Humanx Commonwealth
Encyclopedia
The Humanx Commonwealth is a fictional interstellar ethical/political entity featured in the science fiction
novels of Alan Dean Foster
. The Commonwealth takes its name from its two major sapient species, who jointly inhabit Commonwealth planets and administer both the political and religious/ethical aspects. They are the mammal
ian Humans of the planet Earth
and the insect
oid Thranx which dwell upon Hivehom. The Commonwealth is described as a progressive, well-intentioned liberal democracy
spanning many star systems, and is somewhat similar to the United Federation of Planets
from Star Trek
. The Humanx Commonwealth is notable for its portrayal of a human-alien relationship that is not just mutually beneficial but symbiotic, allowing an amalgamation of the two species.
-like with flexibility and speed superior to that of most men, though generally shorter and stronger.
telepath
s, or "empaths" who often bond strongly to a sapient being they deem worthy.
oid species
about 1.5 meters long when on all six legs. They look roughly like very large praying mantises.
s described as bear
-like and two to three times as tall and broad as a human. They are a peaceful race, that communicate largely by telepathy.
published a Humanx sourcebook for their GURPS
roleplaying game.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novels of Alan Dean Foster
Alan Dean Foster
Alan Dean Foster is an American author of fantasy and science fiction. He currently resides in Prescott, Arizona, with his wife, and is also known for his novelizations of film scripts...
. The Commonwealth takes its name from its two major sapient species, who jointly inhabit Commonwealth planets and administer both the political and religious/ethical aspects. They are the mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
ian Humans of the planet Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
and the insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
oid Thranx which dwell upon Hivehom. The Commonwealth is described as a progressive, well-intentioned liberal democracy
Liberal democracy
Liberal democracy, also known as constitutional democracy, is a common form of representative democracy. According to the principles of liberal democracy, elections should be free and fair, and the political process should be competitive...
spanning many star systems, and is somewhat similar to the United Federation of Planets
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
from Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
. The Humanx Commonwealth is notable for its portrayal of a human-alien relationship that is not just mutually beneficial but symbiotic, allowing an amalgamation of the two species.
AAnn
The AAnn are a lizardLizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
-like with flexibility and speed superior to that of most men, though generally shorter and stronger.
Minidrags
Minidrags resemble flying snakes, measure about one meter long. They are empathicEmpathy
Empathy is the capacity to recognize and, to some extent, share feelings that are being experienced by another sapient or semi-sapient being. Someone may need to have a certain amount of empathy before they are able to feel compassion. The English word was coined in 1909 by E.B...
telepath
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
s, or "empaths" who often bond strongly to a sapient being they deem worthy.
Pitar
A highly scientific alien race which seemed almost identical to humankind in appearance and biology.Thranx
The Thranx are an insectInsect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
oid species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
about 1.5 meters long when on all six legs. They look roughly like very large praying mantises.
Ulru-Ujurrians
The Ulru-Ujurrians are ursine humanoidHumanoid
A humanoid is something that has an appearance resembling a human being. The term first appeared in 1912 to refer to fossils which were morphologically similar to, but not identical with, those of the human skeleton. Although this usage was common in the sciences for much of the 20th century, it...
s described as bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
-like and two to three times as tall and broad as a human. They are a peaceful race, that communicate largely by telepathy.
Otoids
The aboriginal race of the planet Alaspin. They are described as humanoid, roughly half the height of a human male, have ten fingers with three digits on each hand, covered in fur, green eyes and a non-prehensile hairless tail. Their manner is hostile to all other races and kill all whom they encounter. They take the eyeballs of those they slay for reasons unknown. Little is known about this race to Xenoanthropologists, who were not even sure how they breed. The only weapon they are known to attack with is the sikambi, a sort of blowgun with an elastic made from a tree sap used in place of air power. The ammo is an arrow with a brass arrowhead. The Otoids lacked in accuracy but made up for it in the sheer number fired in a volley.- Quillp
- Tran
- Vssey
Adaptations
In 1987 Steve Jackson GamesSteve Jackson Games
Steve Jackson Games is a game company, founded in 1980 by Steve Jackson, that creates and publishes role-playing, board, and card games, and the gaming magazine Pyramid.-History:...
published a Humanx sourcebook for their GURPS
GURPS
The Generic Universal RolePlaying System, or GURPS, is a tabletop role-playing game system designed to allow for play in any game setting...
roleplaying game.
Commonwealth novels
- Nor Crystal TearsNor Crystal TearsNor Crystal Tears is a first contact novel written by Alan Dean Foster about the meeting of the insectoid Thranx and Man. This sets in motion the creation of the Humanx Commonwealth; the political body that is the union of human and thranx society which forms the foundation for many of Foster's...
(1982) - Voyage to the City of the DeadVoyage to the City of the DeadVoyage to the City of the Dead is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster.-Plot:Scientists Eitienne and Lyra Redowl come to the planet Horseye to study the entire length the immense Skar River and its spectacular river chasm, the largest in the whole Humanx Commonwealth...
