Syringee and Other Life Forms of Syringo

The Syringee are the natives of the planet Syringo. "Syringee" may be either singular or plural.

Syringee resemble centaurs (if centaurs were bears) in that they have four legs, an upright torso and two arms with hands. The top of their heads is about 6 feet from the ground. Like the bears which they resemble, Syringee are covered from their muzzle to the six toes on their hind feet with fur--protection from the intense radiation of their sun. Older Syringee develop salt and pepper gray highlights on their black or brown fur. The Syringee head and face are bear-like, including grinding molars and wicked-looking canines in their muzzle. Like terrestrial bears, Syringee have a short tail. Even with their fur, they wear four-legged trousers and a shirt. Most wear shoes or boots. (The Duck and Doughnut and Ghost Writers in Disguise)

They show curiosity by rapid blinking of their eyes.

Syringee stick their tongues out between their front teeth in a gesture of denial (where we would shake our heads left and right) (Indigo Blue) or lick their lips with their tongues in affirmation (where we would nod our heads.)

The traditional Syringee greeting is to extend their arms wide (resembling an "I caught a fish this big" gesture), although they do not necessarily hug. (The Duck and Doughnut)

Syringee sit with their hindquarters on a stool and the front legs extended. (The Butler Did It)

Some Syringee drive modern vehicles, especially for long-distance travel, but they usually use bicycle-built-for-two-like contraptions or animal drawn carts and wagons locally. Syringee have great stamina and are capable of walking or running long distances when suitable transportation is not available.

The Syringee's stamina is due in part to the fact that they have two hearts (Don't Cross the Ls in Tortilla). One heart is in the upper torso, much like ours. It pumps blood through the lungs and supplies the brain and upper torso. The second heart is located in the central region of the horizontal torso. Its primary function is to insure an abundant supply of oxygenated blood to the muscles and nerves of the legs.

Because of their six-limbed anatomy, Syringee beds are a little different than ours. A mattress supports their lower, four-legged torso. At one end of the bed is a padded hassock-like elevation to support their arms and head. To get into bed, a Syringee turns his back to the bed and sits on the mattress. Then he twists his lower torso and folds his front and rear legs under him. He leans his upper torso forward, crosses his arms, and rests them on the pad of the hammock. He turns his head to the left or right and rests it on his arms. If a pillow is used, the arms are beneath it and the head rests on top.

Conception can occur at any time of the year. Females normally give birth to a single "cub" after a gestation period of seven months. Infants suckle at one of the mother's two human-like breasts until the cub's spine develops its characteristic right-angle bend and the cub learns to walk at about two years of age. Cubs reach adulthood in twenty-five years.

Although many Syringee are farmers, they are primarily a fish eating species, so they tend to live along or near the shores of oceans, lakes and rivers. Many of their idioms, cliches and traditions are nautical. Their culture has outgrown its religious mythology, but they often refer to "Neptune," especially when surprised or angry.

Many Syringee spend extended periods in boats above (in lighter-than-air craft) or on the water fishing because so much of their economy involves catching and preserving (usually by drying) of fish and other sea creatures.

Syringee villages and towns are quite beautiful. Their yards are surrounded by well-kept hedges, the trees are carefully pruned and their flower gardens are meticulously weeded. Their pink, orange, or yellow homes are always freshly painted and well maintained, even though many are over a thousand years old. They seem to glow in the day's last light. Picturesque as this might be, you might find the overpowering smell of rack upon rack of drying fish to be a very unpleasant experience as you walked the streets, especially during special harvest times such as "The Great Run."

Other life forms of Syringo include:

Arrow fish: A fish commonly taken by Syringee fishermen. (Indigo Blue)

Fluvi: A predator from the Badlands of Syringo near Roo'eft A mature fluvi is about forty-five feet long and three feet high at the shoulder. It has reptilian scales and a skin which is a gray-black on the dorsal side with a creamy ventral side. Spines on its head, back and tail, and a long, sinuous body, make it resemble the European depiction of a dragon. It doesn’t breathe fire or have wings. Those spiky teeth are bad enough. For an image, click here. The fluvi is based on Swidhelm's "Fluvialanguis" model and is available at Renderosity. (Scary Sheri Safari)

Golden nonnel: A fish which normally lives in the oceanic depths of Syringo. It occasionally comes near the surface and, when caught, is felt to be a sign of good luck. "Nonnel" is the reverse spelling of the random word, "Lennon." (Blue Suede Shoes)

Nibid berries: A thorny vine which grows in the forests near Roo'eft. During late summer it is densely covered with sweet, edible berries about the size of concord grapes. (The Hiss) The juice will stain the skin of Caucasian humans a Hispanic brown and cause it to wrinkle in fashion that resembles advancing age. (Indigo Blue) "Nibid" is an anagram of the random word "bindi."

Puzzlaa/Puzzloo: An ox-like animal used by the Syringee to pull non-motorized vehicles. Like the Syringee people, they have six limbs, but not the centaur-like L-shaped spine. Unlike the ox, they have broad fleshy feet with 6 toes instead of hooves. "Puzzlaa" is the generic term for these animals as well as the term applied to the cows. Bulls may be called either "bull puzzlaa" or "puzzloo" but are seldom used as draft animals because of their irritable disposition. Puzzlaa make a characteristic "uh... uh... uh..." sound as they pull a load. (Indigo Blue) The name came from the random word, "puzzled," but Word Web gave no anagrams for it, so I just modified it to "puzzlaa."

Treyfish: A very desirable but rare fish found mostly in the Horrific Sea. (The Hiss)

Tusker whale: A whale-like creature from the sea. They live to a great age and are often referenced by Syringee talking about something very old. (In the Hole of the Mountain King)

Page updated: 21 October 2021
Page created: 18 January 2012