Yomonch

Yomonches are a reptilian species native to the planet Dirthranix.

Biology and appearance

Yomonches are large but gentle creatures, who carry massive shells on their backs. They have long, glowing noses that can release sparks of electricity, and their hands and feet – also charged with power – share the same luminous colour. They have a thick layer of hair on their heads, while their tough, heat-resistant skin protects them from scorching sand and sharp rocks. They have dark circles around their eyes and delicate feelers around their wrists. Three triangular markings run from their chests to their stomachs, for which they are often compared to snowmen. Because of this, some mistakently call them snowmen, or sometimes sandmen.

Yomonches are highly resistant to predators; because their shells and skins are so strong, most predators that try to break into them end up snapping their teeth or breaking their jaws. Though their skins are thick and tough to pierce through, they are not invincible. Yomonches move slowly under the weight of their massive shells, though they are able to walk either on two legs or on all fours. They are large and heavy, but they are gentle by nature, and avoid conflict whenever possible. Only when a fellow yomonch is in danger will they stand their ground. Their slow, steady pace makes them seem calm and unthreatening. They are also very sensitive to the cold, and hibernate through the winter.

Society and culture

Yomonches build small shacks of brick for shelter, but their true homes lie in the sand or dirt beneath. They dig wide burrows under their shelters, forming close-knit underground communities. At night, they remain below, keeping warm, for the cold harms them. By day, they thrive under the heat, carrying out simple tasks in order to do their bit for their simple, peaceful societies.

They are remarkably creative. They collect and repurpose scrap metal from crashed spacecraft, studying old machinery and turning it into tools and gadgets. They hoard these treasures in their burrows, driven by endless curiosity. Whilst not as advanced as many alien races, they stand on the brink of discovery, dreaming of space. They refer to the stars above as the ‘Great Unknown’, a realm of wonder far beyond their world, where they hope to someday trade, explore, and carve out a brighter future for their people.

Yomonches can communicate with one another by sending electric signals through their noses. They can also channel electricity into attacks to sting or defend themselves when threatened.

The great unknown

What we know as the Milky Way Galaxy, the Yomonch revere as the Great Unknown. To them, its true nature is a mystery; they do not yet understand what space or the galaxy truly is. They are very interested in things that are beyond their planet, hence why they hoard gadgets and scrap metal from crashed alien spacecraft.

Stengths

Yomonches are large, strong, and incredibly sturdy creatures. Their thick shells and tough skins make them almost like living walls, able to withstand extreme heat, harsh terrain, and many attacks. They prefer to rely on their incredible defences rather than attempt to fight, standing firm against danger and protecting themselves and their communities with remarkable resilience. They are excellent diggers, building extensive burrows for shelter, and can survive for months without water.

Weaknesses

Yomonches are very slow and highly sensitive to cold, forcing them to hibernate during winter and retreat to their burrows at night. Their sluggish movements make them vulnerable, leaving them exposed and unable to react quickly to sudden threats. Some yomonches can’t even get back up when they’ve fallen on their backs. Yomonches enjoy slow, shallow waters, but they are poor swimmers, and struggle to stay afloat.

Notable individuals

Noteworthy individuals amongst the yomonch species include:

• Galvani, a terminally ill yomonch who is working on discovering a way to reach the Great Beyond.
• Sparky Scrambler, a fan of Galavani’s work.
• Lyna, a female yomonch who assists Galvani.
• Volta, a male yomonch who takes over Galvani’s work and takes the credit for it.