Shadow

Shadows, or Shades, are a species of interdimensional invaders who travel from universe to universe destroying all life before moving on to the next.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Shadows are a pale white gas that emits an energy causing nearby debris and particles in the air to stick to it. Using this they will create shells around themselves, most often made from detritus found on whatever planet they are on. These shells are turned black and glossy from the energy that is emitted by the Shadow. The shells are most commonly bipedal with two arms ending in hands with four claw-like fingers and a thumb. The feet are similar, with a small base and four claws. There is a clearly defined head, and spikes that form near the joints. These shells are the most common and called thrall shells. Various other types of shells exist and are made depending on both circumstance and what job the Shadow needs to do.

Biological Traits

Thrall

Thrall are the mainline unit of the Shadows, with a height of 5-7 feet, two legs and arms, and a defined humanoid head. Their arms end in five spike-like fingers and a thumb, and the feet consist of four talons in a "x" shape. large spikes form on the elbows, knees, and shoulders. The entire body is a glossy black, with dark clouds radiating from it.

Golem

Golems are a group of 2 thrall and a captain, controlling one large shell. Golems have most of the same characteristics of thrall, being 11-12 feet tall, and having a large spike in place of one hand, used for piercing walls and heavy armor. The group of Shadows who control it often fuse together into one mind unless separated.

Captain

Captains are Shadows who have lived long enough to develop basic tactics and leadership skills. They look very similar to thrall, but with portions of their shell roughly carved to look like armor and a white light shining in the eyes of the shell.

Anchor

Anchors have shells that have had all the rough spikes grinded off, leaving them completely smooth except for the large spikes on the joints. They also stop emitting dark clouds like thrall and captains, leaving its smooth and polished shell exposed.

Shade

Shades have carved patterns into their shells, consisting of many flowing curves and and wave-like patterns. They will also chip their shell into either a masculine or feminine shape, if they feel the need to. The eyes on the shell glow clearly with a white light.

Genetics and Reproduction

Shadows are created in special pits that they dig when arriving on a new world. These pits are round with a small opening at the top. Fully developed Shadows will float in these pits and grow larger as they attempt fill the space they are in. After they become large enough, the new growth splits away and becomes conscious, linking itself imediately to the closest Anchor. This entire process takes about 24 hours.

Growth Rate & Stages

As a Shadow grows older it becomes smarter. Most Shadows are killed before they gain any useful skills, living and dying as mindless thrall to the Mind. The ones that do survive however, they become smarter, more conscious of what they are doing, and will start using basic tactics. If a Shadow can survive even longer it can become an Anchor, capable of starting the conquest of a new world. Thrall are the most basic shadows; ones that have been newly developed and cannot think for themselves. Shadows who begin having complex thoughts are called captains, due to the ability to direct groups of thrall. Shadows capable of being Anchors are called Harbingers. A Shade is the stage after Harbinger. Shades can learn languages and speak, and will carve their shells, a major sign of their status. They often act as emissaries, sowing fear into the people of planets about to be attacked.

Ecology and Habitats

Shadows live in dark places, like caves or forests with dense canopies. Places with lots of small particles and debris are also beneficial. Shadows cannot live in regions with no protection from a star, because UV will decay their shell, exposing its gas body and evaporating it.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Shadows are a hive minded species, and can know or sense anything that another shadow does. This ability is limited for common Shades to others that are currently in the same universe. This hive mind is also a weakness, due to the fact that without an "Anchor" for them to connect to they will slowly evaporate and die. As a cloud without a shell, they are almost completely blind, only able to sense what they touch. Once a shell is built, they are able to see and hear.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Shadow thralls do not have names, and only especially crafty captains are given names by the people fighting them. Anchors are given the name of the universe they are in and a number, both in the Shadow tongue and given by a Shade. Shades choose a first name for themselves, and a last name is given by the Shade lord currently present in that universe. Common names include; Nlatn-Bha, Bkorla-fru, and Sdet-Nmu.