Predator FAQ v1.1

PREDATOR FAQ V1.1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.      Introduction
II.    Catalog of Movies
III.   Physiology
IV.   Sociology
V.   Equipment
VI. Language
VII. Resources
VIII.Trophy Room
                Add a Trophy
IX. Essays

:( **##**F.Y.I.**##**

On June 22, 1998, the author was arrested and subsquently convicted for a series of bank robberies in the Houston area. This site will remain up as long as Geocities/Yahoo will allow, however, if someone wishes to take over maintenance of the Predator FAQ, Mr. Mauldin may be contacted at the following address: Douglas Mauldin, #79365-079 FCI-L, P.O.Box 26020, Beaumont, TX. 77720 .
I. INTRODUCTION

The Predator is an alien species that was first introduced in the 1987 film Predator. To date, there have been two Predator movies with a third rumored to be in the works. As well as the movies, the Predator character has also been featured in numerous comic book titles by Dark Horse Comics, as well as a series of novels. It is from these sources that this FAQ is produced. With so many different creative artists working on this character, there are bound to be some contradictions in some information. Wherever possible, the movies will be used as the final judge.

II. Catalog of Movies

Predator (1987, Rated R, 107 minutes, Dolby)

Summary:

Dutch and his group of commandos are hired by the CIA to rescue downed airmen from guerillas in

a South American jungle. The mission goes well but as they return they find that something is hunting

them. Nearly invisible, it blends in with the forest, taking trophies from the bodies of it's victims as it goes

along. Occasionally seeing through it's eyes, the audience sees it is an intelligent alien hunter, hunting

them for sport, killing them off one at a time.

Predator II (1990, Rated R, ,)

Summary:

Harrigan, a brash policeman who is fighting drug lords in a decaying L.A. finds that the criminals are

being killed in a very odd fashion. The federal authorities keep telling him to stay out, even though his own men are also being killed. He catches sight of a nearly invisible alien hunter who is searching for trophies. Harrigan injures the creature and pursues it, becoming the hunter.

Predator III (1999, Not yet Rated)

Summary:

This movie is slated for 1999 release. Details are not yet available, however, shots from the movie can be found in the Aliens vs Predator card game. From the look of it, it will pit the Predators against both a force of colonial marines and aliens. This new movie also introduces a couple more Predator weapons/ equipment which are listed below as well as giving a better look at a Predator spaceship.

III. PHYSIOLOGY

The creature known as the Predator, or Yautja in it's own language, is a bipedal humanoid creature standing approximately 2.5 meters tall. While the yautja's body may be humanoid in appearance, this cannot be said for it's face. Having been described as having a face like a "mutated crab", the yautja possess a very distinct look. The most prominent feature of this look are four mandibles which protrude from and surround a smallish mouth filled with sharp teeth. These mandibles are used for communicating much like a cat uses it's tail to communicate it's mood. The yautja also have a verbal language of clicks and chirps and are capable of mimicking other verbal languages to a degree. On their head, the yautja have course bristly "hair" which is twisted into dreadlocks. An average yautja weighs between 250-350 lb.., most of this being pure muscle. The yautja have very little body fat due to their predatory lifestyle and diet. Skin color is generally a pasty yellow mottled with black spots. Eye color is green or yellow. The yautja are much stronger and faster than an average human. They possess lightning quick reflexes and their dexterity surpasses that of man. Their blood is green with a phosphoresent quality which has properties that protect them against the caustic effects of their favorite prey's blood. As far as sensory perceptions, it is believed that they are similar to humans, however, it is a common practice for yautja to employ technology to heighten their senses. Yautja reproduction is similar to humans although no female yautja have been encountered. It has been noted that an enraged female yautja would be a handful for a fully armed warrior yautja. This would imply that the female of the species may be even larger, stronger, and faster than the male. Until a female yautja is encountered, we can only wonder. As far as environment, it appears that the yautja prefer hot, humid conditions with an atmosphere rich in nitrogen.

