Yoru Shakou
Well-Known Member
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xenoanthropological Case Study: Voluminians
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image credit: Endless Space
Trio of Voluminians, Two males and one female.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voluminians at a Glance
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name: Voluminians
Designation: Sentient
Homeworld: Volumis
Homeworld Location: Galactic Companion Aurek - "Rishi Maze"
Language: Volumi
Average height of adults: 1.2192 meters
Skin color: Matte Grey
Hair color: No Hair
Breathes: Type I Atmosphere
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In-depth Biological Study
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strengths:
- Highly Intelligent
- Poison and Toxin resistance
- Limited telepathic abilities
- Limited resistance to radiation
Weaknesses:
- Frail figure
- Avian like hollow skeletal structure
- Feeble Warriors
- Light Sensitivity
Distinctions:
- Matte Grey Skin
- Large black, lidless eyes
- Slender figure
- Sensory organ flaps over mouth
- Various skull structure including ridges and tribal makeup unique to an individual and their family
Average Lifespan: 100 - 200 Standard Years
Races: No distinct cultural races
Estimated Population: 7 - 10 Billion
Diet:
The Voluminians evolved from a herbivorous species. The structure of their jaws is unique, in that they resemble two flat, hard plates that are used to grind the otherwise hard and fibrous flora of their homeworld. This means that the species lacks formal teeth like other herbivorous species. Additionally, their digestive system resembles more of an avian than ungulate. Some individuals are even known to practice the use of gastroliths to further aid in their digestion.
However, the species has in the last few centuries shifted away from the conventional meal; finding that it consumes important time that could otherwise be spent on technological discovery and achievements. Due to this shifting opinion, the Voluminians have developed a form of sustenance that resembles small cubes of various colors. These cubes are designed to provide an individual of the species the needed daily nutritional intake.
Many of the native flora that the Voluminians had evolved to digest are highly toxin to some species. While the species have frail figures, they are surprisingly hardy and have developed a tolerance to many poisons and toxins, taking up to three times a normal dose to cause a noticeable effect or even death.
Communication:
While the Voluminians are capable of speech, though having difficult with many languages other their own native Volumi. Much of their communication is achieved through their mild telepathic ability, often using it to emphasis an idea, thought or feeling by sharing it with another Voluminian. This unique telepathic ability has its limited uses and while easily used with another Voluminian, it appears to have less of an effect on other species, possibly due to the differing structure of other species brains.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cultural and Behavioral Analysis
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Culture:
Voluminian Culture is focused on knowledge, discovery, study, learning, philosophy and exploring. They look at the galaxy as a vast puzzle whose secrets are worth revealing and solving. Much of what they have accomplished is focused on these endeavors. While these do garner the most focus, their culture also values the workers that allow such endeavors to continue. Builders, artisans, farmers and law makers each have their own places of honor in Voluminian society and culture.
Little else is seen as wasteful other than war, which they view as being forced upon the galaxy by the more violent and aggressive species. While they will defend themselves, much of their culture is focused upon and built through diplomacy and mutual cooperation with other species.
Technology level:
The Voluminians have developed a highly advanced society, whose technology is on par with many species in the galaxy, while also being advanced in comparison to other known species. They are capable of producing vessels that are hyperspace capable, as well as having access to advanced medical technologies including cloning.
General behavior:
Voluminians are Docile by nature, preferring to come to an agreement or an end with words and diplomacy rather than resorting to violence. This extends even to their view on the concept of war, seeing it as a momentary distraction from their work that is forced upon them by the more aggressive species of the Galaxy. They go out of their way to prevent any kind of conflict and even have gone so far as to develop defensive capabilities rather than military weapons. When conflict can not be entire avoided, the Voluminians turn to others to fight for them, using technology and allies to defend themselves.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historical Account and Known Voluminians in the Galaxy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
History:
The Voluminians evolved on Volumis over countless millenia ago. Their homeworld, which orbits around a Blue Star, was bathed in radiation, causing the rapid development and mutations seen through ages of evolution. Somehow the species managed to survive to sentience, using their wits and technology to defend themselves from the natural predatory fauna. Over the emerging years from their simple bands of migratory hunter gathers, they began to domesticate the predatory fauna. This would eventually lead to the extinction of predatory fauna on Volumis.
Much of the species history is marked by diplomatic relations and peaceful overtures to their neighbors. This peace has only broken into war a handful of times, each of which the Voluminians claimed victory through their superior defensive capabilities and their many alliances with varying neighboring species that were used as a mercenary front due to the Voluminians frail forms and their focus on the pursuit of knowledge. At one point in their history the species even contemplated the use of war droids, though this would lead to what became known as the Carver War, in which they lost an entire colonial world to these droids; after which point the Voluminians placed a quarantine to prevent other species from access to the now desolate and poisoned world.
Following their ever grow need for knowledge, study and learning, the Voluminians have deployed numerous scientific vessels to explore their own backyard in the Rishi Maze, as well as the other companion galaxies to the primary Galactic Disk. These vessels have even begun to make appearances in the Outer Rim Territories, though any contact with the species themselves or from them with others has been very limited.
Notable Player-Characters: None at this moment
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Xenoanthropological Case Study
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intent: Provide the site with a unique species whose origins are within the little known and vastly mysterious Rishi Maze, a rather underdeveloped companion galaxy to the main galactic disk. Additionally, by placing the species homeworld within the Rishi Maze, it aids in reducing the cluttering effect of multiple custom worlds on the already rapidly filling Galactic Map on the site.