User:Eyrezer/Sandpit 2

"In our efforts, we have learned that life is not rare. Rather, given a chance, life will occur. It is tenacious, aggressive&mdash;it seems to crave existence."

- Tem Eliss; Sentientologist

Sentient species were unique lifeforms, that gained self awareness.

Lifeforms
The predominant form of form of sentient life in the galaxy were carbon-based lifeforms. However other forms of sentient life did exist, such as silicon-based or energy-based lifeforms. Across these different origins, most species were easily classified into a number of groups.



Mammalian sentient species were warm-blooded vertebrates, who nourished young through secretions from mammary glands. Most mammals were covered in hair. Some of the most prominent species in the galaxy were mammals, such as the Humans and their numerous offshoots, and the Duros. Other notable forms were Wookiees, Bothans and Sullustans.

Reptilian sentient species were cold-blooded vertebrates, typically covered in scales or bony plates. They typically evolved from species such as lizards, snakes and crocodiles. Most reptiles were land based, and lay eggs to reproduce. Reptilian sentient species were also very common in the galaxy, and notable examples included the Rodians, Barabels and Trandoshans. They also came in less humanoid forms, such as the Slith.

Plant sentient species synthesized energy from water, nutrients and sunlight. As such were usually immobile, although some species were able to move to seek better soil, light or nutrients. The Neti and Ergesh were two examples of this form of life.

Insect sentient species were arthropods, with defined body segments; most commonly head, thorax and abdomen. Many had hard exoskeletons, wings, and could have any number of segmented legs. Some insectoid species evolved into different forms, such as humanoid insect species. Common examples of this form of life were the Verpine, Fefze, and Bartokk.

Hard invertebratess had hard outer bodies with no internal skeleton. These often included crustaceans, and some flying creatures. While this classification also included insectoid species, they were grouped separately. Examples of hard invertebrate sentient species included the Sauvax, the Aganof and the Tarc.



Soft invertebrates were descended from soft-bodied species with no bones, such as octopi, slugs and worms. Sentient species of this origin took many diverse forms, such as the Iyra, and Ee.

Avian sentient species were warm-blooded, feathered and winged creatures. They typically had light bones and strong muscles, needed to enable flight. However, many sentient avian species had lost the ability to fly. Examples of this kind included the Mrlssi, Quor'sav and the Tikiarri.

Finally, aquatic sentient species were those descended from marine life. These lifeforms often fit into other categories, but were classified together. Aquatic lifeforms included those that could breathe water, air, or both. These include the Mon Calamari, Quarren, and Herglic.

Despite these broad categories, some lifeforms are so truly alien they do not fit easily into any of the common categories. These are categorized as exotic sentient species, and include the Filar-Nitzan and Pulra.

Study of species
Many institutions in the galaxy focused on the study of sentient species. Those scientists and anthropologists that studied sentient species were known as sentientologists. Some of the most notable of these were Senior Anthropologist Mammon Hoole and Tem Eliss.

The Catalog of Intelligent Life in the Galaxy was commissioned by Lord Vader, and was carried out under the auspices of Major Vontenn, Liaison Officer of Sentiology Studies. While it contained much information, it was also a conduit for Imperial propaganda, and as such, had a tendency to depict some species as less developed than was actually the case.

Another major work on sentientology was the University of Sanbra Guide to Intelligent Life by the Iyra Tem Eliss. Rather than a scientific study, it was designed to facilitate first contact with species, providing "guidelines as to common cultural interests, goals, fears and drives." However, it departed from Imperial doctrine on a number of points. The Empire tried to apprehend its author shortly before publication, but the academic escaped and released his research through underground networks and newsnets.

Species articles
Articles on sentient species within this galactic repository are organized along more main sections.

Biology and appearance deals with the physical characteristics of the species. This includes descriptions of both their physical, instinctual and mental abilities, with particular emphasis on unique factors.

History deals with the major events in the history of the species. This includes such events as wars, discovery by the galactic community, and other important epochs.

Culture deals with the sociological organization of the species, including such features as language, temperament, and family and societal structures.

[Species] in the galaxy provides an overview of the species involvement in the galactic community with particular emphasis on species trends and notable individuals. Depending on the available information, this section in particular may be incorporated into the earlier sections.

Each of these four sections may be further subdivided as appropriate.

Navigating the encyclopedia
This repository organizes sentient species a number of ways:
 * A list of all the known identified species in the galaxy can be found here.
 * In addition to this, galleries of the sentient species can be found here, sorted alphabetically. Within these galleries, there is also access to galleries focused on particular species and their homeworld.
 * Finally, for the species that wonder the galaxy without having been cataloged, there is a gallery of them here.

Alien species are also categorized according to biological and cultural phenomenon.
 * Biological categories such as mammalian, reptilian, and amphibian can be found here.
 * Cultural categories such as xenophobic or enslaved species can be found here.