Major Race

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Major Race is a concept used throughout Charted Space to classify different alien races, who are assumed to have independently developed the jump drive.

Please see the following articles for related information:

Description (Specifications)

There is some disagreement about what makes a Major Race and exactly which species are major races. A Major Race is generally defined as one that independently developed jump drive technology, allowing vastly more efficient interstellar travel. While it is generally agreed that there are six Major Races, how they are specifically defined varies quite a bit. All races that are not Major Races are Minor Races by default.

  • Even within Charted Space, this is understood to be a somewhat arbitrary distinction and something generally used for promoting the status of one's own race or diminishing that of another sophont species.

Major Race Data Table

These are the six major races near universally recognized throughout Charted Space.

  • Please note that Humaniti has three recognized major race branches.
Major Race Synoptic Descriptions
# Demonym /

Socionym

Physiology /

Morphology

Homeworld Origin Jump Drive Polity Canon Remarks
1. Aslan Felidoid
  • Humanoid
 Kuzu NIL:
Evolution 		Independently
developed:
(-1999) 		Multi-world:

Aslan Hierate

  • 4,345 worlds
 Canon The Aslan are race of felidoids with a human-like morphology (body plan). Their culture and society are highly dynamic and many believe their spirit to be indomitable. They are a species with a high level of sexual and cultural dimorphism. They are also intensely loyal, honorable, ordered, and full of a deep level of respect for nature and life that many admire.
2. Droyne Reptillianoid
  • Semi-humanoid
 Eskayloyt

(Unknown
location)

NIL:
Evolution 		Independently
developed:
(-7000) 		Multi-world:

Droyne Oytrip Yatroy

  • 50+ worlds
 Canon The Droyne are a short, lithe, and agile race of reptillianoid flyers with a mysterious past and lineage. They are known to possess a certain psionic aptitude as well as advanced technology that is wildly different from all other races. Many conjecture that the Droyne are related to:
3. Hiver Echinodermoid
  • Non-humanoid
 Guaran NIL:
Evolution 		Independently
developed:
(-4698) 		Multi-world:

Hive Federation

  • 4,434 worlds
 Canon Hivers are a race of echinodermoid non-humanoids with a modified six-fold radial symmetry known for their large, dynamic empire and advanced technology. They have an exotic psychology that is difficult for others to grasp, but their commercial aptitude is universally recognized. They have no aural (spoken) language and they take a maternal viewpoint to many other beings, preferring to raise as many of them to sophonce as possible. At the same time, their predilection for macrosocial manipulation intimidates many.
4. Humaniti Mammalianoid:

Hominid (Humaniti):

Terra Ancients Independently
developed:
(-9235)
(Vilani) 		Multi-world:

Multiple polities

  • 20,000+ worlds
 Canon Please see Solomani, Vilani, Zhodani, and Imperial Man below.
5. K'kree Centauroid
  • Non-humanoid
 Kirur NIL:
Evolution 		Independently
developed:
(-4142) 		Multi-world:

Two Thousand Worlds

  • 2,000+ worlds
 Canon The K'kree are a race of large, centauroid, and non-humanoid hexapods, who bear a superfical resemblance to terran horses. In human terms, one might characterize them as "violently militant vegetarians". They aggressively oppose carnivorous and omnivorous species and their communal, collective, and claustrophobic psychology is very alien in outlook. They have a black and white morality that places most others in a "need to exterminate" category known as G'naak. They are deeply spiritual and possess a will to survive that is matched by none. If one can get past their black and white philosophy, their gregarious, outgoing natures are beloved by many.
6. Vargr Canidoid Lair Ancients Independently
developed:
(-3810) 		Multi-world:

Vargr Extents

  • 2,000+ worlds
 Canon The Vargr are race of canidoids with a human-like morphology (body plan), who it is widely believed were geneered by the Ancients. Their culture and society are highly dynamic and many believe their spirit to be formidable. They are a quarreling species that has great difficulty maintaining lasting polities, but still has an intense racial pride and unity of the moment. They possess a Terragenic genetic sequence and it believed that their genome originated at Terra.

