| Cactacae | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Naming | |||
| Binomen | N/A | ||
| Morphology | |||
| Average height | 6-7 ft. (estimate) | ||
| Intelligence | |||
| Sentience | Sentient | ||
| Sapience | Sapient | ||
| Aggressivity | High | ||
| Ecology | |||
| Habitat | Desert | ||
| Diet | Photosynthetic omnivores | ||
| Lifespan | DD | ||
| Subspecies | N/A | ||
| Status | Least Concern | ||
| Behind the Scenes | |||
| Universe | Bas-Lag | ||
| Created by | China Miéville | ||
Cactacae are a race of sapient humanoid cacti native to Bas-Lag.
Overview[]
Cactacae are large, muscular, prickly plant-like humanoids who are greenish in color, often towering over human beings. Cactacae grow flowers in spring and usually shave off their spines where flesh rubs against flesh. No two Cactacae look alike - often covered in vegetable scars of healed wounds and random spines. Many pluck their spines in order to work with other races - especially on their hands. Although their young grow out of the ground, they nurse them as mammals do. Cactacae have sap for blood and sleep standing up. They are known for their strength, and are often employed as laborers and bodyguards. Cactacae bodies are fibrous, with wooden bones, making them notoriously difficult to kill or wound with normal weapons; bullets pass nigh-harmlessly through them. The Cactacae community in the city of New Crobuzon is based around The Glasshouse, and is allowed to exist as a nominally independent community within the city. Their weapons of choice are Rivebows, oversized crossbows that fire a spinning metal disc capable of shearing off cactacae limbs. Cactacae are a warrior race and many act as bodyguards for other races.