Followers - [Incomplete, subject to change]
Feb 14, 2014 19:34:44 GMT
Post by Screwface Romeo on Feb 14, 2014 19:34:44 GMT
Follower - Rubra Sapiens
Followers, also known as Reds or Rodjis are a common species of bipedal humanoid in Protectorate Space. Characterized by small, slight stature, red skin, large eyes and a long prehensile tail, Followers are the most human-like Xenosapient race, and can be found throughout the known Galaxy. Their high intelligence, inherent teachability and manual dexterity make them ideal technicians and IT workers, and this makes them among the most valuable races to the Protectorate. It is said that Followers are the oil that keeps the Human military and economic machine running, and this is not far from the truth. Famous for their clannishness and loyalty to their Colonies, Followers are prolific and rapid breeders, capable of quickly overrunning an area with their population, which leaves them the subject of derision and dislike on the part of most Humans, who see them as a nuisance and a disease that ruins neighborhoods and brings down property values. Despite their relatively high position in the Protectorate racial hierarchy, Followers are usually very poor, and looked down on by most races.
Etymology
The origins of the name "Follower" are unknown, but it is likely that it was given to them by the first Humans to encounter them, in reference to their collectivist mentality and tendency to follow their social group rather than strike out individually. Their scientific name, Rubra Sapiens, is Latin for "red wise one", or "red sapient", and most of the racial slurs referring to them derive their meaning from the red hue of Follower skin. Most Followers resent these titles, especially the term "rodji", which is seen as incredibly offensive, roughly equivalent to "nigger" in reference to dark-skinned Humans.
History
Followers were the first alien race encountered by Humanity, at the end of the 21st century. Efforts by the Protectorate to stifle and destroy Follower culture have left little information available about their history prior to First Contact, but it is known that the first Followers evolved from a nocturnal, carnivorous tree-dwelling primate analogue that lived in the jungle basins of their arid homeworld. The first true Followers were a subspecies that separated from their arboreal ancestors and evolved to live and hunt on the plains and deserts of their home continent. While they have retained some of their nocturnal/arboreal heritage, such as their large eyes, acrobatic agility and prehensile tails, the modern Follower is much larger, with longer limbs built for speed and running.
At the time that Humanity first encountered them, they had spread across most of their homeworld, and developed a heavily industrial civilization somewhat reminiscent of Europe in the early 20th century. Very nationalistic and fiercely loyal to their city-states and the quasi-national empires that they formed, the Followers proved very difficult to defeat. Despite being nearly 200 years behind humanity in technology, they were incredibly tenacious, and their numerical superiority, combined with their knowledge of the terrain, allowed them to harass the enemy with guerrilla warfare, or force them to fight in the cities, where hivelike Follower architecture left humanity fighting at extremely close quarters, and rendered them unable to use their heavier weapons.
Ultimately, in defiance of the US government, corporate forces detonated nuclear weapons over several of the largest cities, killing tens of millions and forcing the Followers to surrender. In the aftermath, the Follower governments were disbanded, and the remaining population was relocated to camps, while their cities were destroyed and salvaged for materials and valuables. Significant effort was made on the part of the Corporate forces to destroy and stifle Follower culture and history, out of fear that they might use their heritage and culture as a rallying point to rise against Humanity, as they had done to great effect during the war. To this day, no one outside of the Protectorate knows the true location of the Follower homeworld, or even their own name for themselves.
Biology
Anatomy and Physiology
Followers are
Life Cycle and Breeding
The species' life cycle, childrearing and breeding process
Diet and Feeding Habits
Followers are notorious for their voracious appetites. While technically omnivorous, their diet consists primarily of meat, supplemented with fruits and occasionally grains. Their teeth are designed for cutting and ripping, not grinding, and so they eschew vegetables or other tough foods. In addition to meat, Followers have evolved the capability to digest and absorb nutrients from the blood of their prey. This adaptation allows them to extract the maximum amount of nutrition from prey, as well as acquiring hydration from it, both vital abilities for a creature that lives in deserts. However, they neither require blood to live, nor are they capable of surviving on blood alone, and so, despite their reputation among Humans, are not true sanguivores. They prefer soft, lean meats, especially poultry analogs, but enjoy some tougher foods as well, particularly red meat, provided it is lightly cooked, juicy, and very tender. Followers do cook as a way of sanitizing and decontaminating food, but prefer a bare minimum, keeping food as close to raw as possible while remaining safe to eat. They enjoy bread as well, especially softer and fluffier varieties when combined with meat. They enjoy food with a crunchy outer shell, but dislike foods which are crisp and hard alone, like chips or hard candy. They do not crave sugar in the same way Humans do, and prefer sweet things in moderation. They have a particular taste for oily, greasy, savory foods like fried chicken or kebab meat, and like simple but bold flavors, such as salt or spice.
