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Gorhn
Summary
The Gorhn are a race of intelligent reptiles not
unlike the Reptilliads of Venus. Because they developed on a world with
stronger gravity than Earth they are tremendously strong. Their
thick-scaled hides can endure harsh environments up to and including
cold vacuum. Gorhn tend to be slow and somewhat sluggish in their
bodily motion but when motivated short burst of speed or energetic
effort have been witnessed. Gorhn have a more developed sense of smell
and hearing in comparison to humans. The Gorhn have not revealed much
about their culture or organization. What is known is that the Gorhn
are very territorialistic and defend their terrain with calculated and
violent military actions. The Gorhn possess Ætherflight capability but
much of their technology is still a mystery to Ætherfleet.
Detail
Origins:
It is known that the Gorhn developed in an environment where the
gravity is significantly higher than planetary normal. It is surmised
that their native atmospheric pressure fluctuated from very thin to
oppressively thick leading some scientists to conjecture that they may
have evolved somewhere beneath the vaporous seas of the gas giants. The
prevailing theory numbers the Gorhn among the descendants of the star
faring forerunner races that was stranded in the solar system upon the
Promethean cataclysm. The Gorhn themselves have not added any answers
to the debate.
Physiology:
Gorhn have many reptilian characteristics similar to the reptilliads of
Venus but it is surmised that the two species are not directly related.
The Gorhn diet consists almost exclusively of living flesh. Their
methods of carniculture produce several types of amphibians, snake
sized worms, shapeless leech creatures and something resembling koala
bears which they have been observed eating. When mingling among other
races they have been known to eat rats, birds, cats, dogs, humanoid
prisoners or even their own dead.
The hide of a Gorhn is incredibly tough and resilient. The outer layer
consists of tough scale like plates and the inner dermis consists of a
resilient integument resembling rhino hide. Gorhn hide is semi
resilient to Blaiser and interrupter fire. Their muscle tissue is rated
at 8 times the strength of human muscle for the same mass. The average
Gorhn can easily lift 1,000 pounds in a 1 G environment.
The Gorhn circulatory system includes a decentralized series of hearts
located in their fore limbs pumping their bodily fluids throughout
their body’s. Their main heart is located just under their throat
protected under the shell like sternum bone of their upper thorax. An
interior set of lungs are closer in function to to gills that are
bathed in a mucous of gas exchanging enzymes. Gorhn also conduct
respiration along their sinus cavities and at certain portions of their
skin. The pre-battle stretching of Gorhn warriors super saturates their
blood with oxygen.
Gorhn eye-sight seems to operate in fewer of the visible spectrums and
is relatively short ranged. They are however very proficient at
detecting even minute motion at medium ranges. Their olfactory sense is
very acute and can detect the presence of humanoids for miles if up
wind. Their keen sense of smell is also used to track enemy or prey.
Gorhn hearing is very perceptive at high pitches and low pitches but
seems to be somewhat dull within the midrange.
Gorhn reproduce sexually after what can only be conjectured as a mass
mating frenzy/orgy/battle where male Gorhn fight for supremacy and
attempt mating simultaneously. The brood mothers then enter an egg
laying period where hundreds of eggs are produced. A Gorhn hatchling
has a tough life as the adult Gorhn do nothing to aide their post natal
survival. Before reaching sexual maturity many of the hatchlings may
starve or be killed by adult Gorhn.
Language
The Gorhn verbal language, if it can be called so, consists of internal
squeaks, pings and clicks as well as voiceless hissing and breathing
patterns. The internal phonemes are created by chords located in a
pouch underneath the Gorhn’s mandible joint and are not included within
the throat like the human vocal chords. Like there hearing range much
of their phonics exists in the high and low band of sounds audible to
humans. Their low frequency noises carry a very long distance and can
be heard by other Gorhn miles away depending on the atmosphere. Their
high pitched sounds have the ability to carry through solids and are
easily heard by other Gorhns through walls and vehicles.
