The Theater at Ephesus: Sodality Universe, #3

By Pierre E Pettinger Jr

The Benefactor captured by Sister Perpetua Lucy and her teammates has given up vital clues to the invader's plans. The Confederation and Church must split their forces to investigate. Admiral Yar'Adua, Lt. Taylor and Sir Anselm head to Usurash where the Obim and the Odalph live in an uneasy detante. Sister Perpetua Lucy, Lt. Phillips, and Ranul land on Perpetua's homeworld of Sshak Zg to investigate someone spreading dissent and rebellion. And Arch-Magistrate Antarid of the Law Directorate discovers people being kidnapped for unknown purposes.

 

Meanwhile, Greatmind Threetgsh of the Chemosh seeks to return the captured populations of Drudges and Servitors enslaved on Bhom, and Herdmaster Sunish seeks the trail of the Benefactors who escaped from Refuge Station. Also, Taran of the Kralk plots revenge against the Benefactors.

Things are coming to a head. Will the Benefactor's scheme be revealed? Will their base of operations be discovered?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pierre E Pettinger Jr
• Release date: Mar 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224018284

Book preview

The Theater at Ephesus

The Sodality Universe Book 4

by

Pierre E. Pettinger, Jr.

Starwind Treasures

This book is copyright © August 2022 by Pierre E. Pettinger, Jr.

Published by Starwind Treasures.

All rights reserved.

Cover Art and Design is copyright © Juner 2022 by Fredd Gorham

http://www.steelangelstudios.com/

All characters and events in this book are fictitious

Any resemblance to persons living or dead is strictly confidential

The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the author (or the artist in reference to the cover art) is strictly forbidden. Reproduction of any portion of this work except for brief passages for purposes of review is forbidden.

––––––––

First Printing: August 2023

published by Starwind Treasures

ISBN: 978-1-7358385-3-3

I dedicate this work to my proofreaders; Alfred Pettinger, Pat O’Connor, and my beautiful wife Sandy. Thanks for all your hard work.

I would also like to thank my cover artist, Fredd Gorham, for working so closely with me to get the images of my characters so close to the ones I have in my head.

A note on time and distance:

Each of the Civilized Nations in the Orion Arm have different units of measurements. The text uses the appropriate scale the characters would use. While I have inserted parentheticals to translate any measurement units used, there is a table at the end defining the various units of measurements.

Dramatis Personae

Benefactors / Otuqirene Trynisty

Iyrranievar – Yopaewyth male. An agent of the Benefactors captured on Tyre Secundus.

Catholic Church

Sir Anselm – Human male of mixed European ancestry. He was born in the city of Brae on the planet Appleye. He is a Lay Knight in the Order of Agathius and Adrian, the Sons of Joshua. He is currently on detached duty and liaison to the Confederation Navy.

Father Robert Caine – Human male of African and Arabic heritage.  He is a priest in the Holy Catholic Church. He is currently assigned as the commander of the Oratory Ship Blessed Eusubius.

Archbishop Christophoro Leandros – Human male of Greek and Italian heritage. He is an Archbishop in the Holy Catholic Church. He does not have a particular Archdiocese. He is currently assigned to the New Vatican on Blessed Virgin. He heads the Holy Ministry of Exploration and Deterrence.

Sister Perpetua Lucy – Tsssha Tck female of Shez Ock ancestry. She was born in the city of Taliss Sass in the district of Ssassava Cliffs on the planet Sshak Zg. She is a sister of the Order of the Sacred Sisters of Joan d’Arc of the Holy Catholic Church. She is a squadron leader currently assigned to the Basilica Ship St. Louis.

Chemosh Empire

Bnarat – Pnar female. She is a Penetrating Mind on the Terrible Eye.

Dhakareek – Chemosh male.

Dharga – Chemosh male, Consul of Nobility and Spirit (chaplain and counselor) of the Terrible Eye.

Duranul Moran Teliniyk – Guayk male, member of Iee-YAHR-utat’s covert team, pilot and assassin.

Gorshad – Chemosh male. Sensor officer on the Terrible Eye.  

Harii-ORG-nitha – Akood female. Computer specialist on the Terrible Eye.

Her Honrew – Bhom male. He was born in a small village adjacent to one of the numerous castles that dot the planet. He is an adolescent, trained in blacksmithing.

