Tannjens

The Tannjens (tahn yens) are an intelligent species originating on Crimwol. There are significant populations of Tannjens throughout Cosmoria, but the vast majority live within the Zalanthium arm. While their population has varied, they are generally the most populous species in Zalanthium.

Tannjens are bipedal vertabrates with a tough iron-oxide-reinforced skeleton. Their phylum, the monovertabremes, are centered on their spine and this structure is the first thing to develop. As such, a great deal of cognition takes place within the spine itself. Higher order thought takes place within the skull, in particular behind the eyes. Crimwol is a cold planet whose conditions have forced the evolution of warm blood and hair.

Features

Tannjens use oxygen's powerful chemical properties to break down nutrients. Their primary solvent is water with about one percent ethanol content. This is left over from the ancient ultra-cool temperatures of Crimwol around its younger sun. In those days, its bacteria were over fifty percent ethanol by volume. Now the remaining ethanol content is mostly vestigial.

The Tannjens have two large fingers and two dexterous fingers and each hand. They have two eyes, ears, and nostrils. There are a number of coloration and variants in fur, skin, and eye color.

Society

The Tannjens tend to form small highly-mobile social groups. The results are nomadic tendencies; their home planet of Crimwol had been abandoned and resettled thrice. During these periods of abandonment, most Tannjens lived amongst Hwrett's numerous asteroids in small communities. Zero gravity space settlement has had a huge impact on Tannjen society, even as they had resettled their home planet.

Until recently, the majority of living Tannjens were Nachleben, living beings turned into machines.