The Haplings

## Overview

The Haplings were once a major species in the galactic scene, contributing to the rich tapestry of the galaxy with their unique culture. Known for their whimsical nature, artistic talents, naivete and adventurous spirits, these short-statured mammals often captivated other species with their innocence and wonder.

For reasons that are not well known in the galactic scene, the Haplings were almost completely wiped out by a plague which raged from 301C to 303C. It is incorrectly believed by most that this plague was natural.

## Whisprism: A Spiritual Connection

Whisprism, a native religion of the Haplings, revolved around their bond with ethereal entities called Whisps. The belief in these spiritual guides and companions played a crucial role in the Haplings' lives, inspiring their meditations, rituals, and esoteric practices. However, as they sought a deep connection to the Whisps, they inadvertently created an energetic resonance that attracted a dark force.

## The Stratavore Threat

Hailing from a higher spatial dimension, the Stratavores are multidimensional beings seeking to infiltrate and influence lower dimensions. Unbeknownst to almost everyone, these dark beings exploited the Haplings' unique energetic resonance and naivete to gain a foothold three-dimensional space in the galactic scene, manipulating the innocent species and gradually taking control of their minds and actions.

## Porif Meh's Drastic Measures

A once-in-a-lifetime genius among his kind, Kendis geneticist Porif Meh discovered the insidious threat posed by the Stratavores. Lacking the aggression gene common to most Kendis and driven by a desire to protect the galaxy, Porif Meh engineered a virulent plague targeting the Haplings. By eliminating them, he hoped to cut off the Stratavores' primary means of infiltration and save the galaxy from their sinister influence. This fact remains largely unknown in the galactic scene. It is anything but common knowledge. To most, the plague that killed off the Haplings is thought to have been natural.

## The Hapling Plague and its Aftermath

From 301C to 303C, the Hapling population was annihilated by the engineered plague. Their world was left barren, and their riches, ships, and technology became free game for scavengers known as Hap Scrappers, particularly among the Dead. The galactic scene at large believed the plague to be a natural disaster and assumed every Hapling perished. However, a small group of survivors secretly remains, stranded on a primitive planet.

## Morlicai Fue's Dilemma

Hired by a wealthy Bendonite client whose spouse was a Hapling, detective Morlicai Fue (also a Bendonite) stumbled upon evidence suggesting the Haplings' connection to the malevolent Stratavores. Morlicai learned that the Haplings had been manipulated into making secret plans for committing horrific acts in the galaxy. This revelation left Morlicai uncertain about how to proceed with her investigation.

## The Fate of the Haplings

If the surviving Haplings were to be discovered, they would present a significant moral dilemma for the various factions and species in the galaxy. Although the Haplings themselves are innocent victims of the Stratavores' manipulation, their continued existence could potentially enable the malevolent beings to regain a foothold in the galaxy. The future of the Haplings, their role in the struggle against the Stratavores, and the moral responsibility of the other species in the galaxy remain uncertain.