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

Physiology and psychology

Of all creatures familiar to humans, the Spathi are most similar to Earth mollusks. Although many compare them to squid, notably the Captain in Star Control II, they are much closer to shellfish.

Spathi familial units are large, often numbering in the ten thousands, with only one female parent. They receive only a small amount of attention from their parent, and it is rare to be referred to directly by name.

The Spathi are complete and utter cowards. As a result they are easily bullied into doing things against their will. They fear everything, and are said to be more afraid of what they can't see than what they can. Dialogue with Spathi is often rife with references to "monsters" and the supposed "Ultimate Evil," which is rather mysterious to all but the Spathi themselves, and whose proof of nefarious intent is the fact that it lurks outside their most sensitive scanners...

The Spathi are notorious for misremembering names, such as those of star systems or the correct name of humans (which they refer to as "hunams.")

History

All Spathi technology was developed as a response to fear. For example, the Spathi developed starflight to get off their planet and away from creatures who desired their flesh. They resided for a time on Spathiwa's moon because they feared the "Evil Ones," nonsentient and mostly harmless rodents that had taken up residence on Spathiwa.

The Spathi were defeated by the Ur-Quan and, due to an Umgah trick, became battle thralls, much to their chagrin. They encased themselves in an Ur-Quan slave shield on their own after the humans exterminated the "Evil Ones" for them.