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Description
SPACE CROCS HO YAY!

Deferi: A Reference

Species: Deferi (Dah-fear-ee) Deferi plural. 'Crocs' as slang.
Homeworld: Wetarx
Language: Groth
Classification: Repto-Amphibian

Known as the biggest, but also one of the most intelligent races in the galaxy, Deferi are a simple race hailing from rainy planet mostly covered with cold lakes. Deferi are firstly HUGE! They are the biggest known sentient Species active in space, easily reaching 9 feet or higher in height and weighing 600 pounds or more. They are also heavily muscled, protected from the cold waters of their planet with a thick layer of blubber. This gives Deferi not only protection from the cold, but also works as a type of armor, protecting the vital organs and tendons below with a thick, tough layer of fat. Deferi also have skeleton that allows them to walk on both two and four legs, though they tend to prefer to walk on four. Deferi have evolved perfectly for their particular habitat. Their four fingered clawed hands are webbed, as well as their three toed feet, which helps propel them through water. Deferi also have a fin stretching from their lower jaws to their chests. This fin is used mainly to absorb heat from their sun, as well as to cut through the water when swimming. They also have fins on the sides of their forearms, as well as a line of fins going from the tops of their heads all the way to their tail tip. Their tails are very thick and powerful, and they use them to swim somewhat like a crocodile, moving from side to side. They have a very saurian-like head, with a blunt muzzle filled with sharp conical teeth. These teeth will tend to stick out of their mouths when their jaws are closed, and Deferi will continue to lose and re-grow teeth as they age. They have no visible ears, but instead hear similar to most other reptilian species. All Deferi have yellow eyes and have a third eyelid. This third eyelid is slid over the eyes to protect them while underwater, all while allowing them to see in murky water. Deferi also have gills, and they can stay indefinitely underwater if they should choose. They also have very large lungs, and can easily survive outside of the water as they can within it. The skin of a Deferi is not scaled, but instead is very smooth and moist like a frog. The skin itself ranges in color from cream, brown, blue, dark green, and black, with a pale underbelly and some type of markings. These markings are a darker shade of their base skin tone, and show up either as stripes, speckles, or spots. Even though Deferi are perfectly adapted to the water, they do however have difficulty on land. Deferi, like most amphibians, are heavily affected by pollution, and tend to easily get sick in cities and highly polluted areas. They also are very awkward when moving on land. Even though they can walk in a digigrade biped stance, they are top heavy and tire easily. So Deferi once in a while must return to their normal quadruped stance in order to rest. Even then, they are not fast on land and walk in a slow waddling gait, and can very rarely muster up enough energy to run. They make up for this by being literal powerhouses, as Deferi are extremely strong. Deferi in the water however, are elegant, graceful, and fast. Deferi are also rather unique in the universe, as they are cold blooded. So Deferi must take periodic sunbathing rests in order to function, but thankfully they are insulated enough so they can travel off their planet. Due to their body types, Deferi usually do not wear clothing, and there is absolutely no visible difference between males and females.

Deferi are pure carnivores, and they primarily hunt fish as their main staple of food. However, they are also superb ambush predators, so they will also eat the many species of mammals that come to drink where they lurk. Deferi dental structure reflects this, and their teeth are very similar to an alligator or a crocodile. Deferi constantly shed and re-grow teeth, ensuring that they will always have a mouthful of deadly teeth. Deferi also do not like to cook their meat, and consider doing so both disrespectful to the creature being eaten and a waste of time. Oddly enough, they are actually very relaxed for a predator. Unlike the quick viciousness of a Zuranian or a Rerack, Deferi much rather prefer to wait for their prey to come to them, so they spend most of their ‘hunting’ being perfectly still. This suits them just fine on their own planet, but off world they tend to have some difficulties. Like other pure carnivores, they are unable to eat most food commonly served on other worlds and waypoints. So Deferi must take a lot of supplements to stay healthy and carefully plan just where they will get their food once they decide to travel. Deferi never discovered alcohol in their species’ history, so they were rather perplexed by the idea once they entered civilized space. Interestingly enough, alcohol seems to not affect them, due to their odd thick body types. So in general, Deferi tend to avoid alcohol.

