T’sa

Even when standing absolutely still—something that’s almost impossible for the creature to do—a t’sa (pronounced “t-sah”) conveys an impression of speed, sharp reflexes, and constant activity. Standing 1.4 meters tall, a t’sa is lightning-quick, with a fast mind to match his fast body. Sleek, with a reptilian form and the legs of a runner, a t’sa has a fine covering of interlocking scales that provide a modicum of natural protection. Most humans find t’sa, with their expressive eyes and child-like exuberance, to be extremely likeable.

History

Rising from a world that resembled Earth’s prehistoric era, except that dinosaurs were never replaced by mammals as the dominant species, the t’sa evolved into an intelligent species. Their history had ups and downs, high periods and low, but eventually the t’sa developed a technological society. Spurred on by natural curiosity and an undeniable lack of patience, the t’sa compiled a substantial list of accomplishments and even established a star-spanning society.

By the time humans discovered faster-than-light travel, the t’sa had already founded a stellar empire. Consisting of five star systems in relatively close proximity to each other, the T’sa Cluster bustles with the energy of billions of t’sa doing whatever it is t’sa do—and doing it quickly. They have begun to expand beyond this domain, but they aren’t an aggressive species. They are motivated by a simple desire to see what lies in the next star system rather than by greed, power, or expansionism.

Special Abilities

• Action Check Bonus: Natural quickness grants a -1 step situation die bonus to action checks (base die becomes -d4).
• Jury-rig Bonus: Natural tinkering ability grants a -1 step situation die bonus to Technical Science-jury-rig checks.
• Adaptable: Negate 2 steps of penalty when dealing with unfamiliar technologies due to adaptability and keen instincts. Furthermore, when they activate an alien artifact, they have a 25% chance of avoiding any negative effects (this has no impact on artifacts that are always active).
• Uncanny Intuition: Receive a -2 step bonus on awareness-intuition checks. They survive through quick reflexes and uncanny intuition.
• Quick Reflexes: When making a surprise check (to avoid being surprised), even if they fail, they can take an action to move to a safer location. If they succeed, they have the leeway to alert others and completely avoid the ambush.
• Free Broad Skills: Athletics (STR), Covert Ops (DEX), Stamina (CON), Knowledge (INT), Awareness (WIL), Interaction (PER).

Culture & Roleplaying

A t’sa has a natural curiosity and an affinity for all things technological. He’s a consummate tinkerer, disassembling devices to discover how they work and to find ways to improve them. T’sa have an undeserved reputation among humans for being overly naive, due to their infectious cheerfulness.

T’sa companions are a boon to any adventuring group. Their cheerfulness and good will never falters, and their desire to know every secret can be contagious—though this behavior can also get a t’sa into all kinds of trouble. Once a t’sa joins a group, he stays with it through thick and thin, usually bonding with at least one member as a lifelong friend.

Everything a t’sa does, he does quickly. He’s always on the move, always asking questions, always seeking answers. Although he’s often misunderstood, a t’sa is nonetheless eager to please and make friends.

T’sa make great Tech Ops, doing especially well as engineers and inventors. This species can also be found in fair abundance within the Free Agent and Mindwalker professions, but t’sa very seldom aspire to be Combat Specs, because it isn’t in their nature to be violent or physically forceful.

Campaign Settings

Near-Future Campaign

If the t’sa are introduced into a near-future campaign setting, then they arrive to make first contact with the humans of Earth and the solar system colonies. Many humans will attempt to exploit the t’sa, but others will see them for the friendly, good-natured beings they are. The two species can aid each other immensely, provided evil humans aren’t allowed to ruin the opportunity before it comes to fruition.

T’sa characters seek to learn from their human companions and are quite eager to help the humans get on with their exploration of the galaxy. Others come to evaluate the humans, working with them in an effort to understand them and decide if they are worthy of joining the T’sa Cluster.

Far-Future Campaign

When humans spread out in search of new worlds to settle and explore, they found many intelligent species waiting for them. Few were as simultaneously excited and unimpressed by humanity as the t’sa. These small beings had their own stellar empire in place and their own accomplishments to be proud of when humanity encountered them, so the t’sa saw no reason to fawn all over the humans. The t’sa were curious, however—extremely curious.

The t’sa consider their cluster of worlds to be an independent entity, and they’ve appealed to the appropriate authority for full membership rights in humanity’s galactic community. They seek to provide humans with help and good will, and to make the galaxy a better place through the joining of the two societies.