CTHULIN BROODHOME

Little is known about this race of hulking, amphibious humanoids. They are reclusive, evading inquiries about their race with vague comments that would make a Vorlon seem forthright. Their homeworld, Cthul, is off-limits to all but traders and visiting dignitaries. Even they are sequestered in air-filled habitats in the vast undersea basalt cities beneath Lake Hali. It is said the Cthulin live on the lakebeds because the seas are inhabited by terrors even they shun confrontation with.

What little is known of them has been gathered by those xenobiologists who have had the dubious pleasure to treat one of them, traders and interstellar government officials who have had dealings with them. They are piscean in physiology...descended from a fresh/saltwater carnivourous lungfish they say still dwells upon their homeworld as a living fossil. Physically powerful, they are covered in a scaled hide that can resist PPG fire and equipped with claws and teeth that can rend thin metal and most protective fabrics. Even a Zar will think twice about coming into a Cthulin's reach. Their one weakness is their dependency on water. Cthulin can exist for short periods outside it (1-2 Earth standard hours) but weaken and asphyxiate soon after that. Their society seems to be a geratocracy (i.e. ruled by the eldest). Given that Cthulin grow as they age, their leadership is by no means feeble. It does in fact comprise some of the most formidable members of the race. The Cthulin Broodfather, Dagon, is immense and terrible to behold.

Rumors persist that they will eat other sentients (esp. prisoners of war, using them as troop rations)...cull out the weak among their young in an annual, brutally cannibalistic rite of passage...and practice ritual sacrifices to their ancient cephalopodic god, Cthulhu. So far, no one who could offer confirmation of this has come forward...for obvious reasons if rumors are true.