Zennigan

**Zennigans** are small, furry, amphibious mammals native to Fleex. They are a cruel, animalistic race, known for being excellent crafters and facilitating a rich trade network on their home planet. Zennigans are incredibly territorial and tribalistic, rarely leaving Fleex or even their small communities. They do not conform to any extraplanetary government.

## Appearance

Zennigan are short and bipedal with incredibly thick fur that covers their entire bodies, excluding portions of their face and paws. Their skin is thick, leathery, and often rough. Their average height is about 3-4 feet, but tribal captains are usually larger. A Zennigan's fur is typically a dark, brown-ish color, but depending on the area, it can range from dark red to a brighter brown. Their fur comes in a variety of patterns and markings, which feed into their tribal designations. Zennigan paws are uniquely soft compared to the rest of their skin, but they are hypersensitive, leading to discomfort with materials like latex.

Zennigan clothing is typically made of pelts with light metal supports, akin to chainmail. The specifics of this clothing depends on the occupation of the individual, with warrior types having stronger metal reinforcements. Generally, on the surface, a Zennigan will wear chest and kilt-like coverings. Due to the cold daytime temperatures of Fleex, clothing is a necessity when above the surface. However, underwater, there is no need for clothing or armor; here, it is more of a hindrance than anything. For this reason, Zennigans typically do not wear clothing in underwater colonies; near large ice sheets, one may find large racks of unused clothes and armor.

## Biology

### Habitat

Zennigans are uniquely adapted to two entirely separate environments; the surface of Fleex is cold, dry, and relentless, while the subterranean ocean is warm and oxygen-rich. A Zennigan must be able to properly balance each of these environments to succeed. Despite the brutal nature of the Fleecian surface, it is possible for Zennigans tribes to make their homes there, especially during the warmer months. In fact, during these seasons, when the ice sheets become melted and brittle, many Zennigan colonies set up temporary "vacation homes" to enjoy the comfortable (but short-lived) weather.

Ultimately, though, the Zennigans make their homes underwater as it is much more comfortable than the surface. The fur of a Zennigan is strangely hydrodynamic, and their bodies allow them great versatility underwater. It is within the Fleecian subterranean oceans that Zennigan colonies form, with massive stretches of homes and infrastructure going horizontally *and* vertically. With thousands of types of fish and sea creatures, including the unique structures built by the Zennigan population, the Fleecian oceans are incredibly remarkable. Visiting a Zennigan colony is a unique and unforgettable experience should one have the opportunity to do so.

### Diet

A Zennigan's diet is primarily aquatic animals and sea vegetation, but they love to treat themselves with surface fruits and berries. On the surface lie many types of cold-resistant plants and fungi, although the abundance of such vegetation varies. Additionally, there are a few breeds of small rodents, vermin, and thickly-coated crustaceans and snails that Zennigan hunters can gather and eat; however, these creatures are much more difficult to catch than fish. Typically, a Zennigan meal will consist of all-of-the-above; expect to see fish, crabs, berries, and mushrooms on a Zennigan's dinner plate.

### Reproduction

Like most mammals, Zennigans experience a mating period beginning around the 32nd semester of each GUY and ending the following mid-2nd semester. During this period, Zennigans are less likely to emerge to the surface for any reason, instead opting to stay within the confines of the colony. For this reason, most trade outposts are closed for a few semesters each GUY, although other species may continue trade if it's allowed by the local tribe. Typically, Zennigans each form a pair of male and female, but occasionally, depending on factors such as military power or other physical attributes, a male may have multiple mates. During this period, Zennigan pairs attempt to produce as many children as possible, and following, a gestation period of about 3.5 semesters or

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 GUY will occur. On average, three to six children will be born per litter.

### Amphibiousness

Uniquely, the Zennigan race is able to fully survive in both land and ocean environments; in short, they can breathe easily in Fleex's subterranean ocean. This is due to its incredibly high oxygen concentration and the Zennigan's extremely powerful lungs, which allow them to expel carbon dioxide at a rate comparable to one would in the atmosphere. Just like in air, the Zennigans breathe the ocean's freshwater and their lungs extract the oxygen from it, which is much easier than in most water deposits on other worlds. The strength of the Zennigan lungs makes it possible to filter this water back out, creating a natural respiratory cycle.

In addition to their exceptional respiratory system, the Zennigans have an adaptation in their eyesight to accommodate the light conditions underwater. Their large eyes possess the ability to perceive many different wavelengths of light, allowing them to navigate in the dimly lit depths of the Fleecian oceans and detect subtle movements and vibrant colors, both above and below the water's surface. This aids them in hunting for prey, avoiding deep-sea predators, and other endeavors which may be difficult for other mammals like them. Overall, Zennigans have had an incredibly unique line of evolution that has given the species incredible versatility within the confines of their world; there are few species like them.

## Culture

### Behavior

To outsiders, Zennigans are cruel and unsympathetic, typically treating them with as little respect as possible while maintaining decent relations. They are known to ignore and even detest species that do not look like themselves, for example beings that are metallic or have no fur. The opposite is also true; the closer a species is to Zennigan, the more friendly they will be towards them. Within Zennigan communities, though, an entirely different side is shown. To one another, Zennigans are caring, empathetic, and are even known to put their entire colony before themselves in certain scenarios. Zennigan families are some of the most stable found across the galaxy simply due to the immense care they have for other members of their kind. For the individual, this extends to anyone they may trust, irrespective of species; however, this applying to non-Zennigans is an incredibly rare occurrence.

Zennigans are expert hagglers, which comes in handy in the bustling trademarkets that they run. Zennigans are known for high prices but incredibly useful and well-crafted gear, and are more than willing to take on difficult requests—for a price. They are certainly not known for their fairness, however; a customer (or anyone, for that matter) that upsets them or otherwise inconveniences them will likely be met with a higher price or outright refusal to conduct business. Fortunately, though, Zennigans are not hard to please; they easily fall victim to high praise and compliments, and this extends beyond haggling. Once you get to know a Zennigan closely, their sweet side quickly shines through, and they can be a valuable friend or partner.

### Religion

The Zennigans possess a deep-rooted spirituality that is intertwined with their harsh environment and unique societal structure. Their religion, known as "Ammara" (lit. "alignment" or "threading"), is a complex tapestry of myths, rituals, and beliefs that shape Zennigan culture in many ways. According to Fleecian mythology, the creation of Fleex and the emergence of their species are attributed to a primordial entity known as Azelor, the Divine Weaver. Azelor is depicted as a colossal spider-like deity, believed to have spun the fabric of existence itself. It is said that Azelor crafted the sky from celestial threads, weaving together the planet's thick mist-cloud and forming the intricate ecosystem that sustains life. The Zennigans believe that Fleex was once uninhabitable, and Azelor's careful guidance nudged it closer and closer to supporting life. It is for this reason that the Zennigans revere the atmospheric properties of Fleex; it is considered the perfect creation of the divine being, and they, the result of Azelor's creation, are the perfect species.

Ammara also encompasses a belief in an afterlife. According to Fleecian mythology, when a Zennigan passes away, they embark on a perilous journey through the misty shroud surrounding Fleex. This journey, known as the "Veil of Ascendancy," leads the departed souls to the ethereal realm where Azelor weaves the cosmic tapestry. The Zennigans engage in elaborate funeral rites and ancestral veneration to ensure a smooth transition for their loved ones and to honor their presence in the divine realm.