Gorialax

* 1
* 2

## Appearance

Of the Milky Way aliens, the gorialax are the species most able to pose as human (albeit someone with a bad sunburn/spray tan).

Gorialax are relatively small (average height of 5'6'' for a male or 5'2'' for a female), lightly-built humanoids with a reddish skin tone that varies between individuals from a relatively bright pinkish colour to a burnt orange.  Hair colour is dark while eyes span the whole human spectrum.

## Biology

Unlike most humanoids, who evolved from a primate type creature, the gorialax are descended from an ornithapod type creature that filled much the same niche as a wildebeest does on the African savannah.  As such they are generally regarded as herbivores, though they will also eat small invertibrates.

The creature the gorialax evolved from was prey for many large carnivores.  Speed was the main mechanism of defense and that has carried over to the modern gorialax in several unusual characteristics.  The first and most obvious is their running speed.  A fit, unencumbered gorial can run at speeds of 30mph for extended periods of time.

The gestation period for gorialax young is 8.5 months (slightly less than a human) and they are born with a well developed lower body.  It is regarded as highly unusual for a gorialax not to be walking within an hour of birth.

Gorial bones are lighter than human bones meaning that a gorial will usually weigh 20% less than a human of similar size and body shape.  This also means they are physically weaker and tend to struggle carrying large loads.  Despite this, the gorialax form the backbone of the Federation of Civilised World's Special Forces, where they inevitably specialise in blitz-attacks.

## History

The Gorialax Collective first began exploring the Milky Way 5 millenia ago and began to study and categorise the species they found, visiting Earth around 4,500 years ago and studying humanity.

Unagressive by nature, the gorialax were initially shocked to find not all other races were interested in peaceful exploration and they began to arm their ships, though gorialax weapons proved woefully inadequate in the first centuries of exploration.  This changed with first contact with the berdikons, a race with a very similar collectivist outlook.  The two races began to pool knowledge and share designs, developing increasingly better and more sophisticated warships.

The two races combined about 4,000 years ago to form the 'Federation of Civilised Worlds', the faction which would come to dominate the Milky Way.  While there were initially competitors, the gorialax and berdikons defeated them all, one by one, emerging as the undisputed Hegemony in the milky way 3,000 years ago.

Federation society, led by the gorialax and berdikons has always been remarkably socially equitable.  The gorialax see themselves as members of a collective, rather than as competing individuals and resources are shared evenly.  This situation is not appealing to all species and despite the fact that non-gorialax/berdikons worlds are free to join, the gorialax still make up 42% of the Federation's total population (1.8 trillion) with the berdikons accounting for a further 40% (197 billion), though there are a huge number of 'Federation Aligned' worlds which are not included in this number.

The Federation's military has waned over the last three millenia.  Without any serious threats, it has suffered from progressive funding cuts, it's leadership is inexperienced and the crews and soldiers are generally green.

## Religion and Philosophy

The gorialax are herd creatures at heart and are fantastically loyal and completely unselfish, working together towards a common goal in a way that most other species (with the notable exception of the berdikons) are incapable of replicating.  Theft and cowardice/the abandonment of other members of the collective are seen as the worst crimes.

While it is unusual to see a gorial outside of the Federation and away from their communities, they are generally highly regarded ship crew amongst other alien races and are known to become fanatically loyal to their crewmates, bonding to them in the same way they would to the collective.

It should be noted that gorialax still have individual personalities and don't necessarily agree on the best way forward.

While they are generally seen as quite placid and non-violent, this tends to break down when the gorialax are competing for the affection of a romantic partner - about the only time when gorialax become truly individualistic.  Gorialax are also capable of violence in defence of the collective.

The gorialax religion, referred to by outsiders as 'Gorialism' is universally practiced amongst the gorialax.  Gorialism is a monotheism, worshiping the benevolent God 'Marduk' who preserves the souls of all deceased gorialax.  Those who have worked with the collective will be reunited with it in death to run together, for eternity, on Marduk's great plain.   Those who have failed the collective in life are cast out in death to make their own way in the wilderness, eternally separated from the collective.  Ancestors are venerated in the religion and are expected to welcome the souls of the newly deceased upon their journey to Marduk's plain.

## Alpha Timeline

Following the Ragon invasion of Earth, the Federation has suffered a number of serious military setbacks against the invading Ragon fleets.