Pr?*tan

Pr?*tans is a name invented by Brother Parvus to describe this unusual species. The "?*" part of their name is pronounced as a whistle and a grunt.

Biology
For offworld visits, Pr?*tans confine themselves within a box that maintains the heat and poisonous air they need, and talk through a loud-speaker. One thing that can be discerned about them through the semi-transparent walls of these boxes is that the Pr?*tans have tentacles.

Culture and society
Judging by their title conventions they are mostly likely a hive-based species.

History
The Pr?*tan Hives were one of the races that suffered at the hands of the Wersgorix. The Wersgorix limited their space fleet and extraplanetary possessions and exact heavy tributes of rare metals. When the Englishmen from Earth came to Boda and approached the Jairs for an alliance against the empire, the Pr?*tan and Ashenkoghli came as representatives. Tertiary Eggmaster of the Northwest Hive, a.k.a. Ethelbert, was hesitant to join in fear of greater reprisal from the Wersgorix. He wanted to research the Englishmen and their capabilities before committing his nation's forces, however after some convincing from Sir Roger and his stunning battle plan to attack the empire with offer of the division of the spoils the alien supported the rebellion.

Appearances

 * The High Crusade, by Poul Anderson (1960)