The Vartuc (for Sempiternum)

Taxonomy:
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Subfamily: Caninae
Genus: Canis
Species: Canis Vartucis

Physiology: Upright-standing, digitigrade-walking, slightly hunch-backed, tall-eared, extremely weak canines that typically stand between eight and nine feet tall. Genetic information for formation of cranium is severely damaged, resulting in large, high-functioning brain at the expense of very weak skulls as well as minimal jaw and neck muscle mass, especially in early years of life. Can have golden, green, or blue eyes; fur can be countless shades of gray, brown, and/or natural red, though many dye theirs any color of the rainbow.

Psychology: The Vartuc are highly intelligent and have a tendency to be much calmer than other races. However, when a Vartuc commits him- or herself to something, they will often strive to complete that goal with determination and passion on a level that is all but unknown to other races. This trait is possibly due to their massive brains. They are, on average, highly social, intuitive, ingenious, forward-thinking, decisive, hedonistic and sexual. Save for growling -- a sign of fervent anger that is very seldom seen -- Vartuc body language and non-lingual audio cues are all but unnoticeable, furthering their reputation of calmness and stolidity.

Miscellaneous:
Generally, Vartuc vessels are small, light, and fast. Most are equipped with minimal inertia dampeners that allow them to accelerate, decelerate, turn, and move faster than others at the cost of some extra energy. However, their weapons are weak, and their hulls frail. While a more balanced vessel may be able to take them down with relative ease, they can easily dance circles around large, lumbering vessels and slowly destroy them, sometimes without taking a single hit. Their weapon of choice is the mag-arm, which can cause severe damage to anything with a magnetic charge by manipulating that charge to move the object or parts of the object in various ways. However, this weapon only works at dangerously close range. The strategy of most Vartuc captains is to rush in at a blind spot, try to damage the enemy vessel in some fashion with the mag-arm, and begin dancing around the enemy vessel, trying to stay in blind spots and avoid weapon fire comes their way. While the Vartuc are very weak, they have managed to slightly overcome this weakness with genetic and cybernetic enhancement. While the average citizen may have few or no enhancements, large corporation owners and nobility are often extremely strong.