Gorhn written language resembles cuneiform script because the
characters are cut into solid materials with the points of their claws.
Gorhnic script is very difficult to decipher even with the help of an
analysis engine because there are no breaks in between individual words
of their language. Supposedly Gorhn language uses such well known
formula within its structure that most sentences form a template with
only the defining words differing.
A translating program is available to translate spoken Gorhn to English but it has been known to be only semi- reliable.
Some Gorhn have learned to ape enough English phonemes to be able to
speak in English but they do so in a hissing and whispering technique
completely devoid of percussives and no distinguishable differences
between most vowel sounds.
Society and Social Order:
Not much is known regarding Gorhn culture or organization but what is
known seems very appropriate to their behavior. Rank in Gorhn society
and/or military is determined by supremacy of strength, wit and
endurance. Only the strong survive and only the strongest rule. Natural
groups are formed within their society based on yet undetermined
genetic trait. These groups form hierarchies based on dominance and
supremacy. These groups have pre-programmed affection and/or enmity
toward other groups. Ships or military units will not include members
from groups hostile to one another.
Some Gorhn that are deposed by a stronger leader and do not die in the
coup may escape as outcasts. Several of these outcasts have adopted
work or positions outside Gorhn influence. Some have become pirates,
mercenaries, or even merchants.
Costume:
Since the hide of a Gorhn is sufficient to endure even extreme
environments it is assumed that their costume has more to do with
identification of status or perhaps modesty. Many Gorhn have been
observed wearing only loin cloths and/or belts for carrying equipment
but most wear a sort of tunic made from some type of leather or hide.
Gorhn are not shy about explaining the origin of their attire and it is
known that the hide of sentient creatures is a favorite as it is
relatively supple and comfortable compared with animal hide. Martian
and Vulkan hide is particularly coveted for its durability and lithe
feel.
In combat Gorhn sometimes wear a form of chain mail mesh that is
interlaced with cells of ablative gels to absorb heat based attacks.
Many also don multi-vision goggles that include bristly crests.
Although a Gorhn can survive for a short time in the vacuum of the
æther they do use pressure suits while working outside their ships.
These suits have a very crustacean look to them being almost entirely
enclosed in articulating metal plates. The color of the suits is a dark
blue with green dapple spots. These suits usually incorporate a variety
of maneuvering thrusters to navigate in zero gravity.
Ætherfaring Mechanology:
Gorhn Æther craft have a very limited number of designs. Their
smallest interplanetary craft include a frontal rounded dish section
that resembles a turtle shell. The aft section resembles a segmented
ovoid with nacelles above and below. Their midsized vessels have front
and aft turtle shell sections connected by a narrow section with side
pods that seem to house power systems. The largest Gorhn ships have an
elongated aft section and may include a pointed nose projecting from
the forward section.
All Gorhn ships include a number of defensive batteries that fire
needle shaped, self propelled ordinance. Gorhn æther missiles come in
a variety of types including;
- Thermolectric explosives, which are the most common.
These explode on impact and convert their mass to both thermal and
electrical energy. This is in contrast to blaisers that are limited to
thermal conversion.
- Directed thermoid piercing charges, which are the next
most common category of missile. These contain a warhead that directs
all of its thermal fury into a penetrating jet that can bore through
multiple decks and bulkheads causing catastrophic loss of atmospheric
integrity and internal damage.
- Hyper-expansive coniod Coils, are rare and deadly. Upon
impact, super compressed coils of linear crystanium are loosed inside
the hull. The spirals burst forth like coils of barbed wire mutilating
any obstructing mater. Such charges can block gangways, obstruct
pneumo-tube access, penetrate vital conduits, rip apart or arrest
mechanical mechanisms and short out electrical circuits.
Fully operational soliton fields are sufficient to protect a
ship against the later warheads but as the thermoelectric missiles
reduce shield integrity the chance of one of the more deadly warheads
penetrating increases.
