Kherubim - Biology

Biology

Kherubim are various groups/races of people from the planet Khera. Kherubim resemble humans in appearance, but are physically far stronger and more durable and extremely long-lived, nearly immortal. However an evolutionary drawback to their near-immortality is that nearly all Kheran females are infertile, only very rarely will a Kheran produce offspring. This effect is seen in real world natural environments, as longer living organisms will have fewer offspring than organisms with short lifespans. This is a natural check against overpopulation. Only one in 10,000 Kheran females is capable of giving birth, and only then at her very first mating. Of those, only one in approx. 10,000 will become pregnant, and only 1 in 1000 of those babies will be born alive. The rest are stillborn.

NOTE: while this is official canon, mathematically this presents a rather absurd obstacle to the species. The mathematics for a live birth would be: (1/10,000)*(1/10,000)*(1/1000), or 1/100,000,000,000 -- Only one in 100 BILLION chance of a live birth. Given the population requirements for such an event, it is a statistical certainty that there will never be another kherubim born. Mathematical reduction and probability would render the species nonviable almost instantly. Even if there were a given 10,000 fertile females, and even if all of them became pregnant, only 10 would give birth to live children. Even assuming all 10 were female, each would face the same one-in-10,000 chance against being fertile themselves. Statistically the odds become exponentially higher against further generations: even having 2 of those 10 being fertile is a 1-in-100 Million chance.

The saving grace of the species is that this infertility doesn't seem to apply when the Kheran is mating with another species though as Earth has various Kheran/human hybrids. Their vocal cords are highly developed allowing a far wider range of tones than is possible for a human being. More powerful Kherans are known as Lords and possess psionic and energy manipulation abilities. Mister Majestic, Lord Emp and Yohn Khol are Kherubim Lords.

Shapers are a subspecies of Kherans. They are shapeshifters who are able to manipulate the molecular structure of their bodies, transforming part or all of their bodies into a substance with metallic properties, which they can manipulate and reshape at will. The Wildcat Warblade is a Shaper.

Though genetically a different species, the Titanthropes (or simply Titans) have been part of Kherubim society for so long that they are also often called Kherubim. However they are considered, and treated as, second class citizens of Khera by the Kherubim. They are large, purple-skinned humanoids who are able to increase or decrease their mass. They have large yellow horns growing from their backs. A Titan's intelligence is inversely proportional to their current size. The Wildcat Maul is a Titanthrope.