Once, the lapine Mewei were an inquisitive if not seclusive people who emerged from the Dark Age using their own form of FTL, slingshotting from star to star on the back of precursor technology. Their star-relays did not shield them from the wrath of the Voidborne, but some Mewei survived on the Hiderid Ark, and reached the confines of the Stream.
Rising from the ashes on their new world, the force-shielded jungle planet Nufano, the Domain are rebuilding their labs, their telescopes, and their homes. The Mewei are isolationists and focussed on self-sustainability, but they will still cooperate with the rest of the Stream - so long it does not involve compromising their diminished technological edge.
Rising from the ashes on their new world, the force-shielded jungle planet Nufano, the Domain are rebuilding their labs, their telescopes, and their homes. The Mewei are isolationists and focussed on self-sustainability, but they will still cooperate with the rest of the Stream - so long it does not involve compromising their diminished technological edge.
Physical Description
Mewei can tower at an impressive 8 or 9 feet. They are more known for standing out as technological wizards or alluring dancers, however.
(Picture : FFXIV) |
Mewei are tall, bipedal humanoids with long floppy ears and thick bones. The ears give them exceptionally good hearing. Their eyes can see faintly into the ultraviolet spectrum. Despite their size, Mewei have exceptional grace and elegance. Their skin colour ranges from pale white to dark grey, and is typically hairless. Due to lower gravity on their initial homeworld, they can grow to 8 or 9 ft tall.
An interesting attribute of the Mewei is the near total lack of gender dimorphism. Many Mewei would look feminine to several other Ark races, especially the Kalimshari; beyond primary characteristics, Mewei are near indistinguishable by gender - and indeed do not make a distinction themselves. All Mewei have white hair naturally. However, dying one's hair is a very typical thing to do, leading to a variety of unnatural colours as the Mewei sees fit. Mewei clothing comes in different varieties; they typically dress for warmer weather, however. Wood-warders While most Mewei have a natural proficiency with the Wood, some are better built to protect their civilization than others. Wood-warders are stronger Mewei, as historically their stronger frames and constitution have made them the hunters and food gatherers as well as the defenders of Mewei settlements. Wood-warders seldom leave the Woods, but more of them seek to explore the world and universe around them. Matriarchs In Mewei society, wisdom is often seen as a result of age or affinity for the magical arts. Some particularly arcane-attuned Mewei are taken in as young children by the Sisters of the Greatwood to become Matriarchs. Others, who show reliability and expertise throughout their early adult life, are later taken on and bestowed the prestigious title in a coming-of-age ceremony. Upon becoming Matriarchs, these Mewei are often sent outside the boundaries of their deeply introspective Domain in order to research outside ways to improve Mewei society. This pilgrimage is called an Ozayn. Far from shunning ancient or foreign techniques like the rest of the people might, they embrace them, for they are wise enough to tell a potential breakthrough from unwanted or useless technology. They are also encouraged to build relationships with other races as well as authority within the Domain, which further empowers the Matriarch later on in life. Matriarchs are trusted and highly respected, and often become community leaders back home. Matriarchs are dedicated to a different kind of learning than many Mewei scientists - they are calm, resolved, unorthodox, and unafraid to turn to their neighbours or to past discoveries for insight. True Seekers Some Mewei are trained from a very early age in the arts of inquisitive learning and curious discovery. Whilst all Mewei show these traits to an extent, the True Seekers possess an exceptional mind. Typically, they are encouraged by the community to learn at Raithwall Academy and become scientists, technocrats, and leaders. They are often found in Acorns - the Mewei name for lab facilities. |
Vital Stats (Starfinder)
Size : Medium
Type : Humanoid Subtype : N/A HP : 4 Average lifespan : 150 Homeland : Galte (Prime Material Plane) Language : Common, Mewei Average height : 6′0″‒9′0″ (1.82‒2.74 m) Average weight : 200‒264 lb (90‒120 kg) Skin color(s) : Typically ranges from pale white to dark grey, typically hairless Hair color(s) : Always white but often dyed Eye color(s) : Blue/Teal/Green |
Normal Mewei : +2 INT, +2 STR, -2 CHA
Wood-warders : +2 CON, +2 DEX, -2 CHA Matriarchs : +3 WIS, -2 CON, +1 CHA True Seekers : +4 INT, -2 CON Racial Traits
Eager Student Mewei love to learn, and can receive a +2 racial bonus to any two skills of their choice. Keen Senses Mewei have amazing senses, and gain a +2 racial bonus to Perception skill checks. Applied Knowledge Mewei are typically observant and intelligent. Once a day, before attempting a skill check or saving throw against a creature, they can use the skill bonus associated with that creature (e.g. Life Science for an ooze or Mysticism for an outsider) instead of the normal bonus. |
Homeworld
Nufano is a dense, hot, twisted jungle. The Mewei maintain a presence in space, over a limited number of systems, and exploit a few off world systems, but have decided to focus their efforts on taming their home and make it suitable for generations of Mewei yet to come.
