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Description

The A!Tol* are a species of sapients that are the founders of the A!Tol Imperium. They are descendants of creatures which had followed broadly similar developmental lines to that of Terran celpholopods which had comparatively recently made the transition from sea to land. As such they prefer wetter climates than humans. They have twenty appendages, each of which has a basic internal skeletal system, which includes four pillar like legs and sixteen manipulator tentacles in four clusters of four. Like many species of Terrestrial Celepholopds, the A!Tol are able to change their skin pigmentation through Chromatophores, though control of this process is subconcious and based on their emotional state. This means that, among other things, A!Tol wear their emotions on their sleeves and (at least when face to face) are functionally incapable of lying. With few exceptions, they are unable to knowingly say something they believe to be untrue without giving away that the have attempted deception.

The Average A!Tol stands between 1.5 and 2.5 meters tall and masses between 150 to 300 kilograms, with females being noticeably larger. This has resulted in a female dominated society even as they emerged as an interstellar power. This has been ofset by some degree due to the nature of A!Tol reproduction. After copulating with a male, zygotes will develop in an A'Tol female in small vacuoles around her body, growing until the infants within her complete their incubation and eat their way out. The process is terminal. As their medical technology developed, the A'Tol worked out methods to surgically extract zygotes and carry them to term externally. Never the less, female A!Tol will eventually develop a psychological compulsion to mate towards the end of their lives. Only a few can resist the impulse in the long term.

*The ! represents a sharp beak snap. For humans this is usually rendered as a guttural stop.

The A!Tol are from the Duchy of Terra series of novels. These are the property of Glynn Stewart.

Description

The A!Tol* are a species of sapients that are the founders of the A!Tol Imperium. They are descendants of creatures which had followed broadly similar developmental lines to that of Terran celpholopods which had comparatively recently made the transition from sea to land. As such they prefer wetter climates than humans. They have twenty appendages, each of which has a basic internal skeletal system, which includes four pillar like legs and sixteen manipulator tentacles in four clusters of four. Like many species of Terrestrial Celepholopds, the A!Tol are able to change their skin pigmentation through Chromatophores, though control of this process is subconcious and based on their emotional state. This means that, among other things, A!Tol wear their emotions on their sleeves and (at least when face to face) are functionally incapable of lying. With few exceptions, they are unable to knowingly say something they believe to be untrue without giving away that the have attempted deception.

The Average A!Tol stands between 1.5 and 2.5 meters tall and masses between 150 to 300 kilograms, with females being noticeably larger. This has resulted in a female dominated society even as they emerged as an interstellar power. This has been ofset by some degree due to the nature of A!Tol reproduction. After copulating with a male, zygotes will develop in an A'Tol female in small vacuoles around her body, growing until the infants within her complete their incubation and eat their way out. The process is terminal. As their medical technology developed, the A'Tol worked out methods to surgically extract zygotes and carry them to term externally. Never the less, female A!Tol will eventually develop a psychological compulsion to mate towards the end of their lives. Only a few can resist the impulse in the long term.

*The ! represents a sharp beak snap. For humans this is usually rendered as a guttural stop.

The A!Tol are from the Duchy of Terra series of novels. These are the property of Glynn Stewart.