Felionoids
THIS PAGE IS A WIP AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NON-CANON
| SPECIES | |
|---|---|
| Felionoid | |
 Felionoid |
Play-ability: Round Start |
Felionoid
The Felionoids are a sentient, mammalian species with feline-like traits originating from the jungle world of Nyaterra. During the 23rd Century they became the second extraterrestrial race to come into contact with humans, and the first proper extraterrestrial member species of the Trans-Solar Federation.
Known for their restless curiosity, quick bursts of focus, and occasional playful and catlike quirks Feloinoids are a prominent species throughout the Starlight Sector. Their minds have been compared fireflies at dusk, darting in all directions in a seemingly random manner which outsiders interpret as distractibility. Felionoids embrace what they call the "Many-Mind", a way of thinking that thrives on constant stimulation, creativity and improvisation.
Felionoids tend to be agile explorers, tinkerers, and storytellers who balance independence with community clowders. On Nyaterra they live in vibrant tree-cities build around colossal trunks. Many are guided by a shared philosophy known as "The Chase" which treats life as a pursuit of ideas, mysteries and play.
Biology
Felionoids are a mammalian species according to Earth's old classification system. They are smaller than most species on NanoTrasen stations, however they are also the fastest. Their biology reflects their original nature as jungle predators. They stand upright, with flexible spines and semi retractable claws making them natural climbers and sprinters. They exhibit heightened senses including keen vision, sharp hearing, and a sensitivity to small vibrations. These traits allow them to pick up subtle cues but also contribute to their easily diverted attention.
Felionoids are covered in fur which can vary widely in color, they also can have multiple patterns and markings making them an incredibly diverse species. Grooming is both a biological necessity and a social ritual, as their fur produces natural oils which protects them against some diseases and parasites.
Culture
History
Felionoids evolved on a lush, jungle-covered world known as Nyaterra. Their earliest societies consisted of loose, nomadic clowders or small semi-organized groups. These groups operated on a fluid leadership model. Whoever had what was considered to be the best idea at a given moment led the group, then passed the mantle when their task was complete or their attention wandered. This model of leadership and pattern of intense focus led to rapid societal growth and innovation. However due to their constant movement and impatience agriculture and thus sedentary societies took longer to develop than in most other species. Eventually Clowders shifted from their nomadic lifestyle to seasonal migration, setting up multiple 'permanent' encampments which they moved between regularly following a cycle of moving, harvesting, replanting, then moving again.
As their society matured clowders eventually merged into massive communal groups. Structures to house these new colonies were erected around colossal trunks. From there architecture spiraled upwards creating multiple levels of platforms.
Because long-term focus was difficult Felionoids relied heavily on collective memories and works to recall their history. Examples include murals, poems, songs, paintings, and stories which have been passed down for generations.
Religion
Modern day Felionoids follow a variety of religions, with no predominant central faith in a single deity. However, many follow the philosophy of "The Chase". Followers of The Chase believe that the universe scatters hints, and distractions deliberately, and that their purpose is to discover as many as possible. Boredom is the only true sin.
Rituals of The Chase often resemble games: chasing beams of light, partaking in 'trials' similar to obstacle courses, and engaging in story telling sessions where participants interrupt each other mid-sentence to add tangents.
Family and Community
Many Felionoids live in communes or colonies within larger cities. Individuals within these groups exhibit a close bond with one another, with all children being raised communally as siblings. Children born into these colonies more often than not do not know who their biological father is, and genetic testing shows that fraternal siblings may have multiple fathers. As such sir names are passed matrilineally.
While the concept of a nuclear family and marriage was initially a foreign concept, many modern day Felionoids have adopted such customs. Children from monogamous relationships may still be raised communally or semi-communally depending on the parents' preference.
Fashion and Aesthetics
Felionoid fashion is an extension of their restless energy, instinctual love of texture, color and movement. Clothing is rare static or uniform, outfits are designed to be flexible and layered capable of changing as quickly as their moods. Flowing fabrics, dangling cords, and fluttering sashes are favored. Patterns are rarely symmetrical; Felionoids delight in asymmetry such as patchwork designs. Bursts of color against muted tones are also common.
Functionality often blends with style with many garments featuring hidden pockets, climbing grips, or retractable hoods that can cover one's eyes for napping.
Jewelry tends to be stimulating to the senses with jangling beads, bells and charms that appear playful but can also convey identity such as one's birth colony.
Others may adorn themselves with perfumes, or even dye their fur with temporary paints. One notably popular style involves sprinkling oneself with glowing dusts or glitter to leave a shimmering trail as one moved. This practice has been banned on all NanoTrasen Stations and CentComm properties following massive complaints.
Society
Felionoids see thought not as a single straight path but as many darting trails, like sparks shooting out of a fire. To them following these sparks is the essence of freedom and creativity. Curiosity is considered sacred, asking "Why?" or "What's that" may be seen as a cultural duty.
As a species Felionoids value autonomy but thrive in groups, shifting between both states rapidly. However, preference for individualism or togetherness and time spent alone or within a group varies greatly for each individual and can change throughout their life.
Felionoids may exhibit bursts of intensive emotions, with moods that can swing wildly. They often wear their hearts on their sleeves, making it easy for other species to understand their current mood states. Felionoids are also known for speaking minds, which can come across as being blunt. Ironically, these traits allow them to easily interface with most other species and resulted in their rapid assimilation into the Trans-Solar Federation as their colleagues could easily understand their needs and motivations. Additionally their intense bursts of emotion allow them to vent most frustrations quickly and they are not known harbor grudges.
Government
The Felionoid government follows standard trends of most democracies throughout the solar system with a few key differences. Representatives from major cities are elected and serve as a central government. Similar to their traditional nomadic groups representatives take turns acting as a leader or chancellor, depending on who is believed to have the best idea. Occasionally, the government may fracture to follow multiple leaders.
Colonies within a city each sent one or two representatives spending on colony size, and those without a colony are grouped and send their own representative(s). Representatives often change from meeting to meeting, and leaders are selected in a similar manner to the central government.
Economy
Nyaterra economy centers around a bartering system that focuses on improvisation, quick trades, and short-term inventions. Spontaneous markets popup and vanish overnight, becoming temporary central trading hubs where all manners of items and services are exchanged. While the system appears chaotic to non-Nyaterrans, there appears to be some rhythm to the disorganization.
Trivia
- Referring to Nyaterra as Nyanterra is considered offense to most Nyaterrans.
- Felionoids are known to greet friends by flinging themselves and tackling the other to the ground. While this 'glomping' is a traditional custom it is not often appreciated by individuals from other species. Especially if they are carrying fragile items.
- Despite their fast-paced energy and rapid movement Felionoids may freeze mid-action if suddenly notice small movement or sound.
- Felionoids have many vocalizations including meows, purrs, trills, and hisses. Annoyingly to most other faces they are known to chatter at one another incessantly.
