Homebrew Fenerox Species Details

Species: Fenerox

Homeworld: Fe’e (native tongue), [[REDACTED]] on Protectorate starmaps

Size: Short 4ft tall, 130lbs

Physiology: A rodent-like mammalian humanoid race of dusty plains-dwellers. Stocky bodies with powerful, clawed forelimbs suited for digging, and long, mostly-hairless digitigrade legs evolved for speed: Fenerox are currently one of the fastest known intelligent species, capable of running for prolonged stretches at 45ft, with short-burst "Dashes" up to 90ft. Their bodies are covered in a short coat of coarse fur in flat shades of beige to medium-brown or grey, with lighter patches on the face, chest and stomach. Tufts on the ear-tips and tail may turn darker with age. Eyes are large and developed to see in low light, but also have a thin, transparent second eyelid to filter out harsh daylight.

Diet: Omnivorous. The Fenerox diet relies heavily on the nutrient-rich juice of the tough Thornfruit, which is native to Fe’e but can be easily grown in most any dry climate.

Lifespan: 35-45 years in natural habitat. Fenerox in less hostile climates have reached 60.

Language: A simple language of barks, yips and trills that translates into short, to-the-point sentences in Common, rarely more than two words long. Foot-stamps are added to the mix for emphasis. Fenerox language emphasizes quick and direct information, with little to no embellishment or humor. On the other hand, they have an extensive range of terms for interpersonal relationships, largely based on methods of cooperation, in order to make very clear to each other where they stand.

Social Structure: The Fenerox are pre-metalworking hunter-gatherers collected into widespread groups of individual homesteads. Houses are hand-made mud-brick and thatch huts, often supported off the ground on long stilts as protection from predators. The limited resources on Fe’e forced them to spread out to prevent competition, but they stay close enough to come running when they hear a cry for help. Mating pairs stay together in order to raise young to maturation. Choosing a mate is a time-consuming process as two Fenerox work together on a new homestead, seeing if they are able to provide for their future young before they engage in reproduction. This process takes over a year, and if the two do not work out, both will start over after a short period to themselves. Once the young are old enough, they are sent to make their own “second-home”, and the parents will often return to their own individual lives, typically searching out another mate a few years later. New “second-home” Fenerox spend at least one year on their own homestead before even considering looking for a mate. Recycling vacated homes has become common as the population has grown, though most will drastically re-work the hut to their liking.
Fenerox history is largely uneventful, but nonetheless they diligently revere their forebears in traditional songs passed down from generation to generation. They are not given to invention or innovation, having found a method of living that works for them and see no reason to change, even after prolonged exposure to advanced technology.

Intelligence Rating: Broadly tested, most rating at Indigo-Juliet. Fenerox can adapt to advanced technology, even to the point of piloting starships, but typically will only do so if they absolutely have to.

Interaction with Other Species: The Fenerox were first discovered by the Dohwar, who were scouting suitable planets for new colonies. They offered the Fenerox trade, and eventually transport to a number of known amenable worlds to alleviate resource competition. Since then, numerous Fenerox colonies have been founded across the galaxy, aided by multiple races.
Despite repeated contact with most of the known intelligent races, the Fenerox prefer to live their own lives at their own pace. They are initially guarded around strangers, but not hostile unless they are attacked first. Gifts of food and supplies are deeply appreciated and will make a traveler welcome in their home, but they will politely refuse gifts they consider too extravagant. Those abusing Fenerox hospitality are politely -but forcibly- removed, at spear-point if necessary.

Interaction with the Protectorate: Minimal at best. To date, there have been less than three dozen Fenerox to join the Protectorate in its 500 year history. Most of those who have saw it as a sort of missionary work, teaching fundamental survival skills to species that would likely die without access to advanced technology out in the wild. A few others have made their homes in the archival centers, diligently and tirelessly sorting and filing information by themselves.

Fenerox Traits

Your Fenerox character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 45 feet.

Cunning Artisan

As part of a short rest, you can harvest bone and hide from a slain beast, construct, dragon, monstrosity, or plant creature of size Small or larger to create one of the following items: a shield, a club, a javelin, or 1d4 darts or blowgun needles. To use this trait, you need a blade, such as a dagger, or appropriate artisan’s tools, such as leatherworker’s tools. You also gain proficiency with an artisan tool of your choice.

Hunter’s Lore

You gain proficiency with two of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Nature, Perception, Stealth, and Survival.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and a language of your choice.