Tarquin

The Tarquin, a rough transliteration of their Catechoic name for them (very rough translation is Vandal), are the dominate species of the Sagittarius arm of the Galaxy and until recently were only a Catechol myth that they scare their children with.
Unfortunately for the Commonwealth, the Tarquin are very much not a myth.
They are on the move; being driven away from the central core of the galaxy straight towards the Commonwealth at alarming rapidity. The first spacecraft containing Tarquin were spotted, after roughly 65 million years of secure Catechols borders, only moments before they descended on the Great Barrier Planets in 2949.
The Catechols have experienced this Exodus only once before and barely survived then but what it is the Tarquin are fleeing from, then and now, is unknown. Nor is it known why they stopped fleeing last time.
Earth is safe for now, being off the axis of advance, but the Tarquin wars have already claimed 200 long billion Human, Catechol and Harpies lives. The British Army has, for the time being, stopped the advance through the Oceania Supersector at the Wellington Line, and has successfully pushed them back towards the Great Barrier Planets but more Tarquin keep coming.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Looks like a 12 foot tall human but with foot long spikes along their spines, and three extendable claws in each hand. Furred but their follicles are seemingly colourless in human vision, so their dark skin shows through.
Oxygen transport performed by Nickel leading to light green 'blood' and they have a remarkable ability to heal wounds and have explosive speed, but much less endurance than humans, due to Nickels different oxygen affinity to Iron.
Current estimates on age range from 70 to 700, due to a lack of clear evidence.

Ecology and Habitats

Though prefers a high oxygen, low nitrogen (40%, 50%) they seemingly suffer few effects from 21% oxygen.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Two horizontilly aligned eyes about human ratio from the top of the skull, no obvious external ears nor any obvious teeth in their oddly proportioned jaw.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Found throughout Sagittarius Arm as fair as explorers have pushed through that section of the galaxy.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Two eyes with a frequency higher than humans, they cannot see red but their vision allows them to see frequencies upto 200nm. This is hypothesed to be due to a lack of Ozone within their home atmosphere, although their homeworld has not been found. As is their remarkably dark skin. They have pretty shocking night vision.
Unknown is how their hearing is achieved with no obvious external ears or timpanic analogue, but they can hear sounds ranging from 10Hz to 3kHz, not as wide as humans but their sensitivity is such they can hear sounds as low as 0dB for the majority of their spectrum, making them excellent ambush predators.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Unknown

Major Organizations

Unknown, other than the migrant fleets.

Beauty Ideals

Unknown

Gender Ideals

unknown

Courtship Ideals

unknown

Relationship Ideals

Unknown

Average Technological Level

FTL

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Language is made up from a series of whistles and grunts not unlike Cetaceans but very unlike in syntax. All attempts at breaking it have failed.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Unknown

Common Taboos

Unknown

Historical Figures

Unknown

Common Myths and Legends

Unknown

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Does not seem to be favourable to anything not Tarquin.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Tarquin

Genetic Descendants

• Tarquin

Scientific Name

Tarquin tarquinii

Lifespan

200 Galatic Years

Average Height

3.6 metres

Average Weight

275-350kg

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Skin colour is extremely dark, but fur colour to humans seems faintly blue. To them however their fur is a vibrant display that is as individual finger prints.