Halfworlder
Halfworlders are a race of genetically engineered intelligent, bipedal animals. They were created to act as guards for Halfworld, an uninhabitted planet which was repurposed as a high-security mental health facility.
The facility was originally manned by robots, however it was found that many of the inmates found the robots frightening or indimidating, which in tern was leading for an increase in stress and agressive behaviour in the patients. Animals were chosen to replace the robots, as it was hoped that staff who appeared cute would be less upsetting to inmates.
Animals from a number of planets were taken as test subjects, including Earth. These subjects were enhanced in various ways, including altering their spines and joints to allow them to more easily walk upright, altering their vocal chords to allow them to speak most common galactic languages, and altering their brains to dramatically increase their intelligence.
Although the impact on the patients was initially possitive, the impact upon the mental health of the animals had not been considered. Although it had been theorised that the difference in congnition would be great enough that they would not remember their past lives or the experiments done to them, this proved not to be the case. Many of them developed severe PTSD and other trauma-related mental health conditions as a result of remembering the experiments.
After most of the original batch of Halfworlders left the planet or were relieved of their duties, a second batch of Halfworlders was created who's memories were altered to ensure they did not remember any of the experiments.
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
It is believed that all Halfworlders are sterile, due to the manipulation of their genetics.
Growth Rate & Stages
Known Halfworlders appear to age at a much slower rate than the animals they were created from, although the extent of their lifespan is not yet known.
Additional Information
Average Intelligence
They possess higher than average intelligence for sapients, although the information and education available to them on Halfworld was limited to what was considered necessary for work at the facility.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Halfworlders were originally assigned numerical designations, but their creators had not considered that they would be interacting with people with names regularly, and the Halfworlders quickly chose names for themselves. Most chose to two names, using their original species as a surname. Many of the personal names chosen were nouns not usually used as names, such as Rocket or Blackjack.
Home System
Keystone Quadrant
Notable Individuals
Blackjack O'Hare
Lady Lylla
Rocket Raccoon
Keystone Quadrant
Origin/Ancestry
Artificially created
Lifespan
Unknown
Average Height
Variable
Average Weight
Variable
Geographic Distribution
Blackjack O'Hare
Lady Lylla
Rocket Raccoon