Physical Description: The Voorhan are a race based on
a silicon biology rather than the more normal carbon scheme. The
typical Voorhan individual somewhat resembles a large rock-like
centipede. Individual Voorhani average approximately 5 meters
in length and 2 meters in height (with all legs touching ground).
Average weight is around 2 metric tons (2000 Kg). The body is
divided into 11 distinct segments, each of which is supported
by 2 massive 3 jointed legs. The outer surface of the head, legs,
and each segment is a hard silicon material which appears similar
to rock or fused glass. This carapace is secreted by the body
and individuals must molt every 6 months until adulthood to allow
for body growth. Once adulthood is reached, individuals only replace
the carapace once every 2 years. Each of the 3 forward pairs of
legs are equipped with a complex 3 clawed "hand" which
can be used for manipulation. The Voorhan can raise itself upward
to bring these into use. In the upright position the average Voorhan
stands 4 meters tall. The head is triangular in shape and attached
by a universal joint to the first segment. This gives the individual
Voorhan the ability to swivel its head in any direction, even
completely backward. Facial features are composed of 5 forward
looking eyes, 3 nasal grooves, and hard silicon mouth parts which
are adaptable to chewing just about anything. Vision is somewhat
limited but hearing is very acute. The external ear structure
is a set of 8 silicon plates, 4 on each side of the head. These
plates can be closed to give the Voorhan complete hearing protection
or opened for maximum reception. Internal organs consist of a
3 chambered heart in each segment (11 hearts in all) as well as
gill/lungs in each segment as well. The breathing apparatus opens
to the exterior through small vents in the individual's underside.
The gastrointestinal system is very well developed and complex.
The Voorhani can eat just about anything: animal, vegetable, or
mineral. They can literally chew rocks for nourishment. Indeed,
they are required to do so, in order to grow their silicon based
carapace and body parts. The species has two sexes: male and female.
Eggs are deposited by the female, but are carried glued to the
underside of the male until they reach maturity. The average egg
is about 25 cm in diameter and hatches after a period of 7 months.
The Voorhan are primarily a subterranean species, spending their
lives tunneling, farming, and hunting in widespread tunnel complexes.
Voorhani make natural miners. Since mining is the primary method
of increasing living space, every Voorhan is a miner at least
once in his life. Males compete for females on the basis of how
much subterranean territory they personally hold.
History: The Voorhan rose from savagery over a long period
of almost constant warfare over territorial rights. Clans, factions,
and nations predominated their home world for thousands of years
before the Xor finally rose to power and subjugated all Voorhani
into a world government. By that time, several areas of the home
world's crust were uninhabitable due to nuclear war. Once world
government was achieved, space exploration quickly followed and
the Voorhan built an orbital platform. They had soon explored
their home system and worked out the basics for their own jump
drive. Upon contact with other interstellar societies, the Voorhan
were quickly overwhelmed however. Bribed, coerced, and attacked,
their government quickly broke into factions and widespead warfare
on their home planet resumed. Universal armageddon soon followed
and the Voorhan homeworld is now believed to be completely uninhabited.
Society: The Voorhani who still survive in Dark Well Space
are concentrated at a few settlement sites owned by various allegiances
and are employed as miners. They rarely mix with other species,
since they have the unfriendly habit of eating them.