Large, sentient predators that spun webs, known as Rakaans, originated from Rakaa IV. A distinguishing characteristic was their five-stage life cycle, which involved sequential changes in sex. Though Rakaans primarily inhabited land, they exhibited skill in swimming. Their bodies were segmented, displaying mottled green or dark-brown coloration, and they possessed ten limbs. The forelimbs functioned as arms. Their heads, equipped with four segmented eyes and openings for both breathing and hearing, were positioned atop lengthy, flexible necks. Unusually, their brains resided within their abdomens, while their mouths were situated on their lower ventral surfaces. Rakaans naturally thrived in the balmy forests and jungles of Rakaa IV, entering a state of hibernation when faced with freezing conditions.
A Rakaan in the andro phase caring for eggs.
As predators, Rakaans employed webs spun from their abdomens to ensnare their prey. Typically, these webs weakened after two hours, but the addition of Rakaan saliva mixed with nergk root juices acted as a preservative, extending their lifespan to weeks. Additionally, glands in their mouths produced a substance capable of dissolving these webs. These long-lasting webs were utilized to encase prey for consumption at a later time. During confrontations, Rakaans could either launch their webs or deliver bites using their fanged mandibles.
Rakaans originated from eggs. Their early existence was marked by a child phase, which typically spanned thirty years. However, the duration of this phase could vary, ranging from a mere five years to as long as sixty years before reaching maturity. On average, Rakaan children reached a height of only half a meter.
Upon concluding their childhood, they underwent a period referred to as the "Transition." This transition resulted in the Rakaan assuming one of four distinct sexes: male, female, neuter, or "andro." The distribution of these sexes was contingent upon the environmental conditions of the Rakaan community. In times of scarcity, the population of neuters increased. Conversely, during periods of population decline, such as during a hive war, the Transition favored the emergence of males, females, or andros to bolster breeding rates. Throughout their lifespan of approximately 160 years, Rakaans experienced multiple Transitions. Typically, a Rakaan underwent at least three Transitions, spending anywhere from three months to eighty years in a single sex. During the Transition, Rakaans exhibited heightened aggression and an insatiable appetite.
Rakaan crime boss Lud Chud with an alien bounty hunter.
Rakaan males, standing approximately two meters tall, possessed heightened sensory abilities compared to other sexes. Females represented the largest Rakaans, reaching heights of up to three meters. They also featured an extended abdomen, which allowed them to incubate and nourish fertilized eggs for a period of three months. Subsequently, they transferred their eggs to nesting chambers, where andros provided care. Andros exhibited slower movement compared to other adults and possessed the ability to secrete a nourishing paste, which they applied to the eggs. Neuters, the final Rakaan sex, did not participate in reproduction. Instead, they functioned as the guards, hunters, and warriors of the Rakaan community. Standing at only 1.5 meters tall and possessing a more efficient metabolism, their dietary requirements were less demanding than those of other Rakaans.
Despite its strategic position within the galaxy, Rakaans rarely ventured far from their homeworld.