Myotra

Myotrans are a form of inorganic life created by binding a free soul to a Lerite crystal.
/// Samuels funeral was full of family and friends, who'd traveled a long way to get to the small, riverside village where he passed away. His body lay upon the pyre, adorned in a death cloak and a variety of jewels, the biggest of which was a red hexagonal gemstone. The sun blazed in the sky still, slowly lowering behind the hills. It would be dark soon.
Everyone paid their respects and farewells, placing their hand upon his chest one by one. His wife was the last to pay her respects, she placed a hand on the bright red gemstone on his chest, and let her tears flow freely, wishing him good luck in the afterlife. The gemstone was warm after so many people had touched it, warmer than Samuels' corpse. The widow left his side for the final speech of remembrance.
The sun was well behind the hills now, and darkness consumes the funeral grounds, torches were lit as the speech ended. It was time to light the pyre. Samuels' wife and two of his closest friends were to do this, but as they approached the pyre something strange was happening. The red gemstone was shaking violently, as if possessed. The funeral goers gasped, it was hovering now, trying to break free of the chain around Samuels' neck.
The chain links finally gave way, and the gemstone flew free from the pyre, off into the night. The funeral goers were confused, terrified, and surprised. But Samuels' wife knew somehow, that gem contained Samuels spirit. //// This sort of thing was rare at funerals, and nobody knew why it happened at the time. Until one day someone decided to find out. It seemed that if you placed a Lerite gemstone in close proximity to a fresh corpse, and kept the gem warm. Once the corpse reached a 0 degrees Celsius, the gem would come to life. It was correctly theorised that it was possessed by the soul of the recently departed.
The man who discovered this was called a "demon worshipper" because everyone else believed the explanation for the gemstones coming to life was demon possession, they wouldn't accept that their dead had not gone to the afterlife.
The so called "Demon worshipper" (Meleis) studied the phenomenon for years, until his own death arrived. Meleis had built up an extensive collection of Lerite gems and crystals, and built many contraptions. He placed one such contraption in the middle of a city square, it was like a cremation oven, with 3 chambers.
The top chamber held a large Lerite gemstone, with a grill underneath. The middle chamber was for a body, and also had a grill at the bottom. The lowest chamber was for burning coal. There was also a mechanism that filled the middle chamber with water.

Meleis had gained a lot of attention. He gave a speech, promising that he would prove his theory once and for all. He climbed inside the cremator, which was burning hot by now. He screamed in pain as the crowd watched in horror. Once the screaming had stopped someone from the crowd triggered the water mechanism, cooling the middle and lower chamber, leaving the burning hot Lerite gem above. After a few minutes the gem burst from the top chamber.
The gem spelled out the name "Meleis" using some sticks. Proving that it was in fact Meleis that had possessed the gemstone. This was a major historical event, and brought about a whole culture of rich funerals using Meleis Cremators after they died to essentially bring them back from the dead.
As time went on, the various countries that allowed this practice became populated with post-human crystal entities, that required a constant source of warmth to retain their souls. They were called "Myotra" (Soul bound).

Basic Information

Anatomy

Hexagonal or other shaped gemstones at varying sizes. The size and purity of the gem determines it's power. They have a sort of eye at the centre, a black sphere.

Genetics and Reproduction

They cannot reproduce in the usual sense, they are only hunks of rock after all.

Ecology and Habitats

Hot places, many Myotra live near active volcanoes, or may even turn to being parasites or symbiotes. They can't survive alone, as they have no metabolism to generate heat, and using their powers to make a fire uses up a great deal of energy which they can't afford to waste.
Myotra are usually found in deserts, where they move around during the day, and lay deep under the sand during the night, there aren't many deserts on Vona though. it's quite a cold planet.

Biological Cycle

When the year long winters come, most Myotra hibernate near or in sources of heat for the whole year. Such as volcanoes, town houses, animals, etc.
When the summer comes, they search for insulation material to cover themselves in, or a host to provide them consistent warmth. Some even try to find other Myotra, to speak with, as communication with humans is difficult.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Myotra were enslaved throughout history, put in weapons, war machines, and tools. A large Myotra might be placed at the centre of an airship, providing it with locomotion through the sky.
A Myotran sword would have to stay subordinate to its' master (unless it decides to betray him for another) Their master provides them with just enough heat to be useful, but not escape.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Varied, depending on the different cultural views of Myotra. Less are found in cold countries, and more near the equator.

Average Intelligence

They don't have brains, but can retain information. Nobody is sure quite how, but studies suggest they change the internal structure of their gemstones, like creating new neural pathways.
Other theories suggest they might store it in their souls.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Myotra see in the near Infrared spectrum, giving them an interesting view of the world, almost heavenly. Tree leaves are light pink, the sky is black, and the stars are even more visible.

Myotra have no ears, but can detect high pitched and loud tones. Out of human hearing range.

They feel the world using their Lera senses, which encompass a wide area in their Lera field. They can't feel heat or cold, pain or pleasure, or even texture, only the shapes of objects within their field.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Myotra can act as both parasitic and symbiotic beings.
A Myotra in search of a steady, reliable source of warmth might embed itself in an animal or human, it does take some practice not to kill the creature by doing this though. But once it is embedded it can hold the creature hostage, threatening to pierce internal organs if the creature tries to remove it.
On the other hand the Myotra might have morals, and decides to offer its lera powers as payment for being embedded within a creature, protecting it from danger and giving the creature an edge over competitors.

Myotra often work with Leromirs, who can provide heat to them remotely. This allows the Myotra some independence from it's host, it can hover nearby it's partner and give assistance when needed. Some agree to become weapons or armour, making them much more useful and deadly.

Civilization and Culture

History

Myotra were only a rare occurrence, an accident until Meleis made an important discovery about them. Then they saw a large population boom as people wanted immortality.
Eventually a society of Myotra formed, with a common language and culture, as opposed to how they were before, feral, non communcative, heat seeking parasites and pests.
A whole religion formed around them. They were seen as immortal and powerful entities, and their worshipers wanted to become one of them.

Myotra were also abused throughout history too, being bound to weaponry, armour, and vehicles. Their innate Lera powers were a great source of power for anyone that could tame or enslave one.
Myotra are also required to make golems, essentially giving the Myotra a body.

Historical Figures

Meleis

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Many Myotra view organic life as lesser, but secretly are envious of their ability to generate heat internally.

Lifespan

In theory they are immortal.

Average Height

5cm

Average Length

5cm

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Bright red, often cloudy, rarely clear.