Citizens of the Crystal Palace

1. Makoo
2. Dragons
3. Garu
4. Unicorns
5. Aerads
6. Varaghs
7. Chams
8. Gorillas
9. Taz
10. Telleri
11. Darby

1. Makoo
• Description
  Makoo are sentient plants with indefinite life-spans. They go through two life stages: mobile, active sapling and dormant tree-like ancient. In the sapling stage, they can be anywhere from one to ten feet long, depending on age. (Up to three feet would be considered an infant, and more than seven feet would be approaching dormancy.) They have a gourd-like head which contains sensory organs, and a flexible woody spine. Surrounding the spine is a bushy leafy body, which is thick, but contains no vital organs. They have viny tendrils which emerge from the body and are used for both manipulation and locomotion. Their spine ends with retractable roots. Ancient Makoo are indistinguishable from trees to most other species, and can grow as tall as redwoods. Newly dormant Makoo can uproot and move with great difficulty in an emergency, and retain some mobile tendrills.
• Social Organization
  Sapling life and religion centers on the care of the Eldest. Although other creatures, notably the Unicorns, also paticipate in this care, it is always under the supervision of Makoo priests. The priesthood is also responsible for maintaining the health of the psychic atmosphere of the city, so that evil thoughts do not pollute the somna energy which permeates the city. Makoo are expected to take on a clerical role as they age. Position in the hierarchy is determined strictly on the basis of age, but in cases of serious delinquincy an individual’s age can be officially decreased. Conversely, individuals with important clerical roles can be asked to delay dormancy for a century or two as a service to the community.
• Population
  About 30,000 saplings and 600,000 Eldest live in the city. An equal number of Eldest are scattered through the Empire, and about 150,000 saplings serve as rural priests
• Names
  Makoo are named after virtues that they exhibit and consider it very important to live up to their names. Theoretically, an inappropriate name could be taken away, a great humiliation.
• Role in Society
  Makoo act as priests, teachers, healers, and sages. The High Priest is always the oldest active Makoo. Priestly duties can involve supervising the tending of the Eldest, spiritual counseling, enforcement of the religious law, or religious instruction.
• Physical Advantages
  Their bodies can regenerate most missing pieces eventually. Tendrils are excellent at manipulation. Potential immortality.
• Physical Handicaps
  Slow in movement and reflexes, which becomes much more acute with age. Poor leverage limits strength, especially among smaller less upright young saplings.
• Social Advantages
  Revered for connection to Ancients. High status as founding race.
• Social Handicaps
  Viewed as hopelessly conservative and slow to adapt.
• Roles in games
  Priest, sage, healer, Magician: Sensitive (psychic) or Prophet (worker of miracles by other’s belief)
• Special training suggestions
  Priest Training combines Theology, Law, History, Healing , Sensitivity, and magic based on drawing on psychic energy of the Saints.
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2. Dragons
   • Description
     Dragons are around eight feet long and about five feet high at the shoulder. They have a large head, and a long segmented body. Each segment has both hands and feet. They are heavily armored, with a l hooded neck guard and intermeshing plates on the segments. However, each segment can compress a surprising amount, so they can actually squeeze through quite small passages. Dragons bodies are colored in a bright pattern of reds, golds, and greens which is distinct for each dragon.
   • Social Organization
     Dragons live solitarily, but interact through a complex network of family, business, and political alliances. Love among Dragons is intense, but rare and relatively brief. Children are raised by both parents, alternating from one’s care to the other’s. Often other relatives and associates play a major role in raising children.
   • Role in Society
     Dragons are the intellectuals of the Crystal Palace. They act as sages, high-level adninistrators, and dealers in fine art and other valuable goods. The Archon, head oif the Crystal Palace’s civil administration, is traditionally a Dragon, although rarely other species have filled the role.
   • Population
     There are about 25,000 Dragons in the city. Very few Dragons live outside the city. This is a large decrease since the fall of the Science Tower
   • Names
     Two or three one syllable names, usually Asian sounding. Family name is first.
   • Physical Advantages
     Large size gives high overall body strength. Heavily armored.
   • Physical Handicaps
     Hands are small and weak compared to body size. Large size can make movement through tight spaces difficult, despite flexibility.
   • Socail Advantages
     Reputation for wisdom, aesthetic sense and subtlety. Can usually draw on a network of associates and familly. Status as Founding Race.
   • Social Handicaps
     Viewed as effete and disinclined to direct action. Reputation as self-interested and corrupt.
