Shirren

Shirrens are locust-like humanoids commonly found in the Pact Worlds System that are former members of a predatory, telepathic hive mind known as The Swarm. They recently separated themselves from the Swarm to become independent and unique individuals, and though they still strongly value communalism, they also seek harmonious relations with other races.

History

Shirrens were once part of The Swarm, a monstrous, locust-like race that travels from world to world, consuming all it encounters before moving on. Some time before The Gap, a mysterious mutation caused an entire subcolony to break from the Swarm's hive mind, with each of its members gaining a sense of self. Addicted to the new drug of individualism, these renegades rejected the Swarm's mindless consumption, redefining themselves as a new species called shirrens. As the Swarm continued its consumption, the shirrens bided their time in the eventual hope of escape.

After the Gap ended, the shirrens took advantage of the ensuing confusion among the Swarm to flee from the rest of the Swarm in rudimentary biomechanical starships. Not accustomed to having its own components going rogue, the Swarm put its entire strength into chasing the shirrens. For three years, the shirrens were relentlessly pursued by the Swarm, only stopping briefly to gather resources or repair damaged ships. They tried to avoid populated areas so they would not be responsible for the extinction of others by their pursuers, but even when the shirrens passed close to such places, the Swarm ignored them to focus on chasing the shirrens. The shirrens lost nearly a third of their population during the hundreds of skirmishes that took place during this time.

Entering the Pact Worlds system

In 83 AG, a group of shirrens picked up an unnaturally strong signal that turned out to be the Starstone at the heart of Absalom Station. As they emerged into the Pact Worlds system, which was still recovering from the Stardust Plague and expecting another Veskarium attack, the shirrens were surprised by how multiple species could act together for mutual defence and governance. They managed to convince the Pact Worlds of their peaceful intention and sent a delegation to meet the Pact Council and the Stewards in Absalom Station, where they introduced their history and warned the Pact Worlds about the Swarm threat. The Pact Council welcomed the shirrens into the Pact Worlds, and Verces offered them a stretch of the Temora Desert in Fullbright where they could settle.

Society

Shirrens value individual choice and rights, having escaped from the Swarm thanks to an adaptation to their physiology that causes pleasure when they make choices for themselves. Shirren culture is built around this love of choice, encouraging shirrens to adapt themselves to a wide variety of beliefs, philosophies, and professions. Shirrens are highly communal and tend to feel lonely unless they’re part of a group. Once a shirren chooses a community for themself, they often settle into a specialized role. When times are tough, they pitch in for teamwork and prioritize what’s best for the group over what only benefits them as individuals, as long as they retain their autonomy.