Saraani The Saraani were a species of religious , reptilian humanoid s . Biology . The Saraani were tall , with broad chests , narrow waists and long limbs . They had large , teardrop shaped heads , with horns on the top in various patterns . Their skin ranged in colour from blues to pinks to greens . They had gill - like structures around their necks , allowing them to breath . They fed on insect s , which they ate using their long , retractile tongues . They had little need for water . Saraani had short lives , only living 10 years . In order to compensate , they had a unique method of reproduction . When they reached the end of the lives , they would rapidly start to age . At this point , another Saraani would use a probe like tongue , which would be able to weave into the dying Saraani ' s brain stem . This process would begin the asexual production of an egg , which would gain the memories of the dead Saraani , allowing the Saraani to be effectively reincarnated . ( PROSE : " Dry Pilgrimage " ) Culture . Religion . The Saraani were a very religious species , until they were overthrown by the atheistic groups . The Saraani believed in the God Universe , a pantheistic theory that God and the universe were one . The Khulayn was the religious leader , equatable with a priest . They banned the drinking of alcohol and disliked advanced technology . Saraani would hum through their gills to deter evil spirits . Reproduction was strictly regulated by their religion , where it was called the " Holy Transference " . The sharing of minds following the Holy Transference was known as " communion " , while the eventual addition of memories to the egg was the " Holy Instruction " . For the Holy Transference , the dying Saraani were expected to make a pilgrimage to the Temple of Ending in their home town . Those who would take their minds would be expected to fast for days beforehand . When the egg was to be laid , the Saraani would go to the Temple of Beginning . Holy Transference with an alien was strictly forbidden , punishable by abortion of the egg and excommunication . The Saraani used water - murals , which were complex series of chutes and wheels , to sanctify water for religious ceremonies like the Holy Instruction . The atheists who didn ' t follow the religion were known as " Renaissants " . Until they came into power , they were generally sterilised so they could not reproduce and share their minds . ( PROSE : " Dry Pilgrimage " ) Other cultural traits . Saraani had long names , up to 60 syllables long , and unpronounceable to human s . When dealing with other species , they used syllabic compression translation systems , shortening the words to two or three syllables . Saraani architecture was more open than human designs , with fewer edges and corners . They didn ' t uses stairs , but did use ramps and elevators . ( PROSE : " Dry Pilgrimage " ) History . The Saraani were an older species , with their civilisation beginning around 497400 B . C . During this time , their religion developed , as well as the individuals who opposed it . Though these Renaissants were originally rare , over time they grew in power and number . At some point in the late 26th century , the Renaissants took control and exiled the religious Saraani off the Saraanis . One Khulayn planned to take back control of Saraanis . Making a deal with Czar itza Violaine of Visphok , he agreed to help her build a bioconstruct army . Using the Holy Transference to transfer the minds of old soldiers to the new bodies , she agreed to first use the army to take back control of Saraanis . They planned to meet on Dellah , with the Khulayn bringing unknowing refugee Saraani for the process . When the Earth government caught wind of this , they employed a Saraani , Vilbian to investigate the matter . During the trip to the meeting point , an early bioconstruct subject went berserk , attacking Bernice Summerfield and killing Maeve Ruthven . Vilbian saved Maeve ' s mind and during communion learned of the plans the Khulayn , at which point he transferred Maeve ' s mind to one of the bioconstructs to try to save her . When the Visphok forces arrived , the Saraani were captured , but Benny was able to free them after the bioconstruct containing Maeve ' s mind went berserk . Following their freedom , the Saraani planned to settle on Dellah , with Mirrium becoming the next Khulayn after the death of the previous one . ( PROSE : " Dry Pilgrimage " )