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hypsos

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Hypsos

The Hypsos, commonly known as “space slugs”, are a bipedal, sentient, amphibian-like alien species hailing from an obscure planet near the galaxy's core. When discovered by deep space probes, their society was stagnant and rural, but exposure to greater galactic community has proven the species perfectly capable of advanced society.

Habitat

The species evolved in a wet swampland environment. They are comfortable on land but prefer moist environments, like caves, or shallow pools and swamps. Their home planet features an Earth-like axial tilt and orbit which gives it seasonal weather changes.

Culture

As with many species, the culture of the Hypsos widely varies depending on region, with many different governments and religions. The variety in their culture has expanded even more so as individuals and communities have ventured into space and onto other worlds, with many delighting in embracing local culture and customs. Suffice to say, however, that the Hypsos evolved as social, cooperative creatures, with families traditionally staying close into larger “clans”. Many of the clans that have interacted on the greater interstellar stage maintain this communal tradition - wealth and resources are shared and distributed among individuals within the clan and an emphasis is often placed on community, family, and togetherness. This is not universal, of course, and many Hypsos individuals are fiercely independent.

Biology

Anatomy

The Hypsos are known, among other things, for their habit of changing shape drastically over the year. A hormonal cycle creates great increases and decreases in height and body mass. Their internal skeleton features a somewhat unusual adaptation to allow for this rapid shift in size, with bones that essentially break apart and reform in a larger configuration in a process that can take as little as two days.

In addition to a lung-based respiratory system, the Hypsos are capable of absorbing oxygen through their skin and, in particular a variable set of growths on the back, which range from subtle nubs or fins to large, elaborate sails.

The Hypsos have poor eyesight; their eyes are four organs protected under the skin and invisible to the naked eye, meaning their vision is blurred and of poor range and focus. This is made up for by other senses - a their skin is sensitive to subtle movements of air currents and they possess many heat-detecting cells along their head. Their lack of visual ears betrays their excellent auditory perception, which also helps make up for their vision.

The tongue of a Hypsos is very long, with some examples reaching nearly its entire body length when fully extended. This sticky and highly dexterous organ can be launched at great speed and is used for ensnaring prey. Certain species of Hypsos are known to possess large snail-like shells on their backs, often of elaborate design. Some are capable of hiding the Hypsos entirely. Specimen with this adaptation usually shed this shell during the fertility stage.

The Hypsos are not “slimy” as many myths claim, although they can sweat as humans do. The only mucous production of note is from the tail tip, which facilitates egg laying.

Pheromones

Certain rare strains of Hypsos possess especially potent airborne pheromones which are famed for having a powerful effect on other sentient species, often creating powerful urges of arousal, attraction, loyalty, or suggestibility. This ability is rare and poorly understood and is the subject of many myths.

Reproduction

The Hypsos are hermaphroditic, but are incapable of self-insemination. Hypsos grammar has no concept of specialized gender, although exposure to alien language sometimes convinces them to choose one pronoun over the other. Hypsos sexual organs are between their hind legs. Size and description of these organs differ greatly between individuals. The tail, which grows to extra large sizes during their reproductive cycle, holds the organs in which eggs gestate, and ovipositor is located within the tail tip.

The species possesses an unusual, “alternative” method of breeding by which prey is ensnared by the tongue and dragged into a unique oral cavity, wherein prey is enclosed in a special reproductive fluid. The prey passes through the egg chambers, to the tail, where they later emerge, alive and encased in an egg. The prey then emerges, partially or fully mutated into a member of the Hypsos species (depending on genetic compatibility). There are rumors that certain Hypsos individuals have developed or evolved other processes through which they can “convert” others into their species.

Reproductive Cycle

The Hypsos goes through a four part morphological cycle, marked by extreme changes to weight, body shape, and psychology. This cycle often syncs with the seasonal rotations of the creature's current world, but great variation exists. Some have been known to stay fixed in one stage with only minor variations over the year.

  • Maternity Stage - often seen during cold winter months, this stage sees the Hypsos at their largest, with some examples reaching a height of nearly ten feet tall. During this phase, a Hypsos's metabolism is at a low point, leaving them feeling lazy and “sluggish”. Maternal instincts are on the rise and fertility is low. A period of rapid egg-laying begins.
  • Fertility Pre-Stage - metabolism rapidly increases as the body attempts to burn off fat not used during egg laying. Body temperature raises, as does metabolism. A restlessness and urge to move takes hold. Many Hypsos during this phase are prone to travel, while others burn off their energy at home.
  • Fertility Stage - the Hypsos is at its smallest, its frame light and bodyweight low. Sex drive is at a high as the Hypsos is urged by instinct to breed with as many worthy partners as they can.
  • Maternity Pre-Stage - intense hunger urges the Hypsos to quickly gain weight and increase in size.