   • Roles in games
     Sage, Magicinl: Diviner (reading and influencing entire somna field, frequently for gaining information) , Animator (enduing inanimate objects with seeming life) or Archaeomancer (ability to use and modify somna-channeling devices of past ages.) , tank (indestructible warrior ).
   • Special training suggestions (see Magician suggestions above)
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3. Garu
   • Description
     Werewolves. Garu have two forms, a humanoid form between six and seven feet tall, with a face with canine features (elongated nose, canine teeth, and pointed ears) and a lupine form, a large-headed intelligent-looking wolf.
   • Social Organization Garu live in packs of between 50 and 200. Packs are organized into clans of between 100 and 300 packs. There are currently 9 clans in the city, with a total population of 120,000. Each pack has a leading mated couple, as does each clan. Leadership is subject to challenge to combat; frequently, the challenge is resolved without actual combat, with the loser submitting to the winner and losing status. Besides the leaders, there is a fluid social order inside the packs, with status depending on reputation, success in combat, appearance, and the health and fitness of one’s family. Higher status members will be called upon for leadership roles within the pack. Mated Garu couples are extremely close, and divorce and adultery are almost unheard of. The status of a married couple is linked together, and unmarried adults and inferitile couples have the lowest status. Both parents are heavily involved with raising children. Individuals with perceived genetic flaws are not allowed to marry.
   • Population: 120,000 in the city, about 1.5 million outside city.
   • Role in Society:
     Garu are the bulk of the army and civil police. They also act as butchers, guards , hunters and overseers. The Warlord is almost always a Garu.
   • Names
     Garu have one two or three syllabic name, typically with gutteral sounds. If there is a possibility of confusion between Garus with the same name, the pack can be used as a surname.
   • Physical Advantages
     Garus are agile and fast, especially in wolf form. In wolf form their senses of smell and hearing are keen, and their teeth and claws act as natural weaponry. They can heal small wounds by shifting.
   • Physical Handicaps
     In wolf form, they lack manipulative limbs. They cannot shift if wearing bulky clothes or carrying heavy objects.
   • Social Advantages
     They are respected for their skill and dedication, and for their status as Founders.
   • Social Handicaps
     They are feared, and thought violent tempered. Other creatures are frequently uncomfortable around them. They are viewed as overly rigid and authoritarian.
   • Roles in games
     Warrior, detective, scout, ``berserker’’, leader, magician: transmogrifier (magic that changes the user’s form or abilities)
   • Special training suggestions ‘’Dog-fighting’’ is a style of combat that emphasizes rapid shifting, threats, feignts, and lunges. It includes use of dagger, and teeth, as well as cultural aspects: ettiquette and ethics of challenges, submitting, and accepting submission.
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4. Unicorns
   • Description
     Lithe antelope-like creatures, about 3' at the shoulder and 4’ long. They have manes and a single horn, used more for manipulation than as weaponry. Their coloration varies.
   • Social Organization
     Unicorns live in herds. There are few hard-and-fast rules incumbant on herd members, but obnoxious or unco-operative individuals are sometimes banished from the herd. Highest status and respect is given to older females. Herds tend to have communal responsibility for the land on which the herd lives, often involving care for Makoo ancients. The herd is recompensed by the Church for these duties. Individual herd members also have their own interests and vocations, and sometimes use income from these to buy out of collective duties. Unicorns are unique in having dual citizenship in both the Radiant Empire and the Unicorn Prarie, provided they make a pilgrimage to the Prarie before they come of age. Mating is usually within a herd, but is not a long-term commitment. Although many child-rearing tasks are performed collectively, the ultimate responsibility for caring for the young is the mother’s.
   • Role in Society
     In their collective roles, Unicorn herds are gardeners, grounds-keepers, and tenders for Eldest Makoo. Individually, Unicorns are healers, artists, and magicians of all kinds, especially Witchcraft. Unicorns are uniquely familiar with the lands outside the Empire, due to the required Pilgrimage.
   • Population
     About 100,000 Unicorns live in the City's Parks. Half a million others live in places througout the Empire.
   • Names
     One name with windy, braying sounds. Herd location can be used in case of ambiguity. e.g., Hialaca of Marsh Park.
   • Physical Advantages
     Unicorns are fast and agile, and their horns are a natural weapon, although they rarely use it offensively.
   • Physical Handicaps
     Unicorns have no manipulative limbs, although they can dig and push things with hooves and horns. They usually use magic to circumvent this.
   • Social Advantages
     Unicorns are considered beautiful and benevolent, and are universally liked. They have high individual freedom as far as social mores.
