Race- Xl'ykkn

From Cheezs Wiki

Race name: Xl'ykkn

Race homeworld: Hk'shn'kt

Racial category: Winged insectoid

Typical height: Varies according to type. Average males are usually 4-5 feet, soldiers are usually 6-7 feet, females are usually 10 feet or larger.

Typical weight: Varies

Typical age range: Egg/pupa: 0-7 SY Male: 7-50-60 SY Immature Female: 7-20 SY Adult female: 20-300-400 SY (SY= Standard Years= Earth years)

Physical description: Chitinous bodies, mosquito-like wings, insectoid eyes. Females are massive, with swollen, leathery abdomens and no wings.

Typical skin/fur/scale hue: Male: Light grey to black. Some dark purple, but this is rare. Female: Black bodies, pale yellow or orange abdomen.

Male/female ratio: Almost exclusively male. There are two females at most per colony. Colonies can number up to 10,000,000. Most are smaller.

Mating cycle: Adult females constantly lay eggs, which take 7 years to mature from egg-larva-adult. Females take 20 years before they can fully mature. However, there is always one immature female present, ready to take over from the current queen if she dies.

Reputation: Rumoured to be telepathic. This is false, although the Xl'ykkn do have a semi-hive mind (They are individuals, but can communicate, pass thoughts, feelings ETC much easier to other Xl'ykkn.)

Background/info:

The Xl'ykkn invaded/colonised several worlds that are relatively close to their homeworld, including that of the Kurtung. They did this effectively in most places, using a conquered planet's people and resources to help with their next campaign. They used a large variety of complex tactics, although if they had large numbers, the 'zerg rush' type attack was common. They were eventually defeated by one of the races they attacked and were forced to retreat. Now, they have little territory outside their own system.

Special features: Wings sometimes allow them to fly- Hk'shn'kt's gravity and atmospheric conditions allowed them to fly on smaller wings than they would need on other planets, Earth for example. Because of this, their flying abilities are reduced or nonexistant on many other planets. Chitinous bodies provide armour- A Xl'ykkn would be able to stop a weak to medium strength stab by a bladed weapon and would take relatively little damage from a blunt weapon. Their chitin isn't strong enough to stop ranged conventional or energy weapons, or strong melee attacks.

Their language is based on a series of clicks, whistles, chirps and other insect noises. Although they can speak and understand other languages, they rarely choose to speak anything other than their own tongue and when they do, it is often difficult to understand, rather quiet and very hissy.

Typical Xl'ykkn cities and ships are extremely confusing for a non-Xl'ykkn to navigate, as they are often a labrynth of passageways, tunnels, chambers and rooms, built with seemingly no plan. They almost always have a large central chamber, dwelling place of their queen. (Or, if the ship/settlement is to small to have a queen, the commander.)

Compatible Manipulations: Genetic enhancement, cybernetics (Rare but possible), various others.

See also- Race- Kurtung