The Gik are a sapient, telepathic species whose territory occupies part of the Perseus Arm, adjoining the Morgraakh Dominion and Djeseret. They are noted for exceptional intelligence, curiosity, and a strong cultural interest in studying Tier 0 and Tier 1 peoples. Repeated sightings of Gik observers by their subjects have brought their research activities into conflict with ICSS law.
Adult Gik stand approximately 120 cm tall and weigh around 35 kg. They have green skin, a large rounded cranium, broad dark eyes, a small nose, and a narrow mouth. Fine folds and ridges mark the skin around the face and slender neck. The head is hairless, and the eyes dominate the upper face.
The species has a single biological sex and shows no sexual dimorphism. Gik have limited physical strength and exceptional intellectual capacity.
Curiosity is a prominent feature of Gik culture. The study of unfamiliar peoples is a particular focus, with sustained interest in civilizations that have yet to develop practical interstellar travel. These studies bring Gik observers into contact with societies at very different stages of technological development, from populations confined to a single world to civilizations established throughout their home systems.
Gik possess vocal cords and can speak, although they prefer telepathic communication for its efficiency. Between telepathic participants, communication can proceed in both directions without speech.
They can transmit telepathic messages to members of most other intelligent species. A recipient who lacks telepathy can receive the message but must reply through speech, signs, writing, or another conventional means of communication. Conversations with such individuals therefore combine a telepathic message from the Gik with a reply delivered by another method.
Gik mate through a telepathic exchange of genetic information between partners. The exchanged information encodes DNA and forms part of their reproductive process. Their single-sex biology does not divide participants into male and female reproductive classes.
Gik observers have repeatedly been seen by the Tier 0 and Tier 1 populations they study. Under the Giza Conventions, covert research among protected peoples is permitted only while those peoples remain unaware of the observers. Being detected therefore breaches a central condition governing such research and has repeatedly brought Gik researchers into trouble with ICSS authorities.
Earth is the most famous example of Gik observers being seen by their subjects. Its Tier 1 civilization remains under ICSS protection, and the Gik presence is subject to the same concealment requirements that govern other offworld observers.
The following maximum Attribute ratings apply to Gik characters.
STR | AGI | END | CHA | INT | WIL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 8 |