(1984) - MidworldMidworldMidworld is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. It is set in his primary science-fiction universe, the Humanx Commonwealth.-Plot:...
(1975) - Drowning WorldDrowning WorldDrowning World is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster.-Plot summary:On the distant planet Fluva, torrential rains that leave it barely habitable also make it a treasure trove of rare botanical specimens...
(2003) - The Howling StonesThe Howling StonesThe Howling Stones is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster.-Plot summary:Two scientists race against their vicious alien nemesis, the AAnn, to secure a treaty for mining rights on the newly discovered planet Senisran, an oddity of most ocean dotted with thousands of islands...
(1997) - Sentenced to PrismSentenced to PrismSentenced to Prism is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster, and is a stand-alone entry in his Humanx Commonwealth series of books...
(1985) - CachalotCachalot (novel)Cachalot is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster.-Plot summary:Cachalot is an ocean planet where humans have begun building floating cities. It is also the same planet where all of Earth’s cetaceans were transplanted six hundred years ago after the Covenant of Peace was enacted with...
(1980) - QuofumQuofumQuofum is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster.-Plot:Sent by the Humanx Commonwealth Science Council , a team of explorers manage to find the planet Quofum—which only occasionally appears on long range scans. Since the planet is outside of the Commonwealth territory their mission...
(2008)
Novels featuring Flinx (aka Philip Lynx)
- For Love of Mother-NotFor Love of Mother-NotFor Love of Mother-Not is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the first chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series, though it was written fourth, as a prequel to help flesh out Flinx’s early history.-Plot introduction:...
(1983) - The Tar-Aiym KrangThe Tar-Aiym KrangThe Tar-Aiym Krang is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. It is Foster’s first published novel and started both his Humanx Commonwealth universe and his two most popular recurring characters, Pip and Philip Lynx...
(1972) - Orphan StarOrphan StarOrphan Star is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is Foster's eighteenth published book, his fifth original novel, and is chronologically the third entry in the Pip and Flinx series...
(1977) - The End of the MatterThe End of the MatterThe End of the Matter is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is fourth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot introduction:...
(1977) - Flinx in FluxFlinx in FluxFlinx in Flux is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is fifth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series....
(1988) - Mid-FlinxMid-FlinxMid-Flinx is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the sixth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series....
(1995) - ReunionReunion (novel)Reunion is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the seventh chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:...
(2001) - Flinx's FollyFlinx's FollyFlinx's Folly is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the eighth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:...
(2003) - Sliding ScalesSliding ScalesSliding Scales is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the ninth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:In Sliding Scales Flinx is confounded by how to proceed with his life...
(2004) - Running from the DeityRunning from the DeityRunning from the Deity is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the tenth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:...
(2005) - BloodhypeBloodhypeBloodhype is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is eleventh chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series, though it was written second, and it is an oddity for the characters since they only appear in the last third of the book...
(1973) - Trouble MagnetTrouble MagnetTrouble Magnet is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the twelfth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series....
(2006) - PatrimonyPatrimony (novel)Patrimony is a science fiction novel by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the thirteenth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot:...
(2007) - Flinx TranscendentFlinx TranscendentFlinx Transcendent is a science fiction novel by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the fourteenth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series, and was released in April 2009...
(2008)
Icerigger trilogy
- IceriggerIceriggerIcerigger is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. Like many of Foster's science-fiction novels, Icerigger takes place within his Humanx Commonwealth universe-Plot:...
(1974) - Mission to MoulokinMission to MoulokinMission to Moulokin is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. It is the second entry in Foster's Icerigger Trilogy and is a part of his ever-growing series of books taking place within his Humanx Commonwealth.-Plot summary:...
(1979) - The Deluge DriversThe Deluge DriversThe Deluge Drivers is a science fiction novel written by American author Alan Dean Foster. It is the final entry in Foster's Icerigger Trilogy of books taking place in the Humanx Commonwealth book series.-Plot introduction:...
(1987)
Founding of the Commonwealth
- PhylogenesisPhylogenesis (novel)Phylogenesis is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. It is the first novel in Foster's Founding of the Commonwealth Trilogy....
(1999) - DirgeDirge (novel)Dirge is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The full title is sometimes shown as Dirge: Book Two of The Founding of the Commonwealth.-Plot summary:...
(2000) - Diuturnity's Dawn (2002)
Timeline
- Nor Crystal TearsNor Crystal TearsNor Crystal Tears is a first contact novel written by Alan Dean Foster about the meeting of the insectoid Thranx and Man. This sets in motion the creation of the Humanx Commonwealth; the political body that is the union of human and thranx society which forms the foundation for many of Foster's...
(-89 AA) prequel - PhylogenesisPhylogenesis (novel)Phylogenesis is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. It is the first novel in Foster's Founding of the Commonwealth Trilogy....
(-60 AA) Founding of the Commonwealth 1 - DirgeDirge (novel)Dirge is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The full title is sometimes shown as Dirge: Book Two of The Founding of the Commonwealth.-Plot summary:...
