Name:
-- Emergency Order Directive 34 (EOD34), aka Crashlanders, aka Bloodwing, aka Lirok
World of Origin:
-- Lirok Beta 981, a harsh world with an over-developed ecosystem that thrives on aggressive reproduction and expansion.
Biology:
-- Overall near-human, with several notable alterations; a secondary pair of smaller arms is located just under the primary pair; the hands of the larger arms end in serrated claws; skin is somewhat rubbery (which confers limited resistance to irritants, shrapnel, and acids) with noticeable "plate" divides, especially around the joints; vital areas (such as the back, chest, neck, hips, thighs, calves, and forearms) are protected by thicker, layered chitin plating; the spine extends into a long, flexible tail tipped with a scorpion-like stinger; flexible barbs along the jaw line, forearms, and shoulders; and a pair of segmented antennae.
-- Typically have rich, cream-coloured skin and darker red chitin, although there are exceptions.
-- A majority of EOD34 have been infected with a radical fungus-like parasite known as "sanguine mutiformation"; infection results in the radical internal mutation of the host, culminating in a semi-controlled ability to reform limbs and significant portions of one's anatomy as tendrils, claws, and teeth.
Early History:
-- EOD34 are the result of a human seed-ship suffering a malfunction and crashing on a "death world". The onboard computer assessed the situation and ensured its cargo's best chance of survival with splicing them with the native wildlife, resulting in a primitive, aggressive offshoot of humanity. This offshoot survived and even thrived for some time before contact with the seed-ship was reestablished by baseline humanity; with the help of a computer-designed implant intended to dial back their aggressive nature, EOD34 was uplifted and reincorporated into humanity. However, their odd nature resulted in EOD34 taking naturally towards a nomadic lifestyle; the species soon became known for its wayward crews of explorers, merchants, and pirates.