Vulpine

Vulpine

"You know that eons-old maxim that dogs are man’s best friend? I’m pretty sure it has to do with their loyalty and versatility to adapt. In some ways, I’m of the opinion that Vulpine are also man’s best friend – what with their loyalty, companionship, and intelligence. It might be a terrible thing to say about another sentient species, but I know I’m not the only one with that opinion."

- Second Lieutenant Kevin P. Hodgens, UNSC Marine Corps; 2572.

The Vulpine were a species of sentient furred mammals found on the planet (and later, colony) of New Blenheim. The Vulpine were naturally clever, quick to learn, and very adept and innovative with machinery and technology. Thanks to prolonged coexistence with members of humanity on New Blenheim, the Vulpine were on very good terms with the United Earth Government, and eventually became a UEG protectorate.

Characteristics
The size of Vulpine varied greatly due environmental factors – such as (but not limited to) diet and exercise. The mass of the average adult male lay roughly between 55 to 68 kilograms, while the average female was 50 to 60 kilograms. The average lifespan of the average male Vulpine was roughly 43.8 years; the female, meanwhile, enjoyed a slightly longer average lifespan of 44.3 years. The Vulpine were digitigradal bipedal humanoids, roughly 149 to 164 centimetres (4.9 to 5.4 feet) in height; and capable of walking on their four-toed padded feet, hence leaving their arms free to manipulate tools with four fingered padded hands and an opposable thumb. .

All Vulpine process a thick pelt of fur across their bodies; the colour of the fur is dependent on the genes of the parents. However, the most common color of fur seems to be either an almost ruddy red/brown or grey.

Given New Blenheim’s bitterly cold winters, Vulpine grew thicker winter coats to allow them to survive in such climates. They shed these coats mid-way through the spring; roughly half a year after they grew them.

Another trademark of the Vulpine was their “fox-like” faces, an obvious muzzle, and two large pointed ears on the top of the head. They also processed bushy tails; roughly two-fifths of their height, with a white tip.

History
Little is known about the Vulpine in their early history; as much of the little that is actually known was passed down by word of mouth through countless generations, before eventually being transcribed upon the adoption of a written language. Hence, these tales lack much in the way of credibility, although certainly not in the way of creativity. However, archaeology shows that early Human and Vulpine development to be similar; both seemed to evolve from more primitive quadruped species to a more advanced tool-using biped. In addition to this, early histories seem to be remarkably similar.

Early Vulpines formed small transient hunting communities that moved north in summer and south in winter in pursuit of prey. These ‘tribes’ (in lieu of a better term) were led by a single leading figure who ruled over the entire group, with a close friend or a mate effectively being the second in command; under whom were the ‘lieutenants’ of sorts, who lead sections of the tribe to hunt successfully. The hunting tribes seemed to have followed the same routes north and south on their travels year in and year out – possibly due to prey following the same route tracks or because of the drawing of crude maps.

Around 200 BCE (in human-chronology), the first permanent settlements seem to have been founded in areas that were naturally easily defendable. Many of the previously mentioned transient tribes relocated to these larger settlements for numerous reasons: the most prominent seemed to be the division of labour (allowing for the workload to be distributed more evenly) and better shelter (most shelter was of wood and stone construction). Furthermore, the largest advantages of living in a permanent settlement were increased safety and increased access to food stuffs year round. Slowly, most nomadic groups ended up living in these settlements; correspondingly, the population of Vulpine grew exponentially thanks to the longer lifespans of Vulpine. These settlements were initially led by an absolute monarchy – with an appointed family member of the founding leader being chosen to take over in the event of the monarch’s death. However, as time progressed towards the early CE years, the monarchy slowly evolved into a form of an oligarchy due to the difficulties of overseeing a large state. As each city-state’s population grew, the need for agricultural land increased in order to keep the population fed. As a direct result, the first large-scale Vulpine-on-Vulpine fighting began to occur over land in between city states. Wars between these states were brutal and often neither side gave quarter to the end short of unconditional surrender – though the victors usually allowed the losing side’s civilian population to be integrated into their state. Slowly, technological advances were made due to armed conflict; essentially a well-advanced entry into a ‘Bronze age’ of sorts.

