Seni

The Senis are a sapient species indigenous to the oceanic planet Senisran, and inhabit the myriad islands scattered throughout the surface of their world. Each island group is home to its own nations, which differ from each other in terms of culture, worldviews and traditions.

Biology
Senis are bipedal creatures, shorter than the average Human, with beige-colored skin and no body hair. Unlike Humans, adult Senis are all about the same height, as there's very little size variation within the species. Their overall body shape is similar to that of a kangaroo, with powerful legs, proportionally short arms and a meter-long tail. Although they're capable of walking, they primarily move around by hopping. Acrobatics are performed easily, to the point that a backflip is employed as a casual greeting gesture in some cultures.

Senis have narrow blue eyes with slit-shaped pupils, high blade-like ears, and a long narrow snout with a black nose at the tip. Their mouths contain both cutting teeth and grinding teeth, as well as a long flexible tongue. Their arms end in delicate three-fingered hands, with a middle finger longer than the two outermost ones, and they have three toes on their feet. All digits end in blunt fleshy pads with neither claws nor nails.

Their diet is omnivorous, including things like fruit, vegetables, tubers, terrestrial invertebrates and marine cnidarians. Despite being terrestrial, they're also good swimmers, as they live in close proximity to the sea.

Culture and society
Senisran is a world with countless island chains and no continents. Since each archipelago is home to different nations, Seni culture is enormously varied.

Both male and female Senis traditionally wear a decorated skirt with patterns indicating their families and social position.

Appearances

 * The Howling Stones, by Alan Dean Foster (1997)