(Picture : FFXIV) |
The Mewei have settled on the dark jungle world of Nufano. Teeming with native life and dangerous to the unprepared, some hint that it is the result of a terraforming experiment gone wrong thousands of years before the Arks' arrival in the Stream. Nufano is littered in ancient artefacts and decrepit ruins, hinting at previous inhabitants yet unknown.They have quickly built settlements, careful to mitigate their ecological footprint.
The capital city is named the Astropolis. A marvel of Mewei engineering, it is housed in a giant tree, and buildings have been built amongst its gigantic roots. The Astropolis holds much of the Domain government apparatus, and a cleared valley a few miles away on the monorail leads off to the Spaceport. Other places include the lost temple at Okdalan, near Sunset City, and the hallowed ground where Matriarchs train. Finally, one important place is the city of Raithwall and its vast markets full of unearthed relics, which trains True Seekers at its academy. In a mere 50 years, the Domain had built impressive transport facilities such as the monorails that link most major settlements. Rail transport was thought to be less ecologically invasive, and the thick canopy that covers the planet is not fit for shuttles. Beyond the walls of safe, meticulously maintained cities, however, the planet remains dangerous and untamed. Brave settlements also exist on the banks of muddy, twisted, powerful rivers. Due to monsoons, roving fires, and ecological regulations, roads are not commonly used, with rivers forming much of the secondary and capillary backbone of Mewei infrastructure. The Mewei have also settled their star system and neighbouring ones. Of note is Veena Station, Nufano's main orbital spaceport, or the Domain's own secret labs and mining facilities that dot the two systems of Fanow and Ratika. |
Society and Alignment
Our duty is to our people first. We have lost far too much to count. We must preserve what we have left, and rebuild, with no interlopers.
Our Wood-Warders, our Planetary Forceshield, and the Shadow Fleet will ward us from outside harm and wanton greed. We must adapt, innovate, and emerge stronger. Rana be witness, the Mewei people will overcome. - Hierarch Helre |
The Mewei Domain values harmony and technology above all else. At a certain stage in their life, individual Matriarchs and especially True Seekers, will dedicate their entire lives to a research project that could benefit their entire race. Interestingly, whilst possessing a sharp technological edge, many common Mewei prefer to live simple, even austere lives. Technology is used whenever possible, but with reason, for harmony stems from knowing to integrate technology with nature and understanding when convenience is or isn't truly needed.
Townships are the base unit of Mewei society. They are led by a Matriarch, and in turn the Domain itself is ran by the Hierarch. However, most people have at least a nominal say in how things are led, and community meetings will often be held. In general, it is expected of Mewei to participate in the public life of their settlement. One way the Mewei organize life and building infrastructure outside of townships is by using efficient task forces called Awak. These technocratic institutions are semi-permanent, and pop up whenever a specific task demands the attention of the Domain. It is led by experts, though they tend to have legal powers over civilians. Mewei are highly communal - they don't mind shared spaces, and will rely on interdependence in their day-to-day lives.
The Mewei economy is a sometime confusing mix of free-market policies and central planning. Using algorithmic processes, the Domain guarantees a basic income to most Mewei and welcomed guests. This income can be supplemented by the level of effort and competence a Mewei displays in their job and how needed their occupation is or has been within Mewei society. However, the Domain maintains some form of market-based economy : goods are freely traded and people are free to accumulate wealth, though the Domain taxes their extra income.
The Mewei hold few religious beliefs, save perhaps for the somewhat fringe monotheistic cult some dedicate to their Sun Goddess, Rava. Many will point similarities to the Pact World goddess Sarenrae, and there exists a small group of Mewei Solarians, the Swords of Rava, who draw upon the sun's power in Her name. The Swords act as a guild of mercenaries and adventurers, helping Mewei in need. Their leader, Freja, has a more ambitious agenda : they mourn pre-Scream Mewei civilization and assert that the Domain would rather move on rather than try to bring it back. They go from township to township, spreading the gospel of what Mewei culture could once again become - one that hid less, built and innovated more, and was not afraid of gravroads and gleaming towers.
