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CTD - Viper


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[color="red"][b]EDIT: PLEASE NOTE THE XENOCIDE NAMES HAVE NOT BEEN DETERMINED YET FOR EVERY ITEM OR UNIT IN THE GAME, REFERENCES TO NAMES WHICH ARE THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF ATARI OR OTHER COMPANIES BY INDIVIDUAL PROJECT MEMBERS IS NOT CONDONED BY THE PROJECT AND THE PROJECT DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH ACTIONS. INDIVIDUALS SHOULD REFER TO ENTRY NAMES AGREED TO BY THE PROJECT, AND IF SUCH A NAME DOES NOT YET EXIST THEY SHOULD USE A SUBSTITUTE IN [BRACKETS]. THANKS![/b][/color]

OKay everyone, here's my draft of the snakeman info. I know all the name stuff is still under discussion, so I just left it as 'Snakemen' in the text.

I had the idea for the race information that you would get different (more) race data depending on the rank of the subject captured. So rather than just getting UFO info out of an Engineer, maybe you get a bit of what that race's technology is. This is all just fluff text, with no actual impact on the game, but I thought it would encourage players to expand their captures a bit, rather than going "Got one of each alien, got a leader, got a commander, okay I'm done capturing." So this description is currently broken up by the ranks.

This is just an idea, so if it's vetoed by [b]The Powers That Be[/b](tm), it can all be be amalgamated into one entry without too much trouble. I just thought I'd throw it out there, and see what happens.

-The Captain Edited by Breunor
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I like the discriptives. I'm wondering though, are we giving the snakemen some sort of additional powers? I mean, sectoids are the standard alien, and their higher ranks are psi capable. Floaters, well, they float. Mutons are tough SOB's, and the etherals, well... But the snakemen, aside from looking ugly, are really bland. We should give them a little something. Maybe they can consume dead bodies and due to some metabolic capability they heal instantly. Might be a moot point since a plasma shot will kill them more than just injure them.
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Corrections:

"...we unable t obtain any relevent information..."
[b]We are unable to obtain. [/b] Looks like you forgot something.

"...hte subject does not merely refer..."
[b]The subject, [/b]my friend.

"...refer to a its own leaders..."
[b]To its own leaders. [/b]"A" is a mistake here.

In a soldier report (therefore appearing in every report of every class, if I understood you well), they mention relationship with Chryssalid. Then medic report mentions "creatures known as Chryssalid". Shouldn't it be reversed? (that is, if someone researches a Snakeman without hearing about a Chryssalid first, he would say "What the heck are those chryssalids?"). I think it's all for now.
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Some typing errors:
orbiting a type G5IV-V star [b]approximatley[/b] 29 parsecs from Earth
approximately

but of [b]insufficent[/b] amount to cause alarm
insufficient

but completely seperate race
but [b]a[/b] completely separate race

known [b]a[/b] Chryssilids
known as Chryssalids

feared by our [b]opperatives[/b]
operatives

in [b]thier reprductive [/b] habits
their reproductive

also apparently affects
wouldn't: 'apparently also affects' be better?

[b]unfortunatly[/b], we are unable to accurately translate time measurement
unfortunately

within brief period
within a brief period

[b]amonst [/b] the newborns
amongst

used so [b]effectivly[/b] against
effectively

but [b]incapcitated[/b] until meal time
incapacitated

A great world, just developing space flight when the Masters came
was their world developing space flight?

thought and [b]temprament[/b]
temperament

done [b]toegther[/b]
together

I still like Sshi'ygha better :wink:
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OKay here's the update. Sorry for all the typos...I never remember to spellcheck these things.

I added a bit more about what the Chryssilids get out to the relationship. As for Judge Deadd's worry, it's a valid one, but unless the research-sensitive reports (where a slightly different text is shown based on other research completed, and previously competed research is updated) idea is implemented in this version, we're out of luck. In order to get really descriptive, we have to be able to mention some other aliens, especially the associated races.


And just for j'ordos, I changed the name. :D


-The Captain
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One thing: you refer to chryssaloids. you might not even have seen them, leaving you speculate "what is a chryssaloid?". I suggest that some of the Ufopedia is opdated sometimes.

You could also make ufopedias from when you come home from sites. Like attached.

instead of having a very short medic, you might also add "they occasionetly talk about something they call [real chrysaloids name], but we have at this point no idea of what these are".

