Andalites
The Andalites are a species that feature in Animorphs.
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History
The Andalites were originally herd animals and accustomed to open plains on the Andalite homeworld.
In 1960, an Andalite expeditionary team landed on a swampy and hostile planet to study a race there that was physically limited, but sapient and highly intelligent. The Yeerks, existing naturally in a state that resembled a slug in murky pools, had good senses of touch and smell and a rudimentary sense of hearing, allowing them to speak in a native language of ultrasonic squeaks. They were a parasitic species however, able to enter the head of, and take control of the brain, of other compatible creatures. This parasitism was the only way that they could leave their pools. The native species on this hostile planet were limited and only a primitive and clumsy creature called a Gedd was compatible, but their senses were pitiful and thus they were not ideal hosts. Andalite Prince Seerow felt sorry for such an intelligent race trapped in such a compromising and pitiful existence. In an act of kindness and generosity, he began to share knowledge of the stars and of technology with the Yeerks, who till that point had not even been able to see the stars due to the Gedd's horrible vision. Constructing a device which could emit the uncommon radiation Yeerks feed from, concentrated and absorbed in their pools, he freed them from being limited to one planet. The Yeerks, however, when given knowledge of the universe beyond their small planet, they craved more, and became an aggressive and imperialistic species. Using a few captured Andalite beam weapons (shredders) and a small army of Gedd host bodies armed with clubs and knives, they overwhelmed the small guard forces stationed at the Andalite camp on their homeworld by surprise and stole several of the Andalites' ships. Pausing briefly only to collect a large number of Yeerk slugs from populated pools on the other side of the planet, they then escaped and spread like a plague across the galaxy. This act of generosity has come to be known as Seerow's Kindness, and was also the name of a law that now legally ratified Andalite xenophobia, and forbade Andalites from sharing technology, sharing knowledge, making friendships, forging bonds or even trusting any non-Andalites. In the years since, it is commonly taught that Andalites can trust none but their own and though they may have 'allies' from time to time, they must stand alone. This attitude of cultural isolationism and xenophobia has only reinforced Andalite arrogance.
Overview
In appearance, Andalites resemble centaurs of Greek mythology, with a lower body similar to a horse and a torso similar to a human. The two arms on their upper bodies are relatively weak by human standards, and end with seven-fingered hands. Andalites are seen to be incredibly agile on their four hoofed legs. Their entire bodies are covered in fur, the males blue and tan in colour while the females have been depicted as being purple. The head of an Andalite has a pair of almond-shaped eyes, as well as a second pair of "stalk-eyes" mounted on two thick stalks that rise from the top of their heads, giving them a 360-degree range of vision. The main eyes are glittery green or gold in colour. Their sense of sight is similar to that of humans, with the stalk eyes described as being capable of seeing a slightly wider spectrum of light wavelengths. A notable facial feature is the lack of a mouth. Andalites feed by crushing grass beneath their hooves, absorbing the nutrients from the plants, and communicate by means of thought-speech, a kind of telepathy. In the place where a human nose would be located, Andalites possess two vertical slits, allowing them to breathe. They have two hearts, giving them physical speed and endurance beyond what a human can achieve. An Andalite's normal body temperature (in Fahrenheit) is shown to be 91.3 degrees.
Andalites also possess an organ in the back of their head called the Tria gland. The Tria gland keeps disease organisms away from the rest of the body. More specifically, the Tria gland is in the back of the head, even with the bottom of the ears, in the dead center. Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill needed his removed due to inflammation. Andalites evolved as prey animals, but possess a formidable defense in the form of the single, scythe-shaped blade at the end of their long tails. The female tail blade is noticeably smaller than that of the male, and more similar to a scalpel than a blade. The bladed tail is long enough to reach well in front of the Andalite, allowing them to strike quickly and deeply at an opponent. A common Andalite battle technique is to turn the blade flat against their target at the last possible instant, delivering a blow that renders the opponent unconscious rather than fatally cutting them. The Andalite tail is also an important part of their culture, and is frequently referenced in poetry and rituals. For example, the word shorm comes from the Andalite word for 'tail-blade', and is used to describe a fellow Andalite who could be trusted to place his tail-blade at one's own throat without feeling threatened; essentially, a best friend.
Originally, they evolved as vegetarians that lived in large herds, which broke off seasonally. At first they used a form of sign language, but then developed thought-speak.
It was said that there were three traits that made Andalties inherently formidable as enemies. The first was their agile intelligence, the second was their ability to shape thought-speak to either wide-band or private communication, and the third was their fast, sharp tails.
A warrior race, they had a very strong concept of honor and dignity often choosing to commit suicide rather than lose a battle.
Traditionally, males serve in the military, with females in the research sciences and technology.
Modern Andalite culture was fairly isolationist and xenophobic due to the Seerow's Kindness incident that touched off the Andalite-Yeerk War.
Their government was headed by the Electorate which functioned on a system of honor and respect where they prided their culture as well as sense of self.
This gave them the power to morph and thus hide their true forms from others.
Members
- Ajaht-Litsom-Esth :
- Aldrea-Iskillion-Falan :
- Alloran-Semitur-Corrass :
- Aloth-Attamil-Gahar :
- Arbat-Elivat-Estoni :
Notes
- The Andalites were created by Katherine Applegate and Michael Grant where they featured in the setting of Animorphs.
Appearances
- Animorphs:
External Links
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