Aliens and other Weirdness (Under Construction)

You're not the boss of me! Some of the descriptions in the examples below imply the relationship between the species and thei Terrie 'overlords'. These are more for the purposes of satire and obfuscation! D/Ms are invited to redefine these descriptions to better fit the purposes of their campaign. All could be client (or even slave) species.... all could be inimicably hostile ex-client species. Class Nomenclature Abbv. I - II Pure Terran Tp III - IV Evolved Terran Te V - VI Modified Terran Ta VII Exotic Terran Tx VIII -IX Hominid Extra Terrestrial (H)XT X - XI Exotic Hominid Extra Terrestrial (XH)XT XII -XIII Non-Hominid Extra Terrestrial (NH)XT XIV Exotic Extra Terrestrial (X)XT XV Hominid Exotic Chemistry (H)XC XVI Exotic Hominid Exotic Chemistry (XH)XC XVII Non-Hominid Exotic Chemistry (NH)XC XVIII Exotic Exotic Chemistry (X)XC XIX Cryo Non Corporeal NCc XX Pyro Non Corporeal NCp XXI Temperate Non Corporeal NCt 0 Pure Non Corporeal NCa

Terrans can be pretty weird too! Even in a 'Terrie' centered campaign Pure Terrans will only make up ~10 percent of the population and even they will have their differences. (Ro.)
The types of Evolved Terrans, Modified Terrans and Exotic Terrans are detailed elsewhere. 

Principal Aliens: those non-terrestrial characters normally encountered in a campaign, can be divided into four specific types: measured by the degree to which they differ from the TerroCentric "Humanoid Norm."
Or more practically the amount of time a principled Actor has to spend in makeup!

• Under one hour in makeup. = Hominid Extra Terrestrial (H)XT

Usually a couple of prosthetics: 'lumps and bumps'; false teeth; contact lenses;... a garishly coloured wig and a dollop of face paint.

• Over one hour in makeup. = Exotic Hominid Extra Terrestrial (XH)XT

Sometimes a whole face prosthetic and sometimes a whole body suit. But still with a human being inside (i.e. two arms, two legs, etc.)

• Computer generated 'skin' or latex puppet. = Non Hominid Extra Terrestrial (NH)XT

Movement is still human even though the outward appearance is anything but!

• Pure Computer SFX = Exotic Extra Terrestrial
  

Finally there are the fourth type: Exotic life forms of pure fancy which could only be animated within an expensive animation suite. For ease of visualisation these have been classified  with reference to the more exotic terrestrial lifeforms they resemble...

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The process is repeated for those extreme environments possessing lifeforms with Exotic Chemistries (XC) as permitted by the D/M. These can range from Cryo (hydrogen breathers) to Pyro (magma monsters). "In the good ole days" obtained by dressing the actor in a really weird costume and shooting the scene through a coloured filter, with a shot of dry ice on the stage floor every few minutes:

• Hominid Exotic Chemistry (H)XC
• Exotic Hominid Exotic Chemistry (XH)XC
• Non Hominid Exotic Chemistry (NH)XC
• Exotic Exotic Chemistry (X)XC

Lastly there are the Non Corporeal entities: perhaps a coloured light or two projected against a white screen. In more modern times: an expensive computer simulation of a coloured light or two.... The latter generally can exist in any environment but are classified as requiring: cryo, pyro, normal and any environments.

Incompatible Alien Biochemistries and the Biochemical Significator [B/S] [OPTIONAL] For added realism the D/M can assign (or randomly generate) a B/S to any nominally 'Terro-compatible' alien species. Although capable of surviving in the Terrestrial environment: breathing the air and drinking the water, it is quite possible that they will not be able to digest the food! Proteins and Sugars and more complex biomolecules come in 'chiral enantiomers' (mirror images) left (levo) and right (dextro) rotatory forms. Most Terrestrial organisms  use levo-amino acids and dextro-sugars. However some Terrestrial bacteria utilise D-amino acids (D - alanine is required as a cross-bridging structural component of their outer cell wall but is not used in their internal protein chemistry.) ...and alien species may take the process further: utilising the exact opposite L-sugars and D-amino acids and thus starving to death in the middle of a feast. There are some arguments that chirality is naturally selected on a physical basis either in their molecular synthesis in interstellar clouds or on planetary surfaces and thus levo-amino acids and dextro-sugars will be the 'norm' throughout the Kosmos. Nevertheless certain trace elements, vitamins and other unknown compounds may also be required for alien life processes and conversely certain compounds vital to terrestrial life may be highly toxic. Even common terrestrial compounds (eg Nuts) can be life threatening to terrestrials: Anaphylactic shock... To simulate the above: the absolute difference  between any two alien B/Ss becomes a relative measure of  Terro (in)compatability: Number of dietary supplements; Cost of same to synthesise; (time periods) before digestive problems start to appear; Negative modifier of food poisoning; etc... "Terries" have a middle of the road XXI - Strength BS and thus are not as particular as some extreme alien species!

