Koel Physiology All Koel carry an exoskeleton of light, flexible chitinous plate all over their bodies. Their heads are round at the back, and taper to a dulled point, with their mouths located on the underside. This chitin exoskeleton is attached directly to their flesh underneath and cannot be removed. Though the exoskeleton is segmented and does not significantly impede movement, its weight can make it hard for Koel to keep up with lighter species. Still, the Koel carapace allows them to resist blows, especially blunt ones, more efficiently. All Koel have some latent psychic ability. This ability stems from the same racial trait that makes them often mentally unbalanced. While Koel that maintain an active social life and attend the government-mandated therapy sessions are fine, and live well-adjusted, normal lives, Koel in isolation develop paranoid and antisocial tendencies, which cause them to isolate themselves even more, and are slowly driven mad. The psychic talent most Koel possess limits them to operating specially designed machinery with their minds, and reading emotions from other Koel, though they can read emotions from any species that feel them strongly enough. Rumors exist of Koel who are born with stronger psychic talents and glowing antennae, able to train themselves to perform what would be considered actual powers, like reading minds, moving objects, or manifesting psi energy, but the vast majority of Koel have never seen one. These special individuals are almost always found and recruited into top secret government agencies. There is no research on whether their higher psi talents make them more unstable, at least none that is public, but this may be considered likely. Insane Koel develop a wide variety of mental defects, including schizophrenia, bizarre phobias, substance dependence, memory loss, acute anxiety, severe pain when attempting to eat or drink, receding attention span, interrupted sleep patterns and insomnia, loss of impulse control, rapidly swinging moods, nervous tics in speech or movement, aversion to physical contact, and hallucinations, usually leading to severe depression and suicide, homicidal hyper-aggression, or complete mental breakdown. An uncommon but not unheard of sight in Koel society is watching your neighbor or a stranger on the street be restrained and captured by soldiers from the Psychological Containment Division, who then transport him or her to a rehabilitation facility where they are treated until they recover from their symptoms, and then released. Sometimes, Koel resist detainment, or are too far gone to go willingly, and have to be put down. The People's Collective encourages all citizens to report individuals who act strangely or suspiciously, and maintains an expansive spy network to monitor the well being of its people. Koel Society Most Koel prefer to travel to their home world and give birth in one of many special caves set aside for such a purpose. This tradition stems back to the earliest Koel society, which would often make its home in similar caves. Laid eggs are left in the Collective's hands and are minded by government caretakers. The face of its caretaker is the first thing a Koel sees, and few ever know their parents, much less make contact with them. Because of this, many Koel form a strong bond with their caretaker and communicate with him or her throughout their life, and the job is highly coveted. However, caretakers must endure heavy screening by the People's Collective, and are usually chosen for their compassion, humility, intelligence, and honor. Infant Koel are then named by their caretaker and enrolled in government pre-school. They are taught basic skills and encouraged to enjoy themselves and be creative. When they are ready to move on to formal schooling, they gain their first "last name." The name of the school is appended to the end of their name for the rest of their life. This is the case for every school they graduate from from then on. Therefore, more highly educated Koel have increasingly long names, though they are only truly relevant on paperwork, which has adapted. Most Koel have four or five names. Schooling becomes increasingly rigorous, and though Koel education has no grading system, the students are tested both on paper and for real life skills. Their results are used by the school administration to determine who is transferred to which school upon graduation, or if they have completed all useful education and are ready to enter the real world. They are recommended a position that would best suit them, but may choose to work anywhere that will accept them, though most will dock pay for unrecommended workers. Unemployment is not an option, as the Collective will force Koel to find some form of occupation to prevent isolation and mental degradation. The Collective always has work for wayward citizens, as there are always things which need to be done. Barring restrictions placed on them by their employment, Koel are free to go anywhere and do anything they like. All citizens of the Collective are provided with free access to mental and physical healthcare, and are in fact mandated to attend psychiatric appointments, the frequency of which is dependent on the Koel and their mental state. Koel who repeatedly fail to attend these appointments are seized by the Psychological Containment Division. Barring exceptional performance that warrants re-investigation of their talents, most Koel are not permitted to re-enter the educational system once dismissed. The vast majority of Koel are under government employ. Private corporations are permitted, but closely watched, and often struggle against the superior workforce and resources of government production. Additionally, Koel are strongly encouraged in school to seek employment in the Collective. Because of this, most that excel tend to fill niches that the People's Collective aren't concerned with, or trade with other species. Though the Collective is a fairly benevolent entity, its omnipresence, influence, and control over Koel life leads the naturally paranoid populace to be extremely suspicious and afraid of it. Though the Collective does not formally punish for dissent, Koel speak their criticisms and fears in hushed tones. Since increased paranoia is a symptom of mental degradation, many Koel mistake the Psychological Containment Division for a tool of political silencing; those that openly denounce and incite agitation against the government are often carted away for rehabilitation. ------------------------ MORE TO COME ------------------------
I'll check it out, but personally I like the look of the Insectoids a bit more. You do havye a story, though... Hm.. Tough call, really. Well, best of luck in the development and I'll check it out once it's released and make comparisons and the like.
The solid, bright colors are really offputting. Is there a reason they lack any color depth or variation? It makes them not match the style of any of the other races. Great art otherwise.
I'm using the same number of colors as the other race sprites. They have a single-color carapace. I'll have darker color choices and probably add some highlights in different colors.
