Mai

The Mai are one of the three native sapient species from the planet Horseye, a.k.a. Tslamaina. They inhabit the humid tropical low altitudes of their world's single continent, and feel comfortable in temperatures of 110 °F (~ 43.3 °C).

Biology
Like the Tsla and the Na, Mai are mammalian bipeds with six-fingered hands and six-toed feet. They are the smallest and physically less powerful of the three races. Compared to Humans, the Mai are shorter and have smoother features, larger eyes, much smaller ears and less body hair. Their fingers are inhumanly long and end in soft fleshy pads without claws or nails. Their teeth are small and sharp. They live close to water and their diet includes fish. Temperatures that Humans and Tsla find comfortable are considered extremely cold to the Mai.

Culture and society
The culture of the Mai is centered around the acquisition of property and profit by either trade or appropriation. They have no qualms about deceiving others if the result is advantageous. In fact, calling someone a "deceiver" is considered a compliment among them.

Mai are very superstitious and believe in spirits and demons. Like the other races of their planet, they are a pre-steam civilization.

Appearances

 * Voyage to the City of the Dead, by Alan Dean Foster (1984)