This unusual ship is a commission for
's Spiral of Tomorrow universe.
The Ati-At-Nek are, as
describes are -
"Standing at an average of one meter tall, the Ati-Ati-Nek are a sentient species of bipeds descended from a mollusk, inhabiting an artificial, cylindered shell equipped with closable ports to support and protect its rather gangly-limbs if necessary.
This shell, while not required for an Ati-Ati-Nek to survive, plays an important role in its stages of development, mentally, psychologically, and socially.
The older in age the Ati-Ati-Nek reaches, the more advanced and elaborate the shell it inhabits, boasting multi-tools, interfaces, and various prized trinkets and possessions.
Due to its soft skin and tissue, an Ati-Ati-Nek also depends upon its shell for protection from hostiles and/or the elements.
Three eyestalks for optics and auditory organs jut out from above its encased torso, while its vocal orifice requires use of its shell's electronic vocabulator to speak. The species is hermaphroditic, and members often select their reproductive partners based upon financial success, stature, and wit.
Much of Ati-Ati-Nek society is bound into a massive, extragalactic trade empire that dominates Triangulum and reaches into both the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies, along with their satellites and Local Group dwarf galaxies.
This trade empire also serves as its functioning government, with tiers that protect the individual entrepreneur first, then the village and city-level craft and trade guilds, followed by planetary and star systems' free and/or mixed markets, and so on.
The Ati-Ati Nek are regarded as shrewd and enterprising, but not particularly violent as a species, relying on contracts with other entities such as mercenaries and private military contractors for defense and if warranted, trade warfare.
The prominent values held by most of Ati-Ati-Nek society are self-reliance, independence, and satisfactory fulfillment of business transactions and contracts for all parties."
I had an idea on where to go and to put it in simple terms, I went for a shell-like ship. However, as time progressed and I understood more on the race, the design transformed.
often points out that the ship would have 'shops, trading places and monstrous banners, advertising their wares' with an emphasis on protection, for the trading parts would emerge from the sides akin to an opening shellfish.
However, the design then transformed in a way that I did not expect.
The idea of just a big shell, seems rather simple so I started to add a 'bridge' but then that transformed into a small citadel, dedicated to trade, entertainment and relaxation. I mean, the Ati-Ati-Nek are businessfolk and one heck of a business, is relaxation.
The saucer area, I also made as a docking point for smaller ships.
In short, I wanted this to feel like a mobile business.
After that the design flowed. I added textures to make it feel sea-shell like and I was going to add a slight turquiouse hue to it but it the looked dull. The gold to me, emphasises wealth, trade success and hope, with a sense of power behind it all.
I wanted to make this ship MASSIVE and powerful but not resonating threat.
I tried to add markings but it made the ship look small, so I left it.
I added vessels to emphasise scale.
Took me two days to do
Comments and Feedback most welcome.
Enjoy
https://www.deviantart.com/colourbrand/art/Commissioned-Ati-Ati-Nek-Shellship-851337857