Deferi do not have a concept of marriage, dating, life partners, or any other trappings commonly used by other sentient species. Deferi instead will reproduce about two to three times in their entire life span and tend to pick a different partner every time. It’s not unheard of for two particular individuals to like each other enough where they specifically choose each other when they pair off. But they do not believe in the concept of monogamy at all. Instead, Deferi will gather about every 5 years to reproduce. The female will usually stay in one spot as several males around her try to impress her. If unimpressed, she will simply move on to another group of males. When she finds a male she likes, usually picked for a combination of wit and strength, she will mate with him, in a style similar to other aquatic reptiles.

Deferi are Repto-amphibians, so they lay eggs. Female Deferi will lay a clutch of 3-6 eggs, about the size of an elongated softball, in a shallow nest dug in a warm patch of sand. It’s also something to note, that ALL the female Deferi in the group will lay their eggs in the same nest, as individual Deferi do not care for their own individual offspring. After all the females have laid their eggs, the nest is then covered with a layer of dirt and sand to incubate for the next four months. Every Deferi in the group take guarding duties, and during the incubation period there’s always an individual on the lookout for egg thieves, and also to keep the eggs from getting TOO hot. After four months, the young Deferi hatch, and they dig themselves out of the nest and head toward the water, where the adults are waiting. Baby Deferi are very tiny when they first hatch, but they grow extremely quickly in their first year of life. As mentioned before, Deferi don’t raise their own individual young, but instead the whole group of them pitches in to care for the hatchlings. Young Deferi are cherished, and grow very fast (fast for a sentient species at least), reaching maturity at around the age of 10. Being a top predator on their planet, Deferi are also very long lived, and can easily reach their 100’s.

Deferi speak a language called ‘Groth’. At first, one would assume that because of their somewhat feral body types, the language would match. But in reality, Groth is actually a very articulate language, sounding very similar to Latin. Deferi rarely, if ever, roar or growl, unless in battle, as they see it as uncivilized. It’s also noteworthy to mention that Deferi never developed a written language, as they pass on all their teachings through word of mouth and memorization. It’s mostly that they simply did not have the tools to really develop writing, but with the introduction to things like paper and computers, they have since taken to writing. They write in common, as they still have not invented their own language, and they write a lot of books on philosophy. Deferi learn common very easily, and they speak with very little difficulty. Deferi also tend to come off as quiet, because they believe that words carry a lot of weight, so they tend to carefully consider their words before they choose to speak it.

Deferi are actually a very calm and reserved race, and they spend a lot of time either thinking or teaching young hatchlings. Deferi are very social, and they live in communities with an upward of 30 individuals living in them at a time. Everyone pitches in to help weaker members and instruct the young, and members are rarely loners or antisocial. They are a very simple race, and they have little to no technology. In fact, they have barely changed over their millions of years of evolution, except for their sharp intellect. An argument may be made that, if Deferi are so smart, why have they not discovered certain hallmarks of civilization, like the wheel or fire? Well, Deferi for one thing put more effort into thinking, more than they do with tinkering, and they currently lead the field in Philosophy and Theology. Plus, they really didn’t have a need to really ‘civilize’ compared to other races. Deferi are top predators on their planet, so they never had to fear predation. Their planet itself is also very mild, so they also don’t have to worry much about the elements. So unlike species like Humans and Springers, they didn’t really have a need to develop things like weapons or houses. Due to their non existing technology, they also have not achieved space travel on their own. Currently, there is one WarpGate installed on their planet, which their people use to move off planet, but other than that, technology barely exists on Wetarx. Despite this, Deferi are friendly enough, and are known to be very polite and considerate. It’s kind of odd to see such things like a large predator holding open doors for women, but they uphold a strict code of consideration for others, so dealing with a Deferi is usually a pleasant manner. Due to their clumsy hands and lack of interest in technology, it’s very rare to find a Deferi in any job along the lines of a scientist. However, they are excellent guards and soldiers, and many Deferi become leaders in various militaries, due to bother their high intelligence and their natural ability to fight.

