
Namekian word. Piccolo (Ma Jr) would have referred to Piccolo Daimou as this.

SasKo iYaShi - Greedy whore or bitch, depending on if the emphasis is on Sas or Ko, respectively.
Saiyan phrase, Brussi calls Dorei this.

Tsuato - Damn stubbornness or stubborn (or hard headed) [person/people]. Literally: stubborn/foolhardy, with implied emphasis on the negative aspect of the trait. Can be used as a general swear or directed at a person/people, usually in a situation where someone won't listen and there is danger.
Namekian phrase. Mai referred to Brussi with this.



Namekian Biology/Reproduction



Here are some notes on how Namek biology works in this story. I've had to come up with some odd theories and such, especially regarding reproduction. I'm not usually in the "female" Namek camp. I tend to lean toward genderless/hermaphrodite (internal, not external). There may well be mistakes here of the general kind in terms of genetics/biology. If you see any, feel free to point them out.



I. GENETICS

A. Basics:

Each Namek cell has 28 pairs of general chromosomes and one unpaired sex chromosome (57 total). Some chromosome pairs are completely inactive, while others host active and inactive genes. Active genes govern the behavior of the body such as cell growth, aging, physical attributes, ki ability, etc. Inactive genes do not contribute to the governing of any fuction (save perhaps that of racial memory).

In natural birth, certain inactive (archive) genes stay inactive. (Archive genes contain the genetic information of previous evolutions of Namek-jin, possibly also the place where racial memory is stored.) In egg-birth, it is possible to activate archive genes, though the result is often a child with primitive dragonish features.

It is possible to eliminate inactive (redundant) genes in egg-birth. (Redundant being inactive genes which would govern certain functions which are already governed by other active genes). However, this is usually not done on purpose since the extra genes can be useful in keeping the genetic pool strong. This elimination is not (consciously) possible through natural birth.

The sex chromosome (Y or X for the sake of convenience) determines whether a Namek is male or female. Y is male, X is female. X chromosomes are/were about 72% more rare than the Y. Very, very rarely will there be an XY combination or missing sex chromosome (see below, Anomalies).

B. Reproduction:

Natural Birth - A Namek inherits one single group of 29 chromosomes from the mother and 29 from the father (28 general and 1 sex). When the sex cells from the parents join, each chromosome will pair with it's mate, including the two sex chromosomes. Before the joined cell with begin division, each pair will determine which gene (of the possible active genes) on each chromosome will become active or inactive.

The exact process is not yet known. Each gene, for a short time, will produce a certain enzyme. The gene which produces the most becomes dominant and apparently will trigger the inactivation of it's mate. In the case of the sex chromosome, the inactivation of the main gender determining gene will cause complete disintegration of the chromosome so that only the dominant chromosome is left.

Once the activation/inactivation is complete, the joined cell will begin its transformation into a fetus.

Egg-Birth - A Namek inherits all of its chromosomes from the parent. Since this process is done with ki (magic), it requires some attention from the parent. It is possible for a child born this way to have an incomplete set of chromosomes. This does not usually result in any sort of noticeable anomaly as there seems to be some instinct to include all the necessary active genes. The usual archive and/or redundant genes, however, will sometimes be missing.

The parent will often determine which genes will be active or inactive, thereby determining the characteristics of the offspring. It is also possible for the parent to tweak or mutate a gene for the offspring to inherit (this is considered a crime in Namek society as the tampering can seriously affect the child).

Once the selection and activation/inactivation is complete, the cell will develop rapidly into an egg.

C. Anomalies:

Sometimes in the process of activation/inactivation an anomaly will occur. There are several defined conditions which can result from this. Some anomalies are apparent in the physical appearance of the child, others are either internal, triggered or non-interfering.

Dotai - A condition in which a Namek inherits both a Y and X chromosome. Sub conditions are:

1. Kodotai - Where the Y chromosome is active, the X inactive. The Namek develops as a male. There are no female traits manifested. The X chromosome may be passed on but may or may not become active in the offspring.

2. Rudotai - Where the X chromosome is active, the Y inactive. The Namek develops as a female. There are no male traits manifested. The Y chromosome may be passed on but may or may not become active in the offspring.

3. Tadotai - Where both the Y and X are active, with the Y dominant. The Namek develops as primarily male with some/many female traits. The number, completeness and maturity of both traits depend on the respective strength of the chromosomes.

