Politically and economically, they have been in "decline" for a long time. Their space fleets were sold to more ambitious races millennia ago. Overt protection is provided by Institute-sponsored patrols. (Tg.M.A.A.: It is worthy of remark that on those rare occasions when the sanctity of an GUI Elder Reserve has been violated by Main Sequence sapients, the protection of the institute has generally been quite unnecessary.) The cities of their homeworld (K7kakk, located in the same sector as Earth) are almost empty, and some are crumbling ruins. There are only a few Fonnir colonies left. Most are even less lively than K7kakk, and a few have been placed under Preserve status or even declared Fallow.
In their prime, the Fonnir were a respectable, moderate race from an august patron line. They were influential in the Uplift and Migration institutes, settled many worlds, and acted as Uplift Consort to over fifty client species. The Fonnir uplifted seven clients in their time, but did not manage to inculcate strong clan spirit in them; all but one of the species went their own ways millions of years ago.
On some colonies, Fonnir live in a wild state, their great achievements forgotten. These poor creatures do not seem very interested in breeding, and the few offspring produced are often not sentient. (On a few occasions, devolved Fonnir have been "discovered'' by hopeful patrons and proposed for adoption as new clients.) However, most Fonnir remain civilized and live to meditate, practice odd mental and psionic disciplines, and discuss ontology and eschatology. They seldom use their status as a senior elder race to influence outside affairs. When asked their opinion of the Streaker affair, the Fonnir replied with a lengthy, painfully convoluted philosophical statement that amounted to ``so it goes!'' Despite their hard-earned racial wisdom, Fonnir are often annoyingly naive at times, and (for Terragens) insufferably humble. Naivete and humility are hardly universal attributes of the Elderly. For example, one would not call the Kosh or the Krallnith naive or humble.
The Fonnir give every indication of being non-hostile toward
Clan Terragen and the
Confederation. They occasionally sell A-level Hyperdrives to the
Terragen Confederation. (Adapted from original text by
Stefan Jones)
An avian species. All independence, adaptability and ambition have been bred out of them because they are too useful as domestics and entertainers to the Soro.
e3v5r1
From a Terragen perspective the "sad" story of the Forski (the Forski are, in fact, quite content with their condition) is a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of uplifting ones own domestic species. It highlights ethical dilemmas that need to be faced by the Uplift Council as it undertakes the uplift of Dogs, Cats, Swine, and other similar species. Retention of objective, wise, and committed Uplift Consorts will be of the utmost importance.