Tlepchi

Diminutive sapient species from an arid planet.

Homeworld

An arid planet poor in water, most of the Tlepchi homeworld's surface is uninhabitable to them. Thus, civilization historically clustered around oasis regions lush in water and life, leading the cultures which emerged in these areas to develop along different paths due to isolation. It was only with the advent of air travel that the Tlepchi were able to obtain accurate maps of their world and its societies. How prehistoric Tlepchi managed to migrate between these oasis regions remains an unsolved problem, but many xenoarchaeologists suggest the planet may have gone through a cold period some 100,000 years ago which permitted primitive populations to cross the barren wastes.

Biology

The Tlepchi are near the lower bound of size for an intelligent life-form, being about as small as a house cat. Resembling some sort of desert marsupial, they are covered in short fur (usually brown or rust-red in color) over tough skin, with six limbs and a vestigial tail. The Tlepchi head has a rounded snout with two main eyes and third, smaller parietal eye facing up above to function as a sunlight/weather sensor. The braincase is shaped like an elongated oval and appears as a bulge atop the neck. A ridge of long white fur runs down their spine from head to forelimbs. In times of plenty they hang on to excess nutrients and water in fat reserves, hence well-fed Tlepchi look rather pudgy.

Psychology

Primitive Tlepchi were hunted by predators in prehistoric times, and so the species retains a paranoid streak. They prefer enclosed burrow-like dwellings with tight spaces and few windows.

Civilization

Before the Stellar Compact contacted them, Tlepchi civilization was powered by fossil fuels and was on the verge of inventing manned spaceflight. Modern Tlepchi refer to this as the "Old Times", nowadays they have developed the ability to build their own starships and settle other planets. Most Tlepchi nations have joined the Stellar Compact.

Homeworld
Tlepchi homeworld