Prt'

Prt'
Base Information
Classification	Carnivore/pouncer
Status	Minor Race
Locomotion	Walker
Terrain	Forest
Body Form
Confluence	Semi-humanoid
Bio-Identenoid	Felidoid
Size	1.0 meters
Weight	30 kg
Culture
Languages	Native Language, Gurvin (language)
Social Structure	Anarchy
Technological Epoch	TL:10-12
Psionic potential	Standard
Origin World
Homeworld location	Prt'aow (Spica 2340)
UWP	C966302-A Starport C Routine: No Construction, Major Repair, Unrefined fuel Size 9 Large (14,400 km, 1.03g - 1.33g) Atmosphere 6 Standard Hydrographics 6 Wet World 60% Population 3 Low (7 thousand) Government 0 No Government structure Law 2 Low Law (no energy weapons) Tech Level A Early Stellar (jump drive)
Primary Star	M1 V
Atmosphere	Standard
Off-world presence	No
Zoetic individuals	Yes
Source
Reference	"Contact: The Prt'." Challenge 26 35-37.
Canon	Yes
Also see

The Prt' of Prt'aow (Spica 2340) are a technologically sophisticated Minor Non-Human Race with a Semi-humanoid appearance.

Description (Specifications)

The Prt' are a minor race genetically engineered from once-domesticated carnivore/pouncers.

Physical Sophontology

They are bipedal, but can move on all fours at greater speed. Averaging about one meter in length and 25 to 30 kilograms in weight, their most distinguishing feature is a slight external resemblance to Felidae (cats) of Terra, causing one observer to characterize them as "over-grown tomcats".

The main differences between the Prt' and their wild forebears are a greater overall body size, an enlarged cranium, and the development of the forepaw into a stubby-fingered hand, allowing the manufacture and use of tools. The greatest difference of all is, of course, their sapience.

The Prt' (pronounced "Pert" with a rolled "r" and emphasis on the "t") inhabit a world in the Spica sector known to the inhabitant and to the Hivers (with whom the Prt' are affiliated) as Prt'aow. This word translates as "Home". Note: The pronunciation of this word is subtly different from the reference to one's dwelling, referring instead to the dwelling place of all clans.

Climate & Ecotope (Environment)

This species holds the following environmental preferences:

• Terrestrial planet
• Temperate climate
• Forest and jungle ecotopes
• Standard gravity
• Standard atmosphere

Anatomy & Physiology (Phenotype)

Sophontologists studying this species have discovered the following data.

Body Plan (Morphology)

Felidoid

• Semi-humanoid
• Bilteral symmetry (2-ial)
• Quadruped (4-ped)
  • 2 limbs used for locomotion/manipulation "arm-legs"
    • Facultative locomotion
  • 2 limbs used for locomotion "legs"
  • 1 tail
• Body consists of three segments
  • Head
  • Torso
  • Abdomen

Biochemistry (Function)

This species has a conventional carbon-water based biochemistry.

Respiration (Reaction)

This species uses a conventional respiration cycle consisting of:

• Oxygen-nitrogen inhalant
• Carbon dioxide exhalant

Diet & Trophics (Consumption)

This species survives using the following methods of consumption:

• Carnivore/pouncer
• This species favors protein-heavy (meat) foodstuffs.

Gender & Sexuality (Reproduction)

This species has the following reproductive characteristics:

• Two genders (male & female)
  • Mild sexual dimorphism
• (sexual reproduction)
  • Conjugal intercourse
  • Varied mating systems (primarily serial monogamy) (1m:1f average)
• Viviparous birth
  • (Iteroparous): Uses K-selection and have few offspring that require considerable amounts of time to raise to maturity.

History & Background (Dossier)

The Prt' were created by a race they refer to as the Hasst'kor (literally "those-who-came-before"). Known only through old legends, the Hasst'kor seem to have bio-engineered simple carnivore/pouncers for use as a servitor race, giving them manipulative ability and greater mentality. For an unknown period of time, this was the Prt' existence: servants.

Approximately -10000 Imperial, the Hasst'kor were destroyed in an interplanetary war with their neighbors. This catastrophe has eradicated the Hasst'kor and left the Prt' as the only intelligent life on the planet, their population drastically reduced by chemical assaults and the bio-plagues which destroyed their former masters.

The Prt' took to the wilds to avoid the major concentrations of the deadly chemicals and diseases. For millennia, they lived a brutish, primitive existence, slowly evolving their own culture.

