Star Wars Universe Roleplaying Game

Mrlssi

The Mrlssi are a small, flightless avian species native to the temperate world of Mrlsst, a planet renowned in Legends for its prestigious educational institutions, highly developed research culture, and strong traditions of academic exploration. As one of the galaxy’s premier centers of learning, Mrlsst shaped the Mrlssi into inquisitive, analytical beings whose intellectual pursuits span science, engineering, history, mathematics, and experimental technology. Their contributions to galactic academia include innovations in starship design, breakthroughs in theoretical physics, and the foundation of the famed Mrlsst Academy, a university complex respected even by major Core Worlds.

Evolutionarily, the Mrlssi descended from flying avians that gradually adapted to life on the ground, developing flightless bodies but retaining sharp vision, quick reflexes, and advanced cognitive faculties. Their history reflects a species that traded aerial freedom for intellectual mastery, creating a culture where scholarship is valued as highly as physical survival. Mrlsst’s gentle climate and abundant resources allowed peaceful growth, fostering generations of thinkers who shaped their identity around learning, experimentation, and careful analysis.

Culturally, the Mrlssi are known for their reserved but curious dispositions. They approach new ideas with meticulous scrutiny, preferring to gather evidence before forming conclusions. This has contributed to their esteemed reputation in academic circles across the galaxy. Their role in major scientific developments—such as the creation of the Mrlsst Supercomputer in Legends narratives—reinforces their position as intellectual pioneers whose innovations can shift technological paradigms.

Mrlssi society reflects a balance between tradition and exploration. They maintain strong academic institutions, libraries, and research guilds that preserve historical knowledge while encouraging innovation. Their cities often feature graceful architecture blending avian motifs with modern design, symbolizing the species’ dual heritage of instinct and intellect. Political structures on Mrlsst tend to be collaborative and research-driven, emphasizing consensus and empirical reasoning.

Interactions with offworlders are generally polite but cautious. Mrlssi value intellectual honesty and may grow impatient with species that rely on bluster or imprecision. Nevertheless, their curiosity often draws them into galactic affairs, especially when new technologies, historical mysteries, or scientific oddities are involved. While not widely dispersed across the galaxy, those who travel offworld make memorable impressions as scholars, engineers, linguists, or advisors.

Legends sources frequently highlight the Mrlssi’s involvement in starship research and complex computational systems. Their contributions to the Rebel Alliance and New Republic often stem from technical expertise rather than military involvement. The species’ avian ancestry, combined with their scientific mindset, creates a unique blend of instinctive alertness and disciplined reasoning.

Within SWURPG, Mrlssi characters enrich stories that revolve around investigation, research, or engineering challenges. Their deep curiosity and scholarly training make them excellent analysts, scientists, explorers, or negotiators who approach problems with methodical precision.

Home Planet: Mrlsst
Physical Description: Mrlssi are small, lightly built avians standing notably shorter than humans, with slender torsos, digitigrade legs, and graceful postures that reflect their evolutionary origins. While flightless, they retain vestigial wings that function primarily for balance and expressive motion. Their bodies are covered in fine feathers ranging in color from muted browns and tans to soft blues, grays, and greens. These plumage variations often correlate loosely with familial lines rather than distinct regional traits.

Their heads are elongated and birdlike, featuring keen eyes adapted for detailed observation. Mrlssi facial expressions incorporate subtle feather movements, head tilts, and eye shifts, creating expressive cues readable to those familiar with their behavior. Their beaks are delicate and narrow, suited for precise articulation rather than physical combat. Their arms, ending in dexterous three-fingered hands, allow them to manipulate tools, datapads, and research instruments with impressive finesse.

Clothing among the Mrlssi is lightweight, functional, and often decorated with symbolic patterns representing academic guilds or research affiliations. Scholars and engineers typically wear layered robes or tunics that allow ease of movement during fieldwork or laboratory experimentation. Colors tend toward earthy or pastel tones, reflecting their preference for calm aesthetics.

The overall physical impression of a Mrlssi is one of alert gentleness, quiet intellect, and subtle avian grace, signaling their heritage as both observers and thinkers.

Average Height: 1.2 meters
Average Weight: 40 kilograms
Age of Adulthood: 9 years

Personality & Customs: Mrlssi personalities are shaped by curiosity, meticulous reasoning, and a preference for intellectual engagement over confrontation. They value evidence-based thinking and often question assumptions until proven through logic or experimentation. While generally polite, Mrlssi can be blunt when discussing academic subjects, prioritizing clarity and factual accuracy over social comfort. Their conversations tend to include detailed analysis and careful terminology.

Customs on Mrlsst revolve around academic life, community research projects, and periodic ceremonies celebrating intellectual achievement. Graduation festivals, research unveilings, and guild gatherings are culturally significant events often accompanied by symbolic feather markings or colored ribbons acknowledging scholarly milestones. Young Mrlssi are raised with an emphasis on literacy, scientific inquiry, and ethical responsibility in sharing knowledge.

Interpersonal dynamics emphasize collaboration and respectful debate. Conflict is typically resolved through structured dialogue, research review, or empirical demonstration rather than emotional argument. While they can appear reserved, Mrlssi display loyalty and warmth toward colleagues and companions who share their passion for discovery.

In SWURPG campaigns, Mrlssi customs create ideal backgrounds for characters who excel in investigation, engineering, scientific analysis, or diplomatic problem-solving. Their calm temperament and analytical skills make them invaluable members of parties navigating complex mysteries, technological challenges, or political negotiations.

Languages: Mrlsstese, Basic; many also learn Durese and Arkanian to study classic scientific texts.

Example Names: Kepor Dagwa, Virssl Jasst, Crlisst Herssek, Krssibel Waray, Pagda Luwa