   • Social Handicaps
     Their reputation for kindness leads other species to regard them as easy marks. The loose organization of herds means that Unicorns are slow to take collective action. Roles in games
     Magician, esp. Witch (user of sympathetic binding magic not reliant on somna), Sensitive and Animator. Healer. Scout (outdoors/nature expert). Druid (nature magician)
   • Special training suggestions
     Witchcraft. Natural and cultural lore of Unicorn Praerie.
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5. Aerad
   • Description
     Slender delicate insectoid creatures, with shimmering dragonfly wings and a glowing thorax like an especially bright firefly. They are about two feet high, and have a wingspan of four to five feet.
   • Social Organization
     Aerads live in hives of several hundred. A hive is treated like a dormitory or boarding house. It is not presumed that individuals have strong ties to their hive, although socialization within the hive is frequent and encouraged. The hive is presided over by an older female Manager addressed as Matron, who sets rules for day-to-day living. Only one in twenty Aerads are male, and males tend to be largely viewed as social ornaments supported by the hive’s females. Eggs and young are raised collectively in the hive, by Nannies who are usually but not always hive members.
   • Population
     Around 50,000 in city, and about 350,000 outside the city, concentrated in the Delta
   • Role in Society
     Performers, Entertainers, hosts, receptionists, messangers
   • Names
     One name with insect sounds :Z, B, Ch, K, T
   • Physical Advantages
     Can fly. "Tail lights" can be used to illuminate, but also to stun or cause altered states in viewers if used skillfully.
   • Physical Handicaps
     Delicate, light-weight body means they are weak and fragile.
   • Socail Advantages
     Viewed as beautiful and delightful. Company is sought by other species. Aerad dancing is exquisite.
   • Social Handicaps
     Thought emotional and tempermental, not taken seriously. (Of course, this can also be used to advantage.)
   • Roles in games
     Performer, socialite, spy, scout (reconaisance), magician(Conjuror or Sensitive), manipulator
   • Special training suggestions
     Aerad dancing training includes aerobatics, fine control of lights to stun and impress, ability to read audiences, basics of Conjuring and Sensitivity.
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6. Varagh
   • Description
     Varagh are bipedal warthogs about human size. If you need more of a description, ask Josh. Varagh have phenomenal memories, and excellent communication skills.
   • Social Organization
     Varagh live in single (but extended) family dwellings. Varagh maintain an extensive network of family and business associates. Mating is generally for life, but separation is not unheard of.
   • Population
     About 120,000 in the City, and 350,000 outside.
   • Role in Society
     Lawyers, accountants, civil servants, administrators, entrepeneurs, chefs, scribes, bartenders, academic researchers.
   • Names
     Two multisyllabic names, generally with snooty connotations or place names.
   • Physical Advantages
     Robust constitution, good sense of smell, can wear armor and use heavy weaponry. Excellent memory.
   • Physical Handicaps: None
   • Social Advantages
     Viewed as competent and solid. Usually have network of family and business allies to draw on, including financial assistance. Frequently wealthy.
   • Social Handicaps
     Viewed as long-winded and overly cautious.
   • Roles in games
     Financier, leader, sage, “tank” (heavily armored warrior), “bard” (adventuring gossip)
   • Special training suggestions “Ritual Combat” training includes use of plate armor, shields, heavy axes and polearms. As well, it includes training in the etiquette and law of battle, which is as involved as, say, the Japanese tea ceremony. It is usually practiced as a hobby for physical and mental fitness, but it is still very viable as a Martial Art.
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7. Cham
   • Description
     Chams are bipedal lizards with skins that adapt to their environments like that of chameleons. They are about 3 feet tall, with a tail that extends another two feet. They have suction-cupped hands and feet that allow them to climb.
   • Social Organization
     Chams are territorial loners. Except when mating and raising children, Chams live alone and cannot tolerate other Chams in their turf. Mated couples do live together until the egg is hatched, at which point the father is left to raise the child. There are Cham meeting houses for Cham to meet on neutral territory, to discuss mutual interests, but these are operated by non-Cham.
   • Population
     About 50,000 Chams live in the City, 500,000 live in the Sipsa delta, and about 200,000 live elsewhere in the Empire.
   • Names
     One name, with reptilian or amphibian sounds.
   • Role in Society
     Artisans, engineers, scientists, skilled craftsmen, thieves.
   • Physical Advantages
     They can control their coloration to the point of almost total invisibility. They can climb walls. They have great manual dexterity and agility.
