Cepic
The Cepic are intelligent, quasi-mammaloid bipeds from Lemuria. One of several indigenous sapients on the planet, the Cepic evolved from hardy, desert-dwelling omnivores and continue to preferentially occupy arid regions. They are the second-most-populous Lemurian sapient, after the Fesk.
Similar to Terran hamsters, Cepics possess cheek pouches usable for the storage of small items, often food. Extending downwards under the skin, these pouches fill out the neck region and give it a thickened appearance to the point where a Cepic's head appears to join directly to their shoulders. The interior of these pouches is dry and free of saliva, so even delicate objects can be stored there. Most individuals commonly use them to hold food, money, or necessary items like keys. A wide variety of padded sleeves and wallets exist to help with this, preventing sharper objects from causing injury.
The Cepic bear several adaptations to their ancestral environment. They are tolerant of high temperatures and conserve water well, requiring only a small amount to survive. As with the other land-dwelling Lemurians, they can speak and understand a shared set of sounds. While limiting in some cases, this enables interspecies communication and is theorized to have evolved as a cooperative mechanism.
Biology
Roughly humanoid, the Cepic bodyplan is bipedal with short legs and arms, and a head featuring a pair of eyes, rounded ears, and short muzzle with a mouth. A fur-like covering is evident on portions of their limbs and head, though like humans it is probable they lost most of this after the invention of clothing.Similar to Terran hamsters, Cepics possess cheek pouches usable for the storage of small items, often food. Extending downwards under the skin, these pouches fill out the neck region and give it a thickened appearance to the point where a Cepic's head appears to join directly to their shoulders. The interior of these pouches is dry and free of saliva, so even delicate objects can be stored there. Most individuals commonly use them to hold food, money, or necessary items like keys. A wide variety of padded sleeves and wallets exist to help with this, preventing sharper objects from causing injury.
The Cepic bear several adaptations to their ancestral environment. They are tolerant of high temperatures and conserve water well, requiring only a small amount to survive. As with the other land-dwelling Lemurians, they can speak and understand a shared set of sounds. While limiting in some cases, this enables interspecies communication and is theorized to have evolved as a cooperative mechanism.
Psychology
Cepic psychology is considered fairly conventional by xenological standards, for a land-dwelling omnivore. They are individualistic and social, with a fundamental social group size of about 100 persons (versus 150 for humans, perhaps because their ancestral environment was less hospitable). Somewhat territorial, they will claim land and resources and defend it against tresspassers.Civilization and Culture
History
The Cepic are one of several sapient species which co-evolved on Lemuria, sharing evolutionary ancestry with the other four-limbed mammaloids, namely the Fesk, Tinn, Yune, and Nevi. They prefer to inhabit desert regions, though many have also moved to higher latitudes, such as Mespreth. The nation of Jepsei is considered an ancestral Cepic homeland, and features ancient stone monuments dating back thousands of years. In pre-industrial times they made excellent farmers and foot soldiers, but poor runners and seafarers.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Many Cepics have been enslaved or subjugated by other species, particularly the Fesk, though many others remain free. Small populations of Fesks and Slee are occasionally found among them, as are Shadowstalkers.
A Cepic, Velli of Three Trees Town, was the first Lemurian to be contacted by the Exploration Service during its survey of her planet prior to first contact. To them, humans appear unnaturally tall and lanky, with arms and legs of distended length.
A Cepic, Velli of Three Trees Town, was the first Lemurian to be contacted by the Exploration Service during its survey of her planet prior to first contact. To them, humans appear unnaturally tall and lanky, with arms and legs of distended length.
Average Height
~5 feet
Geographic Distribution
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