Spiners, almost extinct bipedal sentient mammals characterized by their sharp quills, possessed the ability to launch these quills with remarkable speed and precision. This was achieved through a specific muscular contraction technique. Their origin planet, Worxer, which was located in the Elrood sector, was obliterated when its sun exploded in a supernova. The remaining Spiners slowly became infertile due to the absence of essential nutrients uniquely available in their home sector.
The bodies of Spiners were covered with rigid, barbed quills. The longest quills, found on their arms and legs, could grow to be several centimeters in length. Uniquely, Spiners could launch these quills by simply contracting certain muscles, propelling them with impressive speed and accuracy up to a distance of ten meters.
The quills of Spiners were remarkably durable, a fact demonstrated by Hedji when he used them to fatally wound a High-hound, as well as several Cloud-Riders. This hardness allowed the quills to penetrate skin, clothing, and light armor with enough force to kill.
Furthermore, Spiners had very rapid metabolisms and could regenerate quills rapidly as needed. A Spiner could readily use hundreds of quills during a single battle. Examples of Spiner names include Briss, Devik, Fifter, Firril, Jerrid, Meejen, Prikler, Toira, and Yaff.