Average Mass: 80 kg
Average Lifespan: Unknown
Reproduction: Hermaphroditic, Ovoviviparous
Body Temperature: Believed Endothermic
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE AND STRUCTURE
Arantz resemble large spiders. They are six-legged and have two hands, and do not have a skeleton. Instead they support their bodies hydrostatically. Frontier scientists believe the Arantz are warm-blooded, but no live specimen has ever been studied.
The head of an arantz is as hard like ivory and hue ranges from light brown to pure white. Their two compound eyes are protected by a hard, clear covering. Each set of compound eyes are divided further into two groups. The top group of compound eyes are capable of looking directly above the creature while the bottom group is for looking forward.
The arantz have two large grey mandibles next to its circular mouth. The mouth itself is ringed with many sharp teeth. They are known to be carnivores (after witnesses revealed that captured humans and yazirians were eaten alive - larger body parts had to be dissolved in their acid first).
The most remarkable feature of the arantz are the large sacs behind it. Attached to a cartilegeous back protusion are two scale-covered sacs that hold acid. The scales exhibit an irridescent rainbow hue that is both wondrous and awe-inspiring to behold. Below the back of an arantz is its body proper, which houses a large central heart with twelve ventricular chambers , two breathing organs, a stomach and intestines. Its similiarity to warm-blooded creatures is a chilling irony to many.
The limbs of the arantz, taking on hues of brown, are segmented and shelled like that of crabs. Each of their legs end in evil-looking red claws that drip acid. The front two limbs end in flimsy hands with four fingers on each.
SENSES
The eyes of an arantz appears to give it good vision. They smell through many small nostrils under their abdomen. The sharpness of their senses is, however, not known. But, UPF biologists believe that their senses is about the same as a Vrusk.
SPEECH
Encounters with Arantz show that they speak by clicking their mandibles in a form of code. This code has never been translated except for the following series of clicks:
- Three quick clicks followed by a longer one = "You shall Die!"
- Five quick clicks = "Food!"
- Two slow clicks followed by three quick ones = "Never!" (in reply to the statement "Surrender")
SOCIETY AND CUSTOMS
Arantz are militaristic and cruel. They seem to want to conquer the Universe, but psychologists and theorists say otherwise. When Arantz attack, they will attempt to capture hostages. A theory states that these hostages are brought back to feed their uncontrolled population of over 6000 tera-billion arantz. Without enough food, the arantz adopt cannibalistic tendencies and eat their own (which is not a pretty sight). Players are warned that this is only a theory.
No living arantz has ever been captured alive. When there is no way out, an arantz commits suicide by exploding its acid sac. The acid is highly corrosive.
Unlike the Sathar, the Arantz do not have any secret agents working for them. If they want something, they will always seek to achieve it. During interstellar battles with the UPF fleet, they utilize ramming and self-destruct techniues like the Sathar. Their space fleet comprise of spherical ships of astounding sophistication.
ATTITUDES
All Arantz are considered malicious and dangerous beings. Friendly approaches with Arantz have always failed.
Citizens of the Frontier who encounter Arantz are required by law to report the incident immediately. If escaping is impossible, citizens are advised to attack them on sight. However, citizens must be forewarned of their deadly suicidal tactics (see below).
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Acid: Whenever arantz are threatened in a battle and are losing or dying, they will not seek to retreat. Instead, they begin an irreversible (and no doubt painful) suicidal explosion process. Without warning, their huge acid sacs explode and any being within 25 metres of it suffer the effects of the corrosive acid. [Choice of damage is to be assigned by the reader for your own SF campaigns]
Victims caught in the acid spray are, sometimes, instantly killed. Usually, most of the victims are badly disfigured or blinded. Tangler grenades thrown at a dying arantz will lessen the damage inflicted on victims when it explodes.
