Leahnae (Lee-AH'-Nay) (LN)

Physical Description: In their own tongue, Leahnae translates as "People of the Green Sky". This is probably due to the high forest canopy found on the Leahnae homeworld. The Leahnae are a graceful botanical race. The average individual stands some 3 meters tall, but only masses around 50 kilograms. The species has 3 long slender legs which end in clusters of tendril-like "roots", although the Leahnae do not use these structures for nourishment, only for grasping and balance. The upper part of the body is similarly divided into 3 slender branches, which end in increasingly fine branches and tendrils which the individual can use to grasp and manipulate the most delicate of objects. The head, which surmounts the body stalk is high and bald. Leahnae have 2 large round eyes which give them standard binocular vision. All of the other senses, including hearing seem to be provided for by the skin. The mouth is a long proboscis like structure which uncoils much like the mouth parts of a butterfly. The Leahnae use this structure to sip vital nutrients which supplement the natural sunlight which is their diet. The skin is smooth, green, and photosynthetic. There is only one sex, the Leahnae produce young by budding. These buds can often be seen attached to the sides of adult Leahnae before they mature enough to separate and begin life on their own.

History: Leahnae developed mobility and intelligence on their home world as a simple mechanism for them to survive by moving through the high forests in search of light and nutrients. Although they have no natural enemies, the Leahnae intellect continued to develop due to their natural empathy and curiosity. Although they have never used fire, they discovered ways to concentrate the radiant heat from sunlight for industrial purposes and created a technological society. They developed spaceflight, but after a relatively short stint as an interstellar species, a plague (possible 1st Dominium Plague, although this is mere speculation) was brought back to their homeworld and devastated their civilization. It is believed that some Leahnae escaped the plague in ships and space habitats and may have survived under the protection of other species.

Society: None. Surviving idividuals and groups of Leahnae in Dark Well Space have adopted the society of other species and/or allegiances.