Every now and then (typically when a discovery worthy of sharing with the entire Domain is unveiled and thoroughly tested), the Hierarch will call for a Grand Conclave to be held. The Conclave involves every Awak currently active, many expert scientists, and even more Matriarchs who represent the interests of their townships. Traditionally, Conclaves are held at Raithwall Academy. In order to preserve their peaceful world, many research labs (often called Acorns) are either deep in the jungle or in orbital stations, well isolated from anything. One such research lab is the Roseway Testing Acorn, famous for its discovery and activation of an Atrocite Sphere and the military action and clean-up that followed. The Sphere itself now rests in a vault in the testing facility. Other labs include the Sunset City Acorn, where research into synthetizing thaumium (a collective term for a family of magically infused crystals properly known as thaumathurgic minerals and arcanic quartz is being conducted, and the orbital Ratika Medical Facility, a learning facility for biohackers of all Ark species.
The Mewei Shadow Fleet of voidships is small, but powerful. Upon fleeing from their old world, many Mewei took their scientific equipment, data, and knowledge with them in Ark Hakar. Even though few systems in the Stream show arcanic radiation and thus have little in the way of arcanic quartz (except, perhaps, the Coalition world of Zindra-II), they have been able to use their technological edge to work around it. The result is weaponry and power systems that are perhaps not as elegant as that of Mewei ships of eld, but far superior to the navies of other races. As a stinger force, they could probably cut through a Pact World scouting party. However, the Domain has no intention of waging war. The Mewei fleet is used to deter pirates... and also to tax hefty fines on ships the Domain deems intruders (the Wood Tax).
Alongside the Fleet, the Mewei make use of their skilled Wood-warders. On Nufano, these huntresses pass for a peacekeeping force. However, Wood-Warders shine best when they are used as operatives across the Stream: trained in martial arts, usually clad in black, these special ops forces can punch well above their weight and form an integral part of Domain military doctrine. Indeed, it relies on gathering intelligence in order to plan ahead and proactive handling of potential threats. Wood-Warders never operate as large groups - some are even trained to rely on their own wits and act alone, outside of most authority. Wood-warders are good at demoralizing the enemy, infiltration, and if times call for it, assassination. If war came to Nufano, Chief Enforcer Varja favours hit-and-run skirmishes would form the bulk of Domain strategy - supposing they hadn't retreated from galactic politics alltogether.
Because Mewei are calm and inward-focused does not mean they are seldom seen outside of their home system. They spread their influence through their technological superiority, and sometimes offer trades, so long it does not threaten the harmony of the Stream. Matriarchs - both new Matriarchs on their pilgrimage and older Matriarchs seeking their purpose above their duty as leaders - are often found wandering the galaxy, in search of wisdom, some revelation, relic, or technological breakthrough. Some Matriarchs and True Seekers have even taken to sailing the Drift and Realspace on laboratory voidships. However, not all Mewei research is benevolent. A breakaway faction, the Cult of the All-Code, are notoriously known for their unethical research, hidden bases, and their dreaded raids on unsuspecting colonies. This has prompted many a diplomatic reaction from other colonies. Openly, the Domain denies all involvement...
Alignment-wise, the Mewei tend towards all variants of Good, as Mewei are interdependant and hold high respect for life and others, regardless of their personal opinions on how such values should be enforced.
Townships are the base unit of Mewei society. They are led by a Matriarch, and in turn the Domain itself is ran by the Hierarch. However, most people have at least a nominal say in how things are led, and community meetings will often be held. In general, it is expected of Mewei to participate in the public life of their settlement. One way the Mewei organize life and building infrastructure outside of townships is by using efficient task forces called Awak. These technocratic institutions are semi-permanent, and pop up whenever a specific task demands the attention of the Domain. It is led by experts, though they tend to have legal powers over civilians. Mewei are highly communal - they don't mind shared spaces, and will rely on interdependence in their day-to-day lives.
The Mewei economy is a sometime confusing mix of free-market policies and central planning. Using algorithmic processes, the Domain guarantees a basic income to most Mewei and welcomed guests. This income can be supplemented by the level of effort and competence a Mewei displays in their job and how needed their occupation is or has been within Mewei society. However, the Domain maintains some form of market-based economy : goods are freely traded and people are free to accumulate wealth, though the Domain taxes their extra income.
