Space Faring Species
Humans
Level 4 Intelligence
Most popular nicknames amongst other species is "Ape", "Monkey" which is an insult or "Fanged Ape" (the only known species that exposes its teeth as a greeting) or "Rabbit" or other species equivalent of the Terran rabbit.
Has a wide range of magical abilities. From zero to some of the individually more powerful magical beings in the currently known Galaxy. Interestingly and which is still a source of considerable research, is that the percentage of humans showing magical ability is still increasing. Both Witches and the fewer Wizards are far more common in this time than in the sister's time. And the percentage is still slowly but steadily increasing.
Life spans have advanced due to technological, genetic, medical and magical interventions. Predicted life spans in excess of 250 Terran (T) years are now possible. Maybe even longer.
The human race is now rapidly expanding throughout a large area of space into a wide range of habitats such as space stations, orbital habitats, asteroid cities, terra formed worlds and joining other species on already inhabited worlds. Due to their good adaptability and high reproductive rate (the reason for their "Rabbit" nickname) the number of humans has been expanding reasonably quickly, more so than most (but not all) other species. Still massively outnumbered by other far older species. Even if their high reproductive rate is maintained, (unlikely) it will be more than a few tens of thousands of years before they match the number of individuals of the Erasions or Si-Si. And even seriously longer before they match the numbers of the Tydic. While there are a few other species with far higher reproductive rates, these species also experience extremely high casualty rates due to demonic and or environmental factors.
Non human species encountered by the Halliwell family during their visit to the future.
Tydic
Description
Level 5 Intelligence. One of the three known level 5 intelligent species in the Federation.
(note: there are no known Level 6 or higher intelligent species. Persistent but unsubstantiated rumors however say otherwise). None of the three Level 5 species will comment at least in public or on record.
Not surprisingly, they were given the nickname of "Rocks" or "Boulders". Very rarely used to their faces (actually they don't have one) due to their impressive appearance, intelligence and magical ability.
The most powerful of the Galaxies known magical species and one of the three Federation's founder species and its core leadership. Basically immortal except for accidents, death in battle, suicide or a time induced gradual degradation of their "circuits". A sort of dementia that takes hundreds of years to kill (shut down !) but is easily treatable if the Tydic co-operates.
The other level 5 species are the Erasions and Hido-pera-Ospon-da (don't ask).
All right, someone asked. For a start, no one is completely sure if the Hido-pera-Ospon-da actually exist entirely in our dimension or time zone. They change shape constantly, yet are easily recognised by members of their own race, and somehow by the Tydic. Their buildings, ships and other constructions don't have doors, windows or any apparent openings. And it's often difficult to tell the difference as their constructions seem to have multiple functions. Sometimes they finish conversations before you get to start it. Things get really weird after that. Different individuals can move through local time in different directions (including sideways!) which gets really interesting when this is happening to individuals in the same room. Imagine what any conversion would be like. Communication is only possible with the Tydic and or when using computers. Other species including Humans find it incredibly painful to communicate with them as any direct conversation causes increasingly severe mental and physical disruption. Since the Hido-pera-Ospon-da apparently also experience similar problems, any communication and even contact is extremely rare.
The Tydic resemble rocks which is not surprising given thats basically what they are. If you could call a rock for what is basically one incredibly large computer computer. Almost immortal and they reproduce extremely slowly. Sizes range from the size of a small car, with the known oldest the size of a three story building. They reproduce by many Tydic's getting together in a special mineral rich 'pool' who then create another 'baby' Tydic by building it literally atom by atom using their Telekinesis. The same process is used by individual Tydic to increase their size and add additional abilities. An extremely slow process. Powerfully computer type minds that are truly intelligent. They are the core of all Federation ships computing section as groups of them can network together. These Tydic networks can calculate the jump data faster than any other non AI computer systems or networks. This allows successful faster than light warp jumps with greater accuracy and speed.
They evolved on and prefer to colonise heavy metal rich moons surrounding large gas giants. These moons tend to have a hydrogen / methane based atmosphere and a very low temperature (several hundred degree's below zero). This allows for the the most optimum computing power of their brains. As a result the standard human oxygen/nitrogen mix and above zero temperature based environment is highly toxic and an unprotected exposure kills their outer layers within a very short time. Prolonged exposure is lethal.
They are another of the forty seven magical species who were able to advance their technology to the level required to achieve first interplanetary space travel within their solar system and then interstellar travel. This they achieved over sixty seven million Terran years ago.
Each is a powerful telekinetic which allows them to move around and manipulate objects. Each Tydic also has at least one other power although individuals with four or more powers are extremely rare.
Most have no interest in combating demons, with only a small percentage joining the Federation in a combat role. However because they have settled hundreds of thousands of moons, asteroids and 'small' rocky planets, that small percentage means hundreds of millions of individuals are prepared to fight.
Erasion
Description:
Highly intelligent (level 5). The third of the three level 5 intelligent species.
They have no magical ability. Life spans in excess of 300 T years are common.
