M’shinn
Species: M’shinn
Home Planet: Genassa
M’shinn
The M'shinni (singular M'shinn), ruled the planets of the M'shinni Sector from their homeworld of Genassa. These humanoids were easily recognizable thanks to the moss-like plants that covered their entire body surfaces, save only for their palms and the soles of their feet. This covering led to the common nickname, Mossies. M'shinni in the galaxy were notable for their expertise in the biological and agricultural sciences, and for their control of several agriworlds.
Biology & Appearance:
The M'shinni were descended from an an extinct humanoid precursor species which developed a symbiotic relationship with a type of moss-like plant. This plant covering could be various shades of green, depending on the M'shinn's health and light conditions. An ill M'shinn's covering would sometimes dry up and turn brown. In return for nourishment from sweat and dead skin cells, their plant covering gave them accelerated healing. If the covering was removed, however, injuries took about fifty percent longer to heal. Their coats also needed sunlight to survive—a M'shinn held in total darkness for ten or more days would lose her coat.
All M'shinni were females who reproduced via parthenogenesis, a natural form of cloning. Reproduction was triggered by climate and food availability: in a favorable climate with plentiful food, they would give birth once every three years. The young were carried in a pouch on their mother's belly for about one hundred days.
M'shinni were vegetarians, with bony plates in their mouths for grinding vegetables instead of teeth. An adult M'shinn stood between 1.5 to 2.2 meters tall.
Society & Culture:
Each M'shinn was a near-exact copy of her mother, though small random mutations existed as in all natural reproductive processes. After generations of subtle mutations, individual families or "Rootlines" of M'shinni would develop a distinctive appearance. Individuals would clip their plant coverings and wear jewelry to distinguish themselves visually from their mothers, aunts, daughters, and sisters, who would otherwise look almost identical. (Clothing, of course, would block sunlight to their plant coverings.)
M'shinni were strongly loyal to their Rootline. Each M'shinni could trace their ancestry back to the "firstmother" of their Rootline—the woman from the extinct M'shinni precursor species who first joined with a plant symbiotically. Each Rootline controlled a particular family business. The arable land on M'shinni colonies was divided between Rootlines according to ancient laws. The government on each world was made up of a "Council of the Wise", consisting of the eldest member of each Rootline present on the planet. Competition between Rootlines was often fierce, but rarely violent. Covert sabotage was common, however.
History:
M'shinni ventured into space early in their history, starting by constructing orbital biospheres, and moving on to colonize and terraform Genassa's moon and the other six planets in their home system. After the discovery of the hyperdrive, they colonized dozens of nearby systems in the M'shinni Sector and joined the Galactic Republic. Agriworld-2079, the Skrilling homeworld, was one of their colonies.
Thanks to the fertility of the M'shinni colonies, and the sector's location along the Celanon Spur, the M'shinni Sector was an important exporter of food. When the Galactic Empire arose, their trade to Rebel-aligned planets was restricted. Some M'shinni supported the Empire in their tactics, seeing it as a process of "weeding out" harmful elements. On the other hand, some Rootlines showed distaste for the Empire, preferring to remain as neutral as possible and deal with them only through intermediaries.
M’shinn in the Galaxy:
The M'shinni became famous galaxywide as experts on agriculture, botanical genetics, solar power, and terraforming. The Ithorians, who had a similar specialty in the galactic economy, were friendly rivals of the M'shinni.
Attribute Dice: 12D
DEXTERITY 1D/2D+1
KNOWLEDGE 2D/4D+2
MECHANICAL 2D/4D
PERCEPTION 2D/4D
STRENGTH 1D/2D+1
TECHNICAL 2D/4D
Special Abilities:
Natural Healing: If a M'shinn suffers a form of damage that does not remove her plant covering (for example, a blow from a blunt weapon, or piercing or slashing weapon that leaves only a narrow wound), the natural healing time is halved due to the beneficial effects of the plant. However, if the damage involves the removal of the covering, the natural healing time is one and a half times the normal healing time. Should a M'shinn lose all of her plant covering, this penalty becomes permanent. A M'shinn can be healed in bacta tanks or through standard medicines, but these medicines will also kill the plant coveing in the treated area. The M'shinni have developed their own bacta and medpac analogs which have equivalent healing powers for M'shinn but do not damage the plant covering; these specialized medical treatments are useless for other species.
Skill Bonus: M'shinn characters at the time of creation only receive 3D bonus skill dice (in addition to the normal number of skill dice), which may only be used to improve the following skills: agriculture, business, ecology, languages, value, weather prediction, bargin, persuasion or first aid.
Special Skills:
Agriculture: This skill is identical to the agriculture skill described on page 75 of the Star Wars Sourcebook (under Ithorians).
Ecology: This skill is identical to the ecology skill described on page 75 of the Star Wars Sourcebook (under Ithorians).
Weather Prediction: This skill identical to the weather prediction skill described on page 158 of the The Star Wars Planets Collection.
Move: 8/11
Size: 1.5-2.2 meters tall
Source: Galaxy Guide #12: Aliens: Enemies and Allies (p.55-57) & Wookieepedia (For the M’shinn Description)