Followers have a very high metabolism, and need to consume significant quantities of food daily, with 1/3 of their body weight serving as a rough minimum. Having evolved in an environment where food is relatively scarce, they have developed the habit of eating as much as possible whenever food is available. In a modern context, they tend to eat two very large meals a day, and snack regularly in between them. Follower skin and organs are fairly elastic compared to humans', allowing them to store large amounts of food in their stomachs in case of scarcity. They enjoy gorging themselves in this manner, but practical and economic concerns generally prevent them from fully satisfying themselves. After eating a large meal of this sort, they become lethargic and sleepy, and a meal is typically followed by a long nap.
Food figures very prominently in Follower society. Followers eat together, share food, or gift food as a basic means of social exchange. It is considered incredibly rude not to offer food to your guests, and incredibly rude of them not to partake of it. Individuals who have a conflict within a social group are often made to share a large meal, which usually results in the resolution of the conflict. Colonies hold food in common, and distribute it freely according to need. There is not generally any sort of rationing process, as Followers naturally avoid taking more than their fair share out of loyalty to their Colony. Followers traditionally have great respect for farmers, butchers and bakers, as providers of food, while they disdain merchants and large food companies as a necessary, though distasteful, evil.
The Follower digestive system is designed primarily for the consumption of meat. Followers have a very efficient array of teeth, possessing more than Humans, though they are smaller and sharper. Follower teeth are designed to cut and tear, rather than grind, and they have few molars. In addition to their shearing teeth, they have two fangs located in a similar position to Human eyeteeth. These fangs are retractable, and can be pulled back into the upper jaw when not in use, leaving their tips level with the rest of the teeth. When needed, fangs are extended, and can reach a length of up to 3.5cm. Follower fangs are hollow, and are used for injecting venom stored and produced in two small glands on either side of the nose. Follower venom acts as a mild narcotic combined with a muscle relaxant, in effect, it prevents prey from struggling or fighting back. In Humans and some other species, the effect is quite enjoyable, and bottled venom is frequently sold and used as a street drug. Followers themselves find the effect pleasent, and will nip each other as a sign of affection, similar to the practice of kissing in Humans. Since Followers typically feed by taking large bites and swallowing them almost immediately, the tongue does not serve the function of moving food around in the mouth, as it does in Humans. Instead, its primary purpose is tasting and exploring, and so it is small, long, typically black or grey in color, and sensitive.
Once food is been bitten into manageable pieces, it is swallowed, and enters the next step in the digestive process: a gizzard located in the long neck of the species. The gizzards serves to soften, breakdown, and predigest food. Once young have been weaned, parents will typically feed them by regurgitating from the gizzard. Rubbing the front of the neck will generally stimulate this reaction, and so even adults will typically rub their faces against other individuals’ necks as a sign of affection. Followers can also use it as a method of storing food or liquid, they will typically eat even if they aren't hungry at the moment, and simply fully swallow it at their convenience. While not as sensitive as the tongue, the gizzard does possess a sense of taste, and Followers will typically spend a long time predigesting savory foods in order to extract their full flavor. Matter contained within the gizzard does not enter the bloodstream, so while Followers lack the same tolerance for alcohol as humans, they will typically drink more, and simply allow it into their bloodstream over a longer period.
The remainder of the digestive system and process is very similar to that of Humans, though the layout of the internal anatomy is markedly different.
Race and Subspecies
Followers possess multiple ethnic variations, but can generally be categorized into three races;
Solids, also called Serev or Smooths. Serev Followers are characterized by their lack of skin patterns. They are typically a medium-dark red, with no discernable patterning or variation in their skin. Serev tend to be taller and slimmer than other Followers, with a willowy, slender build even by Follower standards. They have longer, more mobile ears and larger, straighter noses, their jaws tend to be more angular and their bone structure more harsh and defined. Their eyes are smaller than other races, and their tails longer, but thinner. Hair colors are usually dark, with blacks and browns being prevalent. Eyes are usually softer colors, with dark greens and browns being prevalent. Serev are fairly common, and despite being less numerous than Kess, are the best known and perhaps the stereotypical Follower to other species. Serev are considered by many to be the classic standard for Follower beauty, particularly in females, and are stereotypically more cultured and refined. They are often seen as aloof and condescending by other Follower races, and it is believed that they were the dominant race on their homeworld prior to Human Incursion.
Stripys, also called Kess or Tigers. Stripy Followers are recognizable by their light red skin and darker horizontal stripes, which typically originate from the sides and fade out to a point near the middle of the front or back. Stripys are the most varied of Followers, both visually and genetically, and several regional varieties exist, differentiated by size, hue, contrast and cohesiveness of stripes. Two Kes Followers might have radically different skin patterns, with one having very light skin with crisp, dark red stripes, and another having darker skin with more faded, irregular stripes. Kess are typically shorter and stockier than Serev, with shorter ears, necks and tails, rounded faces, and more physical strength. Their eyes are larger and more vibrantly colored, with purples and yellows being fairly common. Their noses are frequently turned up and smaller than those of Serev. Kess males are known for being very strong by Follower standards, with broad shoulders and large hands, while females are curvy, with larger breasts and thicker frames than Serev or Laiters. Of all Followers, Kess are the most likely to be plump; they have somewhat slower metabolisms than the others, and tend to store more energy as fat. They are believed to have originated in northern climates, where this would be an advantage, and unlike Serev, who generally distain any amount of excess bodyweight, seem to view some degree of plumpness as attractive, and indicative of a healthy lifestyle. Kess are hardier than other Follower races, and can stand colder temperatures, though they still vastly prefer warm climates. Kess are often looked down on, most frequently by Serev, as being lazy, stupid, rude, uncultured and less than fastidious about their appearance. They consider themselves to be easygoing and are often the friendliest of Followers, and the most accepting of outsiders.