Major Race Synopses

1. Aslan

The Aslan are a bipedal species of feline appearance, slightly larger than a human. Aslan society has a strict code of honour and very strict gender roles. While at the time of the Imperium there was little or no dispute as to their status as a Major Race, during the Rebellion period it was alleged that the Aslan had attained jump drive through reverse-engineering a crashed Solomani vessel (similar to how the Geonee achieved jump technology -- see below), and allegedly and technically are thus not a Major Race if these allegations are true.

2. Droyne (Ancients)

The Droyne short-winged bipedal race of reptilian appearance. Though the oldest of the jump capable races, the Droyne were the last to be recognised as such probably because they do not have any empires or regions controlled by their race. The race is scattered across known space. Droyne control some worlds but also share some with other races. The Droyne homeworld is unknown though it is speculated it is probably in the Spinward Marches Sector of the Imperium, as this is where the greatest concentration of Droyne worlds are found.

  • Scholarship late in the Third Imperium largely confirmed that Droyne were the same race as the Ancients. Also the Chirpers, originally thought to be a separate race, have been identified as a Droyne that have reverted back to a primitive form.
  • There are many Droyne governments and they tend to be variations on a Hegemony. Some speculate that all of the smaller Droyne polities are really part of a sort of secretive supra-polity known as the Droyne Oytrip Yatroy.

3. Hivers

The Hivers are a race based on six-fold symmetry (hexapody). Of all the major races they both appear and think the most "alien" to most humans. Despite their name Hivers actually have a highly individualistic society. They avoid direct violence and war whenever possible , preferring instead to work behind the scenes via all forms of covert manipulation.

4. Humaniti

Humaniti is the spelling used for Humanity in most of Charted Space. When humans first reached out to travel to the stars most were very surprised to find that other human species were already there. Three sub-species of humans independently developed jump drive technology and are therefore classified as Major Races in their own right.

5. K'kree

The K'kree are a race having two manipulatory "arms" and four locomotary "legs" reminding humans somewhat of Centaurs. They are intensely social herd sophonts and are rarely found alone. They are militant and often aggressive herbivores with a disdain for all meat eaters.

6. Vargr

The Vargr are a bipedal canine slightly smaller than the average human. This species resembles Terran wolves because they most likely are. Wolves taken from Terra are widely believed to have been genetically manipulated by the Ancients to a bipedal form in an attempt to create suitable servants.

  • The Vargr Extents is the general term used for the area of Charted Space dominated by Vargr polities, which are inherently unstable and short-lived by the standards of Humaniti.
  • There are an incredible number of Vargr states, almost all of which are highly unstable and variable in government types. Vargr government is highly balkanized although if there were commonalities, they would be that Vargr tend towards the extreme ends of the government structure spectrum, either towards highly un-centralized government in the form of Confederations, or highly-centralized governments in the form of Empires with supreme autocrats. Vargr governments don't often form a more balanced government such as Federation, Unitary State, or a Hegemony.

Human Major Races & Imperial Man Data Table

Human Major Races Synoptic Descriptions
# Demonym /

Socionym

Physiology /

Morphology

Homeworld Origin Jump Drive Polity Canon Note/s
4a. Solomani Mammalianoid:

Hominid (Humaniti):

  • Terragens
 Terra Ancients Independently
developed:
(-2431) 		Multi-world:

Solomani Confederation

  • 1,894 worlds
 Canon The Solomani are baseline humans, average in almost every aspect, but also possessing an incredible toughness, spirit, and genetic diversity.
4b. Vilani Mammalianoid:

Hominid (Humaniti):

  • Terragens
 Vland Ancients Independently
developed:
(-9235) 		Multi-world:

Ziru Sirka

Canon The Vilani are shorter, stronger, and swarthier humans with tough digestions and the heirs to an incredible interstellar empire and culture.
4c. Zhodani Mammalianoid:

Hominid (Humaniti):

  • Terragens
 Zhodane Ancients Independently
developed:
(-5415) 		Multi-world:

Zhodani Consulate

  • 6,500+ worlds
 Canon The Zhodani are taller, tougher, and swarthier humans with a strong psionic aptitude, who have built one of the most harmonious interstellar empires and cultures ever known.
4d. Imperial Man Mammalianoid:

Hominid (Humaniti):

  • Terragens
 Capital Sylean
Federation 		Various Multi-world:

Third Imperium

  • 12,000+ worlds
 Canon Blending of Solomani and Vilani human subspecies.
4a. Solomani

The Solomani names derives from "Men of the Sol system." It is generally acknowledged that Terra is the original homeworld of Humaniti and that they were spread amongst the stars thousands of years ago by the Ancients. This, and the ease of which the Solomani defeated the Vilani in the Interstellar Wars are cited as arguments for the supremacy of pureblood Solomani by the Solomani Supremacy Movement. In truth very few human gene pools have diverged much and with much intermingling of Solomani and Vilani peoples during the Rule of Man it is almost impossible to distinguish between Solomani and Vilani (and some of the minor human races).

