Kartelan (Preserve)

The Kartelan are a near-human species that was nearly bred out of existence. Their own genetic make-up became their downfall, as the union of male and female gametes often resulted in incompatibilities that doomed the tiny embryo. It was later discovered that Kartelan individuals were more compatible with pure human stock, but crossbreeding was insufficient to keep the Kartelan population alive. As a people, the Kartelan race was noted for its beautiful musical works, although most of their most stirring works were written to lament the race's eventual extinction.