Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Joe Beaudoin Jr. moved page Chitain (TOS-RH) to Chitain

2025-10-19T16:51:42Z

Joe Beaudoin Jr. moved page Chitain (TOS-RH) to Chitain

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Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Created page with "{{Separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Richard Hatch Novelizations}} The '''Chitain''' are a warlike alien species native to Xerik-7, the only sentient race indigenous to the Xerik system.{{cite book/RH|2|2}} They are savage warriors with naturally armored bodies and poisonous bone-tipped tails, characterized by their serpentine lower bodies and scavenging culture. The Chitain establ..."

2025-10-19T01:48:53Z

Created page with "{{Separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Richard Hatch Novelizations}} The '''Chitain''' are a warlike alien species native to Xerik-7, the only sentient race indigenous to the Xerik system.<ref name="WH2">{{cite book/RH|2|2}}</ref> They are savage warriors with naturally armored bodies and poisonous bone-tipped tails, characterized by their serpentine lower bodies and scavenging culture.<ref name="WH2" /> The Chitain establ..."

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{{Separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Richard Hatch Novelizations}}

The '''Chitain''' are a warlike alien species native to [[Xerik-7 (TOS-RH)|Xerik-7]], the only sentient race indigenous to the [[Xerik system (TOS-RH)|Xerik system]].<ref name="WH2">{{cite book/RH|2|2}}</ref> They are savage warriors with naturally armored bodies and poisonous bone-tipped tails, characterized by their serpentine lower bodies and scavenging culture.<ref name="WH2" /> The Chitain establish alliances with the [[Cylons (TOS-RH)|Cylons]] and engage in conflicts with both [[the Sky (TOS-RH)|the Sky]] and the [[Colonial Fleet (TOS-RH)|Colonial Fleet]].<ref name="WH247">{{cite book/RH|2|247}}</ref>

==Physical Characteristics==

The Chitain stand well over two metrons tall, making them significantly larger than humans.<ref name="WH142">{{cite book/RH|2|142}}</ref> Their torsos are plated with what appears to be natural, scaled armor resembling thick tortoise shells, colored a dark gray-green so deep it is nearly black.<ref name="WH142" /><ref name="RES206">{{cite book/RH|3|206}}</ref>

Each Chitain possesses four appendages: a pair of upper arms ending in three sharp, slender digits closer to talons or scimitar-like fingers, and a lower pair of thick, trunk-like enormous pincers.<ref name="WH142" /><ref name="RES206" /> The arms are a dark, bloody crimson color, described as the color of the rarest gems or spilled blood.<ref name="WH142" /><ref name="RES206" />

Below the torso, the Chitain are serpentine, with lower portions matching the crimson color of their arms.<ref name="RES206" /> Impossibly, they carry themselves upright like humanoids despite having fundamentally snake-like bodies on a much larger scale—described as "snakes that had learned a particularly good trick."<ref name="RES206" /> This serpentine lower trunk allows them to glide across sand with a hideous whisper, a rasp of thick scales, moving with lightning speed despite their great bulk.<ref name="WH142" /><ref name="RES206" />

The lower trunk ends in an upraised tail equipped with a needle-sharp spine resembling a scorpion's stinger.<ref name="WH142" /><ref name="RES206" /> Every centimetron of their bodies appears designed for battle, suggesting they evolved on a harsh world with few natural predators.<ref name="RES206" />

===Facial Features===

Chitain heads are flat, wide shells that appear almost tucked between broad shoulders, initially resembling helmets.<ref name="WH143">{{cite book/RH|2|143}}</ref> Their near-featureless faces have four thin, slitted eyes and a wide mouth at the very bottom of the head with menacingly flashing teeth.<ref name="WH143" /> To human observers, their faces appear expressionless, making it difficult to read their emotions.<ref name="WH146">{{cite book/RH|2|146}}</ref>

===Sensory Adaptations===

The Chitain possess eyes adapted for different light frequencies than humans, allowing them to see clearly in what humans perceive as shadowed dimness.<ref name="WH201">{{cite book/RH|2|201}}</ref> This adaptation to their desert homeworld gives them a significant advantage in their own environment.

==Culture and Society==

The Chitain are an extremely intelligent and advanced species, though inherently warlike.<ref name="WH144">{{cite book/RH|2|144}}</ref> They view visitors with a mixture of amusement, disdain, and fascination, along with a strong current of hostility.<ref name="WH144" />

===Social Hierarchy===

Chitain society uses subtle forms of differentiation rather than the accoutrements of rank common in human cultures.<ref name="WH145">{{cite book/RH|2|145}}</ref> Individuals vary in the shade and striation of their armored torsos.<ref name="WH145" /> They practice ritual scarring that appears symbolic of status or achievement, with the number and style of scars conveying meaning within their society.<ref name="WH145" /> Leaders and high-status individuals display significantly more scarring than others, with some scars appearing almost artistic, added for aesthetic purposes.<ref name="WH145" />

