Adult Nyoshahl

SENTIENT ALIEN SPECIES CONCEPTS

The images shown above were made using TrueSpace 6.6, Corel Draw 12, Corel Photo-Paint 12, Adobe Photoshop 7, and Universe Image Creator 1.63. Most of the lifeform illustrations are colorinzed versions of line art created by fellow science fiction artists Jeff D. Robb.

There are five sentient alien species I have envisioned to use as lifeforms for Humanity to encounter in my various science fiction universes: the Cybernethi, the D'Jalarons, the Klolodians, the T'lar, and the Ventasians. They are meant as generic non-humanoid species types with each of them serving a specific role in my various science fiction settings. Fellow science fiction artist Jeff D. Robb created his own non-humanoid sentient alien species, the Nyoshahl, as well as contributing to the visualization and physiology of the Cybernethi and the Ventasians. Our intension with these handful of stock intelligent alien races is to show how even a small number of sentient species can vary in size and appearance. Indeed, there is probably a much greater diversity of forms and sizes among sentient species throughout the galaxy than we have begun to imagine. In addition to the non-humanoid species mentioned above, I have one humanoid sentient alien species named the Spoya.

ROLES OF THE SENTIENT ALIEN SPECIES

The T'lar and the D'Jalarons play the role of Humanity's partners in space exploration. They both have star-faring technology with similar abilities to that of Humans in whatever science fiction universe they exist in. The T'lar have a warm relationship with Humanity that developed relatively peacefully while the D'Jalarons have a more stormy relationship that has taken quite a bit struggle to get to the level of peaceful co-existence and mutual aid.

The Nyoshahl and the Klolodians play the role of competitors to Humanity/Humanoids. They both have star-faring technology with similar abilities to that of Humans in whatever science fiction universe they exist in. The majority of Nyoshahl are rather aloof and only act in a confrontational manner when Humans get in their way. A smaller number of Nyoshahl react more aggressively and only a tiny group are willing to cooperate with Humans in joint ventures. The majority of Nyoshahl military action consists of rival groups of Nyoshahl fighting each other. The Klolodians are very territorial and aggressive with an expansionist view of their destiny in the galaxy. They are usually warlike in their dealings with Humans and are the most simplistic of the generic species I use in my science fiction universes.

The Ventasians play the role of mentors of Humanity. They have star-faring technology far more advanced than that of Humans in whatever science fiction universe they exist in. They serve as protectors to those sentient species that have not developed star-faring technology. The Ventasians are sometimes stern but usually wise and helpful guides as Humanity grows in a full member of the community of star-faring sentient species. As one of the oldest sentient species still working with younger ones, the Ventasians are held in awe and respect by most of the other star-faring sentient species in the galaxy.In millennia past, the Ventasians were a proud and arrogant star-faring race, supremely confident in their extensive technological abilities. Unfortunately, a number of their experiments with space-time became horrendous disasters that destroyed not only their own home star system, but those of several others sentient species as well, with a tremendous loss of sentient life.  Deeply shaken by such catastrophes and the responsibility they bore, the Ventasians made profound changes in how they perceived themselves and their role in the galaxy.  They scattered themselves throughout the Milky Way galaxy to serve as traveling teachers promoting peace and goodwill among the galaxy’s numerous technologically advanced sentient species.  They also serve as guardians for sentients species who are as yet incapable of faster-than-light communications or travel, keeping aggressive sentient species with faster-than-light travel from encroaching upon star systems occupied by lesser-developed sentient species.

The Spoya play the role of substitutes for Humanity in my most space-opera inspired fictional settings.

The Cybernethi play the most ambiguous role as sometimes partners but also potential replacements for Humanity. They have star-faring technology only somewhat more advanced than that of Humans in whatever science fiction universe they exist in. The Cybernethi are not an united species. Some groups will work happily and closely with Humans; others remain aloof and only interact with Humans in a crisis situation, and yet others are actively hostile. The Cybernethi claim to be able to transfer human consciousness into artificial bodies much better suited to live and thrive in deep space. It is unknown whether any Humans have taken them up on this offer and if so, if having a Cybernethi body is preferable to remaining fully Human. The Cybernethi present Humanity with the challenge of deciding if such a tranformation is indeed the next stage in human evolution.

PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SENTIENT ALIEN SPECIES

The Cybernethi are sentient robotic life-forms that evolved from sentient sublight-powered space probes sent into deep space by a sentient species that destroyed itself tens of millennia ago.  The Cybernethi have a plethora of sizes and shapes and often physically join together to form gestalt beings; their ability to function both as individuals and as mass-minds is one of the major tensions in Cybernethi psychology.  The lifetime of an individual Cybernethi varies widely.  Some live for only a few years and cease to function after a particular task has been performed, others can live for centuries.  A very few have been known to live for millennia. Cybernethi have developed bodies that roughly mimic those of organic species they are willing to interact with. Such artificial bodies are said to not only have the same physical senses as those of the species they are based on, but also have a variety of other senses that only the Cybernethi enjoy.

The D'Jalarons are sentient, warm-blooded reptilian creatures reminiscent of the Gorn depicted in the original Star Trek TV series in the 1960's. They are also isnpired by the Drak from the science fiction novel Manifest Destiny by Barry B. Longyear.

The Klolodians are sentient three-legged creatures of short stature reminiscent of the Martians depicted in the 1950's science fiction world War of the Worlds.

The Nyoshahl are large (up to 19 meters in length), lithe, four-legged, and bi-winged sentient vertebrates that somewhat resemble dragons of Human legend. The folding wings, smooth skin, and toned musculature of the Nyoshahl give them to ability to perform astounding feats of running, leaping, and flying within the gravity and atmosphere of their home planet. The Nyoshahl have sizable brains accustomed to three-dimensional movement, paired with retractable "arms" within the forelegs for intricate physical manipulation. These features have enabled them to embark upon and maintain a remarkable pace of technological development across their recorded history - a history that began well after that of Humanity.  The Nyoshahl are oxygen-breathers and have an omnivorous diet. They are asexual with most adults able to produce children via an egg-laying process. Nyoshahl body coloration consists of smooth, silvery skin with subtle, individualized streaks and spots. The fibrous areas of a Nyoshahl body, such as wings and feet, range from medium blue to dark gray. The typical lifetime of a Nyoshahl is around 80 years. Some Nyoshahl have their wings removed to extend their lives about ten years and improve their mobility in cramped spaces. Many of these Nyoshahl serve aboard space vessels.

As a larger than average sentient species with a more rapid than usual pace of technological achievement, the Nyoshahl have developed strong feelings of natural superiority. This has led to strained relations between them the two sentient species nearest them in interstellar space, Humans and the T'lar. The Nyoshahl yearn to discover a sentient species physically comparable to themselves, a natural peer they could finally respect. This innate pride of the Nyoshahl exhibits itself in a callous and aloof attitude towards most other sentient species. It has led most Nyoshahl to limit their interactions with other sentient species. Only the most eccentric Nyoshahl will participate in cultural exchange activities with other sentient species.

The Spoya are humanoids with quite similar to Humans with some important differences. Spoya blood is cobalt based instead of iron based, making their blood blue and contributing to their bluish and grayish complexions. Spoya internal organ arrangement is akin to humans with the addition of a second heart. The Spoya have five digits on each limb. Spoya are predominately left handed and slightly taller than humans. Spoya psionic powers are relatively undeveloped and their psychology is almost exactly like Humans. The Spoya have a somewhat smaller variety of skin tones, with bluish hues predominating in the Kruegarian and Wossurian space-nation populations and grayish skin tones predominating in the Nurkhuri and Urel space-nation populations. There is a small minority of Spoya with yellowish skin tones which are equally distributed throughout all four space-nation populations.

The T'lar are sentient carbon-based oxygen breathers. The T'lar are smaller than Humans and have shorter life spans, usually around one hundred years.  They have eight squarish limbs, four arms and four legs.  Each leg has a four-toed foot, with two toes in front, two toes in back; and each arm ends in four fingers.  The upper pair of arms tends to be stronger than the lower pair, but the fingers on the lower pair of arms are capable of more delicate movements than those on the upper arms.  T'lar walk in a kind of galloping motion.  They have two eyes that can see to the side and up, as well as forward.  Breathing gills on either side of the head also contain speech organs; the mouth in the center of the face is used only for feeding.  Two auditory organs with hair-like projections are located on the upper left and right sides of the head.  Their skin colors range from light pink to dark purple.

