Hiderid

The Hiderid are a diminutive bipedal, feathered, birdlike species living on Hakaria in Tau Elpis , but initially hailing from the Far Rim of the Pyxis Globula. Their plumage is outrageously coloured, with no two Hiderid the same. Hiderid have a small yellow beak, large beady eyes, and outrageously coloured and invariably unique plumages. They have weaker, more hollow bones than most species, and stand on digitigrade talons. They are flightless, as their vestigial wings hide a pair of arms, each ending in a four-fingered hand.    They are masters of commerce, whose civilizations have competed for wealth and glory throughout known history, and where warfare was characterized by hostile takeovers and corporate disruption. No amount of currency could bribe the Oberon from devastating their worlds, but the grandchildren of Hiderid that bribed their way away from the Globula are free to grease the wheels of civilization again in Tau Elpis, as part of the newfound Coalition of Stars.  

Origins

  The Hiderid trace their lineage to a crested water world somewhere in the Pyxis Globula called Aeri, a far cry from their current home on the desert planet Hakaria. Their civilizations grew around marketplaces and granaries, but they could never unite into the space age, with several star realms competing for power, wealth and influence. Four great nations dominated their corner of the Pyxis Globula, and their navies ferried goods to nearby clusters of civilization. Whilst their resource base was never large to begin with, their economic acumen ensured that no decision could be made without a Hiderid somewhere signing off on it. It is said that the secret of terraforming was discovered by greedy Hiderid corporations, but any truth to these claims - and the technology itself - has been buried in the sands of time...  

Mindset

  Hiderid are screwd, opportunistic birds with a penchant for good deals and shiny things. They do not quite think linearly, instead often blurting out half-formed ideas which make perfect sense to them but are difficult to grasp for others. Hiderid decision-making is often brash and impulsive, trading long-term plans for short-term gains which ultimately limit the economic potential of their species.   They are generally driven by personal ambition, but they are not particularly territorial, instead happy to trade with other cultures and embed themselves in their economic institutions but coexist peacefully. They are a short-lived species, all too aware of the quick passing of time. As a result, they tend to live full lives spent hoarding and spending lavish amounts of wealth in flamboyant displays.  

Culture

  Many Hiderid live within the Coalition, the main Hiderid nation-state in Tau Elpis. The culture of the Coalition is based on mercantile merit and materialism, though it is difficult to define it in long-term trends, as generations of Hiderid come and go fairly quickly, each eager to accomplish lots and leave their mark on the system.   There is a substantial minority of Hiderid who lives outside the Coalition. Only a few live in corporate black sites; several others reject the Coalition's culture entirely and favour lives spent as nomads, wandering the lawless deserts of Hakaria, whilst others still find the desert world inhospitable alltogether and form trader clans in the black of space.  

Xenotypes

  Three main sub-groups exist, tracing back to three of the great four nations of the Hiderid of yore.  

Mainstream Hiderid

  They are the most common Hiderid. They hail from the crested world Aeri, and their plumage tends to be coloured blue, green, or purple. They are generally hardy and charismatic, probably because despite all their differences, they generally exhibit the traits of a stereotypical Hiderid.  

Tona'ak

  The Tona'ak nation was more warlike than the others, for they often came to conflict with the Zaalans who occupied nearby star systems and competed over thaumium deposits. Even today, many Hiderid descended from the Tona'ak show greater strength, and their plumage is uncharacterically red, striped, and threatening.  

Relki

  The Relki nation was often described as a bandit kingdom : it was the smallest, most corrupt and yet commanded influence in every sphere of Hiderid life. Perhaps as a result of evolutionary pressure, many Hiderid of Relki descent tend to be smaller, more nimble; their plumage also does not call attention quite as strongly as that of other Hiderid. The Relki have been discriminated in the Coalition, and nowadays, they are likelier to form nomad bands and live outside of Coalition territory.  

Statblock

                                         

Size	Medium
Lifespan	65-70
Magic Ability	Only perhaps 2% of all Hiderid are able to perform Spellweaving. Foreign casters and Dive Drive workers are especially sought after in the Coalition.
Worldcrown	Hakaria
Major Factions	Hiderid Coalition of Stars
Language	Pyxian Common, Hakari
Average height	5′4″‒6′0″ (1.63‒1.8 m)
Average weight	130‒170 lb (59‒77 kg)
Skin colour	Hiderid have bright plumage is very colourful in females, and somewhat drabber in males.
Hair colour	Hiderid have feathers, not hair - they do have a feathered "headcrest" of similar colouration to the rest of the plumage which falls onto the chest and back.
Eye colour	Blue, green, brown.

Physical Description

 

Racial Bonus

  Mainstream Hiderid : +2 CON, +2 CHA   Tona'ak : +2 CON, +2 STR   Relki : +2 CHA, +2 DEX  

Racial Foci

 

Innate Balance

Hiderid have an innate understanding of balance and momentum. They gain a +1 level bonus to Piloting (except Rel'ki, who gain a +1 level bonus to Sneak instead)  

Cultural Friendliness

Hiderid have succeeded on the galactic stage through their shrewd diplomacy and interest in other cultures. This should come in very handy in a galaxy with far more life than their own. They gain a +1 level bonus to Connect and Trade.  

Names

  Hiderid names are formed of two parts ; family and given names. Upon marriage, Hiderid change their given names. Hiderid families can sometimes be composed of more than two individuals, and the least wealthy partners will also change their last name to that of the wealthier partner at the time of marriage.  

Male Names

  Tir Erex   Sasdish Roth   Thiam Dix   Dil Suzri   Issosh Turs  

Female names

  Imrighu Visi   Hebli Ricayhkah   Shil Rhozerda   Nohko Taymgunol   Egudo Tash  

Adventuring

  There are a few reasons for Hiderid to wander :

• They are part of a trade fleet or diplomatic convoy, and carry valuable goods with them to trade.
• They want to experience more of the universe, meet new people, and make great discoveries.
• They want to experience wealth, fame, and/or excitement wherever they can.
• They want to escape a life of poverty, and have hatched a ride to literally anywhere they can.
• They resent the Coalition's Imperative and seek more harmonious societies.
• They seek to study new and ancient traditions alike.
• They want to undermine another faction and safeguard Hiderid interests against another corporation, other Stream societies, or outsiders.