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OratSPcomic2

Orat

Base of Operations/Home Planet:

Kerona

Games seen or mentioned in:
Locations seen or mentioned in:
Notable Members:

Unknown

The Orat is a creature from the Earnon galaxy which loves to eat. They prefer darkness, and as such, may be seen in dark caves. They are found on many planets, in some timelines its aparently originally from Orat Bay, and the one from Kerona is it's only kind on the planet (named Orat, i.e. literaly he is 'Orat the Orat'). In another future version timeline they are said to be native to Kerona, implying there are more than one there.

Background[]

It's suggested that Orats might be one of the major races in the universe along with Humans, Xenomorphs, Rigellian, and even species like dolphins[1] Popular books are written about them including The Hidden Life of Orats and The Amazing Oddities of Orat.

Orat appears to be a Keronian name for the creature (translated into approximate English/Xenonian language), and it is actually shortened from their full Keronian name.[2] More specifically Orat appears to be the shortened name for the specific Orat that Roger killed (see Grell for similar name usage). When speaking of the individual "Orat" (capitalized) is employed, when speaking of the species "orat" is often used[3] (however this is not always the case).

There are known to be both reptilian egg laying species and som ethat are mammaloid with fur (although egg laying is still a possibility in some primitive mammalian species). Another version looks a bit like hairless demons with claws and sharp teeth (and might be compared to pork beasts. Still another found in another parallel universe looks more like a crab or lobster with insect like attributes.

There are several known varieties of Orats with different morphological differences. The most famous of these are the versions Roger encountered in the Space Quest I: The Sarien Encounter (original version) and Space Quest I: Roger Wilco in the Sarien Encounter (time sector) time sectors. These changes appear to be unforeseen side effects of time travel on Roger Wilco's part or direct influence by Sludge Vohaul in yet another of his revenge plots.

The Orats at first glance appear to be subsentient, and not even to have much language skills, other than grunts and growls (something not even the dialect translator can decipher). But it is said Orats are normally known for their intellectually stimulating conversations in the monster and beast community. But from a human perspective, Orat seems limited to grunts in the way of response to probing questions. Growls sound the same in any language.[4] Incidently, the Orat (original version) from the original time sector appears to be much more intelligent in comparison.

The Orat's main food source is that of Keronian young.[5]

Its not known if they are also afraid of spiders, but perhaps after a certain encounter they might as well be (see below).

One such creature named Orat, was actually completely obliterated by Roger Wilco in Space Quest 1. Although the accounts of how he managed it are inconsistant. Roger has claimed to have killed it by feeding it a bottle of Dehydrated water[6], he has also claimed to have killed it by luring a Sarien Spider Droid into the the Orat's cave and allowing them to kill each other[7] Still in another account Roger gave in Space Piston Comix he claimed to have fired a phaser at the roof the cave and dropping rocks on the orat. It is unclear on if Roger's inconsistant accounts are a product of exaggerations from his overactive ego, compulsive lying, the effects of time travel, or writer/director/producer's artistic license, or if he has actually killed more than one Orat on Kerona. In one universe, Roger had apparently committed genocide of the only member of it's kind on the planet. It appeared that Orat was not only dead, but that it would never have any more children either.[8]

Roger reminisced on Phleebhut upon seeing the Orat on a Stick, that he did do away with some guy named Orat that looked exactly like the one on the end Fester's stic,, only it was a lot bigger (and in that universe he blew him up with dehydrated water). Roger believed him to be all brawn and no brains.[9]

Other Mentions[]

Another Orat nearly killed the actor Darth Lumix during the production of The Sarien Encounter movie.

Later, a famous toy based on the same creatures was produced (actually the original EGA species), namely the Orat on a Stick. Roger acquired this from the World O' Wonders on Phleebhut.

Then, in Space Quest 6, during Roger's short imprisonment at the brig on board the SCS DeepShip 86, a Rack of Orat was among the various foodstuffs served to him. He also pointed out that he hadn't seen this stuff since Space Quest 1. The beds at the same brig are said to be made from (or at least feel like) imitation orat hide.

Roger once got ticked off because "the Sirian Goat Cheese on the Grilled Orat Salad tasted fakey" and shot the Replicator in his quarters with a phaser welder, which left a hole in there that hadn't been repaired until SQ6. But that was back in his Salad Days. Additionally, the vents on the replicators prevent the odors of the food from spreading throughout the ship, which, as the Narrator points out, is a good thing if one has ever smelled Poached Seaslug in Orat Coulis.