(-35 AA) Founding of the Commonwealth 2 - Diuturnity's Dawn (0 AA) Founding of the Commonwealth 3
- Voyage to the City of the DeadVoyage to the City of the DeadVoyage to the City of the Dead is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster.-Plot:Scientists Eitienne and Lyra Redowl come to the planet Horseye to study the entire length the immense Skar River and its spectacular river chasm, the largest in the whole Humanx Commonwealth...
(106 AA) - MidworldMidworldMidworld is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. It is set in his primary science-fiction universe, the Humanx Commonwealth.-Plot:...
(445 AA) - IceriggerIceriggerIcerigger is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. Like many of Foster's science-fiction novels, Icerigger takes place within his Humanx Commonwealth universe-Plot:...
(548 AA) Icerigger 1 - For Love of Mother-NotFor Love of Mother-NotFor Love of Mother-Not is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the first chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series, though it was written fourth, as a prequel to help flesh out Flinx’s early history.-Plot introduction:...
(548 AA) Pip and Flinx 1 - The Tar-Aiym KrangThe Tar-Aiym KrangThe Tar-Aiym Krang is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. It is Foster’s first published novel and started both his Humanx Commonwealth universe and his two most popular recurring characters, Pip and Philip Lynx...
(549 AA) Pip and Flinx 2 - Mission to MoulokinMission to MoulokinMission to Moulokin is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. It is the second entry in Foster's Icerigger Trilogy and is a part of his ever-growing series of books taking place within his Humanx Commonwealth.-Plot summary:...
(549 AA) Icerigger 2 - Orphan StarOrphan StarOrphan Star is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is Foster's eighteenth published book, his fifth original novel, and is chronologically the third entry in the Pip and Flinx series...
(550 AA) Pip and Flinx 3 - The Deluge DriversThe Deluge DriversThe Deluge Drivers is a science fiction novel written by American author Alan Dean Foster. It is the final entry in Foster's Icerigger Trilogy of books taking place in the Humanx Commonwealth book series.-Plot introduction:...
(550 AA) Icerigger 3 - The End of the MatterThe End of the MatterThe End of the Matter is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is fourth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot introduction:...
(551 AA) Pip and Flinx 4 - Flinx in FluxFlinx in FluxFlinx in Flux is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is fifth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series....
(551 AA) Pip and Flinx 5 - Mid-FlinxMid-FlinxMid-Flinx is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the sixth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series....
(552 AA) Pip and Flinx 6 - ReunionReunion (novel)Reunion is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the seventh chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:...
(553 AA) Pip and Flinx 7 - Drowning WorldDrowning WorldDrowning World is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster.-Plot summary:On the distant planet Fluva, torrential rains that leave it barely habitable also make it a treasure trove of rare botanical specimens...
(554 AA) - QuofumQuofumQuofum is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster.-Plot:Sent by the Humanx Commonwealth Science Council , a team of explorers manage to find the planet Quofum—which only occasionally appears on long range scans. Since the planet is outside of the Commonwealth territory their mission...
(555 AA) - Flinx's FollyFlinx's FollyFlinx's Folly is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the eighth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:...
(557 AA) Pip and Flinx 8 - Sliding ScalesSliding ScalesSliding Scales is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the ninth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:In Sliding Scales Flinx is confounded by how to proceed with his life...
(557 AA) Pip and Flinx 9 - Running from the DeityRunning from the DeityRunning from the Deity is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the tenth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:...
(558 AA) Pip and Flinx 10 - BloodhypeBloodhypeBloodhype is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is eleventh chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series, though it was written second, and it is an oddity for the characters since they only appear in the last third of the book...
(558 AA) Pip and Flinx 11 - Trouble MagnetTrouble MagnetTrouble Magnet is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the twelfth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series....
(558 AA) Pip and Flinx 12 - The Howling StonesThe Howling StonesThe Howling Stones is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster.-Plot summary:Two scientists race against their vicious alien nemesis, the AAnn, to secure a treaty for mining rights on the newly discovered planet Senisran, an oddity of most ocean dotted with thousands of islands...
(558 AA) - PatrimonyPatrimony (novel)Patrimony is a science fiction novel by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the thirteenth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot:...
(559 AA) Pip and Flinx 13 - Flinx TranscendentFlinx TranscendentFlinx Transcendent is a science fiction novel by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the fourteenth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series, and was released in April 2009...
(? but after Patrimony) Pip and Flinx 14 - Sentenced to PrismSentenced to PrismSentenced to Prism is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster, and is a stand-alone entry in his Humanx Commonwealth series of books...
(571 AA) - CachalotCachalot (novel)Cachalot is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster.-Plot summary:Cachalot is an ocean planet where humans have begun building floating cities. It is also the same planet where all of Earth’s cetaceans were transplanted six hundred years ago after the Covenant of Peace was enacted with...
(572 AA)
See also
- List of Humanx Commonwealth characters
- List of Humanx Commonwealth planets
- List of Humanx Commonwealth races