KELGIANS

Planet of Origin: Kelgia, one of the several known members of the Galactic Federation.

Kelgianas (physiological classification DBLF) are a warm-blooded,  sapient, furry (with a beautiful silvery fur covering), caterpillar-like oxygen-breather omnivores species.  Despite their appearance, Kelgians are physiologically very similar to Earth Humans (classification DBDG) and require similar environmental conditions. They walk by undulating their bodies over their several pairs of short legs. The head is conical in shape and the forelimbs end in three manipulating digits. 

Kelgians have no skeletal tissue other than a thin and fragile case protecting the brain. Instead, their vital organs are enclosed by a hollow muscular envelope which also allows them to move about, in their typical undulating gait. Their circulatory system is extremely complex, including a net of blood vessels running just below the skin, to provide oxygen for the outer musculature. As a result, Kelgians are particularly vulnerable to cuts. Wounds that would be considered superficial by other species are often lethal to them. To make matters worse, their fur will never recover after being damaged; leaving the wounded individual both physically and socially awkward. Kelgian blood is red, indicating that haemoglobin is present; and their blood pressure is higher than in Humans. They are herbivorous, dioecious and monogamous; and their overall philosophy and temperament are not too dissimilar from Humans. 

They have four extendable eyestalks, a pair of hearing antennae and a highly variable fur coating; all of which respond in such a subtle and uncontrollable manner to their emotional state that they could almost be considered telepaths among themselves. As such, Kelgians completely lack concepts of lying, diplomacy or tact. They will always say what they think, for good or for bad. 

The Kelgian language mostly consists of loud, foghorn-like hoots. Their voice is not physically able to produce variable speech tones, which is probably the main reason for which they evolved a sophisticated body language to express emotions. 

Sources: JAMES WHITE – Hospital Station (1962),  Star Surgeon (1963), JAMES WHITE – Ambulance Ship (1979)

CINRUSSKIN

Planet of Origin: Cinrus

Cinrusskin are sentient insectoid empaths who are member of the same interstellar civilisation at some point in the future. They are extremely fragile; their six legs are long, bony and pencil-thin with many joints, and their four arms end in tiny manipulatory "hands". They have four large iridescent wings, not quite atrophied, and prefer to hover when eating.

Their conversation consists of trills, clicks and buzzes; their mouths are beak-like, and their eyes large and triple-lidded. Although their exoskeletal bodies look awkward they move quickly. They can cling to walls and ceilings, or fly if necessary, but they have very little stamina. Because they are so fragile they are very cautious around others.

Their main defensive weapon is a powerful empathic ability, which lets them know what those around them are feeling. This has a down-side, in that unpleasant emotions such as anger or pain affect Cinrusskin severely, causing them to tremble and feel faint. However, they are experts at making those around them feel good; they are kind, considerate and friendly, always polite and non-controversial, lying if necessary to make people happy. This makes them very popular, and those who know them are extremely protective.

Sources: James White, novels of the Sector General Universe

John G. Wood at: http://www.elvwood.org/Gurps/SectorGeneral/Cinrusskin.html

HUDLARIAN FROB

Planet of origin : Hudlar

Hudlars are a sentient species that will be member of the same interstellar Federation at some point in the future. Massive, they ressemble two-ton armadillos. They are oxygen-breathers but can go without air for long periods and can work comfortably in the vacuum of space. They can survive radiation doses that would kill many races. Their skin is flexible but extremely tough and with very few orifices: temporary ones form for mating and giving birth. Hudlarian eyes are deeply recessed and protected and speech is via a bellowslike cock's comb flap on the back of the head, which they also use for hearing. Breathing, eating and excreting happen through different areas of the skin, in some places pitted with thousands of tiny slits.

They have six thick tentacles, which end in hardened pads that form "knuckles" for them to walk on, and manipulative clusters of four, hard-tipped specialised digits which curl inward for protection.

Hudlar's home gravity approaches 4G and the atmosphere is a thick, semi-liquid soup with a pressure of 7 atmospheres. This provides them with all the nourishment they require; offworld they spray themselves with nutrient "paint". Many Hudlars work offworld; the planet is poor, with no mineral resources, fabricated items, or tourist attractions, so the inhabitants sell their labour. They need to eat frequently, but can go for long periods without sleep.

Young Hudlars are prone to a number of spectacular diseases which are only life-threatening when they combine, but adults are virtually immune to disease and very hard to injure. Their immune systems are so efficient that transplants require it to be artificially suppressed, after which the recipients may no longer come into contact with others of their kind or they may die. Problems also arise in old age, when the two hearts can no longer maintain the high metabolic rate. This leads to a number of unpleasant effects including necrosis of the limbs, failure of the food absorption mechanism on their flanks, distortion of the speaking membrane and loss of control of the underside waste elimination area. Aged Hudlars often go insane as their bodies let them down.

Hudlars mate for life, and only share their names with their life-mates and close family. After giving birth the female gradually becomes male and her partner does the opposite. Death is never mentioned, and the bodies of the deceased are ignored. Hudlars are frequently gentle, inoffensive and self-effacing.

Their music sounds like whistling moaning.

Sources: James White, novels of the Sector General Universe

John G. Wood at: http://www.elvwood.org/Gurps/SectorGeneral/Hudlars.html