The non-humanoid world of the Birrin

Too often, science fiction depicts somewhat unimaginative humanoid aliens who sometimes even look like slightly different humans. It is understandable, really. human-centric view of the world leads many of us to imagine that intelligent life in the universe would be at least somewhat like us.

Alex Ries, Birrin Project - A vision of non-humanoid alien world

However, we often ignore the fact that the reason humans (and other land vertebrates) tend to have four limbs for example, is because we all descended from the four-finned fish that crawled onto land. It is not a safe bet to suppose that aliens will be built like us.

• The Incredible World of the Birrin (Part I)
• The Incredible World of the Birrin (Part II)

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A Metahuman meets the Birrin on their homeworld Chriirah

Alex Ries, an evidently talented concept artist and illustrator provides us with a detailed vision of an alien world Chriirah, which is populated by the sapient species Birrin.

Alternately referred to as The World of the Birrin or The Chronicles of Chriirah by its online following, it’s basically Alex’s solo attempt to map out — in as much detail as possible — the evolution of an intelligent alien species.

Keeping with his aforementioned design philosophies, Alex conceived the species in question — called Birrin — to look as distinctly non-humanoid as possible. Having evolved from basket worm-like ancestors, the Birrin resemble a cross between our world’s horses, birds, and dolphins, complete with six long, lanky limbs, two vestigial wings, and beaked mouths that open up in four different directions.

While the Birrin’s ocean-engulfed planet of Chriirah might look familiar to Subnautica veterans, Alex is taking his own worldbuilding aspirations further than any game developer constrained by time and money ever could. From the Birrins’ unique physique, locomotion, and clothing, down to the way in which they organize their cities and cultivate their favorite crops, his artwork leaves no stone unturned.

Alex’s art portfolio is a rabbit hole you won’t want to climb out of. A Tolkien-esque map, complete with epistemologically consistent names for every sea and region, turns Chriirah from a loose collection of doodles into a living, breathing ecosystem. While far from complete, the Birrin world is already on its way to becoming one of the most comprehensive works of hard sci-fi ever created.

• 1. A birrin egg about ready to hatch
• 2. A land-sea map of the alien world Chriirah
• 3. Birrin sisters out fishing in the local inlet. The eldest has become quite good with her antique spear-thrower
• 4. Dawn on the farm, with giants hired on to handle the heavy work. Bluestick contains a cocktail of chemicals that are very valuable, and the challenges in growing it make the crop a valuable one
• 5. These ruins represent the height of Birrin pre-industrial engineering
• 6. Many birrin, being pleasurably susceptible to many of the psychoactive defence compounds found in their planets’ plants, have developed complex rituals around recreational drug use
• 7. Anchored and with boiler firing to dry the latest shipment, this peat-merchant paddle wheeler has stopped off at one of the larger suppliers in the oldest parts of the forest
• 8. Pictured here is one of the first dedicated Kiln runners, able to fly non-stop between airfields in the North and South to deliver people and cargo in a regular fashion
• 9. A trimaran flies along the drowned coast of Tuktalli, kicking up spray with its four foils
• 10. A birrin coastal town: some of the family are heading to the square to see what all the commotion is about
• 11. Seen here is a vast march from a nearby tent city; angry refugees storm an area of newly (but cheaply) build admin towers created to manage the huge displaced population
• 12. The Second Instar, a young being of considerable power
• 13. Access to space has been achieved twice in Birrin history

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Alex Ries gives us a detailed look at the evolutionary path of the Birrin, the other species they share the planet with, including their giant, cousins who they are related to roughly the same way we were related to like we are to Neanderthals.

His Deviant Art page is full of this art with detailed descriptions of what is going on in each picture.

Additional Details

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How the artist behind 'Subnautica' creates aliens that could actually exist

Alex Ries' Birrin Project - A vision of non-humanoid alien world

Abiogenisis - Birrin World

References and Credits:

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