TZENKETHI
Once a small, aggressive race, the Tzenkethi have fought a number of small skirmishes with most of the races in their immediate area including the Federation, and have increased their territory considerably. Brutal raiders, they strip mine the worlds they conquer and enslave the inhabitants to do so. Once exhausted, the planet and the slaves are left dead, no longer of use to the Tzenkethi.
Recently they have fought a series of inconclusive wars with their neighbors the Talarians. This has lead to a Starfleet Peacekeeping mission in the area.
Ruled by an Autarch, Tzenkethi culture is a complete Despotism. This has engendered a very callous attitude amongst the Tzenkethi who delight in the misfortune of others.
Conquered worlds are laughingly called "Colonies" and are ruled by a Planetship, who is in charge of mining and extracting all the possible resources they can for the benefit of themselves and the Autarch. Using their Leverage (see below) they are able to attract soldiers, starships, workers, etc to accomplish these tasks.
All Tzenkethi are born on the homeworld and are not allowed to leave until they achieve a minimum of Leverage. Since there are no family units on Tzenkethi, potential mates agree to breed and deposit their genetic materials with a Birthing Matrix Center. Again a certain amount of Leverage is required before breeding is allowed. If any Tzenkethi choose to breed in the old fashioned way, unwanted or unexpected pregnancies are immediately terminated and the offenders are stripped of all their Leverage. That said, sex is a favorite thing of the Tzenkethi who have elevated birth control to an almost god like level. Many Leverage negotiations are done over the procurement of sexual favor.
Female Tzenkethi are not allowed to advance very far in Leverage, and may never command starships, military forces or hold Planetship or Autarch. This has made them second class citizens, but most cunningly acquire lives of certain comfort by providing sexual favor (and other services) to males with high leverage.
Tzenkethi are very disdainful of other species and look down upon them. Their aggressive nature belies a cunning though that allows them to see any opportunity for Leverage, despite who they are dealing with. But rest assured when the Tzenkethi have what they want, any non-Tzenkethi used to acquire it will more than likely disappear.
Description: Tzenkethi average from 2 to 2.5 meters in height, with most coming in around 2.3 meters in height. Their heads are long and bulbous, indicating an large brain cavity. Their eyes are pale and colored in he red to yellow, with no blue colors at all. Their hair is coarse and plentiful. Skins tones range from pale-grey to rudy-brown.
Languages: Tzenkethi (also called Gzrlak [gk-rr-lac] in their native tongue)
Preferred Professions: Soldier. Given the Tzenkethi need for aggressive expansion, wealth and Leverage is easiest to accumulate as a warrior on one of the many enslaved worlds of the Tzenkethi.
Attribute Modifiers: Due to the high G, thick atmosphered and high heat of Tzenketh, all Tzenkethi receive +1 Vitality, +1 Strength and -1 Perception.
Species Abilities
Leverage - Everything in Tzenkethi society is done through leverage. Choosing a mate, commanding a ship, buying a home, leading the race. The more Leverage a Tzenkethi acquires, the more they can lord it over lesser Tzenkethi. Leverage is made up of political influence, money and having compromising information on others. In game turns, when one Tzenkethi is using leverage against another, the aggressor may use their Leverage as a bonus to their dice roll, the resistor may add their Leverage to their Savvy reaction check to resist. Leverage only works against other Tzenkethi. Leverage can be upgraded as a normal Edge (2 picks) but is limited to 10.
Average Leverage Ranks (Examples but not limited too)
1 - Receive the right to leave the homeworld
2 - Greater choice on mating, Maximum Leverage for females.
3 - Command a division or unit of soldiers
4 - Command a Tzenkethi Raider
5 - Command a Planet's military units (ground forces only)
6 - Command a group of Raiders, like a small Fleet
7 - Receive Planetship of a minor world
8 - Receive Planetship of a lesser world or multiple minor worlds
9 - Receive Planetship of an important world or multiple lesser worlds
10 - Become Autarch
Life Support - Due to their very specific (and heavily polluted) homeworld environment, all Tzenkethi must utilize a special breathing filter when in other areas. Without these breathers a Tzenkethi will begin to choke and eventually suffocate within 1d6+Vitality modifier rounds.
Notes: My Tzenkethi are based loosely on the Psyclos from Battlefield Earth. While the movie may suck, it has some great production designs by Patrick Tatopoulos. Leverage is as best as I can make I, since I couldn't really think of another way to do it. But I am open to suggestions :) Same thing for the breathing aspect.
As the campaign work continues I will post info on Tzenkethi ships and equipment.
http://www.earthalpha.net/genesis/kzrezth.jpg http://www.earthalpha.net/genesis/tzera.jpg
