Veltrochni

The Veltochni were a species of arboreal humanoids.

Biology
The Veltrochni were large, up to 3 metres tall and able to lift something the size of a Human. Their physiology was adapted to climbing, with powerful limbs, sharp claws and long fingers. Their hands had four digits, while their feet had three. They were covered in brown, scaly skin. Veltrochni had a row of quills down their head and back which would dull and break with age. Their sense of smell and hearing was better than those of a Human. Veltrochni had dog-like jaws which retracted to show emotion.


 * The author intended them to look like a cross between a Predator and a Klingon, and the cover artwork was apparently inaccurate.

Veltrochni had deep, hissing voices. They made a rumbling purr to show amusement and twitched their ears instead of nodding. (MA: The Dark Path)

Culture
The Veltrochni were split up into Great Houses, which were led by a council and which controlled large regions. These Houses were, in turn, split up into Packs, which were led by Pack-Leaders. Packs were formed from members of other Packs and were granted Pack status by the Houses. Examples of Packs include Pack Huthakh (which was wiped out in 3375) and Pack Zanchyth.

Mates for Veltrochni were chosen by the elders. Young Veltrochni (known as cubs) were free spirited, known for being playful and mischievous. Once they reached adulthood, Veltrochni were expected to act more mature and fill a purpose in society.

The Veltrochni referred to all Humans (and Human looking individuals) as Iirdmon. (MA: The Dark Path)

Veltrochni also made tree sculptures. (NA: Sanctuary)

Technology
The Veltrochni Dragon cruisers were sleek ships used for attacking. They were dragonfly-like in appearance, with the devices to catch solar winds looking like wings. They were capable of cloaking themselves and used quantum lances to attack. Dragon cruisers carried small probes for spying as well. Veltrochni also used bulkier ships for transport. Packs owned fleets of ships, which were crewed entirely by members of the family.

Veltrochni used transmats to travel from ship to ship. They also used Viewing cubes to show information.

Veltrochni used special suits with holographic emitters. These emitters would allow them to appear nearly invisible, or take the form of another species. They would also absorb any energy from energy weapons. These suits also had a communicator attached to the wrist. (MA: The Dark Path)

History
The Veltrochni were known for being an older species, existing before many other known species. (MA: The Dark Path) They may have made ancient stone tablets about the Great Old Ones. (NA: White Darkness)

In 2172, the Veltrochni were centred around Veltroch and were invaded by the Tzun Confederacy. (NA: First Frontier) A whole generation of every pack was wiped out by the Tzun. Eventually, the Packs joined forces and fought back against the Tzun, crushing the confederacy and forcing the survivors to escape. They destroyed many of the planets of the Confederacy, even though some were also victims of the Tzun. (MA: The Dark Path) By 2174, they had rendered S'Arl, the Tzun homeworld, uninhabitable. (NA: First Frontier)

In the 23rd century, the Veltrochni had encountered Humans. Gustav Zmerler's Special Forces had fought against the Veltrochni. (EDA: The Janus Conjunction)

In the 25th century, the Earth Empire started to form. The Veltrochni were afraid of annexation again (or the brutal destruction of the Earth Empire) and many Packs left Veltroch. By the 34th century, nearly half of the Veltrochni were wandering the galaxy.

In 3375, the ships of Pack Huthakh were wandering through the galaxy when they encountered the Darkheart colony. They were entirely destroyed by the Imperial colony. Pack Zanchyth sent Pack-Leader Brokhyth to investigate the disappearance of the Pack. (MA: The Dark Path)

Circa 2,000,000, the criminal Jack Chance stole a national treasure from Veltroch. (PDA: Mission: Impractical)