The Chitain do not wear clothing of any kind, relying entirely on their natural armor and scarification patterns for differentiation.<ref name="WH145" />

===Scavenger Culture===

The Chitain are scavengers by nature—nothing is wasted.<ref name="WH2" /> They leave nothing behind, not even the bodies of their own dead.<ref name="RES206" /> Their cities are built from the hollowed shells of their fallen, using dried carapaces as fundamental building blocks in their architecture.<ref name="WH148">{{cite book/RH|2|148}}</ref>

Ships are taken as salvage, and captives are either eaten or enslaved depending upon the palatability of their race.<ref name="WH2" /> The Chitain are ruthlessly efficient, plundering what they can use and consuming what moves.<ref name="RES206" />

===Slavery===

The Chitain maintain enslaved humanoid populations for labor, including genetically mutated descendants of the original [[Poseidon (TOS-RH)|Poseidon]] colonists.<ref name="WH186">{{cite book/RH|2|186}}</ref> They view their actions of taking dying populations from poisoned worlds as "saving" them, though they maintain these populations as permanent slaves.<ref name="WH186" /> When enslaved populations produce offspring that are too damaged or die, the Chitain seek new slave populations to replace them.<ref name="WH186" />

The enslaved humans refer to the Chitain as "stingers," a term reflecting both their physical scorpion-like tails and their oppressive nature.<ref name="WH186" />

===Language===

The native Chitain tongue sounds unlike anything in human experience—less like insect sounds than the screech of metal against metal, the loud, chilling rasp of sandpaper, yet somehow even worse.<ref name="WH147">{{cite book/RH|2|147}}</ref> Despite the alien nature of their speech organs, some Chitain learn to speak [[Kobollian]], though their mouths appear incapable of forming the syllables.<ref name="WH148" />

===Architecture and Aesthetics===

Chitain architecture demonstrates a surprising appreciation for beauty. Their cities feature strangely angled spires that gleam like black glass, stabbing, ridged, and twisted toward the sky in disturbingly beautiful configurations.<ref name="WH142" /> The fundamental building blocks are the dried carapaces of dead Chitain, forming mosaics on outer and inner walls shored up with mixtures of sand and chemical compounds.<ref name="WH148" />

The [[Grand Palace (TOS-RH)|Grand Palace]] showcases glistening multi-colored walls that cast shadows and ghosts around chambers when lit by lanterns.<ref name="WH148" /> The Chitain have no need for chairs or ground transportation, as their serpentine bodies allow them to curl up on floors and glide across surfaces.<ref name="WH148" />

==Technology==

===Starships===

Chitain warships are fashioned after their own bodies, serving as part starship and part armor.<ref name="RES206" /> The vessels are long cylinders that taper to a point, with forward propulsion managed by engine strands (tendrils) that hang from the front of the ship and curl around to the sides.<ref name="RES206" /> Each ship has a complement of at least twelve such tendrils, from which small jets of crimson energy burn.<ref name="WH3">{{cite book/RH|2|3}}</ref>

The weapons system consists of a long tail originating at the back of the ship, equipped with a wide metallic stinger that generally curls under and forward.<ref name="WH3" /> This stinger can fire laser pulses or whip about to physically shatter any starfighter foolhardy enough to venture too near.<ref name="RES206" /> The stinger can be moved to fire in various directions.<ref name="WH3" />

Chitain craft house a three-member flight crew plus another trio wearing atmosphere suits who act as infantry if the ship lands.<ref name="WH2" /> These three also serve another function: if a Chitain craft damages an enemy vessel, they synch up to that ship, leave their own craft, and attack it directly.<ref name="WH2" />

The vessels move with deadly speed, faster than anything [[Valor (TOS-RH)|Valor]] of the Sky had ever encountered, though they lack the instantaneous maneuverability of Sky armor-ships.<ref name="WH228">{{cite book/RH|2|228}}</ref>

When combined with Cylon technology, Chitain-influenced base stars feature the cold Cylon mechanical aesthetic merged with technorganic Chitain weapons arrays.<ref name="RES206" />

===Underground Movement===

The Chitain possess the remarkable ability to burrow through sand and emerge from below to ambush enemies.<ref name="WH201" /> Their serpentine bodies and powerful limbs allow them to tunnel through packed sand floors in their citadels, using this technique for both surprise attacks and rapid movement through their cities.<ref name="WH201" />

===Advanced Climate Control===

Chitain structures feature advanced climate control technology capable of maintaining perfect temperatures despite having narrow openings in high ceilings for starlight and fresh air.<ref name="WH155">{{cite book/RH|2|155}}</ref>

==History==

===Relations with the Sky===

[[The Sky (TOS-RH)|The Sky]] established diplomatic relations with the Chitain, building an embassy on the [[third moon of Xerik-12 (TOS-RH)|third moon of Xerik-12]].<ref name="WH2" /> For a time, the relationship was mutually beneficial, with the Chitain sharing aspects of their technology and culture with the Sky, though they never allowed close inspection of their vessels.<ref name="WH3" />

