Arachnid

"**Arachnids**" refers to a pseudo-species of humanoids who inhabited the Kalarr expanse, a vast and otherwise empty region of space. Arachnids were former individuals of various other species from the universe whose genetic information had been recombined by bacterial spores. Once an individual had been exposed to these spores, he or she underwent an aggressive transformation into an arachnid alien.

## Culture

Little is known of arachnid culture, though they seem to have communicated with each other using screeches and clicking noises. They operated spaceships and space stations of their own in the Kalarr expanse.

## Biology

Arachnids were bipedal creatures with multiple eyes, moist skin, and lateral jaws. They stood slightly hunched and preferred to walk quickly or run. Their hands and feet had tremendous traction, and they could run along the walls of the USS *Orville* with ease.

Arachnids reproduced first by infecting other sentient species with bacterial spores. Once inhaled by the victim, his or her genetic information was altered until no longer recognizable. First the victim's body would change, and then its mind until it barely remembered its original identity. Admiral Paul Christie, for example, was exposed to arachnid spores and transformed within about a day. When Doctor Claire Finn called out his name, he replied, "Not Paul. *More*."

Arachnids secondarily reproduced by ejecting a greenish slime from their mouths. The slime was highly potent, and victims transformed far more rapidly than those exposed to spores.

For the first two weeks after transformation, an arachnid's immune system was weak and susceptible to infection.

Members of this species were extremely strong and even Talla Keyali, a Xelayan, fought them off only with significant challenge.

## History

The origins of the arachnid pseudo-species are unknown, though they seem to have originated from (or close by) the Kalarr expanse within the Naklav sector. Early Krill explorers encountered them, and immediately recognized them as extremely dangerous and hostile creatures. Krill ships entered the expanse for the last time in either the 23rd century or very early 24th century, and forbade future generations from entering the area. Memory of the arachnids was recorded in the Anhkana, the Krill holy text, which called the Kalarr expanse "the Shadow Realm" and the arachnids "demons."

The Planetary Union first encountered arachnids in 2422 on an exploratory mission led by the Orville. The crew was nearly lost to the arachnids, but was saved when Claire threatened to release an artificial virus that would destroy the arachnids.

## Production

The arachnids had spaceships of their own, called "the Arachnoid Ship" by showrunner Seth MacFarlane. The set for the Arachnoid Ship was built inside the set of the Shuttle Bay of the USS *Orville*.

## Notable Arachnids

* Paul Christie
* Henry Park
* Michaels

## Trivia

* The alien is not named by any character, but they are credited as Arachnid Alien.

## Gallery

Paul Christie in his fully transformed "Spider-Xenomorph" form.Concept art showing different stages of an Arachnid
## References

1. ↑ Weintraub, Steve. "Seth MacFarlane on ‘The Orville: New Horizons,’ Directing While Acting, and Why He’s Grateful to Hulu [Exclusive]". Collider. July 2, 2022.