Gorhn batteries come in two flavors. Small turrets that fire single
missiles and large turrets that fire large numbers of missiles
simultaneously. The Gorhn don’t seem to use any sorts of beam weapons
or field based weaponry.
Gorhn use a combination of propulsion techniques in a configuration
that seems non-sequitur to the Ukp Engineering division. Examinations
of wrecked craft indicate a helical torsion drive similar to Endurian
models suspended in a sub-ætheric field similar to UKP ships. The
engines are powered by a Dilythium Coal reduction Furnace that is
constructed in a linear turbine configuration that does not take
advantage of the reaction residuum. All but the small vessels include
multiple power generators.
Their ships Performance is similar to Æther Fleet standards for
cruising speeds but lack fine tactical maneuvering agility. Gorhn
employ soliton fields like most æther ships but they also rely on
densely layered hull armor of a thickness that seems excessive. Even
after shield failure it may require extended bombardment before the
hull can be breached. It is likely that continuous salvos will cook the
hull’s occupants prior to breeching the hull.
Military Tactics:
Gorhn Ship to ship combat tends to be more defensive in nature due to
their inherent characteristics. Gorhn ships either tenaciously pursue
enemy ships or guard a specific defensive locality firing on any target
of opportunity. Their ability to withstand damage is most often the key
to their strategies but in isolated incidents the Gorhn have proven
that they possess cunning tricks and employ shrewd strategic devices.
Gorhn planetary forces are comprised mostly of infantry with some slow
moving armored vehicles carrying a variety of Weapons. Their use of
subterrain personnel carriers is more advanced than any other race as
the British learned on Venus in 1981. Entire regiments can be
transported in these vehicles to pop up behind the lines and inflict
horrendous damage to reserves and support infrastructure while their
infantry pound the front lines.
Gorhn soldiers carry a carbine sized weapon which is similar to
blaisers that also inflicts electrical damage sufficient to detonate
veridigen power cells. Officers carry pistols and baton that can
project a disruptive field in close quarters. Gorhn use several
different types of grenades and mortar like weapons which deliver
photonic charges. The Gorhn have a penchant for using smoke or
prismatic ærosols to conceal their troop movements and decrease the
effectiveness of other weapons.
In close combat Gorhn use triangular crystal blades that range from
dagger size to about the length of a short sword. Their sharpness is
only secondary to their indefatigable strength. These blades can be
hammered right into hull plating without chipping or breaking.
While their blades are dangerous their best attack in close quarters is
their bite. Many an enemy has been killed due to their ignorance that
this species will use its maw in combat to maim or grip an enemy
combatant. The crushing strength of their jaws and the durability of
their teeth are extraordinary having the ability to penetrate even
æther marine combat armor. A trick learned in combat with the Gorhn is
that all of the strength of their jaw is involved in its crushing bite
and the musculature that opens the maw is almost non existent.
Therefore even the strength of a human hand is sufficient to keep a
Gorhn’s mouth closed.
Besides their mouth a Gorhn will also use its legs in close combat.
They do not kick with them like most humanoids but use them instead to
stomp their opponents feet or to rake their opponents lower abdomen
with their claws.
Due to the Gorhn’s ferocity in close combat and their resistance to
most close combat weapons and techniques employed by UKP military units
it is recommended that they not be engaged in hand to hand combat but
rather kept at a minimum range necessary to use rifles and side arms.
Economy:
Most Gorhn ships are fitted with skimming rigs for collecting
subsurface gasses from the gas giants like Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and
there are reports of Neptune. They also deal in certain heavy rare
elements, the source of which are yet undisclosed. Trade in these
commodities as well as other common merchandise is the basis of their
economic infrastructure. One Gorhn ship was apprehended for dealing in
slaves but UKP interstellar law at the time was not clear about the
distinction between slaves and live food so the charges were later
dropped.
The location of the Gorhn central capital is unknown if one exists at
all. Their government organization seems balkanized to the level of a
ship or base but a location for æther craft construction or the
locality where the brood mothers travel from is a highly guarded secret
that may never be uncovered. |
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