Spotteds, usually called Laiters or occasionally Freckleds. Spotted Followers are the rarest breed of Follower, and were believed to be so even before Human Incursion. Laiters are typically of middling height and build, in between the tall, skinny Serev and the small, rounded Kess. They have longer legs, wider hips, thicker tails and more lower body strength than other races, making them very swift and agile runners or climbers, and are generally much more acrobatic than most Followers. Spotted Followers are instantly recognizable by their skin pattern, which starts off a richer red along the sides, then fades as it approaches the centerline, accompanied by irregular, dark red spots. They are notorious for being very high energy, hyperactive creatures, and are usually very inquisitive and curious, even by Follower standards. They frequently have difficulty sitting still, and tend to be very bouncy, upbeat and excitable. Laiters hate the cold even more than other Followers, but are much more comfortable with rain or dampness. It is believed that they are the closest, evolutionarily, to their original ancestor, and have many more of those original nocturnal, arboreal characteristics than the other races. They have large eyes, very mobile ears, and are very agile and dexterous climbers. They dislike bright lights and loud noises, and are more soft-spoken than other Followers. Laiters seem to possess a decent reputation with both Serev and Kess, and don’t seem particularly involved in the ancient rivalry between those two, though they are typically closer to the Serev.
Habitat
Followers originated on a continent on their homeworld which was very arid and dry. They are most at home in deserts, grasslands or savannas, preferring open spaces and a hot, dry climate. They hate the cold, and are extremely uncomfortable in wet or humid environments, especially wetlands and swamps. Left to their own devices, they will generally migrate to the saharan region of a planet, avoiding polar, continental or tropical zones, and will avoid high altitudes or river deltas. Followers are not as hardy as Humans and some other species, and lack Humanity’s ability to adapt to a wide variety of climates. They have a lower core temperature than Humans, and will not survive in the cold as well, being more susceptible to hypothermia. Forced to inhabit a cold or wet area, Followers will often become irritable and depressed, particularly in reaction to cold. Precipitation, especially rain, is highly annoying to them, and they have an intense aversion to it, preferring to seek shelter rather than expose themselves to it, even in protective gear. Followers have less body fat than Humans, and are far less buoyant. Their nasal structure, while excellent at protecting their sinuses from dust or sand, does not offer protection from water in the way Human noses do, and this, combined with long, slender limbs and a long digit-to-palm ratio makes them exceedingly poor swimmers. Unsurprisingly, they hate water and panic when submerged even partially, which only exacerbates the problem. Followers avoid large bodies of water like the plague, and are especially suspicious of swamps and bogs. While they are capable of overcoming this fear in the name of expansion and exploration, they still dislike sea travel and regard sailors as somewhere between incredibly brave, and entirely crazy.
Follower instinct and society emphasizes the communal, and their choice of living space reflects this. Followers live at very close quarters, preferring densely packed buildings, or large, multi-unit dwellings. While Humans or other more solitary species might find this claustrophobic or stifling, Followers derive comfort from it, and will seek out neighborhoods or apartment buildings which maximize closeness and communal spaces. With their penchant for rapid breeding, they will very quickly dominate an area and drive out other species if left unchecked, and once in control of an area, will build on top of or around existing structures to provide additional closeness and protection from the elements. Followers have been known to inhabit abandoned shopping malls or warehouses, and convert them into living spaces, and on frontier worlds where the Protectorate’s control is weaker and Humanity has less authority, they will expand on these structures, swallowing the area around them until contained. Once they run out of room to expand, they will begin to build upward, creating massive, ramshackle, hivelike cities which can overshadow even the tallest freestanding skyscrapers, or burrow underground, digging intricate networks of tunnels and subterranean living quarters. These “Follower Hives” are considered a nuisance by other species, and are particularly offensive to Humans, who will attempt to stamp them out whenever possible, sometimes even resorting to burning or blowing up Follower structures which get out of control, frequently without bothering to evict the inhabitants first. While cruel, their concern is justified to some degree, as unchecked Follower Hives have frequently swallowed up entire cities.
