Andalite
From Seerowpedia
The Andalites are an alien race of grazers. They are centaur-like creatures, with the lower body similar to a deer and a torso similar to a human. The males' entire body is covered in blue fur and the females' in bluish-purple fur, which goes tan-coloured as they get older. Their arms, slightly weak in comparision to humans, end in seven-fingered hands. While they are weaker, they are nimbler as well. The head of an andalite has a set of almond-shaped eyes, as well as a pair of stalk-eyes that give them possible 360-degree vision. They have a nose-like feature which is three vertical slits. Their sense of sight is similar to ours, though the stalk eyes can see a small ways more into the ultraviolet spectrum and the infrared spectrum. The other most notable feature of the face is the lack of a mouth. They eat by crushing grass under their hooves and absorbing the nutrients. They communicate by way of telepathic communication, called thoughtspeak.
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[edit] Anatomy
It is commonly known that andalites usually have three hearts, and two lungs.
They evolved as prey animals, but they do have a very formidable defense: their scythe-like tail. The shorm, as the tail blade is known in the andalite language, is smaller in the females and the female's tail is weaker, too. This bladed tail is long enough to reach well in front of the andalite to strike deep blows in an opponent. The tail is also an important symbol in Andalite culture, and is frequently referenced to in sayings and rituals.
[edit] History
Andalites are grazers, originally herd animals, and are accustomed to open plains. Claustrophobia is a deeply ingrained trait in Andalites, and they loathe enclosed spaces. At one point in their development, they began their transition into herd animals, and formed small groups, similar to a family. Soon, families joined together, forming small communities. Then, as their society advanced, they grew closer and closer together, forming dense cities. Eventually, they decided that this wasn't a good idea, and nobody liked the proximity, so they broke the cities down and moved apart into small, family-based 'scoops' once again.
[edit] Homeworld
- Main Article:Andalite homeworld
The Andalite homeworld is simply called "the Andalite homeworld," and it is vaguely described in several books of the series. The number of suns is not specified, but it seems to be more than one as whenever an Andalite sun is mentioned, it's in plural. It has been specified that the planet has four moons. The planet's sky is coloured red and gold.
[edit] Technology
- Main Article:Andalite technology
Andalites are very technologically advanced, and boast of a vast knowledge of science. They have several notable developments, primarily Z-space technology. Z-space engines allow a ship to travel through Z-space, an entirely blank, void, white space, and exit again some distance away, shortening travel time immensely, and working around the limitations on faster-than-light travel. Z-space transponders work similarly, allowing one to communicate through Z-space, similar to radio transmissions. Next, the ships themselves deserve note. First, there is the standard fighter ship, with short stubby wings, and a shredder (particle beam?) gun slung over the top, fashioned to mimic the raised Andalite tail. Next, there are the vast Dome Ships. These ships are the main transport ships for fighters and crew. The 'Dome' portion is an entire ecosphere, complete with atmosphere, grass and water, to sustain the Andalites on-board. These ships can host many fighters, and generally only one Dome Ship is called out for an entire battle, with the occasional need for two, and the rare necessity for three. All Andalite ships are equipped with Z-space flight capacity, and shredder guns. The shredders on a Dome Ship are rumored to be capable of punching a hole clear through a moon.
[edit] Morphing Technology
- Main Article:Morphing
The last technology of note, and a recent development at that, is the morphing power, obtained via the Escafil Device, a small blue cube. Morph-capable beings are capable of 'acquiring' any animal, absorbing their DNA, and then at any time 'morph' that animal, physically transforming into that creature. The technology uses cascading cellular regeneration, combined with a variant on Z-space technology, in order to make the transformation. It typically takes about two minutes to morph, and if one stays in morph for more than two hours, they are stuck, becoming a Nothlit. A Nothlit can never return to their original form, or morph, again. While in morph, one is still capable of thought speak. One also has the drawback/advantage of being confronted with the morphed creature's instincts. This proves very useful for using the body and functioning at its peak, but it also proves to be a struggle when you first enter the morph, and also whenever you go against the creatures desires (eg: a Cat attacking a mouse, etc).
[edit] Interspecies Relations
The Andalites have many relations to many different species outside their planet. They are usually well-known for being 'good-guys', spreading enlightenment and aid wherever possible. However, an example that severly marrs the reputation of the Andalites, and simultaneously jades many Andalite minds to their own culture as well as outside species, is Seerow's Kindness. Seerow was one of the first Andalites stationed on the world of a newly discovered species, the Yeerk homeworld. In their natural state, Yeerks are blind, defenseless slugs. They were capable, by some odd fluke of evolution, to enter into the brains of other species, interface, and control them. They had done so already with the pitifully weak species on their own world known as the Gedds. Even so, they were never really aware of anything beyond their small, homeworld, natural pools. Seerow felt sorry for them, and aided them. He taught them technology and showed them the stars. He even built them portable Kandronas, enabling them to leave the Kandrona-rich pools sustaining them.
In gratitude for his aid, the Yeerks attacked the Andalite outpost, slaughtered the minimal guards,as they did not yet know to infest Andalites. Who had been specifically instructed by Prince Seerow not to fire on Gedds, stole the Andalite fighters on the ground, and escaped to space, but not before returning to the far side of the planet to stock up on their brother Yeerks. Then, with numerous pools full of Yeerks, they left to conquer the galaxy. Since then, the Andalites have been battling against the Yeerks, trying to prevent them from taking over more innocent worlds. They have already taken over numerous species, including the cannibalistic Taxxons, and their ironically herbivorous shock-troops, the Hork-Bajir. The problem was that there are simply not enough of these troops. So, the Yeerks are now after the humans, hoping to gain the sheer numbers to burst out in every direction and subdue numerous races, and eventually take the Andalite homeworld itself.
[edit] Culture
Andalite government, headed by the Electorate, functions on honor and respect, pride in culture as well as self. However, these noble characteristics are accompanied by others that may be surprisingly backwards to the eyes of supposedly inferior species: arrogance, inflexibility, sexism, and an atrocious attitude towards the disabled, whom they label Vecols and treat as outcasts. As the chain of command works down, one eventually reaches the basic, personal leadership role: Prince. Every warrior is supposed to have a Prince. Some princes work under a war prince. Princes can have more than one Aristh, or cadet, under them, often many more, but every warrior is expected to report to one, and only one, Prince.
