Creature:Sansan

Introduction
The Sansan are race of bipedal insectoid aliens with a collective mind (hive mind), ruled over by a single individual called the "Queen". As such, the Sansan focus more on the collective whole of a species, rather than individualistic pursuits. To outsiders, they are viewed as too rigid and fanatical, willing to go to extremes to defend their beliefs and they view any outsiders who do not conform to their beliefs as "evil". During the course of their history, they've waged countless wars, called Marches, against "heretical" neighbors--all in the name of faith.

Anatomy
Having evolved on the world of Borsan, a world of oppressive heat and intense radiation, the Sansan have evolved a number of natural defenses to aid them in living in such an extreme environment. Like most insects, the Sansan lack an internal skeletal system, instead having a tough exoskleton made of chitin. This natural armor is very dense and strong and protected ancient Sansan from predators, the high amount of radiation on their world and aids in retaining vital liquid. Sansan grow by moulting; the shedding of their exoskeleton.

The Sansan have two compound eyes as well as a pair of sensory antennae, which they are able to retract into their head. These antennae act in place of other sensory organs, providing senses such as smell, sound and sensation of temperature. If a Sansan's antennae are damaged or destroyed, their senses are distorted or crippled and they go to great extreme to protect them. The digestive system of a Sansan is only used to extract nutrients and other substance, and as such, the Sansan have forgone eating; instead, they have created a nutritious paste that they ingest. This paste provides all the necessary nutrition to carry out life functions. As they evolved on an arid planet, the Sansan can go for prolonged periods of time without water.

The Sansan reproduce sexually but the Queen is responsible for laying eggs, which are fertilized by specially chosen male drones. The Queen lays eggs almost constantly. When the eggs hatched, the freshly hatched Sansan are in the "larval" stage, resembling large grubs. They are feed by drones for months until they enter the pupal stage. The pupal stage lasts a standard year and afterwards, the Sansan are in the final, adult stage, in which they spend the rest of their lives in.

Culture
The culture of the Sansan revolves around the Queen, which leads the species as a whole. Individuals refer to themselves in the third person and do not refer to themselves by personal names. They fail to understand more independant and individualistic species, calling them "undisciplined" and "ignorant", because they fail to address the species as a whole. As such, individual Sansan view themselves as disposable and are willing to throw their lives away for the good of the species should the situation arise. They do not question orders nor shy away from duty; believing that sacrifice is for the "greater good".

Arts
The only art that the Sansan practice is sculpting. Specialized drones, called architects, are responsible for the contruction of habitats. Architects "sculpt" the abundant stone on their homeworld to suit the needs of the hive and the Queen.

Cuisine
The Sansan do not indulge in typical cuisine like other species. They thrive off very basic diets; water and nutrient paste. To indulge in any other food or drink is considered selfish.

Architecture
Borsan's surface is extremely hot and radiation is more than abundant. At night, the surface temperature drops dramatically. While many forms of life on Borsan have evolved traits to survive in such an environment, many lifeforms dwell beneath the surface. The Sansan are no different. Their "architecture" consist of carved tunnels and chambers through rock. These habitats are huge and accomodate each and every member of the hive equally.

Religion
The Sansan believe in Spode, to a fanatical extent. They will wage war against others who do not share their faith and, in turn, will fiercly defend their faith if provoked. They view worship of any other deity/deities as ignorant and acts of heresy. According to their beliefs, they believe that Spode will appear to his worshippers and usher in an age of piece if every sentient in the galaxy believes in Spode and if every vestige of "evil" is vanquished.