HOMEWORLD- Squig

ORBIT- 402 days.

GEOGRAPHY- Oceanic. Low continents surrounded by dense cyprus-like swamps.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION- The Squiggle hang upside down and travel by swinging from limb to limb with their tentacles. It is believed they evolved from an octopus-like creature that climbed into the trees at night to escape the many swimming predators.
Squiggle cities are a mass of interconnected ladderways that allow them to rapidly move from place to place. On open terrain they must use especially designed travel suits that allow them to walk upright. Few of them can manage to operate these suits as this position is very unnatural to them.
The few times Squiggles have landed on Earth they have been seen in these suits.

POLITICAL SYSTEM- Democratic. Monarchy. All officials are now elected but most are descendants of the Squiggles' ancient royal family who have served as political officials since the beginning of their recorded history.

RELIGION- Ancestor worship with fertility aspects. Closest parallel on Earth is the Wiccan practices of medieval Europe before the advent of Christianity. Squiggles have adopted no other religious practices due to contact with other races.
Squiggles are mild-mannered but can be extremely aggressive if provoked. Among The Galactic Community the expression is "Never offend a Squiggle." It is believed The Squiggles are not the original race on their world. There is evidence of vast ruins that there once existed a race on their world of very advanced technological capability. Fossil records show the development of a creature like a small dinosaur but then all fossil records disappear as if someone had gone out and deliberately destroyed everything beyond a certain date. No written records, however, have ever been found. The Squiggle occupy six planets in The Galactic Community and are known for their extreme fairness in trading, so are welcomed by all the non-allied races.

SOLAR SYSTEM- 7 planets made up of 5 planetoids, and 2 gaseous giants. Two of the planetoids orbit very close to the sun and are little more than large moons. Squig is the third planet. The other 2 are further out, and though somewhat larger hold extensive colonies. Each of the gaseous giants only have few moons, very small, but are surrounded by gorgeous ice rings that passing travelers often stop to admire. though The Squiggles have been mining the ice rings for centuries, they haven't even begun to disturb their splendor.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION- Very human-like head, on a very similar torso. Facial features and sexual organs very similar. The Squiggles' major physical difference is the tentacles that take the place of arms and legs. Extremely agile they can perform incredible acrobatic maneuvers. they reproduce almost identically to humans. Pregnancy, however, especially in the last couple of months, tends to ground the female.
Squiggles have many types of sleeping accommodations but their favorite is a hammock-like bed, which to them, is the ultimacy of comfort.
Surprisingly Squiggles swim very well and love the water. They are appalled by those who unthinkingly pollute their oceans.