K'larr'gk

Average Size:    1.9 metres tall

Average Mass:    180 kg

Average Lifespan:    250 years

Reproduction:    Lithodithic 

Body Temperature:    58 C

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE AND STRUCTURE

A K'larr'gk stands slightly taller than a human and has the same number of limbs as humans. However, all similarities end there. The K'larr'gk are silicate based creatures. They have two wings that are capable of allowing them to fly short distances (unlike the Yazirians who can only glide). Their most alien feature are the eyes that are set deep in appendages that protude from its head. 

The K'larr'gk also have two fingers and an opposable thumb for each hand. Two claws form at the end of each feet. K'larr'gk are lithovores - they survive on rocks/minerals - in fact, they must consume up to a quarter of their weight per day to sustain themselves. K'larr'gk have no need for water.

The K'larr'gk has a skin texture similar to that of coarse limestone but most awe-inspiring of all, other than the pinkish hue of its skin, is its continual ability to "burn" at an uncomfortable (ambient) temperature of 58 deg Celcius. Wispy flames continue to lick at K'larr'gk and thus it is no surprise that they have no need for fashion of the Frontier. (And also no surprise that all other Frontier races prefer to keep their distance).

The K'larr'gk race has three sexes and they reproduce by a process that loosely translates to "Melding". Any three different sexual types can "meld" to produce an offspring for each parent. The sex of the offspring is random which ensures the survival of the race. Frontier races tend to refer to them as he/she/it. 

SENSES

The K'larr'gk are highly sensitive to water and the cold (see disadvantages). And they see more of the infra-red spectrum than humans (see Infravision Ability). Their other senses are comparable to that of humans. 

SPEECH

K'larr'gk speech sound like grating rocks and can be quite loud and annoying to their uninitiated. They have problems pronouncing any words with the "u" vowel.

SOCIETY AND CUSTOMS

The K'larr'gk come from the volcano-ravaged planet  of K'ragg. K'ragg 'ar is the green star system housing their home planet and it straddles between Fonn, Lantrey, and Krasepe. 

K'larr'gk are peaceful and religious creatures. Many believe in a divine presence they acknowledge as P'rakgh-D'rokh'krag or loosely translated as "Benevolent Heat-Giving Essence". 

The K'larr'gk evolved quickly and were able to erect magnificent shrines that are built near volcanic craters. Their expertise in architecture allowed them to build huge and complex cities that criss-crossed the planet of K'ragg.

A K'larr'gk may survive on normal rock, however, they relish precious metal (gold, silver, etc.) as it seems to make them enter an intoxicated state.

Most K'larr'gk partake in "The Ascension" where a courting trio take a pilgrimage (every decade or so) up to a shrine (normally located near a crater of bubbling lava) and perform in an intricate ritual called the "Melding". 

Very few Frontier races have seen a "Melding", but those who have say it is a heart-rending sight. The trio literally embrace themselves, the ground begins to rumble and shiver as the trio appear to merge into an amorphous mass of colloidal rock before breaking apart gracefully into six different beings after about an hour. The young ones are easily recognized by their smaller stature and off-white texture (similar to chalk). Each parent immediately takes a K'rigl, or translated as "spurt", and cares for he/she/it for about six months.

ATTITUDES

If not for a Frontier expedition, the K'larr'gk would have suffered from the problem of population explosion. The I'grarh (it) sex were the most intelligent of the race and they found it easy to help the entire race in their transition to that of a higher technology. 

Most K'larr'gk love the adventure of space travel and learnt as much as they could from the Frontier. They absolutely revere artificial architecture and natural formations and are continually awed by the vastness and uniqueness of each planet they come across in their travels.