Eheen
From Traveller Wiki - Science-Fiction Adventure in the Far future
| Eheen | |
|---|---|
| Status | Minor Race |
| Classification | omnivore/eater |
| Size | |
| Weight | |
| Homeworld | Sarabande (The Beyond 1817) |
| Multi-world | no |
| Canon | no |
| Reference | Peter Gray |
Intelligent, aquatic species native to Sarabande (The Beyond 1817) in the Federation of Garrone. The Eheen vaguely resemble Terran Horseshoe Crabs or Trilobites in appearance, except that they have an internal skeleton. The Eheen are oceanic bottom dwellers, descended from Omnivore/Eater ancestors that burrowed through the top layers of the ocean floor sifting for food.
The Eheen are very sophisticated at creating, refining and using tools. Their artisans, engineers and mathematicians are highly sought after. Early in their history they began using underwater vents for metalworking, and were at the underwater equivalent of TL7 when they were contacted, an accomplishment that included unique computer technology. All of this is the more remarkable given that they are not a very sociable species, even with their own kind.
Even their most fervent human supporters classify them as a race of "grumpy, old curmudgeons". Proudly individualistic and territorial, in the past Eheen would frequently deplete their food sources, and had to constantly move around looking for more. Often they would intrude into another Eheen’s feeding range, and fights would erupt. What social interaction they do have is often the result of screaming necessity, where mutual self-interest forced two or more feuding Eheen to set aside their differences, and from such alliances came much of their technical advancement and diffusion.
Over time their society evolved into a complex array of social contracts, and of negotiation between separate individuals. Interaction with them consists of having to deal with convoluted organizations of interested individuals, each with one feeler in every pie, and each with their own stake, which makes relations with them thorny and time-consuming. They are not very receptive towards outsiders of any kind, except where they might have useful abilities or contacts they lack themselves.
| This article was copied or excerpted from the following copyrighted sources and used under license from Far Future Enterprises and by permission of the author. |
| – Peter Gray - Beyond Library |