HweeeDeeTooo – RooWhee Twee male, member of Iee-YAHR-utat’s covert team. A strong telepath, specializing in animal telepathy.

Iee-YAHR-utat – Akood female, head of a covert intelligence team serving the Chemosh Empire, currently assigned to Great Mind Threetgsh.

Jkt-hshsh – Chkk, Left Wing on the Terrible Eye.

Tomas Klome – Human male, Right Wing on the Terrible Eye.

Olta of the Eighteenth Generation of the Allenthi City of the Galitee River Delta – Doru male, Chief Medical Officer of the Terrible Eye.

Öpahl – Owroonth. One of those stolen by the Benefactors.

Orgash – Chemosh male, Mighty Mind, second-in-command of the Terrible Eye.

Paganun Tlarin Daniplak – Guayk male, Chief of Operations of the Terrible Eye.

Pri Nior – Fradhaa male, Inquistive Mind, Chief of the Science Department on the Terrible Eye.

Ronar Roharrim Rutath – Bhom male, King.

Threetgsh – Chemosh male. Great Mind commanding the ship The Terrible Eye. Member of the high middle nobility, Nizh go Shak (Duke) of the Blue Green Tower of Toran.

Voofra Nalet – Iin male. He is a Penetrating Mind on the Terrible Eye.

VriiiNaaDuuu - RooWhee Twee male. A communications officer on the Terrible Eye.

Zhgass – Chemosh male, Jaws on the Terrible Eye.

The Confederation

Fahmeeb Abiodun – Human female. Adolescent on the planet Nythan.

Lt. Agienerad – Kazhiek male. He is a JAG officer stationed on Tendacta Station.

Ahriin – Vön female. A childhood friend of Admiral Yar-Adua

Akinhz Saavis Osijaz – Tsssha Tck female. She is an Osijaz in the Nhizzz Pka faith.

Ensign An Min Ow – Lepamod male stationed on the Gerald Deucy.

An Soon Men – Lepamod male, System Superintendent of the Law Directorate on the planet Nythan.

Weliek Antarid – Kazhiek male. He is the Arch-Magistrate of the Law Directorate.

Mbuto Assatanuralit – Confederation representative to the Rivnyera First New World.

Manuel Castaneda – Human male. Adolescent on the planet Nythan.

Hamish Caulingbyrds-Smythe – Human male of English ancestry born in the village of Port Isaac in Cornwall UK. He is an independent merchant and trader in command of the merchant ship Codander II.

Chai Staans – Tsssha Tck male. A player in the Lost Cliff Chav.

Under-magistrate Chakrabarti – Human male. Member of the Law Directorate on the planet Nythan.

Jonathan Cooper – Human male. Adolescent on the planet Nythan.

Olgud Danmug – Bonzuc Garso male. Captain of the merchant ship Pvinbahv.

Diwa Datumanong – Human female. Adolescent on the planet Nythan.

Dori-pa – Chode female. Commander of the Naval base on Usurash.

Ensign Fireet – Myhrz male A. Stationed on the Gerald Deucy.

Froohl – Myhrz male A. Peace Force Chief of the planet Nythan.

Miranda Harris – A Human female of French, Spanish and Libyan ancestry. She was born in a farming community, Coin du Canard Rouge on the planet New Versailles. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Danhurtz Corporation.

Csaba Herczog – Human male. Adolescent on the planet Nythan.

General Hoo Tan Lo – Lepamod female. An Admiral in the Confederation Navy.

Iiss Haava – Tsssha Tck male. A wealthy citizen of É Pfe Zus.

Brother Impedence Major – Tsssha Tck male. He is a religious brother of the Catholic Church stationed at St. Yavsha’s.

Joov Kiiz – Tsssha Tck female. Adolescent on the planet Nythan.

Major Klk – Ijlklj male. He is a Major in the Confederation Navy, Special Powers Division.  He is stationed on the Gerald Deucy.

General Kyriz – Vön male. He is a General in the Special Powers Division. He is an auditor with the Special Powers Division.

Li Yo Na – Male Lepamod. He is a doctor on the Gerald Deucy

Inspector Prime Philo Magnetskis – Human male of Greek heritage born on the Zaharone cruise ship Swirling Winds Above the Sea. He is the Inspector Prime of Confederation Security on Capitol.