IV. Sociology

Yautja society is based on the concept of The Hunt. Whereas humans on earth were agrarian, the yautja never settled down. THeir culture revolves around the concept of hunting and stalking prey. Very similar to a pack mentality,

the strongest and most efficient member of the group is the leader. This alpha male controls the actions of the group. So far, only males seem to participate in hunts. As a rite of passage into adulthood, each male yautja must hunt and kill his first kainde amedha, or "hard meat". These hard meats are commonly known to humans as Aliens (see _Alien_, _Aliens_, _Alien 3_, and _Alien:Resurrection_). Apparently the yautja and aliens have a connected evolution and the yautja consider them to be the ultimate prey. Yautja appear to value other predatory species as the most challenging targets. This would also explain their preference for hunting humans, another highly successful predatory species. The yautja are very fond of trophies, skulls being the most sought after. The yautja warrior's behavior is controlled by a code of ethics. This code appears similar to human warriors codes such as bushido and chivalry in that it promoted bravery, martial skill, and loyalty to the pack. Most yautja will not hunt or attack a creature it considers "weak" or unthreatening. When the yautja encounter the females or young of their prey, they often spare them, considering it dishonorable to shed the blood of those who cannot defend themselves.

The rite of passage hunts are generally conducted on uninhabited planets. Before a hunt begins, the yautja "seed" the hunting grounds with alien eggs which are obtained from a captive queen. Once the eggs hatch and the alien brood mature, a group of unblooded warriors land on the planet, supervised by two or three veteran warriors. Equipped only with hand to hand weaponry and armor, the young yautja are sent out. Those who survive and claim a kill are then inducted into their clan as fully blooded warriors. Knowing the danger presented by the aliens to the local ecosystem, the yautja will not leave a planet until every alien is killed. However, it is believed that alien infestations in the galaxy may be caused by the yautja failing to account for every released alien. As a side note, it is considered a great honor by the yautja to participate in the hunts which obtain the alien queen from which they obtain their supply of eggs. To obtain a live queen, the yautja hunting party must venture into an alien crèche, succeed in defeating all the queen's warrior drones, and then subdue the queen herself. Needless to say, many of these parties never return. To understand the respect yautja hold for the lethality of the aliens, in at least one instance, the yautja have accepted a human into their hunting clan who has successfully slain an alien in single hand to hand combat. During the hunt, yautja employ a silent system of hand gestures to communicate with each other. This "sign language" is very simple and only capable of relating simple messages or ideas. Another rite of adulthood is the ceremonial braiding of a warriors hair into the "dreadlocks" style worn by the warriors. This process, usually taking months of ritual and scalp pain is performed in public. At the slightest show of pain or discomfort on the part of the young warrior, the entire process is started over again.

Not much is known about the social interactions of yautja when not on a hunt. It is known that they are not monogamous. Males who are successful hunters appear to have their pick of females for breeding. This incentive guarantees that most males strive to distinguish themselves in the hunt. It is not uncommon for veteran warriors to sire hundreds of offspring with multiple mates.

Yautja are quintessential hunters. They study the behaviour of their prey with cold precision. This information they later use to bring down their quarry. They are a practical species, performing their actions with little wasted effort. Efficient hunters who follow their own code of honor.

V. Equipment

The yautja possess technology far beyond that of humans. However, it is unknown whether they created this technology themselves, or obtained it from other species which have had the misfortune to be considered worthy of hunting. A standard equipment load for a yautja on a hunting trip would usually consist of the following:

HELMET/RESPIRATOR:

While on safari, the yautja wear a distinctive headgear which serves multiple functions. The helmet provides protection during combat. It also houses an extensive array of surveillance equipment including visual and auditory enhances. Visually, the helmet allows the yautja to see the entire spectrum of light from infrared, to visible, to ultraviolet and beyond. The helmet also houses a respirator which provides a breathable atmosphere or supplements an environment's atmosphere. Also, housed within the helmet is a targeting and tracking system for any shoulder mounted weaponry. The tracking/firing system for the plasma caster operates on an electromagnetic frequency which can be used to "track" yautja who are using a shiftsuit. The respirator is also capable of being used underwater similiar to scuba gear.

