| X E N O B I O L O G Y |
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| JEM'HADAR The Jem'Hadar were created by the Founders of the Dominion, the Changelings. Their role is that of the shock troops and scourge of the Dominion. Usually, if a Dominion world violates the rules set up for it, the result is a visit by the Jem'Hadar. What ensues is devastation, massacre and other perils. They have an uncanny ability to turn invisible to the naked eye at will, but can be seen by instruments that pick up other ranges of lightwaves. They age to maturity in just above three months, and live for about 35 to 40 years. They are the best close quarters fighters in the Gamma Quadrant, and rival the Klingons for their position in the Alpha Quadrant. They are feared everywhere they are known in both the Alpha and Gamma Quadrants. The Changelings keep them in line by providing a white dust, a severly addictive drug with unknown properties to them at regular intervals. Disobediance by any Jem'Hadar results in the withdrawal of the drug with severe withdrawal symptoms and often death as a result. KAFERIAN Kaferians are insectoid-based bipedal humanoids about the same height as a normal Terran. Their heads are the most insectoid part of their bodies. They are natives of Tau Ceti. They have a hard chitinous exoskeleton. Their eyes are located on opposite sides of their heads, giving them peripheral vision, which does not limit their forward vision. Their feet split into two toes - a larger and a smaller - with some extremely limited manipulative ability. They have a protruding spinal ridge, giving them a slightly hunchbacked appearance. If they ever had wings, they were attached here, but Kaferians are no longer a winged species. They make their homes out of native materials mixed with a natural secretion from their bodies which combines to create a very light, but very strong and durable building material capable of supporting structures hundreds of feet tall. Kaferians are virtually natural geneticists. They export many bio-engineered plants and animals that have been modified for demanding climates and conditions. They are renowned for this genetic engineering throughout most of known space. It is believed that Kaferian scientists are responsible for the Klingon Tribble predator, known as a "glommer". Kaferia is not a member of the Federation (otherwise they could not engage in the trade mentioned above) but they have been a staunch ally of the Federation for over 200 years. KLINGONS Klingons are a warrior race who hold personal and family honor above all else. They are larger than Terrans with a greater percentage of their body weight being muscle. Klingons are proficient in the use of ritual hand-to-hand weapons and unarmed combat, and will actually prefer to fight using these methods over beam weapons. They frequently train in off-hand weapons training in order to surprise opponents. All Klingons will train in at least the bat'telh and the d'k tahg, and many frequently train in some of the other ceremonial Klingon weapons. Some also train in Mok'bara - the Klingon martial art form. The Klingon forehead is a major distinguishing feature of this race, consisting of a ridged, bony pattern. This pattern is different for every Klingon, and is as distinguishing as fingerprints. A common curse heard among them is: "Hab Sosil' Quch", which means, "Your mother has a smooth forehead." Also, a bony backbone resembling that of a dinosaur runs up and down their spine. Klingons have enhanced senses. Two of them, acute taste and smell, and acute vision, are genetic, but the third, combat reflexes, is learned from childhood, and is therefore second nature to Klingons. By nature, they are hunters, and still practice the ritual of the hunt. They are taught tracking and cooking from a very early age. They hunt using a spear called a Gin'tak. They prefer their food raw, so the Cooking skill actually represents the ability to properly clean their food and prepare it in a traditional manner. Most Klingons feel it is dishonorable to lie, cheat, steal, or bluff, and dislike those who do. This helps explain their dislike of Ferengi. Klingons are now blood enemies of the Romulans, despite (or perhaps -on account of-) their former treaties with them. Klingon warriors pride themselves on their combat abilities and feel the greatest honor that can be bestowed on warriors is to die in combat. These traits have been handed down from the Klingon spiritual leader, Kahless, over two millennia ago. Kahless used the idea of honor to unite the people of the Klingon Homeworld at a time of its greatest struggle. Also handed down were several traditional weapons with which to engage in melee. Lastly, almost all Klingons show a widespread hatred of the cute, cuddly Tribble. Currently, xenoculturalists are unable to account for the source of this hatred. Tribbles are banned from being transported to, or traded in, Klingon space. An old Klingon toast reflects their dislike of this animal. It goes: "QuvlIjDaq yIH tu'be'lu'jaj." Translated, this means, "May your coordinates be free of Tribbles." Tribbles also share the dislike of Klingons. Instead of the usual purr, Tribbles will shriek if even exposed to a Klingon. KZIN Kzin are a felinoid race similar to Terran tiger with large webbed ears. They walk erect as bipeds, but do have a noticeable slouch as they age. Their bodies are covered with fur, which covers their face and hands as well, and creates a mane-like effect for their hair. They have golden eyes, long black whiskers, a long tail, and a voice with a rasping, but purring quality. They stand on average 8 feet tall, and weigh under 780 lbs. Their fur is orange-red with black markings streaked with white where the fur has grown out over scars. The ruff around the neck bottles out when they are feeling dominant. Most Kzinti have tattoos of various kinds on their ears which represent military awards, decorations, and ranks. The Kzinti tail is bare and prehensile, looking pink with white and black markings and is very sensitive. Most adults wear their tails in a silk like covering when outside their own culture. No one would ever want to insult a Kzins tail with an unwanted touch or unintentional bump. They have six digits on their hands with two opposable thumbs, and feline sheathable claws. A stretching motion is the Kzin equivalent of a human relaxed smile, and a grin is a sign of aggression. A waffling twitch of the whiskers is similar to a human grin.Kzinti originate from the WYN Radiation Cluster which is made up of Kzinti 40%, Lyran 30%, and 15% Orion stock. The rest of the population is comprised of a smattering of ex-Klingon subjects, and a dash of cutthroats, adventurers, and criminals from across the known galaxy. The gravity field of the Kzinti home planet is heavier than Terran normal. They frequently have the danger sense advantage. They also generally have several battle-related skills. Kzin generally have these common disadvantages: impulsiveness, overconfidence, bad temper, megalomania, and they do not like prosthetics. Kzin are a very warlike race, and have had numerous wars with humans, most before the formation of the Federation. They have high strength, which is augmented by sharp teeth and claws. They can see very well in the dark, and have well-developed senses of smell, taste, and hearing. Kzin Officers carry with them a neutralizing scent bag which they sniff at times to clear thier senses. They typically wear a bandoleer loaded down with pockets and pouches which contain samples of herbs and memory boosting scents. They also carry a rather large engraved metal ring attached to the Bandoleer at their left hip which holds Kzin ears; dueling trophies from dead rivals and a source of much pride if it is quite full. A ceremonial blunt tipped dagger on the same hip, called a Wtsai, completes the usual attire of an Officer. They consider women to be second-class citizens, and their chauvinistic attitude bleeds over into their dealings with other races. More than once, a female has played an important part in rescues of personnel from Kzin-held territory. This attitude is due to Kzinti females being sub-sentient. They eat their meat fresh and raw, preferably still dripping with blood. They do not like vegetarians, and will not deal with them if possible. A very few Kzin have had chemical changes made to them which gives them a limited form of telepathy. Their telepaths can be foiled by thinking of chewing on raw vegetables. |
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