Also, stats only appear when live alien is captured (not 100% correct, more like Streangth: High, defence: very high, speed: low). Edited by mikker
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LIke I said in my first update, unless the 'auto-updating' x-net is v1 (and I'm pretty sure it isn't), there's going to be some mention of other races, especially the associated ones. I do like the idea of using the species name for Chryssilids rather than the common name...that should cover most of the 'what's that?' problem, since even when they see them on the battlescape they have the common name. However, ocnce they research them, they'll get the species name too.

I also like the idea of a brief x-net entry (sort of a debriefing memo) appearing after an alien race is first encountered. It would add nice bit of flavor to the encounter.

While I hope we get the updatable X-net in v1, we shouldn't count on it. It's better to assume we don't have it, ratehr than being forced to rewrite a bunch of the texts at the last minute.

-The Captain
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[quote name='mikker' date='Aug 9 2003, 09:43 PM']One thing: you refer to chryssaloids. you might not even have seen them, leaving you speculate "what is a chryssaloid?". I suggest that some of the Ufopedia is opdated sometimes.[/quote]
This could be explained in a couple of lines of writing saying "According to sightings of a creature that is commanly known as a 'Chryssaloid'"
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Okay, all typos mentioned have been fixed, and all direct references to Chryssalids have been changed. I picked 'Achidna' off the names thread, just because I liked it best. :P

Any higher-ups want to comment on the viability of the research-by-rank idea?

Autopsy text coming soon.

-The Captain
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Awesome! I love the snakemen, and I love the note at the end, if we'd only met before you were controlled, and we were forced to KICK YOUR @SS! :devillaugh:

They're very real and very cool. Good stuff.

One note: "...constantly to 'the Masters,' from whom all its' people..."

should be "...all its people..." Jake's people, Honduras' people, his people, her people, its people.

Besides that offending apostrophe, it's golden. Pin it up!
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  • 1 year later...
[color="red"]CURRENT TEXT - NEEDS REVISION [/color]


Common Name: [color="red"]Viper[/color]
Scientific Name: Xenocrotalus Sapiens
Species Name: Sshi'ygha


The [color="red"]Vipers[/color] are one of the more unsettling of the various invading races. Their eerie similarity to terrestrial rattlesnakes evokes a common fear among X-Corps personnel. Indeed, early field reports suggested that this might have been a creature genetically engineered from Earthly fauna, grown to enormous size and grafted with arms. However, these creatures are a completely Alien species; sentient beings with the remnants of what must have been an amazing culture. Our initial interrogations have given us the name of the [color="red"]Viper[/color] home world, Sshi-yii and a general idea of its location. From the subject's description, we suspect that this world is actually a moon of one of the earliest extrasolar planets Earth had discovered. It is known to astronomers as HD-70642 b, orbiting a type G5IV-V star approximately 29 parsecs from Earth. More detailed information of this world is unknown to our current subject, however higher ranking individuals may know more.

The [color="red"]Vipers[/color] are a carnivorous race, able to eat only freshly killed meat. They appear to be comfortable on land, but prefer shallow water, suggesting a swamp-based origin. In keeping with their generally reptilian appearance, a [color="red"]Viper[/color]'s body is covered in thousands of pentagonal scales, except for the head. Eleven large plates of bone-reinforced scale protect the head itself. These scales provide excellent natural armouring of the vital areas, and allow the [color="red"]Vipers[/color] to function in a wide variety of conditions. Also similar to their terrestrial counterparts, the [color="red"]Viper[/color] jaw is capable of dislocating from the skull, allowing the mouth to open to prodigious widths in order to ingest larger prey. The lower jaw also contains vestigial venom sacs that feed into the lower fangs. The venom produced is soporific in nature, but of insufficient amount to cause alarm. A bite from a [color="red"]Viper[/color] might make a child seriously disoriented, but is likely to result in no more than momentary dizziness in an adult.

While sentient in their own right, the subject refers constantly to 'the Masters,' from whom all its' people take orders. From the context of these statements, we are sure that the subject does not merely refer to its own leaders, but completely separate race that seems to be directing the [color="red"]Vipers‘[/color] incursions on our planet.


The [color="red"]Viper[/color] race reproduces asexually, laying between thirty and fifty softball-sized eggs at a time in a frenzy of ovulation. The eggs are released into a common, water filled gestational pit, where the soft jelly-like mucus that protects each egg can come in contact with another individual’s ovum. This contact allows for a transfer of genetic material between the different eggs, resulting in fertilization. Eggs cannot be fertilized by sibling ova. The soft covering requires that the eggs must remain immersed in water in their natural state. However, according to our current subject, the [color="red"]Vipers[/color] have developed a symbiotic relationship with the creatures they call Achidnas, specifically their defensive secretions. When in contact with these venomous secretions, the vulnerable covering of the [color="red"]Viper[/color] egg hardens, forming a tough leathery shell. The substance also apparently affects the foetal [color="red"]Vipers[/color] at the genetic level, providing them with immunity to the Achidna venom. After an extended period of time (unfortunately, we are unable to accurately translate time measurement), all viable eggs within a birthing pit hatch within brief period, and a feeding frenzy begins amongst the newborns. Out of several hundred fertilized eggs, only a dozen or so will survive the hatching, and be welcomed into the society of [color="red"]Vipers[/color]. Once the hatching is complete, the birthing pit is opened to the Achidnas, who devour the shells, along with any unhatched eggs. The amniotic fluid clinging to the inner portion of the shell fragments contains a number of enzymes required by [color="red"]an[/color] Achidna's body to produce its venom.


The [color="red"]Viper[/color]'s primary technological contribution to the invader's knowledge is the development of the stun gas used so effectively against our world's civilian population, and the launcher that fires it. The gas itself is actually based on their soporific venom, and was originally used to [color="red"]fulfil[/color] the eating requirements of the race. It seems logical that a species that must eat freshly killed meat would develop a weapon capable of keeping prey alive, but incapacitated until meal time.


The [color="red"]Vipers[/color] we see are the remnants of a once great race. Their civilization developed in the swampy temperate zones of Ssth-Kr'th, and spread across the entire planet. With their innate resistance to adverse conditions they built cities in every climate, from the blazing heat of their tropics, to the frozen poles. Theirs was a great world, just developing space flight when the Masters came. Of all the alien races, the Vipers are most like us, both in thought and temperament. If our two races had met before they fell under the thrall of the Masters, who knows what we could have done together?
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[color="red"]CURRENT TEXT - REVISED - FIXED INTO STANDARD FORMAT[/color]

Common Name: Viper
Scientific Name: Xenocrotalus Sapiens
Species Name: Sshi'ygha

The Vipers are one of the more unsettling of the various invading [color="red"]Alien[/color] species. Their eerie similarity to terrestrial rattlesnakes evokes a common fear among X-Corps personnel. Indeed, early field reports suggested that this might have been a creature genetically engineered from Earthly fauna, grown to enormous size and grafted with arms. However, these creatures are a completely Alien species; sentient beings with the remnants of what must have been an amazing culture. Our initial interrogations have given us the name of the Viper home world, Sshi-yii[color="red"],[/color] and a general idea of its location. From the subject's description, we suspect that this world is actually a moon of one of the earliest extra solar planets that had been discovered. It is known to astronomers as HD-70642 b, orbiting a type G5IV-V star[color="red"],[/color] approximately 29 parsecs from Earth. More detailed information of this world is unknown to us at this point.

The Vipers are a carnivorous race, able to eat only freshly killed meat. They appear to be comfortable on land, but prefer shallow water, suggesting a swamp-based origin. In keeping with their generally reptilian appearance, a Viper's body is covered in thousands of pentagonal scales, except for the head. Eleven large plates of bone-reinforced scale protect the head itself. These scales provide excellent natural armouring of vital areas, and allow [color="red"]these Aliens[/color] to function in a wide variety of conditions. Also similar to their terrestrial counterparts, the Viper jaw is capable of dislocating from the skull, allowing the mouth to open to prodigious widths in order to ingest large prey. The lower jaw also contains vestigial venom sacs that feed into the lower fangs. The venom produced is soporific in nature, but of insufficient amount to cause alarm. A bite from a Viper might make a child seriously disoriented, but is likely to result in no more than momentary dizziness in an adult, [color="red"]therefore, it represents no real threat to our operatives on the field[/color]

While sentient in their own right, the subject refers constantly to “the Master”, from whom all its' [color="red"]kin[/color] take orders. From the context of these statements, we are sure that the subject does not merely refer to its own leaders, but completely separate species that seems to be directing the Vipers‘ incursions on our planet.

