Rokhandan

Rokhandans
Species Info
Homeworld		Fen
Empires		Rokhandan Directorate
Life Expectancy (Max)		150 (300)
Average Size		5-7 Feet

Overview

The Rokhandans are a species of humanoids with expressly canid features. They hail from their arid homeworld of Fen in the Rokh System, a planet with harsh conditions and a water scarcity. The Rokhandans are known as an intelligent species and are the most advanced spacefaring race in the known galaxy. Their intelligence is only matched by their curiosity; it is not unusual to find that a Rokhandan is behind some sort of useful technology or new discovery that is pertinent to the galaxy at large. Despite their bookish ways, Rokhandans are known to be excitable and outgoing. With a highly social culture, they willingly integrate cultural phenomenon from other species and maintain warm diplomatic relations with most of the other galactic empires. As such, it is not uncommon to find Rokhandans in every corner of the galaxy, driven to emigrate to study, learn, or merely socialize.

Biology

As a species native to an arid planet, Rokhandans are by design more resistant to warmer temperatures and dry conditions. Their bodies have evolved to use water more efficiently, allowing them to go longer without drinking before dying of thirst. They only sweat through their palms, soles and ears, but their high heat tolerance allows them to comfortably survive in hot conditions that would be unpleasant to other species. They, much like other races, are bipedal in nature, and typically have high endurance. This was a necessity to survive natural predators in the wide open savannas of their home world.

Rokhandans feature a variety of facial structures, body types, patterns, and coats. They are sometimes derogatorily equated to Earth canines, but while they might appear the same, they are in no way related despite certain breeds of Rokhandans bearing an uncanny resemblance to actual dogs. They are typically between five and seven feet tall, and are predisposed to a high metabolism and lean body type. However, some Rokhandans do fall into a sedentary life style, giving them a wide variety of shapes from short and stout to broad and imposing.

Galactic Opinion

Rokhandan scientists are greatly respected by their peers in other galactic empires. Certain pieces of technology used by the galaxy at large are brain children of Rokhandan scientists, including the Universal Translator alien species use to communicate with each other. Given their highly sociable and curious nature, some Rokhandans can run afoul of individuals who interpret their excitability in a negative way, as though they are being studied like lab specimens rather than being interacted with. By and large, however, many of the advancements in fields like medicine, genetics, engineering, shipbuilding, physics and more can be attributed to Rokhandan minds or Rokhandan contributions to science, and they are typically viewed warmly as a side-effect.

However, while the Rokhandan government willingly shares its technology and research for non-military purposes, they are notoriously stingy about providing other empires with military tech. This has its benefits and consequences; the Directorate's Expeditionary Fleet is the most advanced navy in the galaxy, but its failure to share this military technology with its allies is a source of significant consternation in some political circles. Many feel that the Rokhandans are essentially gatekeeping other species from advancing, or that they simply don't trust aliens with this sort of dangerous tech. Given the Federation's actions and what happened after they deployed their super-weapon, however, a good majority of Rokhandans believe that this has only justified their lack of transparency in this regard.

Style Guide

Please see the Appearance Guide for non-race specific guidance and rules.

Rokhandans should be represented as canine in appearance, using a canine styled head. Some examples of these are the Paws Maned Wolf, Paws Canine, Avenity Jex, Kani Dog or alternatively a non-canine head accurately modded to resemble a canine such as the Paws Feline or SKNK Skunk heads as some examples. They should sport two ears atop their heads along with a tail. Fur colors should range within natural fur tones such as black, brown, whites, greys etc. However, they can rarely be less natural colors such as blues, reds etc. but this would be considered an abnormality.