Copyright Ó 1982, 1990 by N. C. Shapero

(1D6 in INT and CON replaced by a 6 in DICE rolled)

Armor= 1 point fur (impact protection only)

Expected mass = 59 kilograms

Expected ENC (native gee) = 93 kilograms

Expected ENC (1 gee) = 91 kilograms

Net ENC (1 gee) = 32 kilograms

The Mahaoli are a bipedal tailed aquatic mammalian species native to Istrana, a terrestrial world with a surface acceleration of 0.98 gees. Istrana orbits Sisanek, a G1 main sequence star, at a distance of 1.03 astronomical units. The terrestrial mammal most closely resembling the Mahaoli is Lutra canadensis, the American otter; it is, however, only a vague resemblance.

The basic unit of Mahaoli society is the "cluster": one adult alpha male, one adult alpha female, four adult male betas and four adult female betas, together with offspring and "helper" adults (non-breeders). A typical cluster will number some thirty five individuals, ten of whom are breeding adults, twenty are adolescents or children, and five are non-breeding "helper" individuals. The alphas are generally, though not always, the eldest members of the cluster; half the betas of a cluster are typically adult offspring of the alpha pair of that cluster.

Mahaoli are considerably more gregarious than Humans.

The Mahaoli were first contacted by the H'Reli during the Third Expansion; their homeworld lies within what is today Combine space. The Mahaoli do not have a representative on the Central Committee; they are instead represented by the H'Reli, the Altani and the Ata'a. The three independent Mahaolan subgovernments, the Confederacy, the Litaran League, and the Vispoka Assembly are respectively within Syind Combine, Suzrainty of Han, and Ata'an Assembly space.

A Mahaoli takes part of his name from his cluster, part from his position within the cluster, and part from choice at adulthood. Mahaoli cluster names have historically been derived from geographic place names. More recently, with the departure of large number of Mahaoli from their homeworld, cluster names have begun to appear that are clearly derived from words in non-Mahaoli languages or are based on employment specializations. Cluster names derived from occupations typically (though not exclusively) end in -ti or -si. Given/adult choice names most commonly end in -a.

Val = Alpha/leader male

Mir = Alpha/leader female

Ko = Beta male

Sal = Beta female

Ran = "helper" individual

• Common Cluster names (and their meanings):

Teeka = Teeka river

Varan = Varan mountains

Chell = Chell islands

Vokti = Star plotter (navigator)

Nisenti = Starship engineer

Ntensi = Interstellar explorer

• Common Given/adult choice names (and their meanings):

Chensa = Quick witted

Bropa = Lazy and clever

Vandropa = Seeker after many females

Iskanda = Seeker after many males

Tokra = Jester

Morga = Guzzleguts

Funara = Prankster

A full Mahaoli name is of the form <Given name><cluster position designator><cluster name>. For example: Funaravalvokti (The alpha male, prankster, of the star plotter/navigator cluster). In common address, only the given name is used; in slightly more formal address, the given name with the cluster position designator attached is used. So Funaravalvokti would be known to friends and associates as Funara, and would likely be introduced as Funaraval to new acquaintences. The full name is only used for official (i.e. government) matters or in records keeping.

• Healaoie

The principal language of the Mahaolan Confederacy worlds. Roughly two thirds of the Mahaoli are native to one or another of the worlds of the Confederacy and speak this as their native language.

• Mirmiroiya

The principal language of the Litaran League worlds. Roughly ten percent of the Mahaoli speak Mirmiroiya as their native language.

• Imaoha

The principal language of the Vispoka Assembly worlds. MOST of the remaining Mahaoli live on worlds owing allegiance to the Vispoka Assembly.

(1) There is a passion for pleasure.

(2) The three cardinal virtues are: honesty, responsibility, and a sense of humor.

(3) A sense of proportion, and an ethical sense are also consid ered important.

(4) Power over another adult intelligent being has no justifica tion. It may, under certain circumstances, be necessary -- but this does not justify the power, only explain it.

(5) There is a basic natural law governing all intelligent beings.

(6) Under this law, all intelligent life forms are basically equal.

• Attitudes of the Mahaolan Middle Class: Equality among sophonts is assumed to be axiomatic. The world view is optimistic (hedonist), and dignity is considered to be a basic virtue. Poverty is regarded as a vice. The "species" memory of the Mahaoli is extremely long. They are capable of assuming a position of galactic dominance at need; they have no desire to do so, however.
• Attitudes of the Mahaolan Elite: Power evokes respect, but the greatest political force among the Mahaoli is still diplomacy and consensus democracy. The hero image is the negotiator who satisfies ALL parties in a dispute. Sophisticated aliens evoke wariness, and the primitive masses are regarded as children (to be
• protected, cared for, and nurtured). Ambition is tolerated in others. The greatest weakness of the Mahaolan elite is a lack of military aggressiveness. They are always ready to "borrow" from others' cultures. Dilettantism is strongly frowned upon. Leisure is a virtue, to be sought be all.

(1) Gravitational Norm and Tolerance Range: 0.98 g, 0-1.5 g, max 3g

(2) Atmospheric Norm and Variation Tolerance: 60-400 mm Hg Oxygen, 10-25 mm Hg Water Vapor, 1.00 atmospheres.

(3) Temperature Range Norm and Tolerance: 0 to + 30 degrees C mean; -10 to +40 degrees C daily.

(4) Electromagnetic Range(s) Tolerated: 0-30 lumens per square centimeter; wavelengths greater than 300 Angstroms.

(5) Size Range: 4' to 4'3".

(6) Chemical Base: Carbon

(7) Particle Radiation Tolerance: Less than 0.03 rem steady state (per week), less than 100 rem short term.

(8) Sensory Types, location, and sensitivities:

(8A) Electromagnetic:

• Coarse: 7,000-10,000 Angstroms; skin
• Fine: 4,000-7,000 Angstroms -- color vision; eyes

(8B) Pressure Differential:

• Remote: 20-20,000 cycles; ears
• Contact: skin, guard hairs

(8C) Chemosensing:

• Coarse: Depends on substance; skin, tongue
• Fine:Nasal cavity (slightly more sensitive than human), tongue

(8D) Damage Detection:

• Corrosion: skin.
• Other: internal nervous system

(8E) Texture Sensing: skin

(8F) Psi senses: varies with the individual.

(8G) Other: No other senses

(9) Substances absorbed: Oxygen, other creatures, fruits, water, miscellaneous trace elements. Carnivorous.

(10) Substances Emitted: Water, Carbon Dioxide, miscellaneous solid, liquid, and gaseous organic compounds.

(11) Reproductive Methods: Typical mammalian; gestation period 273 days (single birth).

(12) Body shape and Natural Weapons: Tailed, furred bipedal otteroid; teeth, hands, feet, retractile claws on fingers.

(13) Periodic Functions: 22-25 hour wake/sleep cycle (diurnal species); 30 day female menstrual cycle.

(14) Non-sensory Psi Functions: Varies with individual

And that's all, folks

Niall Shapero

2536 Short Ave

Los Angeles CA 90066

USA

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