From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe

Biology

The species known as Ravenous hail from a planet orbiting a binary pulsar star on the far side of the Milky Way galaxy. This planet is lush with plant life that has evolved to cope with the conditions. Quite beautiful and serene, the natives named it "Paradise". It is a heavy gravity planetoid, roughly 8300 miles in diameter, 50% landmass, two polar icecaps, and a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere about twice as dense as Earth's.

The dominant species are on average eight feet in height, with smaller and larger specimens to be found. They have extremely dense muscle and skeletal structures, to help cope with the heavy gravity. Due to this, Ravenous average weight is 850-1200 terran pounds. Ocular and auditory organs have evolved, but, due to the lack of a visible spectrum from the pulsar, they are not used. Instead, they have a complex nerve bundle in their horns, enabling them to intercept and interpret light sources and sound waves in a 360 degree arc. On Earth, the only known Ravenous can "see" the entire visible spectrum of light, as well as infrared, and "hear" at roughly three times human optimal. These horns vary in size and shape, and are just as strong as the rest of the skeletal structure. All Ravenous are carnivores, eating only meat. Several decades ago, they literally ate all the animal life on the planet. When Rikti came to invade the Earth the first time, they passed through the Ravenous system, and tried to invade. A starving population quickly adapted to a new food source. Ravenous are capable of eating any meat, although for flavor, nothing compares to Rikti flesh.

Ravenous have facial features, but,due to cultural taboos, and honor, none but the immediate family may see them. They always wear a helmet in the shape of a skull, that is form-fitting, and unnoticable to outside inspection. This helmet is a highly advanced piece of technlogy, capable of accepting voice commands fo removal, as well as manual removal. DNA samples are taken by it to determine who is capable of this procedure. They have human norm biological features and organs, save for the aforementioned differences, and these:

1) Ravenous have a second organ much like the stomach, just below the stomach. it processes food and drink even further, to eliminate waste. hence, they have no intesitnal tract. From the bottom of the ribcage, which is a solid structure,it is a solid muscle mass, barring the spinal column.

2) A secondary nervous system, intertwined with the first, giving them a remarkable control over physical reactions to pain and other stimuli, as well as elevated production of an adrenaline equivalent, making them react faster and gain strength the more they are hurt, as well as accelerating healing of wounds sustained.

3) The tongue of a Ravenous is very similar to a terran woodpecker species that wraps around the cranium, providing extra protection from shock. It is not barbed, nor sticky, but is quite human-looking and long.

4) A denser epidermis, resistant, but not impervious to, cutting and puncturing.

5) Ravenous lifespan averages around 600 years, however, one orbit of their planet around the pulsar takes 1/5th of a terran year, hence, a 200-year-old specimen is the equivalent of a forty year old. Also, they rarely live out a full life cycle, due to their harsh environment and lifestyle.

Ravenous also have several needs written into their DNA structure. They need to consume thier body weight in food weekly, drink 5 gallons of liquid daily, spend as much time recreating as they have to fighting, to fight, the more savage, the better, and to mate. This desire to mate is so strong, and present in the females of the species as well, that if denied, (which the only way is to forcibly enter bloodrage) shortens the lifespan of Ravenous by centuries.

The aging process of Ravenous is marked by a steady darkening of their horns. At birth, they are completely white, then, just after puberty, the tips darken, to a light blue, darkening in adulthood to a deep blue. Middle age brings a reddening to the horn tips, most commonly a deep red. Older adults have the rest of their horns turn grey, to match skin tone, with the tips still retaining their reddish hue. Then, as old age sets in, the ends turn black. Just before senility sets in, the horns turn entirely black. From that point, it is a matter of weeks, if not days, that the madness of senility sets in.

Socio-Political Structure

Language is different on Paradise, with names of individuals and places taken from ideals and functions. The (currently) only specimen on Earth is named Mercy.Killing, because he is/was a warrior, and executioner. The name of the species comes from their immense appetites, which are not only for food. Ravenous place great value on their young, viewing them as the future of the species, and educate them thoroughly. Similar value is placed on the elderly, but for other reasons. The wisdom and life experience of an individual is recorded to be passed on to the next generation, before senility sets in. They view the wasting away of the mind as one of the most horrid fates, and so execute(or mercykill)the old before they become infirm.

There is no unemployment, or currency on Paradise. Each individual is a productive member of the society, until the age when they can work no more. All are given food and shelter, medical care, and education according to need. A sort of democracy forms the government of Paradise, with any individual capable of overseeing the populace, however,there are several failsafes built in to the laws governing the term of service. One must abdicate if favor is lost with the populace, refusal punishable by death. One must abdicate if societal norms change to be not in favor with the populace, again, refusal met with death. One must abdicate if near the age of senility, refusal met with death. Few have ever tried to change or break these conditions, and the system has stood for centuries.

Interstellar trade occurs with neighboring systems, as Ravenous have no food supply on their planet. Exports are mineral and technological in nature, and imports are mostly foodstuffs.