Hinji

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			Intelligent Lifeform Index

Hinji
Four Letter Code	HINJ
Federation Status	Member
Planet of Origin	Leron III
Encountered	techlevel =
T/E Rating	T0/E0
Current Tech Level	{{{techlevel}}}
List of Named Hinjis
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Introduction

General

Home System

• Quadrant’: Beta
• Proper Name: Leron System

Home World

• Proper Name: Leron III
• Climate: Temperate

Physiology

Hinji are a shape shifting species that can change at will between a humanoid form and the form of a specific animal native to their home planet. Each Hinji has only one animal form, and many different forms have been identified with the most common being canine, feline, vulpine and ursine. Their humanoid forms average between 1.5 and 2 meters in height and can display a wide range of skin, eye and hair coloration. The humanoid forms of many Hinji share some aspect with their animal forms, such as body hair, large eyes or elongated canine teeth.

The animal form Hinji can take is not chosen by them, but passed on genetically. The children of two uroc (Foxes) for example would always be uroc themselves.

The shifting process has been a mystery to Starfleet Scientists since First Contact. Theories to explain the process have been posed, one of them has been provided by Choi Ji-hu Engineering Officer of the USS Constitution-B. In his theory, Hinji don't transform but have two distinct states (humanoid and animal) and an inherent quantum power over which of those two states is observed. According to this theory when a Hinji shifts from human to animal they usually discard anything they're wearing, and vice versa, especially dependent on size. In discussions with a couple of people, we figured that Hinji who prefer their animal states would obviously not have much of a problem with being mostly naked, and would probably find the idea of clothes for non-survival purposes bizarre. Read the whole paper: Raining quantum cats and dogs: quantum collapse and Hinji "shapeshifting"

Hinji Subspecies

When Hinji undergo their transformation they take on the appearance of a number of different animals native to their homeworld. The Federation has observed several subspecies of Hinji:

• Woodland Bellower - a giant bear-like creature with antlers splaying forth from the top of his head
• Common Canis - a range of dog-like creatures, one of the more common of Hinji forms
• Uroc - a fox-like creature with a bushy red tail capped with a tuft of silver fur
• Ombro - a rare animal and even rarer form for Hinji to take, a small leopard-like creature with white and brown spot-dappled fur and large, expressive eyes
• Akrajn - a small feline creature more similar to the Earth Felis silvestris than the common domestic cat.

Other types such as lapiform and rodentiform Hinji have also been observed or reported.

Psychology

Like other species they have a complex psychology, including mental illnesses, temper and the like. Hinji society is split into two groups based on their preferred shape. Some Hinji prefer to stay nearly exclusively in humanoid form, and it is these Hinji who build and populate cities and towns. The Hinji who live in the wilderness spend most of their time in their animal shapes, only changing when necessary for interaction with other races.

Religion

The vast majority of the Hinji follow a belief system that is part monotheism, part nature-worship, centered on a figure known as the Sunmother (other names include the Divine or the Light). This belief system holds the animal forms of the Hinji to be sacred, although the definition of "sacred" can vary wildly between followers. Many Hinji clans have shamans who act as leaders or advisors, especially in the remit of matters involving shapeshifting.

ESP (Telepathy, Empathy etc)

E0+/T2* (note: occurrences of T(1/3/5) have been recorded but not confirmed)
Hinji can sense when other Hinji are nearby regardless of their current shape. When in animal form they can communicate telepathically with other animals of the same type, including other Hinji in the same animal form.
Some Hinji are also alleged to possess touch-telepathic abilities.

Relation to the Federation

Hinji have just recently joined the Federation. While a majority of Hinji are in support of joining, certain underground groups are opposed and are convinced that it will lead to the loss of their individual identity. Starbase 104 inhabits members of said groups that rally together for demonstrations, riots, and rallies against the Federation. In parts of the Hinji bazaar, preachers have been witnessed to hold sermons against the Federation and Security had to step in several times. Despite these incidents, these voices are the minority.

Technology

They are warp capable species with their own discoveries and inventions in the technological sector.

Sources

This is a species invented and developed by the crew of the USS Constitution-B.