Venusians

The Venusians are a humanoid frog-like species. They are four to five meters tall with skin ranged from vibrant emerald to a dusky, almost iridescent blue-green, many with decorative patterns. Their build is a mix between big and bulky frogs and lithe ones, with the thinner of the two often seen with elaborate headdresses made of woven reeds and parts of hunted foes.^[1] Compared to pre-integration frogs, the Venusians have very expressive features. Their eyes are wide and golden, filled with intelligence, and their faces have far more muscles to display emotion than regular frogs.

Behavior-wise, Jake described the Venusians as showing many traits of an enlightened race while still being monsters.^[2] Despite their initial friendliness, the Venusian leadership proves duplicitous and ultimately betrays Jake. Driven by their ambition, they attempt to trap him in a Soul Contract that would force him to focus on their progression.

During his visit, Jake met several archetypes within Venusian society, including:

• Venusian Warrior
• Venusian Virumancer
• Venusian Shaman
• Venusian Artisan
• Venusian Mistcaller
• Venusian Oracle
• Horned Venusian Slayer

The Venusians live in a group of villages, each led by an Oracle. Although described as a "village", the settlement is actually quite large by human standards. Jake estimates the population to be at least several hundred thousand. The village has thousands of semi-permanent buildings, including huts, yurts, and tents.^[1] The structures are comically large by human standards. In the village is a Life Pool, overseen by the Oracle, assuring the safety of the young and blessing them with her presence, ensuring their growth into healthy adults. These Life Pools are the birthplace of all Venusians and it normally takes about a decade from the time the tadpoles hatch until they are ready to join society.

The Oracle is considered the supreme authority of the village. The Oracle is the village's connection to the Ancestral Village and the one guiding the village forward. They are supported by the Village Chief who primarily oversees village affairs and day-to-day matters, while also leading the warriors in the event of a large conflict, and the Head Shaman, who leads the junior shamans, communicates with the sacred spirits, and harnesses the powers of the world.^[1] he Venusian Oracle is an A-Grade and is the first being Jake encounters who is aware that Jake is an outworlder and that there is a greater world in existence outside the bounds of their world.^[3]

The Venusian society is built around their spiritual beliefs. They believe they are being watched over and guided by their ancestors. The Shamans communicate with the sacred spirits and fight by calling on the ancestors who live within each of the Venusians, created from the combined will of all Venusians. They believe that after death, their spirits return to the Ancestral Spirit Pool and become the Ancestors who can be called upon by the living.^[4]

The Venusians are in a constant battle for territory against the Arachnec, a species of hyper intelligent, fully undead, spider-like creatures. They hunt in packs, live in massive nests underground, and gain experience by creating undead miasma which is antithetical to the life energy the Venusians need to thrive.

The Venusian Shaman acknowledges that they are enemies wit the Arachnec "not necessarily due to hostile intent, but literally due to their natures requiring them to constantly seek new resources or claim new territory. Their existences are incompatible with that of others, making us enemies by necessity.”^[5] Jake mentally compares it to the eternal feuds between the Holy Church and the Risen and the Endless Empire and Rigoria.

• At one point, Jake deactivates Endless Tongues of the Myriad Races so he can hear the actual Venusian language. He describes it as an almost musical combination of croaks, whistles, and almost-words.^[1]