The Venusians

When I beheld my first Venusian it was in silhouette, against the morning sun and I wondered perhaps if my day of judgement had come. At narrow range their reptilian features became clear and I realised my angelic visitor was more profane and bestial in truth. They possess a kind of savage intelligence and are fine crafters of tools and surprisingly elegant fabrics made of native fibres that withstand the harsh conditions on this wretched world.

In a crude inversion of civilised society it is the women who go off to war with other tribes, leaving the men to raise the eggs and fledglings and also to tend and decorate the homes. The harpy women are seldom present, and spend most of their lives on flying korsair ships, raiding and plundering. In the absence of natural families, the men share a certain companionship among themselves. It is my duty as a scientist to investigate these strange rituals of intimacy that this exotic culture shares between menfolk. In the name of science.

From Professor Mancheeks' Alamanac of the Astonishing.