4. Nuidotai - Where both the Y and X are active, with the X dominant. The Namek develops as primarily female with some/many male traits. The number, completeness and maturity of both traits depend on the respective strength of the chromosomes.

6. Gadotai - Where both the Y and X are active, both with equal presence. The Namek develops both male and female traits in equal or nearly equal levels.

5. Dadotai - Where neither Y nor X are active. The Namek develops no discernable male or female traits but possesses both sex chromosomes.

Doshu - A condition in which a Namek does not inherit either a Y or X chromosome. In this condition the Namek develops no discernable male or female traits. The lack of sex chromosomes distinguishes this from other conditions which result in similar developments.

Dofuku - A condition in which a Namek inherits either a Y or X chromosome but it is inactive. The Namek develops no discernable male or female traits but possesses one or the other sex chromosome.

Tsuiden - A condition in which the influence of the sex chromosome(s) is weak. The Namek develops poorly defined male and/or female traits. Sometimes shows up as a secondary condition to the Dotai conditions.



II. BIOLOGY

A. Basics:

Nameks are warm blooded beings whose physical structure is quite unique. Basic external features include: green leathery skin which is smooth in some areas and ridged in others, pink to yellow orange patches of thick ridged skin ringed in red/red orange (shoulder ends, upper arms, lower arms, thighs, lower legs and stomach), red ridges around their wrists and ankles, two antennae on their forehead, no body hair, dominant eyebrow ridges, pointed ears, fangs, and strong, often long nails.

Although the external features sound limiting, there is a lot of variation possible. Height can fluctuate from very short (4 ft in an adult) to very tall (10 ft or more in an adult). Weight also varies in a similar manner from low (60 pounds in an adult) to high (300 or more). The iris of the eye is predominantly black with the very rare dark gray, dark blue or even dark red (though red is usually considered a bad omen).

Warrior Nameks are usually more muscular than their non-warrior siblings. Male warriors will have broader shoulders and chests. Female warriors wills have slightly broader shoulders and more prominent hips. Non-warrior Nameks are often less distinguishable in terms of sexual features. Both non-warrior males and females tend to be straight sided, with the female having a slightly more nipped in waist, with small breasts on their chest.

All Nameks possess the ability to live without solid food, though they are able to process solid and liquid food matter. They do require a regular source of clean water.

Nameks can live in fairly harsh conditions, from desert heat to artic cold. They prefer, however, a slightly humid and warm environment if possible with plenty of sunlight.

Nameks have the ability to regenerate injured body parts. This process is mostly instinctual. Unless the Namek is trained, the body can become too stressed or tired to deal with critical injuries and die as a result. The amount a Namek can regenerate depends entirely on their training and their ki level.

B. Reproduction:

Namek reproduction is a fairly straight forward process whether it is by natural birth or egg-birth.

Natural Birth - This is/was the preferred method of creating offspring. It guarantees the proper mixing of the genes and weeding out of unnecessary or faulty genes. The male and female produce the sex cells needed for the process a few hours before they want conception to take place. Once these cells have joined within the female's body, a child will be born approximately five months later.

Egg-Birth - This is a secondary method of creating offspring. The potential for abuse or mistakes prevents it from being the best method (see Genetics section). The parent (whether male or female) creates a special cell within a small pouch located below the collarbone. Through the use of ki/magic, the cell is stimulated into dividing and growing. Since the method of delivering is by mouth, a hard shell is formed around the child to facilitate the birthing process. Also, because the chest is not an ideal place to carry a child for long, the growth of the child is pushed into the extreme end so it can be delivered within minutes if needed (The recommended development time is two days).

Egg-birth is harder on females than on males. The pouch tends to be smaller, almost atrophied, in females. Also, the special cell which is needed is much like the sex cell the female normally produces. It seems the process of making this cell and stimulating it's growth confuses the female body. The female finds it harder to control the growth process once it's begun, sometimes resulting in deformities, low or high birth weight, and still birth.

A very common condition during female egg-birth is Kutoden. This is when the shell does not form properly or at all, sometimes resulting in the child implanting or attaching to the pouch walls as it would in the womb. This often results in tissue fissures, hemorrhage and death unless a skilled healer is attending the parent.

Disclaimer - Dragon Ball was created by Akira Toriyama and the anime Dragon Ball/Z/GT is licensed/distributed by Toei, FUNimation and various entities. This is a fan page, no infringement is intended.

All original content copyright © 2003-2007 Devon Aster