Ooloi
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Ooloi is one of the biological sexes of the fictional extraterrestrials called Oankali, in the science fiction book trilogy Xenogenesis, by Octavia Butler.
The Oankali have three sexes: male, female, and ooloi. The male and the female have traditional gender roles and typical inclinations similar to that of human beings (the male is typically exploratory, the female is protective), but the ooloi has no parallel. In a family, while the other two parents provide genetic material, the ooloi only collects it, mixes it and constructs an embryo, that is then implanted into the female.
An ooloi is typically smaller than the male and the female. In the form adopted by the Oankali to interact with humans, adult ooloi have two normal arms and two structures ("sensory arms") that resemble large tentacles, enclosing the reproductive organs (also used for enhanced genetic perception). Ooloi go through two metamorphoses instead of one (as is the case of males and females). After the first metamorphosis they are still incapable of reproduction. The sensory arms grow during the second metamorphosis.
The ooloi has an enhanced ability for genetic engineering, chemical manipulation, and neural stimulation. The male and the female do not have physical contact, even during intercourse; the familiar bond is maintained through the ooloi, and after a short time it becomes chemically fixed and addictive.
The ooloi emits powerful pheromones that seduce possible partners (adults not in a relationship). This, together with the ability to "read" emotions and a certain dose of manipulation, makes it easier for them to conquer humans, or at least, to lower their psychological barriers.
The sexual role of the ooloi tends to provoke revulsion in human males, since most men view themselves as passive participants of a sexual relationship with the ooloi as the dominant figure. This, combined with their alienness, at first made it somewhat difficult for the "pure Oankali" ooloi to form viable partnerships with humans. However, construct ooloi (which incorporate human material and characteristics) have the ability to change their appearance in a matter of minutes, and a greater talent at chemical manipulation, and thus can easily become very attractive for humans of both sexes.
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