Akeed

Starport	X	No Starport
Size	0	Asteroid/Planetoid Belt
Atmosphere	0	Vacuum
Hydrographics	0	Desert World 0%
Population	0	Barren (0)
Government	0	No Government structure
Law	0	No Law
Tech Level	0	Pre-Industrial (primitive)

Primary Star

Atmosphere

Off-world presence

Yes

Zoetic individuals

Source

Reference

Gateway to Destiny 22-24.

Canon

Yes

Also see

TBD

The Akeed are a technologically sophisticated sophont species.

They are a Minor Non-Human Race with a Non-humanoid appearance.

Description (Specifications)

The Akeed are a small, gregarious race of four-tentacled monopods (skiapodes) and starfaring sophonts, well-known throughout the Domain of Gateway as excellent mediators and diplomats.

The world of Akeen is a water world environment (100.0% hydrographics), and is covered with several large islands and numerous island chains.

See Akeen (world) for more information.

Physiology & Environment (Ecology)

The Akeed stand about 75.0 cm (2 feet 6 inches) tall and weigh, on average, about 30.0 kg (65 lbs). The rest of the body consists of a cartilaginous case for the brain and minor support for the rest of the organs.

Senses

There are a pair of eyes on either side of the head areas on short stalks.

Locomotion

The body consists of a single, circular, "foot" which also serves as the primary feeding input. The move slowly on their single foot, but is strong enough to support them even on near vertical surfaces.

Manipulation

The upper body also support four tentacles, two on each side, each ending with four grippers. The Akeed hand, or more accurately, gripping tentacle possesses much more strength and is far more dexterous than the Human hand. Akeed tentacles are easily capable of crushing shellfish, tearing out plant life, or performing great acts of strength that have consistently sobered Human observers.

Body Plan

Their skin is usually damp, and kept that way by excretions. Akeed bodies mostly composed of water and their soft tissues are prone to desiccation. As a result, the Akeed body generates a protective mucus, an excretion, to survive. This need for a moist environment informs Akeed starship and other vehicle design. The floors of such craft often feature a sponge-like moist flooring, which the Akeed find most comfortable. The Akeed often ride small scooter-like transporters when traveling in human environments to avoid uncomfortable dryness and bodily dessication.

Respiration

Between the two eyes is a respiratory opening or pneumostome (breathing pore). Lower on the body-trunk is a gill system. Despite their apparent need to breathe air, the Akeed can hold their breath underwater for long periods of time. This is due to a unipectinate gill arrangement, a type of gill which allows the Akeed to breathe in clouded, muddy, or sandy waters. The Akeed gill system is not efficient enough to allow unlimited time underwater, but Imperial scientists have noted periods of several hours during which Akeed spent time submerged. The dual-use Akeed lung-gill respiratory system is incredibly flexible, allowing it to respirate in airy atmospheres or underwater in liquid mediums.

Trophics

The Akeed are scavenger/reducers and feed on bacteria, nutrients, and decayed matter as they move over the ground. The Akeed supplement their diet with minerals drawn directly from soil and water, and appear to be as happy living under the water as on the land. The Akeed are also opportunistic eaters of insects, fish, amphibians, shellfish, plant matter and even small animals. These are absorbed through the foot. The Akeed possess a mouth, digestive system, and a feeding organ much like a radula, an anatomical structure that is used by Terran molluscs (e.g. slugs and snails) for feeding. A radula is sometimes compared rather inaccurately to a Human tongue, and is a micro-toothed, chitinous ribbon, used for scraping, cutting, or otherwise breaking down food.

History & Background (Dossier)

Human contact with the Akeed occurs only on land or in space. There is a Human orbital colony called Sky, and several Human enclaves located on islands on the planet Akeen's surface. Currently the Akeed control the Akeena Union, a group of worlds in the Gateway Sector.

Culture & Society (Ethnology)

It is believed that the Akeed have an extensive marine culture.

The extent of this culture, its tech level, and other accomplishments are unknown.
They are pacifistic, preferring debate and discussion over violence.
They are known throughout the Domain of Gateway as excellent mediators and diplomats.
They interact well with humans and most other races.

Social Organization

The Akeed are social, gregarious, and enjoy having long debates with one another.

Government & Politics (Leadership)

The population of the Akeed is unknown, and their law and government systems are largely unintelligible to human observers.

Currently they control the Akeena Union, a group of worlds in the Gateway Sector.
See Akeena Union for more information.

Language & Letters (Communication)

Their breathing system contains no vocal chords, so the Akeed can not speak. They can whistle, and emulate a great many sounds that way. The Akeed communicate with each other by expressing a combination of whistle sounds and sign language.

Technology & Trade (Economy)

Their tech level, based on observations of their starship technology and electronics, is generally evaluated as TL–10 competency. They possess Jump-drive ships, but acquired them from Humans early in the sector's history, rather than independently creating FTL technology.

Worlds & Sectors (Astrography)

This race (sophont species) is primarily located in the following areas:

Gateway Sector

Homeworld: 1105

The homeworld of this race (sophontic species) is:

Akeen (Gateway 2708)

World Listing: 1105

Significant communities of this race (sophont species) are known to exist within the following systems and worlds:

9 of 9 World articles in Akeed

Akeen • Gneri Mu Nin • Hespitar • Jh'nng Mu Nu • Lanadhu • Mung Sa We • Nng Min Ha • Nng Min Sa • X'kuur'qu'io Nu •

startbacknext(9 listed)

References & Contributors (Sources)

This article is missing content for one or more detailed sections. Additional details are required to complete the article. You can help the Traveller Wiki by expanding it.

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

Joe Fugate. MegaTraveller Journal 4 (Digest Group Publications, 1993), 27,33.
Martin Dougherty, Hunter Gordon. Gateway to Destiny (QuikLink Interactive, 2004), 22-24.
Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science