Culture and Behavior
Social Structure
Follower are well known for their extremely social behavior. They form large extended family/friend groups called "Colonies", which are very close-knit and are very important to Followers. A Follower's Colony is a large part of his or her identity, and more important to them than their own lives. Followers seem to have a hierarchy of loyalties in life which looks something like this; 1) Colony, 2) Nation, 3) Self and 4) Species. They are fiercely loyal to their Colonies, and most will defend them to the death, or sacrifice themselves without a second thought. In a series of Protectorate-funded experiments to test Follower social loyalty, when a Colony was isolated and put in a situation where there were not enough resources to sustain all it's members, the weakest members of the Colony routinely committed suicide in order to conserve resources for the rest. While this might seem crazy to Humans, it is perfectly natural and expected within Follower society. Colony mates form bonds which last a lifetime, even if an individual leaves the Colony, they will always be welcome back, and Colonies will offer any aid they can to former members in a heartbeat. Follower Colonies are often very ancient, some of them even dating back to before Human Incursion, and have long-standing traditions and rivalries that the Protectorate has not managed to eradicate (though not for lack of trying). Followers will leave their Colonies if they form a romantic relationship with a member of another Colony, or join a group intent on founding a new Colony. Colonies are typically geographically bound, and will form offshoots and sub-Colonies in order to expand into new territories. As a result, Colonial Lineages can become very complicated, and young Followers from traditional or "cultured" Colonies are expected to learn them by heart. Colonial Heritage is more important than biological family (since offspring are frequently born outside of formal relationships), and while Followers have a working knowledge of their biological heritage in order to avoid incest, they are more likely to associate with the history of their Colony than their individual parents.
Colonies are typically democratic, with every adult member participating in decision-making, though variations exist based on the traditions of individual Colonies. Colonies generally pool their funds and resources, with every member contributing to the common stockpile, and the Colony decides how those resources are distributed. Followers are usually more concerned with the welfare of their Colony than their own personal avarice, and rarely object to this system, as odd as it might sound to Humans.
Social Interaction
How members of the species typically interact with eachother and other species
Sexuality and Love
Unlike Humans, who almost universally associate physical and romantic attraction, Followers are notable for their separation of the two. Followers see sex and love as two very distinct attractions, and act on them separately. Love is very important to Followers, and they are deeply sensitive and emotional creatures, forming very strong bonds with both their Colony and romantic partners. Follower romantic relationships are seen as very special, sacred bonds, and are not entered into lightly. Followers are monogamous in their romantic relationships, and mate for life. Divorces are very rare, but are not stigmatized: a romantic relationship which is devoid of love is abhorrent to them, and best dissolved as soon as possible, with as little hostility as possible. Romantic relationships are often accompanied by an elaborate and extended courtship phase, with prospective partners eager to ensure that they are compatible before making any sort of formal commitment. While male/female romantic partners frequently breed with each other, they do not develop a nuclear family in the Human sense, and breeding or even sex is not considered necessary for a romantic commitment. Followers are usually romantically attracted to only one sex or gender, with biromanticism being quite rare.
Sexuality, while entirely distinct, is equally important. Recreational sex is a very important part of Follower society, and is frequently used to cement social commitments or to develop bonds. While they instinctively avoid mating with relatives and consider it abhorrent, there are few other boundaries. Followers do not posses sexualities in the Human sense, that is to say, they are very rarely exclusively homosexual or heterosexual in terms of physical attraction. An individual Follower might have preferences for one sex or another, in the same way that a Human might prefer blondes or brunettes, but these are rarely exclusive. Sex is a social behavior, and frequently dictated by circumstances. While the majority of Followers will gravitate towards the opposite sex when available, they will just as readily engage in homosexual activity when the opposite sex is either absent or unavailable. This is particularly common in females, who make up a larger segment of the population, and generally form much closer and stronger bonds than males. Even Followers who exhibit a strong preference for one sex or gender will often engage in relations with the other, if only to be polite or show affection. The one exception seems to be in regards to romantic relationships: pressuring a romantic partner into a physical relationship if they are unwilling is seen as incredibly rude and is universally looked down upon.
It is difficult for Humans to comprehend the extent of Follower separation of sex and love, and this generally results in derision and stigmatization. While a Follower would consider having casual sex with a friend or acquaintance while in a committed romantic relationship perfectly natural, Humans would consider the same behavior cheating, an outlook which Followers find bizarre. As a result, Humans consider Followers to be amoral, uncivilized and "slutty", while Followers see Humans as uptight prudes who are afraid of sex and overburdened with boundaries and social conventions which make no sense to them. While Humans typically dismiss this separation as an excuse for loose behavior, it is a very real and observable behavior trait. Followers who are romantically attracted to the same sex will frequently mate with the opposite, and vice versa. By the same token, some romantic couples may never have physical relations, as they simply do not find each other sexually attractive. Since it tends to draw criticism and hatred from other species, particularly Humans, Followers are rarely open about sexual matters with other species, and tend to be very private about it in the presence of non-Followers, even though they are very casual and open with each other about such things.
Habits and Behaviors
Prominent or notable habits or behaviors common to the species
Rituals and Rites
Common rites, rituals and other misc. cultural data
Language and Speech
The Protectorate has made significant effort to stamp out and destroy as much of Follower heritage as possible, especially their language.
