Deponuars

Deponuars are a fictional sapient species that appears in speculative fiction and role-playing settings. They are typically portrayed as beings whose culture centers on the accumulation, organization, and protection of material stores, or depots, and whose social status depends on the size and security of their caches.

Physical depiction varies by author; some works present Deponuars as humanoid, others as nonhumanoid with robust bodies and dexterous extremities adapted for handling objects. Common elements include a strong memory for inventories and a preference for orderly environments such as warehouses or vaults. Capabilities such as cartography of storage networks and meticulous labeling are emphasized in most portrayals.

Habitat and settlement: Deponuars inhabit depot cities, fortified storehouses, and sometimes subterranean warrens that house caches. Their governance often centers on a council or guild network that controls major stores and allocates resources through established protocols and rites.

Cultural traits: Holistic memory and record-keeping are valued, with ritualized inventories, codified signals, and standardized units used for exchange. Language is described as dense with cataloging terms; art often reflects organization and preservation. Their economies tend to be barter-based, anchored to the value of stored goods rather than abstract currency.

In fiction, Deponuars are used to examine themes of memory, scarcity, bureaucracy, and sustainability. They appear across several works and settings, with continuities that differ between authors. Some critics note the richness of their world-building, while others point to inconsistent canon across narratives.