   • Physical Handicaps
     Relatively small build limits strength.
   • Socail Advantages
     They are viewed as intelligent and skilled.
   • Social Handicaps
     Not trusted. Stereotyped as criminals.
   • Roles in games
     Thief, assassin, “ninja” (sneaky warrior), engineer, scientist, mechanic, magician (esp. Archaeomancer)
   • Special training suggestions
     “Shadow warrior” training involves best use of ambushes, stealth, pressure points and a style of combat involving leaps and sudden strikes with daggers.
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8. Gorilla
   • Description
     Pretty much like a gorilla. They are more intelligent looking, with a larger head and more facial expression. They can be up to six feet tall and weigh up to 800 pounds for a full-grown male.
   • Social Organization
     Gorillas live in close-knit packs of ten to fifty. The pack generally includes one to three adult males, who are the leaders, with the rest divided between females and young. Adolescent males group together in rogue packs until they can gain acceptance into a pack as an adult. At adolescence, females are usually courted by other packs. Packs are somewhere between a kibbutz and a biker gangs. They tend to share resources, but also have private property. In many packs, most of the pack have a common occupation which names the pack. Other packs are named after their home turf or a common interest. It is not uncommon for a pack to change its name, or to disband, with members seeking admittance into new packs. Sex is fairly casual within a pack, and the alpha males usually mate with all the females eventually. It is not unheard of for a female pack member to have sex with a non-member, but it is taboo to mention it. Youngsters are raised by their mothers with help from the other females. Although the alpha males are in charge, they usually consult with the most experienced and knowledgeable females.
   • Population
     About 100,000 in the City. 500,000 live in Bama Territory, and an equal number live in the rest of the Empire
   • Role in Society
     Teamsters, heavy equipment operators, smiths, bouncers, musicians.gurus, sailors, overland traders.
   • Names
     Single common monosyllabic first name or nickname. Last name is Pack name.
   • Physical Advantages
     Immensely strong.
   • Physical Handicaps
     None
   • Social Advantages
     Some view as having “forest wisdom”, or being “noble savages”. Respected for ability to enter Makoo- like trances.
   • Social Handicaps
     Many drop the “noble”
   • Roles in games
     brick (strong tough warrior); “gentle giant”, Magician (Sensitive or Transmogrifier), acrobat, scout,
   • Special training suggestions
     Wrestling is a Marital Art that includes grabs, holds, use of cestae, and training in psychic defenses.
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9. Taz
   • Description: As in Warner Bros cartoons
   • Social Organization: That's an idea!
   • Population
     Less than a thousand in the City, almost all of which are in the military
   • Role in Society: Soldiers, scouts, bodyguards
   • Physical Advantages: Amazing speed and natural weaponry (teeth and claws)
   • Physical Handicaps: High metabolism means almost always hungry
   • Social Advantages: Novelty
   • Social Handicaps: Considered barely civilized
   • Roles in games: Speedster, berzerker, scout
10. Back to Top Telleri
    • Description
      Featureless bipeds which are identical as far as outsiders can see. Non-Tellery are not sure whether they are organic or mechanical.
    • Social Organization
      The City’s 961 Tellery live in a single complex, where they delight in subtle contests of art, skill and manners, which are totally opaque to non-Tellery. In the rare event of a Tellery’s death, a new Tellery is created jointly.
    • Names: Integers from 1 to 961
    • Role in Society: Fine craftsmen
    • Physical Advantages
      Incredible vision which allows them to see microscopic objects and to detect miniscule variations in color. Amazing hand-eye co-ordination.
    • Physical Handicaps: Slight build limits strength.
    • Social Advantages: Respected for refinement and skill
    • Social Handicaps: Considered bizarre and incomprehensible.
    • Roles in games: Detective, artist, sage
11. Back to Top Darby
    Description
    Gnomes about 3 feet high. Always active and eager to please.
    • Social Organization
      Darby families live everywhere, performing all day-to-day chores. Almost every residence has a Darby living there.
    • Role in Society
      Housekeepers, servants, crafts, janitors, maintenance workers
    • Population: about 400,000 in the city, and growing fast. About a million live outside the city.
    • Names: end in "by"
    • Physical Advantages
      Very fast reflexes and speed.
    • Physical Handicaps
      High metabolism. Small stature.
    • Social Advantages: Appreciated and thought harmless
    • Social Handicaps
      Taken for granted; always ordered around. Servile behaviour expected.
    • Roles in games
      Not really recommended for PC’s but could be spy or thief.