SHOULDER MOUNTED PLASMA CASTER:

This ranged energy weapon is controlled via the targeting system in the helmet. Emitting a burst of charged plasma, the weapon is capable of disintegrating most opponents. The weapon is fired either by a mandible controlled trigger in the helmet or by a trigger on the forearm.

BODY MESH:

Worn underneath their hunting armor, this covering provides warmth and prevents chaffing.

MELEE CLAWS:

Considered a weapon of last resort, this gauntlet features dual razor sharp retractable blades. The blades are activated via a wrist trigger.

CAMOUFLAGE SUIT:

The camouflage is the ultimate in stealth technology. By bending light waves around the wearer, the suit makes them practically invisible. However, it doesn't grant true invisibility . An alert opponent would be able to notice the shimmering, or shifting of the lightwaves. This is especially noticeable when the wearer is moving. Another feature of the shiftsuit is the loop control. This device allows the yautja to record the language of it's prey. It has been noted that the suit does not function well, if at all, in water. It is also concievable that the suit would be ineffective in enviroments saturated with particulate material surrounding the wearer such as fog, rain, or dust.

SCATTERGUN:

Very similar to a shotgun. This weapon fires multiple projectiles at a target.

MEDIKIT:

While on safari, this medikit provides medical aid to the yautja. While short on pain killers, the kit is highly effective.

DARTS:

Not very powerful, they make the hunt more challenging.

COMBAT STAFF:

The preferred weapon of the yautja, the combat staff has many uses. It can be used as a poleax, or wielded as a staff or spear. It is also a ranged weapon, capable of firing javelin -like projectiles at opponents.

SMART WEAPON:

One of the most advanced pieces of equipment carried by the yautja, the smart weapon is a flat disc shaped weapon which can be held in the hand, or thrown at an opponent. Computer controlled gyros guarantee that the disc returns to it's wielder. This device is capable of cutting through most substances.

VI. Language

The yautja have a complex verbal and written language. The following are yautja words and their english translation:

kehrite..................................................................................................... .................................................Training hall/ dojo

kainde amedha.............................................................................................................. ......................... "hard meat" Aliens

pyode amedha.............................................................................................................. ......................... "soft meat" humanoid

jehdin...................................................................................................... ................................................... Individual, one

ki'cte...................................................................................................... .................................................... stop, enough

thei-de..................................................................................................... .................................................. death

Nan-deThan-gaun............................................................................................. ................................... "Kiss of Midnight" No mercy

nain-desintje-de............................................................................................ ......................................... "Pure win"

ooman....................................................................................................... ................................................. humans

kv'var...................................................................................................... .................................................. exercises, hunts

thwei....................................................................................................... .................................................. blood

c'nlip...................................................................................................... .................................................... intoxicating beverage

chiva....................................................................................................... .................................................. trial, test

dtai'k-dte sa-de nav'g-kon dtain'aun bpide................................................................................ The fight begun would not end

until the end

gkei'moun................................................................................................... ........................................... simple

lou-dte kalei............................................................................................................... ........................... child-maker(derogatory)

gkinmara.................................................................................................... ............................................ camera

tjau'ke..................................................................................................... ................................................compressed dust

'awu'asa'................................................................................................... ............................................. armor

tarei'hsan.................................................................................................. ............................................ loop control

thei-de..................................................................................................... .............................................. death

ch'hkt-a.................................................................................................... ............................................. nervous

ki'cte...................................................................................................... ................................................ expletive

mi.......................................................................................................... ................................................... fuel

dhi'ki-de................................................................................................... ............................................ unconscious, coma

hult'ah..................................................................................................... ............................................. observer

ki'cti-pa................................................................................................... ............................................ wrist knives

mei'hswei................................................................................................... ........................................ brother

tarei'hsan.................................................................................................. ......................................... bug

These are rough translations.

The yautja written language is extremely difficult to decipher but recently obtained examples of their text have allowed scientists to create a translation guide: