Grelian

The Grelians are a diminutive yet brilliant species renowned across Galaxa for their unmatched expertise in mechanics, engineering, and advanced systems. Standing at 2.5 to 3 feet tall, these small but resourceful beings have earned their place as indispensable technicians, engineers, and inventors in galactic societies. Grelians are celebrated for their keen intellect, social charm, and unique culture, which blends flamboyant aesthetics with a deep love for mathematics, history, and artistry.
Grelians hail from Osaria, a planet dominated by vast oceans, scattered islands, and submerged continents. Despite their history of hyper-aggressiveness, the species has evolved into one of the most cooperative and hospitable in the galaxy.

Biology

Physical Traits

• Height: 2.5 to 3 feet tall, with thick stocky builds adapted for strength.
• Skin: Ranges from brown to dark green, with a rough texture, and soft vellum
• Males: Small tusks protrude from their lower jaws, vestigial remnants from a more aggressive ancestral past.
• Eyes: Large and expressive, capable of low-light vision, ideal for their once-dim homeworld.
• Hands: Four dexterous fingers, including a prehensile thumb, enabling precise mechanical work.
• Lifespan: Approximately 120–150 Galaxian years, with elders revered as sources of knowledge and wisdom.

Diet

• Primary Foods: Small aquatic creatures, including fish, shellfish, and crustaceans.
• Toxic Banana-Like Fruit: A beloved delicacy prepared carefully to retain a mild toxicity, causing a pleasant numbing sensation. For Terrans, this fruit is bitter and unappetizing.
• Inebriants: Grelians enjoy alcohol, spice, and other intoxicants, though overindulgence is socially frowned upon.

Evolutionary Traits

• Tusks: Once larger and used in combat, Grelian tusks have shrunk over generations due to the selective breeding of less aggressive traits.
• Aquatic Adaptation: While not aquatic, their physiology allows them to tolerate humid, water-rich environments for extended periods.

Culture

Hospitality and Social Charm

Grelians are known for their exceptional hospitality and conversational skills. They delight in hosting guests with elaborate meals, strong drinks, and music performed on intricate native instruments. Their conversations often revolve around topics like:

• Advanced mathematics
• Engineering feats
• Cultural history
• Fashion design

Flamboyant Fashion

Both male and female Grelians are famed for their love of vibrant, geometric, and fractal patterns in their clothing:

• Designs: Complex, dazzling, and mathematically inspired.
• Craftsmanship: Though they rarely design clothing themselves, their custom creations are treasured for their unique aesthetic.

Troop-Based Society

Grelians organize their society into family units called troops, which govern individual islands. Thousands of years ago, these troops were led by hyper-aggressive war chiefs, but natural selection and cultural shifts have eliminated this leadership style:

• Troop Leadership: Now based on consensus and collaboration, with a focus on technological and cultural development.
• Cultural Shift: Aggressive tendencies were bred out as females selected less aggressive, more sensitive males, resulting in a cooperative and peaceful species.

Art and Music

Grelians are also skilled musicians and craftsmen:

• Instruments: Native instruments often incorporate mechanics, producing intricate and layered sounds.
• Art: Mechanical sculptures and kinetic art pieces are common expressions of their creativity.

Technology

Grelians are renowned for their technological prowess, excelling in fields such as:

• Engineering: Experts in designing and maintaining advanced machinery, from starship engines to planetary infrastructure.
• Mechanicals and Droids: Grelians frequently use mechanized suits and droids to assist with larger projects, enabling them to work on massive-scale systems.
• Artificial Islands: On their homeworld, they constructed massive floating cities and artificial islands after Osaria's climate shifted, submerging much of its landmass.

Homeworld: Osaria

The Grelian homeworld, Osaria, is a planet of endless oceans, scattered islands, and partially submerged continents:

• Geography:
  • Oceans cover over 90% of the planet.
  • Thousands of islands dot the seas, forming the basis of Grelian society.
  • The largest continent is sacred and maintained as a wildlife preserve.
• Climate Shift:
  • Originally a planet of tundra and glaciers, Osaria warmed after a disruption in its orbit, melting its frozen regions.
  • Grelians adapted to their new environment by constructing artificial islands and oceanic cities.

Relations with Other Species

• Humans: Grelians admire Human ingenuity but often find their lack of precision and reliance on brute force inefficient.
• Canids: Grelians share a mutual respect with Canids, appreciating their loyalty and teamwork.
• Felids: Relations with Felids are strained due to the Felid slave trade, which Grelians staunchly oppose.
• Sluggo: Grelians and Sluggo get along surprisingly well, bonding over a shared love of innovation and a slightly chaotic approach to problem-solving.

Notable Grelians

1. Artisan Wex Fiddletusk: A renowned kinetic sculptor who created the massive floating sculpture Aurora's Dance in orbit around Osaria.
2. Technomancer Zevra Bracktail: A legendary engineer credited with revolutionizing plasma containment technology.
3. Host Master Glin Sparkluff: A celebrated diplomat and entertainer known for hosting elaborate galactic summits.

Trivia

• Grelian alcohol tolerances are far higher than most species, though their love for intoxication is considered improper in polite society.
• The "toxic banana fruit" is toxic and considered a delicacy. The fruit must be specially prepared to remove all of the tiny seeds. The fruit is consumed in just enough quantity to make their mouth go numb. Terran Species can consume the fruit with no side effects, but it is considered bitter and unappetizing.
• Grelian droids are often designed with whimsical, eccentric personalities, reflecting their creators' love of art and humor.
• Their sacred wildlife preserve on Osaria hosts some of the galaxy's rarest species, protected by Grelian conservation efforts.