The Initial Idea
Initially the idea began with that of a hunter, something that captures other creatures, not for food but for profit. I wanted to convey the fact that these aliens were intelligent with a grasp of technology and a sense of style.
The name Sao Til and the alien race of the Aminopius, when joined together are an anagram of the Latin words Animus Spoliatio, which means soul robbing.
Home Planet
Aminopia, a small, dark desolate rock of a planet. The land has been stripped bare by generation after generation of Aminopius processing, until only the great Factories of the Aminopius remain. Scattered across the planet, like cities, these giant factories process the creatures (both whole and in pieces) that the Aminopius capture. They prepare the merchandise for dispatch to clients across the galaxy.
Alien Powers
Aminopius are expert hunters. They have enhanced senses allowing them to detect the slightest movement by sound and smell or taste the slightest changes in the air. The neural probe attached to their arm allows them to paralyse their prey.
They use to also scan their prey to make an instant inventory of its body to find out how much each part of the body is worth on the open market. This probe can also be use to vaporise the prey, with its nutrients being absorbed as food.
Alien Weaknesses
Aminopius have poor eyesight. If you overload the other senses they become confused and disorientated. The hold of the neural probe can be broken by clearing your mind of conscious thought.
What would they do with Earth?
Create a brand new Aminopius processing factory here on Earth and begin selling the living creatures of the Earth piece by piece, starting with the Humans.