4b. Vilani

The Vilani developed on Vland. They were the first race of Humaniti to invent the jump drive, and created the First Imperium.

4c. Zhodani

The Zhodani are known for their high level of psionic ability and its formal integration into their society.

  • The Zhodani government is known as the Zhodani Consulate and is a Psionic Democracy or a Democratic Republic. Some call it a psionic republic or a constitutional democratic republic based upon psionics. Whatever it may be, it is indisputable that the Zhodani have a far more peaceful, harmonious, and stable supra-polity than any other branch of humaniti.
4d. Imperial Man

Imperial Man is primarily a blend of Solomani and Vilani human subspecies, but it also includes genetic variation from many other Minor Human Races. It is widely believed that it has produced: increased genetic variation, physiological vigor, and psychological vigor. However, the term is more of a political designation than a scientific or biological one.

History & Background (Dossier)

Other Claimants: Various other races have claimed to be Major Races based on their interstellar travel ability. Some races were later proved to have not developed jump technology themselves but rather found and/or reverse engineered jump drives from Ancients sites or lost modern ships of other races. Other were discounted because their interstellar travel depended on non-jump technologies such as generation ships or sleeper ships using suspended animation.

Major Race Claimant Table

The following races are not recognized as major races throughout Charted Space.

Minor Race Claimant Synoptic Descriptions
Demonym /

Socionym

Physiology /

Morphology

Homeworld Origin Jump Drive Polity Canon Notes
Daryen AKA

Darrians

Mammalianoid:

Hominid (Humaniti): Minor Human Race

Darrian Ancients Ancients

(Reputed)

Multi-world:

Darrian Confederation

Canon The Daryen are tall, thin, and willowy human technophiles, who were encountered by the Third Imperium. While many believe them to have been transplanted by the Ancients, it also clear that Solomani explorers have interbred with them in the recent past. The Daryen are independent in 1116.
Geonee Mammalianoid:

Hominid (Humaniti): Minor Human Race

Shiwonee Ancients Ancients:

Reverse Engineering

Multi-world:

Geonee Confederation

Canon The Geonee are short, squat, and muscular humans with a born mechanical aptitude and a large, former empire that was conquered by the Ziru Sirka. The Geonee Confederation has long been advocating for more autonomy from the Third Imperium. The Geonee are part of the Third Imperium in 1116.
Suerrat Mammalianoid:

Hominid (Humaniti): Minor Human Race

Ilelish Ancients NAFAL (STL):

Generation Ships

Multi-world:

Suerrat Republic

Canon The Suerrat are shorter, lithe, agile, and "ape-like" humans with a large, former empire that was conquered by the Ziru Sirka. They later acquired the jump drive from the Vilani. The Suerrat are part of the Third Imperium in 1116.

Darrians

The Darrians at one point claimed to be a major race branch of Humaniti but were later re-classified as a minor race.

Geonee

The Geonee claim to be a Major Race as they also developed the Jump Drive.

  • Vilani research during the First Imperium showed the Genoee had reverse engineered the Jump Drive from an Ancient archological site on their home world.

Suerrat

The Suerrat claim to be a Major Race as they independently developed interstellar travel.

  • However this was based on generation ships, not jump technology, so the claim is not accepted by other races who classify them as a Minor Race.

Major Race Relations: 1116

No information yet available.

