Tierran

The Tierrans are a sentient species of bipedal mammals from Planet Terria, characterized by their fur-covered forms, ears, and tails. With their long ears and long, fluffy tails, they appear vaguely reminiscent of Tellus-based mammals, but they bear no common lineage or biological discent. Originally thought of as large pests, the Tierrans, or "Damn Diggers" as they were commonly referred to as by other species, have only been recognized as sentient within the last century, displaying surprising levels of comprehension and capacity for learning. Their capacity for communication and thought was discovered by Vulperan scientists who traveled to Terria to assist colonists with their struggles on the harsh planet's surface, which is nearly uninhabitable to all but native flora and fauna.

Biology and appearance
Tierrans appear to be little more than animalistic creatures with long ears, bushy tails, and large eyes. They are of various shapes and sizes, but they are usually smaller than humanoids. Despite their stature, they have a deceptive amount of strength that is well suited for their native environment  in expansive, underground tunnels that span most of their home planet.

Tierrans have a sensitivity to light; their unsually large eyes developed to see in the dim lighting of their tunnels and are poor at filtering out excessive amounts of light. They have an enhanced sense of smell, to make up for their poor eyes, help them on their home planet during its long dark nights. In their hand-like appendages reside small, gustatory sensory organs that have evolved to help them determine what the ground they are digging in is comprised of, as well as what foods are poisonous without having to taste it orally.

While these traits bear little use for their survival on Tellus, Tierrans find using their hands to offer better understanding of an unknown person or situation. With a simple handshake, or touching a person or object, they can determine several things by factors such as the presence of gunpowder residue or the remnants of recent meals. Scientific Tierrans find this extra sense helpful for various tasks, depending on their field of study or work.

Tierrans are classified as omnivores, though many of the species takes to a more vegetarian life style since farming comes quite easily to them. Able to gain sustenance from just about anything they can ingest, they have been reported to eat anything from dirt to old clothes, though such diets are ill-advised and do not provide them with the energy necessary for hard labor.

Society and culture
Usually labeled as lower class, Tierrans are cheap laborers for under-developed planets due to their natural abilities and knowledge. While not always as efficient as a multi-million dollar mining machine, they are still sought after for cheap mine work and construction for under ground facilities. Many Tierrans take to a life as hired miners, feeling most at home deep in the rocky depths of a planet, using their touch to feel out precious minerals.

Tierran society and customs are tribal, with a tribe leader who is looked to for direction. Before the cultural pollution of other influences from other species altering some of their customs and fashions, bright colors and modest coverings were a part of typical apparel. Few surviving customs involve their life-based ceremonial traditions. In earlier Tierran history, the new moon was believed to be one of the moons of their planet dying and being reborn, so they honored rebirth and the cycle of life during the new moon stage of their planet's lunar cycles. They now have a festival on the last day of their solar month. This tradition includes song, dance, and feasts to commemorate the moon's life in a way similar to their own funerals. To honor the rich soil and rocks that make up a planet, its not uncommon for traveling Tierrans to keep a rock or small bottle of dirt from their home planet as a luck charm or heirloom. The earth of their home is seen as a part of their life's blood, and symbolized what they are at their very essence. Even funerals, or "rejoining" as it is called, is seen as a time for sadness to be put aside to celebrate the deceased individual's return to the dirt that bore them as well as all other species.

Racial stereotypes place Tierrans as quiet and reserved creatures whom are more liable to flee from conflict instigate one. As with all species, generalizations are not always true, and every cornered creature has survival insticts. While typically they prefer a more peaceful life, there have been accounts of tribes trying to carve a better place in the universe through conflict and sheer numbers, but with little success. Dark areas, choke points, and guerrilla warfare have been recorded by original Terrian colonists as particularly effective tactics that the Tierrans employed, using their natural gifts to get the better of those who pursued conflict with the usually passive species.