Examples:

Value Card Hominid Extra-Terrestrial (H)XT Exotic Hominid Extra Terrestrial (XH)XT Non-Hominid Extra Terrestrial (NH)XT 1 I The Magician Orandians Tzinki  N'soan II The High Priestess Hephesti Ivaspadians Heptapods III The Empress Zetaboids Cleandatcha IV The Emperor Khasstoph Elevonians Weedonites V The Heirophant Bar-nonians Norns Eksmers (Hivers) VI The Lovers Omin/Emin Lufah/Rutha VII The Chariot Scoffan R'Reek VIII Justice Vair'an-gan O'Ohh Go-on IX The Hermit Cazanth X Wheel of Fortune XI Strength (Terrestrials...) Nomercians XII The Hanged Man Slackers XIII Death Zorgun XIV Temperance Groyn XV The Devil Veda D'Man Sheena Thanx XVI The Tower 'The' Troon Muppeteers (pouncer herbivores with two brains too many), XVII The Star Nintra (Tran) Iceans XVIII The Moon Daou XIX The Sun Osironome Daphnean XX Judgement Knothri XXI The World O The FOOL Notes: 1 Pseudo Species - closest approximation to a terrestrial lifeform. All are ground based llifeforms unless noted otherwise.

Yet another list of alien spear carriers would be pointless for the inventive D/M who sees no need to steal from refer to the wealth of aliens from literary, cinematic, televisual and gaming sources.
As an intellectual exercise this author presents the following pastiches of (in)famous species:

Hominid Extra Terrestrial (H)XT

I/ Orandians (Dayglo) pink skinned with jet black hair. In addition to (non-pointy) ears their sensorium includes the realms of ultrasound via a pair of bony excrescences protruding from either side of the jaw. Their reputation for honesty and fair-dealing is legendary throughout Known Space.

II/ Hephesti Humanoid with slightly orange tinted skin and eyebrows that meet in the middle. Their most notable characteristic(s): oversized earlobes and egos! Haephesti have an aversion to bright lights and big cities and are noted drama queens and emotional junkies. Rarely seen without a lollipop.

III/ Zetazoids Humanoids with mildly empathic capabilities i.e. able to tell the captain that when an alien starship is firing at them that the occupants have feelings of aggression and hostility...

IV/ Khasstoph Militant interior designers and fashion consultants! Despite a ectomorphic physique (from the light gravity field of their home planet: 'Khastlo') they are quite capable of scratching your eyes out! Dark skinned with curious indentations on their foreheads. (Where, some would say unkindly, their frontal lobes should be!)

V/ Bar-nonians grey (grim) faced theosophically and technologically advanced do-gooders. The Barnonians have evolved (or genetically modified) into five castes. " Buizzibodes, Knowziparcars, ..."
The only way to tell them apart is to measure the average gap between the rings on their horny excrescences. Or to listen to their religious arguments over theological points that only make sense to another Bar-nonian

VI/  Omin/Emin Coming from 61 Cygni with two primaries, two HZs and two habitable planets: Em [61 CygniA:: ii]  being the inner and marginally hotter than Om, the original homeworld [61 CygniB:: ii]. Early in the history of the two races, Em colonised by determined pacifists (pariahs). Omin thus despise the Emin and vice versa. Although arising from a common ancestral spp.and still genetically compatible; these two races would never dream of interbreeding. To the Emin the 'Oms' are mono-browed, hairy, knuckle dragging sub-humans who would kil their mother for a couple of stellars. To the Omin the 'Ems' are effete degenerates lacking any moral code. Other species find the two races to be indistinguishable in both word and deed!
(The Omin are marginally taller (lower g) and slightly less hairy than the Emin.)

VII/ Scoffan The classic neobarb: militant, honourable, no sense of interior design and as prone to loot, plunder and rape as the next Space Viking. Driven to sweep away the decadent Roman Human Interstellar Empire. Scoffans are humanoid to the nth degree with the exception of very pale skins from their K₆ primary and a pair of discrete horns emerging from their pale blond hair.

VIII/  Vair'an-gan Noted for their sense of fair play and cosmic law, the Vair have no compunction in stealing you blind providing it can be justified. Their legal system is one of the most complex in K.S. and trading with their pocket empire is thus non-existant.