This peaceful relationship ended when the Chitain launched an unprovoked attack on the Sky embassy without warning or provocation—no prior slight, insult, or indication of hostility, only duplicity.<ref name="WH2" /> The Chitain assault completely destroyed the embassy and killed approximately one hundred Sky stationed there.<ref name="WH46">{{cite book/RH|2|46}}</ref>

This betrayal transformed the Sky-Chitain relationship into open warfare, with the Sky later intervening militarily when the Chitain attacked the Colonial Fleet.<ref name="WH227">{{cite book/RH|2|227}}</ref>

===Alliance with the Cylons===

The Chitain formed an alliance with the [[Cylons (TOS-RH)|Cylons]], who established a massive underground installation beneath [[Xerik-7 (TOS-RH)|Xerik-7]]'s surface.<ref name="WH217">{{cite book/RH|2|217}}</ref> The Cylons supplied the Chitain with technology and firepower, strengthening their military capabilities.<ref name="WH247" />

The alliance proved mutually beneficial, with the Cylons maintaining a low profile in the region for at least six yahren while conducting operations.<ref name="WH217" /> The Chitain served as willing vassals in return for technological guidance, a pattern the Cylons had employed with other races.<ref name="WH217" />

===Contact with Humanity===

When the [[Colonial Fleet (TOS-RH)|Colonial Fleet]] arrived in the [[Xerik system (TOS-RH)|Xerik system]] and Commander [[Cain (TOS-RH)|Cain]] established a colony on [[Poseidon (TOS-RH)|Poseidon]], the Chitain initiated diplomatic contact.<ref name="WH146" /> [[Tcharken (TOS-RH)|Tcharken]], a Chitain interpreter and advisor to [[Lord Schikik (TOS-RH)|Lord Schikik]], communicated with Cain and later welcomed [[Apollo (TOS-RH)|Apollo]]'s diplomatic mission to [[Xerik-7 (TOS-RH)|Xerik-7]].<ref name="WH146" />

Thousands of Chitain warriors surrounded the human vessel upon landing, ostensibly as a welcoming committee but clearly also as a show of force.<ref name="WH142" /> The diplomatic mission was housed in the [[Grand Palace (TOS-RH)|Grand Palace]] with Chitain guards posted outside their chambers.<ref name="WH155" />

However, the Chitain's true intentions were hostile. They did not want to destroy humanity but rather to enslave them, seeking new slaves to replace the genetically damaged descendants of Poseidon's original colonists.<ref name="WH188">{{cite book/RH|2|188}}</ref> The diplomatic overtures were merely a setup to facilitate this goal.<ref name="WH188" />

===Growing Hatred for Humans===

Following their defeat at the hands of the Colonial forces, the Chitain developed a growing hatred for humans.<ref name="RES206" /> Lord Schikik particularly wanted to see Apollo again after their previous encounter.<ref name="RES206" />

After the major battle in the Xerik system, the Chitain civilization began rebuilding itself on [[Xerik-7 (TOS-RH)|Xerik-7]], fanning the flames of hatred against humanity.<ref name="WH273">{{cite book/RH|2|273}}</ref> Three Cylon base stars remained in orbit above their homeworld, maintaining the Cylon-Chitain alliance.<ref name="WH273" />

==Notable Chitain==

* '''[[Lord Schikik (TOS-RH)|Lord Schikik]]''': Chitain chieftain and leader who negotiated with the Colonials and worked with the Cylons.<ref name="RES206" /><ref name="WH146" />
* '''[[Tcharken (TOS-RH)|Tcharken]]''': Interpreter and advisor to Lord Schikik, capable of speaking Kobollian.<ref name="WH146" />

==In Combat==

The Chitain are formidable warriors whose every physical feature is designed for battle.<ref name="RES206" /> They wield long-bladed daggers that come to needle points, carrying multiple weapons in their four hands.<ref name="WH201" /> Their ability to burrow through sand and emerge unexpectedly gives them a significant tactical advantage in their desert environment.<ref name="WH201" />

Their serpentine bodies allow them to undulate sideways rapidly to dodge attacks, moving with a speed that belies their great bulk.<ref name="WH201" /> Combined with their natural armor, poisonous tail stingers, sharp talons, powerful pincers, and weapons proficiency, the Chitain are deadly opponents in close combat.<ref name="WH142" />

During space battles, Chitain forces employ their fast-moving warships alongside Cylon technology, creating a formidable combined military force.<ref name="WH247" />

==References==
<references />

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chitain}}
[[Category:Species]]
[[Category:Richard Hatch Novelizations]]
[[Category:Alien Species]]
[[Category:Xerik system]]

Chitain - Revision history

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Joe Beaudoin Jr. moved page Chitain (TOS-RH) to Chitain