Ectomorph

Basic Information

Anatomy

The gelatinous shell that creates the ectomorph's body can look like any species, the only caveat being that they must remain a monochrome colour matching the colour of their Core. It doesn't feel pain when damaged, but damage will exhaust the ectomorph. If a piece of the 'shell' is severed it cannot be reattached - instead, it will eventually regenerate.
The core is a crystal-like substance and is considered the 'brain' of the creature.

Biological Traits

As time goes on, the crystal-like-core of the Ectomorph will ware down and become smaller and smaller - eventually disappearing. This happens faster if the ectomorph is needed to regenerate its form often. The smaller the core, the less mentally competent it is. Once the core is completely gone, the remaining gel will be little more than a regular slime monster.
Lifespans of Ectomorphs is largely dependent on how well they take care of themselves. Some recorded cases have even seen ectomorphs live over 300 years.

Genetics and Reproduction

There are two ways a new ectomorph could form:

1. Converging

When a large amount of Slime monsters are defeated in a similar area, the remains may converge and bond with each other to create an Ectomorph in order to survive. Some refer to this as a 'level-up' method, but there are some that find that term offensive due to the fact that it implies ectomorphs are merely a 'stronger' monster.
There are laws in place to prevent this from happening too often.

2. Division

If an ectomorph doesn't require to regenerate their outer gel for a period of time, they will begin to 'drip'. This 'drip' is essentially the excess gel dropping off to ensure they do not grow infinitely. If the drips are left unattended for too long, they will form up into full Slime creatures. If, instead, it touches a drip from another ectomorph, the two will form into a new ectomorph.

Growth Rate & Stages

When an ectomorph first is created, the 'starting' gel is much more malleable and allows it to shift it's form much more drastically much more easily. Because of this, an ectomorph's first 'shift' is a perfect mimic of the first creature or person it sees, and will often remain as the basis for its form going forward.
Young ectomorphs are extremely fast learners thanks to their mimicking ability, and can mimic anything - voice, skills, physical traits. As time goes on, they will begin to take from other things to 'edit' their forms. This mimicking ability will be lost eventually in lieu of developing their own skills and personalities, and their form will 'harden' - making it impossible for an aged Ectomorph to permanently shift their form again.

Ecology and Habitats

Anywhere but watery or muddy areas. Grates are also not too fun for the creatures. Their gelatinous shell may slip away if they're not careful.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Can eat anything solid by enveloping it in it's outer gel. The food will dissolve and become new gel. Slimes to not require, and cannot digest any liquid.

Biological Cycle

As mentioned previously, if the need to regenerate their gel is unneeded, ectomorphs will instead excrete a 'drip' of the unneeded gel. It will either form up into a new slime monster, or conjoin with another ectomorph's drip to create a new ectomorph.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

Intelligence is dependent of what and how much they are able to mimic in their formative years. A young ectomorph may be able to understand theoretical physics. However, it's unlikely that after they 'solidify' that they pick up any new skills. Ectomorphs tend to be specialists in one or two things.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Though the species Core is the brain, it alone doesn't provide the creature with any senses. Instead, the gelatinous shell it creates also provides all the senses they require. Despite the mimicked physical traits displayed on an Ectomorph (Nose, eyes, mouth, etc), these do not function as it would imply. Instead, Ectomorphs can 'see' through their entire form, however due to their lack of true eyes - have terrible darkvision. They cannot hear, but it exchange have a hyper sensitive sense of touch, including as sensing vibrations in the air to substitute for that missing sense of hearing. If they focus, it is even possible for ectomorphs to sense a heartbeat of an approaching creature through the ground.
If the gel is completely stripped from around the core, the ectomorph lacks every sense - but is still conscious.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Usually named by the person/people who created them/the first one the ectomorph mimics. Otherwise they'll name themselves.

History

Astoria was known as the perfect 'starting area' for young adventurers - mainly because of the abundance of Slimes in the area. The Level One class monster was very easy to defeat in combat and thus was trained against religiously by many, many, many people. As time went on, to defend against the constant destruction of their species, the slimes began to band together - creating the first Ectomorph.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Tend to develop a very close bond with their first mimicked host. Whoever that may be.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Slime

Scientific Name

Amoebidae sapiens sapiens

Lifespan

100yrs

Average Height

5'9

Average Weight

190lbs

Average Physique

There is none. Their gel can look like anything. There has even been sightings of less-sapient ectomorphs that have mimicked a/multiple monsters in the area.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Their colour is dependent on their core - which depends on what colour the gel was that fused to create them. Simply, ectomorphs can be any colour, but can only be one.