#weh'tok

[aliensharkbacon]

Food and culture ideas! Notes under the cut

A majority of food comes from the ocean and shallow waters of their home world. Large-scale hunting is done on a smaller scale, ever since larger communities moved to shallower, warmer waters when civilizations began to rise. Any food items that require an ingredient from a deep sea animal is usually a delicacy.

Anything that isn't eaten fresh is preserved in a glazed ceramic vessel or sealed in a plastic-like packaging made from seaweed. Bowls and drinking cups are typically made from bone, shells, or carved stone.

Soups tend to be sent with away agents because that is one of the easier ways to make sure that daily nutritional goals are being met, while it is not often eaten on the planet itself. Large pieces of meat and fish, along with most other cultural staples, are difficult to store long-term and aren't sent with away teams.

[aliensharkbacon]

Really quick anatomy notes. More ramblings under the cut!

Due to their planet's high gravity and water pressure on the surface, the Urel's circulatory system is large in comparison to their size. Their evolution has also impacted their respiratory system. With 4 lungs instead of our two, the 4 lungs act as air sacs in their chest cavity and are the main way the Urel can control their buoyancy. Breathing through their blowhole on the top of their skull, they can hold their breath anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.

Their skin is layered with enamel v-shaped structures called "dermal denticles", almost identical to Earth sharks, and which gives them a similar texture (rough one way and smooth the other). The structures also allow the Urel to perform quick directional changes underwater and reduces drag.

They speak by using squeaks, pops, and whistles just like whales. Since there is no airway connection to their mouth, sound travels through the fatty sections on the front of their faces, and the sound of them speaking travels better underwater than in open air.

(the specific Urel on the bottom of the first image is based on the vaquita's color pattern!)

[aliensharkbacon]

Weh'Tok, a planet made up of 75% oceans and waterways. Its 2 moons shift the tides to extremes, which lead to a very hearty aquatic sophont species.

[aliensharkbacon]

Akron of the Cold Deep Ocean.

An Urel from the water planet “Weh’Tok”. They left home as a teenager to enlist in the space exploration branch of the military, and is stationed on a solo mission when they meet their human partner, Jason. Hot-headed, standoffish, and cold, with a soft-side if you get to know them.

Character from a comic I've been working on. This is his most recent character sheet, since I threw one together for art fight!

[aliensharkbacon]

A species of aquatic aliens from the water planet “Weh’Tok”.