Eufrem

Humanity’s first alien contact was a clean and peaceful one. The Eufrem are a peaceful society about 100 years more advanced than humanity but have a much smaller population. Eufrem are also much less expansionist than humanity. Eufrem had far fewer major conflict in their history and their wars were never as violent as humans. Their form is similar to that of a human though they stand a few inches taller than them and are much frailer and weaker. Eufrem are about half as physically strong as humans and are very brittle. They are explorers with a much deeper understanding of spaceflight and astrology than humans. Eufrem are also much calmer than humans- getting flustered rather than angry. Prior to humanity’s arrival they had never heard music. Some have embraced it but for the most part they simply do not understand it.

First Contact
The Eufrem returned a human signal 300 years before the events of this roleplay. Eventually humanity was able to make contact again and a vague discourse began. This started a new space-race to try to reach the Eufrem first. Eventually, a joint American/Pan-Asian crew reached the Eufrem homeworld and within 50 years regular travel between the two points was possible.

Biology
Eufrem are not strictly mammals but are their ecology's equivalent. They are bipedal, have two-genders, weigh about 20% less than a human, are quite gaunt, and stand 2-3 inches taller than humans. Their most distinguishing feature is their “U” shaped head, larger eyes, and frail form.

They have blood and a many of the same requirements of humanity. A notable exception is that they have a very different dietary requirement that is far richer in native insects. They have a much more efficient digestive system and eat very infrequently and in small amounts.

It has also been noted by human doctors that Eufrem have a very different but very efficient immune system as well as much higher tolerance for toxins and radiation. Their eyesight and hearing is a little worse than a humans but not significantly.

Their frail form is not made to take the sort of stresses human bodies can take, having evolved in a less savage environment. They are described as having “glass bones” (a decent punch from an adult male will shatter their bones while a child may still fracture them) and lack greatly in strength and speed. A human walking quickly is still quicker than an Eufrem’s idea of a “run”. They have very little strength overall, proportionally about half that of a human but a more developed brain.

Minds
It is suggested that the average Eufrem has an IQ that is 20% higher than a human, though they are noted to engage far less in abstract thinking than humans. They have a certain mental clarity about them that allows them to see right to the root of a problem. Many believe that this is not only due to their more developed brains but because of the emotional and linguistic centers of their brain are larger proportionally. They always seem more “mature” and act calmer- never really getting riled up.

Personality
Eufrem are, socially, typically very polite (though this varies from person to person) and have a strong sense of “the greater good”. It is said that a Eufrem can look death in the eye and accept it if he knew that it would better society as a whole. The Eufrem have very few criminals due not only to a very strict set of laws and very harsh punishments but because of a pervasive sense of ethical responsibility instilled in them that is not as prevalent in human cultures.

Goverment
The Eufrem have a planet-wide socialist government with many regional officials elected to a assembly that advises a smaller council of leaders elected by members of that assembly for short terms of office.

The Eufrem are a very communal people, having children raised by communities rather than by families. Eufrem have little attachment to those that birthed them and youth are cared for by government institutions. Advancement is based on merit and higher scores result in a better standard of living. As children Eufrem develop cliques called “sigas” (lit. “personal communities”) that are part circles of friendship and part family units. These bonds, reinforced by bonding chemicals, imprint young Eufrem with a sense of interdependence within a siga that lasts a lifetime.

While Eufrem have their basic needs met by the government (food, shelter, medical, education, protection, legal, etc) they have a currency system that allows them to purchase extra goods and luxury items. Since contact with humanity a larger capitalistic influence can be felt but Eufrem are less materialistic on the whole than humans so it has found limited success.

Religion / Philosophy
Eufrem have a very “universal” view of the metaphysical, believing that we are all a form of spiritual energy known as “Aeu” and we simply transfer states. Their religious view, though under developed by the standards of humanity’s huge stockpile of religious thought, are best described to humans in that they believe the world is like a TV. Light create, Aeu in this analogy, the images you see and it shifts to create new pictures. Thought gives Aeu purpose and action gives it definition.

Military
Eufrem are not as militarily minded as humanity but are quite capable of defending themselves. Most of Eufrem’s “military” could more adequately be described as paramilitary- normally serving the role of peacekeeper rather than offensive force. They have a large expeditionary fleet of ships that are protected by smaller military craft. The Accord’s military structure is based on a very human hierarchy but they use the names of the Eufrem’s ranks (Auk, Bek, etc).

Relationship with Humans
The Eufrem and the Humans forged a pact known as the Jericho Accord that united the two species in a pact of mutual defense, free trade, free exchange of information, and established many joint ventures between them. The two races are known collectively as “The Accord” and the Accord’s Spaceforce is the major military power in the universe.

Within the military Eufrem let the humans do the dirty, savage, destructive work (it’s what they are good at...) while the Eufrem are happy to provide logistical support and keen insights. Though humans outnumber Eufrem 200 to 1 the Eufrem still wield considerable political power due to the nature of the equality stressed within the Accord. While not disproportional, Eufrem do enjoy equal treatment. In fact most of humanity is still very curious about them and treat them with a great deal of respect, a sentiment that is returned by the Eufrem.