IX/  solitary to the point of self extermination, the XXX echew body contact with other sophonts and can only be engaged in conversation on matters concerning their favorite topic: themselves
X/
XI/  also  "...Filthy Terries, *&^%$ Earthers, DirtWorlders..." and many other epithets

XII/ The Slackers of Refulge are an eco-friendly bunch of hairy hippies, literally 'tuned in' (psionically) to the local animals and plants. Achieving a pre-industrial balance the envy of polluted planets everywhere. Slackers are humanoid to the nth degree with the total absence of any bodily hair!
XIII/  Probably the most aggressive species in KS these sophonts are trained from birth to be obnoxious and killers.
XIV/
XV/ Veda D'Man Snooty and smelly space nomads - raider/ traders dealing in 'legitimately acquired merchandise' from the the last bunch of suckers that believed their sales pitch.
XVI/  'The' Troon their iridescently shiny green skin  reveals their reptilian heritage: microscopic microscales! More obviously: their vicious temper and appetite for conquering and eating insectoid species. Seemingly born to space piracy and random acts of terror under their dread leader the Mighty Youkon!
XVII/
XVIII/
XIX/ Osironome  Purple skinned and proud of it, the Osironome are noted pirates and commerce raiders... The culture is a militant gynarchy but some say the men are secretly in charge. Their lack of clothing and lack of taste are legendary. Have been known to trade advanced technology for a few grammes of salt!
XX/
XXI/

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Exotic Hominid Extra Terrestrial (XH)XT
I/ Tzinki everybody's ambush predators with a taste for adventurers... Home planet "Tizzi".(BD +35 2270 III) G₈e  So much has been written concerning the Tzinki (Books and Books and Books and...) that we need not dwell on them here!
II/ Ivaspadians Lightly furred anthro-leonine hominids that could pass for a man in a lion skin but for the broad reverse thumb and three digit hands and paws... These days Ivaspadians have a passion for cricket that surpasses even that of Brits. Ivaspadians come from a cool desert world "Ivaspad"  (BD +63° 238 II) "Goregrill" a K₀ system.
III/
IV/ Elevonians From that rarity (the Elevonians are noted for their sarcasms): a terrestrial planet orbiting a red dwarf sun! Tall, deep chested and thin waisted with a fine covering of fur. The ancient culture has bred itself into 21 genetically and physically distinct species from the Ministry of Intellect to the Ministry of Labour. A survivor species from the previous Galactic Milieu the Elevonian Homeworld has many Kryll ruins and remnants. Their passing seemingly blasting the Elevonians back to the stone age. Much of our knowledge about the latter comes from the former if their legends and religious beliefs are to be taken at face value.
V/ Norns Desert adapted saurian species with large fat and water retaining tail. In extremis Norns can discard their tail and thus quickly run away from an even larger predator . Despite being an evolutionary throwback nevertheless the Norns are deeply ashamed of it. As to be caught running away...
VI/
VII/
VIII/ O'Ohh with lumpy and lightly scaled skin, accompanied by an expressive whip-like tail and erectile head crest; these implacable foes of  Mankind may look reptiloid but are more closely related to the armadillo and pangolin.
IX/ Cazanth studious sauropods with a predeliction for Precursor prehistory...
X/
XI/ Nomercians militant warrior lizards resembling a T. rex on a bad scale day. Piggy red eyes and bad breath complete the thumbnail. Believe that the human invention of the chair is a nefarious plot to render the XT races effete and powerless. No chair is safe from their whiplash tails and whiplash tempers...
XII/
XIII/ Zorgun The classic heavy from a three gee world! Four armed with an all over covering of shaggy blue fur. These goons used to walk on all six legs until they discovered hand weapons. Usually found weilding two heavy pulse rifles (or single handing four if they want to show off.)
XIV/
XV/ Sheena Another race of homicidal herbivores. These imposing - three metre tall - minotaurs also have a leonine mane and tail as well as three sharp pointy horns. People you don't want to get into an argument with. Thier culture is essentially neo-barbarian having inherited their technology from an extinct (exterminated?) species.
XVI/
XVII/ Nintra Hairy marsupials adpted perfectly to a ice bound Supra-Polar planet
XVIII/ Daou (PseudoDracoCentauroid Procyonencis sapiens) the first of the sophonts to be discovered by Humanity naturally on a world orbiting a system that shouldn't have had planets in the first place. The Daou are no pushover being totally acclimated to a 2.1 gee environment with more than its fair share of UV.
XIX/
XX/
XXI/

