Heliopes are omnivores, having large teeth and mandibles for chewing and cutting.  Heliops have one large central eye that is protected by bony ridges and two nctating membranes.  Heliopes possess two long arms with average strength bat the "hands" are two pincers, slightly rigid, with a sharp nail along the edges.  Two extremely powerful legs dominate the lower body.  A long tail sweeps up like a scorpion's, to rest over the shoulder.  The Heliopes are neither right nor left handed but right or left shoulder-tailed.  The feet are large, long and splayed.  All Heliopes seem awkward and clumsy in confined spaces and look totally unsuited to riding in vehicles or on animals.  They are excellent swimmers.

  Heliopes have translucent skin.  The normal network of upper musculature and veins is visible and Heliopes vary in colours from violet to deep purplish red.  The whip tail changes colour toward the tip to opaque, shiny black.

  Because of their body chemistry the Heliopes are immune to normal electric current and will take only one-half damage from lasers.  Because of their antennae, Heliopes take double damage from sonic weapons.  Both pincers and mandibles deliver a 1d10 bite.  The damage from the mandibles is subtracted from a skiensuit value but the damage from a pincer is against the character through the skiensuit.  The tail is not prehensile and it cannot strike.  Heliopes carry pouches of small stones which they can throw with terrific force.  The bullet/stones cause 1d10 of damage if they hit.  Inertia shields and skiensuits will affect the missiles.  Although Heliopes use harpoons to fish, they are not adept with such tools as weapons.

  All Heliopes enjoy colour and collect gemstones, polished rock crystals and similar baubles.  They are superb sculptors and do intricate, detailed work on wood and bone.  They paint and decorate their tails and mandibles in patterns that differ from tribe to tribe.