The viwodia are the first species contacted by humanity upon emergence. They are thought likely to be the most powerful species in the society of contemporary races operating within the bubble. The viwodia are large undersea creatures, somewhat resembling whales but with additional manipulative tentacles. They originated in the subsurface oceans of an ice world, somewhere outside the bubble and they are capable of living in a variety of deep water environments provided the pressure, temperature and chemical composition fall within the wide limits they can tolerate. They are often accompanied by an ecosystem of smaller marine species who help to maintain their comfort. They maintained an embassy on Earth under lake Vostok in the Antarctic for many years after humans emerged. The viwodia are recognised for their linguistic skills within the society of contemporary races and for this reason they seem to be tasked with the initial analysis of the languages of other species the society is monitoring and to hold a key role as official translators. It is also a likely reason why they were selected for first contact duties after emergence with the werm and then with humanity. The viwodia often choose to interact indirectly with other species through the mediation of small robotic agents which operate with a rather sophisticated artificial intelligence. Viwodian "sales things" are specialised trading robots coming in many physical designs. They seem to be a source of annoyance and amusement to the viowdia themselves as well as to the species they interact with but they can be very effective. In this image, the viowdian ambassador waits at the gates of an undersea embassy for an audience to begin. We can also see two clatterjaws, a small carniverous species native to their home world which the viwodians domesticated long ages ago and which they now treat much like humans treat pet dogs. The delicate grissula, somewhat resembling giant krill, are also native to their home world. They help to perfume and purify the seas around the viwodia and commonly accompany them. In the bottom foreground are a pair of scuttlebots, robotic general purpose attendants which can act as translators and also provide some security services.