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Physiology: The Zaed are a reptilian/insectoid
animal type, covered with extremely durable chitinous armor plates and
body segments. They mass up to 30 tons, and stand 12 to 20 feet tall. Their
body is dominated by immense jaws, with 4 boney eyestalks, 2 above, 2 below.
Their muscular legs end in talons that do not seem designed for grasping,
but are the only means for Zaed to manipulate objects.
Reproduction: The exact specifics of their
mating rituals and the care of their young is unknown. However, insight
gained from the observation of a captured group of Zaed revealed the following
facts; they are hermaphroditic, and their means of reproduction involves
eating the flesh of other Zaed, gaining the stable components of their
dna, and then being fertilized with it. The fact that this fertilizations
occurs during combat between Zaed, and that it tends to be only the survivors
who have gone on to bear young, has brought about a type of natural selection
to garner a species whose vey nature is that of the best possible predators.
Technology: Sophontologists know that the
Zaed are completely incapable of creating the technology that they use.
(This is one of the mysteries of Ad Astra)
Diet: Their species is solely carnivorous,
and must eat their prey live. A dark side to their nature is that in times
of scarce food, cannibalism is commonplace.
History: Unknown, save that they were slaves
of the Nazgar who first discovered the potential for their Elder's Psiops.
(whether the modern apparent UpLifting of the Zaed was the result of Nazgar
manipulations is unclear.)
Culture: Unknown.
Psychology: They are just slightly more
intelligent than carnivorous animals.the Zaed are not able to function
very well in groups, usually splitting up and going solo at the first opportunity.
When they are kept together they are as apt to fight amongst themselves
as they are with an opponent. Enemies' tactics which rely on creating dissension
within their ranks tend to work with brutal efficiency, and it has been
solely this tactic which has slowed the Zaed at all.
Zaed Elders: Blind spider-like, semi-psionic rulers of the Zaed, they appear to be the only truly sentient members of their race. They are kept in a mind expanding narcotic vapor, and see via sensory orbs (Psiops) they birth, which are used by the warrior-class Zaed for telepathic communications from the Elders. As well, these orbs are throughout Zaed ships for FTL travel, for which other races raid Zaed ships. (The other Known Races can more competently use fewer orbs for equal effect.)
Zaed Names: There is no information available on their naming system.