Inspired by an original concept by Fred Graves
Description
Nalorgian colony beings are not individual organisms, so much as the symbiotic fusion of four different species. They stand about 1.5 Meters high, and most of the component organisms live on average about 20 years, although the combined symbiotic organism can live substantially longer as new organisms replace those that die. Their "feet", and the ends of their "fingers" are suction-cup like organs that allow the Nalorgian to hold onto things. Nalorgians are omnivorous.
The symbiotic nature of their anatomy gives Nalorgians the distinct trait of being modular. If one of the constituent organisms dies, it can be replaced by another of the same gender and species.
Nalorgians are native to the planet Artanis 4, but have spread throughout the galaxy. Nalorgians lived at a level of technological development similar to the Victorian period when they were conquered by the Empire of 1,000,000 Suns. Many Nalorgians later joined with Ool-Tyr pirates, and together they formed the Nomad Armies, the fiercest and most dreaded enemies of the E1MS.
Anatomy
The body section, and the head section of the Nalorgian are the female, and the male members, respectively, of a semi-aquatic species, and live in a mated pair until one or both die. This species includes some different subspecies that give certain populations of Nalorgians distinct body plans.
The arm sections are from an aquatic, fish-like species, and they also live in mated pairs, which takes place through the mediation of the body section. The left arm is always male, and the right is always female.
The leg sections are a third, fish-like species that also live in mated pairs, joined by the body section. The left leg is always female, and the right is always male.
Finally, Nalorgia is a microbe that lives in special organs found in the three other species, and acts as a central nervous system, coordinating the others.
Life Cycle
The component organisms of a Nalorgian are all either aquatic, or semi-aquatic, and they start their lives in shallow ponds, like those that cover much of the surface of Artanis 4, their home-world. These ponds are teeming with the Nalorgia microorganism that permeates the others.
As they mature, the head and the body mate first. Then they are joined in the water by the arms, and finally the legs join the symbiosis, and the fully formed Nalorgian stands up, and wades out of the pond.
Adult Nalorgians spend the majority of their time on land, although they can live comfortably in the water as well. From time to time, adult Nalorgians seek out a pond to lay the eggs of the three bodily species, and to release some of the Nalorgia. If one of the component organisms dies, the remaining portion of the Nalorgian, (if viable), will seek out a breeding pond in order to find a new, compatible mate.
Related Life-forms
The Grand Nalaxian was a sentient complex of spawning pools that served as planetary governor, and created the Nalaxian Code.
Subspecies
The Climber is adapted to rough, mountainous terrain.
