The Aliens

Table of Contents

The Aliens are a terrifying species that humans have encountered during their space travel and whose genes they have used to create the genetically modified babies. Contrary to what humans think, the Aliens are an intelligent species, and they are finally coming around to free their captured brothers and sisters and to discover the baby experiments...
Who are the Aliens?

Biology

The Aliens have two forms: the battle form they are known for and a form that looks eerily similar to humans.

Monster form

Scales
Their battle form is reptilian. They are covered in protective scales, with bigger and thicker scales on the back to protect the spine and head.
Mouth
They have long deadly teeth turned towards the inside of the mouth to trap prey in, and fangs that can inject a paralytic venom. Their lower jaw can disconnect to open their mouth wider, but this also allows both jaws to move independently to drag prey against the teeth towards the inside of the mouth.
Claws
They have hands with four or five fingers depending on individuals, and feet with four toes. Each finger and toe ends in a long sharp claw that is used to render prey. They also have a tail that is covered in thick scales but end in a sharp spike that can kill.
General characteristics
The Aliens can move extremely fast. they have a good vision in the dark and are also sensitive to vibrations and can use both sense to track prey.
When under duress, their organism can enter an hibernation mode that allows them to survive without food, water and even oxygen for an indeterminate amount of time.

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Human form

The Aliens' true form looks similar to humans. This is probably due to convergent evolution, but it's also possible that either the Aliens or another species interfered with their or human evolution to make us look more similar to each other than would have occurred naturally.

Special power

Psy gland

The change in forms between monster and human-like is possible thanks to a special gland they have in their neck. This gland produces a special type of energy called psy energy that the Aliens can use to shapeshift.
The psy gland also stores psy energy. This reserve is finite, and when it is empty it then takes a few hours to replenish.

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Psy powers

Shapeshifting: The psy energy is diffused in the body to shape shift (usually limited at once or twice per day max depending on the size of the reserve).

Mental connection: Psy energy can also be sent only to the brain, where it can be used to establish mental connections between different individuals.

Senses: Psy energy is constantly used passively to extend the senses and "vigilance" (sense of danger).

Healing is also passively enhanced to extend lifespan and reduce infections, but it's also further punctually enhanced when someone is injured or sick. In that case, it consumes all of the energy reserve.

Psy devices: Raw psy energy can also be manifested and directed by tools such as a forearm shield carrier, a knife or sword, a rope maker...

Raw energy: Without tools, raw psy energy can be manifested as a pulse of energy that throw away people from you or give energy burn to things or people you touch.

Culture

The global ranking

Alien society is ruled by a hierarchy that is determine by a point system and a global ranking system that covers their entire species.
How to gain points
Constant events and challenges are organised for individuals to earn points and progress in the ranking. Those challenges can be anything, from duels and agility trials to knowledge exams or speed challenge in solving puzzles. They are designed to allow people to show off a wide range of skills and natural talents—e.g., fighting, quick-thinking, memory, adaptation, singing, painting...
There are different challenge types and discipline theme, with different categories and levels to progress through as an individuals age and gain skills.
Challenge criteria
Each challenge has to follow an official design and classifications, to have certified judges and to be recorded and watchable online.
A lot of those competitions are organised through the education system or official tournaments. People can also spontaneously held a public vote when someone does something incredible—and is recorded doing so—to give them exceptional points for this. Some competitions take this into consideration and let the public vote to given bonus points to participants depending on how well they fare.

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Politics

The Aliens rule over the planet they originate from, and they also have colonies on other planets of their galaxy. They are divided into clans that work like countries, each clan being ruled by a king. All kings have to answer to an emperor ruling over their entire confederation. This emperor has limited power but can settle international dispute and set interplanetary and interspecies politics—and it is a very prestigious position.
King and emperor candidates are both determined by their place in the global ranking. They are then pitted against each other in a series of competitions that are broadcasted throughout the Alien empire. The winners of the final duel get the title, and all losers need to submit to them or be executed.

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Technology

Alien technology is more advanced than humans' tech, and they can create portals in which their spaceships can travel to quickly reach their galaxy, allowing them to effectively travel faster than light. However, humans have yet to discover the existence of those portals.
What humans covet is the different types personal psy devices all Aliens wear and that can be activated or rely on psy energy—e.g. a personal shield carried on the forearm that can block bullets, psy blades...

Naming conventions

The choice

In Alien society, parents choose names with important meaning for their child based on virtues/qualities they want their child to embodies or bring into the world. This is either done directly through a clear name (e.g. "Noble") or through symbolism with a name coming from the natural world (e.g. Lily).

Importance

Names are important in Alien society, influencing how people perceive each other. For politicians especially, names ae the basis of their public persona and what they are going to bring to the people they rule over, thus determining who is willing to support them.

Examples

Girls' names

Stones: Amber, Agathe, Diamond, Jade, Jewel, Indigo, Lapis, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire.
Plants: Aspen, Camélia, Capucine, Clémentine, Cerise, Daphné, Dioana (carnivorous plants), Fern, Fleur, Garance, Ginger, Hazel, Heather, Holly, Hyacinthe, Ivy, Iris, Laurence (Laurier), Lila, Lily, Myrtille, Perry (pear tree), Poppy, Primrose, Rose, Sylvia/Sylvia, Violet/Violette.
Animals: Anémone, Delphine, Fawn, Lark.
Natural world: Alyzée, Astra, Aube, Aurore/Aurora, Automne, Céleste, Electra, Etoile, Estelle, Luna, Lux, Marine/Marina, Ondine, Pearl/Perle/Perla, Rain, Sky, Starlit (favoured by the stars), Stella, Storm, Summer, Tempest.
Things for your child: Belle, Destiny, Dream, Esmée, Gloria, Grace, Honor, Joy, Noble, Patience, Prudence, Rebel, Savvy.
Things your child will bring: Joy, Melody, Rue (regret), Hope, Jinx, Justice, Temperance, Serenity, Verity.

Boys' names

Nature: Ash, Basil, Bear, Béryl, Blaze, Bronze, Buck, Cedar, Clay, Cyprus, Dune, Glen, Griffin, Flint, Florian, Forest, Gui, Lark, Laurent (Laurier), Léo, Lilian, Marlin, Moss, Narcisse, Olivier, Onyx, Pierre, River, Steel, Sylvain/Sylvestre, Wren.
Things for your child: Able, Ace, Aimé, Archer, August, Chase, Clement, Constant, Désiré, Earnest, Frank, Lucky, Maverick, Modest, Noble, Prosper, Rowdy, Titan.
Things your child will bring: Blade, Canon, Carver, Concord, Deacon (=messenger, ie diplomat), Hunter, Joy, Legend, Link, Pierce, Valor, Victor, Zenit.

Important traditions

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