The Viper species reproduces asexually, [color="red"]lying[/color] between thirty and fifty softball-sized eggs at a time in a frenzy of ovulation. The eggs are released into a common, water filled gestational pit, where the soft jelly-like mucus that protects each egg can come in contact with another individual’s ovum. This contact allows for a transfer of genetic material between the different eggs, resulting in fertilization. Eggs cannot be fertilized by sibling ova. The soft covering requires that the eggs must remain immersed in water in their natural state. However, according to our current subject, the Vipers have developed a symbiotic relationship with the creatures they call Achidnas, specifically their defensive secretions. When in contact with these venomous secretions, the vulnerable covering of the Viper egg hardens, forming a tough leathery shell. The substance also apparently affects the [color="red"]foetuses[/color] [color="red"]to a[/color] genetic level, providing them with immunity to the Achidna venom. After an extended period of time (unfortunately, we are unable to accurately translate time measurement), all viable eggs within a birthing pit hatch within brief period, and a feeding frenzy begins amongst the newborns. Out of several hundred fertilized eggs, only a dozen or so will survive the hatching. Once the hatching is complete, the birthing pit is opened to the Achidnas, who devour the shells, along with any unhatched eggs. The amniotic fluid clinging to the inner portion of the shell fragments contains a number of enzymes required by an Achidna's body to produce its venom.

The Vipers we see [color="red"]today[/color] are the remnants of a once great race. Their civilization developed in the swampy temperate zones of Ssth-Kr'th, and spread across the entire planet. With their innate resistance to adverse conditions they built cities in every climate, from the blazing heat of their tropics, to the frozen poles. Theirs was a great world, just developing space flight when the Master came. Of all the Alien species, the Vipers are the [color="red"]most similar to our own[/color], both in thought and temperament. If our two [color="red"]species[/color] had met before they [color="red"]had fallen[/color] under the thrall of the Master, who knows what we could have done together? Edited by Azrael
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[color="red"]MINOR CORRECTION[/color]
Common Name: Viper
Scientific Name: Xenocrotalus Sapiens
Species Name: Sshi'ygha

The Vipers are one of the more unsettling of the various invading [color="red"]a[/color]lien species. Their eerie similarity to terrestrial rattlesnakes evokes a common fear among X-Corps personnel. Indeed, early field reports suggested that this might have been a creature genetically engineered from Earthly fauna, grown to enormous size and grafted with arms. However, these creatures are a completely Alien species; sentient beings with the remnants of what must have been an amazing culture. Our initial interrogations have given us the name of the Viper home world, [color="green"]Sshi-yii[/color], and a general idea of its location. From the subject's description, we suspect that this world is actually a moon of one of the earliest extra solar planets that had been discovered. It is known to astronomers as HD-70642 b, orbiting a type G5IV-V star, approximately 29 parsecs from Earth. More detailed information of this world is unknown to us at this point.

The Vipers are a carnivorous race, able to eat only freshly killed meat. They appear to be comfortable on land, but prefer shallow water, suggesting a swamp-based origin. In keeping with their generally reptilian appearance, a Viper's body is covered in thousands of pentagonal scales, except for the head. Eleven large plates of bone-reinforced scale protect the head itself. These scales provide excellent natural armouring of vital areas, and allow these [color="red"]aliens[/color] to function in a wide variety of conditions. Also similar to their terrestrial counterparts, the Viper jaw is capable of dislocating from the skull, allowing the mouth to open to prodigious widths in order to ingest large prey. The lower jaw also contains vestigial venom sacs that feed into the lower fangs. The venom produced is soporific in nature, but of insufficient amount to cause alarm. A bite from a Viper might make a child seriously disoriented, but is likely to result in no more than momentary dizziness in an adult, therefore, it represents no real threat to our operatives on the field.

While sentient in their own right, the subject refers constantly to “the Master”, from whom all its' kin take orders. From the context of these statements, we are sure that the subject does not merely refer to its own leaders, but [color="red"]a[/color] completely separate species that seems to be directing the Vipers[color="red"]'[/color] incursions on our planet.

