Kheezer

"This aid package is given, not freely, but in exchange for hope that our two peoples may be better friends in the future. We only regret that the great Kheezer Khan will not allow our aid workers to accompany this gift."
~Speaker for Mankind Randolph Bergher, excerpt

Basic Information

Anatomy

Kheezer are thickset bipedal pseudo-reptillians whose faces resemble a long-snouted bear. Their hide is thick and covered in a dense covering of fine scales made of an iron-based biopolymer. They are vertibrates, with an internal skeleton based primarily in iron.

Biological Traits

Kheezer scales range from gray to red, and the skin beneath is white to dusky brown.

Genetics and Reproduction

Kheezer have three genders; Females generate an egg, males fertilize the egg, and vitales incubate the egg.
The fertilization can occur either in the female or the vitale, and the egg is passed from the female to the vitale via an ovipositor.

Growth Rate & Stages

An egg is a spherical object with a leathery shell around 5 mm across and a volume of 65.45 mm³. Over the course of approximately 1440 hours, the fetus inside the egg will develop into an infant, at the end of which it will chew its way out. From there, it first eats the remaining yolk of the egg as well as the leathery shell, and it will live a further three years inside the pouch of the vitale, feeding from a nutrient paste secreted from specialized patches of skin.
After these three years, the immature Kheezer exits their vitale's pouch and then develops into an adult over the course of the next twelve years.

Ecology and Habitats

The Kheezer homeworld is close to their sun, Gozhein, formerly known as Ross 248. Kheeze is a tidally locked planet on the extreme edge of their Goldilocks ?Zone, with one side always facing Gozhein and the other always in the dark. The light side is covered in black plants resembling palm trees with interlocking vines that form a dense canopy. Kheezers are most comfortable in shaded, humid environments at the upper range of human temperature tolerance, at 38°C

Dietary Needs and Habits

Kheezer are omnivorous, with a particular preference to bones and woody plants, which their digestive systems can break down efficiently.

Behaviour

Kheezers are a communal species, living in sprawling city-trees that blend seamlessly into the black-leafed forest canopy. They prioritize cooperation and mutual support, likely due to their sensitivity to gravity and magnetic forces, which makes them more aware of their interconnectedness.
They have a deep respect for the natural world and live in harmony with their environment, using sustainable practices to maintain the balance of their ecosystem.
Kheezers are curious and love to explore, but their sensitivity to gravity and magnetic forces makes them cautious when venturing into unfamiliar territories. They have a strong cultural emphasis on family and community bonds, with the three genders working together to ensure the survival and prosperity of their society.
Kheezers have a unique perspective on time and space due to the tidal locking of their world, which creates a sense of permanence and stability. They tend to view change as a gradual, long-term process.
Their sensitivity to gravity and magnetic forces has made them more empathetic and attuned to the emotions and physical states of those around them. Kheezers have a strong connection to their planet's natural cycles and rhythms as well as to solar storm activity that frequently ignites their ionosphere, influencing their spiritual beliefs and practices.
They have a fascination with the mysterious and often frightening creatures that inhabit the dark side of their planet, leading to a rich tradition of storytelling and myth-making as well as coloring their view on the role of a 'hero:' they have a higher-than-human emphasis in their storytelling of heroes who take on monsters.
Their diet, focused on breaking down rigid structures, influences their approach to problem-solving and technology, favoring gradual, persistent efforts over sudden, forceful ones. "Digestion time" is an important part of their day, where they sit and break down food in their gizzards and problems in their minds.
The Kheezers' unified civilization and advanced technology is driven by their need to understand and protect themselves from the threats of the dangers of the dark side of their world and maintain the delicate balance of their ecosystem.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Kheezers have a complex social hierarchy, with strictly reinforced gender roles. Males are the 'doers' of labor, military and exploration. Females are spiritual leaders and the philosophers. Vitales are nurturers, teachers, and medical experts in the society.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

In addition to the same five senses enjoyed by humans, Kheezer are also gifted with an innate sense of gravity and magnetic forces.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Kheezer names are expressions of emotion, a concept that humans sometimes find humorous as it's the equivalent of naming children things like a deep sigh or a series of hysterical giggles. Kheezer names are things like Ronag (a challenging huff), Ieezhrr (a contented sigh), and Qaaaaugh (a yawn).

