Vaathkree
Species Data
Attribute Dice: 12D (+6D for PC)
DEXTERITY: 1D/3D
PERCEPTION: 2D/5D
STRENGTH: 2D/4D+2
KNOWLEDGE: 1D/4D
MECHANICAL: 2D/4D
TECHNICAL: 1D/3D+1
Size: 1.5 - 1.9 meters
Move: 6/11
Homeworld: Vaathkree
Description:
The Vaathkree people are essentially a loosely grouped band of traders and merchants. They are fanatically interested in
haggling and trading with other species, often invoking their religion they call "The Deal" (a rough translation).
Most Vaathkree are about human size. They are seemingly made out of stone or metal. Vaathkree have an unusual metabolism and
can manufacture extremely hard compounds, which then form small scales or plates on the outside of the skin, providing durable
body armor. In effect, they are encased in living metal or stone. These amiable aliens wear a minimum of clothing, normally
limited to belts or pouches to carry goods.
Vaathkree are long-lived compared to many other species, with their natural life span averaging 300 to 500 Standard years. They
have a multi-staged life cycle and begin their lives as "Stonesingers": small nodes of living metal that inhabit the deep
crevasses in the surface of Vaathkree. They are mobile, though they have no cognitive abilities at this age. They "roam" the
lava flats at night, absorbing lava and bits of stone, which are incorporated into their body structure. After about nine years,
the Stonesinger begins to develop some rudimentary thought processes (at this point, the Stonesinger has normally grown to be
about 1 meter tall, but still has a fluid, almost shapeless, body structure).
The Stonesinger takes a full two decades to evolve into a mature Vaathkree. During this time, the evolving alien must pick a
"permanent form." The alien decides on a form and must concentrate on retaining that form. Eventually, the growing Vaathkree
finds that he is no longer capable to altering his form, so thus it is very important that the maturing Vaathkree choose a form
he finds pleasing. As the Vaathkree have been active members of the Republic for many millennia and most alien species are
roughly humanoid in form, many Vaathkree select a humanoid adult form. Others choose forms to suit their professions.
The Deal - the code of trade and barter that all Vaathkree live by - is taught to the Stonesingers as soon as their cognitive
abilities have begun to form. The concepts of supply and demand, sales technique, and (most importantly) haggling are so deeply
ingrained in the consciousness of the Vaathkree that the idea of not passing these ideas and beliefs on to their young is simply
unthinkable.
Special Abilities:
Natural Body Armor: Vaathkree, due to their peculiar metabolisms, have natural body armor.
It provides STR+2D against physical attacks and STR+1D against energy attacks.
Trade Language: The Vaathkree have created a strange, constantly changing trade language
that they use to communicate back and forth between each other during business dealings. Since most deals are successful when
one side has a key piece of information that the other side lacks, the trade language evolved to safeguard such information
during negotiations. Non-Vaathkree trying to decipher trade language may make an opposed languages roll against the Vaathkree,
but suffer a +15 penalty modifier.
Story Factors:
Trade Culture: The Vaathkree are fanatic hagglers. Most adult Vaathkree have at least 2D
added to the base bargain or con (or both).
