Before any of today’s clans came to be, what we now know as a spaceship landed on the world. Clans Laventil Peak and Brackish Delta were those that spread knowledge. While those from the spaceship must have spoke words none were understood.
Clan Rancin Fields met with another, after the third flood, years later. Gifts were received, but no words recorded.
Clan Tonrhe Fields met another, after another number of years, in the First Mooring Plain. Here the words of the traders were recorded, and the Great House of Tonrhe was constructed.
The first successful contact with the Hrutxcan was actually the third, according to their own records. These records are sparse enough that nothing identifies who may have been those trying to make contact- but it is believed it was done for purposes of trade, by those with no experience in making first contact.
At this point the Hrutxcan could be considered early bronze age; there were some instances of refined metals, but without any significant farming, these processes were extremely cost prohibitive given the flora of Hrutxcan habitable areas.
That is, even the most fertile grounds need significant engineering to support farming as most species know it. Thus the migratory hunter-gather life may have been all the Hrutxcan species would have known, if not being contacted.
As it is, the main export of the Hrutxcan homeworld is the wood of an extremely squat tree, the consistency of balsa. While the most pervasive invasive species is recognizable as bamboo – groves of which are nurtured and harvested for the tall warehouse-like homes associated with power and prosperity.
But, to the body itself.
An adult Hrutxcan can, in large strokes, be described as a pill bug gone partially upright, like a centaur. And as massive as a hippopotamus. Not as heavy, though, as their native planet is very close to galactic standard gravity – 0.8 g.
Each of their dozen-plus limbs are about the same in structure, if not muscular build; a leg in three proportional sections, with a hand with a pair of fingers and a thumb on either side. A knuckle-walk is used by the “legs”, while three pairs of hands are frequently used for subtle manipulation – though less subtle manipulation is possible with all limbs.
Their back is covered with a series of shell ridges closely resembling a pillbug; pre adulthood, it molts with the rest of the body in a regular cycle. During adulthood, it may experience occasional growth breaks, usually polished out by members of the clan. The right and left edges frequently retain some dappling from childhood.
The head is a mess of sensory antennae and mandibles, the former roughly placed like ears, the latter below the eyes. These eyes appear compound externally, like insects, and are capable of binocular vision. Don’t try and talk about color, though. They can see color. You see RGB. Complete snobs over any multi-color display.
While ornamental clothing isn’t unheard of, there are two thing considered required; a show of Clan heraldry – traditionally a woven cape over the back, hung from a wide ring over the neck (traditional wood ring is a lot less popular these days, metals) – and a two finger knife, with a stow point embedded somewhere on the inner surface of their shell ridges. This knife is officially used for eating (mandibles wear faster than a molt replaces, age makes it worse) and molt assistance ( do not eat do not eat) – but comes up as a defense and enforcement tool. Napped black faux-obsidian is popular.
Finger Knife collections are popular, but carrying one knife is normal – and carrying two means you’re on High Mom’s business.
But that is getting into social stuff.
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