Invasion!/Winterkin:Profile

Winterkin

The winterkin are a telepathic, telekinetic race of canine bipeds. Their native planet of Snowshod has slightly higher gravity than Earth's at 1.124G, a slightly thicker nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere at 1.218 atm, and an average temperature that is much colder than that of Earth. Due to these factors they are physically equivalent to Earth canines, but can only survive in arctic regions of the Earth without mechanical aid to keep them cool.

Abilities

• Telepathy: Winterkin are telepathic, and can read minds and transmit thoughts as easily as humans can hear and speak. Winterkin do not have a spoken language, only telepathy.
• Telekinesis: Winterkin have telekinetic powers that allows them to manipulate objects using only the power of the mind. It is rather limited as to the amount of force that can be applied, often no more than fifty pounds; but it is much more accurate than most races' ability to manipulate objects, leading to increased dexterity and precision. When used in combat, the force is generally focused into a very small area, making even the fifty pounds of force deadly.
• Limited Visual Range: The visual range of the Winterkin is limited. It extends slightly into the infrared on the low end, but only to about half-way through the visible light spectrum. They can see the colors infrared, red, orange, yellow, and green; but cannot see the colors blue, indigo, or violet.
• Low Light Vision: Winterkin have exceptional low light vision, equivalent to your average pair of night-vision goggles.
• Ultrasonic Hearing: Winterkin can hear sounds that are much higher pitched than can humans.
• Enhanced Smell: Winterkin have an enhanced sense of smell, approximately equal to Earth canines (about ten thousand to one hundred thousand times the ability of humans).
• Hard Bones: The bones and teeth of a winterkin are composed of titanium instead of calcium. They are much stronger than the bones of Earth mammals.
• Sharp Teeth: Winterkin have sharp teeth that they can use in combat, very similar to a wolf's teeth.
• Fast Runner: Winterkin can easily outpace humans, attaining speeds approximately double what a human can achieve. They can also maintain these speeds for extended periods of time.
• Heat Intolerant: Winterkin require a much colder climate than humans, without mechanical aid they will die in sub-arctic to tropical regions, and are only comfortable in the arctic regions of Earth.

Biology

Appearance

Winterkin are surprisingly canine in appearance. They look very much like blue and white wolves with black stripes. They are heavily furred, with a dense, warm coat.

Genders & Reproduction

Winterkin reproduce sexually, and have the two standard genders. Winterkin undergo a more obvious form of "heat" than do humans, much like their Earthly doppelganger, the wolf. Like Earthly canines winterkin posses a knot, and tie with their mates. Unlike Earthly canines, winterkin semen is very thick and viscious, with the consistency (but not the stickiness) of rubber cement. Winterkin go into heat about once every eight months for about three weeks. They bear one to four live young after about six months of pregnancy. Winterkin nurse their young for about six months, then transition the cubs to solid food.

Aging

Winterkin do not suffer from aging unlike most organic species. Their home world is suffused with predators, which mitigates their survival somewhat; but otherwise they are virtually immortal. Winterkin reach adulthood after about three Earth years, but never age further once they have matured.

Diet

Winterkin are carnivores. The planet Snowshod has an abundance of titanium, and the organisms that evolved there use titanium in the same way Earthly organisms use calcium. Without titanium supplements the bones and teeth of a winterkin would weaken, causing osteoporosis, leading to increased bone weakness, and potentially breakage. Otherwise, earthly meat is a viable diet for the winterkin.

Senses

• Visual: Winterkin have a limited visual range compared to humans. It extends slightly into the infrared on the low end, but only to about half-way through the visible light spectrum. They can see the colors infrared, red, orange, yellow, and green; but cannot see the colors blue, indigo, or violet. Conversely, winterkin see much better in low light environments than humans.
• Auditory: Winterkin have a discerning and sensitive sense of hearing. Much like Earthly canines, winterkin can hear into ultrasonic ranges.
• Chemical: Winterkin have an enhanced sense of smell, approximately equal to Earth canines (about ten thousand to one hundred thousand times the ability of humans). This also extends to their sense of taste.
• Tactile: The skin of a winterkin is comparable to a human's for level of sensitivity to pressure and temperature. They do not have an advantage or disadvantage compared to humans.

Other Considerations

Winterkin cannot blend in as humans, but can still participate in the invasion due to their canine appearance.

Government & Culture

Government

Winterkin have a true democratic government that borders on anarchy. On the planet Snowshod, the winterkin have a global telepathic consciousness through which each member gets their say on every issue. The network is almost like its own separate intelligence, and can make decision much quicker than most governments . . . almost as quickly as can an individual. This governmental model is only possible due to the winterkin's telepathic nature.

Economy

Winterkin do not have an internal system of commerce or economy. Each individual gets what they need from the collective whole on the basis of need and contribution to the species. They do maintain wealth for dealing with other species.

Culture

Winterkin culture very much revolves around the origin of the species as a pack hunter. Winterkin live in large family groups (packs of course) with an alpha male and alpha female that take on responsibility for the well-being of the pack. Their cultural taboos are few, and the taboos of other cultures perplex and confuse them.

Invasion Goals and Processes

Interbreeding Process

Winterkin had no interbreeding process of their own. They purchased interspecies breeding implants from another race. Unlike the varselavesh implants, these implants are only functional between two specific races that must be chosen before the implant is crafted.

Political Goals

The winterkin have no specific political goals.

Cultural Goals

The winterkin have no specific cultural goals.

Technical Goals

The winterkin have no specific technical goals.

Invasion Stages

Stage One

Breed humans. Form winterkin-human-hybrid packs. Hunt and destroy other invaders.

Stage Two

Stage two occurs once the population of hybrids exceeds 50% of the human population. At this point the winterkin will petition the Galactic Council to declare Earth a territory of Snowshod. Once that is done, a delegation from the homeworld will arrive to negotiate the integration of Earth into their government. Victory has then been achieved.