Tyconian Racial Information
Related Rules
Physiology
Height and Weight
The average Tyconian is about 2 meters tall and masses about 80 Kg. Height and weight are consistent across gender.
Appearance
Tyconian skin coloration varies from a coppery color through golden to brown. Hair colors ranges from black and dark brown to gray and white. Eye colors are gray, silver, and white. In general, females tend to be of lighter shades.
Like most humanoids, they have a mirror symmetry to their bodies with the left and right halves being essentially mirror images of each other. They have two ears (which are curved and gracefully pointed). Likewise, they have two eyes, arms, and legs and one nose and mouth. Each arm ends in a single hand with 5 digits. Each leg in a single foot with 5 toes. About 45% of are right handed, 45% are left handed, and about 10% are ambidextrous.
Diet
Tyconians are mainly herbivores though they occasionally will supplement their diet with small amounts of meat. Variations in dietary preferences are matters of taste or culture rather than a biological need.
Rest
The natural 'day' cycle for Tyconians is 27 hours. Their day is typically divided into three 9 hour periods. One for sleep and the other 2 for normal waking activities. A Tyconian requires about 9 hours of sleep per 27 hour period. Failing to get the required amount of sleep has fatigue effects as described in the fatigue rules.
Reproduction
Tyconians may only reproduce with their own races, they are not genetically compatible with any other species.
Females bear live offspring after a gestation period of about 12 months. Single births are common while multiple births are almost nonexistent. There is no tendency towards the child being of one gender or the other.
Senses
Tyconian have 5 senses and they fall pretty much within the normal Human range. They do have an ability to "shade" their eyes naturally (they darken like sun glasses) to protect them from the harsh brightness of their home world. This makes their eyes appear darker in bright light and lighter in dim light.
Anatomy
Tyconian anatomy is unique. While they have organs that perform similar functions, their shape, appearance, and locations vary from Humans. Their biochemistry, while similar, is different enough to have different reactions to medications and thus require special medical training.
There are 3 blood types, T, Tx, and Ty. They can, in emergencies, accept Human blood in plasma form.
Lifespan
A typical lifespan is about 200 years. Physical growth rate is slower than Humans but, Tyconian children are typically able to talk at 4 - 6 months. Physical growth proceeds at roughly 1/2 Human rate. By the age of 30, a Tyconian is considered an adult.
Psychology
Family and Houses
Children are raised in communal settings. While family plays some role, especially in the early years, children are typically raised by the entire community rather than a single parental group. As children develop and demonstrate certain aptitudes and interests, they are recruited by Houses.
Houses are like clans and the more powerful Houses attempt to recruit the best children to join their ranks. The prestige of their accomplishments increase the standing of the Houses. Likewise, prestigious Houses confer respect upon their members.
House selection is critical. Some choose a House based on what it can offer them while others may choose Houses in which they can have a greater impact (and thus more influence and power).
Houses wield great political and financial power. Some of the most powerful Houses are not the largest. It is better to have a small number of illustrious members than a large number of mediocre members.
Normally, House members marry and reproduce within the House, though this is not a requirement. Children of House members usually are groomed by that House in hopes they will reflect the same or better abilities as their parents and join the House.
Emotions
Tyconians have weaker emotions than Humans. They are not emotionless nor is it that they control their emotions, it's simply they are weaker. As such, they appear more cool and logical. They are slow to anger, rarely act out of emotion, and seem a bit distant and cold, even toward close friends and loved ones. Coupled with their intelligence and native curiosity, they sometimes come across as emotionless, almost machine like.
Society and Culture
Tyconians have a complex culture. They are not driven by personal power directly but rather by bringing power and prestige to their House. As a side result, the more they bring to their House, the more person power, wealth, and prestige they have.
Religion
Tyconians are not especially religious. They allow for a higher power but don't have any active religions as part of their culture.
Manifest Destiny
Based on historical writings, the Tyconians believe they were also visited by the Elders. They noted how the seeded races were spread around such that Tycon was, more or less, centrally located. They have interpreted this arrangement along with historical writings to conclude that the Elders intended for them to rule the other races. They believe it is their destiny to be rulers of the galaxy and, ultimately, take their place among the "higher order" races such as the Elders.
Other races have mixed feelings on this topic. The Darid tend to accept this belief while other races range from belief to tolerance. The general consensus is that the Tyconians founded the Empire and, thus far, have done an acceptable job of running it. There is some growing resentment that non-Tyconians can only go so far in government roles. It has only been recently that non-Tyconians were allowed to hold positions of authority that encompassed more than a single star system. Non-Tyconian nobles of significant rank are still rare.