Hopper

Hopper
Base Information
Classification	Intermittent
Status	Minor Race
Locomotion
Terrain
Body Form
Confluence
Bio-Identenoid
Size	1.3 m
Weight	80 kg
Culture
Languages
Social Structure
Technological Epoch
Psionic potential	Unknown
Origin World
Homeworld location	Fedan (Far Home Velous)
UWP	X000000-0 Starport X No Starport Size 0 Asteroid/Planetoid Belt Atmosphere 0 Vacuum Hydrographics 0 Desert World 0% Population 0 Barren (0) Government 0 No Government structure Law 0 No Law Tech Level 0 Pre-Industrial (primitive)
Primary Star
Atmosphere
Off-world presence	Yes
Zoetic individuals
Source
Reference	Ade Stewart
Canon	No
Also see
TBD

Hoppers are a minor race native to Fedan, in the coreward half of Far Home Sector in the Distant Fringe.

Description:

Bilaterally symmetrical heterotrophic consumers.

Image Repository

1. Hopper.
   

Homeworld:

Fedan

Physiology:

Physical form: Bilateral HBS-T-AA-LN-N, Exoskeleton, Ichor fluids, Leathery exterior, No natural weapons, Hands.

Senses

• Energy: V-14-BPS. Hopper vision is slightly inferior to that of humans and is centered towards the near ultra-violet region of the visible spectrum.
• Vibration: H-16-9373. Hopper hearing is similar to that of humans, though they can hear a broader spectrum of sound.
• Volatiles: S-18-2. The Hopper sense of smell is far more acute than that of humans.
• Matter: T-6-2. Hoppers have a similar sensitivity to pressure and texture as humans.
• Fields: A-0. Oblivious.
• Aura: P-10-22. Hoppers are sensitive to bioelectrical activity and are innately aware of the condition, needs and wants of other living organisms around them.

Characteristics

A baseline Hopper has the following characteristic ranges:

• Strength 2D6
• Dexterity 2D6
• Stamina 3D6
• Intelligence 2D6
• Instinct 2D6
• Caste -

Aptitudes:

No information yet available.

Movement

Legs are used to ambulate over surface terrain.

Reproduction

Oviparity is suspected. Metamorphosis of developing stages is observed.

Life Stages

• 0 Larva: (2 years)
• 1 Hatchling: (4 years)
• 2 Adolescent: (4 years)
  • Career starts at age 10.
• 3 Young adult: 1 term (4 years)
• 4 Adult: 1 term (4 years)
• 5 Peak: 7 terms (28 years).
  • Physical aging begins (46+ years).
• 6 Midlife: 2 terms (8 years).
• 7 Senior: 1 term (4 years).
• 8 Elder: 1 term (4 years).
• 9 Retirement: 3 terms (12 years).
  • Mental aging begins (62+ years).

Typical lifespan is around 74 years.

Diet and Trophics

Hoppers are herbivores, primarily consuming the nectar produced by a particular species of flora. Certain castes are able to ingest other types of flora, digesting it in order to produce biological materials necessary to the continued functioning of their hive.

Psychology & Philosophy

Hoppers are caste-based, and each adheres to their individual role in society. Hoppers, however, are still individuals capable of independent thought, and display a basic psychology and range of behaviours common to their species.

Primal Drives

Hopper psychology is driven by factors common to many sophonts:

• Acquisition (stemming from the need to gather adequate nutrition),
• Preservation (derived from the need to continue their personal existence), and
• Perpetuation (the urge to continue the species).

Behaviours

A number of other factors dominate the mental processes of the species:

Major Drives

• Cooperation.
  • Submissive.
  • Rigidity.
• Gregarious.
  • Loneliness. Crave social contact.
• Defensive.
  • Aggressive.

Minor Drives

• Conservative.
  • Reactionary.
• Nurturing.
  • Smothering.

Outlook

Most Hoppers adhere to the philosophy that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority. Hoppers rarely act purely in their own self-interest, generally putting the wellbeing of their group or community first. They consider their lives meaningful if they have actively contributed to the continuance of the hive, the betterment of the nation and to the existence of Hoppers as a whole.

Philosophy: Connectivity. Everything is connected, nothing is disconnected.

Theology: Pantheism, many gods, and panantheism (everything is god)

Ethics: Inner relativism: in any given situation there is a right and a wrong. The individual must determine what that is.

Psychology: Co-effective consciousness, this is the concept that we are all inter-connected. My psychology is impacted by yours.

Society & Culture:

• Homogeneity: 7 (Discordant)
• Acceptance: 7 (Aloof)
• Strangeness: 4 (Everyday, minor cultural differences)
• Symbols: 1 (Monolithic conformity)

Demographics

Fedan, the Hopper homeworld: approximately 540 million.

• An estimated 2.4 billion "Outer" Hoppers (5.82% of the population) inhabiting human-controlled space within Halcyon Sector, most typically forming insular self-sufficient communities within established urban areas.

Language

One unique language per caste.

A "noble tongue" understood by all castes.

Social Organization:

Hive cities

All hive-cities are organised into castes, each with a specific function to perform, but all ultimately supporting the city queens and the larval young.

Government

Balkanisation. Areas controlled by different nations.

Law and Justice

Severe laws. Strict code of conformity.

Equally severe justice.

Military

Limited military, caste-based.

Interstellar Relations:

No information yet available.

Technology & Trade

Technological Overview

Current Average Technology: TL 4

• Energy: 4 (Electricity)
• Computers: 4 (Mechanical calculators)
• Communications: 5 (Radio, Radar)
• Medical: 4 (Vaccination, Antiseptics, Anesthetics)
• Environment: 3 (Cement Structures)
• Land Transport: 4 (Trains)
• Water Transport: 3 (Multi-Mast Sailing, Navigation)
• Air Transport: 4 (Dirigibles, Early Gliders)
• Personal Weapons: 4 (Cartridge rounds)
• Personal Armor: 4 (Mesh)
• Heavy Weapons: 3 (Cannon)
• Heavy Armor: 4 (Soft Steel)

Technological Research

No information yet available.

Economics

• Resources: 9 (Moderate)
• Labor: 7 (Tens of millions)
• Infrastructure: A (Extensive)
• Efficiency: +1 (Average)

History & Background

Primal ancestors

Human contact (2255AD onwards)

Despite initial suspicion – popular science-fiction tropes of the time tended to depict insect-like aliens as "bad" – Hoppers were humanity’s earliest allies in the Distant Fringe. They provided enough food and supplies to support the human refugees during the first few difficult years of settlement. Their Homeworld provided a pleasant and civilised sanctuary for humans, and Hopper “mothers” – innately sensitive to the needs of their tiny charges – assisted raising countless millions of human children born through the use of GenPods.

Calendar:

No information yet available.

Timeline of Historical Events

No information yet available.

References & Contributors / Sources:

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master Scout Emeritus Adie Alegoric Stewart of the IISS
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science