CREATING SPECIES
Species Design
☐ SPECIES NAME
☐ SPECIES PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
How does this species appear and act compared to Humanity?
New species may be modeled from characteristics of one or more of the intelligent type of life on Earth:
- Ants
- Baboons
- Bonobos
- Bottlenose Dolphins
- Cats
- Chimpanzees (and Bonobos for Jeff)
- Crows
- Dogs
- Elephants
- Falcons
- Horses
- Octopus
- Orangutans
- Orca
- Otters
- Parrots
- Pigeons
- Pigs
- Raccoons
- Rats
- Rhesus Monkeys
- Sea Lions
- Sheep
- Spiders
- Squids
- Squirrels
- Whales
☐ SPECIES MENTAL CHARACTERISTICS
How does this species think and interact compared to Humanity?
Outsiders encountering this species may easily learn the following Cultural characteristics about the Species:
- How does this species dress. if at all?
- How does this species celebrate events?
- How does this species express itself artistically?
- How does this species share cultural stories and folklore?
- How does this species prepare and take meals?
- How does this species celebrate holy days?
- How does this species communicate through language?
- How does this species communicate through writing or drawing?
Outsiders encountering this species may find it much harder to learn the following Cultural characteristics about the Species:
- Aesthetics
- Approach to Health and Medicine
- Attitude Toward School
- Attitude Toward the Environment
- Beauty Ideals
- Beliefs and Assumptions
- Biases
- Body Language
- Child-raising Practices
- Competitiveness
- Concept of Cleanliness
- Concept of Justice
- Core Values
- Expectations
- Family Roles
- Family Values
- Gender Roles
- Gestures
- Humor
- Interpretations
- Manners
- Notions of Modesty
- Personal Space
- Pride
- Relation To Authority
- Rules of Conduct
- Self-Concept
- Taboos
- Thought Patterns
- Work Ethics
☐ SPECIES GAMEPLAY CHARACTERISTICS
How does this Species characteristics affect gameplay?
Implement species as a template of bonuses and penalties to:
- Special Effects abilities like Magic, Supernatural Powers, or Psionics.
Worksheets
| Attribute | Species |
|---|---|
| Species Physical Characteristics | |
| Species Mental Characteristics | |
| Species Gameplay Characteristics | |
| Attribute | Species |
| Species Strength | |
| Species Endurance | |
| Species Agility | |
| Species Dexterity | |
| Species Speed | |
| Species Appearance | |
| Species Intelligence | |
| Species Will | |
| Species Awareness | |
| Species Ingenuity | |
| Species Reflexes | |
| Species Charisma | |
| Species Advantages | |
| Species Disadvantages | |
| Species Origins | |
| Species Backgrounds | |
| Species Education | |
| Species Professions | |
| Species Skills | |
| Species Special Effects |
Additional Resources
Roleplaying Tips #0147 - 6 Tips Creating Aliens for Sci-Fi Games
Roleplaying Tips #0253 - Don't Get A Horse Part 1
Roleplaying Tips #0254 - Don't Get A Horse Part 2
Roleplaying Tips #0290 - Customizing Common Races Part 1
Roleplaying Tips #0291 - Customizing Common Races Part 2
Roleplaying Tips #0294 - Customizing Common Races Part 3
Roleplaying Tips #0296 - 31 Questions to Define a Culture
Roleplaying Tips #0599 - 3 Line Cultures How To Inject Races and Factions With Flavour