The Orz are a fictional race of beings featured in the sci-fi Star Control computer game series.

Physiology

The Orz are actually manifestations of a single pan-dimensional being, using "*fingers*" to produce the fish-like beings seen on a viewscreen. These manifestations are green and roughly spherical, with a stub too small to be a tail, two eyes on stalks, a large set of gills, four tentacles and a beak. Their ships are filled with fluid, and they appear to be somewhat similar to parrotfish.

Language

The Orz language is excessively unorthodox and the translation computers used in the game are not particularly good at deciphering it, having to resort to best-fits (denoted by asterisks) a good deal of the time. For example: Here is *bright* and *smooth*. The other place is *hurt* Orz too much tired for keeping together. Other place is **Frumple**. Orz are here now, but almost not yet. Soon Orz are really here! You are help Orz with *parties*. However, the language is internally consistent and with effort from the player at least some degree of understanding can be gained.

Combat

In combat, the Orz use a vaguely manta-like craft design called the Nemesis that's armed with a rotating turret and can launch armored space marines. It is highly regarded by the Starbase Commander in Star Control II.

Discussing the Androsynth with the Orz often leads to combat, or "*dancing*" as the Orz refer to it.

History

In Star Control II, the Orz displaced the Androsynth, leaving their cities in ruins, who were conducting experiments with other dimensions that allowed them to become visible to the Orz. The Orz are very sensitive about the Androsynth, and will fight when asked too much about them. According to the Arilou, even knowing too much about other dimensions makes one vulnerable to extra-dimensional dangers, such as the Orz, and the Arilou suggest that this is what happened to the Androsynth.

The relationship between the Orz and the Arilou is never fully explained, although the Orz often expressed anger at the Arilou for "*jumping in front*". The Orz are from a "*below*" dimension disparate from the "*above*" dimension, QuasiSpace, where the Arilou live.

Many answers and additional data were provided by Star Control 3—which was then promptly dismissed by the fans in a feat of krypto-revisionism.