CANINE RACES

Canine humanoids appear to have descended from stock related to hunting dogs or wolves. They have evolved into a general bipedal shape, but still exhibit many physical traits and behaviors of their ancestors. PCs may become Canines if Strength and Constitution are 10+, Bravery is 13+, and Quickness is 12+, Technical aptitudes (GRA, MEchA, and EIecA) top out at 14. Only PCs born on the Home Planet types indicated can be Canines.

Stellar Primary: Type G,K

Home Planet: Canines will be found on the same planetary types as humans, except for those planets with very hot jungle or desert conditions, Cool and cold climates are preferred, and Canines will do well even in Ice Planet conditions.

Radiation Tolerance: Human norms apply.

Atmosphere: Canines have normal human tolerance, except that their ability to stand toxic contaminants and very foul odors is somewhat lower than in most human races.

Appearance: Canines have a humanoid bipedal form and stand erect, their four-footed locomotion lost through evolution. Canine paws have developed into reasonably efficient hands, permitting fairly precise manipulations, especially with tools designed for their shape. They compare favourably in size and mass to humans, and develop about the same turn of speed. Full body hair remains, with a wide variety of colours and lengths in evidence. The Canine tail also remains, and it is still used as a means of communicating emotional states.

Vision: Canines have 2 eyes with binocular vision, often in black and white but sometimes in colour. Depth perception is good, while visual acuity over distance is good to excellent. It is not, however, the equal of human vision. Some nocturnal races and races in conditions of low illumination have good night vision.

Hearing: Canine hearing is very acute and extends into frequences far higher than those audiable to humans. Generally, hearing is comparable to that of the common dog.

Smell: Canine olfactory senses are again comparable to that of the common dog or wolf. Canines can often track by scent and also judge the mood of people by their odor. Smell is no longer depended on as much as vision, but it remains a dominant sense for all Canines. Unfortunately, sensitivity renders Canines somewhat vulnerable to particularly strong and unpleasant odors, and also to some toxic atmospheric contaminants.

General Comments: Canines are 'pack-oriented,' like their ancestors, and value loyalty to one's friends and trusted associates as a major virtue. Disloyalty and treachery will bring extreme contempt and often violent reprisal, if possible. The races show their greatest strength in the skills of woodcraft, as Canines can readily revert to the cunning and wild expertise of their ancestors in a natural setting. Some of the finest Scouts come from the Canine races as a result. While they are capable of dealing with fairly high levels of technology, they do not love machines and electronic gadgets over much, preferring natural environments and lifestyles in which an individual can exercise his powers and talents.

Canines are carnivores and exist on an exclusively meat diet. Metabolic systems tend to be iron-based, but copper-based metabolisms are also known. Life expectancy of advanced races can reach 100 years, while primitives rarely survive beyond 25.