Rhukoon

-2 STR, +2 DEX, +2 END | 3 HP

Physical Appearance and Structure

The Rhukoon rapidly evolved over a few hundred years from the common raccoon as the direct result of the Genesis IV bomb which terraformed earth.  With no history of their own the rhukoons have quickly assimilated themselves into human society. 

Despite the compressed timeline the rapid mutation of the rhukoon genome has left them more genetically diverse then humans.  Rhukoons share less DNA markers with a common raccoon than a human does with other primates.

Rhukoons are covered in short fur and maintain the masked appearance of their raccoon ancestors.  The common or black rhukoons have grey fur highlighted by white and black accents.  White and red rhukoons also exist and these traits are maternal.

Senses

Rhukoons have a heightened sense of touch and can utilize tactile differentiation to identify materials, surface flaws, and individual persons.  Although they are color blind and have poor long distance vision, Rhukoons have the benefit of superior low light vision.  Rhukoon olfactory senses are twice as sensitive as those of a human.  Rhukoon audible range of frequencies is usually 100 to 40,000 Hz, but like humans there is considerable variation between individuals.

Speech

Rhukoons and humans share some physiology and speak the same languages.  Rhukoons have difficulties with the pronunciation of the letters M and B and despite knowing the language some Rhukoons choose to wear a polyvox to overcome this issue.

Society and Customs

Rhukoons are aware that they have come into existence in the cosmic blink of an eye and what little culture they do have seems to be inherited by their unevolved raccoon cousins.

Rhukoons are matriarchal and one’s lineage is traced through maternal ancestry.  The Rhukoon live with extended family in large households; at the head of each is a matriarch. Lineage is traced through the female side of the family, and property is passed down along the same maternal line.  Rhukoon women typically handle business decisions and men handle politics. Children are raised in the mother's households and take her name.

The Rhukoon have what's called “walking marriages." There is no institution of marriage; rather, women choose their partners by literally walking to the man’s home and the couples never live together. Since children always remains in the mother’s care, the father rarely plays a role in the upbringing of children. In some cases, the father's identity is not even known. 

When rhukoon boys become sensitive to female pheromones, around age 10, they are sent off to live in the men’s quarter.  The boys learn practical skills under the guidance of other men.  Some rhukoon men prefer to live in relative solitude while others live in frat house like conditions their entire lives. 

Attitudes

Rhukoon had built a society based on the remains of surviving human technologies from the “Earth That Was” and were more than ready to be discovered when first contact was made.  There is a strange familiarity between humans and rhukoons which neither race can explain. 

Few rhukoon to date have any formal education but they are fast learners.  Rhukoon are fascinated by technology and new things, quickly learning their uses through trial and error often more quickly than someone would by reading the manual.

Rhukoon enjoy the company of humans.  It is a rhukoon’s place in the verse to lurk or act as sidekick to their companions.  Zetas are not trusted or well liked mostly because they tend to lurk and only the rhukoon should fill this role.  

Heroes

Rhukoons lack formal training but they are quick to learn new skills.  Rhukoon are best suited to fill in Free Agent and Tech Ops roles, but may choose to fit any role left unfilled within a Aether.

Rhukoon Racial Traits

Rhukoon physiology has been altered by the conditions of Earth and they have the following racial traits;

Age: 10 years

-2 STR, +2 DEX, +2 END: A lifetime spent in low gravity and tight places.

Size: Rhukoons are Small creatures and gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty to their CMB and CMD, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.

Base Speed (Slow Speed): Rhukoons have a base speed of 20 feet.

Climber:  Rhukoon are natural climbers and have a base climb speed of 20 feet (along with the +8 racial bonus on Climb checks a climb speed affords).

Bonus Feat: Rhukoons begin play with Jack of All Trades feat, even if they don’t meet the minimum requirements.

Fast-Hands: Rhukoon receive a +2 racial bonus on Sleight of Hand checks

Languages: Spacers begin play speaking Pan Sol and Procyon.   Rhukoons with high Intelligence scores can learn any languages they are exposed to (except secret languages).

Low-Light Vision: Rhukoon can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.

Near Sighted: Rhukoon suffer double ranged attack penalties

Scent: Rhukoon possess a keen sense of smell and have the scent ability.

Slow Starter: Rhukoon begin 1st level with 1 skill point + Int modifier instead of the skill points indicated by core class, but gain skill points normally according to class beginning at 2nd level.

Weapon Familiarity: Rhukoons are proficient with slings and treat any weapon with the word “rhukoon” in its name a simple weapon.