Arborans

Arborans, sometimes called "ents" by humans, are a plant-based species that resembles a walking tree. They are low tech, and less intelligent than most sentient species, though they are still sentient. Their native language has long slow speech, so the Arborans that know universal tend to speak in what many people consider broken version of it. They do this to speed up their speech as they tend to talk slowly, even in universal, or other languages. This makes people believe they are less intelligent than they are.
They have a tough bark for skin, and branches can protrude in different directions. They have no visible nose, though they do have nostrils near the usual place a humanoid has a nose.

Racial Abilities

• Attribute Penalty (-2): -1 to all Smarts rolls. Arborans are slow to learn, and are from a low-tech society.
• Dependency (-2): Arborans need at least one hour per day in suitable light. They prefer natural light sources like stars, though artificial light can work as well. Otherwise, they suffer 1 level of fatigue per day. Fatigue is recovered at the rate of 1 level per hour of sunlight.
• Environmental Weakness (-1): The race suffers a –4 penalty to resist a particular environmental effect, such as heat, cold, etc. If the being suffers an attack based on that form, the penalty acts as a bonus to damage.
• Outsider (-1): As an outsider, arborans get a -2 to persuasion rolls with non plant-based sentient beings. This does not apply when dealing with other plant based species such as Lambda Equuleites or Daalens.
• Armor (+1): The tough bark shell of arborans gives them a +2 to armor.
• Hardy (+2): A second Shaken result in combat does not cause a Wound.
• No Vital Organs (+1): These species have hidden, extremely tough, or redundant vital organs. Called Shots do no extra damage against them.: These species have hidden, extremely tough, or redundant vital organs. Called Shots do no extra damage against them.
• Toughness (+1): Arborans tough bark, and fibrous body is difficult to to damage, this increases the toughness by +1.
• Pace (+2): Arborans are very tall, and have long legs. This gives them a +2 to their pace, and increases the running die type.
• Size (+1): The creature is larger than normal, at 7-8 feet tall. Each point of Size adds directly to Toughness and increases maximum Strength one step. They can't use armor, or some devices designed for human sized creatures.

Arborans are also not familiar with vehicles, so they do not know how to drive unless they take the time to learn this skill.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Like all Floran species, arborans breathe carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. They can not die if oxygen deprived, but a lack of carbon dioxide has the same effect.
Many toxins and poisons may not affect arborans like it does mammalian species like humans due to the different biology. This doesn't mean they are immune to all toxins and poisons, just that different ones may be needed.

Growth Rate & Stages

Arborans don't reach adulthood until they are around 40 years old. They are considered extremely young until they are about 10 years old. A 10 year old Arboran is about the same development stage of a 4 year old human. They become adolescent at the age of 20.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Florans

Lifespan

500-600 years

Average Height

7-8 feet

Average Weight

300 pounds

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Body colour is always a shade of brown, sometimes with some green or yellow tint. The texture is quite rough, similar to a maple tree.

Geographic Distribution

• Arboran