The Viper species reproduces asexually, [color="red"]laying[/color] between thirty and fifty softball-sized eggs at a time in a frenzy of ovulation. The eggs are released into a common, water filled gestational pit, where the soft jelly-like mucus that protects each egg can come in contact with another individual’s ovum. This contact allows for a transfer of genetic material between the different eggs, resulting in fertilization. Eggs cannot be fertilized by sibling ova. The soft covering requires that the eggs must remain immersed in water in their natural state. However, according to our current subject, the Vipers have developed a symbiotic relationship with the creatures they call Achidnas, specifically their defensive secretions. When in contact with these venomous secretions, the vulnerable covering of the Viper egg hardens, forming a tough leathery shell. The substance also apparently affects the foetuses to a genetic level, providing them with immunity to the Achidna venom. After an extended period of time (unfortunately, we are unable to accurately translate time measurement), all viable eggs within a birthing pit hatch within brief period and a feeding frenzy begins amongst the newborns. Out of several hundred fertilized eggs, only a dozen or so will survive the hatching. Once the hatching is complete, the birthing pit is opened to the Achidnas, who devour the shells, along with any unhatched eggs. The amniotic fluid clinging to the inner portion of the shell fragments contains a number of enzymes required by an Achidna's body to produce its venom.

The Vipers we see today are the remnants of a once great race. Their civilization developed in the swampy temperate zones of Ssth-Kr'th [color="green"]When reading this the first time it did not become clear that Ssth-Kr'th is a part of Sshi-yii.. perhaps find a way to explain this more clearly?[/color], and spread across the entire planet. With their innate resistance to adverse conditions they built cities in every climate, from the blazing heat of their tropics, to the frozen poles. Theirs was a great world, just developing space flight when the Master came. Of all the Alien species [color="red"]we have encountered so far[/color], the Vipers are the most similar to our own, both in thought and temperament. If our two species had met before they had fallen under the thrall of the Master, who knows what we could have done together?
[right][post="100355"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]

(Correct me if wrong on the caps of Alien/alien. I think that alien means 'not native to our planet' in this context, and therefor should be non-cap. But I'm pretty new around here.. also, was it intended that the text was no longer separated according to which research produces which part, and the Engineer section has gone AWOL? What does 'snapback' 100355 do?)

--K Edited by kander
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  • 1 month later...
VIPER
X-Net://Pegasus.net/Alien/Species/Viper

The Vipers are one of the more unsettling of the various invading Alien species. Their eerie similarity to terrestrial rattlesnakes evokes a common fear among all personnel. Indeed, early field reports suggested that this might have been a creature genetically engineered from Earthly fauna, grown to enormous size and grafted with arms. However, these creatures are a completely Alien species; sentient beings with the remnants of what must have been an amazing culture. Our initial interrogations have given us the name of the Viper home world, Sshi-yii, and a general idea of its location. From the subject's description, we suspect that this world is actually a moon of one of the earliest extrasolar planets that have been discovered. It is known to astronomers as HD-70642 b, orbiting a type G5 star, approximately 29 parsecs from Earth. More detailed information of this world is unknown to us at this point.

The Vipers are a carnivorous species, able to eat only freshly killed meat. They appear to be comfortable on land, but prefer shallow water, suggesting a swamp-based origin. In keeping with their generally reptilian appearance, a Viper's Ssbody is covered in thousands of pentagonal scales, except for the head. Eleven large plates of bone-reinforced scales protect the head itself. These scales provide excellent natural armoring of vital areas, and allow these Aliens to function in a wide variety of conditions. While sentient in its own right, the subject refers constantly to “the Master”, from whom all its kin take orders. From the context of these statements, we are sure that the subject does not merely refer to its own leaders, but a completely separate species that seems to be directing the Vipers’ incursions on our planet.

The Viper species reproduces asexually, laying between thirty and fifty softball-sized eggs at a time in a frenzy of ovulation. The eggs are released into a common, water-filled gestational pit, where the soft jelly-like mucus that protects each egg can come in contact with another individual’s ovum. This contact allows for a transfer of genetic material between the different eggs, resulting in fertilization. Eggs cannot be fertilized by sibling ova. The soft covering requires that the eggs must remain immersed in water in their natural state. However, according to our current subject, the Vipers have developed a symbiotic relationship with the creatures they call Achidnas, specifically their defensive secretions. When in contact with these venomous secretions, the vulnerable covering of the Viper egg hardens, forming a tough leathery shell. The substance also apparently affects the fetuses to a genetic level, providing them with immunity to the Achidna venom. After an extended period of time (unfortunately, we are still unable to accurately translate time measurement), all viable eggs within a birthing pit hatch within brief period, and a feeding frenzy begins amongst the newborns. Out of several hundred fertilized eggs, only a dozen or so will survive the birth process. Once the hatching is complete, the birthing pit is opened to the Achidnas, who devour the shells, along with any unhatched eggs. The amniotic fluid clinging to the inner portion of the shell fragments contains a number of enzymes required by an Achidna's body to produce its venom.

