Balers

Balers’ ancestors were canine-like creatures. However, they were not initially apex predators. Instead, the ancestor of the Balers were prey animals to larger more specialized beings including predatory birds and primates.

These initial ancestors -- colloquially called Yolpers -- were small, slinking dog-things that relied on stealth to survive. Over time, they began to lose the fight against their predators, and the smallest ones died out. Those who could only hide, and did not have other methods such as improvised climbing, also died. Over generations and iterations, the Yolpers became larger out of necessity. They began to advance towards an alternating bipedal/quadrupedal existence, also out of necessity.

Traits that served their ancestors well were the sharp killing claws that all Balers still possess and the tail, which provided counterbalance as their ancestors learned to climb.

They had to evolve omnivorous behavior and were initially carnivores but as it turned out it was hard to live like that with all the OTHER carnivores around lol

Almost went extinct but managed to hang on through adaptation and also evolving hyperaggression as a result of being hunted so much

As it turns out much like in real life predators do NOT like being confronted by prey

Were the first to gain actual sapience/sentience by a slim margin, actively slaughtered their predators once they got the chance to do so. Mainly outnumbered both the primates and the birds because they have litters instead of individual kids/the solitary way the birds did it

Couldn’t finish them all off, so the primates were massacred and the terrorbirds were outcompeted

This has resulted in a bit of awkward racial tension with the Makta who are you know. Bird people.

Balers are rare in the Halsyona Republic because when the cult invades a place that Balers live even the pacifistic ones will fight to the death rather than be conquered

Prevalent in just about every other major body though

BALER TRAVELLERS:

Baler Travellers create characters with DEX+1 and END+1, with either STR or EDU at a -1.

All Baler Travellers have the following Traits:

Obligate Herbivore: Balers do not eat meat, having moved culturally towards seeing this as insulting to their ancestry. They can-- but they don't. Their "obligate" herbivore status is incredibly literal, and is done out of obligation to the prey-animals they once were.

Avian Nervousness: Balers, having been preyed upon by avians for millenia, have an instinctual dislike of birds of any kind, and with many Balers this extends out towards avian-like aliens. When in a situation involving a bird or bird-like Sophont, Balers act with a DM-2 modifier if they are interacting with the creature or individual in any circumstance other than killing it. If they are trying to kill it, however, they act at DM+2.

Blade Strikes: Baler elbow blades roll damage at 2D+2. Baler tail blades roll at 1D+2. Foot blades roll at 3D+2, due to the momentum required to use them at all. Ankle blades roll at 1D+2. Blades are almost useless for the sake of deep penetrative wounds, but if an opponent is struck at a running pass or other sideswipe during motion, 1D is added to the damage calculation roll.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Balers are bipedal humanoids with two arms, two legs (either plantigrade or digitigrade) and a long prehensile tail.
They possess flat molars and sharp double canines. Baler incisors are angled slightly, to better strip bark from trees and peels from fruit. 
Baler spinal columns are loosely jointed, as are their shoulder, elbow, and knee joints. This enables easier climbing, particularly in the tightly packed forests of the Baler home world. 
On each elbow and along the tail, at minimum, a Baler possesses curved blades which aid in both defense and securing food, as well as ensuring an individual doesn't fall from one of the higher trees. 
Baler toes and feet have floating bones, which allows for many angles of manipulation when using the leg for leverage. As such, most force a Baler uses initiates from their legs and tail.

Growth Rate & Stages

Balers go through approximately three months of being infantile, and are physically adults in eighteen months from birth. From birth, they can climb and run and walk, as those who couldn't were easy prey through the generations.

Ecology and Habitats

Balers have evolved for heavily forested areas. They have unique mechanisms for both storing and expelling heat, so temperature tends to not matter as much. 
Balers loathe the open plain. Countless generations of aerial predation have given the species an ingrown aversion to open sky. In cities with Baler influence on architecture , there are vast awnings and balconies, with parks being semi-domed and many venues protected from above.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Balers primarily eat fruit, tree bark, and various plants, some of which are poisonous to other species. While they are capable of consuming meat, their prey origins leave them uncomfortable with the prospect. 
Food traditionally comes from the massive trees which Balers harvest for bark and internal wood. The Balers take care not to accidentally kill the plant.

Origin/Ancestry

A small, treebound prey canine.

Related Organizations

• Daughters of Artemis

Pelt Tone Visualization