Wetarx herself is a rather mild planet. The climate is usually dry and chilly, and the planet is mostly covered by brush land, dotted by the occasional forest. There is only one ocean, and the planet is essentially a Pangaea (where there is one super continent). The land is marred by very large cold lakes, where the Deferi themselves are adapted to live in. The wildlife consists mostly of various species of hoofed mammals and birds, with a few land predators, Deferi being on top of the food chain. Wetarx has two moons, and there are two other uninhabited planets in its solar system. Visitors are welcome to the planet, as many of the planet’s mountains and forests are still currently uncharted. Deferi do not trade very much with other planets, since they don’t have a need for many of the things other planets are exporting. However, many of the various aquatic and terran plants are known to be medicinal, and they usually trade them for books, paper, and writing tools.

Wetarx has no unified government. The individual communities are separate, and communication between them is rare, unless it is a dire emergency. Individual communities are not governed in a sense, but rather a wise older Deferi will oversee the community and offer guidance, somewhat akin to a Shaman. This Deferi is also usually skilled in Medicine, and also is a story teller, as many of their teachings are passed through the generations in the form of fables and stories. This Deferi isn’t elected, but the community will usually mutually agree to listen to this particular one, once they see they are able to successfully guide them. However, Deferi do not need much governing at all, since they are so simply, so the duties to this leader usually involves being a head teacher to the next generation of Deferi. Since entering civilized space, they still have not unified, nor do they seem to consider it. In terms of a representative, there is currently one, and he was picked by council itself instead of his own planet. Other than that, Deferi have no interest in politics, and tend to avoid political situations whenever they can.

Deferi are mixed when it comes to the concept of religion. A few may believe in a type of deity, but the grand majority spend more time pondering the concept of religion more than they actually spend practicing it. As mentioned before, many Deferi are active in the field of Theology, and many remain fairly skeptical. A few individuals may choose to follow a religion, but they are rather rare compared to their fellow Deferi. Deferi tend to value compassion, simplicity, inquisitiveness, and skepticism as their main values, and they are a race than many others can look to and learn something from. Many tend to either end up in the military, or even end up as a Philosophy professor in a college on another planet. Regardless, Deferi are good people, and if you’re friends with one, they’ll be a friend for life.

Description
SPACE CROCS HO YAY!

Deferi: A Reference

Species: Deferi (Dah-fear-ee) Deferi plural. 'Crocs' as slang.
Homeworld: Wetarx
Language: Groth
Classification: Repto-Amphibian

Known as the biggest, but also one of the most intelligent races in the galaxy, Deferi are a simple race hailing from rainy planet mostly covered with cold lakes. Deferi are firstly HUGE! They are the biggest known sentient Species active in space, easily reaching 9 feet or higher in height and weighing 600 pounds or more. They are also heavily muscled, protected from the cold waters of their planet with a thick layer of blubber. This gives Deferi not only protection from the cold, but also works as a type of armor, protecting the vital organs and tendons below with a thick, tough layer of fat. Deferi also have skeleton that allows them to walk on both two and four legs, though they tend to prefer to walk on four. Deferi have evolved perfectly for their particular habitat. Their four fingered clawed hands are webbed, as well as their three toed feet, which helps propel them through water. Deferi also have a fin stretching from their lower jaws to their chests. This fin is used mainly to absorb heat from their sun, as well as to cut through the water when swimming. They also have fins on the sides of their forearms, as well as a line of fins going from the tops of their heads all the way to their tail tip. Their tails are very thick and powerful, and they use them to swim somewhat like a crocodile, moving from side to side. They have a very saurian-like head, with a blunt muzzle filled with sharp conical teeth. These teeth will tend to stick out of their mouths when their jaws are closed, and Deferi will continue to lose and re-grow teeth as they age. They have no visible ears, but instead hear similar to most other reptilian species. All Deferi have yellow eyes and have a third eyelid. This third eyelid is slid over the eyes to protect them while underwater, all while allowing them to see in murky water. Deferi also have gills, and they can stay indefinitely underwater if they should choose. They also have very large lungs, and can easily survive outside of the water as they can within it. The skin of a Deferi is not scaled, but instead is very smooth and moist like a frog. The skin itself ranges in color from cream, brown, blue, dark green, and black, with a pale underbelly and some type of markings. These markings are a darker shade of their base skin tone, and show up either as stripes, speckles, or spots. Even though Deferi are perfectly adapted to the water, they do however have difficulty on land. Deferi, like most amphibians, are heavily affected by pollution, and tend to easily get sick in cities and highly polluted areas. They also are very awkward when moving on land. Even though they can walk in a digigrade biped stance, they are top heavy and tire easily. So Deferi once in a while must return to their normal quadruped stance in order to rest. Even then, they are not fast on land and walk in a slow waddling gait, and can very rarely muster up enough energy to run. They make up for this by being literal powerhouses, as Deferi are extremely strong. Deferi in the water however, are elegant, graceful, and fast. Deferi are also rather unique in the universe, as they are cold blooded. So Deferi must take periodic sunbathing rests in order to function, but thankfully they are insulated enough so they can travel off their planet. Due to their body types, Deferi usually do not wear clothing, and there is absolutely no visible difference between males and females.

