Quilok

If nature had set out to chart a path to sentience that did not require the development of empathy, altruism, or pity; whatever it produced would likely be a saint compared to the Quilok. Large crustaceans like creatures native to the reefs and tide pools of Greater Quek'li, the Quilok have had a space-faring civilization for almost two millennia though for thousands of years before that they were already dominating and manipulating the creatures of their home planet to serve their needs. For the Quilok there are not different types of knowledge but instead all study of biology, philosophy, psychology, and economics is merely a quest to understand the Laws of Survival. These laws, which range from philosophical platitudes to techniques of genetic manipulation, form the basis of Quilok society and nearly all of the technology they use, from computer to star-ships to weapons, are living beings bred and genetically manipulated to serve the Quilok's ends.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Body Plan

Though individual Quilok may significantly modify their bodies (or have their bodies altered during development) to suit various tasks their original body plan remains fairly standard. The females of the species are 2-3 meters long with bodies comprised of three sets of multiple segments each surounded by a hard, chitinous carapace. They possess eight limbs, the lower six are the largest and are primarily used for locomotion, the uppermost limbs are a pair of fine manipulators near their head with three fingers each derived from appendages used to clean the creatures eye stalks, and between these a pair of specialized arms that remain tucked into the body, not visible unless in use. These hidden arms are very different from each other and either could be on the right of left side of the body, one is a large calcified clubbing arm used to stun and shatter prey or other enemies and the second is a short-barbed arm that the Quilok primarily use as a natural utensil to aid in feeding.

Males

Quilok exhibit a significant degree of sexual dimorphism. The males are non-sentient, typically less then half a meter in length, and their eyes are largely vestigial.Since their eyes are only able to detect the presence of light the male Quilok relys largely on their antennae to navigate their world. For much of the males life their top two pairs of arms are not used and are held out of sight close to their body, this coupled with their large anntenae gives them the appearance of oversized cockroaches.

Genetics and Reproduction

Quilok reproduce sexually using parabiotic reproduction. The male Quilok burrows between the plates of the females carapace and attaches itself to the female using it's top two pair of arms. The male then releases an enzyme that fuses it to the female, allowing the male to contin

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

A Quilok normally posses two eyes that sit on stalks above its head. Their vision is largely superior to that of humans espcially when is comes to seeing motion and color, as they can preceive much faster movement then humans and a much broader spectrum of colors. However they cannot see as far as humans and, as their eyes can move independently, frequently lack depth perception. The Quilok also possess antennae on either side of their heads which serve as the home of their olfactory sense.

Civilization and Culture

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Quilok have countless client species they have recruited into their service or developed from scratch. However, only a handful of these are recognizable as independent sentient species. These are as follows.

Ti'Yuk

Likely native to the Quillok capital world of Jerando, no records exist of the Ti'Yuk before they where servants of the Quilok. Ti'Yuk are fish similar to the of primordial Earth like those ancient fish Ti'Yuk have both an internal and external skeleton, a trait that makes them hard to kill as well as able to survive in nutrient poor areas for an extended time as they can use the stored minerals in their external bone. Ti'Yuk possess strong dexterous fins, allowing them to move on land as well as use most weapons. The Quilok capitalize on the Ti'Yuk's loyalty and durability, employing them as body guards, infantry, and enforcers for more troublesome aliens.

Shaloo

The Shaloo are a peaceful species of amphibians who

Barrg

Scientific Name

The Quilok share many characteristics with Earth's malacostracan crustaceans espcially those of the order Stomatopoda commonly known as mantis shrimp