The T'lar have somewhat more developed psionic powers than Humans, with some telepathic and empathic abilities used on a regular basis, but no telekinetic skills.  The T'lar are bisexual; two T'lar must mate to produce offspring, but either partner can bear and suckle the children.  T'lar are quite gregarious and have a psychology somewhat similar to Humans.  Their emotional reactions resemble those of Humans but the T'lar usually don't exhibit as powerful mood swings.  It has been suggested that their lack of division into separate, strongly defined sexes has been a factor in this greater emotional control than that exhibited by most humans.  The T'lar prefer a climate noticeably colder and drier than that desired by most humans, but T'lar and Humans can work together in the same environment.

The Ventasians are sentient silicon-based life-forms averaging about four meters tall.  Their bodies consist of multi-faceted crystal plates and pillars with electrical charges constantly flowing within them. They have a three-sided core pillar from which a trio of three-sectioned overlapping cape-like plates emanate. These "capes" absorb certain wavelengths of energy radiated by external sources such as sunlight and local chemical processes; this absorbed energy is then used as sustenance. Energy absorbed that is not immediately needed for functioning is stored in battery-like organs in the central body stem.  All body surfaces of a Ventasian are divided into smaller facets, with a variety of bluish and greenish opaque hues that start out pale in youth and grow richer with age over some four and a half centuries, the typical lifespan of a Ventasian. Fine, fingerprint-like individualized etchings can also be seen across the facets.

Ventasians move themselves and objects in their environment using highly developed telekinetic powers. They usually float their bodies near a floor-defining surface but they can also fly further away from a ground plane for a period of time. They move inanimate objects in a similar fashion.  Ventasians use telepathy for private conversation as well as communicating with other sentient beings. They also communicate by illuminating various plate facets on their "capes" in a variety of patterns and can project holograms that float in the space surrounding their heads to express complex ideas. The plates forming the "capes" can also subtly change shape and this is the main form of Ventasian body language. A Ventasian's body constantly emits a musical hum which can be controlled only partially as it reflects a Ventasian's general mood. Each Ventasian's hum is unique. Ventasians have the ability to transfer their consciousnesses for a period of time into artificial bodies for use in environmentally hazardous conditions. They use such artificial constructs instead of spacesuits.

Ventasians adults live in triads and reproduce via a long, arduous process that requires the combined physical and mental efforts of all three and takes years to grow a new Ventasian ready to separate from one of their bodies. While adult Ventasians reproduce voluntarily, they normally find this arduous process ultimately rejuvenating and Ventasians who reproduce usually life longer lives than those who have chosen not to.  Each adult Ventasian in its triad usually takes its turn as the parental body once during its life. A Ventasian adult triad normally produces three children during their collective lives.

Once born, a Ventasian takes from sixty to ninety years to fully mature. The parental triad monitors the child's growth and trains it how to control its visual and auditory forms of communication. The parents also instruct the child in the use of its telepathic and telekinetic powers. This adult family triad usually finishes their education of the child by taking it on a psychic and sometimes even physical multi-year tour of a portion of the galaxy. Once this ritual is complete, the newly matured Ventasian typically leaves the parental triad to make a life for itself, find two other single Ventasians to form a new adult triad with, and eventually initiate a new reproductive cycle.

INSPIRATION FOR THE SENTIENT ALIEN SPECIES

The Cybernethi

1. A cyborg concept presented by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry at a Star Trek convention. It is included as a bonus track on the Inside Star Trek with Gene Roddenberry CD; part of the 20th Anniversary Collectors Edition of the Star Trek: The Motion Picture soundtrack. The cyborg concept given here by Roddenberry was much different and more positive than that of the Borg as seen on Star Trek: The Next Generation and related movies.

2. A cyborg concept presented by science fiction author James White in his final "Sector General" series novel, Double Contact.

3. A race of artificial life forms called "The Consensus of Parts" from the science fiction TV show Andromeda.

The D'Jalarons

1. The look for the D'Jalarons was inspired by the Gorn featured in the episode "Arena" from the original Star Trek TV series from the late 1960's.

2. The psychology for the D'Jalarons is a mix of that of the Gorn and the Klingons from Star Trek.

The Klolodians

1. The look for the Klolodians was inspired by the Martians as depicted in the 1950's science fiction world War of the Worlds.

2. The psychology for the Klolodians is merely the stereotypical "bad guy" alien species found througout science fiction where little, if any, effort is given to provide any meaningful motivations for their "evil" actions.

The Nyoshahl

This sentient species was created by Jeff Robb; I do not know what his inspiration for them was but they remind me of the sentient dragons depicted in Ursula LeGuin's "Earthsea" series of fantasy novels.