Deferi are pure carnivores, and they primarily hunt fish as their main staple of food. However, they are also superb ambush predators, so they will also eat the many species of mammals that come to drink where they lurk. Deferi dental structure reflects this, and their teeth are very similar to an alligator or a crocodile. Deferi constantly shed and re-grow teeth, ensuring that they will always have a mouthful of deadly teeth. Deferi also do not like to cook their meat, and consider doing so both disrespectful to the creature being eaten and a waste of time. Oddly enough, they are actually very relaxed for a predator. Unlike the quick viciousness of a Zuranian or a Rerack, Deferi much rather prefer to wait for their prey to come to them, so they spend most of their ‘hunting’ being perfectly still. This suits them just fine on their own planet, but off world they tend to have some difficulties. Like other pure carnivores, they are unable to eat most food commonly served on other worlds and waypoints. So Deferi must take a lot of supplements to stay healthy and carefully plan just where they will get their food once they decide to travel. Deferi never discovered alcohol in their species’ history, so they were rather perplexed by the idea once they entered civilized space. Interestingly enough, alcohol seems to not affect them, due to their odd thick body types. So in general, Deferi tend to avoid alcohol.

Deferi do not have a concept of marriage, dating, life partners, or any other trappings commonly used by other sentient species. Deferi instead will reproduce about two to three times in their entire life span and tend to pick a different partner every time. It’s not unheard of for two particular individuals to like each other enough where they specifically choose each other when they pair off. But they do not believe in the concept of monogamy at all. Instead, Deferi will gather about every 5 years to reproduce. The female will usually stay in one spot as several males around her try to impress her. If unimpressed, she will simply move on to another group of males. When she finds a male she likes, usually picked for a combination of wit and strength, she will mate with him, in a style similar to other aquatic reptiles.

Deferi are Repto-amphibians, so they lay eggs. Female Deferi will lay a clutch of 3-6 eggs, about the size of an elongated softball, in a shallow nest dug in a warm patch of sand. It’s also something to note, that ALL the female Deferi in the group will lay their eggs in the same nest, as individual Deferi do not care for their own individual offspring. After all the females have laid their eggs, the nest is then covered with a layer of dirt and sand to incubate for the next four months. Every Deferi in the group take guarding duties, and during the incubation period there’s always an individual on the lookout for egg thieves, and also to keep the eggs from getting TOO hot. After four months, the young Deferi hatch, and they dig themselves out of the nest and head toward the water, where the adults are waiting. Baby Deferi are very tiny when they first hatch, but they grow extremely quickly in their first year of life. As mentioned before, Deferi don’t raise their own individual young, but instead the whole group of them pitches in to care for the hatchlings. Young Deferi are cherished, and grow very fast (fast for a sentient species at least), reaching maturity at around the age of 10. Being a top predator on their planet, Deferi are also very long lived, and can easily reach their 100’s.

Deferi speak a language called ‘Groth’. At first, one would assume that because of their somewhat feral body types, the language would match. But in reality, Groth is actually a very articulate language, sounding very similar to Latin. Deferi rarely, if ever, roar or growl, unless in battle, as they see it as uncivilized. It’s also noteworthy to mention that Deferi never developed a written language, as they pass on all their teachings through word of mouth and memorization. It’s mostly that they simply did not have the tools to really develop writing, but with the introduction to things like paper and computers, they have since taken to writing. They write in common, as they still have not invented their own language, and they write a lot of books on philosophy. Deferi learn common very easily, and they speak with very little difficulty. Deferi also tend to come off as quiet, because they believe that words carry a lot of weight, so they tend to carefully consider their words before they choose to speak it.

