Wem

The Wem were a sentient species from the planet Wemar. Their physiological classification was DHCG.

They were a warm-blooded, oxygen-breathing species with an adult body mass just under three times that of an Earth-human and, since Wermar's surface gravity was 1.38 G, were proportionately well-muscled. They resembled an Earth kangaroo, with a larger head and a ferocious set of teeth; each of the two short forelimbs ended in six-fingered hands possessing two opposable thumbs, and the tail was more massive and tapered to a wide, flat triangular tip composed of immobile osseous material enclosed by a thick, muscular sheath. The flattening at the end of tail served a threefold purpose: as its principal natural weapon, as an emergency method of fast locomotion while hunting or being hunted, and as a means of transporting infants who were too small to walk.

The Wem hunted by adopting an awkward stance with their forelimbs tightly folded, their chins touching the ground, and their long legs spread so as to allow the tail to curve sharply downwards and forwards between the limbs so that the flat tip became the center of balance. When the tail was straightened suddenly to full extension, it acted as a powerful third leg capable of hurling the Wem forward for a distance of five or six body lengths. If the hunter did not land on top of its prey, kicking the creature senseless with the feet before disabling it with a deep bite through the cervical vertebrae and underlying nerve trunks, it pivoted rapidly on one leg so that the flattened edge of the tail struck its victim like a blunt, organic axe.

While the tail was highly flexible where downward and forward movement was concerned, it could not be elevated above the horizontal line of the spinal column. The back and upper flanks were the only body areas vulnerable to attack by natural enemies.

Known Wem

 * Creethar
 * Druuth
 * Evemth
 * Remrath
 * Tawsar