Atorm

The **Atorm** are a race of annelids native to the planet Atorm. Atorms can grow up to four meters in length, gaining a new segment each time they shed their skin. Even though their homeworld is located deep within the Unclaimed Regions at the outer edge of the known galaxy, the Atorm are members of and represented in the Outer Galaxy Coalition.

## Biology and appearance

The Atorm are a race of annelids native to the planet Atorm. Atorms have a serpentine body that can be up to four meters in length. The body is made up of many coiled layers, of which a new one is added every time the Atorm sheds their skin. Their skin is caramel in color and 3.5 centimeters thick, giving protection to the Atorm's scattered interior organs. At the end of the tail, there is a small organ that excretes the eggs. Atorm's typically stand at 1.6 meters high and weigh 35 kilograms.

The head of an Atorm is in a t-shape, with two narrow eyes that protrude off either side. The eyes, though lidless, have multiple layers of skin allowing them to rotate in any direction. The eyes are completely clear and have a yellow or white coloration. The Atorm's mouth is lower down on the body. It is always open, with four lip flaps that move the food down the esophagus.

The Atorm lack any sexes, with any individual being capable of asexual reproduction. Atorms hatch from layered eggs that are laid by an adult every 20 years. The young Atorm never fully matures, instead they shed their skin once per year, each time growing in size and gaining a new layer in their body. This can happen up to ninety times over the Atorm's 80 year lifespan.

## Society and culture

Despite their lack of any appendages, the Atorm are a surprisingly advanced race. Developed mostly isolated on the far side of the galaxy, Atorm culture is one of peace, with most Atorm living out their lives in the narrow tunnels of their subterranean cities. These cities are built into the rock walls of the underground cave systems of Atorm and are highly protected from the blind predators of the caves.

Atorm society lacks any leaders, with each Atorm caring only for themselves and their offspring. Atorms only congregate with each when digging through the sediments and creating new tunnels. Atorm culture treats mining as a public event, with digging often being an Atorm's only form of recreation. This means that most of the Atorm technology is dedicated to mining.

The main language of the Atorm is Atormish, a quiet hymn-like language that is rarely spoken even by the Atorm themselves.

## History

The Atorm first evolved on the planet Atorm from a burrowing worm species. They were able to develop advanced technologies due to the valuable minerals in the caves of their homeworld. This caused the Atorm to have space travel technology by around 1,500 YBO. Atorm astronauts encountered the OGC at 654 YAO, and thus gained membership in the government.

Though the Atorms still remain a part of the OGC, they are minimally involved, since their homeworld is too far away to be directly involved in any galactic events. Besides this, the Atorm have a single Rector in the government.

## Atorms in the galaxy

Atorm are a rare species, mainly being located across the Unclaimed Regions. Despite being members of the OGC, almost no Atorms live in the government's space. Because of all this, Atorm remain a relatively unknown species in the galaxy, with limited contact to their homeworld. The Atorm's advanced technology makes them one of the more advanced races of the galaxy. This technology is especially adapted for mining, making Atorm a trade hub for mining companies.

Some of the only Atorm in the OGC work as representatives for the species. Elsewhere, Atorm in the Unclaimed Regions typically work in the underground or in mining jobs.