The Vipers we see today are the remnants of a once great species. Their civilization developed in a swampy temperate zone of Shi-yii they call Ssth-Kr'th and spread across the entire planet. With their innate resistance to adverse conditions they built cities in every climate, from the blazing heat of their tropics, to the frozen poles.

"...Well, it's stupid, it seems like a half-snake half-man to me, why aren't we calling it the Snakeman?, ...what the heck do you mean by copyrights?"
- Jonathan HuntHausen, Research Division, Xenopsychology Department

Edit by Mad: fixed mistakable mentioning of Ssth-Kr'th Edited by Mad
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  • 1 year later...

A very, very nice text. Only a minor change here and there. Blue for additions and orange for agreement errors.

 

VIPER

X-Net://Pegasus.net/Alien/Species/Viper

 

The Vipers are one of the more unsettling of the various invading Alien species. Their eerie similarity to terrestrial rattlesnakes evokes a common fear among all personnel. Indeed, early field reports suggested that this might have been a creature genetically engineered from Earthly fauna, grown to enormous size and grafted with arms. However, these creatures are a completely new Alien species; sentient beings with the remnants of what must have been an amazing culture. Our initial interrogations have given us the name of the Viper home world, Sshi-yii, and a general idea of its location. From the subject's description, we suspect that this world is actually a moon of one of the earliest extra solar planets that have been discovered. It is known to astronomers as HD-70642 b, orbiting a type G5 star, approximately 29 parsecs from Earth. More detailed information of this world is unknown to us at this point.

 

The Vipers are a carnivorous species, able to eat only freshly killed meat. They appear to be comfortable on land, but prefer shallow water, suggesting a swamp-based origin. In keeping with their generally reptilian appearance, a Viper's body is covered in thousands of pentagonal scales, except for the head. Eleven large plates of bone-reinforced scales protect the head itself. These scales provide excellent natural armoring of vital areas, and allow these Aliens to function in a wide variety of conditions. While sentient in its own right, the subject refers constantly to “the Master”, from whom all its kin take orders. From the context of these statements, we are sure that the subject does not merely refer to its own leaders, but a completely separate species that seems to be directing the Vipers’ incursions on our planet.

 

The Viper species reproduces asexually, laying between thirty and fifty softball-sized eggs at a time in a frenzy of ovulation. The eggs are released into a common, water-filled gestational pit, where the soft jelly-like mucus that protects each egg can come in contact with another individual’s ovum. This contact allows for a transfer of genetic material between the different eggs, resulting in fertilization. Eggs cannot be fertilized by sibling ova. The soft covering requires that the eggs must remain immersed in water in their natural state. However, according to our current subject, the Vipers have developed a symbiotic relationship with the creatures they call Achidnas, specifically their defensive secretions. When in contact with these venomous secretions, the vulnerable covering of the Viper egg hardens, forming a tough leathery shell. The substance also apparently affects the fetuses to a genetic level, providing them with immunity to the Achidna venom. After an extended period of time (unfortunately, we are still unable to accurately translate time measurement), all viable eggs within a birthing pit hatch within brief period, and a feeding frenzy begins amongst the newborns. Out of several hundred fertilized eggs, only a dozen or so will survive the birth process. Once the hatching is complete, the birthing pit is opened to the Achidnas, who devour the shells, along with any unhatched eggs. The amniotic fluid clinging to the inner portion of the shell fragments contains a number of enzymes required by an Achidna's body to produce its venom.

 

The Vipers we see today are the remnants of a once great species. Their civilization developed in a swampy temperate zone of Shi-yii they call Ssth-Kr'th and spread across the entire planet. With their innate resistance to adverse conditions they built cities in every climate, from the blazing heat of their tropics, to the frozen poles.

 

"...Well, it's stupid, it seems like a half-snake half-man to me, why aren't we calling it the Snakeman?, ...what the heck do you mean by copyrights?"

