Description
    The Tuphon are descended from large ground-dwelling flightless birds. In appearance they resemble the terrestrial ostrich with arms instead of wings. Plumage ranges from black to yellow, though the males are much more brightly colored. Egg-layers, it is the male Tuphonese that broods the eggs during the five-week incubation period. A typical clutch has four to sevens eggs, though in more densely-populated cities female Tuphonese typically take medication to limit the number of eggs produced to about three.
    Government on Tuphon resulted from centuries of warfare between multiple kingdoms and city-states. Several merchant and banker guilds grew particularly powerful during this period, and in time had practically every royal family and governor in their thrall. With such power the guilds created a more business-friendly and business-centric environment. Gradually, the kingdoms became corporate-run entities with the various royal families acting as the board of governors. What warfare the Tuphonese had at this point was economic; actual physical fighting was saved for those times when a corporate family grew too powerful and uncooperative. Overall planetary government is run by an executive board with a representative from each major and minor corporation. The Chief Executive Officer, the prime minister/president, is selected from within this executive board. The CEO term of office is set at a  minimum of six years. A term can be extended in one-year increments by a majority vote of the executive board.
    When discovered by the Terpla'n Republic the Tuphonese had been in space for well over a century. With no clue about warp points the race had fully exploited their home system and were quite eager to engage in trade with the Republic. In short order the Tuphonese became fast allies and partnered with the Republic. Later, just a few years before the Axis War, the Tuphonese became the first race to sign the compact that formed the basis of the Commonwealth of Planetary States.