Major Organizations

Kheezer Khanate

Beauty Ideals

Male Kheezer are expected to be larger, with bigger muscles and larger teeth. Females are considered more attractive if they display larger skulls and thicker necks, and polished scales. Vitales are considered more beautiful with larger fat reserves and softer curves.

Courtship Ideals

Female councils at the head of every community of Kheezer arrange the complex tripartite family structures based on compatability axes which take into account genetic diversity, beauty standards, mental and personality compatibility, and long term viability.

Average Technological Level

TL7

Common Etiquette Rules

Kheezer value selflessness and consideration, sharing amongst themselves.

Common Dress Code

Traditional Kheezer garb consists of knotted nets of twine over which are laid 'tokens' of wood and bone. Currently, their youth in particular favor human styles of clothing. In particular, feaux-leather jackets with 'popped collars' and writing in human lettering on the back are most favored.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The unique history of Kheeze is generally one of interconnectivity from multipolar balance, and their culture reflects this nearly all the way down.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Kheezer open up most formal and informal social interactions by sharing food. They eat in silence, and then conduct business while digesting.

Common Taboos

Like many sapient species, cannibalism is the ultimate taboo for Kheezer.

History

Early Unification (Pre-Spaceflight Era)

The Kheezer species was fragmented into various city-tree states, often at odds with one another.
A devastating raid from the dark side creatures, known as the "Great Devouring," threatened the very existence of the Kheezer.
Rronag, a charismatic female Kheezer diplomat, seized the opportunity to unite the warring states against a common enemy.
Through her tireless efforts, Rronag forged the "Great Accord," a historic agreement that brought the Kheezer together under a single, unified government.

Space Exploration and Colonization (Early Spaceflight Era)

With their newfound unity, the Kheezer turned their attention to the stars, driven by a desire to understand the universe and ensure their survival.
Cooperative efforts led to the development of a satellite network, "The Watchful Eyes," to monitor the dark side and predict potential threats.
The Kheezer established their first colonies as deep-space stations, dubbed "The Havensteads," orbiting halfway between Kheeze and the next planet, Xeridia.
Terraforming efforts began on Xeridia, with the goal of creating a new, magnetically stable home for the Kheezer.

First Contact and the Great Calamity (Modern Era)

A human deep space exploration ship, sponsored by NovaTech Engineering, encountered the Kheezer, leading to a tense but ultimately peaceful first contact.
A wary trade relationship was established, with the Kheezer cautiously engaging with humanity.
Shortly after, a large asteroid collided with Gozhein, triggering a massive coronal ejection that bombarded Kheeze with magnetic energies.
The magnetically-sensitive Kheezer were severely affected, suffering widespread illness and madness.
Humanity, led by NovaTech Engineering, provided crucial aid to the Kheezer, offering materials and research assistance to help them recover from the disaster.
This act of kindness forged a strong bond between the two species, cementing the humans' position as trusted allies and friends of the Kheezer.

Common Myths and Legends

Almost all Kheezer myths, legends, and entertainment personify the challenges represented in the myth as monsters to be overcome by brave, wise, or understanding heroes.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Kheezer are fascinated by the human race, which has established an enclave colony on the dark side of Kheeze called Weindot City, a corporate settlement that exists to study the local flora and fauna and as a trade and diplomatic outpost with the Kheezer. 
Kheezer distrust the Reticulans, despise the Rigelian, and have a long standing grudge against the Drakonians.

Template 72 pts

Attribute Modifiers 45 pts

: ST+5 (Size, -10%) 45 pts.

Secondary Characteristic Modifiers 5 pts

SM +1; Basic Move+1 5 pts.

Advantages 67

Claws (Talons) 8 pts, Acute Taste and Smell (2) 4 pts, Damage Resistance (3, Semi-Ablative) 12 pts, Detect (Precise, Gravity and Magnetic Fields) 40 pts, Sharp Teeth 1 pt, Temperature Tolerance 2 (Heat) 2 pts

Disadvantages 45 pts

Charitable -15 pts, Chummy -5 pts, Slow Eater -10 pts, Revulsion (High magnetic fields, causes a Berserk state) -15 pts

Features

Robust 1

Scientific Name

Kheezo Sapiens Altairensis

Average Height

1.8 meters - 2.5 meters

Average Weight

272 kg - 360 kg