Emmanuel Morchen – Human male of Celtic origin, born in New York on the planet Earth. Morchen is a variation of the Celtic surname Morken. He is the CEO of the Danhurtz Corporation.

Moriental – Xandan female. She is an orinthal, an observer for the Regulatory Branch of the government. She uses a cane.

Naat – Tegt female. A Medicus, a telepathic doctor, on the Gerald Deucy.

Chief Petty Officer Nani-te – Chode male. He is a Chief Petty Officer in the Confederation Navy. His specialty is computer technology, programming, and analysis. He is currently assigned to Vice-Admiral Yar’Adua’s staff.

Néfan – Odalph male. A lawyer on Usurash.

Commodore Noahn – Tegt male. He is a Commodore in the Confederation Navy. He is currently in command of the Superdreadnought Gerald Deucy.

Nsess Zisk – Tsssha Tck male. An adolescent on the planet Nythan.

Wikitoria Panoho – Human female. Adolescent on the planet Nythan.

Ensign Davy Phillips – Human male of US, Dutch and German heritage born in the village of Arch on the planet Next Frontier. He is an Ensign in the Confederation Navy, Special Powers Division, currently assigned to Vice-Admiral Yar’Adua’s staff.

Pkat Ssiiss – Tsssha Tck female. Adolescent on the planet Nythan.

Dr. Beverly Quern – Human female. A doctor in the Elliik Regional Hospital in the city of Viijash on the planet Nythan.

Resop - Vön male.

Sariné Baré Rathurénna – Odalph Female. The Aunt in the Nest, governor of the planet Usurash.

Dr. Segvin – Human male. Doctor in the Elliik Regional Hospital in the city of Viijash on the planet Nythan.

Leanad Sheneran – A lawyer of the Danhurtz Corporation.

2nd Lieutenant Shimizu Aiko – Human female. She is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Special Powers Division and part of General Kyriz’s audit team.

Colonel Dayrise Skysbright – Zaharone male. He is a Colonel in the Confederation Navy, Special Powers Division. He is stationed on the Gerald Deucy.

Dr. Suralipoor – A Urie. It is a doctor at the Elliik Regional Hospital in the city of Viijash on the planet Nythan.

Admiral Dominic Svenkerud – Human male of Nordic heritage born in the city of Jaarlson’s Crevasse on the planet Bifrost. He was an Admiral in the Confederation Navy commanding the Fifth Expeditionary Force. His flagship was the Millicent Tenrough.

Lieutenant Evan Taylor – Human male of English and US heritage born in the city of Holdrege on the planet New Lincoln. He is a 1st Lieutenant in the Confederation Navy, Special Powers Division, currently assigned to Vice-Admiral Yar’Adua’s staff.

Tc Suus – Tsssha Tck male. A monk of the seHuss Saasaasaa faith.

Doctor Thiiohn – Tegt male. He is a doctor in the Confederation Navy. He is currently in command of the medical department of the superdreadnought Gerald Deucy.

Jimon Trag – Human male. An employee of the Hextra Corporation on the planet Nythan.

Captain Tworoa-Hwohn – A Manlen. It is a Captain in the Special Powers Division and part of General Kyriz’s audit team.

Narantsetseg Unuyucar – Human female. Adolescent on the planet Nythan.

Captain Vainets – Xandan male. He is a Captain in the Confederation Navy, JAG. Currently he is a Naval Advocate Judge assigned to the Gerald Deucy.

Vepfe Shoosin – Tsssha Tck male. Adolescent on the planet Nythan.

Vhsss Thosss Osijaz – Tsssha Tck female. She is an osijaz of the Nhizzz Pka faith.

Richard Dean Vilarde-Nghiem – Human male, a teenager from the planet Nythan. He has low telepathic and empathic abilities with some physical enhancements.

Laia Vilches – A telepath in the employ of the Danhurtz Corporation.

Arban Wilson – Human male. A lawyer of the law firm of Chiendek, Metzger, Wilson, Ssissik Tsooch, and Povienz, under contract to the Hextra Corporation on the planet Nythan.

Vice-Admiral Latorunwa Yar’Adua – Human female of Nigerian heritage born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. She is a Vice-Admiral in the Confederation Navy commanding the Second Strike Group of the Fifth Expeditionary Force. Her flagship is the superdreadnought Gerald Deucy.

