Vishkaan

The Vishkaan are sentient saurians hailing from the planet Vishkaa. They are known for their advancements in the fields of biology and chemistry as well as their unique weaponry. They have a long life span, are traditionally vegetarian, and are separated into two races of differing beliefs.

Biology and appearance
The Vishkaan are bipedal reptilians with bilateral bodily symmetry. They are about two meters tall, are scaled, and weigh about 230 lbs on average. They have varying spines/horns, two arms, two digigrade legs, four clawed toes on each foot, five fingers per hand,

Their homeworld of Vishkaa is a perpetually tropical place that only experiences darkness once every two years. This caused them to develop certain extrasensory abilities as a survival trait. They have a forked tongue that allows them to detect chemical changes in the air and the direction of the source. They also has small pit organs along their upper lip that allows them to sense infrared thermal radiation. This compensates for their poor night vision, which is not needed on VIshkaa with its consistent, tropical weather that only experiences darkness once every two years. A Vishkaan's vision does not suffer in the daylight, though it may sometimes be blurred if a source of extreme heat is in within vision. Some males have developed appendages that resemble whiskers, though the evolutionary benefit and cause is unknown.

Vishkaan boast a higher density skeletal system than humanoids, though the bones themselves are thinner. The internal placement of their organs is similar to humanoids, though their major organs are about half the size and double in number. They have two hearts, four kidneys, two livers, and two stomachs. Their hearts are on each side of their chest, but located closer to the spine. A pair of kidneys are located in the waist near the groin and the second pair near the small of the back. Each liver is located just behind each stomach at the bottom of the rib cage.

The Vishkaan are a scientifically advanced race and have made many alterations to their species over their history. They have enhanced their inherent cellular regeneration to the point that almost all biological diseases and viruses are rendered null before any major damage can be done to the body. Rarely will one get sick for more than a day, though rare cases have occurred when abnormally strong strains of an illness infect a Vishkaan.

This cellular enhancement can also be used to mend severed limbs or accelerate the healing of minor wounds. For example, if a finger is cut off of a Vishkaan, they can take the dismembered part and realign it on their hand. Then, upon properly dressing the laceration and ensuring the wound is not disturbed, in just days the dressings can be removed to reveal that the finger is reconnected to the hand and usable. It is important to note, however, that alignment must be precise for this to occur. If an arm were to be severed at the bicep, careful attention must be given to ensure that all arteries, veins, and essential components are placed properly. An improper realignment can result in disfigurement, loss of use, and a possible need for amputation and realignment.

The two main sciences of Vishkaa are biology and chemistry. Two subsects of Vishkaan formed via division according to their preferred field of study. As a result of this division, they have developed differences. The Vishkaan that preferred the study of biology, called Etiologens, modified their cellular makeup with a fluorescent protein native to their homeworld. They linked this additional protein to their inventions, making it so that inventions respond only to the Vishkaan with the proper genetic makeup assigned to it. On Vishkaa there is very minimal true darkness, so the biologists on Vishkaa don't show strong signs of fluorescence, other than during the occasional eclipse every two years. On other planets, this is a different matter; the proteins in their bodies react to the stark lack of light on Tellus in comparison to Vishkaa, so they began to glow brighter and almost consistently. Those that preferred chemistry, called Chymista, have not changed in appearance other than the occasional off-colored splotching as a result of their research. At one point, all Vishkaanians looked the same as the chemistry-based Chymista Vishkaan.

Life cycle
Vishkaan are a sexually reproduced species, requiring either heterogenous reproduction or the combination of genetic material through Etiologen technology. While developing in their mother's womb, the growing fetus is encased in a purse-like egg case. The case is used for the sake of protection and nutrients. After a gestation period of approximately seven months, Vishkaan females give birth to live young and can produce one or, less commonly, multiple offspring at a time. Multiple offspring usually ends up in the death of the female, so having more than one child at a time is highly discouraged among their culture, though it can occur naturally. Childbirth itself is a painful and sometimes traumatizing process for both mother and child that can take anywhere from two hours to twelve. Vishkaan culture is generally against using advanced technology during childbirth. Most Vishkaan believe the introduction of new life should be kept pure, so as to not influence the child towards either Chymista or Etiologen ways.

