Sandy petersens cthulhu mythos (1) 51

Off-pouch zoogs are still full members of zoog

If a higher-generation zoog mates with a lower-

society. They are sources of valuable labor and services,

generation noble, the offspring are considered to be the

and though they are never leaders, they are neither

same as if the lower-generation zoog had mated with

mistreated nor enslaved by other zoogs. They belong to

its own kind. Thus, if a fifth and a second generation

a lower social class. Zoogs are puzzled when other races

zoog mate, the chosen babies are considered third

take offense to their system. After all, humans, elves,

generation.

and dwarves have hereditary systems of government

However, an off-pouch zoog born even to a sixth

as well, often incorporating serfs, a middle-class, and

generation zoog is still just off-pouch. It has no

nobility. The zoog system is far superior, they feel,

generation and no special privileges, though it may

because the chosen zoogs are hand-selected by the

enjoy advantages based on family ties. For example, a

mother for superiority. After all, in many humanoid

high-ranking zoog noble often has family guards and

societies, nobility is inherited, regardless of merit or

aides chosen from among off-pouch siblings.

ability. Not so with the zoogs: an inferior baby is eaten
by the mother or becomes an off-pouch.

Third generation and higher zoogs are the zoog
nobility, and these individuals are not only rare

When zoogs mate, it is common for an off-pouch

but valued by zoog society for their superiority and

zoog to become infatuated with a chosen zoog and vice-

leadership qualities. The higher the generation, the

versa, and offspring from such a mating are subdivided

higher-ranking the zoog, so a third generation zoog

into off-pouch and chosen as normal. In other words,

defers to one from the fourth generation.

zoogs, unlike many other humanoids, do not segregate
by social class when mating.

It sometimes seems odd to humans that zoogs make
no attempt to preferentially mate higher generation

When two chosen zoogs mate, however, their own

zoog together, but the zoogs are happy with their

chosen young are termed second generation, and are

system, and it seems to work for them. Another alien

considered upper-class. They are considered higher

aspect of zoog culture is that despite the fact that they

than the average chosen, but not true nobility. When

keep few records, they are somehow able to keep track

two second generation zoogs mate, their chosen

of their generations.

offspring are third generation. This process continues

Each zoog forest is run by a council of nobles, who

up to the eighth generation, and of course can go

consult one another to make all decisions. Zoogs don’t

beyond, but the zoogs don’t always keep track past that

have monarchs or any sort of head zoog. Instead, the

point, particularly as eighth generation chosen zoogs

various nobles gather together when major decisions

are vanishingly rare.

need to be made and do so as a group. Zoogs are not

Second-generation zoogs are considered the upper-

stupid, and the nobles are perfectly willing to take

ranks of society, but are not true nobles. Each successive

advice and suggestions from lesser zoogs—even off-

generation is more highly rated. The zoogs feel this is

pouch zoogs.

fair and just. With the sixth-generation, it is clear that

Zoog forests are never true monarchies. For one

all ancestors of the zoogs were chosen as superior by

thing, the highest-ranking zoogs in a forest are born in

their mothers.

groups of four. In their councils, the higher-generation
nobles speak with greater weight, but all voices are

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