Locrian

Locrians are a sapient, spacefaring insectoid species which thrives in planets with low oxygen, neon-rich atmospheres.

Biology
Locrians are thin, skeletal insectoids with six long limbs sprouting from a proportionally small thorax. They walk upright, like Erthumoi. They are taller than Erthumoi, but are far more physically frail. Their limbs terminate on numerous many-jointed fingers. They have long narrow heads with antennae, a v-shaped beaked mouth, and a single large eye protected behind a translucent shield. This shield can also split open to expose the Locrian's intensely-luminous "inner eye".

Despite their insectoid appearance, Locrians are chordate vertebrates and have siliceous spinal columns to help support their chitinous grey-green exoskeletons. They are oviparous and practice parental care of eggs and hatchlings.

Locrians require atmospheres with a low concentration of oxygen. Concentrations higher than 10% cause an intoxicating effect on them, analogous to being drunk. They also prefer to inhabit atmospheres with a high concentration of neon.

Locrian eyesight is extraordinary. Even with the inner eye shielded, they can peer into the interior of solid objects. Exposing the inner eye greatly amplifies their abilities, but also makes them extremely vulnerable, as even doing as much as touching the unprotected eye can potentially result in death or blindness. When Locrians become old, they eventually lose their ability to open the shield and are thus no longer able to access their "deep scan" abilities.

Examples of Earth food that is usually enjoyed by Locrians include deviled eggs, ham wrapped around cheese, chili, and marinated pieces of chicken.

Culture and society
The Locrian homeworld is a dry and cold planet orbiting a K-type orange sun in the Cygnus arm of the galaxy. Their civilization is extremely old, having mastered space-faring technology for over 315,000 years.

Locrians are a cooperative species and have no history of war among themselves or with other races. The names they use are mere descriptors, such as "Ship-Commander" or "Recorder", and they change names as often as they change jobs.

Appearances

 * "They Hide, We Seek", by Robert Silverberg (1990)
 * "The Diplomacy Guild", by David Brin (1990)
 * "Myryx", by Robert Sheckley (1990)
 * "The Burning Sky", by Poul Anderson (1990)
 * "Mecca", by Allen Steele (1991)
 * "The Soul of Truth", by Karen Haber (1991)
 * "Keep the Faith", by Lawrence Watt-Evans (1991)
 * "The Reinvention of War", by George Alec Effinger (1991)
 * "Breakups", by Harry Turtledove (1992)
 * "One Man's Meat", by Lawrence Watt-Evans (1992)
 * "Water of Life", by George Alec Effinger (1992)
 * "Liquid Assets", by Rebecca Ore (1992)
 * Fossil, by Hal Clement (1993)
 * Murder at the Galactic Writers' Society, by Janet Asimov (1995)