Iekwax

Ahro Cadq naGohn – Iq female/now. Emissary of the Obim to Refuge Station.

Bigak Hnokrush haKhoks – Iq female/now. Bough/aerie of Iekwax of Fleet/command {Wah}iq.

Dex {Hrum}od inGwik – Iq male/now. Bough/aerie of Ship/squad Xagw.

Hoogwa Kseq boKalid – Iq male/final. Treecrown/peak of Iekwax.

Khogwok Boosh caKwug – Iq female/now. Splitbranch/nest of Thorn/Station Plum.

Kruushish – Iq male/now, security guard on Refuge station.

{Oor}ab Hnac naChanhran – Iq female/now. Splitbranch/nest of Thorn/station Magenta.

Laanyr Clan Heer

Pejjelarallamushentalapes Dlenpipol Maripes – Laanyr Clan Heer Finisher, temporary second on the Pejjelarallamushentalapes Ten.

Pejjelarallamushentalapes Dlenpipol Naran – Laanyr Clan Heer male, helm mentor on the Jod Ved’s Curse.

Pejjelarallamushentalapes Dlenpipol Sunish – Laanyr Clan Heer Finisher, Herdmaster of the Pejjelarallamushentalapes Herd, one of the First Five Herds of Veldthome.

Broolykenat – Aat’t’t Researcher in the computer safe laboratory of the Veldtship Pejjelarallamushentalapes Ten.

Innaminifaas – Aat’t’t, engineer mentor on the Jod Ved’s Curse.

Pejjelarallamuhentalapes Marat Nonash – Laanyr Clan Heer male. Sensor mentor on the Jod Ved’s Curse.

Baanijanihenacashinelishes Mitilor Yud – Laanyr Clan Heer Finisher, Primary Herdmaster of Yutha Mes Dens

Numdusul – Aat’t’t. Junior Analyst in the computer safe laboratory on the Pejjelarallamushentalapes Ten.  

Pejjelarallamushentalapes Rafin Poli – Laanyr Clan Heer male. Researcher in the computer safe laboratory of the Veldtship Pejjelarallamushentalapes Ten.

Willawiloot – Aat’t’t, golden-blue glow. Chief Researcher on the Pejjelarallamushentalapes Ten.

LystRa Family

Ahnorvif – Anthrassass male, helm officer on the Jod Ved’s Curse.

B Mora Taandaha – LystRa-spa engineer on the Jod Ved’s Curse.

Bohwrhnor – uftHoweruu female. Head of the sensor crew of the Jod Ved’s Curse.

Hohrwiwahl – uftHoweruu male, zoologist.

Hop Hoirs – Tavaed-hil male, member of the Argosy-Hand of the LystRa fleet.

Jakaiks – Kiuqhilannagos male, security guard.

O Ay Twiin – LystRa-spa, member of the Argosy-Hand of the LystRa fleet.

Onhahoroh - uftHowruu female. Communication Officer on the Jod Ved’s Curse.

Oops Kors – Tavaed-hil male, Records technician on the Argosy Fist.

Qhuncieks – Kiuqhilannagos female, current Argosy-Heart of the LystRa fleet.

Reegroh – Anthrassass, member of the Argosy-Hand of the LystRa fleet.

Wuurowu – uftHoweruu female, member of the Argosy-Hand of the LystRa fleet.

Kralk Desmesne

Arnul Five !eng!-Flock-of-the-Mangool-Gorge – Kralk female. Paramount of the Mangool Gorge, member of the Juez of Spines.

Desh One !nuc!-Flock-of-the-Varack-Plains – Kralk male. Member of the Intelligence Wing serving the Flock-of-the-Eastern-Isles on the Bleeding Entrails.

Farul Four !ud!-Flock-of-the-High-Reaches – Kralk male. Paramount of the High Reaches, member of the Juez of Spines.

Mandow Two !tep!-Flock-of-the-Kodrig-River  – Kralk male. Paramount of the Kodrig River, member of the Juez of Spines.

Mog – Gntugd male. Bodyguard of Mangool Gorge.

Muzza Three !ip!-Flock-of-the-Valley-of-Uun – Kralk male. Paramount of the Valley of Uun, member of the Juez of Spines.

