The natives of the water planet, Nirayuskwar. They are amphibious and can live either in or out of water indefinitely... but MUCH prefer being in water to the point where most of them don't like leaving their homeworld. Some do choose to go out into the rest of the galaxy be it for exploration, mining, or feeling that doing so is their species' duty as part of the Galactic Alliance.

This female is likely a city guard. Her full back display is opened, which is rare... as usually a Niray's back display is used only for attracting a potential suitor or deterring would-be predators. The spines of the tips of the back display do contain a venom that is toxic to most other sentiants, so Niray who have regular interaction with offworlders will often get the tips removed.

This isn't shown in this picture... but Niray have cool feet. Their feet can actually open up into fins for faster swimming.

Their appearance is but a whisper of that of the earth species they evolved from... but the back display should give a little hint.

More info about this species later.

Image © 2012 Traci Vermeesch-Vezina
Please DO NOT copy, alter, repost, etc without the consent of the artist! Character/Image are NOT public domain!