Tran

Tran (singular and plural) are a sapient mammalianoid species from the planet Tran-ky-ky, a frigid ice world where the winds easily reach speeds of 60 to 100 km/h and more. Using their membranous wings as sails and the specialized claws on their feet, the Tran are propelled by these winds and ice-skate over the frozen seas of their homeworld.

Due to the eccentric orbit of the planet, these periods of glaciation last for over 30,000 years and are interrupted by warm seasons which last for about 10,000. During the warm periods, the Tran lose their wings and claw-blades, and acquire a distinct phenotype known as the Golden Saia.

Biology
Tran are burly mammalianoid bipeds whose appearance has been compared to a humanoid feline or to a ursine-feline hybrid. Large specimens can stand up to two meters in height and are twice as broad as a Human of similar height. A tough wing-like membrane called a dan extends from wrist to hip like a patagium. Their hands have four digits, including an opposable thumb. Feet are proportionally short, with three elongated toes equipped with retractable claw-blades called chiv, which can be used like a set of ice skates. The act of ice-skating on their chiv propelled by the wind is called chivaning. A fourth toe is located on their heels, and has a spiky claw that is primarily used for braking.

When the Tran are chivaning, they assume a crouching position to improve balance. With their chiv retracted, they can walk normally, but consider it a slow and clumsy way of moving. Compared to Humans, the Tran fare much worse in rough terrains and aren't as good at climbing. They are, however, extraordinarily agile and maneuverable in their element, and have a phenomenal sense of balance. Despite their broad, barrel-chested muscular built, the Tran are much lighter than expected and have a less robust skeleton compared to Humans. This is due to the fact that their bones are light, in order to prevent them from sinking in the ice below. Their lung capacity is not as developed, and they tend to run out of breath quicker than Humans when engaged in physical activity.

Tran bodies are entirely covered in short, soft, steel-grey fur. Their blood is red. They have triangular ears, bright yellow eyes with vertical black pupils, a flat nose, a high brow and a wide mouth with a combination of pointed and flattened teeth suited for an omnivorous diet. They have no sweat glands and cannot perspire. In addition to the grey fur that covers them, some Tran also grow beards, which can be rusty-red in some individuals. Being a mammalian species, Tran females have breasts, much like Humans.

Tran express emotions in a similar way to Humans, with actions such as smiling, laughing and crying carrying basically the same connotations to them. An important difference, however, is that they don't show teeth when they smile, as doing so would indicate hostility.

The Golden Saia
The Golden Saia (or simply Saia) are a distinct phenotype of Tran which appear during Tran-ky-ky's warm cycles and thrive in tropical weather. Despite the current cold cycle having began circa 17,000 BC, at least one tribe of Saia remains in the year 2949, living inside hot volcanic mountains, and maintaining mining operations to trade with the Tran of Moulokin.

The Golden Saia physically resemble regular Tran, but have sparser, light-colored hair, and have neither dan nor chiv. As such, they're basically feline humanoids, the claws on their feet no longer than those on their hands.

Culture and society
As of the year 2948, Tran-ky-ky has been known to the Humanx Commonwealth, and a small Human settlement has existed for 33 years, but since most Tran nations are small and have limited contact with one another, the vast majority of Tran remain unaware of the aliens, and many are skeptical of the idea of life beyond their world.

The Tran are a culturally diverse species. There are nomadic barbarian tribes, feudal monarchic nations eerily similar to those of Earth's medieval Europe, and isolationist groups of religious zealots. Their technology includes metal-working. Crossbows and explosives were unknown to them prior to first contact with Humans. Most Tran nations are only aware of their closest neighboring states and ignorant of nations far away. Additionally, most of them are completely unaware of the existence of the Golden Saia.

History
Historically, Tran-ky-ky has been home to a cycle of civilizations, each rising to prominence during the warm cycles and lasting for about ten thousand years. Legends retained by the Golden Saia suggest that in some of the past cycles they developed to the point of being aware of life in other star systems. Unfortunately, each of these civilizations has been plunged back into barbarism once the cold weather returned and nations fragmented themselves into smaller tribes competing for limited resources. Every time this happens the Tran forget about their previous history and retain no knowledge of their planet's cyclic weather pattern.

Appearances

 * Icerigger, by Alan Dean Foster (1974)
 * Mission to Moulokin, by Alan Dean Foster (1979)
 * The Deluge Drivers, by Alan Dean Foster (1987)