Pay-per-view Orat Fights are occasionally broadcast on Subspace Transmissions and are often watched by the crew of the SCS DeepShip 86 via the viewscreen at 8-Rear. An article in the Space Piston magazine from SQ4 also suggests that Timepods could be used to go back in time and place bets on such upcoming Orat fights.

Speaking of timepods, it should also be mentioned that the Timebuster 2000 SUX has artificial orat fur upholstery.

The Dandy RecipeBeamer from the Hz So Good Catalog is said to be able to provide a perfect recipe for you even if all you have handy is a can of Condensed Cream-of-Orat Soup and a box of Nano-Wafers.

A death message in Space Quest 4 says "It's not over 'till the fat lady Orat spits... EEE-UCK! Well, I guess it's over. All over. All over everything!"

In SQ5, it is discussed that Orats lay eggs like other reptiles.[10]

It's suggested that Orats might be one of the major races in the universe along with Humans, Xenomorphs, Rigellian, and even species like dolphins[11]

"Don't give an orat's vas" seems to be a common expression, at least on Polysorbate LX in the Space Quest 6 era. The narrator tells Roger that "They don't seem to give an orat's vas" when he shows something of little interest to the other patrons at the Dew Beam Inn.

A book called "The Hidden Life of Orats" can be found on Dr. Beleauxs' bookshelf at Delta Burksilon V.

Orat-based foods[]

In the original Space Quest time sector, it appears that Orats were anything but 'edible'. But that hasn't stopped species from trying in later eras. Here's a convenient summarising list of all Orat-based foods mentioned in the Space Quest series:

ComPost Database Entry[]

Orats

These aggressive carnivores have been the bane of visitors to the planet Kerona for hundreds of years. Hulking and heavily muscled, orats walk on two powerful hind legs.

They enjoy crushing other lifeforms with their massive forearms. They also enjoy basketball, and often combine the two by playing a quick game of one-on-one with a recent catch.

Interestingly (or not), the flesh of the Orat is highly prized for its flavor and buttery texture. It's found as a common ingredient in the cuisines of several different planets.

As a result, there is a burgeoning black market in Orat-poaching. For that reason, the Orat is considered an endangered species, but nobody seems to mind except for a few chefs.


See also[]

Behind the scenes[]

Orats maybe Space Quest's equivalent of the "Gorn".

The killing the orat by using the spider droid method appears in both the original and the remake. It is however much more difficult to pull off in the original due to speed of the game, and how you have to lead the enemy in to the scene. It is mentioned as a viable way to get rid of Orat in the official hintbook of SQ1AGI.[13] This alternate method can be seen here here.

The Space Quest Companion covers the droid blowing up the orat method, but inspired by the remake version of the game..

The Official Guide to Roger Wilco's Space Adventures instead uses the classic method and seperates the kills in both editions of the story (the novel based on the original version, and the novelization of the remake).

References[]

  1. The lives of thousands of species on hundreds of worlds hang in the balance. They're all depending on us, sir: Humans, Xenomorphs, Rigellians, orats, and even species like dolphins. So let's get out there and win one for the Flipper.
  2. SQC2E, pg 18
  3. Narrator (SQ5):"They're all depending on us, sir: Humans, Xenomorphs, Rigellians, orats, and even species like dolphins"
  4. Narrator (SQ1VGA):"Though normally known for his intellectually stimulating conversation in the monster and beast community, Orat seems limited to grunts in the way of response to your probing questions."
  5. SQC2E, pg 18
  6. Official Guide to Roger Wilco's Space Adventures, Second Edition
  7. Space Quest Companion, Second Edition,
  8. SQC2E, pg 19
  9. I did do away with some guy named Orat that looked exactly like the one on the end of your stick, only he was a lot bigger. That's right; I blew him up with a can of dehydrated water. He was all brawn and no brains. How much is that, anyway?
  10. Let's party! Last one down to the station is a rotten orat ovum!
  11. The lives of thousands of species on hundreds of worlds hang in the balance. They're all depending on us, sir: Humans, Xenomorphs, Rigellians, orats, and even species like dolphins. So let's get out there and win one for the Flipper.
  12. SQC, 159
  13. I need to kill Orat, but I don't know how. - It would be tough to do it alone. Try getting someone to help you. - How about your old friend, the spider droid? If he can kill you then I bet he could kill Orat. - Enter Orat's cave with the spider droid following. Immediately, hide behind the big rock inside the cave. The spider droid will go to Orat and kill him instead of you!
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