Major Race Relations: 1116
Polity Race/s A. Aslan Hierate B. Droyne Oytrip Yatroy C. Hive Federation D. Solomani Confederation E. Third Imperium F. Two Thousand Worlds G. Vargr Extents H. Zhodani Consulate Notes
Aslan Hierate Aslan X No Borders:
Affinity 		No Borders:
Affinity 		Borders:
Animosity 		Frontier:
Affinity 		No Borders:
Emnity 		No Borders:
Emnity 		No Borders:
Affinity 		The Aslan Hierate is an expansionistic super power with a low level of unification expressed through the Tlaukhu.
  • Population pressures expressed through the Ihatei complicate interstellar relations for the Aslan.
Droyne Oytrip Yatroy Droyne No Borders:
Cordial 		X No Borders:
Cordial 		No Borders:
Cordial 		No Borders:
Cordial 		No Borders:
Cordial 		No Borders:
Cordial 		No Borders:
Cordial 		They are a mysterious species and remain largely cordial to as many of their neighbors and hosts as possible.
  • Droyne remain subordinate to most polities. Some Droyne participate in other societies, but, for the most part, the Droyne remain a society apart.
Hive Federation Hivers No Borders:
Affinity 		No Borders:
Affinity 		X Borders:
Affinity 		No Borders:
Friendship 		Borders:
Emnity 		No Borders:
Affinity 		No Borders:
Affinity 		The Hive Federation has a goal to raise as many species as possible to sophonce.
  • Hivers are friendly with all and eager to conduct mutually beneficial commerce.
  • The Hivers are mysterious society and eager to manipulate others, a popular pastime for their species and society.
Solomani Confederation Solomani Borders:
Animosity 		No Borders:
Emnity 		Borders:
Emnity 		X Borders:
Hatred 		No Borders:
Animosity 		No Borders:
Neutral 		No Borders:
Affinity 		The Solomani Confederation is an expansionistic super power with a noted chauvinism against non-humans.
  • The Solomani have been exterminating nearby non-human societies and replacing them with humans and genetically engineered species of their own making known as Variant Races, mostly terragens species.
Third Imperium Humaniti Frontier:
Affinity 		No Borders:
Affinity 		No Borders:
Affinity 		Borders:
Emnity 		X No Borders:
Neutral 		Borders:
Affinity 		Frontier:
Emnity 		The Third Imperium is an expansionistic hyperpower.
  • The Imperium has a societal goal to preserve order in the relative chaos of Charted Space.
  • The relative federalism of the Imperium's "feudal confederation" sometimes leads local sub-polities (duchies, counties, etc.) to conduct interstellar relations contrary to the wishes of the Emperor. These differences don't tend to last for long.
Two Thousand Worlds K'kree No Borders:
Emnity 		No Borders:
Emnity 		Borders:
Hatred 		No Borders:
Animosity 		No Borders:
Emnity 		X Frontier:
Hatred 		No Borders:
Emnity 		The K'kree have a societal goal to preserve the world for herbivores and eliminate carnivores.
  • They have little to no hesitation against committing genocide against those in their way.
  • The Two Thousand Worlds has many state secrets and many of their greater motivations remain in the shadows.
Vargr Extents Vargr No Borders:
Neutral 		No Borders:
Neutral 		No Borders:
Neutral 		No Borders:
Affinity 		Borders:
Affinity 		Frontier:
Animosity 		X Borders:
Affinity 		Vargr atttitudes are always loosely held, with many divergent ideas, since the Vargr Extents are an extremely poorly unified super-polity.
  • However, the Vargr have a fierce racial loyalty and pride that allows them to come together in times of need.
  • Several societies with in the Vargr Extents, notably the Julian Protectorate, have been successfully experimenting with racially integrated societies of many different species of sophonts.
  • Few other societies can match the friendliness and openness to new ideas that is a hallmark of many Vargr societies.
Zhodani Consulate Zhodani Frontier:
Emnity 		No Borders:
Friendship 		No Borders:
Neutral 		No Borders:
Affinity 		Frontier:
Emnity 		No Borders:
Emnity 		Borders:
Affinity 		X The Zhodani major power is more likely to feel indifference than stronger negative relations.
  • They have a societal goal to preserve the use of psionics and foster friendly psionic societies.
  • They have a secretive civilization and it is very difficult to determine their true inclinations.

Key:

  • Marriage (+++)
  • Friendship (++)
  • Affinity (+)
  • Neutral (0) [cordial]
  • Emnity (-)
  • Hatred (--)
  • Genocide (---)

Suspected Major Races: 1116

Canon:

Non-canon:

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.
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