Stellaesirenia amicus

Basic Information

• Scientific Name: Stellaesirenia Amicus
• Common Names: Stellae, Hawlat Angel, Mo-Mo, Space Cow
• Habitat: Space
• Territory: Transient, Amity Outpost

The creatures' scientific name, Stellaesirenia Amicus (selected by Wil Ukinix) loosely translates to Friendly Star Manatee and includes references both to Earth manatees as well as Amity Outpost, where the creatures were first encountered.

Description

Physical

Stellae are space-born creatures who live out their entire existence in the void of space. They bear a minor resemblance to Earth manatees, and derive their scientific name from those creatures. They are bulky powerful creatures with soft carapaces and long tendrils.

Their outer dermal layers tend to take on the properties of the gasses and plasmas they consume, making them difficult to detect on sensors in their home territory. It also gives them a somewhat ethereal iridescent quality.

The Stellae are very strong and hardy, able to withstand substantial impacts without taking any damage.

While some refer to their excretions as "milk" is not yet clear if Stellae would be considered mammalian.

Behaviour

The Stellae are curious and playful creatures, though to what degree their behaviour is intentional or instinctual is not known at present. They are particularly fond of 'bumping' ships and other equipment by ramming into them playfully.

The creatures appear to have a loose social structure, colloquially referred to as "swarms" or "herds" and seem to travel in large groups, numbering at least in the thousands. They also appear to have some parental instincts, as juveniles in distress may attract groups of adults coming to investigate or help.

Diet

Stellae primarily subsist on nebulous gasses and plasmas found in space and appear to be substantially food-motivated. In some cases, they may be drawn to vented plasmas from starships, space stations, and other equipment, which can cause difficulties. It is not currently understood how often the Stellae must eat, but presumably they are able to withstand some significant time without food as they travel between food sources.

Religious Significance

The Hawlat people revere the Stellae as 'Angels' and follow the transient creatures through space in a small nomadic fleet. They believe that the Angels interpret the will of the Great Spirit and will eventually lead them to the Supreme Pasture. The Stellae are sacred to the Hawlat, who are fiercely protective of them.

The Hawlat also prize the Angel's secretions, creating a concentrated substance known as "Angel's Milk" which is used in religious ceremonies and has psychoactive and hallucinatory properties. Angel's Milk may be dangerous to some humanoid species if consumed.