Verpine
Tall, bipedal insectoids, Verpine are an advanced species well
known for their technological accomplishments. They have thin, stick-like
bodies with awkwardly-articulated joints. Flexible plate of chitinous
material covers their bodies. They have two huge black eyes, short
snouts, and small, toothless mouths.
The species lives in the Roche Asteroid Field, an old and orderly
collection of space debris with asteroids ranging in size from tiny
meteorites to large planetoids. The asteroids maintain an orbit
pattern that is almost regular, and a large number of space slugs
and mynocks also make their home among the swirling rocks.
While it is almost certain that the Verpine did not evolve on the
lifeless asteroids, they have gone to considerable trouble to establish
homes within the difting chunks of frozen rock. Some speculate that
the Verpine were wandering nomads who decided to settle in among
the asteroids for some unknown reason. A second theory states that
the Verpine inhabited a planet in the same orbit as the asteroid
field, and as the planet slowly disintegrated into space debris
they found ways to live on the asteroid which remained. The Verpine
themselves have legends that speak of a catastophic civil war, believeing
that the asteroid field is all that remains of their aggressive
foolishness.
Verpine have evolved from especially hardy insects. Their large
black eyes are adaptations of insectoid compound eyes, giving them
the ability to see nearly microscopic detail with clarity and precision.
Their antennae contain tympanic nerves which detect sound wave vibrations
and relay them to the brain. They also pick up radio waves, and
Verpine can generate their own radio emissions by contolling their
biological frequency modulation. Their nervous system has an unusually
powerful electromagnetic aura, and the Verpine can communicate with
other members of their species.
This biological radio network spans the asteroid field, allowing
each member of the colony to remain in nearly constant contact with
the others. Some species see this as a form of telepathy, but it
is simply a mode of organic telecommunication.
The Verpine are innate experts in most fields of technology. They
have a child-like sense of wonder as far as machinery is concerned.
This expertise and wonder has been put to good use in the asteroid
field, where they have hollowed out rocks to use as colonies. The
asteroids are sealed against vaccuum and the cold of space, creating
living and working space for twenty to one hundred inhabitants,
depending on the size of the asteroid. Some of the larger planetoids
near the center of the field contain cities of one thousand Verpine
or more.
Each colony is self-sufficient, producing all of the energy, food,
air, and water the inhabitants need to survive. Repulsor field shells
envelop inhabited asteroids, creating bubbles which harmlessly reflect
debris and other asteroids. Because their lives depend on it, the
Verpine have a great respect and understanding of technology and
machinery.
Starship building has been one area the Verpine have excelled at,
and they have earned their reputation over and over again with their
unique and functional designs. The Slayn & Korpil Corporation,
named for two neighboring Verpine colonies, has been a respected
name in starship design since the days of the Old Republic, and
many Verpine joined the efforts of the Rebellion during the galactic
civil war. Today they remain members of the New Republic, though
Verpine can be found securely established in private and fringe
society.
All Verpine colonies are unified in a single hive. They have evolved
a limited form of communal consciousness due to their organic telecommunications
abilities. Every member of the hive takes part in the decision-making
process, and a single Verpine in contact with the communal consciousness
can speak with complete authority for the entire hive.
Verpine
Roleplaying Game Statistics
Attribute Dice: 12D
Attribute Minimums/Maximums:
DEXTERITY: 1D+1/3D
KNOWLEDGE: 1D+1/3D
MECHANICAL: 1D+2/3D+2
PERCEPTION: 1D+1/4D
STRENGTH: 1D+1/3D
TECHNICAL: 2D/5D
Height: 1.9 metres
Move: 10/13
Quote: "What a wonderful gadget! Still, I think I can
make it work even better!"
Special Abilities:
Body Armor: The Verpine's natural chitinous plate armor gives them
a +1D against physical attacks
Microscopic Sight: The enhanced and specialized sight of the Verpine
gives them a +1D to their search skill when looking for small details.
Organic Telecommunication: Because Verpine can send and receive
radio waves through their antennae, they have the ability to communicate
with other members of their species and with specially tuned comlinks.
The range is very limited when acting individually (1km) but greatly
increases when in the hive (covers the entire Roche asteroid field).
Technical Bonus: All Verpine receive a +2D bonus when using their
technical skills.
-From "Dark Force Rising: Sourcebook" by West End
Games
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