- Jonathan HuntHausen, Research Division, Xenopsychology Department

I should mention that evolution supports hexagonal structures rather than pentagonal since they are stronger. Not that it matters any as the Viper is from a different world. :)

 

- Zombie

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only a fast glance, I have to leave now, will be back in a few hours.

 

VIPER

X-Net://Pegasus.net/Alien/Species/Viper

 

The Vipers are one of the more unsettling of the various invading Alien species. Their eerie similarity to terrestrial rattlesnakes evokes a common fear among all personnel. Indeed, early field reports suggested that this might have been a creature genetically engineered from Earthly fauna, grown to enormous size and grafted with arms. However, these creatures are a completely new Alien species; sentient beings with the remnants of what must have been an amazing culture. Our initial interrogations have given us the name of the Viper home world, Sshi-yii, and a general idea of its location. From the subject's description, we suspect that this world is actually a moon of one of the earliest extra solar planets that have been discovered. It is known to astronomers as HD-70642 b, orbiting a type G5 star, approximately 29 parsecs from Earth. More detailed information of this world is unknown to us at this point.

 

The Vipers are a carnivorous species, able to eat only freshly killed meat. They appear to be comfortable on land, but prefer shallow water, suggesting a swamp-based origin. In keeping with their generally reptilian appearance, a Viper's body is covered in thousands of pentagonal scales, except for the head. Eleven large plates of bone-reinforced scales protect the head itself. These scales provide excellent natural armoring of vital areas, and allow these Aliens to function in a wide variety of conditions. While sentient in its own right, the subject refers constantly to “the Master”, from whom all its kin take orders. From the context of these statements, we are sure that the subject does not merely refer to its own leaders, but a completely separate species that seems to be directing the Vipers’ incursions on our planet.

 

The Viper species reproduces asexually, laying between thirty and fifty softball-sized eggs at a time in a frenzy of ovulation. The eggs are released into a common, water-filled gestational pit, where the soft jelly-like mucus that protects each egg can come in contact with another individual’s ovum. This contact allows for a transfer of genetic material between the different eggs, resulting in fertilization. Eggs cannot be fertilized by sibling ova. The soft covering requires that the eggs must remain immersed in water in their natural state. However, according to our current subject, the Vipers have developed a symbiotic relationship with the creatures they call Achidnas, specifically their defensive secretions is it only me, or does this sentence read strnage?. When in contact with these venomous secretions, the vulnerable covering of the Viper egg hardens, forming a tough leathery shell. The substance also apparently affects the fetuses to a genetic level, providing them with immunity to the Achidna venom. After an extended period of time (unfortunately, we are still unable to accurately translate time measurement), all viable eggs within a birthing pit hatch within brief period, and a feeding frenzy begins amongst the newborns. Out of several hundred fertilized eggs, only a dozen or so will survive the birth process. Once the hatching is complete, the birthing pit is opened to the Achidnas, who devour the shells, along with any unhatched eggs. The amniotic fluid clinging to the inner portion of the shell fragments contains a number of enzymes required by an Achidna's body to produce its venom.

 

The Vipers we see today are the remnants of a once great species. Their civilization developed in a swampy temperate zone of Shi-yii they call Ssth-Kr'th and spread across the entire planet. With their innate resistance to adverse conditions they built cities in every climate, from the blazing heat of their tropics, to the frozen poles.

 

"...Well, it's stupid, it seems like a half-snake half-man to me, why aren't we calling it the Snakeman?, ...what the heck do you mean by copyrights?"

- Jonathan HuntHausen, Research Division, Xenopsychology Department

I should mention that evolution supports hexagonal structures rather than pentagonal since they are stronger. Not that it matters any as the Viper is from a different world. :)

 

- Zombie

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However, according to our current subject, the Vipers have developed a symbiotic relationship with the creatures they call Achidnas, specifically their defensive secretions is it only me, or does this sentence read strnage?.

I don't know, it sounds fine to me. :wink1:

 

Read it like this to see if it makes any sense:

 

However, according to our current subject (a live Viper), the Vipers have developed a symbiotic relationship with the creatures they call the Achidnas, specifically their (the Achidnas) defensive secretions.

Perhaps a minor rewording of that sentence might help.

 

- Zombie

Edited by Zombie
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However, according to our current subject, the Vipers have developed a symbiotic relationship with the creatures they call Achidnas, specifically their defensive secretions is it only me, or does this sentence read strnage?.

