ETS Overview: Appi Uha

Hello, those who may be reading this now. (smile) These are one of my Extra-Terrestrial Sophonts from my iUniverse project. Enjoy. (smile again)

ETS Overview: Appi Uha

Among the most common and widespread species in the cosmos, the Appi Uha are as vibrant and enthusiastic now as they were 22 million years ago at their First Contact. Watched over by many Ultras (of their own and other species) this race has successfully allied and integrated itself with many other diverse sophonts, whether those sophonts like it or not…

Appi Uha evolved on the moon of Guim, which orbits the gas giant, Fethill Ga. Their world is quite interesting in its unique chemistry. The moon, Guim, is a carbon-rich world with oceans of liquid carbon monoxide under pressure. The metabolisms of more advanced creatures on the moon are aided by symbiotic bacteria which naturally use CO as a nutrient. These bacteria form a relationship with their hosts similar to mitochondria in Earth biology. The Appi Uha are endothermic beings with ten pairs of ring-like hearts. This active circulatory system constantly stimulates the symbiotic bacteria in their bloodstream, giving Appi Uha glowing, bioluminescent blood. They can breathe both air and CO through a series of gill-slits on their undersides. Their brains are a series of chain-like ganglia running along their ventral sides, accumulating in the head. Appi Uha possess retractable eyes on either side of the head, ringed by radiation sensors. The constantly waving membranes on either side of the mouth can detect odors, as well as perceive light as sound (a perception method called hemming). They communicate by rapidly changing the shape of their facial membranes as well as a diverse series of dances.

With their four pairs of ray fins, Appi Uha can both swim through the CO seas, and fly in the dense skies of their home. Their 30 pairs of legs all end in a sucker foot with four retractable tentacles in each. Appi Uha are boneless, their bodies supported by an origami-like maze of cartilage. Their bodies are also naturally more regenerative, and they can regrow damaged or severed limbs, rays, or senses with ease. This sophisticated healing, combined with their extremely flexible bodies, and been enhanced in modern Appi Uha to often astonishing degrees. As they spread and travel throughout the universe, auto-manipulation of their bodies allows them to adapt to virtually any environment.

Appi Uha are a highly social species with most societies being built upon a cast system of designation. This system is derived from the fact that Appi Uha possess 42 genders. Those genders able to become pregnant carry the single child to full physical maturity, while sharing their minds as the unborn copulates with its parent from within the womb. After birth, young often take shelter within a special “brood crop” within the parent’s mouth. Sexuality is very complex, with each gender being able to copulate with at least several other genders. Their sexual relations and gender roles are the main focus of their thinking. Appi Uha can perceive several definitions of what Humans would call “love” and modern cultures favor this emotion above all others. They are extremely passionate, lucid, and playful as a race and ultimately focus on being happy in doing all things. Virtually all things are apt to be a source of sexual pleasure to an Appi Uha. Everything is a fetish to them, even the most seemingly mundane of things, including the art of “Sisix”, a form of meditation in which one simply wills their body to have an orgasm. Correspondingly, their sense of humor has been described by various members of various species as anything from charming, to hilarious, to inspirational, to annoying, to disturbing.

Games are very important to Appi Uha cultures, and can be quite extreme by less-adapted species, given their highly developed healing and bodily flexibility. Some of the more notable games include: “Knotter Maze” in which contestants tie themselves and each other into knots while having sex, the tightest being the winner; “It’s Raining Legs!”, a family game where members cut off their legs from high above and those below go through obstacles to catch them to eat; “Gut Race” in which contenders slither down each others’ digestive tracts, the first to exit declared the winner. These games, like most other aspects in Appi Uha societies, performed with distinct roles of each gender in mind.

Appi Uha, among other species, are usually very encouraging and helpful (even if seen as strange and perverted by others). Civilized Cosmic individuals do their best to keep moral up for others around them and most species are grateful for their playful spirits. The Appi Uhas’ collective goal seems to be to teach other, less happy races that no matter how advanced or ancient one gets, one must never stop having fun!