Khalorean
Khalorean could see the tide of world events changing. He knew the deep memories of those mortals already passed, and could see the events unfolding as the end of Ages had before. But there was still so much to do! There wasn't time left.
But his Temple would stand and be taken care of properly, Butterfly priestesses, Drider inquisitors, Galan judges, half-termite architects, and half-bee gardeners. Plus all of the non-sentient species being raised there. It would be fine. Right? But Khalorean had to take a final precaution. Something that could stand for sure until the next Age dawned.
Summoning forth and concentrating the remainder of his power, over the period of a few months, he brought forth four other races.
One was a large insectoid race (called Arachnomorphs), highly intelligent but not sentient. Strong, and externally resilient. Not invincible, not at all. Its soft interior proved even more dangerous than the species could potentially pose already- its blood was acidic enough to melt through metal as if it was warm butter on a hot day. But the species wouldn't be aggressive. That was not what Khalorean's theme was, nor his intention. It would be highly defensive though, and swarm as a bee would when its hive might be attacked. Intruded on was one thing, that was fine, but injury to the hive or any individual would invoke the wrath of the entire local swarm.
The larval form of the species looked mostly like a spider with an extra-long tail. Though it was able to build a meat-like cocoon around itself, which would give the ability for the larval's inner parasite to gestate and grow into its adult stage, the larvae could also embed itself within a living host and gestate its parasite into the adult version within the host's belly.
This severe attack was not meant to be its primary reproductive process; but to possibly save its species and repopulate to its full splendor if only one remained. These species were given as charges to be taken care of by another race- the Zerg.
The second race Khalorean created was the Zerg. Designed and brought forth alongside the Arachnomorphs, the Zerg were able to assimilate traits of species, even through decayed remains, or use their specialized microbiological colonies to turn other species into a combination of whatever they were, and themselves. The level of conversion was meant to vary between individuals. They did have a weakness that was designed though; as any powerful sentient species required to keep them humble- they could not mate. To make more of themselves, nonsentient castes could convert themselves into a type of non-local species-based organ the size of a building (with enough time and food store). But the drone sacrificing itself into growing the colony would not directly need the food- any of the species could consume it. Even more important- if the entire colony was lacking in hunting ability for some reason, the organ-buildings generated a combination of skin/organ/bone that could absorb any foodstuffs it happened to touch as it grew and acted as a ground cover/wall climber. But it would only grow a certain distance or it would damage the ecology a colony might be founded in.
One or two of the organ types were used as birthing places, since individuals couldn't create offspring. Obviously, the Zerg would usually stay close to their hives.
Except for a small number of sentient castes, which would venture forth for political and expansion reasons. Those infested by the Zerg might or might not remain or become sentient; though the biggest strength of the Zerg would be that any infested or natural Zerg could be restored to life; as their psionic and biological network was telepathic in nature. As long as there was a drone or birthing chamber, all Zerg could be restored easily, indefinitely.
But they still bore another weakness. The few sentient castes of the species would represent an entire colony- the death of her would mean the colony under her command would become feral and nothing more than monsters to be killed; unless another Mother got within range fast enough- but each Mother only had the ability to hold a single colony.
A third species, called the Saimyosho, was something relatively small- only around 10 inches long. These were meant to supplement the Temple as guardians, though not only physically. If they were attacked by magical holding or ejection magics, the caster would become poisoned just as though they were stung. Otherwise, they were just large vegetarian wasps- they wouldn't attack things unless attacked. They couldn't be trained to enter battle; they were purely defensive. Though, just as beekeepers keep stationary or mobile hives for pollination, these could do the same (but be much larger and affect a larger area).
The final species would be called Rachni. Another large insect species; though only about a quarter percent larger than humans. But not in height; but length. They would be music makers, but not auditory. Psionic bards. But their music would not only be for enjoyment, but communication- thoughts would appear to them as color, flavor, and pitch. They would not be capable of growing up in any worthwhile way- not even sentient- without the psychic presence of their family. Hive mothers, just as with Zerg, would be able to found new cities on their own, but lower castes and ages would be heavily dependent on the correct species raising them.
Four new "children". There were still other things to do; preliminary work was completed only. But the Next Age was coming fast, and Khalorean would sit out the transition... in miracles, at least. No avatar states, only divine guidance where needed to keep the Faithful faithful. He already felt himself becoming confused as the Age came, and he only hoped he put in as much detail into his Plan and Children as he had intended.
Khalorean could see the tide of world events changing. He knew the deep memories of those mortals already passed, and could see the events unfolding as the end of Ages had before. But there was still so much to do! There wasn't time left.
But his Temple would stand and be taken care of properly, Butterfly priestesses, Drider inquisitors, Galan judges, half-termite architects, and half-bee gardeners. Plus all of the non-sentient species being raised there. It would be fine. Right? But Khalorean had to take a final precaution. Something that could stand for sure until the next Age dawned.
