ᴡᴇᴀᴘᴏɴɪᴢᴇᴅ ᴅɪᴘʟᴏᴍᴀᴛ
Out of Character Information
- Intent: Sub Palm-Imer's companions.
- Image Credit: Chenneoue (here and here), edited by me. Vests, Metal Gear Solid V concept art.
- Role: Military working dogs.
- Permissions: N/a.
- Links: N/a.
Physical Information
- Age: 11 GSY.
- Force Sensitivity: Trained Force Users.
- Species: Najax'kahn.
- Appearance:
Nekran and Maro are two male geminian hounds, among the largest individuals of their species. Tall, muscular and made to look even bigger than they already are by the heavy coats that cover their frame, they are a sight to see and invoke both admiration and caution on those who meet them. Like all Najax Hounds, they are characterized by their long and pointy ears, their feline-like clawed paws and their polycaudal tails, which bifurcate nearing their end. Maro sports a dark brown pelt with mahogany tones while Nekran's fur is fully black. Given the darkness of both their pelts, they are quite hard to spot without sufficient lighting. Both of them have hazel-golden eyes, the most common iris pigmentation in Najax Hounds.
Social Information
- Names:
- Nekran.
- Maro.
- Loyalties: Palm-Imer.
- Notable Possessions:
- Tracking and identification chips, implanted.
- Collars.
- Leashes.
- Harnesses, can be equipped with bags to allow the hounds to carry objects.
- Tactical Gear:
- Canine-adapted rebreathers.
- Zenith-mesh heavy duty vests.
- Personality:
Having been raised together since they were pups and conditioned so that their behavioral profile suited the tasks they were purposed to accomplish, Maro and Nekran developed similar personalities. Calm and collected, these hounds are tranquil creatures who always keep an observant eye and an active ear on their surroundings. As sharp as a whip, it is easy to forget that their race isn't considered sentient based only on minor technicalities that keep them from being classified as such and they often make others feel like they are more aware of ongoing situations and conversations than actual sentients could aspire to be. They are very communicative and expressive dogs, producing all kinds of noises to make their opinions known as though they were trying to emulate speech - mostly through groans and body language.
Guard and battle dogs, being territorial and distrustful is in their blood. They are patient, and have enough control over their instincts to not act rashly but they dislike strangers and have no quarrels against making this known to those who would try to get in their personal space or the area they are guarding while unwelcome - they are only tolerant towards children. Incredibly protective over their Master, even approaching Palm in a way they consider suspicious is sure to get the dogs to become defensive. They are quite jealous too; for disciplined military dogs, they are used to her attention and are not precisely keen on sharing it if it can be avoided. Once they get used to someone's presence or are reassured by their Master that they can be trusted, the hounds will be a lot more accepting and show their relaxed personalities, although it might take some time before they grow affectionate towards any they do not consider part of their pack. - Training:
Maro and Nekran have received extensive training and conditioning. Military working dogs, they have been mentally prepared and adjusted to deal with stress, anxiety and fear and to respond to commands swiftly and effectively. Highly intelligent, the number of tasks they can perform is truly amazing, ranging from basic obedience (sit, down, heel, stay, etc.) to more complex feats. They have been trained to use basic technology so long as it is adapted to their physical limitations given their lack of hands.
- Combat Function: They are trained to engage confrontations in a number of different ways depending on the desired approach. First and foremost, their role is usually a supportive one, fighting alongside their Master or another humanoid. They are very capable of taking on opponents on their own, but their potential truly shines when partaking in group efforts and organized tactics. Maro and Nekran can act as a deterrent towards an enemy, cage them in an area while their allies fight them, chase and herd them towards a desire location or become the first line of attack and get in the fray to keep an opponents attacks away from their allies.
Strengths:
- Bred and Prepared: The two were bred for the purpose of becoming military working dogs and began early stimulation just a few hours after birth, which as they grew more capable would evolve into an intensive and specialized training. The Hounds are disciplined, steadfast and not easily intimidated. They can perform a wide array of tasks, from obeying simple commands to displaying understanding and ability to perform complex operations such as ambush tactics, hunting, patrolling and guarding among others. They are intelligent, efficient and hold a notion of resolve and duty that is hard to rival.
- Master Trackers: If they have a smell, they will find it. These creatures are rarely hindered by environmental restrictions such as wind direction or the effects of weather and time that lead to a trail running stale. Their noses have proven to be more effective than technological devices such as scanners when it comes to finding things or people.
- Polyglots: The dogs have been trained to heed commands in Nexilis, Nosk'lum (native geminian tongues) and Galactic Basic. However, Palm has trained them to understand words and gestures in other languages, namely Huttese, Bocce and Binary. A lot of people underestimate the ability of the semi-sentients to comprehend near-humans and their intentions.
- Capable Force-Users: Palm made sure their ability to tap into their connection to the Force grew alongside her own. Neutrally aligned like their Master, Maro and Nekran are incredibly skilled at force-sensing, precognition and are capable of using Force-cloak. Sensing and precognition are abilities they can access to on their own, while Force Cloak requires the command and assistance of their Master.
- War Hounds: In addition to any predator's instinctual knowledge of combat, Maro and Nekran were specifically trained to fight against other creatures, particularly near-humans and antropomorphic creatures. So long as the necessary precautions are taken (see weaknesses: not rancors & sensory overload), these hounds are ready to run into a battlefield, unmoved by the carnage and the dangers of war or assist their Master in high-risk situations if needed.
Weaknesses:
- Not Rancors: Formidable predators, yes, but comparatively weak to other creatures that are far larger and sport better armor than their soft hides and advanced weapons. The Hounds must be careful when engaging others in combat, for like most mammals they are easily harmed if not properly armored and prepared.
- Small Pack: In a number of two, Maro and Nekran cannot take on too dangerous opponents on their own without serious risk. They are not protected by the large numbers that a Najax'kahn pack would have in the wild, and as such must adapt to their reality accordingly and pick their fights and preys with caution.
- Sensory Overload: When engaged in high-action situations, it is necessary to protect their ears and nose (by using noise-dampening ear plugs and a mild local anesthetic that lessens their ability to smell) so as to avoid the potentially life-threatening risks of sensory overload that Najax Hounds are vulnerable to. This considerably lessens their ability to track smells or remain aware of their surroundings through sound.
- Force Nullifiers: The dogs are incapable of using the Force if affected by the presence of force nullifying agents such as a void stone or an ysalimiri's force bubble.
- Force Cloak: Although capable of the skill, Maro and Nekran require the assistance of their Master or another force user to access the ability due to a lack of proficiency necessary to initiate it on their own.
- Distrustful: They do not take to strangers easily, and will most probably refuse help from individuals they do not know.
Historical Information:
Born in one of the litters of Najax'kahn destined to serve in the geminian military forces, the pups were assigned to young Ambassador-in-training Palm-Imer when she was approximately twelve years old. Assisted by professional trainers and handlers, Palm became the main caretaker and trainer of the hounds who would grow to see her as their pack leader. They were prepared to assist and accompany her in the future, when her duty as an Ambassador forced her to abandon her home-world to become an agent and representative to Geminidae. Now almost twelve years after their first meeting, Maro and Nekran still remain next to their master as she journeys through the stars. If not found at the side of the geminaie, they remain in the freighter known as the Stygian Vagabond guarding it and its surroundings.
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