Sleethier

The Sleethier is a transmutative intelligent bipedal humanoid originating from the planet Veris in the Baroness system. As the second race to begin space-faring, the Sleethiers are highly advanced in their technology. Despite avoiding direct involvement in conflicts within the galaxy, their large industry in electronics makes them a relatively significant trade partner for many of the other members in the Kolban Alliance.

The Sleethiers are the only intelligent race with the ability to actively morph parts of their body, although it is a slow and greatly limited process. On average, it can take several hours for a full transmutative process to complete. The limitations to the ability mean they can only express and utilise changes they fully understand. Although triggered mainly on command, minute transmutations can often occur on emotional instinct.

Despite their unique gelatinous mutative "flesh", Sleethiers' bodily materials bear similar traits to the muscle fibres of other races. It is equally susceptible to damage from external sources, such as fire or acid. However, when in the process of transforming, the increased rate of oxygen and nutrient intake required by Sleethier body cells also makes them more vulnerable to chemical reactions.

When born, a Sleethier's body cell colour is seemingly random, and they can take on almost any colour with no apparent pattern. No correlation has been found between parental colouring and that of a child.

The Sleethiers are primarily an independence-focused civilisation. Their generally anti-social tendencies mean they will avoid asking for assistance with social or technical problems from third parties. As a result, they are also not quick to offer help to others. This behaviour has earned them a dubious position within the Kolban Alliance. Various representatives of other races argue that the Sleethiers' limited interest and involvement in foreign affairs takes away from their significance as a member of the Alliance, suggesting that they should be move to a lesser position in the Kolban Council. However, this has not occurred due to their overall highly valuable technological and scientific contributions as opposed to others, such as the Wythins - as stated by the council.

While some Sleethiers worships gods from various religions introduced by other civilisations, most do not. This comes as a consequence of their deep rooted belief in science, stemming from their early research into their own biology as a species. As such, the Sleethiers have one of the lowest ratios of religious belief out of every Kolban-recognised race.