Ozyn Four !dis!-Flock-of-the-Southern-Lights – Kralk male. Paramount of the Southern Lights, member of the Juez of Spines.

Padug Five !ros!-Flock-of-the-Purple-Meadows – Kralk female. Paramount of the Purple Meadows, member of the Juez of Spines.

Taran Four !rog!-Flock-of-the-Eastern-Isles – Kralk male. Paramount of the Eastern Isles, Suzerain of Handoc! and Navarch of the Forward Fleet, member of the Juez of Spines.

Ugl Tog – Gntugd male. Bodyguard to Taran.

Zaroog One !ig!-Flock-of-the-Ragged-Mountains – Kralk male. Paramount of the Ragged Mountains, Eldest of the Juez of Spines.

Obim Exchange

Malago Trah Pa – An Obim. District Manager of the Anj Uropa Dara Flow Corporation.

Snopana Day Le – An Obim. Low level associate of the Anj Uropa Dara Flo Corporation

Refuge Station

Pantiel Fetentz senta – Xandan female. Port-Master of Refuge Station.

Risa-Klena – Chode female. Divisional security chief on Refuge Station.

Rivnyera

Ranul Three !toc!-Flock-in-Exile – Kralk male. A member of the Flock-in-Exile on the First New World. Assigned to a Rivnyera scout ship, currently assigned as a liaison to the Holy Catholic Church.

Singruld Protectorate

Ochl hu Cuat Baalatladlar – Singruld female. She is a Swarmlady of the Protectorate.

Octl hu Cuat Ifetlimedl – Singruld female. She is a Swarmlady of the Protectorate.

Landiatotl – Singruld male. shud loint hu cuat of the Sadl Ngor Shug, the Wings of Death, Ooklandiedl’s flagship.

Lorahkordre- Jurist of the Singruld Protectorate.

Ocht hu Cuat Mlanipotlad – Singruld male. He is a Swarmlord of the Protectorate and mate to Ooklandiedl. He is in command of one of the entry stations to the Protectorate.

Ocht hu Cuat Nasandlabad – Singruld male. He is a Swarmlord of the Protectorate.

Ochl hu Cuat Ooklandiedl – Singruld female. She is a Swarmlady of the Protectorate and mate to Mlanipotlad. She is in command of one of the entry stations to the Protectorate.

Ocht hu Cuat Pecrumladtal – Singruld male. He is a Swarmlord of the Protectorate.

Shud Loint hu Cuat Sitliniatl – Singruld male, a 1/17th under Mlanipotlad, deceased.

Ochl hu Cuat Sotlapap – Singruld female. She is a Swarmlady of the Protectorate.

Dramatis Speciei

A couple of notes:

This list describes only the species that appear The Theater at Ephesus. This list does not imply that these are the only species in these nations.

The descriptions are brief and do not purport to be complete descriptions of the appearance or biology of any of these species, nor does this list reference racial, ethnic, or cultural differences within species.

Chemosh Empire

Akood – Endothermic oxygen breathing pseudo-avians. They are four-limbed, with two limbs acting as manipulators in a lizard-like configuration. Their wings are long, allowing Akood to soar for long periods. Their long, serpentine tails are prehensile and are used to move on the ground and to perch. They are covered in pseudo-feathers, thinner at the base than Terran feathers and ending in a wider, egg-shaped section. The head resembles a giraffe’s, but their needle-toothed jaws can extend from their mouths. An Akood is about 1.2 to 1.4 meters long with a wingspan of nearly 3 meters.

Bhom – Endothermic oxygen breathing pseudo-mammals. Bhom are bipedal, with a stocky build. Their legs are muscular with knee and ankle joints and end in a three-toed hoof. Their three fingers and thumbs are thick with heavy nails. Bhom heads are long and wide with large ears. Adults have impressive horns with heavy bosses over the top of the head. Both males and females have horns. They have long hair over their entire bodies in various shades of yellow. Bhom are sexually dimorphic in size and build. Males are heavy bodied and stand about 1.8 to 2.0 meters tall. Females are slimmer in build and stand about 1.5 to 1.6 meters tall.

Chemosh – Endothermic oxygen and water breathers. Chemosh resemble a cross between a wolf and a manta ray. Chemosh bodies are manta-like supported by two powerful, wolf-like legs. Chemosh bodies stand horizontally. The head of a Chemosh is wolf-like with gills along the sides. The ends of the wing-fins have fingers, but the primary manipulators are six long tongues. Chemosh stand about 2 to 2.5 meters tall and are nearly 4 meters long.