Common Name: | Follower |
Scientific Name: | Rubra Sapiens |
Classification: | Humanoid Biped |
Terrestrial Analogue: | Mammal, Primate |
Homeworld: | Unknown |
Followers, also known as Reds or Rodjis are a common species of bipedal humanoid in Protectorate Space. Characterized by small, slight stature, red skin, large eyes and a long prehensile tail, Followers are the most human-like Xenosapient race, and can be found throughout the known Galaxy. Their high intelligence, inherent teachability and manual dexterity make them ideal technicians and IT workers, and this makes them among the most valuable races to the Protectorate. It is said that Followers are the oil that keeps the Human military and economic machine running, and this is not far from the truth. Famous for their clannishness and loyalty to their Colonies, Followers are prolific and rapid breeders, capable of quickly overrunning an area with their population, which leaves them the subject of derision and dislike on the part of most Humans, who see them as a nuisance and a disease that ruins neighborhoods and brings down property values. Despite their relatively high position in the Protectorate racial hierarchy, Followers are usually very poor, and looked down on by most races.
Etymology
The origins of the name "Follower" are unknown, but it is likely that it was given to them by the first Humans to encounter them, in reference to their collectivist mentality and tendency to follow their social group rather than strike out individually. Their scientific name, Rubra Sapiens, is Latin for "red wise one", or "red sapient", and most of the racial slurs referring to them derive their meaning from the red hue of Follower skin. Most Followers resent these titles, especially the term "rodji", which is seen as incredibly offensive, roughly equivalent to "nigger" in reference to dark-skinned Humans.
History
Followers were the first alien race encountered by Humanity, at the end of the 21st century. Efforts by the Protectorate to stifle and destroy Follower culture have left little information available about their history prior to First Contact, but it is known that the first Followers evolved from a nocturnal, carnivorous tree-dwelling primate analogue that lived in the jungle basins of their arid homeworld. The first true Followers were a subspecies that separated from their arboreal ancestors and evolved to live and hunt on the plains and deserts of their home continent. While they have retained some of their nocturnal/arboreal heritage, such as their large eyes, acrobatic agility and prehensile tails, the modern Follower is much larger, with longer limbs built for speed and running.
At the time that Humanity first encountered them, they had spread across most of their homeworld, and developed a heavily industrial civilization somewhat reminiscent of Europe in the early 20th century. Very nationalistic and fiercely loyal to their city-states and the quasi-national empires that they formed, the Followers proved very difficult to defeat. Despite being nearly 200 years behind humanity in technology, they were incredibly tenacious, and their numerical superiority, combined with their knowledge of the terrain, allowed them to harass the enemy with guerrilla warfare, or force them to fight in the cities, where hivelike Follower architecture left humanity fighting at extremely close quarters, and rendered them unable to use their heavier weapons.
Ultimately, in defiance of the US government, corporate forces detonated nuclear weapons over several of the largest cities, killing tens of millions and forcing the Followers to surrender. In the aftermath, the Follower governments were disbanded, and the remaining population was relocated to camps, while their cities were destroyed and salvaged for materials and valuables. Significant effort was made on the part of the Corporate forces to destroy and stifle Follower culture and history, out of fear that they might use their heritage and culture as a rallying point to rise against Humanity, as they had done to great effect during the war. To this day, no one outside of the Protectorate knows the true location of the Follower homeworld, or even their own name for themselves.
Biology
Anatomy and Physiology
Average Height (Male) | 1.42m |
Average Weight (Male) | 45kg |
Average Height (Female) | 1.54m |
Average Weight (Female) | 39kg |
Followers are
Life Cycle and Breeding
The species' life cycle, childrearing and breeding process
Diet and Feeding Habits
Followers are notorious for their voracious appetites. While technically omnivorous, their diet consists primarily of meat, supplemented with fruits and occasionally grains. Their teeth are designed for cutting and ripping, not grinding, and so they eschew vegetables or other tough foods. In addition to meat, Followers have evolved the capability to digest and absorb nutrients from the blood of their prey. This adaptation allows them to extract the maximum amount of nutrition from prey, as well as acquiring hydration from it, both vital abilities for a creature that lives in deserts. However, they neither require blood to live, nor are they capable of surviving on blood alone, and so, despite their reputation among Humans, are not true sanguivores. They prefer soft, lean meats, especially poultry analogs, but enjoy some tougher foods as well, particularly red meat, provided it is lightly cooked, juicy, and very tender. Followers do cook as a way of sanitizing and decontaminating food, but prefer a bare minimum, keeping food as close to raw as possible while remaining safe to eat. They enjoy bread as well, especially softer and fluffier varieties when combined with meat. They enjoy food with a crunchy outer shell, but dislike foods which are crisp and hard alone, like chips or hard candy. They do not crave sugar in the same way Humans do, and prefer sweet things in moderation. They have a particular taste for oily, greasy, savory foods like fried chicken or kebab meat, and like simple but bold flavors, such as salt or spice.