As time passed, a few scouts entered the devastated ruins of the former civilization. At first, those who dared to enter either never came out or died shortly thereafter of various diseases, remnants of the biological weapons.

Eventually, a few survived and returned. because of the fact that those who entered the ruins often brought death back with then, they tended to be ostracized and treated as outcasts. With the passing of time, outcasts who did not die as a result of their forays formed clans of their own. They moved into the ruins, where some examples of technology lay preserved in stockpiles and caches (the Hasst'kor were a cautious race, and had emergency stockpiles laid by in case of less devastating attack by their neighbors). These "civilized" clans prospered, advancing to TL–1 while the rest of the planet remained at TL–0.

Approximately -2400 Imperial, a Hiver expedition discovered the planet and its emerging race. Contacting a few recklessly curiouser clans, the Hiver had a rather typical reaction to primitives (to them, anyways), deciding that the Prt' needed uplifting to a civilized level. Soon, the Prt' were accompanying the Hivers on scouting missions through the stars. To this day, despite their somewhat violent ways, the Prt' remain very active in both Hiver exploration services.

Culture & Society (Ethnology)

Prt' society is dominated by the clan system, similar to, although not as restrictive as the Aslan clan hierarchy. Government is by a council of clan elders, who hold frequent meetings to decide policy for a population—a rather sporadic form of government. These elders also decide policy for their individual clans—male elders making most of the decisions, with final approval coming from the females. For the day-to-day paperwork that every functioning government has to deal with, there is a clan that specializes in bureaucracy and dealing with off-worlders (it is not a very large clan).

It should be noted that every surviving Prt' who reaches old age (60+ years) becomes an elder of his or her clan. Some Prt' are honored with the status of elder when they are as young as 40; usually this honor is bestowed for the performance of some great service to the race, or amassing popular or political power.

One other clan event of interest is the Kha'i (rite of passage), a ritual combat that marks the entry of a male Prt' into adulthood. Held bi-annually between clans, adolescent males compete against one another to prove their strength and suitability as mates—a function still served by this tradition, as many females have their selections influenced by the displays. Males not selected often leave their clan for a time to further prove their suitability by questing in unknown territory. With the entire planet explored, this often translates into starfaring. Females coming of age also have the right to leave the clan, but few do so.

Government & Politics (Leadership)

Prt'aow is a member of the Hive Federation, and Hiver influence is pervasive. The written language of the Prt' is the Hiver idiographic system. Although not one of the most influential members of the Federation, the Prt' can boast of their contributions to the Hiver Exploration Service.

Their closest neighbors, the Solomani, retain friendly (if somewhat patronizing) relations with the Prt' government. On the whole, the Solomani are not favorites of the Prt', due to the Solomani characterization of the Prt' as large housecats. Even though the Imperium is somewhat distant from Prt'aow, the Prt' are familiar with it, and many have gained Imperial citizenship through service in the Imperial Scout Service, a favorite among the Prt'.

Two entire clans of Prt' have moved to the Aslan Hierate, where they serve as assistants to Aslan corporations and clans, usually as interpreters in human-Aslan meetings. The Aslan appreciate the Prt' ability to tolerate human insults and gaffes without becoming mortally insulted (Prt' can still be considered "touchy" from a human standpoint, however). Occasionally Prt' have served as mediators between Aslan clans, being recognized as neutral parties.

• Please see polity entry at Prt' Principate for more information.

Military & Intelligence (Force Projection)

The armed forces of the planet are also clan-maintained, with the vast bulk being volunteer militia, form from the very argumentative populace. The primary function of the armed forces, since the space and interstellar defense is provided by the Hiver Federation, seems to be frequent competition between clans to determine which unit is the most impressive. These wargames also serve for the Prt' equivalent of organized sports.

• Please see polity entry at Prt' Principate for more information.

Astrography

This race is primarily located in the following areas:

• Spica Sector
  • Kurfane Subsector

Homeworld

The homeworld of this race is:

• Prt'aow (Spica 2340)

World Listing: 1105

Significant communities of this race are known to dwell within the following systems and worlds:

1 of 1 World articles in Prt'

Prt'aow  •  

startbacknext(1 listed)

References & Contributors (Sources)

This article is missing content for one or more detailed sections. Additional details are required to complete the article. You can help the Traveller Wiki by expanding it.

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.

• Loren Wiseman. "Contact: The Prt'." Challenge 26 (1986): 35-37.
• Bjorn Jarnsida, David Piatt & Craig Sheeley. Downport CARI 9003