D'Erb – Endothermic oxygen breathers. D’Erb are four-limbed bipeds. They are covered in a coat of short hair in various shades of forest to pine green. Both legs and arms have two joints. The legs are similar to a dog or cat, though the space from the second knee to the foot is longer, ending in broad circular feet with four nails where toes have nearly disappeared. On the arms, the elbow is backward compared to a human. The upper arm is much longer than would be considered normal on a human, extending past the waist. The arms end in hands with three fingers and a thumb. The thumb is set on the outside of the hand.  They have a long neck ending in a spheroidal head which is bisected by a crest. The mouth is circular, with teeth like rotating gears. The spheroid head has four eyes. A line of thick hair runs from the crest over each eye which then turns into a long, intertwined combination of hair and nerve tissue hanging from each eye. Called aaa;zhr, these strands can sense electrical fields. D’Erb stand about 1.6 to 1.8 meters tall.

Doru – Endothermic oxygen breathing pseudo-mammals They are four-limbed bipeds with plump bodies. Their feet are elephantine in shape and their hands have five fingers, one of which is a thumb. Doru necks are long ending with a long, thin face with large eyes. Doru stand between 1.7 and 2.1 meters tall.

Fradhaa – Endothermic oxygen breathing pseudo-mammals The Fradhaa have a long body shaped like a flattened cylinder. They are eight-limbed hexapods. The head is long and somewhat wolf-like. Fradhaa have four large ears which can swivel in almost any direction. Fradhaa are blind and do not possess even the hint of eyes. Their fur can move and serves as an important part of their communication, even though they cannot see it. A combination of the sound made by the movement as well as shifting electrical fields, which Fradhaa can detect, imparts a great deal of information. Fradhaa stand about 1.5 meters tall and are 3 meters long. Fradhaa partner with a symbiotic species which serve as their eyes as well as performing other functions. The symbiotes are armored, crustacean-like creatures. Their bodies have multiple segments and vaguely resemble a shrimp. It stands on six segmented legs with four smaller manipulators. They have four large eyes and a mouth which can deliver a nasty bite. The symbiote can inflate itself in a threat display. Symbiotes are about 30 cm. long.

Guayk – Endothermic oxygen and water breathing pseudo-amphibians. They have long, sinuous bodies with smooth, soft skin, colors varying widely. The tail ends in a semicircular frill that they use as their main swimming organ. Their heads have two mouths and three eyes. They can walk on four of their fins and the other two are manipulators. A Guayk averages around 1 meter in length.

Iin – Ectothermic oxygen breathing pseudo-cephalipods. They have ovoid bodies with two columnar legs attached near the top of the ovoid. From the bottom grow four tentacular limbs ending in ten fine tentacle-like fingers. Their ovoid heads have three star-like protrusions used to sense scent and mass and two large, black eyes.  An Iin averages around 1.6 to 1.7 meters in height

Nam Patal – Ectothermic oxygen and water breathers.  Nam Patal have a large, oval center mass ringed with eye-spots. The central body is supported by five pinkish-red tentacles. From the top of the disc extend a variable number of tentacles of various sizes. Nam Patal stand between 1.25 and 1.75 meters tall.

Owroonth – Endothermic oxygen breathers. Owroonth have bodies shaped roughly like barbells. They have three arms and three legs. They are able to see a portion of the human visual spectrum, as well as extending into the high ultraviolet frequencies.

Pnar – Endothermic oxygen breathers.  Pnar bodies are oblate spheroids. They have a long S-shaped neck and a long, thin head. They walk on hundreds of short, nub-like growths on their bellies and have four long, boneless manipulator limbs.  Their bodies are covered in soft fur, typically brightly colored. Pnar are between 0.6 to 0.8 meters long and their bodies are 0.5 to 0.7 meters in diameter.

RooWhee Twee – Endothermic oxygen breathers. RooWhee Twee have oval-shaped bodies, flat on the bottom and domed above, somewhat resembling a Terran beetle. They have eight legs, more resembling a Terran chameleon than an insect. They have wing covers like a beetle and four useable wings. Their eyes can focus on both near and far objects with excellent resolution. RooWhee Twee range from 0.7 to 1.3 meters in length and are about 0.3 to 0.5 meters tall.

