Physical Description

Necrid evolved from ten limbed cephalopods but any description of one Necrid will not match another.  One of the older space faring races, the Necrid have spent millenia practicing genetic modifications on themselves such that beyond some particular details no two Necrid are alike.  What all Necrid do share is digestive track, from their tendril filled mouth to their anus.  The mouth of the Necrid are usually covered by a thick membrane that thins over time until it is time for “the feasting” when the Necrid will gorge themselves on rotting and fermented foods over the course of several decals, after which they will not eat again for up to half an annura.

Most Necrid retain their ten tentacled limbs, but these are often changed to have new skin, skeletal structures and even grasping hands and feet.  Eyes and other sensory organs are also highly variable and there is evidence that the Necrid originally had four eyes, but no one knows for certain.
Reproduction was sexual but modern Necrid reproduce via genetic reconstitution, with young grown in artificial wombs.

History

The Necrid are one of the older space faring races, evolved from ten limbed cephalopods.  Another sentient race also evolved on their world, that was uplifted and modified by an ancient race.  The Necrid, seeing this, rose up from their ocean homes and wiped out the other species.  Realizing how the genetic modifications benefitted the other species the Necrid focussed their efforts on their own genetic enhancements.  In the early times, this was to make themselves more amphibious and better able to survive on dry land.  Once this was achieved they shifted their attention outwards to try and track down the ancient race that passed them over for modification.

The Necrid plodded the stars for centuries in their vain search, making contact with numerous races.  Most of these contacts were peaceful, but the Necrid always took genetic samples, seeking to incorporate any beneficial genes into their own genome.  With each successive generation the Necrid split further and further from their original form.  Eventually the Necrid discovered how to modify their own genes making it so that individual Necrid could tailor themselves as they saw fit.  This severe genetic deviation has rendered the species all but sterile and has forced them to use artificial wombs and genetic recombination to further reproduction.

The Necrid’s genetic sciences are highly sought when it comes to studying diseases.  Their study of disease and other species has allowed them to find cures to and erradicate numerous diseases.

Culture

Necrid culture revolves around personal and societal improvement.  They see evolution as too slow and stupid and therefore have dedicated themselves to creating the ultimate lifeform.  As much as they believe in enhancing their own physical evolution they are violently against uplifting of sub-sentient species or modifying other races that do not ask for their assistance.

Major Religions/Philosophies

Necrid religion and their own particular digestive system calls for them to consume only rotten and fermented foods. Their god however is the ultimate form they hope to achieve.

“Learn from every modification, even if it proves unhelpful. Only though growth and change can we achieve perfection.”

Population

As of UCSB Census Date 1000: 13 Billion across all colonized worlds.

Notables

All Necrid are telepathic, though despite millenia of genetic modification, there are no high level Necrid Psionics. This is a major issue with their geneticists, but one they assured themselves and other that they will overcome.

Sub-Species

Due to their extensive genetic modification every Necrid can almost be seen as its own species. In the past there was a wide genetic tree with several sub-species.