The Spoya

1. A humanoid race described in a 1950's or 1960's science fiction novel or short story whose name I have long forgotten.

The T'lar

1. The look for the T'lar was inspired by an unnamed alien race featured in "The Aliens," a bonus feature included in the back of some Magnus Robot Fighter 4000 A.D. comic books from the late 1960's.

2. The psychology for the T'lar is a mix of that used by Ursula LeGuin for the bisexual Gethenians presented in her science fiction novel The Left Hand of Darkness and that used by Alan Dean foster for the insect-like Thranx in his "Humanx Commonwealth" series of science fiction novels.

The Ventasians

1. The look for the Ventasians was originally inspired by some tall crystalline creatures presented in the fantasy film Dark Crystal. Fellow artist Jeff Robb took this concept and developed it in a much more sophisticated way.

2. The psychology for this sentient species is inspired by the numerous super-advanced alien species presented in a number of science fiction novels by Arthur C. Clarke, and the Vorlons as seen in the earlier seasons of J. Michael Straczynski's science fiction TV show, Babylon 5.

SENTIENT ALIEN STARSHIPS

Alien Starships Size Comparison Chart - The starships shown on the image above represent large exploration vessels for the various sentient species that exist in most of my science fiction universes. D'Jalarons and Klolodians each exist only in their own science fiction universes and are thus omitted here. What is considered a large starship by a particular species is strongly linked to their relative size. Regarding the Human starships, I use the arbitrary design rule that any star-faring vessel noticeably larger than 1000 meters long is classified as a traveling star habitat rather than a starship.

Cybernethi Star Wanderer 9Y5 - Cybernethi starships vary widely in size and configuration with no two Cyberenthi vessels being exactly alike. A design element that most Cybernethi ships do have in common is an asymmetrical open framework hull that lacks the life support systems required by most star-faring organic sentient species. Star Wanderer 9Y5 has a star-faring technology somewhat superior to the Human Galactic Explorer Glory of Gladness.

D'Jalaron Starship K'lokal E'Kangok - Go to Miscellaneous Images Gallery 1

Klolodian K-63 Class Battleship- Go to Kruegarian "Gewaltikh" and Klolodian "K-63" Class Battleships Gallery

Nyoshahl Dragonlord 1 Starship - Major exploration vessel used by the Nyoshahl with a roughly equal star-faring technology with the Human Interstellar Explorer Leviathan. This starship design is inspired by one by Jeff D. Robb.

Nyoshahl Dragonlord 7 Starship - Major exploration vessel used by the Nyoshahl with a roughly equal star-faring technology with the Human Galactic Explorer Empyrean. This starship design is based upon one by Jeff D. Robb.

T'lar Star Explorer J'ny'ar - Major exploration vessel used by the T'lar with a roughly equal star-faring technology with the Human Interstellar Explorer Leviathan.

T'lar Hy'atsu Class Star Explorer - Major exploration vessel used by the T'lar with a roughly equal star-faring technology with the Human Deep Space Explorer Inspiration. T'lar technology favored a multi-function approach for ship hulls with an unified grid combining sensors, communication arrays, weapons nodes, and force shell generators. The grid could sustain significant damage and yet continue to perform all its functions. This starship design has two sources of inspiration. One is tropical fish and the other is the large Minbari cruiser from the science fiction TV series Babylon 5.

Ventasian Type 4 Star Guardian - The Ventasians have been star-farers for tens of millennia and are the most technologically advanced sentient species yet encountered by Humans. Their giant vessels are capable of traveling to other galaxies. The Type 4 Star Guardian is a typical large Ventasian starship with its faceted, multi-hull design. It is as much a traveling colony as it is an explorer. It is one of the most powerful starships in Human explored space and has been in use for millenia. Space-time disruptor beams emanate from the upper and lower sensor towers and quantum bulb distributors are located internally in the vicinity of the upper and lower engineering cores. The spikes of the quantum foam absorbers project an energy dampening field that envelopes a target object up to a certain size and drains it of energy. As a last resort, very powerful energy beams emanating from the engineering cores can be shot out at the center-top and center-bottom of the vessel. Also, the ship has the capability of projecting 3D projections up to thousands of kilometers from the vessel. The three main hulls can operate separately and are supplemented by numerous smaller ships and craft of various sizes. This starship design has two sources of inspiration. One is crystals and the other is a Ventasian starship design created by Jeff D. Robb.