Senfu

Planets: Cevunia and Ivion
Government: Representative Republic
Economic System: Capitalist
Race: Reptilian Bipedal

The Senfu are the dominant race of people living in the Strot Star System, they are a bipedal reptilian people whose appearance is marked by slender features with fine scales and red eyes. The scale / skin color ranges from a bright green to a duller light forest green with bright green scales being more prized and considered to be of a higher social status than the duller colors of skin. Along with this the eyes are bright red in color, though shade does vary in conjunction with skin as does the size of the eyes. Large bright red eyes with bright green skin are the most prized and considered evidence of being high born or a member of the aristocracy. Duller shades of the skin and eyes are considered to being associated with less racial purity and thus of the lower echelons of society.

Physical Characteristics

Physically the species are amphibious possessing nictitating membranes which allow them to see very long distances underwater likewise their hearing too is better underwater than it is in the air but still marginally better than humans on land. They are able to breath underwater through their skin but the oxygen content of the water is required to be extremely high for them to be comfortable doing this. Many Senfu describe the feeling of breathing underwater in normal water to be like slowly suffocating, though in the higher echelons of society they do have pools and other facilities which are specifically designed to allow comfortable underwater activities. This is one of the social signs of high decadence and luxury even though technologically it is not difficult to produce, the resource cost in obtaining such technology is exceedingly high.

The Senfu also have feet with 3 large and very strong toes, each one tipped in a claw that needs to be regularly groomed to walk comfortably. Their hands have 3 fingers and an opposable thumb, their thumb is considerably longer than a human thumb equal in length to the fingers in most cases. Their fingers are also claw-tipped and like their toes require regular grooming to keep at a comfortable (and socially acceptable) length. Their bodies are naturally well toned and have a greater muscle density to humans on average also tending to be heavier and slightly taller than most humans. As a child and before puberty, most have short tails and most pronounced ridge that continues from the forehead, back, and down the spine. The tail usually falls off upon entering adulthood and the bone ridges become less pronounced. Still having a tail into adulthood is culturally seen as being a sign of being under developed even though it has no scientific backing for that conclusion. This rare occurrence can make it difficult to find work in affluent areas of society but is far less of a burden (and more common) in industrial areas.

Sex & Gender

They have 2 genders, masculine and feminine. Females tend to be a bit heavier with wider hips and have a brighter coloring. Females also tend to have a higher muscle density in their abdomen where as males tend to have a higher muscle density in their hands and feet. Males also tend to be taller and lankier.

Culturally, they are matriarchal in nature, with females tending toward most positions of power and authority. Men are generally in support positions, though many do have positions of power it retains some social stigma of acceptability. In the family, the woman has children which the male (usually the elder brother) cares for. Women look for males who have the most unique coloring and tend to be more attracted to signs of physical prowess dealing heavily with upper body strength and endurance. Physically men with a pronounced forehead ridge are considered to be most attractive and women with more pronounced eye-ridges are similarly considered to be the most attracted. Men tend to look for women who have bright colors, especially attractive are brightly colored or uniquely colored eyes. Physically women who can perform well in sports such as wrestling and other conflict-oriented activities are seen as attractive.

Government

Officially the Senfu government is seen as a representative republic where rulers are democratically elected. Unofficially it is generally thought that only the educated should vote, though all Senfu have the right to so do. The government for the last several hundred years has tended toward a "talk softly and carry a big stick" philosophy, taken to its logical extreme. They will attempt diplomacy first and offer deals which range from very fair to reasonably fair toward their interests. If the ones they are attempting to persuade do not give in, the Senfu will then take what they want by force. They are generally not duplicitous so long as they are in agreement on most key points and so long as they are happy with arrangements. However, when the tides turn they will often use force quickly and unflinchingly – they still do not lie well in negotiations as a general rule, prone to threats (even if they cannot carry them out, they usually fully intend to). That being said, the government can wield truth and half-truths like a weapon with tact and skill given enough time and the proper circumstances.

Economics

The Senfu are a strictly capitalistic society with a general view that other systems of resource management just do not work. There is an incredibly high degree of wealth disparity across society but most of this falls on the Heibo to bear. This second race is evolutionarily similar to the Senfu and was conquered to be integrated as a labor class. The bifurcation of society between the poor Senfu and the affluent Heibo is so large that often what Senfu consider to be poor is what Heibo consider to be luxurious. The government uses this split of society to keep the Senfu working classes happy and to quell dissenters through propaganda and media control of the flow of ideas.

While once they were an agrarian society they are now entirely industrialized. The Senfu are extremely good are manufacturing and commercial enterprises. They have excellent builders and most of their education tends toward this sector. They can also be very good inventors and innovators taking a great deal of joy in inventing new things, though mostly inventions run toward making life easier and more convenient for people / more profitable for business.

People

Individually the Senfu people are generally decent hard working people, their beliefs can differ wildly but they are arrogant (especially in affluent areas) to the point of hubris. This arrogance leads into an incredibly high amount of pride in the structures which they have grown accustomed to. They have very strongly ordered world views throughout society but industrial and working areas being somewhat less strictly acted upon than affluent areas. Most will deal honestly with their own kind or those they strongly identify with. However, there is a general feeling of “I matter” in the world culture where they tend to get what they want and keep a strong eye out for personal gain.