Shirren

The terror of the Pact Worlds are now your weird friends

Until recently, Shirren were the face of the Swarm, consuming everything they could before moving on. However, a mysterious mutation caused an entire subcolony to break free, with many gaining a sense of self. Addicted to this newfound individualism, they rejected the Swarm's mindless consumption, and formed a new species called 'Shirren'.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Shirrens are arthropods with chitinous exoskeletons, large compound eyes, and sensitive antennae. Unlike many arthropodan races, they walk upright, manipulating items with three-clawed hands.
In addition to their two sets of main limbs, they also have two sets of smaller limbs growing from their thoraxes. While often displayed, these “mating arms” are extremely weak and used only for ceremonial and reproductive purposes - to use them for mundane activities would be seen as grotesque and shameful.

Genetics and Reproduction

Shirrens have three sexes: male, female, and host. During reproduction, female and male Shirrens provide the initial eggs and sperm, and hosts incubate the fertilized eggs while also adding their own genetic material and immunities. In some Shirren societies, a single host queen incubates for many partners and is considered the true parent, while in others, three-party marriages are common. Shirren young spend their first 2 years in a tiny, wormlike larval form, and they are often carried around in protective containers to let them safely observe the world.

Growth Rate & Stages

5 years to reach maturity from an egg.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Shirrens define themselves by their individualism. When they left The Swarm, they assumed partial control over the neurological pleasure and pain systems by which they were formerly directed, and even generations later, making choices for themselves can literally flood them with pleasurable neurotransmitters. While this ability is not always beneficial, freedom of choice is crucial to Shirren identity. This is especially true with regard to religion, for what choice is more important than how to spend the afterlife?

At the same time, having evolved from hive creatures, Shirrens remain highly communal by Human standards. Even when working with other species, they seek to foster community and teamwork and do what’s best for the group.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Shirren can detect the slightest movement of air with their sensitive antennae.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Shirrens rely primarily on their antennae for communication, speaking audibly with their mandibles only in formal situations. Because of their insectile physiology, their “speech-names” can sometimes be harsh and awkward for members of other races to pronounce. Fortunately, they readily accept nicknames bestowed by members of other races, seeing such epithets as honours. Most also have a secret “soul-name” that can only be communicated with Shirren antennae, a concentrated collage of emotions, images, and sense memories that’s shared only with their dearest friends.
Examples of Shirren speech-names

Cesca, Halicon, Jchk, Keskodai, Korskal, Noskaru, Schect, Thast, T’sen, Vishkesh, Xylit, and Zenka.

History

Shirrens were once part of The Swarm, a monstrous race traveling from world to world, consuming all they encountered before moving on. Generations ago, however, a mysterious mutation caused an entire subcolony to break from the hive mind, with each of its members gaining a sense of self. Addicted to the new drug of individualism, these renegades rejected The Swarm's mindless consumption, forming a new race called 'Shirrens' that eventually came to settle within the Pact Worlds system.

Not even Shirrens know where The Swarm first evolved, for its vast biological colony-fleet has travelled the stars for ages and feels no need to keep track of such things.
After splitting from The Swarm, the newly self-aware Shirrens scattered to a number of nearby systems. A large contingent found its way to the Pact Worlds, making first contact with Vercite aethership crews and setting up a colony in Verces' parched Fullbright region. Since then, Shirrens have spread throughout the Pact Worlds.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Most of the common races find Shirrens agreeable and useful allies, though their near-telepathic communication and chittering mouthparts can be disconcerting. Shirrens, for their part, are positively inclined toward all the major races, especially Ysoki for their communal tendencies and zest for life. Though Lashunta often maintain their prejudice against insectile races, most Shirrens don’t hold this against them, as they themselves fear nothing more than The Swarm that spawned them.

Scientific Name

Formido Insectum (terror insect)

Origin/Ancestry

The Swarm

Lifespan

50 to 70 years

Average Height

1.5m (5ft) to 1.82m (6ft)

Average Weight

45.4kg (100lbs) to 68kg (150lbs)

Shirren as Genesys adventurers

Shirren

Talents

Shirren start with the following Talents:

• Antennal Communication: Shirren can communicate (one way) with a single being within Short Range.
• Communalism: Shirren provide +bb when providing an unskilled assist, instead of just b.
• Cultural Fascination: Shirrens receive Knowledge (Lore) as a career skill.
• Blindsense: Shirren can sense vibrations in the air with a Range of Short. They Upgrade both their own and the Difficulty of the check once, and also negate any bonuses provided by visual cover, such as invisibility.

Languages

Shirren start with the following languages:

• Common
• Shirren

Archetype Abilities

3 2 2 1 3 1

• Starting Wound Threshold: 12 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold: 10 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 70

Less inclined toward violence than many races, Shirrens often sign on with starship crews as ambassadors, medics, technicians, and other such noncombat roles, especially as mystics acting as ship chaplains. They adore working as part of a team and are often voices of reason in chaotic situations. This general friendliness should not be mistaken for weakness, however, as Shirrens fighting for the lives of their comrades can be terrifyingly lethal, fearlessly undertaking suicidal missions for the good of the group.

Playing as Shirren

Shirren are often lawful good, though loyalty and a utilitarian emphasis on 'the greater good' can also lead them down questionable paths.
You likely:

• Cherish your independence, and while eager to help the group you despise coercion and entrapment.
• Abhor violence and act as a voice of reason, compassion, and community even when tempers flare.
• Take deep emotional and physical pleasure in simple, mundane choices that establish your individuality.
• Are fascinated by religion and see your choice of deity as a reflection of your personality.

Other races probably:

• Find your physiology and silent use of antennae for communication disconcerting.
• Appreciate your bravery, logic and diplomacy, even if your conclusions are not always convenient.
• Don't understand your definition of freedom or your seemingly disproportionate delight over small choices.
• Worry that you might return to predatory, Swarm-dominated ways at any second.