Followers have a very high metabolism, and need to consume significant quantities of food daily, with 1/3 of their body weight serving as a rough minimum. Having evolved in an environment where food is relatively scarce, they have developed the habit of eating as much as possible whenever food is available. In a modern context, they tend to eat two very large meals a day, and snack regularly in between them. Follower skin and organs are fairly elastic compared to humans', allowing them to store large amounts of food in their stomachs in case of scarcity. They enjoy gorging themselves in this manner, but practical and economic concerns generally prevent them from fully satisfying themselves. After eating a large meal of this sort, they become lethargic and sleepy, and a meal is typically followed by a long nap.
Food figures very prominently in Follower society. Followers eat together, share food, or gift food as a basic means of social exchange. It is considered incredibly rude not to offer food to your guests, and incredibly rude of them not to partake of it. Individuals who have a conflict within a social group are often made to share a large meal, which usually results in the resolution of the conflict. Colonies hold food in common, and distribute it freely according to need. There is not generally any sort of rationing process, as Followers naturally avoid taking more than their fair share out of loyalty to their Colony. Followers traditionally have great respect for farmers, butchers and bakers, as providers of food, while they disdain merchants and large food companies as a necessary, though distasteful, evil.
The Follower digestive system is designed primarily for the consumption of meat. Followers have a very efficient array of teeth, possessing more than Humans, though they are smaller and sharper. Follower teeth are designed to cut and tear, rather than grind, and they have few molars. In addition to their shearing teeth, they have two fangs located in a similar position to Human eyeteeth. These fangs are retractable, and can be pulled back into the upper jaw when not in use, leaving their tips level with the rest of the teeth. When needed, fangs are extended, and can reach a length of up to 3.5cm. Follower fangs are hollow, and are used for injecting venom stored and produced in two small glands on either side of the nose. Follower venom acts as a mild narcotic combined with a muscle relaxant, in effect, it prevents prey from struggling or fighting back. In Humans and some other species, the effect is quite enjoyable, and bottled venom is frequently sold and used as a street drug. Followers themselves find the effect pleasent, and will nip each other as a sign of affection, similar to the practice of kissing in Humans. Since Followers typically feed by taking large bites and swallowing them almost immediately, the tongue does not serve the function of moving food around in the mouth, as it does in Humans. Instead, its primary purpose is tasting and exploring, and so it is small, long, typically black or grey in color, and sensitive.
Once food is been bitten into manageable pieces, it is swallowed, and enters the next step in the digestive process: a gizzard located in the long neck of the species. The gizzards serves to soften, breakdown, and predigest food. Once young have been weaned, parents will typically feed them by regurgitating from the gizzard. Rubbing the front of the neck will generally stimulate this reaction, and so even adults will typically rub their faces against other individuals’ necks as a sign of affection. Followers can also use it as a method of storing food or liquid, they will typically eat even if they aren't hungry at the moment, and simply fully swallow it at their convenience. While not as sensitive as the tongue, the gizzard does possess a sense of taste, and Followers will typically spend a long time predigesting savory foods in order to extract their full flavor. Matter contained within the gizzard does not enter the bloodstream, so while Followers lack the same tolerance for alcohol as humans, they will typically drink more, and simply allow it into their bloodstream over a longer period.
The remainder of the digestive system and process is very similar to that of Humans, though the layout of the internal anatomy is markedly different.
Race and Subspecies
Followers possess multiple ethnic variations, but can generally be categorized into three races;
Solids, also called Serev or Smooths. Serev Followers are characterized by their lack of skin patterns. They are typically a medium-dark red, with no discernable patterning or variation in their skin. Serev tend to be taller and slimmer than other Followers, with a willowy, slender build even by Follower standards. They have longer, more mobile ears and larger, straighter noses, their jaws tend to be more angular and their bone structure more harsh and defined. Their eyes are smaller than other races, and their tails longer, but thinner. Hair colors are usually dark, with blacks and browns being prevalent. Eyes are usually softer colors, with dark greens and browns being prevalent. Serev are fairly common, and despite being less numerous than Kess, are the best known and perhaps the stereotypical Follower to other species. Serev are considered by many to be the classic standard for Follower beauty, particularly in females, and are stereotypically more cultured and refined. They are often seen as aloof and condescending by other Follower races, and it is believed that they were the dominant race on their homeworld prior to Human Incursion.
Stripys, also called Kess or Tigers. Stripy Followers are recognizable by their light red skin and darker horizontal stripes, which typically originate from the sides and fade out to a point near the middle of the front or back. Stripys are the most varied of Followers, both visually and genetically, and several regional varieties exist, differentiated by size, hue, contrast and cohesiveness of stripes. Two Kes Followers might have radically different skin patterns, with one having very light skin with crisp, dark red stripes, and another having darker skin with more faded, irregular stripes. Kess are typically shorter and stockier than Serev, with shorter ears, necks and tails, rounded faces, and more physical strength. Their eyes are larger and more vibrantly colored, with purples and yellows being fairly common. Their noses are frequently turned up and smaller than those of Serev. Kess males are known for being very strong by Follower standards, with broad shoulders and large hands, while females are curvy, with larger breasts and thicker frames than Serev or Laiters. Of all Followers, Kess are the most likely to be plump; they have somewhat slower metabolisms than the others, and tend to store more energy as fat. They are believed to have originated in northern climates, where this would be an advantage, and unlike Serev, who generally distain any amount of excess bodyweight, seem to view some degree of plumpness as attractive, and indicative of a healthy lifestyle. Kess are hardier than other Follower races, and can stand colder temperatures, though they still vastly prefer warm climates. Kess are often looked down on, most frequently by Serev, as being lazy, stupid, rude, uncultured and less than fastidious about their appearance. They consider themselves to be easygoing and are often the friendliest of Followers, and the most accepting of outsiders.
