Skgri

Skgri'i (skgɹɪʔi), nicknamed "satyrs" by humans, were a species of bipedal hexapod sophonts originally hailing from Hemera in the Barnard's Star system. Though more technologically advanced than any other known sophont species, the skgri'i appear to have gone extinct around 4400 UME (8600 BCE). While the cause of their extinction is not precisely known, archaeologists have found extensive evidence of a catastrophic interstellar war between the satyrs and some unknown adversary; this conflict likely drove them to extinction.

Biology

Anatomy & Morphology

Skgri'i were vertical bipedal hexapods, with two sets of manipulatory forelimbs on the sides of the upper torso and and a pair of digitigrade hindlimbs used for terrestrial locomotion. The lower section of the spine transitioned into a short tail with a large dorsal/ventral fin of fur-like pycnofibres, used as a balance mechanism while on the ground (with the fibres likely being a superficial display structure akin to human hair or shyxaure parafeather manes.)

Though somewhat insectoid in appearance, skgri'i were endoskeletal, with bones composed primarily of collagen and copper carbonate. Their vascular oxygen carrier was ferromanganase, a protein based on iron and manganese that turns a dark shade of umber when oxygenated.

Perception & Sensory Capabilities

Visual

Skgri'i had a total of six superfine-lensed compound eyes. The primary pair were largest and most sensitive to detail, able to detect well into the infrared; the two sets of secondary eyes were far smaller and simply attuned to motion and shades.

Auditory

Skgri'i were also very sensitive to aural stimuli thanks to the pair of large, hornlike antennae atop their heads. These antennae were filled with statocystic fluid, and were actually quite flexible -it is believed that antenna movement was the main mechanism of emotional display in the species, though muscular structure above the primary eyes provided additional expression.

Tactile

The skgri'i tactile sense was moderately strong. Their entire epidermis was sensitive to tactile input, though the effect was most intense in the manipulative structures at the ends of the upper limbs.

Ecology

Geographic Origin & Distribution

Skgri'i relics have been found across a wide region of known space, centering on the planet Hemera in the Barnard's Star system. In the 23rd century CE, there was a prominent theory that Victoria or Vacuna was the original homeworld of the satyrs and their biosphere; this was debunked upon the discovery of fossils on Hemera.

Habitat & Survival Factors

The optimal survival range in a variety of factors for an unequipped satyr is presumed to have been very wide, considering their homeworld's extreme climate gradient. However, they were quite a technologically advanced species, and were able to establish permanent presence in many ostensibly inhospitable locales.

EXTINCT

Archive Data

ORIGINS

Homeworld

Hemera

Home system

Helios

Genesis group

Hemeragenia

BIOCHEMISTRY

Biochemical base

carbon

Genetics

DNA/RNA

Solvent

H₂O

Respiration compounds

O₂

MORPHOLOGY

Biotype

biochemical multicellular

Symmetry

bilateral

Gravity-relative orientation

vertical

Structure

endoskeletal

Limb configuration

bipedal hexapod

Average height

2 m

Average mass

64 kg

NEUROLOGY

Focal type

multifocal

Sensory modes

• visual (400 - 900 nm)
• auditory (16 Hz - 16 kHz)
• tactile (1 μm limit)
• olfactory

Social type

centric

TOLERANCES

The values presented here describe the conditional limits of sustained indefinite survival. The species can survive more extreme conditions for shorter amounts of exposure.

Gravity limit

1.3 G

Pressure range

0.6 to 2.6 atm

Air mix

18% to 62% O2

Temperature range

12 to 32 °C

Radiation limit

• Gamma: 0.36 Gy
• Beta: 0.08 Gy
• Alpha: 0.015 Gy

Scientific Name

Xenosatyrus sapiens

Interspecies Relations

The only extant sophont species which is known to have made direct contact with the skgri'i are the Xib Zjhar, but their xenophobic attitude towards other sophonts and overall refusal of contact renders social archaeology with them a virtually impossible task. There is evidence that skgri'i explorers at least observed early civilization on Earth from their outpost on Portia, but no evidence indicates actual contact with humans.