Vrn Tk – Endothermic oxygen breathers. Vrn Tk are four-limbed bipeds and have a superficial resemblance to Terran pangolins and ground sloths. Their entire bodies are covered in hard, leaf-shaped scales. Hands and feet are clawed, but also have a chamber in the center from which tendrils can extend. The hand tentacles are the main manipulators, and the foot tendrils help anchor the Vrn Tk to the ground. Vrn Tk have a second head on the tip of their tails. This head has fighting tusks almost like axe-blades, as well as armored eyes. They speak primarily, though not exclusively, through the tail-head. Vrn Tk stand 2 to 3 meters tall.

Confederation

Bonzuc Garso – Endothermic pseudo-Ichthyoid. Bonsuc Garso have slim, white to cream, fish-like bodies with a neat, spade-shaped tail. The head appears like a mass of sea-plants; fronds and leaves of green, pink, and grayish blue. The top edge of the body has a deep green line along its length and the bottom edge is pink. Bonzuc Garso range from 2.5 to 3 meters long.

Chode – Endothermic oxygen breathing pseudo-mammals. Chode are arboreal, six-limbed sapients, semi-quadrupedal with armored backs and tails. When in danger they roll into a ball, exposing the armored exterior. Their heads are topped with a mass of spines which are venomous, to different degrees, to most species. They stand about 1 meter tall, and their tails are 1.5 to 2 meters long.

Human – Endothermic oxygen breathing mammals. Humans are four-limbed, upright bipeds.

Ijlklj – Endothermic oxygen breathers. Ijlklj have eight legs and two manipulative limbs, the pedipalps, set vertically above and below the face. They have a triangular, hair-covered body. Four eyes are set along the point of the triangular body, two above and two below. At the point is a vertical mouth with a mandible to each side. The tip of each leg has a mass of needle-like growths which allow an Ijlklj to climb. The needles can be softened or stiffened, depending on need. An Ijlklj stands about a meter tall and is about two meters long.

Kazhiek – Endothermic oxygen breathers. Kazhiek are six-limbed quadrupeds with disk-like bodies, with an exclamation point-shaped upper body where the arms are attached. Kazhiek typically stand about 1 to 1.4 meters tall.

Lepamod – Ectothermic oxygen breathers. Lepamods have long segmented bodies, each of which has four limbs which can act as arms or legs. They have 50 to 200 segments in total depending on the Lepamod’s age (Lepamods add segments as they age).

Manlen – Ectothermic oxygen breathers. Manlen are a fungoid species. The main body is a column supported by a foot similar to a snail’s. Along the top of the column is a ring of ruffled fronds. Hidden within the decorative ridges are narrow tentacles the Manlen uses for manipulation. From the center of the column rise seven to eleven pipes which push sound, allowing the Manlen to speak. Protruding from between the pipes are stalks tipped with sophisticated eyes. Manlen stand 1 to 1.6 meters tall.

Myhrz – Endothermic oxygen breathers. Myhrz are three-sided pyramids in shape with two legs and an arm at each base point. Myhrz are covered in a feather-like coating which can be deliberately manipulated by the Myhrz. They come from a heavy gravity world and are very strong. Myhrz prefer gravity in the 2.0 to 2.58 g range. Myhrz have three sexes, female, male A, and male B. A Myhrz typically stands about 2 meters tall.

Navratil – Plant-like carbon dioxide breathers. Navratil grow from a root system that can remove itself from the ground and crawl. Navratil have numerous leaves and blossoms that are designed for various purposes. Every Navratil hosts a colony of flying insects whose purpose is unknown to other species. They communicate through scent. Navratil typically stand between 1 and 2.4 meters tall.

Odalph – Endothermic oxygen breathers. Odalph are a blended species. The forebody resembles a four-legged spider with an additional four smaller limbs as manipulators. The spider body is connected by a thick column to the hind body which resembles a two-tailed, six-limbed, quadrupedal panther. The arms of the panther body have opposable thumbs and small mouths. The tails are each tipped with a venomous sting. Odalph stand 2.5 to 3.5 meters tall.

Pan Telahn Tok – Endothermic oxygen-breathing pseudo-mammals. Pan Telahn Tok are quadrupeds