I don't know, it sounds fine to me. :wink1:

 

Read it like this to see if it makes any sense:

 

However, according to our current subject (a live Viper), the Vipers have developed a symbiotic relationship with the creatures they call the Achidnas, specifically their (the Achidnas) defensive secretions.

Perhaps a minor rewording of that sentence might help.

 

- Zombie

Yea, let's reword it to something like this:

However, according to our current subject, the Vipers have developed a symbiotic relationship with the creatures they call the "Achidnas", using specifically thier defensive secretions and providing a protected living enviroment in return.

 

But that is a bit wordy. maybe you can think of sth. better?

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Wordy? Not any worse than it was before. ;)

 

I actually like your rewording just the way it is. Why don't we roll with this text as it stands right now? It's a good read. :)

 

Before we do, I'd like you to look at the agreement problem I noticed before. Is it supposed to be "Sshi-yii" or "Shi-yii"?

 

- Zombie

Edited by Zombie
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OK. Final version.

VIPER

X-Net://Pegasus.net/Alien/Species/Viper

 

Vipers are one of the more unsettling of the various invading Alien species. Their eerie similarity to terrestrial rattlesnakes evokes a common fear among all personnel. Indeed, early field reports suggested that this might have been a creature genetically engineered from Earthly fauna, grown to enormous size and grafted with arms. However, these creatures are a completely new Alien species; sentient beings with the remnants of what must have been an amazing culture. Our initial interrogations have given us the name of the Viper home world, Sshi-yii, and a general idea of its location. From the subject's description, we suspect that this world is actually a moon of one of the earliest extra solar planets that have been discovered. It is known to astronomers as HD-70642 b, orbiting a type G5 star, approximately 29 parsecs from Earth. More detailed information of this world is unknown to us at this point.

 

The Vipers are a carnivorous species, able to eat only freshly killed meat. They appear to be comfortable on land, but prefer shallow water, suggesting a swamp-based origin. In keeping with their generally reptilian appearance, a Viper's body is covered in thousands of pentagonal scales, except for the head. Eleven large plates of bone-reinforced scales protect the head itself. These scales provide excellent natural armoring of vital areas, and allow these Aliens to function in a wide variety of conditions. While sentient in its own right, the subject refers constantly to “the Master”, from whom all its kin take orders. From the context of these statements, we are sure that the subject does not merely refer to its own leaders, but a completely separate species that seems to be directing the Vipers’ incursions on our planet.

 

The Viper species reproduces asexually, laying between thirty and fifty softball-sized eggs at a time in a frenzy of ovulation. The eggs are released into a common, water-filled gestational pit, where the soft jelly-like mucus that protects each egg can come in contact with another individual’s ovum. This contact allows for a transfer of genetic material between the different eggs, resulting in fertilization. Eggs cannot be fertilized by sibling ova. The soft covering requires that the eggs must remain immersed in water in their natural state. However, according to our current subject, the Vipers have developed a symbiotic relationship with creatures they call "Achidnas", using thier defensive secretions and providing a protected living enviroment in return. When in contact with these venomous secretions, the vulnerable covering of the Viper egg hardens, forming a tough leathery shell. The substance also apparently affects the fetuses to a genetic level, providing them with immunity to the Achidna venom. After an extended period of time (unfortunately, we are still unable to accurately translate time measurement), all viable eggs within a birthing pit hatch within brief period, and a feeding frenzy begins amongst the newborns. Out of several hundred fertilized eggs, only a dozen or so will survive the birth process. Once the hatching is complete, the birthing pit is opened to the Achidnas, who devour the shells, along with any unhatched eggs. The amniotic fluid clinging to the inner portion of the shell fragments contains a number of enzymes required by an Achidna's body to produce its venom.

 

The Vipers we see today are the remnants of a once great species. Their civilization developed in a swampy temperate zone of Sshi-yii they call Ssth-Kr'th and spread across the entire planet. With their innate resistance to adverse conditions they built cities in every climate, from the blazing heat of their tropics, to the frozen poles.

 

"...Well, it's stupid, it seems like a half-snake half-man to me, why aren't we calling it the Snakeman?, ...what the heck do you mean by copyrights?"

- Jonathan HuntHausen, Research Division, Xenopsychology Department

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