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Non Hominid Extra Terrestrial (NH)XT
I/  N'soan Altough they resemble a two metre high brightly coloured sea anenome their morphology is closer to that of a snail 'standing' upright inside a barrel shaped shell. Out from the top poke a fringe of eyestalks and chemosensors (they hear (infrasonically) through their monopedal 'slug' foot). Manipulative tendrils, formed over calcium pseudo-bones, can be extruded through habitually worn holes abraded through their shell.
Their low gee homeworld N'so was originally a lush swampy water world which, through over-industrialisation and a weak gravity field, has dried out over the MYears. The N'soans thus spend most of thir time in their "fairy castles" in a comfortable moisture rich atmosphere. The N'soans are noted for their complex honout code and jurisprudence.
II/
III/
IV/
V/
VI/
VII/  R'Reek hailing from a vegetative Hellworld these hexapodal herbivores had to develop sophisticated tactics (intelligence) to track down and kill their prey. Eventually the forelimbs developed manipulative capabilities and tool use soon tamed the less aggressive plants and eliminated the dangerous ones.

VIII/  The Go-on  are claimed to be the most finely attuned legalists in the Known Universe. Compensation culture has lead the Go-on legal system  to an extreme form of adversarial representation that resembles the medieval trial by combat - except weapons are not allowed. The Go-on are closer to amphibians (salamanders) than reptiles and require regular immersion (or skin creams) to keep their skins from drying out. Naturally their reproduction and early development is aquatic and ruthless.
IX/
X/
XI/
XII/
XIII/
XIV/ Groyn Chirpy little hexapeds with an impossible evolutionary history. Four (sub)species: one with four pairs of dextrous hands; one where the middle pair of arms have been converted into wings; one with a broad back and no dexterity worth speaking of and one (the original species?) with one pair of truehands, one pair of foothands and one pair of truefeets ...and none of 'em with any brains! Precursor experts theorise that these little trouble makers were genetically tailored worker drones.
XV Thanx Tricky little insectoids from a tropical paradise planet that has become a must see on the tourist trail... The Thanx have insinuated their culture and species into that of the unsuspecting Terries by being cute and not revealing their revolting reproductive cycle . They are closer to wasps in that regard than the ants that they pretend to be!
XVI/
XVII/
XVIII/  Iceans A hexapodal cross between a centaur and a lion. The hind limbs have clawed pads, the mid limbs: pads with a twin partially opposable thumb/dewclaws and the forelimbs end with a pair of fully opposable twin thumbs with retractable 3 cm claws and three middle digits all with small retractable claws. Needless to say even without weapons they make a formidable opponent! Also known as Banths for obvious reasons... t
he Iceans are however just as loyal but a lot smarter
XIX/  Daphnean resembling hairless black skinned raccoons with twin circles of white fur around the eyes (a female secondary sexual characteristic) this matriarchal arborial species are noted for their easygoing nature and keen wit. Hailing from a supra-tropical jungle world they often bundle themselves up in surprisingly human styled woolen sweaters. Preferably angora...

XX/ Knothri 'Harpies' Winged and feathered but obviously mammalian species; evolved from therapsid rather than avian (bird) or cheiropteran (bat) precursors. Their four metre wingspans, light bones and four specialised turbocharged tube lungs (Breathing tracts rather than a pair of breathing sacs.) ...enable flight on most T norm planets. (I.e. with a reasonably dense atmosphere, partial pressure of oxygen and lowish gravity.)
The forearms, now used as wings, have heavily keritinized elbow pads that enable a clumsy four limbed gait on the ground but rely on peculiar sling seats for manipulations on the ground.
XXI/

1. N'soan (Mollusc) upright and uptight slug philosophers with a taste for a salty epithet. Encased in a tough silicacious shell resembling a rotten tree stump through which the N'soan is capable of extruding pseudo-limbs, eyestalks and laser weaponry. (The latter contained in internal vesicles.
   
2. Heptapods (Cephalopod) 'Scuttles' seven limbed heptopi that emerged from the water, developed the power of speech and haven't stopped complaining ever since: the local gravity (too high); humidity (too low); cuisine (not salty enough);...
3. Cleandatcha (Arthropod) giant blue pseudo-spider crabs always getting into hot water. Supposedly organised into a hive society these militaristic crustaceans couldn't organise their way out of a cease fire arrangement without the release of at least one thermonuclear warhead.
   Whoopsie!
   (Insectoid)
4. Buzzib Buzzib At the limits of what could be called "Non-Hominid" but not Exotic are the Emmer a land (swamp) adapted  echidnoderm (starfish) with a dorsal mouth and ventral cloaca. The four feet terminate in retractible tubicals which act as highly dextrous 'hands'