Homebrew Gao Species Details

Gaoians are a species of furred mammalians native to the cold Class 10 planet Gao. They evolved as ambush predators prior to discovering agriculture and animal domestication, and retain their hunting instincts, predatory physiques, sharp teeth, and claws.

Height and weight varies considerably by breed, and there is also a pronounced sexual dimorphism. Most males are modestly larger than females, and a rare few can grow into truly impressive physical specimens

Owing to their unique genetics, Gaoian males come in “degrees” of “maleness” that determine both how extreme their morphology will develop, and how inversely likely they are to sire females. A sixth-degree hypermale like Daar may have a size and strength exceeding that of a Kodiak bear from Earth, but he has only sired three females out of many hundreds. Near-feminine and highly gracile first degree males, on the other hand, may be born with a slighter frame and much less aggression, but in Gaoian society they are highly valued; nearly all their cubs are female.

The two extremes are extremely rare, however. Most males are somewhere in between. Combined with male competitiveness, risk-taking and its higher mortality rate, the realized gender ratio is normally anywhere between three to six adult males for every female.

Ethnic Groups

Gaoians have two major ethnic groups: Silverfurs, and Browfurs or "brownies," the latter of which in some contexts can be understood as a pejorative term. Unlike human ethnic groups, it is often difficult to tell which ethnic group a cub belongs to until they reach adulthood.

All cubs have soft dark gray underfur with a silky, silvery outer coat of longer fur. Silverfur Gaoians are those who retain this fur coloration and texture into adulthood, while Brownies shed during adolescence and grow in a coarser, shaggier coat of thick fur in shades of brown.

Less common ethnic groups include Gaoians who don't grow an outer coat of fur and whose undercoats are pure black, and "russet" Gaoians whose fur is a shade of reddish-brown that would normally mark them as a Brownie, but remains soft and silky.

Culture 

Historical 

Gao Traits

The Gao were ambush predators before they were civilized sapients

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength and Charisma score increases by 1. You have innate proficiency in the Survival skill.

Age

The Gao mature at the much faster than humans, but they live short lives. On average, they live about 50 years. 

Size

Gao stand between 4 and 5 feet tall and average about 150 pounds. Your size is Medium. As a Gao ages and experiences hard labor, their unique genetics may yield larger or smaller specimens, as tall as 6-8 feet and as heavy as a grown bear at extremes. The smallest females can be as short as 3 feet.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Your speed is not reduced by rough terrain or small obstacles, but when navigating on fourpaw you lost use of your hands. Sprinting across level ground on fourpaw is 10 faster.

Gao Combat

You have proficiency with the tools of excavation and unarmed combat

Tool Proficiency

You gain proficiency with the artisan’s tools of your choice: smith’s tools, brewer’s supplies, or mason’s tools.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and may have learned Gaoian from your working family. Gaoian is a series of chitters, yelps, and nonverbal expressions using ears and fur around the face.