<the ur species was developed in part using the system in SeJ's Uplift 2nd ed.>
Vijilus [note spelling change] ab-Lesh ab-Erbl ab-Kosh ab-Rosh ab-Tothtoon As the Zhuup became productive the Lesh began to look for a second client. As members of the Tothtoon Super-Clan the Lesh had access to many species that made excellent soldiers, commandos, and some that specialized as spies. Unfortunately, none of these specialties were really what the Lesh needed given their emphasis on mercantile trade and diplomacy. The Lesh needed security guards and trustworthy espionage agents. The Lesh, though not great colonizers or explorers, had managed to lay claim to an above-average candidate species. They traded ur-species for ur-species with another Abdicator race for the proto-Vijilus. The proto-Vijilus were not a remarkably promising ur-species. The Lesh were attracted to the proto-Vijilus by the creatures remarkable suite of natural offensive and defensive talents that would serve them well as Lesh security operatives. Proto-Vijilus's survival strategy was a strange cross between a chameleon's and a cat's. Proto-Vijilus were arboreal omnivores somewhat larger than a bobcat or lynx. Life in their native forests was highly competitive and proto-Vijiluses were relatively low on the food chain despite being active hunters themselves. The quadrupedal semi-upright Proto-Vijilus were quite athletic, even acrobatic. Like Earth's chameleons proto-Vijilus hands and feet each had only two digits, resembling oven-mits. Like chameleons, proto-Vijiluses had a prehensile tail. They even had a chameleon's ability to change color. Unlike chameleons, proto-Vijiluses were warm-blooded. To conserve heat they had a fur-like covering. Proto-Vijilus fur is completely transparent and each hair is a natural optic fiber allowing proto-Vijiluses to use their chameleon ability. Proto-Vijilus sense organs were highly developed. They can sense magnetic fields. Most notably proto-Vijiluses had a total of five eye-stalks. On each eye-stalk there were two eyes. Proto-Vijiluses had *excellent* vision, even at night. Their vision was resistant to glare. Proto-Vijiluses could also produce an extraordinary variety of sounds in the normal and ultrasonic ranges, though they were not notable mimics. Proto-Vijiluses were not particularly common. They were hermaphroditic, though the population that provided most of the genetic material for the Vijilus project usually formed pair-bonded social units. What social interaction that occurred was highly ritualized. Proto-Vijilus were born live, in small annual litters. Young developed fast and resembled small adults. The Lesh preserved the proto-Vijilus's natural repertoire, and even enhanced it. Uplifted Vijiluses are excellent mimics. On the down side, Vijiluses still have their original primitive hands and are semi upright. This is not as big a problem as it might seem. A Vijilus at an office workstation often works suspended from a bar or trapeze. Vijilus prefer to hang or perch and many are agoraphobic. A few are still subject to stress atavism that causes them to freeze and camouflage when threatened. Vijilus social behavior is still very tied to ritual. They have difficulty distinguishing between Tradition, Law and ritual so they tend to be legal sticklers and have a reputation for not being very flexible. Unlike other members of the Lesh Clan, Vijilus are not gregarious nor are they empathetic. Indeed, Vijilus very much prefer the company of their own kind, and then in very limited doses. They get along with other members of Clan Lesh, but most avoid any races outside their immediate clan. Terragens who have dealt with Vijilus say that they are socially oblivious and dealing with a typical Vijilus attached to a Lesh or Zhuup diplomatic or trade mission is like dealing with a Terragen with a very serious case of Asperger's Syndrome. Vijilus are well integrated into Clan Lesh, but are not well liked outside their clan. Among members of Clan Tothtoon Vijilus have reputation for being intellectually, and not just socially, slow. Vijilus are patriotic, even jingoistic, members of Clan Lesh. They mainly work as guards and spies--no doubt this contributes to their lack of popularity outside their immediate clan. Nevertheless, the Vijilus are not noted for being strong team players. The conservative Zhuup have many disagreements with the moderate Lesh, but are instinctively loyal and hierarchical. The Lith find the Lesh charismatic and as their heir-apparent share almost completely coincident interests. The Heebi are a servitor race who worship and adore their foster patrons. The Vijilus are none of these things and often fail to tow the party line. Indeed, the Vijilus are arch-conservatives and have refused to join the League of Prudent Neutral Clans per Clan Lesh policy. Vijilus dissent is not a major problem for the Lesh because the Vijilus mostly keep to themselves and their clan. The Vijilus seldom even establish independent diplomatic missions, preferring to maintain an interest section in select Lesh embassies. In many cases the Vijilus representative is actually a Lesh. Vijilus are so insular that most experts think it unlikely they will ever opt to uplift a client of their own. This seems fine with the Lesh, who are happy to steer promising candidate species to their other clients or grand-clients. The Vijilus export economy is small. They mostly trade in boutique security services and consulting. Vijilus also participate in some military units for Clan Lesh. Vijilus are somewhat active in the Institutes, though few ever become fellows. Vijilus contribute significantly to Trade and Navigation Institute anti-piracy efforts and GIM gene raider suppression. Vijilus have little contact with Alliance for Progress races except through their activity in Lesh diplomatic and trade. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
