Catsfern and Extraterrestrials

Origins and History
Contact with Intelligent extraterrestrial life was first made by Catsfern on September 9th 2116 at 10:43 PM on the outskirts of Raven Rock. The extraterrestrials arrived at a dairy facility nearby an empty field where they landed their ship and set up shop. They wanted to trade with Catsfern and were especially interested in dairy products and pizza. President Eden soon made his way to meet the aliens and the first trade deal was made. Catsfern began to trade dairy, pizza, and other foodstuffs for metals and advanced tech including a limited number of FTL capable engines. Catsfern now holds exclusive trade rights with the extraterrestrials and has foeged closer ties with them. A trade base was constructed on Mars to better facilitate trade and an extraterrestrial crew member accompanied a human crew as an FTL engineer on Catsfern first extraplanetary colonization Effort.

Biology
The extraterrestrials that now commonly trade with Catsfern are humanoid with many similarities to humans, but at the same time many differences. They stand at an average of 2.1 meters tall, over half of their height comes from their legs which measure an average of 1.2 meters and bend in two places equidistant from the ends of the legs and from each other. One bend goes out in front of them like a human knee and the other goes back behind them like a birds. The leg is straight while standing but folds like an accordian when crouching or going to take a step before swinging out when walking, or can be used to spring themselves forward while running. At the end of the leg is an ankle capable of 270 degree rotation which attaches to a long webbed foot. The foot itself is on average .3 meters long, splitting about ¾ of the way down into 4 webbed toes that go from pointing straight forward to fanning out 180 degrees. The other end of the leg attaches to a pelvis which is almost identical to a human with generally the same range of motion.

Above the pelvis the torso may outwardly seem very similar to a human, but is internally much different. The stomach is located much higher in the chest above the lungs and heart which are both very centrally located. The stomach is as high as it is due to the extraterrestrials evolving to eat plants and animals that would otherwise be toxic. The shorter distance between mouth and stomach gives whatever toxin much less time to be absorbed. This diet has also given the extraterrestrials a very smooth throat and a much stronger stomach acid. The stomach itself is very thick and tough and produces more mucus than a human stomach would in order to compensate for this stronger acid. The Thickness of the stomach has increased its size causing the upper chest area to protrude some, an effect which is compounded by a particularly thick rib plate which protects a stomach that would otherwise be vulnerable. The combination of those two factors causes the upper chest area of the extraterrestrial to bulge out similar to a human female's bosom, but lacking in cleavage and without nipples. The lungs and heart are located centrally in the chest along with an intestine which goes straight down into folded intestines like a human would have. The rib cage extends down to protect this area, but stops above the intestines. The extraterrestrials other organs are also in this area. At the top of the torso are large muscles both for the attachment of arms and for muscular tentacles that come from the back of the shoulder.

The arms of the extraterrestrial are long compared to that of humans, about the same length as the legs though they only bend in one place. The arms end in hands which are similar in structure to a human hand but with three longer tentacles where a human's four fingers would be and one shorter tentacle serving the purpose of a thumb. These tentacles are almost pure muscle with super flexible cartilage for structure. Due to this the hands boast in impressive grip strength and have the ability to close into a fist both inwardly and outwardly. Extraterrestrials also feature much longer tentacles on the back of their shoulders which attach just on either side of the spine. The shoulders of an extraterrestrial have larger shoulder blades in order to serve as a base for the tentacles. Much like the ones on the hand these tentacles are made of muscle and flexible cartilage, but these ones are much longer measuring at about 1.5 meters on average. The shoulder tentacles feature much less fine motor control, but are perfectly adequate for carrying things, pulling on handles, pushing, or other taste that require less refined movement. Above the shoulders sits the head.
The head of the extraterrestrial is very similar in shape and size to a human, though they feature a much more elongated jaw and snout which points downward and have the ability to very comfortably look up and straighten their head so their jaw is in line with the rest of their body. The mouth of the extraterrestrial features 50 teeth 16 of which are similar to human incisors, 12 like human canines, and the rest like molars. A long tongue similar in structure to one of the extraterrestrial’s tentacles is also a prominent feature in their mouth. The snout sits above the mouth with openings at the front of the upper jaw which can close to be watertight. The eyes located at either side of the end of the snout are similar to that of a human with the extraterrestrial also having two forward facing eyes. Two sets of eyelids are present though, the outer opaque lid and a thinner transparent eyelid underneath the outer eyelid.

