Verminax

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Verminax are bipedal, digitigrade mammals with a lithe, flexible frame optimized for agility and quick movements. Their bodies are covered in a fine, dense coat of fur, varying in color from deep brown and gray to lighter tans and reddish hues. They have large, expressive eyes adapted for low-light environments, giving them an edge in dimly lit asteroid fields and starship corridors. Their ears are elongated and highly mobile, capable of rotating independently to detect subtle environmental cues. The tail, long and prehensile, serves as both a counterbalance in motion and a tool for gripping or stabilizing themselves in zero-gravity environments.

Biological Traits

Characteristics:

Verminax have the following modifiers applied to their characteristics: DEX+2, STR-1, END-2, SOC -2
Verminax who have their origins among the nomadic tribes, use Charisma (CHA) instead of SOC and ignore the SOC-2 to their characteristics. Any social standing checks can be taken using CHA with a DM-2.

Traits:

Heightened Senses: Verminax eyes and ears are able to detect subtle cue. All Verminax receive DM+1 to any Recon and Survival skill checks.
Rapid Regeneration: Fueled by their restless metabolism, the Verminax heal fast—so long as there's still a pulse. When using Natural Healing, Verminax roll 2D + END DM per day of full rest. A Verminax who requires surgery will only heal points equal to their END DM per day of rest.

Ageing:

Due to the high metabolism of the Verminax they reach matured adulthood at age 10, The effects of ageing begin when a Verminax Traveller reaches 26 years of age (end of the 4th term).

Genetics and Reproduction

The Verminax have a highly adaptable genome, enabling rapid evolutionary shifts when exposed to new environments. They reproduce viviparously, with gestation periods relatively short compared to many other sentient species. Offspring are born in small litters, and their development is accelerated compared to humans, reaching maturity in just over a decade. Genetic variation within populations is high, leading to notable physiological adaptations depending on their home regions—some groups develop stronger limbs for climbing, while others have enhanced lung capacity for low-oxygen environments.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Omnivorous by nature, the Verminax have a highly adaptable digestive system, allowing them to consume a wide variety of food sources. They have a strong preference for nutrient-dense, high-calorie foods, particularly those rich in protein and fats—ideal for sustaining their fast metabolisms. Due to their scavenger instincts, they can process foods that might be toxic to other species, further increasing their survival capability. Their cultural affinity for risk-taking extends to their cuisine, with some communities known for consuming volatile or exotic alien dishes as a sign of bravado.

Civilization and Culture

Average Technological Level

The Verminax do not possess a unified homeworld or centralized technological infrastructure. Instead, their technology is a patchwork of scavenged, stolen, and heavily modified systems, repurposed from countless other civilizations. While their ships and tools may appear crude or haphazard to outsiders, they are highly optimized for function and efficiency, often surpassing the original designs in unexpected ways. Their starships, especially those used for piracy and asteroid racing, are lightweight, overpowered, and dangerously fast, frequently pushing the limits of engineering and physics.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The Verminax culture is built on risk-taking, opportunism, and adaptability. They take pride in outwitting stronger foes, scavenging from the wreckage of others, and surviving against the odds. Belt racing, a lethal sport where pilots navigate dense asteroid fields in barely stable ships, is one of their most celebrated pastimes, testing both skill and sheer nerve. Many embrace piratical traditions, seeing raiding, smuggling, and mercenary work as legitimate careers.
Reputation holds far more weight than honor. Names are earned through daring feats, cunning deals, or technological ingenuity rather than inherited. Their affinity for repurposing and modifying technology is nearly instinctual, often pushing the boundaries of safety and functionality in pursuit of an edge.
Few Verminax feel attached to any particular home, preferring a nomadic existence among stations, fleets, and shifting alliances. Their society operates on fluid, tribal-like structures, where crews and clans form and dissolve based on opportunity. Loyalty is rare but powerful—while most relationships are transactional, bonds forged through shared danger and survival can last a lifetime. Leadership is determined by charisma, cunning, and proven ability, with leaders constantly earning their followers' trust rather than relying on tradition.
Physical attractiveness is often secondary to reputation and charisma, though traits like sleek fur, sharp eyes, and an agile physique are considered appealing. Ornamentation—piercings, tattoos, and cybernetic enhancements—signals status, experience, and affiliations. Although biologically dimorphic, determining gender can be challenging for outsiders, as the society places little importance on traditional gender roles. Instead, they prioritize competence and influence. While some subcultures may observe distinct gender aesthetics or rites of passage, but these are not universal.
Relationships, like their social structures, are fluid and opportunistic. Partnerships—romantic or otherwise—are often based on mutual benefit and shared adventure rather than long-term stability. Monogamy is rare, with short-term or polygamous arrangements being more common, though deep bonds can form between those who have faced danger together.
The average Verminax lifespan is 50-60 standard years, though many in high-risk professions—such as piracy, belt racing, or mercenary work—rarely reach old age. Those who survive past their prime often transition into advisory or leadership roles within their clans or fleets.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Verminax are both feared and respected across the galaxy, often regarded as dangerous rogues who cannot be trusted. However, their pragmatic and adaptable nature makes them valuable allies—so long as the alliance remains mutually beneficial. Some factions see them as scoundrels and criminals, while others recognize them as indispensable experts in scavenging, infiltration, and unconventional warfare. Despite their reputation, they are not inherently malevolent—they simply operate by their own rules, valuing survival, opportunity, and the next great thrill over abstract notions of loyalty or morality.

Lifespan

60 years

Average Height

1.2 - 1.7 Meters

Careers
Verminax Travellers with an origin among the nomadic tribes have access to the following standard careers: Drifter, Merchant, Rogue, Scholar

Verminax Travellers whom have more of a cultural origin from any of the permanently settled factions, can use all careers.