This article originally appeared in Pyramid #19
A New Alien Race for GURPS
by Erick Melton
The Yalkani most closely resemble terrestrial turtles, being covered with thick, rubbery scales and enclosed, front and back, with a soft carapace. Yalkani are highly aquatic and move much more gracefully in the water than they do on land. Yalkani are much more flexible than turtles, and have no trouble righting themselves if they happen to fall on their backs. Their heads are broad and flat, almost semi-circular in outline. Their mouth is ringed by cilia which serve as a sensory apparatus and, when stiffened with bodily fluid, as a defensive weapon (1d6 cutting damage after a successful grapple). Their eyes are wide-set and feature a protective nictating membrane. Their vision is much poorer that humans, and Yalkani rely much more heavily on smell and touch, both of which are excellent by human standards. The Yalkani stance is semi-upright, though they are equally comfortable going on all fours. When standing their forelimbs are clearly used as arms and the hind limbs as legs. Their hands are clumsier than human hands, with four thick digits, and feature retractable claws useful for digging and defense.
Yalkani have no nudity taboo, usually wearing nothing more than a harness with pouches and fasteners for whatever tools or items they might need. Body piercing is the most common form of Yalkani decoration, including more functional 'cargo rings' through the edge of the carapace. Normal coloration is in shades of green, ranging from . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: May 1, 1996
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