Aurigans is a name given to a sapient alien species believed to originate from the Auriga star system. At least two individuals (one male, one female) came to Earth in a spaceship that landed inside a lake at Joseph Grendon's farm, England, in the late 19th century.
Biology[]
Aurigans are naturally invisible, and perceive the world by senses other than eyesight, as eyes require pigmentation to see, which a truly invisible life form cannot have. Their means of communication are unknown, as they produce no sound whatsoever. While they have only been observed to prey on animal life, it is likely that they are omnivorous, given that they take care to alter the physiology of both flora and fauna of the worlds they visit, in order to fit their own dietary requirements.
Aurigans are amphibious, living in freshwater and foraging on land. They walk on large webbed feet and stand well over 3 meters tall, being about twice the height of an adult Human male. Their bodies consist almost entirely of a thick elongated neck or cylindrical torso. Instead of a head, they have a cluster of various appendages, including several jointed arms like a shrimp, muscular arms like a starfish, tentacular feelers, cilia, and antennae. Some of their arms are equipped with hollow fangs that inject powerful enzymes to liquefy the bones and entrails of their prey.
Culture and society[]
It is believed that Aurigans aren't necessarily hostile, but merely indifferent, viewing Humans no differently than any other native life on Earth, i.e. as potential prey. It's also believed that the two Aurigans who visited Earth in the 19th century were not part of an invasion fleet, but merely engaged in their species' equivalent of a vacation, or even a honeymoon.
Once they land on a planet, the Aurigans spread a type of chemical fog over the area surrounding their landing site. The fog induces the native flora and fauna to proliferate, making all species extremely fecund, but also alters their biochemistry to be better suited to the aliens' taste buds. As a result, all the fruits, eggs, milk, animal meat, etc. produced in the affected area will be extremely unpalatable for Humans, barring those who have also been affected. The latter might notice some difference in taste at first, but won't find it unpleasant, and will eventually stop noticing it.
Appearances[]
- The Saliva Tree, by Brian Aldiss (1965)