Archeri Chorus

[Rugs]

Archeri Force-sensitive hive mind from Wild Space Name • The Archeri Chorus Type • Symbiotic Hivemind -- Predominantly displays plantoid and fungoid physical characteristics. Homeworld • Clathrus I, a barren (formerly tropical) world in the fringes of Wild Space. Completely overgrown in white fungal “grass” and massive crystalline trees. Influence • As of the end of Movement I: the Rising Chorus, they hold Teth and its orbital space. Ethos • The Archeri Chorus is a spacefaring nomadic swarm, stripping planets whole long after exhausting the resources of their home systems. Allies • N/A Enemies • Sentient life Rivals • N/A Ecology All Archeri go through three distinct life stages, each facilitated by their connection to the Force: infested hosts of the Archeri Plague, fruiting trees, and finally, shaped masses of force-attuned crystal: Stage 1 – Infestation The infested phase occurs to victims of [perfect attunement] and is subtle at first, accelerating rapidly once the Singing Spire has fired on the planet. No longer useful as an embedded spy, the host creature is covered in a frost of white mold embedded within their skin. They rapidly put on mass and their minds are wholly merged with the Chorus. Eventually, however, the growth cycle of the Archeri tends toward the same shape. An eight to ten foot bipedal humanoid with six primary arms (two of which have fingered hands and four of which end have sharp ends) and paired sets of ancillary graspers emerging from the lower abdomen and a chitinous crest extending from the neck. The Archeri posses a pair of legs, though their primary method of movement seems to involve using one or both pairs of their pointed arms in conjunction with these legs. The arms also allow them to climb with ease. The transition between those two forms is not instantaneous, however, and there may be any number of in-between stages. Strong and limber, they move at a slow deliberate pace, occasionally lurching to action with sudden bursts of speed. Eventually, the mold on the outer skin begins to thicken, growing hard and grey. This causes the infested to curl inward, causing them to walk with a hunch and their limbs to become brittle. At any point afterward, depending on the needs of the Chorus, the Archeri curls into a pod transitioning to its second form. Stage 2 – Fruiting Bodies The curled hardened form of the Archeri digs deep into their surroundings before exploding into a burst of white spores. [Observation notes that they prefer to make this transition outside and high up. The infested may bring any number of dead or dying victims of partial attunement with them. Fertilizer?] At the center of this woolly white patch of thick fungal grass forms a pylon of light purple crystalline wood. Depending on the number of Archeri who transformed together, the center growth can be a simple pedestal or a colossal tree. The center growth seems inanimate, but its roots act as limbs, strong and supple. In particularly large specimens these are strong enough to pierce durasteel and delicate enough to work fine machinery. Eventually, this growth cycle reaches its zenith, resulting in the production of “fruits” in size and abundance relative to the parent tree’s size. Stage 3 – All Are One These crystalline growths are the final form of the Archeri, collected and melded together. These at times massive jewels serve as focuses to their force sensitivity as well as a home for the hivemind, both physically and spiritually. A fraction of this material is sacrificed during every new conquest, aerosolized into spores. These spores, when breathed in, infect living creatures converting them to infested Archeri and beginning the cycle again. Culture Society:  The Acheri are unique amongst most known species in that they are a hivemind. They lack, as a whole, many of the individualistic traits more natural to the Galaxy’s more common species. On the whole, though, they show a deeply spiritual bent and seem to place a grave importance on their “mission” of bringing more voices into the Chorus. Remarkably, they appear to view their trail of destruction as a necessary step to share a gift. This is something they see as a responsibility, rather than an act of malice or war for war’s sake. It has, thus far, remained difficult to determine any sort of specific social structure amongst the Archeri. It may be, with the species being a hivemind, that no rigid structure exists and any Archeri can assume any role to suit the hive’s needs. However, some isolated instances have shown at least an understanding of basic roles beyond the general hive. Some Archeri have been noted to oversee the birth of new Archeri, whether that means guiding plague victims to die in gathering areas to accumulate biomass or shepherding others through the transformation process. These specimens seem to almost feel a priestly role. They offer comfort to the plague victims as they die or as the transformation begins and fiercely guard the crystalline trees they help to create. Reports indicate that the Archeri call these members “Conductors.” Another specimen seems to have been assigned to being the face of the Archeri. We presently know very little about this specimen individually. Intelligence reports that the Archeri call it the “Composer.” Philosophy: The Archeri Chorus seems to operate under a principle of perceived generosity. The collective views itself a savior, offering its "gifts" to the galaxy at large. The brutal and inhumane methods it uses, therefore, are given reverent, worship-like praise and pass. According to reports of what the Collective has said to different survivors, they're "guardians of the ignorant", bringing the "unyielding living" of the galaxy "into the grand chorus". Two notable groups seem to escape this benevolent attitude. The first are those who happen to be immune to the spores employed in Archeri ecology. Reconnaissance data and investigations both confirm that the genetically-resistant are hunted with extreme persecution, as the collective deems them to be "forbidden from joining in the song". Whether they're viewed as heretics, unworthy of living, or some combination thereof is still being determined, as recorded responses seem to be a mix of the two. The other group includes trained Force-sensitive individuals. These people don't seem to incur an automatic rage like the immune, but rather condescending scoldings and reprimands. The Archeri apparently don't understand how someone can be Force-sensitive and yet "preach against" the collective. As such, the Chorus seems to strive particularly hard to infect the Force-sensitive, thereby winning them over to their line of thinking. Otherwise, they are particularly targeted by Archeri forces, perceived as false prophets and misguided fools, depending. Warfare: Due to their biology and psychology, the Archeri are remarkably resistant to pain and injury. The thick chitinous layers of their bodies offer some natural resistance to physical attack. While still (eventually) susceptible to firearms and conventional methods of fighting, the Archeri are unfazed by injuries. Records show multiple instances where dismembered or even eviscerated Archeri have continued fighting to the best of their physical abilities. Recommended strategies include total destruction and bisection of their bodies. The Archeri primarily employ crystals as projectiles and blades. These crystals grow specifically from the ends of their arms, but have been seen growing from other areas in times of need as well. Regardless of origin, after use, these crystals explode into Archeri spores, acting as both conventional and biological warfare. Scattered reports suggest that the Archeri, while lacking the inclination to build ships and other tools of war on their own, are scavengers without compare. Multiple captured ships have been spotted since the invasion of Teth, strangely altered by the Chorus to suit their needs. This also seems to be the case for captured weaponry and other technology and paints a grave picture for how the Chorus may continue to replenish and even strengthen itself if the horde is allowed to continue advancing into the Galaxy. Suggested orders are to permanently disable as much technology as possible if capture is unavoidable. Of special note is the Archeri's total immunity to psychological warfare, be it telepathic from Force-users or conventional via the use of hypersonic weaponry. Reports from Force-users that have engaged the collective warn other adepts against that line of attack, calling it "suicide to try to duel minds" with the Chorus. Legacy Clause • This species is only for the site plot. No player-created characters may use this race, and only staff have agency over prominent Archeri NPCs.