Human nick name: "Mantis" given to them by the first humans who met them in Mankind's first alien contact. While humans had spread across the solar system, they had not been able to venture beyond the Oort cloud. Four large slow unmanned `interstellar probes had been launched and it would take hundreds of years before they would return. So the arrival of three massive Erasion starships resulted in considerable panic followed by curiosity and anticipation when it was realised that they were not hostile.
A Erasion does resemble in part a Praying Mantis. Only one four meters long, standing two meters high at the abdomen with all six legs touching the ground. Rearing up they can reach over 3 metres. They have six legs and 2 arms. The first four legs are designed purely for support and movement, extending from the abdomen. Two more extend from the bottom of a short thorax, capable of heavy lifting and depending on the situation they can also be used for locomotion and or climbing. Only in a very limited manner can they be used for tool using. Each of the four legs and two proto-arms end in four strong, razor sharp retractable claws.
The two arms extend from the top of the thorax. These are purely arms that end in four fingered "hands" and are capable of fine tool control. Each hand like the "feet" attached to the legs and the proto-arms is edged in razor sharp skin with the consistency of hardened carbon steel edged with diamond.
The head resembles a large half squashed ball. Two large eyes on each side of their head give almost complete all around and above vision. Six smaller eyes, evenly spread around the upper part of the head giving additional vision and allow perfect distance determination. Four organs that double as both ears and noses, again are evenly spaced around the head. A small but powerful circular mouth armed with pointed teeth is located on the upper front of the thorax. Their skin is a modified carbon fibre based natural armour being both hard and flexible and patterned in a bewildering pattern of colours, unique to each individual. Their skin is unbelievably tough, being extremely resistant to edged, kinetic or energy based (think fireballs, light darts and lasers) weapons.
They are both extremely strong and extremely dangerous, being natural warriors. The most deadliest fighters in the Federation by a massive margin. Being able to compartmentalise damage allows them to fight on after receiving wounds that would have incapacitated or killed most other species. They can easily regenerate missing limbs and if medical help is quickly available, regenerate their heads as their primary brains are safely located in their heavily protected thorax's. While capable of using a wide variety of highly lethal weapons, they have a cultural bias against them. Only direct threats to their children, other specie's children or their Queens will result in the use of such weapons. However their natural personal weapons make them extremely lethal all by themselves. Particularly in magical battles as the vast majority of demons are both immune too and refuse to use modern weapons.
They along with the other two level 5 intelligent species are primarily responsible for the bulk of Federation technology. The females are the warriors as evolution designed them to protect their species' offspring. Short lived breeding females (Queens) produce large numbers of eggs rapidly from a variety of male partners however only a few females become Queens. The males are smaller and only somewhat less dangerous. They make up the bulk of their species scientists, tech personal and workers.
History
Like most planets, their home world was and still is, heavily infested with demonic beings.
Despite having no magical ability, their strength and fighting ability has allowed them to resist their resident demon populations continual efforts to dominate them. They are one of only six non magical species who were able to advance their technology to the level required to achieve first interplanetary space travel within their solar system and then interstellar travel.
One of the three founding members of the Federation.
Furan
Human nick name: "Ewoks", which they resemble almost totally.
Level 4 intelligence (like humans).
They have no magical ability.
Short life spans (average 55 T years but this is slowly improving).
Relatively slow moving and not very good fighters. However not lacking in courage and will rarely run from a fight. Their life spans are still increasing as medical and technical knowledge about them increases. Somewhat lower reproductive rates than humans (see the comments on their dating).
History.
Some two hundred years (Terran time), their planet and species was freed from a particularly nasty group of demonic species that had inslaved them for thousands of years. Treated as nothing more than a work and food source, their lives had been even by galactic standards, especially grim.
Freed by a combined Federation task force and still heavily protected by a large combined task-force. They regard their rescue species with total respect and demand to serve in the Federation.
They have two sex's like most species but it is impossible for anyone (including Furans) to visually tell the difference. Given their very restrictive sexual mores, Furan dating is primarily designed to very carefully find out what sex their partner actually is. A constant source of amusement for other species especially humans.
Si-Si
Level 4 Intelligence
Highly variable life spans (from 30 to 220 T years).
Human nick name: "Lills" (short for Lizards looking ill).
They followed closely behind the Erasions to also make "First Contact". Fortunately the Erasion's had also already warned Humanity so they were expected. Fortunately because their resemblance to known Terran demon clans could have easily resulted in them being fired on at first sight.
Named by the first human who made first contact. She was a solo Ort cloud miner who was somewhat mentally unhinged due to prolonged isolation. The reason for the "looking ill" part of their nickname was never known for certain either by the miner or anyone else. No-one could ever work it out but the name stuck. Very low average level magical ability however rare individuals can wield one or two powers to a moderate degree.
Best described as lizard like but they come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, colours and 17 known 'sexes'. The production of fertile eggs requires at least the active co operation of between 6 to 12 of these Sex's. They have driven quite a few Genetic specialists from a variety of different species (including their own) into mental breakdowns when they tried to sort out their genetics. The most popular theory "guesses" that they are actually several different similar species who have been interbreeding for thousands of years. But no one can agree on how many species, must less the Si-Si who should know.
