Size: Red Males (pictured above) approx. 2m tall; Black Males approx. 1m tall.
Sensation: Hearing by tympanic membranes on all sides of the neck and skull. Monocular sight (poor depth perception) by a single eye sensitive to infra-red through green frequencies. Tactile senses across all surfaces.
Lifecycle: Born physically mature except for reproductive ability, which develops at age 25 years. Lifespan normally 100-120 years for Red Male, Black Male, and female, but up to 200 years in unusual cases of Red Males.
Reproduction: Two male genders, one female gender, and a symbiotic fungus called "gohh"are required for Gorgoy reproduction: the Black Male consumes the fungus to produce black germ; the Red Male (who is already fertile with red germ) and the Black Male then fertilize a female, who gestates for a variable period of 2-3 years, finally bearing several females and one male, either Black or Red. Infant mortality of Black Males runs at approx. 75% for non-noble Gorgoy families.
Respiration: Oxygen inspiration, CO₂ and trace-hydrocarbon expiration.
Aliment: Wide-ranging, but with complex requirements of hundreds of nutrients, including amino acids, beta-oxidizers, and several metallics. All ingestion occurs through the single snout above the eye.
Cognition: Very high. Black Males are strong conceptualizers and enjoy highly developed logical skills. Red Males tend more towards interpersonal and intersocial skills. Females are barely sentient, and are kept and traded as humans keep pets or trade higher animals of value.
Thermality: Homoiothermic at 65°F. Distress outside the 40-80°F range; death from extended exposure outside the 30-100°F range.
Technology: Military technology runs very high, and the Gorgoy have conquered hundreds of planets. Genetic technology is still new to them, and mostly considered taboo; but otherwise, their medical sciences are sufficient.
Communication: Audible, by gurgles made inside the neck with a series of valves.
Culture: All Gorgoy have been assembled under the single Biarchy since their prehistory; the concept of multiple sovereignties within a single species is highly suspect for them. Below the Biarch there extends a series of baron-like Governors who control various territories or certain aspects of the extensive Gorgoy military or economy. Black Males make up the majority of Governors, but Red Males are not unknown in such positions.
Religion: Polytheistic, with over a hundred super-celestial deities corresponding to various aspects of existence: Life, Death, Luck, Love, War, Monetary Prosperity, Personal Prosperity, etc.
Society: 99% of the Gorgoy are peasants, and commit themselves with resignation to a life of labor interspersed with cheap entertainment and occasional bouts of hedonism. All Red Males are required to serve in the military forces from age 11 until sexual maturity at age 25. Families consist of a single Red and a single Black, who join for life and measure their social status in part by how many females they can afford, and how many sons their females produce.