Thelvon (Thel-von)

The Thelvon

Originating from Fereven Prime in the Tal'Vela Belt, the Thelvon are best known for their militaristic role in the Vellentari Expanse, particularly their contributions of soldiers and starships on numerous occasions during times of war. They are respected for their public service ethic when providing security or protection for the other conclave and Pact World races, but are sometimes seen as imperialist or rigid by other races due to their highly militaristic culture.

Physical Description

Thelvon typically stand over six feet tall [1.8m], have two long, proportionately thick fingers and an opposable thumb on each hand, each tipped with talons, and a set of mandibles around their mouths. The most distinguishing feature of thelvon is their metallic carapace, which contains trace amounts of thulium. The thelvon evolved this trait as a defense against the greater levels of solar radiation that penetrate their homeworld's weak magnetic field.

Thelvon features are avian, making them resemble humanoid birds or raptors. However, unlike most avian creatures, thelvon give birth to live young.

Home World

When the thelvon were introduced to the galactic community, an Acarii diplomat poetically described their homeworld, Fereven, as “a silver world of fortresses and fire.” Because Fereven's weak magnetic field is a poor shield from its sun, most of the planet's animal life developed metallic carapaces as defenses against solar radiation. Its photosynthetic life is similarly impressive, shutting down vulnerable metabolic processes during daylight hours and repairing cellular damage at night.

Society and Alignment

Since the Sodality War, thelvons normally wear elaborate tattoos marking their colony of origin, though it is not known which markings distinguish which colony or if color has any meaning. These markings are usually white — particularly on thelvons with darker carapaces — but can be of other colors. The lack of facial markings is looked down upon in thelvon society; the thelvon term "barefaced" refers to one who is beguiling or not to be trusted. It is also a slang term for politicians.

Thelvons are noted for their strong sense of public service. It is rare to find one who puts his needs ahead of the group. Every citizen from age 15 to 30 serves the state in some capacity, as anything from a soldier to an administrator, from a construction engineer to a sanitation worker. thelvons have a strong inclination toward public service and self-sacrifice, so they tend to be poor entrepreneurs. To compensate, they accepted the mercantile volus as a client race, offering protection in exchange for their fiscal expertise.

Thelvon society is highly regimented and very organized, and the species is known for its strict discipline and work ethic. thelvons are willing to do what needs to be done, and they always follow through. They are not easily spurred to violence, but when conflict is inevitable, they only understand a concept of "total war." They do not believe in skirmishes or small-scale battles; they use massive fleets and numbers to defeat an adversary so completely that they remove any threat of having to fight the same opponent more than once. They do not exterminate their enemy, but so completely devastate their military that the enemy has no choice but to become a colony of the thelvons. It is theorized that another conflict between the rapidly advancing humans and the thelvons could annihilate a large portion of known space.

The thelvon military is the center of their society. It is not just an armed force; it is an all-encompassing public works organization. The military police are also the civic police. The fire brigades serve the civilian population as well as military facilities. The corps of engineers builds and maintains spaceports, schools, water purification plants, and power stations. The merchant marine ensures that all worlds get needed resources.

Relations

The thelvon military is the center of their society. It is not just an armed force; it is an all-encompassing public works organization. The military police are also the civic police. The fire brigades serve the civilian population as well as military facilities. The corps of engineers builds and maintains spaceports, schools, water purification plants, and power stations. The merchant marine ensures that all worlds get needed resources.

Other species see Thelvon as "men of action," and they are generally regarded as the most progressive of The Conclave. Since their culture is based on the structure of a military hierarchy, changes and advances accepted by the leadership are quickly adopted by the rest of society with minimal resistance.

While hile Thelvon are individuals with personal desires, their instinct is to equate the self with the group, and to set aside all personal desires for the good of all. Thelvon are taught to have a strong sense of personal accountability, the 'thelvon honor' that other races find so remarkable. Thelvon are taught to own every decision they make, good or ill. The worst sin they can make in the eyes of their people is to lie about their own actions. Thelvon who murder will try to get away with it, but if directly questioned, most will confess the crime. Nepotism, while present, is rare and looked down upon by the Thelvon, most of whom instead espouse and practice meritocracy in regards to the handing of positions of power.

Adventurers

While Thelvon preferring a military or civic duty profession it isn't uncommon to see them adventure out into space. Either with mercenary groups, hired security on private and corporate ships, or bounty hunters. The older a Thelvon gets, the more they ease into positions of power, generals, politician's, and starship captains are the usual choices.

Ability Adjustments+2 Str, +2 Dex, -2 Cha

Hit Points 6

Size and Type

Thelvon are Medium humanoids with the Thelvon subtype.

Military Training

All Thelvon serve in the Thelvon military, entering bootcamp at the age of 15, with most serving until the age of 30. Thelvon receive Longarm proficiency as a bonus feat at first level. If they already are proficient in Long arms at first level, they instead gain any bonus combat feat for which they qualify.

Thelvon Biology

Thelvons have evolved a metallic carapace containing trace amounts of thulium, as a defense against the greater levels of solar radiation that penetrate the weak magnetic field of their homeworld, Fereven. Thelvons gain a +4 racial bonus to saving throws against radiation effects. They are dextro-amino based lifeforms, and so can only consume dextro-amino acid based foods, available at all settlements where Thelvons or Bhalos are found. If they consume amino-acid based foods, they must succeed on a DC 20 fortitude save or gain the sickened condition for 24 hours due to an allergic reaction.

Unbreakable Dedication

When working as part of a team, Thelvons are remarkable for their dedication and service to their cause and their unit. When within 30 feet of an ally, Thelvons receive a +2 racial bonus to saving throws against mind-controlling or fear effects.

Vitals Stats:

Average Height 6-8 ft.

Average Weight 150-350 lbs.

Age of Maturity 15 years

Maximum Age 150+3d20 years