Elderly Vishkaan have severely decreased cellular regeneration compared to an adolescent. This can cause several signs of aging, such as brittle or chipped spines/horns, dulling of scale color or fluorescence, and a loss of thermal sight. They have an average lifespan of 520-550 years. Elderly Vishkaan may experience a decline in many cognitive processes, such as frequently losing track of time, misidentifying organisms or places, and momentarily forgetting about their own identity or state. Individuals past the age of 520 are considered old, and most Vishkaan die around 530 years of age without the aid of rejuvenation procedures.

Society and culture
The Vishkaan are a proud race that will always favor their own kind over another. The most important things in Vishkaan society are biology and chemistry, and they are comparable to a religion for the Vishkaan. All planetary social structure is based off chosen fields of study. Each field recognizes the necessity of other fields, such as arithmetic, psychology, and literature, but it is generally accepted that the fields of biology or chemistry are the superior two. With time, the two fields became segregated, as did those who studied them.

The primary language of the Vishkaan is Intergalactic Common. The Vishkaa enjoyed its practical terminology and the descriptive words modern Common introduced to their research. The Vishkaan do not write creatively, nor do they find language artistic; they view language as a thing to communicate desires and knowledge.

Vishkaan do not find dyes naturally on their planet, and most every chemical or biological agent that could be used in that way has already been designated a different purpose. It's rare that a Vishkaan has enough materials to both pursue research and create cosmetic items, like dye. As a result, the Vishkaan use dyed cloth to represent social status. The more individual colors a single Vishkaan has, the more socially renowned he is. Any more than five colors worn are considered the markings of an influential and wealthy Vishkaan. On other colorful planets, Vishkaan are quite jealous of the vast color scheme, and many will trade technology or knowledge for dyes.

Vishkaan families are segregated by social class and field of study. For example, an Etiologen with five dye bands is able to start his own family and lead up to two families of lesser social status in research. He is led by an Etiologen of higher rank. In all other aspects, the family settings of Vishkaans are similar to those of other patriarchal societies.

The transition from childhood to adulthood is a rather fluid and closely regulated thing in Vishkaan cultures. Vishkaanians consider the learning of their chosen study to be the final test of adulthood. When a Vishkaan is versed in the teachings of his chosen study, he is tested by mentors. If he is able to appease his mentors, he is accepted as an adult and allowed to pursue his own personal studies.

Weaponry
The most notable differences between races are in their weaponry. Most Vishkaan name their weapons individually because they are considered a very personal aspect of each individual and their scientific accomplishments. The Etiologens created weapons that responded to their personal genetic makeup while the Chymista focused on plasma energy and chemical lasers. A typical Etiologen weapon is linked and responsive to the user's tissue or a bodily fluid of some kind. Once activated with the proper sample, it can produce effects ranging from localized accelerated cellular degeneration to mass paralysis. The weapons typically rely on physical contact for these effects to take hold, and most Etiologens are seen wearing thick armored plating over the locations of their internal organs.

A typical Chymista weapon is powered by a plasma pack, with charges capable of large bursts of energy and do not drain unless used. These power supplies are inserted into large, heavy, cannon-like weapons that hold certain chemical combinations. Once the energy from the plasma interacts with the chemicals inside the weapon, it produces a high-frequency beam of particles able to sear flesh and scale. The downside to this cannon-like weapon is that most combat models can only produce 2-3 of these beams before the plasma cartridge needs to be switched or charged and the cannon needs to be primed. Chymista are fond of lighter armor that allow them to focus on carrying the weight of the weapons they design, and some suits of armor are filled with plasma or chemicals for consistent power supply to the cannons.

Avatar creation

 * Modifiable mesh base avatar for the Etiologen
 * Modifiable mesh base avatar for the Chymista
 * Modifiable mesh standard clothing for male and female Vishkaan
 * Animated forked tongue

As always, as long as it fits the basic idea and looks good, it can be used. These are just suggestions from species creator Tanmirferox Resident.