Spotteds, usually called Laiters or occasionally Freckleds. Spotted Followers are the rarest breed of Follower, and were believed to be so even before Human Incursion. Laiters are typically of middling height and build, in between the tall, skinny Serev and the small, rounded Kess. They have longer legs, wider hips, thicker tails and more lower body strength than other races, making them very swift and agile runners or climbers, and are generally much more acrobatic than most Followers. Spotted Followers are instantly recognizable by their skin pattern, which starts off a richer red along the sides, then fades as it approaches the centerline, accompanied by irregular, dark red spots. They are notorious for being very high energy, hyperactive creatures, and are usually very inquisitive and curious, even by Follower standards. They frequently have difficulty sitting still, and tend to be very bouncy, upbeat and excitable. Laiters hate the cold even more than other Followers, but are much more comfortable with rain or dampness. It is believed that they are the closest, evolutionarily, to their original ancestor, and have many more of those original nocturnal, arboreal characteristics than the other races. They have large eyes, very mobile ears, and are very agile and dexterous climbers. They dislike bright lights and loud noises, and are more soft-spoken than other Followers. Laiters seem to possess a decent reputation with both Serev and Kess, and don’t seem particularly involved in the ancient rivalry between those two, though they are typically closer to the Serev.
Habitat
Followers originated on a continent on their homeworld which was very arid and dry. They are most at home in deserts, grasslands or savannas, preferring open spaces and a hot, dry climate. They hate the cold, and are extremely uncomfortable in wet or humid environments, especially wetlands and swamps. Left to their own devices, they will generally migrate to the saharan region of a planet, avoiding polar, continental or tropical zones, and will avoid high altitudes or river deltas. Followers are not as hardy as Humans and some other species, and lack Humanity’s ability to adapt to a wide variety of climates. They have a lower core temperature than Humans, and will not survive in the cold as well, being more susceptible to hypothermia. Forced to inhabit a cold or wet area, Followers will often become irritable and depressed, particularly in reaction to cold. Precipitation, especially rain, is highly annoying to them, and they have an intense aversion to it, preferring to seek shelter rather than expose themselves to it, even in protective gear. Followers have less body fat than Humans, and are far less buoyant. Their nasal structure, while excellent at protecting their sinuses from dust or sand, does not offer protection from water in the way Human noses do, and this, combined with long, slender limbs and a long digit-to-palm ratio makes them exceedingly poor swimmers. Unsurprisingly, they hate water and panic when submerged even partially, which only exacerbates the problem. Followers avoid large bodies of water like the plague, and are especially suspicious of swamps and bogs. While they are capable of overcoming this fear in the name of expansion and exploration, they still dislike sea travel and regard sailors as somewhere between incredibly brave, and entirely crazy.
Follower instinct and society emphasizes the communal, and their choice of living space reflects this. Followers live at very close quarters, preferring densely packed buildings, or large, multi-unit dwellings. While Humans or other more solitary species might find this claustrophobic or stifling, Followers derive comfort from it, and will seek out neighborhoods or apartment buildings which maximize closeness and communal spaces. With their penchant for rapid breeding, they will very quickly dominate an area and drive out other species if left unchecked, and once in control of an area, will build on top of or around existing structures to provide additional closeness and protection from the elements. Followers have been known to inhabit abandoned shopping malls or warehouses, and convert them into living spaces, and on frontier worlds where the Protectorate’s control is weaker and Humanity has less authority, they will expand on these structures, swallowing the area around them until contained. Once they run out of room to expand, they will begin to build upward, creating massive, ramshackle, hivelike cities which can overshadow even the tallest freestanding skyscrapers, or burrow underground, digging intricate networks of tunnels and subterranean living quarters. These “Follower Hives” are considered a nuisance by other species, and are particularly offensive to Humans, who will attempt to stamp them out whenever possible, sometimes even resorting to burning or blowing up Follower structures which get out of control, frequently without bothering to evict the inhabitants first. While cruel, their concern is justified to some degree, as unchecked Follower Hives have frequently swallowed up entire cities.