Summoning forth and concentrating the remainder of his power, over the period of a few months, he brought forth four other races.
One was a large insectoid race (called Arachnomorphs), highly intelligent but not sentient. Strong, and externally resilient. Not invincible, not at all. Its soft interior proved even more dangerous than the species could potentially pose already- its blood was acidic enough to melt through metal as if it was warm butter on a hot day. But the species wouldn't be aggressive. That was not what Khalorean's theme was, nor his intention. It would be highly defensive though, and swarm as a bee would when its hive might be attacked. Intruded on was one thing, that was fine, but injury to the hive or any individual would invoke the wrath of the entire local swarm.
The larval form of the species looked mostly like a spider with an extra-long tail. Though it was able to build a meat-like cocoon around itself, which would give the ability for the larval's inner parasite to gestate and grow into its adult stage, the larvae could also embed itself within a living host and gestate its parasite into the adult version within the host's belly.
This severe attack was not meant to be its primary reproductive process; but to possibly save its species and repopulate to its full splendor if only one remained. These species were given as charges to be taken care of by another race- the Zerg.
The second race Khalorean created was the Zerg. Designed and brought forth alongside the Arachnomorphs, the Zerg were able to assimilate traits of species, even through decayed remains, or use their specialized microbiological colonies to turn other species into a combination of whatever they were, and themselves. The level of conversion was meant to vary between individuals. They did have a weakness that was designed though; as any powerful sentient species required to keep them humble- they could not mate. To make more of themselves, nonsentient castes could convert themselves into a type of non-local species-based organ the size of a building (with enough time and food store). But the drone sacrificing itself into growing the colony would not directly need the food- any of the species could consume it. Even more important- if the entire colony was lacking in hunting ability for some reason, the organ-buildings generated a combination of skin/organ/bone that could absorb any foodstuffs it happened to touch as it grew and acted as a ground cover/wall climber. But it would only grow a certain distance or it would damage the ecology a colony might be founded in.
One or two of the organ types were used as birthing places, since individuals couldn't create offspring. Obviously, the Zerg would usually stay close to their hives.
Except for a small number of sentient castes, which would venture forth for political and expansion reasons. Those infested by the Zerg might or might not remain or become sentient; though the biggest strength of the Zerg would be that any infested or natural Zerg could be restored to life; as their psionic and biological network was telepathic in nature. As long as there was a drone or birthing chamber, all Zerg could be restored easily, indefinitely.
But they still bore another weakness. The few sentient castes of the species would represent an entire colony- the death of her would mean the colony under her command would become feral and nothing more than monsters to be killed; unless another Mother got within range fast enough- but each Mother only had the ability to hold a single colony.
A third species, called the Saimyosho, was something relatively small- only around 10 inches long. These were meant to supplement the Temple as guardians, though not only physically. If they were attacked by magical holding or ejection magics, the caster would become poisoned just as though they were stung. Otherwise, they were just large vegetarian wasps- they wouldn't attack things unless attacked. They couldn't be trained to enter battle; they were purely defensive. Though, just as beekeepers keep stationary or mobile hives for pollination, these could do the same (but be much larger and affect a larger area).
The final species would be called Rachni. Another large insect species; though only about a quarter percent larger than humans. But not in height; but length. They would be music makers, but not auditory. Psionic bards. But their music would not only be for enjoyment, but communication- thoughts would appear to them as color, flavor, and pitch. They would not be capable of growing up in any worthwhile way- not even sentient- without the psychic presence of their family. Hive mothers, just as with Zerg, would be able to found new cities on their own, but lower castes and ages would be heavily dependent on the correct species raising them.
Four new "children". There were still other things to do; preliminary work was completed only. But the Next Age was coming fast, and Khalorean would sit out the transition... in miracles, at least. No avatar states, only divine guidance where needed to keep the Faithful faithful. He already felt himself becoming confused as the Age came, and he only hoped he put in as much detail into his Plan and Children as he had intended.
Creation of the last four races I intended. There are other insect/arthropod races I wanted to put in, but these 4 will have to do:
Zerg (From the Starcraft franchise. True, not all of them are really bug-like, but they are for the most part, and it's how they're referred to by the Terrans.)
Rachni (From the Mass Effect franchise.)
Saimyosho (From the Inu Yasha franchise.)
Arachnomorph (Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise. They were originally intended to be bugs, but they didn't have the money. So they're bugs.)
Zerg (From the Starcraft franchise. True, not all of them are really bug-like, but they are for the most part, and it's how they're referred to by the Terrans.)
Rachni (From the Mass Effect franchise.)
Saimyosho (From the Inu Yasha franchise.)
Arachnomorph (Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise. They were originally intended to be bugs, but they didn't have the money. So they're bugs.)
