Post by LordWarlock on Feb 4, 2004 12:27:09 GMT -5
*Bows*
At the suggestion of CELS, I have registered here in order to contribute to the Anargo Sector Project. Kudos to Kage for starting it!
Anyways, here we go: the Zchirnians (this is a revised version of the "essay" I posted on Portent, btw).
Zchirnians
Biological Overview
The Zchirnians (named after Rogue Trader Emanuel Zchirn, who first encountered a member of the species in M38) are nocturnal, humanoid creatures possessing five limbs (two leg-like appendages used for locomotive effect, two multi-purpose arm-limbs that end in three-fingered claws, with one acting as an opposable thumb) and a long tail. A typical male Zchirnian stands just over six and a half feet tall and is slightly broader than a standard human. Until recently, other biological details concerning the breed was unknown; the Zchirnians covered themselves in armour-like carapaces made of a chitin-like material (termed Nocturnium by the Adeptus Mechanicus) that absorbed 98.7% of the light directed at them, leaving them resistant to light-based weaponry (such as photon flash grenades and to a certain degree las-weapons) and frighteningly invisible in dim to lightless environments. It is theorized that Zchirnian males are natural, lone predators that kill by stalking their target, and it is known that they are extremely stealthy, making little or no noise and possessing no obvious scents while they themselves have exceptional senses of smell and sight.
However, the capture and dissection of two Zchirnian males by Inquisitor Eberon Vossh of the Ordo Xenos in 992.M41 finally shed light on the Zchirnian race. The males are possessed of rough black skin that produces a light-absorbing, scentless fluid with oily consistency. They seem to naturally breathe an air consisting mostly of methane and therefore their faceless helmets include advanced rebreather variants and life-support systems. Their faces are triangular and insect-like, consisting of two large, bulbous eyes, large nostrils and a small fanged mouth. From the dissection of their vocal cords and brains Inquisitor Vossh’s xenobiologists theorised that a Zchirnian is extremely intelligent and might be taught Imperial Gothic and would speak it with but a slight hissing accent, as was proven a few years later.
No female or hemaphrodites Zchirnians (see below) have as yet been encountered.
Sosiological Overview
As previously noted, Zchirnians have been observed as lone predators, and this is also the traditional view on these creatures. However, Inquisitor Vossh’s continued investigations into this alien species revealed that all captured Zchirnians were of the same gender. The successful interrogation of a captured Zchirnian (referring to himself as a “Rrrrithsssicccch”, or “Hunter”) in 997.M41 revealed that there are three genders of Zchirnians; males, females and hemaphrodites. The Hunter informed Vossh that Zchirnian males (or Hunters) are cast out from their homes at an early age, to prove their worth before returning to mate with their females (this tradition is similar to several non-sentient species, including the Terran Elephant, extinct since M04, though exactly what task a male must perform was not stated). Zchirnian females run all the administrative sections of the complex Zchirnian society, while the third gender, the hemaphrodites, are regarded as holy rulers ("combining the strong mind of a female with the strength of a male" - mostly a spiritual/theological importance [priest caste?]). The Hunter referred to these hemaphrodites as “White Ones”, leading Vossh to believe they might be albino creatures. Details of the female-run society, or indeed of any Zchirnian worlds or their location, are as yet unknown (it is theorised that the Zchirnian Homeworld is located somewhere on the fringes of the Anargo Sector).
Technological Overview
The Zchirnians seem to possess a very high level of technology, as evidenced by the armour worn by the Hunters. In addition to advanced cloaking and life-support systems, captured Hunters have been equipped with Nocturnium mono-filament blades and extremely effective carbines utilising ionized beams that wreak havoc on an adversary’s neural system, killing the prey without destroying the body. How the Zchirnians practise interstellar travel is unknown; the captured Hunter refused to discuss what it called the “Vvvvccchirrrr”, or “Divine Art”. Travel via the Eldar Webway was considered, but dismissed (Inquisitor Vossh deemed it unlikely that the Eldar would tolerate any but themselves intruding on these grounds).
Imperial Threat Rating
Zchirnians comprehend humans, and all other sentient races, as edible material. Though the race is not an organised threat, a group of humans faced with even a lone Zchirnian should be prepared for imminent combat. One Zchirnian Hunter is a formidable opponent, vastly outmatching a standard Guardsmen and able to equal an Imperial Storm Trooper in ballistic capabilities and a augmented Servitor in hand-to-hand combat.
Conclusion
I feel I must suggest that the Zchirnians undergo a full Ordo Xenos investigation. The Hunters are obviously violent and highly dangerous individuals, not adressing the mystery of their undiscovered interstellar transportation (travel via the Eldar Webway has been theorised and dismissed). Should the Zchirnian race get expansionist ideas, I dare not consider what would happen. They must be purged... and soon.