By 1600 CE, several Vulpine civilizations emerged: along with common written language, currency, but different and distinct cultures. Each nation spanned a considerable portion of the planet’s surface and contained millions of citizens. These three civilizations were perpetually at war with each other; up until the political unrest at home resulted mass civil disobedience and the rejection of the monarchies/oligarchies as leaders of the nation in 1621. This occurred in all three nations almost simultaneously – resulting in anarchy and pandemonium. Several prominent Vulpine philosophers (Yend’a Kensa, Resnd Hanez, and Ewala Jaksa) rose to power within months; each making peace and implementing a form of direct democracy in each of the three nations, with a method of democratically electing a government of the people for the people. Through the newly implemented direct democratic system, the three major factions were split into 17 independent nations; each (largely) peacefully coexisting with each other and developing minor cultural differences, all the while slowly advancing technologically. By 2371 CE, the Vulpine had no contact with other sentient species, and was loitering roughly midway through the human equivalency of the Iron Age. Likely, Vulpine civilization would have eventually evolved to appear much like that of medieval Europe had Humanity’s explosive arrival on their planet of New Blenheim not occurred.

On the 13th of March 2371, the Colonial Military Administration colony vessel Cornwallis preformed an emergency exit out of ‘Slipspace’, hundreds of light-years off target - but a mere 100 million kilometres off New Blenheim. With the realization that the Shaw-Fujikawa translight engine aboard the Cornwallis was wrecked due to defective manufacturing and their calls for help futile due to the distance from any human colony, the colonists looked at New Blenheim for potential colonisation.

Scientific teams were landed on the surface of New Blenheim, and it was found that it had an atmosphere suitable for sustaining human life, a cold but bearable climate, and much in the way of unique and native wildlife. The scientific team also encountered a small patrol of Vulpine soldiers from the state of Jedufi, armed with swords and spears, and covered in iron armour. This was much to the surprise of the Cornwallis expedition, who hadn’t expected to encounter sentient life here, of all places. The encounter was peaceful, although both parties regarded each other as utterly alien and correspondingly acted coolly to each other. There were, however, attempts at communication; however, these efforts on both sides proved futile as both found each other’s languages to be incomprehensible. The Vulpine soldiers eventually left the scientific team, leaving them free to return to the vessel with their findings.

The Captain of the CMA Cornwallis, Captain Catherine Woods, held a confidential meeting with his 73 officers and the 84 degree-holding intellectuals on board to discuss what the options were regarding these “sentient foxes”. Despite some xenophobia on the part of some of the crew, it was decided that the only real option the colonists had was to peacefully coexist the sentient “aboriginal” species. This done, the decision to set up the first settlement on the surface was reached; and within days, the Cornwallis began shuttling colonists and prefabricated housing components from orbit to the surface.

The Vulpine became aware of the encounter with Humanity from the warrior party, and noticed the human colonisation attempt within days of starting. The elected head of the Jedufi state, Dehn Fenez, met the new colonists head on – with a hundred of his soldiers. A platoon of UNSC Marines had also been deployed in the event of hostilities against the settlers on the part of the aboriginal species – sentient or not.

Culture
"Its appalling, really. Humanity managed to drag the Vulpine technologically from the pre-industrial evolution to the level of our level of technological advancement; but at the price of their cultural identity. They adopted our culture instead; but yet more appalling than this loss of identity (and the subsequent adoption of human culture) is the Vulpine people themselves lack of concern in the matter. It’s just culture to them."

- Dr. Gavin Mayers, Doctor of Cultural Anthropology at the University of New Blenheim; to a class of 19 students (five of whom were Vulpine). May 15, 2531.

The Vulpine once had much in the way of unique traditions and customs. However, the vast majority were forgotten and forever lost within 250 years of humanities’ arrival on New Blenheim; due to a mass loss of cultural identity on the part of the Vulpine while adopting human technologic and cultural wisdoms.

Gender roles
The Vulpine were unique in the regards

War
"The way the Vulpine vie to get into the UNSC military is much like the Gurkhas of old trying to get into the British Army."

- Commander Rudy McFarlene, UNSC Navy; 2607

The Vulpine viewed war as a means to settle disputes over sovereignty, territory, resources or other issues when diplomacy failed. Due to Humanity’s intervention, the Vulpine only developed knowledge of warfare equivalent to 14th century Europe. Contact with Humans and the efficiency of the Human military system was adopted by the Vulpine militaries