The Mewei hold few religious beliefs, save perhaps for the somewhat fringe monotheistic cult some dedicate to their Sun Goddess, Rava. Many will point similarities to the Pact World goddess Sarenrae, and there exists a small group of Mewei Solarians, the Swords of Rava, who draw upon the sun's power in Her name. The Swords act as a guild of mercenaries and adventurers, helping Mewei in need. Their leader, Freja, has a more ambitious agenda : they mourn pre-Scream Mewei civilization and assert that the Domain would rather move on rather than try to bring it back. They go from township to township, spreading the gospel of what Mewei culture could once again become - one that hid less, built and innovated more, and was not afraid of gravroads and gleaming towers.
Every now and then (typically when a discovery worthy of sharing with the entire Domain is unveiled and thoroughly tested), the Hierarch will call for a Grand Conclave to be held. The Conclave involves every Awak currently active, many expert scientists, and even more Matriarchs who represent the interests of their townships. Traditionally, Conclaves are held at Raithwall Academy. In order to preserve their peaceful world, many research labs (often called Acorns) are either deep in the jungle or in orbital stations, well isolated from anything. One such research lab is the Roseway Testing Acorn, famous for its discovery and activation of an Atrocite Sphere and the military action and clean-up that followed. The Sphere itself now rests in a vault in the testing facility. Other labs include the Sunset City Acorn, where research into synthetizing thaumium (a collective term for a family of magically infused crystals properly known as thaumathurgic minerals and arcanic quartz is being conducted, and the orbital Ratika Medical Facility, a learning facility for biohackers of all Ark species.
The Mewei Shadow Fleet of voidships is small, but powerful. Upon fleeing from their old world, many Mewei took their scientific equipment, data, and knowledge with them in Ark Hakar. Even though few systems in the Stream show arcanic radiation and thus have little in the way of arcanic quartz (except, perhaps, the Coalition world of Zindra-II), they have been able to use their technological edge to work around it. The result is weaponry and power systems that are perhaps not as elegant as that of Mewei ships of eld, but far superior to the navies of other races. As a stinger force, they could probably cut through a Pact World scouting party. However, the Domain has no intention of waging war. The Mewei fleet is used to deter pirates... and also to tax hefty fines on ships the Domain deems intruders (the Wood Tax).
Alongside the Fleet, the Mewei make use of their skilled Wood-warders. On Nufano, these huntresses pass for a peacekeeping force. However, Wood-Warders shine best when they are used as operatives across the Stream: trained in martial arts, usually clad in black, these special ops forces can punch well above their weight and form an integral part of Domain military doctrine. Indeed, it relies on gathering intelligence in order to plan ahead and proactive handling of potential threats. Wood-Warders never operate as large groups - some are even trained to rely on their own wits and act alone, outside of most authority. Wood-warders are good at demoralizing the enemy, infiltration, and if times call for it, assassination. If war came to Nufano, Chief Enforcer Varja favours hit-and-run skirmishes would form the bulk of Domain strategy - supposing they hadn't retreated from galactic politics alltogether.
Because Mewei are calm and inward-focused does not mean they are seldom seen outside of their home system. They spread their influence through their technological superiority, and sometimes offer trades, so long it does not threaten the harmony of the Stream. Matriarchs - both new Matriarchs on their pilgrimage and older Matriarchs seeking their purpose above their duty as leaders - are often found wandering the galaxy, in search of wisdom, some revelation, relic, or technological breakthrough. Some Matriarchs and True Seekers have even taken to sailing the Drift and Realspace on laboratory voidships. However, not all Mewei research is benevolent. A breakaway faction, the Cult of the All-Code, are notoriously known for their unethical research, hidden bases, and their dreaded raids on unsuspecting colonies. This has prompted many a diplomatic reaction from other colonies. Openly, the Domain denies all involvement...
Alignment-wise, the Mewei tend towards all variants of Good, as Mewei are interdependant and hold high respect for life and others, regardless of their personal opinions on how such values should be enforced.
Playing a Mewei
Mewei likely…
Other species likely…
- ...deeply value self-improvement and technological mastery,
- ...bond fast with people worthy of your trust,
- ...look down on other civilizations and their primitive crafts, but also respect their tenacity in surviving despite that,
- ...are aware of their appealing appearance, and play it up for other races.