Deferi are actually a very calm and reserved race, and they spend a lot of time either thinking or teaching young hatchlings. Deferi are very social, and they live in communities with an upward of 30 individuals living in them at a time. Everyone pitches in to help weaker members and instruct the young, and members are rarely loners or antisocial. They are a very simple race, and they have little to no technology. In fact, they have barely changed over their millions of years of evolution, except for their sharp intellect. An argument may be made that, if Deferi are so smart, why have they not discovered certain hallmarks of civilization, like the wheel or fire? Well, Deferi for one thing put more effort into thinking, more than they do with tinkering, and they currently lead the field in Philosophy and Theology. Plus, they really didn’t have a need to really ‘civilize’ compared to other races. Deferi are top predators on their planet, so they never had to fear predation. Their planet itself is also very mild, so they also don’t have to worry much about the elements. So unlike species like Humans and Springers, they didn’t really have a need to develop things like weapons or houses. Due to their non existing technology, they also have not achieved space travel on their own. Currently, there is one WarpGate installed on their planet, which their people use to move off planet, but other than that, technology barely exists on Wetarx. Despite this, Deferi are friendly enough, and are known to be very polite and considerate. It’s kind of odd to see such things like a large predator holding open doors for women, but they uphold a strict code of consideration for others, so dealing with a Deferi is usually a pleasant manner. Due to their clumsy hands and lack of interest in technology, it’s very rare to find a Deferi in any job along the lines of a scientist. However, they are excellent guards and soldiers, and many Deferi become leaders in various militaries, due to bother their high intelligence and their natural ability to fight.

Wetarx herself is a rather mild planet. The climate is usually dry and chilly, and the planet is mostly covered by brush land, dotted by the occasional forest. There is only one ocean, and the planet is essentially a Pangaea (where there is one super continent). The land is marred by very large cold lakes, where the Deferi themselves are adapted to live in. The wildlife consists mostly of various species of hoofed mammals and birds, with a few land predators, Deferi being on top of the food chain. Wetarx has two moons, and there are two other uninhabited planets in its solar system. Visitors are welcome to the planet, as many of the planet’s mountains and forests are still currently uncharted. Deferi do not trade very much with other planets, since they don’t have a need for many of the things other planets are exporting. However, many of the various aquatic and terran plants are known to be medicinal, and they usually trade them for books, paper, and writing tools.

Wetarx has no unified government. The individual communities are separate, and communication between them is rare, unless it is a dire emergency. Individual communities are not governed in a sense, but rather a wise older Deferi will oversee the community and offer guidance, somewhat akin to a Shaman. This Deferi is also usually skilled in Medicine, and also is a story teller, as many of their teachings are passed through the generations in the form of fables and stories. This Deferi isn’t elected, but the community will usually mutually agree to listen to this particular one, once they see they are able to successfully guide them. However, Deferi do not need much governing at all, since they are so simply, so the duties to this leader usually involves being a head teacher to the next generation of Deferi. Since entering civilized space, they still have not unified, nor do they seem to consider it. In terms of a representative, there is currently one, and he was picked by council itself instead of his own planet. Other than that, Deferi have no interest in politics, and tend to avoid political situations whenever they can.

Deferi are mixed when it comes to the concept of religion. A few may believe in a type of deity, but the grand majority spend more time pondering the concept of religion more than they actually spend practicing it. As mentioned before, many Deferi are active in the field of Theology, and many remain fairly skeptical. A few individuals may choose to follow a religion, but they are rather rare compared to their fellow Deferi. Deferi tend to value compassion, simplicity, inquisitiveness, and skepticism as their main values, and they are a race than many others can look to and learn something from. Many tend to either end up in the military, or even end up as a Philosophy professor in a college on another planet. Regardless, Deferi are good people, and if you’re friends with one, they’ll be a friend for life.