Culture and Behavior
Social Structure
Follower are well known for their extremely social behavior. They form large extended family/friend groups called "Colonies", which are very close-knit and are very important to Followers. A Follower's Colony is a large part of his or her identity, and more important to them than their own lives. Followers seem to have a hierarchy of loyalties in life which looks something like this; 1) Colony, 2) Nation, 3) Self and 4) Species. They are fiercely loyal to their Colonies, and most will defend them to the death, or sacrifice themselves without a second thought. In a series of Protectorate-funded experiments to test Follower social loyalty, when a Colony was isolated and put in a situation where there were not enough resources to sustain all it's members, the weakest members of the Colony routinely committed suicide in order to conserve resources for the rest. While this might seem crazy to Humans, it is perfectly natural and expected within Follower society. Colony mates form bonds which last a lifetime, even if an individual leaves the Colony, they will always be welcome back, and Colonies will offer any aid they can to former members in a heartbeat. Follower Colonies are often very ancient, some of them even dating back to before Human Incursion, and have long-standing traditions and rivalries that the Protectorate has not managed to eradicate (though not for lack of trying). Followers will leave their Colonies if they form a romantic relationship with a member of another Colony, or join a group intent on founding a new Colony. Colonies are typically geographically bound, and will form offshoots and sub-Colonies in order to expand into new territories. As a result, Colonial Lineages can become very complicated, and young Followers from traditional or "cultured" Colonies are expected to learn them by heart. Colonial Heritage is more important than biological family (since offspring are frequently born outside of formal relationships), and while Followers have a working knowledge of their biological heritage in order to avoid incest, they are more likely to associate with the history of their Colony than their individual parents.
Colonies are typically democratic, with every adult member participating in decision-making, though variations exist based on the traditions of individual Colonies. Colonies generally pool their funds and resources, with every member contributing to the common stockpile, and the Colony decides how those resources are distributed. Followers are usually more concerned with the welfare of their Colony than their own personal avarice, and rarely object to this system, as odd as it might sound to Humans.
Social Interaction
How members of the species typically interact with eachother and other species
Sexuality and Love
Unlike Humans, who almost universally associate physical and romantic attraction, Followers are notable for their separation of the two. Followers see sex and love as two very distinct attractions, and act on them separately. Love is very important to Followers, and they are deeply sensitive and emotional creatures, forming very strong bonds with both their Colony and romantic partners. Follower romantic relationships are seen as very special, sacred bonds, and are not entered into lightly. Followers are monogamous in their romantic relationships, and mate for life. Divorces are very rare, but are not stigmatized: a romantic relationship which is devoid of love is abhorrent to them, and best dissolved as soon as possible, with as little hostility as possible. Romantic relationships are often accompanied by an elaborate and extended courtship phase, with prospective partners eager to ensure that they are compatible before making any sort of formal commitment. While male/female romantic partners frequently breed with each other, they do not develop a nuclear family in the Human sense, and breeding or even sex is not considered necessary for a romantic commitment. Followers are usually romantically attracted to only one sex or gender, with biromanticism being quite rare.
Sexuality, while entirely distinct, is equally important. Recreational sex is a very important part of Follower society, and is frequently used to cement social commitments or to develop bonds. While they instinctively avoid mating with relatives and consider it abhorrent, there are few other boundaries. Followers do not posses sexualities in the Human sense, that is to say, they are very rarely exclusively homosexual or heterosexual in terms of physical attraction. An individual Follower might have preferences for one sex or another, in the same way that a Human might prefer blondes or brunettes, but these are rarely exclusive. Sex is a social behavior, and frequently dictated by circumstances. While the majority of Followers will gravitate towards the opposite sex when available, they will just as readily engage in homosexual activity when the opposite sex is either absent or unavailable. This is particularly common in females, who make up a larger segment of the population, and generally form much closer and stronger bonds than males. Even Followers who exhibit a strong preference for one sex or gender will often engage in relations with the other, if only to be polite or show affection. The one exception seems to be in regards to romantic relationships: pressuring a romantic partner into a physical relationship if they are unwilling is seen as incredibly rude and is universally looked down upon.
It is difficult for Humans to comprehend the extent of Follower separation of sex and love, and this generally results in derision and stigmatization. While a Follower would consider having casual sex with a friend or acquaintance while in a committed romantic relationship perfectly natural, Humans would consider the same behavior cheating, an outlook which Followers find bizarre. As a result, Humans consider Followers to be amoral, uncivilized and "slutty", while Followers see Humans as uptight prudes who are afraid of sex and overburdened with boundaries and social conventions which make no sense to them. While Humans typically dismiss this separation as an excuse for loose behavior, it is a very real and observable behavior trait. Followers who are romantically attracted to the same sex will frequently mate with the opposite, and vice versa. By the same token, some romantic couples may never have physical relations, as they simply do not find each other sexually attractive. Since it tends to draw criticism and hatred from other species, particularly Humans, Followers are rarely open about sexual matters with other species, and tend to be very private about it in the presence of non-Followers, even though they are very casual and open with each other about such things.
Habits and Behaviors
Prominent or notable habits or behaviors common to the species
Rituals and Rites
Common rites, rituals and other misc. cultural data
Language and Speech
The Protectorate has made significant effort to stamp out and destroy as much of Follower heritage as possible, especially their language.