Jack of Harts

The Shang are as human as the rest of us. It is one of the foundational points of the Jack of Harts universe that most of the aliens we meet are humans like us. Except for some obviously genetically-engineered races that are mostly based of humans with interesting abilities. Most aliens are biologically compatible with us. In the Shang case, they are dwarves to all intents and purposes. Not in a fantasy sense. They are a very short people, which is why many call them Runts when insulting them. Earthborn humans can’t even walk inside their spaceships or buildings because the ceilings are too low. They look more like an oddly adult child than what most of us would consider a human adult. And they are Not Amused when we talk down to them.