Archaion

The Archaion, known natively as the T’ap’akk’um’p (It is of no surprise that humans have invented for them an exonym, given how hard that is to pronounce.), are an alien species widely known for their biological caste system, metal shells, and feats of engineering. While most species of sapients cannot be said to behave in one way or another, merely having certain natural inclinations and abilities, this is not true for the Archaion. One can consistently observe from the workers a strict sense of duty and deference to authority, very little individualism, and an overall docile yet pragmatic demeanor. Leaders are rather consistently more individualistic, spiritual, and creative, while the breeding caste cannot be considered sapients at all.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

They prefer warm environments, between 30-80°. They have difficulty in humid climes, as their shells and hides begin to rust, and their cells swell up. They typically like hot, dry caves and tunnels, making tunnels where none can be found. As they are better able to withstand cave collapses than they are falls or thunderstorms, open air and wide spaces unnerve them.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

Workers are unimaginative and slow to learn, but are excellent at memorisation and spacial awareness, making them good at simple physical tasks and little else. Breeders are almost instinctive, existing only to grow the population. Leaders, however, can be quite intelligent. Most exceed average human intelligence, and some almost rival the intellect of Imperial Augmented. All castes have excellent memory.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They can sense vibrations in the ground, and can accurately predict incoming earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. As well, they have an excellent sense of hearing, but they lack smell and are typically shortsighted and sensitive to bright light.

Lifespan

8-12 years (drones), 50-80 (breeders) 130-170 (leaders)

Average Height

2.5-3.5m

Average Weight

1-1.5t

Average Physique

Broad, large, and hunched, though the leaders stand taller and straighter, and have longer limbs. Breeders have no real shell, and can barely stand on two legs, preferring quadrupedal movement. Worker drones have an overall shape resembling a gorilla but with many insectoid characteristics, such as a beetle-like shell made of iron, and a more canine facial structure. This shell is broken up into smaller plates plates offering more coverage and mobility to the leaders while offering less ability to curl up and avoid harm.