Posted by Captain Sam Pennington (Gamemaster Director/ Full Gamemaster) in Species Submission: Lyd Vis
STANDARD NAME OF SPECIES (SCIENTIFIC NAME) Lyd Vis (Pythonomorpha Anthro)
DATE: 2/28/2022
AUTHOR: Abigail G (Fox Tarts)
TYPE: Species
HOMEWORLD: Istrosie
HEIGHT (Hind legs to top of head): 1.6M - 2.0M (5.2’-6.5’)
LENGTH (Top of head to tip of tail): 3.2M - 4.0M (10.4’-13.1’)
WEIGHT: 54.5kg - 81.8 (120lbs-180lbs)
LIFESPAN: 90 - 110 Standard Earth Years
STARFLEET: [ Common | Infrequent | Rare | Never ] (How likely one is to find this species in Starfleet. Non-UFP member races should never be more common than “Rare”, hostile powers should be “Never”.)
CLASSIFICATION: [Canon | Non-Canon | Custom ]

Sources: None

OVERVIEW --------
Physiology: The Lyd Vis evolved from their reptilian ancestors into the multi-limbed, semi-anthropomorphic, feathered and scaled form they wear today. Serpentine of body with humanoid chest, shoulders, neck, and head. They boast two sets of humanoid arms, the second set roughly a foot and a half below the first set at the shoulders, that end in four-fingered hands. Their fingers have short, but sharp claws. Their hind legs are shorter than the arms but larger, more muscular, and animal-like. Beyond the hind legs is the tail.

There is little to no sexual dimorphism between males and females. The Lyd Vis are capable of sequential hermaphroditism, meaning they can naturally transition between genders. They are an egg-laying species and the average Lyd Vis can produce up to three eggs within their lifetime. When a Lyd Vis (male or female) reaches physical maturity they often lay several small and sterile eggs.

Lyd Vis employs lateral undulation and rectilinear locomotion as their primary means of movement. Their hind legs are capable of pulling a Lyd Vis forward but are utilized more for balance, stabilization, and defense. Mostly muscle, their tails can grip or constrict. Lyd Vis are excellent climbers and can use their tails to secure themselves to any perch that can bear their weight.

They have both scales and feathers. Long feathers similar to strands of hair adorn the crowns of their heads and trail down to the tops of their shoulders and arms and down their backs all the way to the tip of their tails. These feathers are bright and colorful. The patterns and colors are unique to each Lyd Vis, much like the thumbprint of a human. Everywhere else they are scaled. Scale colors are monochromatic and muted but comprise the same chromatic scale as their feathers. Fine scales adorn their face, neck, and arms. The largest scales trail down their throat, to the chest, and down the belly and tail. A Lyd Vis molts their feathers twice a year and shed once a year (this shed always takes place after a molt).

Warm-blooded, Lyd Vis are capable of self-regulating their body temperatures but can utilize radiant heat from outside sources as well. This is often preferred by them since it conserves energy and enjoyable. Lyd Vis eat large meals infrequently and can fast for several weeks between meals if energy expenditure is limited. They are capable of hibernating but only do so when seeking to procreate.

Psychology: The mind of the Lyd Vis does not readily employ itself to advanced intelligence, but this shortcoming is compensated by a deep and natural curiosity. It will take time and effort for them to understand a subject, they are determined and patient learners. This is also offset by advances in Lyd Vis psychology and education which lead to incredible intellectual enlightenment and what finally brought them to the stars.

They lack the emotional range of humans and are not capable of the same emotional highs or lows. This does not mean that they do not have emotions, or that they work to suppress them as Vulcans do. Lyd Vis do not see any shame in emotion, and individuals capable of greater depth of feeling are highly respected within their society. The Lyd Vis are often fascinated by powerful emotions.

Humans often feel that the Lyd Vis lack compassion, empathy, and social tact. The Lyd Vis put understanding the truth before feelings. They do not have the complex intricacies of social interactions that humans have, causing many socially advanced species to perceive them as overly blunt and rude. Lyd Vis psychological evolution did not rely so heavily on social evolutions as a means of survival. Primitive Lyd Vis society did not require it.

They possess a reptilian focus and drive, blessed with endless patience and an ability to hone their focus to a fine and potent point. There is almost nothing that can disrupt the intensity of that focus and many species of the galaxy find it unnerving. A Lyd Vis can maintain this focus for days without rest or break.

Culture and Society: Lyd Vis society is equitable, rational, and simplistic. Changes in Lyd Vis society can be easily traced to scientific progression and advancements in technology. The connections are so clear and well documented that it has attracted the fascination of many a Star Fleet anthropologist. It helps that the Lyd Vis were excellent record keepers and have many accurate and unbiased accounts of their history. There is only one language but this language has several dozen dialects though many Lyd Vis are proficient with multiple dialects. Generally those of the regions surrounding their region of birth.

The Lyd Vis never developed religion, but there is a sense of spirituality and faith. Ever patient and contemplative, the Lyd Vis find spiritual fulfillment in harmonious living with each other and the environment around them. Much of Lyd Vis philosophy and spirituality surrounds themes of reducing suffering and conflict and increasing comfort and security. They are largely communal and freely share resources, luxuries and possessions. Lyd Vis are not materialistic and often struggle to grasp the concept of money and money-based economies.

Lyd Vis create art and decoration to enhance the world around them and love to decorate their homes and cities in a variety of color, texture, and shape. They appreciate the shine and luster of gold and are fond of jewelry. Their cuisine is simple and plain in comparison. Since they require large but infrequent meals, they prepare food with little ceremony or fuss. Instead of gathering around the table, they gather in large forums to perform music together. Lyd Vis music is chaotic and free, with players taking turns building off melodies or starting new ones.

HISTORY --------
Lyd Vis civilization bloomed from a singular point, the Lyd Vis naturally grouped together to overcome the dangers of their homeland which kept their potential limited for many thousands of years. As they advanced their society advanced with them but largely stayed centralized. Any group that split off or left were unable to find footholds elsewhere and either returned to mainline society or dieted out.

They call this dominant culture the Lund Un Da, translated as All Home. To use a human example, Lyd Vis society would be if the humans of Earth were completely restricted to the African continent for the vast majority of their history. Though there are many sub-cultures within Lyd Vis society, the Lund Un Da helped create cohesiveness within their society and gave the Lyd Vis a potent shared identity. The need to survive in a hostile environment promoted cooperation.

Wars were short-lived and small in scale as they cost unnecessary life and resources. The Lyd Vis chose mastery of their environment over dominance of each other. Their society and science progressed at a slow but steady rate, taking thousands of years longer than the humans of Earth to reach the same milestones of advancement. Slow and steady wins the race, and eventually, the Lyd Vis explored the entirety of their planet and finally moved their gaze to the stars above.

When the Lyd Vis reached the stars and uncovered the secrets of warp travel, they soon encountered the United Federation of Planets. It took little convincing for them to join and the Lyd Vis are eager to learn more about the universe and space travel.

The review period for this submission will run from 3 March to 17 March 2022, please keep any and all comments constructive.

-Sam