Other species likely…
- ...both admire and resent your technological edge,
- ...underestimate your technological mastery, judging from your simple and frugal lifestyle,
- ...struggle to understand your culture,
- ...expect you to know everything or to give away tech for free,
- ...mistake your aloof demeanor and introversion for contempt and arrogance.
Relations
Mewei get along well with most other civilizations, though they prefer to keep them all at arm's length. They are grateful to the Coalition for sharing their Ark and saving the Mewei from destruction, and will share their technology and knowledge more willingly with them, despite starkly disagreeing with their policies, which over time has fostered mutual distrust. They trade with the Hhrot - the Mewei used to trade with them before the Great Jump, and both civilizations had assisted each other on many occasions.
Of Pact World races, they find the Ysoki equal parts enjoyable and annoying, for they have a knack for technology beset by their naturally high energy. They respect the Lashunta and Shirren, though they dislike the Vesk, who they see as breakers of harmony that must be put down. Secretly, they are coming up with weapons and technology specifically geared at crippling the Vesk, should they venture into the Stream. However, they have remained on the fringes of galactic politics, preferring their inner peace and the canopy of their new jungle world.
Of Pact World races, they find the Ysoki equal parts enjoyable and annoying, for they have a knack for technology beset by their naturally high energy. They respect the Lashunta and Shirren, though they dislike the Vesk, who they see as breakers of harmony that must be put down. Secretly, they are coming up with weapons and technology specifically geared at crippling the Vesk, should they venture into the Stream. However, they have remained on the fringes of galactic politics, preferring their inner peace and the canopy of their new jungle world.
Names |
Adventurers |
Mewei tend to sport two names : their given name, and the name of the community into which they were born. Community names are seldom used, and usually only exist to differenciate between two similarly named Mewei.
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There are a few reasons for Mewei to wander :
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Classes
Here are some possibilities for Mewei of each of Starfinder's core classes :
- Technomancer : Mewei have historically made heavy use of magic and magitech. Most Mewei who dabble in magic will prefer to focus on application of magic through technology over the raw use of arcane energies, and thus Technomancy becomes the default calling for most Mewei magic users, even if many Mewei have passing awareness of mysticism without necessarily taking technomancy as a class.
- Mechanic : Awak workers and many other Mewei make for skillful engineers and cunning mechanics.
- Solarian : Some Mewei have joined the Hhrot/Kalimshari Order of Solaris. Others have taken to sun worship and derives their powers from the revelation that stems from that. These Mewei Solarians are known as the Swords of Rava, and they seek to bring back Pre-Scream Mewei culture.
- Soldier : Not many Mewei are outright soldiers, but Wood-Warders are typically strong hunters and peacekeepers.
- Envoy : Whilst the Mewei don't care much for diplomacy and would rather be left alone, they field their fair share of Envoys with whom to conduct trades and explore the universe.
- Mystic : Despite their view of such brute methods as merely the primitive use of unconventional and unfocused magic, Matriarchs and a few other eccentric Mewei do walk the path of the Mystic, and wield raw arcane power exceptionally well.
- Operative : Many Wood-Warders will be Operatives, as the Domain has historically relied on famed hit-and-run guerilla tactics to make up for the smaller than expected size of the Wood-Warders' police body. Their military doctrine also emphasizes the need to be proactive and control the stage before a war actually breaks out. Wood-Warders with less morals could also make for skilled bounty hunters, and will easily infiltrate or assassinate their target - no matter where.
- Biohacker : Whilst the Mewei value more traditional modern medicine, there will always be True Seekers looking for more esoteric applications of healing and biology - including in battle. Ratika Medical Facility, a subsidiary of Raithwell Academy, is an orbital station that makes use of microgravity in its treatment. It is one of the largest trainers of biohackers.
- Vanguard : A few Wood-Warders may take the path of the Vanguard. The Hhrot have shared some of their secrets to the Wood-Warders.
- Witchwarper : A few Matriarchs may be unhappy with walking the path of the Technomancer or the Mystic. Instead, they may seek to deepen their understanding of the multiverse itself, and meditate for years before becoming full-fledged Witchwarpers. A few also defect to the Kalimshari's Coven of Fortuna.
Known Mewei NPCs
Edited from FFXIV
Background images on this page were taken and edited in FFXIV (C) Square-Enix 2010-2020