In Servitude,
Xenobiologist Guznn Haerlad
At the suggestion of CELS, I have registered here in order to contribute to the Anargo Sector Project. Kudos to Kage for starting it!
Anyways, here we go: the Zchirnians (this is a revised version of the "essay" I posted on Portent, btw).
Zchirnians
Biological Overview
The Zchirnians (named after Rogue Trader Emanuel Zchirn, who first encountered a member of the species in M38) are nocturnal, humanoid creatures possessing five limbs (two leg-like appendages used for locomotive effect, two multi-purpose arm-limbs that end in three-fingered claws, with one acting as an opposable thumb) and a long tail. A typical male Zchirnian stands just over six and a half feet tall and is slightly broader than a standard human. Until recently, other biological details concerning the breed was unknown; the Zchirnians covered themselves in armour-like carapaces made of a chitin-like material (termed Nocturnium by the Adeptus Mechanicus) that absorbed 98.7% of the light directed at them, leaving them resistant to light-based weaponry (such as photon flash grenades and to a certain degree las-weapons) and frighteningly invisible in dim to lightless environments. It is theorized that Zchirnian males are natural, lone predators that kill by stalking their target, and it is known that they are extremely stealthy, making little or no noise and possessing no obvious scents while they themselves have exceptional senses of smell and sight.
However, the capture and dissection of two Zchirnian males by Inquisitor Eberon Vossh of the Ordo Xenos in 992.M41 finally shed light on the Zchirnian race. The males are possessed of rough black skin that produces a light-absorbing, scentless fluid with oily consistency. They seem to naturally breathe an air consisting mostly of methane and therefore their faceless helmets include advanced rebreather variants and life-support systems. Their faces are triangular and insect-like, consisting of two large, bulbous eyes, large nostrils and a small fanged mouth. From the dissection of their vocal cords and brains Inquisitor Vossh’s xenobiologists theorised that a Zchirnian is extremely intelligent and might be taught Imperial Gothic and would speak it with but a slight hissing accent, as was proven a few years later.
No female or hemaphrodites Zchirnians (see below) have as yet been encountered.
Sosiological Overview
As previously noted, Zchirnians have been observed as lone predators, and this is also the traditional view on these creatures. However, Inquisitor Vossh’s continued investigations into this alien species revealed that all captured Zchirnians were of the same gender. The successful interrogation of a captured Zchirnian (referring to himself as a “Rrrrithsssicccch”, or “Hunter”) in 997.M41 revealed that there are three genders of Zchirnians; males, females and hemaphrodites. The Hunter informed Vossh that Zchirnian males (or Hunters) are cast out from their homes at an early age, to prove their worth before returning to mate with their females (this tradition is similar to several non-sentient species, including the Terran Elephant, extinct since M04, though exactly what task a male must perform was not stated). Zchirnian females run all the administrative sections of the complex Zchirnian society, while the third gender, the hemaphrodites, are regarded as holy rulers ("combining the strong mind of a female with the strength of a male" - mostly a spiritual/theological importance [priest caste?]). The Hunter referred to these hemaphrodites as “White Ones”, leading Vossh to believe they might be albino creatures. Details of the female-run society, or indeed of any Zchirnian worlds or their location, are as yet unknown (it is theorised that the Zchirnian Homeworld is located somewhere on the fringes of the Anargo Sector).
Technological Overview
The Zchirnians seem to possess a very high level of technology, as evidenced by the armour worn by the Hunters. In addition to advanced cloaking and life-support systems, captured Hunters have been equipped with Nocturnium mono-filament blades and extremely effective carbines utilising ionized beams that wreak havoc on an adversary’s neural system, killing the prey without destroying the body. How the Zchirnians practise interstellar travel is unknown; the captured Hunter refused to discuss what it called the “Vvvvccchirrrr”, or “Divine Art”. Travel via the Eldar Webway was considered, but dismissed (Inquisitor Vossh deemed it unlikely that the Eldar would tolerate any but themselves intruding on these grounds).
Imperial Threat Rating
Zchirnians comprehend humans, and all other sentient races, as edible material. Though the race is not an organised threat, a group of humans faced with even a lone Zchirnian should be prepared for imminent combat. One Zchirnian Hunter is a formidable opponent, vastly outmatching a standard Guardsmen and able to equal an Imperial Storm Trooper in ballistic capabilities and a augmented Servitor in hand-to-hand combat.
Conclusion
I feel I must suggest that the Zchirnians undergo a full Ordo Xenos investigation. The Hunters are obviously violent and highly dangerous individuals, not adressing the mystery of their undiscovered interstellar transportation (travel via the Eldar Webway has been theorised and dismissed). Should the Zchirnian race get expansionist ideas, I dare not consider what would happen. They must be purged... and soon.
In Servitude,
Xenobiologist Guznn Haerlad