The skin of the extraterrestrial is very smooth and only features short hairs even on the head. The color of the skin can be various shades of gray with a substance similar to melanin in humans giving them their pigmentations. Interestingly it seems the extraterrestrials can also have albinism and be completely lacking in pigmentation, in which case their shin will also be pure white. The blood of the extraterrestrials is green in color due to it containing copper rather than iron like a human.

The extraterrestrials reproduce sexually with two biological sexes which literally translate to english as “egg givers” and “life beginners” with “egg givers” being closer to a human female and “life beginners” being closer to a human male Reproductive organs are located in the pelvic area like on a human and the process of reproduction is similar as well. Though, it should be noted that while the process is similar it isn’t physically pleasurable for the extraterrestrial like it is for a human, but nor is it painful. The birthing process is also more comfortable for the extraterrestrial “egg giver” than it is for a human female even with the “egg giver” laying two or three eggs at a time. The “egg giver” will carry the eggs for about three months in which time their appetite will spike greatly and they will eat much more than usual, with most of the extra calories and nutrients going into a thick paste that will fill the eggs. When the “egg giver” then lays the eggs after three months the eggs are initially very soft and malleable with a lot of extra room for the only ⅓ developed fetus inside the egg. This allows the eggs to come out much easier than a human birth. Once the eggs are outside the mother the eggs will quickly harden forming a much more solid shell and for a period of about 6 months the fetus will grow inside the egg absorbing the nutrient paste as it does. After six months when the egg hatches the child has a full set of teeth and the ability to eat solid foods already, but other than that is very similar to a human baby.

Extraterrestrials age and mature somewhat faster than humans with 15 being considered the beginning of adulthood, 50 being considered elderly, and the oldest member of their species on record only living to 92.

The extraterrestrials evolved semi-aquatically in a somewhat tropical climate on their homeworld, however the area they evolved in was home to many toxic plants and animals which they had to evolve to eat. Their comfortable temperature range is about 70 to 100 degrees fahrenheit.

Culture
Culturally the extraterrestrials are somewhat secretive, though this seems not to come from any sort of malicious intent, but rather as a consequence of business sense. The extraterrestrials are very mercantile with trade guilds being very powerful organizations serving as both government and corporation in some of their extraplanetary colonies. Wealth is determined in their culture by control of property both physical and intellectual, meaning that a guild's trade secrets are highly protected so as not to lose control. Little is known of their homeworld because of this as the location of the species homeworld is considered the most closely guarded trade secret of the whole species. Disclosure of the homeworld's location to an outsider is considered high treason and punished accordingly. What the extraterrestrials call themselves is also unknown because of this due to the planet being named after the extraterrestrials. Despite their secrecy the extraterrestrials are always willing to make a deal or trade due to their mercantile nature.

Extraterrestrials are also very legalistic with contracts being held in high regard and laws generally followed stringently. Trade guilds among the extraterrestrials are joined willingly after one reaches adult age, and many guilds will offer various incentives and rewards to convince others to join the guild. From pay bonuses, extra access to a certain product, educational opportunities, or extra time off the contracts are meticulously negotiated between employee and employer, and once signed are stringently followed by both parties.

The manner of dress among the extraterrestrials is interesting as above about 65 to 70 degrees the extraterrestrials will typically forgo chest covering entirely. In this temperature range the extraterrestrials will wear leg garments similar to skirts or pants. Long skirt like leg garments are considered to be more formal attire often being intricately patterned and decorated whereas pants are considered to be either casual or work clothes. Work pants will typically be made of a tougher material and be tighter to the skin while casual pants will often be looser and made of a softer material. In temperatures below 65 the extraterrestrials will begin to dawn chest coverings to retain body heat. These essentially serve the same purpose of a jacket or coat and are usually less formal. Their colors are often plain and the coat's material is made to retain heat and be comfortable.