Index:Cosmoria/Intelligent Species
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Within Cosmoria, there are about as many intelligent species as there are stars. However, there is much debate as to what constitutes an "Intelligent Organism." Some machines are obviously intelligent, and are even confirmed to have a mind or soul. The line between beast and intelligence, automaton and individual, or creature and person is blurry. A Person is an intelligent organism that has rationality, consciousness, self-consciousness, use of language (or equivalent), and abstract problem solving. Generally, if the majority of organisms in a given species have personhood, the species is considered "intelligent." Depending on the region, culture, and time period, the definitions have changed greatly.
| Arkhosians are a carbon-based species composed of long fibers called "Catomic Fibers." These structures are a strand of RNA protected by a protein coat. The resulting structure is similar to textiles, including in texture. Instead of limbs, the Arkhosians have six bundles of cables. Smaller prehensile threads comprise these cables, allowing for fine motor control and locomotion. The hind two are capable of less fine motor control but are much stronger.
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Atlins abandoned the traditional multicellular paradigm in favor of a single large "cell." Made of charged plasma, all genetic material is stored in a central nucleus, the "dynamo." This central organ is also responsible for maintaining shape via powerful magnetic fields. Their entire ecosystem, even microorganisms, have a similar makeup. Coupled with symbiotic microorganisms, smaller sub-dynamos, and the resulting currents, Atlins are highly magnetic. Metal dust and other materials form a skin around an Atlin.
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| Farlas are the intelligent members of the Callithyia Hive, a species-spanning colony that stretches throughout Cosmoria. Farla fulfill the "overseer" role in the colony structure. They command a group of workers, a "queen," and small winged drones. All memebers of the Hive are bipedal but vary greatly in height, weight, and physical appearance. Compared to Farlas, workers weigh twice as much, queens are about the same, and drones weigh only a quarter as much. Farlas instinctively collarborate with one another, making them a formidable force both politically and economically.
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| The Civese are a bipedal intelligent species made up of a contiguous microtubule lattice. This network of silicon fibers is similar to a cytoskeleton. Local flexing allows the skeleton to move, circulate fluids, and send information. Outside of the central nervous system, cascades of movement physically convey information. Chemical states, damage, and even hunger can be transported to the brain by tugging receptors at the base of the head. Some regions of the cytoskeleton are denser than others, creating bone-like structures that offer increased support in exchange for less flexibility.
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The Kshi are an artificial species created in 85,231 CE. Originally complex self-organizing algae, the Neo-Terran Party uplifted the species to use them as weapons. They were one of the few unintelligent species to be capable of using Thaumaturgy. After much genetic engineering, the cells were forced to remain together. Without much of a physical body, however, their creators gave them robotic bodies. These metal skins closely resembled the armor used by Neo-Terran soldiers. A small number of Kshi escaped their fate as soldiers, hiding deep within cities to remain free. Unable to organically manufacture their armor, they have no choice but to remain in industrialized cities.
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Kristals are a multicellular amorphous species native to the Etoile Sea on Eos. Kristals have a centralized nervous system complete with all required sensory organs. Muscles support the nerves, creating two main arms and a host of sub-arms and legs. Surrounding this nervous system is a symbiotic organism that has grown to depend on the Kristals. A clear gelatinous creature, this symbiote serves to protect the fragile nervous system. In exchange, the symbiote does not need to worry about feeding or reproduction as the Kristal passes on a portion of the organism to their offspring. Kristals are heavily dependent on their sight as well as light-based communication.
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Loresavts are mechanical general-purpose humanoid machines created by the Phaethon System. Created to protect Eos from degradation and tampering, Loresavts exhibit complex problem-solving abilities suggesting intelligence. This species is elusive and intelligently resists attempts at study, inadvertently giving researchers information. They have an innate sense of their surroundings despite having no visible sensory organs. This includes the positions of fellow Loresavt. They most likely reproduce by manually constructing copies of themselves. Whether this constitutes reproduction is a hotly contested issue. Another unique characteristic is their composition. They are made up of trillions of gears. Within their chest cavity lies an immensely complicated analog computer that handles problem-solving through unknown means.
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Luxscions are an offshoot of the Civese created by Father Zaphenim. Separated from their people for millennia within the Lux Aetnera, the Luxscions became potent users of Thaumaturgy. The species left the Lux Aeterna with Mother Sachitel. The austere Luxscions make their notoriously dispassionate Civese cousins seem animated by comparison. Physically, Luxscions never strayed far from the Civese body plan.
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