Gephew

The **Gephew** are raced of winged semi-avian chondrichtyhans native to the planet Plaaniva. The Gephew possess a strange biology with a winged fish-like body that balances on one extended leg. Gephew culture gives value to scientific research, particularly biology. Gephew can use their one leg to leap up to seven meters in the air, a strength caused by Plaaniva's higher than average gravity.

## Biology and appearance

The **Gephew** are raced of winged semi-avian chondrichtyhans native to the planet Plaaniva. The Gephew are an odd species with an entirely unique biological layout. They have a large body with a protruding head at the front and two stubby limbs with wings all balanced on a single leg with multiple joints. The Gephew move by hopping on their foot, occasionally using their wings to hover and glide. Gephew are 1.8 meters in height, but can reach up to 2.1 meters if their leg is fully extended. Gephew usually weigh around 105 kilograms.

The Gephew's fish-like head is an extension of their torso. The mouth physically can't close, and contains 92 teeth that can rapidly regrow. Gephew have to protruding nostrils and two small, lidless eyes that are very dark blue in color. Despite the small size of the brain, the Gephew possess abnormally high intelligence. On the back, the Gephew have a fin, a vestigial remnant of their aquatic days. At the Gephew's rear there is an organ capable of shooting out poison. This organ can unfurl and ingest outside materials.

The Gephew's wings have a three meter wingspan, and consists of flaps of skin connected between the arm's joints. The Gephew's sole foot is large, consisting of three toes, two in the front and one in the back, with talons. The foot also has a thick sole. The Gephew cartilage based skin is smooth and soft to the touch. The skin is blue in color, while the stomach and random portions of the leg have white colorations.

Baby Gephew hatch from egg sacs as a fully aquatic creature. They develop their wings and foot over their first four months and mature at eight years of age while the adults live for around 80 years. Their is minimal differences between the males and females besides that female Gephew are usually have a lengthier leg than the males. Gephew can use their one leg to leap up to seven meters in the air, a strength caused by Plaaniva's higher than average gravity.

## Society and culture

Gephew culture gives value to scientific research, with biology and anthropology being especially valued in particular. This scientific interest leads to the Gephew's interest in self-reflection, making the Gephew an often solitary and quiet race. As one of the smartest species in the galaxy, the Gephew are at the forefront of scientific research, creating many breakthroughs in biological and psychological studies. As a culture, the Gephew are self-aware of their unique natures, often poking fun at their odd biology.

The cities on Plaaniva were originally built around the pillars of the planet, but have since graduated to floating mega-structures tethered to the pillars. Plaaniva society is led a council of elders, chosen for their knowledge and wisdom.

Gephew were one of the first species to develop advanced technologies like space travel. Their unique biology means that most of the Gephew's devices are augmented for use specifically by them. The Gephew's mainly used language is Gephese. Many widely used scientific terms originated from Gephese, making it widely used to this day.

## History

Though it is known that the early Gephew evolved on the planet Plaaniva, the rest of their early history is murky, with no fossil records or evidence to support it. It is speculated that the Gephew used to be aquatic, but evolved to be able to leap and fly to the top of Plaaniva's abundant pillars.

It is likely the Gephew's high intelligence was evolved as a counterweight to their unintuitive biology. Nevertheless, the Gephew were one of the first species to develop advanced technologies, being able to begin the long road of mapping out the galaxy. At 3,000 YBO, the Gephew made their first allies with the Mukalai'vi, soon becoming an ally with the Gi'min.

After a period of consideration, the Gephew joined the Outer Galaxy Coalition at 80 YAO, beginning a period of technological advancement for the government. The Gephew still remain part of the OGC, with a Rector in the government, and with scientists in every division. Gephew scientists have remained at the guidelines for most major galactic events. At 1,994 YAO, the Gephew began the OGC's exploration of Dead Space.

## Gephew in the galaxy

Though their advanced technologies allow the Gephew to spread across the galaxy, they are uncommon, due to the fact they can't survive on any planet or planetoid with gravity levels under 5.0. The Gephew are often mocked for their appearance, but still remain well-respected in the galactic community thanks to their contributions.

Gephew prefer to stay by themselves and usually are alone, though it can be easy to converse with them. Gephew are often sought for their knowledge, making the more public Gephew more extroverted over time.

Gephew are at the forefront of scientific research, creating many breakthroughs in biological and psychological studies, with most Gephew getting jobs as a researcher or psychologist. Their biology make Gephew unsuitable for most violent jobs, though some rarely become support soldiers. Most of the important scientific discoveries were made by Gephew researchers, with the Gephew's language and customs being the basis for modern science.