Dark Matter

Written by Rosa using material from the collaborative Kirby RP 'verse. Dark Matter is mostly my field but practically everything in the 'verse has influences from both Mod and I.

Dark Matter is a force that pervades the entire Kirbyverse, bringing darkness and misery wherever they go. Often categorised as a "species", Dark Matter are in fact best likened to the astronomical phenomena - something that exists in incomprehensible numbers in every depth of space.
They are in fact a fundamental feature of reality, something without which the universe would collapse; a necessary evil in the plainest of terms, as Dark Matter both represent and are the source of all evil and sadness in the world. It was only recently that Dark Matter began to actively exert their will upon the universe, but they have left a hefty mark on everything they've touched. Though only a few can put a name to Dark Matter, they now instill fear across the universe. In some isolated pockets, this fear has twisted into a zealous cult.
Dark Matter want nothing more than to smother all of creation in darkness, and they more than have the resources to do so.
For standard Dark Matter abilities, go here. For an in-depth explanation of the mechanics of possession, go here.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Presented most commonly as an amorphous black mass with a single eye. Dark Matter come in various subtypes ranging in power: mist, orb, swordsman and independent Dark Matter.
Mist Dark Matter are the aforementioned shapeless shadows. They often swarm together and are thus frequently called "drones".
Orb Dark Matter travel solo and are distinguishable by their round shape and amber-orange petals. They are notably larger than the mist variety.
Swordsman Dark Matter are more humanoid in shape, featuring a vague body and a head covered in shaggy, shadowy "hair". They stand taller than orb Dark Matter and can summon disembodied hands to wield their titular swords (though the hands aren't necessary).
Independent Dark Matter are fully-formed and can look however 02 wants them to be, though they all bear classic Dark Matter hallmarks - the single eye, immaterial bodies, dark colour schemes.

Biological Traits

All Dark Matter below independent level are completely identical to one another. Every drone is the same as every other drone, and so forth. Since Dark Matter aren't organic in any sense of the word, no real biological trends apply to them.

Genetics and Reproduction

Dark Matter are entirely inorganic and kind of don't exist on the same level of reality as everything else does. If 02 needs more drones, he makes them. He's the core.

Growth Rate & Stages

All Dark Matter come into being fully-formed in whatever subtype they were created as.

Ecology and Habitats

Anywhere there is darkness... so, everywhere. Would generally refer to space as their home, understandably. 02 created an entire planet of Dark Matter named the Dark Star.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Strictly speaking they require no sustenance at all, but Dark Matter feed off of negativity - specifically negative emotions.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Hivemind under the complete control of 02. It's flat impossible for a non-independent to disobey his will - they are literally incapable of even thinking it, being extensions of him. Independents can disobey and choose their own actions but cannot resist commands.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

It is theoretically possible to capture a Dark Matter and utilise it for magical purposes, though all attempts to do so have universally ended in tragedy for the parties involved. The energy that Dark Matter provide is so inherently incompatible with other beings that it doesn't produce many results anyway.

Facial characteristics

The single staring eye.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Everywhere, but the highest concentration is on the Dark Star.

Average Intelligence

Dark Matter below swordsman level do not have minds of their own. They operate on a hivemind and act almost purely on instinct. Swordsmen are markedly more intelligent and appear sapient, but are more-or-less just an unfiltered mirror of 02's thoughts. Independents are fully intelligent and self-aware.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Completely flawless night vision and otherwise uncanny vision overall. An innate sense for negativity. A total hivemind structure - complete shared sensory input and thought. Highly advanced empathy for negative emotions - to the point of near mind-reading in its specificity. Able to observe from any pool of darkness across the entire universe.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Dark Matter are basically the universal parasite themselves.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Only independent Dark Matter get individual names. Such names are almost always simple descriptions of their abilities or appearance - Nebula is named for his star theme, Miracle for the mastery of multiple elements, etc. "Matter" is a common suffix and could even be considered a surname or title.

Major Organizations

None, or only one, depending on how you look at it. Every single Dark Matter is one unified group.

Average Technological Level

No technology whatsoever. All goals are achieved via their native abilities.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Dark Matter tongue.

Common Dress Code

For those Dark Matter who assume shapes that are conducive to clothing - almost exclusively the independents - long and flowing is favoured. Outfits are usually very covering, except for Miracle Matter who of course wants to be wearing as little as possible.

History

Dark Matter have existed since time immemorial, being a basic building block of reality. However, they only manifested into actual "beings" extremely recently in the timeline - as recently as ten or so years ago. The exact figure is subject to change as the Kirbyverse timeline is Weird And Bizarre, but Dark Matter as they are known today are shockingly young. However, 02 - and by extension, the entire hive - has vague instinctual memories stretching back for the entire span of his existence.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Dark Matter are universally reviled and feared by all species who know of them - which is surprisingly few.

Scientific Name

Unknown. In the strictest terms, they're not even alive.

Origin/Ancestry

Darkness itself. Traceable to the beginning of reality.

Lifespan

Immortal.

Conservation Status

Literally impossible for them to go "extinct".

Average Height

A Dark Matter's size is entirely fluid. Even the independents don't strictly stick to their "average" height.

Average Weight

All Dark Matter are pathetically light - even 02 caps out at five kilograms.

Average Length

Entirely mutable. Dark Matter are inherently fluid in their form.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

All basic Dark Matter are black. Eye colours come in the generic red or amber-orange, with variations in yellow ringed with a red flame-like pattern. Some Dark Matter have violet eyes and petals, but these are uncommon as they were created in Zero's time, and very few Dark Matter survived Zero's death. Variety is practically infinite among independent Dark Matter, especially given their more advanced shapeshifting capabilities. However, Dark Nebula has the most variety available to him as he has a specific talent for disguise.