Individuals tend to gravitate into certain professions based on their shape, size etc.
Ort's
Level 3 (barely) Intelligence (but improving).
Short life spans (less than 10-15 T years) but genetic modification has shown potential for improvement.
Beings that resemble insect / mammal hybrids. Called Orts by the discovering Si-Si. They have so many nick names so its not worth taking the time to mention them. Not that they can say their name as they have no vocal apparatus and have only recently gained the ability to hear a limited sound range due to genetic engineering. They have 60 long tentacle type legs, equally spread along either side of their body which they use for communication as well as locomotion. Their adult body itself is over 5 yards long and resembles a thick but flattened sausage. They can rear up more than half their body (either end) into the air which they do to communicate using precise leg movements. They have no front or back as their sense organs, nervous system including their brains, sensory, reproductive and digestive systems are equally spaced over or inside their entire body. They also have no personal sense of upwards, being perfectly happy which ever part of their body is upright. Their digestive system also works in either direction (yuk). Egg layers (sort of).
They are the same shape when born / hatched, only very small. They grow in size and length until reaching their full size of just over 5 yards in length. About 3 feet wide and 2 feet high. Their skin is a brown and fur covered. Basically soft and squishy. Individuals tentacles can reach downwards for movement or turn upwards to hold objects. The basic standard one G gravity field on the Tau Kei is considerably less than their home world. While their own sections in the ship have an enhanced Gravity field (1.87G) the same as their home world, they like other species much prefer the lower standard Gravity field of the ship. It means that they can use over half of their tentacles to carry objects while the other tentacles are used for locomotion.
Their bodies are easily damaged as they have no internal or external skeletons. All movements are controlled by hydraulic systems powered by multiple "hearts". This does give them an unparalleled flexibility. Additional hearts pump fluids around an open circulatory system. But this makes them incredibly vulnerable to physical damage as cuts can bleed them out as they have only a limited clotting mechanism. Attempts to provide body armour have basically been a complete failure as they see no reason to wear such uncomfortable "clothing". When in danger they are capable of both very rapid movement and evasive manoeuvres.
Rescued from their planet by the Tydic and Si-Si task force, thousands of years prior to this story. Their world was facing destruction by a wandering black hole and a task force intervened to prevent their extinction. One of only a very few known federation species whose world had no demonic presence. That it was destroyed by a wandering black hole has always been regarded as somewhat suspicious. There is evidence that it changed course some time before impact. However there is no other evidence so it could be coincidence. Yeah right.
Initially used as a labour force, however this changed when the Si-Si forced the Tydic to develop genetic engineering techniques. This took a while as while the Tydic have massive computing ability, they had never seen any reason to understand how other species DNA or equivalents worked. Still they are taking longer to make improvements than other species, in particular the SI-Si and Humans would expect. Again persistent rumours imply that there is a reason but the Tydic will not comment. Now the Orts are being slowly but surely genetically uplifted into full intelligence. Improvements to their body structure is also being experimented on. Also planned is the gift of magic however this has so far been a total failure.
Used as a low level labour force throughout the Federation as they are quite happy to do any job. Give their flexibility, they can clean, do basic repairs, garden as well as hundreds of other jobs that are too complicated for robots and too unpleasant or boring for more intelligent species. Not a slave force but there is considerable unhappiness from many species about how they are used. They have no combat role and when any battle starts, promptly retreat too heavily protected panic rooms.
These are the only alien species that the Halliwell family will meet, although there are over three hundred other space faring and or high tech Federation species scattered across the galaxy. Thousands more are still trapped on planets under varying degrees of environmental and or demonic threats. Most can not comfortably exist on the Tau Kei due to gravitation, environmental and social factors. Others have no interest in leaving their planet due to social mores, religious, environmental or physical factors.
Language.
For the purpose of making life easier (mine and yours), all verbal communication has been translated into English. English despite it being one of the main languages used world wide on Terra, it is about the 2nd hardest to learn. And local / country variants make this even more difficult. For example, some Scottish programs have been subtitled before been shown in America. And I presume this happens in the other direction as well. This gets worst in the future as languages continue to drift apart.
Well if this is a problem for humans, just consider what it might be like for aliens.
Aliens who might use a sound range completely outside human hearing. Or might not even use sound too communicate.
There are several Galactic languages that assist in communication, especially used by computers.
Universal translator's can be used but are not always effective, especially where an exact translation was extremely important. Imagine trying to translate visual limb movements (say over 20 tentacles, all moving at the same time in a precise swift way) into a sound, colour or telepathic based communication. Then reverse the procedure. So magical translation spells are one of the main social tasks for magic users. This is one of the primary reasons that despite environmental differences, most star ships are crewed by language compatible species. Even then, magical translation spells are regarded as the main bread and butter non combat related spell for most of the less powerful magic users, who ever the species.
