Randross

EY’BAL GOWJR, SECURITY OFFICER, WAREHOUSE FORE-DROSS, AND AGGRESSION COUNSELOR ABOARD THE SPACE CORPS RESEARCH AND MUTUAL AID VESSEL JUPITER’S GHOST.

Alliance Status: Founding Member, Solar Alliance

Homeworld: Randra (BD-94 454 b), a superterran world within a V-type stellar system.

Physiology: Large, bipedal, ursinoid. Dense fur, exceptional muscle mass, adapted for high-gravity, low-temperature environments.

Temperament: Zealously honorable, passionate, direct, comically warlike.

Cultural Foci: Personal glory, martial prowess, unwavering obedience to the Randross code.

Physiology & Homeworld

The Randross are a large, bipedal species with a striking ursinoid (bear-like) morphology, a trait which has led to their colloquial designation by humans as “teddy-bear people.” This superficial observation belies a formidable physiology evolved for their homeworld, Randra.

Randra is a high-gravity, nitrogen-rich world with an average surface temperature of -50°C. Randross physiology is adapted to these conditions:

Mass and Density: They possess immense muscle density and skeletal mass, making them significantly stronger than a baseline human but also considerably heavier.

Thermal Regulation: A thick layer of subcutaneous fat and dense, shaggy fur provides insulation against extreme cold. This adaptation makes most Solar Federation vessels, calibrated for human comfort, uncomfortably warm for them. The common complaint, “HUMANS ARE OF FIRE, THIS IS TRUTH,” is a frequent and genuine expression of their discomfort.

Senses: Their hearing and olfactory senses are exceptionally acute, while their eyesight is comparable to that of humans.

Culture & Psychology

Randross culture is a complex, rigid hierarchy built upon a foundation of martial honor and personal glory, known as the Way of the Randross. This code dictates nearly all aspects of their social interaction and worldview. Its core tenets are:

Courage and enterprise in obedience to all Randross.
Defense of any mission unto death.
Respect for all peers and equals; courtesy to all lessers.
Combat is glory; battle is the true test of self-worth; war is the flowering of the chivalric ideal.
Personal glory above all else in battle.
Death before dishonor.
When a Randross has said that he shall perform an action, it is as good as done. He need not make promises; speaking and doing are as if the same.

Their psychology is built upon directness and absolute conviction. They are articulate but communicate with a perceived lack of nuance, often at a high volume that other species misinterpret as constant aggression. This is, for them, a normal conversational tone.

They see the universe through a lens of conflict and challenge. A problem is an enemy to be vanquished; a difficult task is a worthy opponent to be overcome. This mindset makes them incredibly resilient and determined allies, though their first solution to any obstacle tends to be application of overwhelming force.

History with Humanity & The Solar Alliance

First contact between the Randross and Humanity was initially hostile. The Randross, upon encountering humanity, identified them as a potential rival species and prepared for a glorious conquest.

However, humanity’s resilience—evidenced by their widespread use of prosthetic limbs to overcome injury, their consumption of intensely spicy foods, and the surprising tenacity of their seemingly fragile young—greatly impressed the Randross. They interpreted these traits not as weaknesses, but as signs of a species destined for intergalactic might. They came to see humanity as worthy peers.

A formal ceasefire was negotiated, eventually solidifying into a long-standing agreement that war was no longer necessary between their peoples. The Randross, respecting humanity’s strength, chose to travel the stars with them instead of against them. They were instrumental in the founding of the Solar Alliance, though they strongly objected to the name for its Sol-centric implications, agreeing to it only out of respect for their human allies.

Inter-Species Relations

With Humanity: The Randross hold humanity in the highest regard, viewing them as brothers and sisters in arms. They are fiercely protective of their human allies and are quick to leap to their defense, sometimes literally.
With the Verbenubi: Relations are tense but peaceful. The Randross initially attempted to conquer the Verbenubi, but were utterly confounded by their total commitment to non-violent, passive resistance. Unable to provoke a “glorious” fight, the Randross eventually ceased hostilities. They do not consider this a defeat, as there was, in their view, never a true battle. They now view the Verbenubi with a mixture of bewilderment and grudging, confused respect.

Language & Naming Conventions

The Randross language is guttural and forceful, often sounding like shouts to other species. They are highly articulate but often refer to individuals by their species name rather than their given name (e.g., “HUMAN! I HAVE COMPLETED THE TASK.”).

Naming conventions tend toward short, forceful names, often consisting of two stressed syllables separated by a glottal stop or apostrophe (e.g., Jer’Pa, Tu’Ker, Ha’Fun).