Grey

The Grey are an ancient race, and one of the primary founders of the Intergalactic Exploration Initiative. Although they are of small stature, their enormous brains and correspondingly high intelligence more than makes up for it. Over the millennia, the Grey's have explored nearly half of this galaxy. This has led them to encounter numerous races, and as a result they have the highest first contact number of all known races. By nature they are extremely curious, and the thirst for knowledge and exploration has driven countless technical advances, most of which they have shared freely with other races.

Body type: Small biped. Height typically ranges between 0.91 to 1.22 meters (3 to 4 feet). Weight usually ranges between 18 to 25 kg (40 to 55 pounds).

Appearance: Their skin ranges from light to dark grey. They have no hair. Their limbs and fingers are unusually long and thin for their height. They have no discernible sexual characteristics and appear genderless. They have very large black eyes with no pupils. Their heads and especially their craniums are extremely large and greatly over-sized for their stature.

Physical Abilities: Very low strength, Average reflexes

Growth Rate: A Grey reaches maturity in approximately 50 years.

Lifespan: A Grey can live for several hundred years. A few have lived for well over a thousand years, and records include one that exceeded two thousand.

Intelligence: Extremely high. Among the known races, the Grey have one of the highest levels of intelligence. Their brain power is additionally augmented by short range telepathic abilities between other members of their race which allows for rapid transfer of information and collective mind capabilities. Their technology allows them to also interact telepathically with non-telepathic races for brief periods of time.

Sexual Characteristics: At one time, the Grey included both male and female sexes, but at some point their race lost sexual differentiation. From the records that exist, it is not entirely clear if this was natural, planned, or accidental. Due to their long lifespans, there is little need for the Grey to reproduce often, and when they do now, they use an advanced cloning process which results in a genetically perfect reproduction of the Grey they are replacing. Although they have lost their sexual characteristics, some Grey have a small opening between their legs that may have once served as a vaginal opening, or as a protective pocket for male genitalia.

Dangers: Their natural curiosity can lead them into trouble. In minor cases, they may simply overlook a key step in an experiment. In severe cases, they may willfully ignore safety measures exposing themselves and others to unnecessary or even deadly risks.

Additional Details: Among the technological advances made by the Grey, one that is perhaps the oldest and most advanced is their Probing technology. Although it is primarily used for medical diagnosis, it can also be used for other applications. Probe design and testing remains at the forefront of Grey science, and their continuing exploration of various new worlds provides countless opportunities to test and refine their probe designs across a wide range of alien species. No orifice is too small or too large, too shallow or too deep for a properly designed probe. By probing subjects repeatedly over an extended period of time, they are also able to monitor even otherwise undetectable changes in health quickly and accurately. Of all their designs and methods, the Grey are most proud of anal probing which they utilize as frequently as possible when exploring new worlds, and it is fundamental to providing a thorough and accurate analysis of any new creature they encounter.