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Creating a Hypsos

Hypsos are a fun and colorful species that provide lots of options for custom fair in their designs. They are an open species, meaning anyone is free to design one.

Core rules for the Hypsos are as follows:

  • They do not have visible eyes (except via cybernetics)
  • They are smooth, squishy, and do not have fur, hair, or scales (some have large snail-like shells though)
  • They are not slimy, like slugs are. They sweat when hot, though. The only slime they produce comes from the ovipositor at the tip of their tail which aids in egg-laying.

Here are some softer guidelines:

  • They are hermaphroditic by default and do not possess breasts, udders, or any mammary glands (but mutations may allow these, especially if yours is a converted Hypsos who was once another creature).
  • Hypsos culture and grammar has no concept of gender, but they sometimes pick gender identities/pronouns when introduced to the idea by other species (so any pronoun goes really).
  • Unless a mutation states otherwise, Hypsos have two forms as seen in their visual guides. There is meant to be a large size difference between these two forms and a shift in behavior.

Creation Process

Done in any order, create your Hypsos by:

  • Designing the visuals of the creature
  • Picking ONE special mutation or ability
  • Picking a disadvantage allows for an extra mutation or ability
  • Name your Hypsos!

Visual Guide

The Hypsos designs are typically based on sea slugs, aka the nudibranch order of mollusks. An easy start to designing a space slug is to look up images of sea slugs, pick on you like, and base the design off that. There are no real limits to the colors and patterns a Hypsos can have, although geometric or clearly artificial designs should be avoided (unless you're making a… synthetic Hypsos…??)

Many sea slugs have colorful, sometimes elaborately complex fins, crests, and other growths. On the Hypsos, these are usually sensory organs which can detect air movement and electromagnetic waves - they are also often a form of gill. These organs can sometimes superficially resemble wings or specific hair styles. Cutting and styling these organs is very uncommon due to their high sensitivity and role in spacial awareness, although it is not unheard of and their quick healing means quick recovery from such things. Piercings have been observed on these organs.

Many physical mutations exist (and more have yet to be discovered or developed); you may choose one mutation OR an ability (seen below).

  • Snail-like shell
  • Extra pair of limbs
  • Unusually large or small size in either form
  • Barbs, spines, blades, or other forms of defense - some may be projectiles that carry chemicals
  • Adhesive hands/paws that allow for wall climbing in smaller form
  • Glowing patterns or appendages

Choosing more than one mutation/ability without compensating with disadvantages would require sufficient lore justification (or just do it, I won't call the cops on you).

Abilities Guide

By default, the Hypsos can quickly heal from injuries and can survive what would be fatal to other creatures. Their size grants them impressive strength, and some are known for great speed in smaller form. Their stomachs allow them to digest many things not considered “food” to other species. They breed easily and rapidly and are capable of converting others into Hypsos via a special internal organ into which victims are dragged via tongue. Most Hypsos are not known to have intrinsic psychic powers.

Many Hypsos have one mutation or one of the following special abilities:

  • Pheromones - The creature constantly emits a very pleasing scent which seems to distract most organic creatures and create a feeling of attraction or other such feelings.
  • Shell - The creature has grown a large and elaborate snail-like shell, which allows the Hypsos to retract and protect itself within. These shells can have many different designs and functions, with some being bladed for defense.
  • Bioluminescence - The creature's markings glow, either constantly or on demand. Many are able to control the glow and produce a flashing, strobing effect, which can be a very effective hypnosis technique.
  • Contagion - The creature's eggs or bodily fluids contain specialized viruses with Hypsos DNA, which can convert others to the species without being brought into the creature's body. The creature also converts people to eggs more quickly than others.
  • Budding - A series of special cells line the entire body which allow any body part, when removed from the original creature, to grow and develop into a Hypsos nearly identical to the original.
  • Adhesive Grip - The creature's specialized hands and feet allow it to cling to smooth surfaces, even glass, which lets it climb walls and ceiling. Almost always, this function only works in the might lighter fertility stage.
  • Different Body plans - Some creatures have a different arrangement of limbs - some develop an extra set of limbs, whereas some do not develop legs after childhood as normal, giving them a “naga” body type.
  • Love Darts - The creature can shoot tiny barbs full of specialized chemicals. These chemicals range widely in function, including sedation, arousal, and some are even lethal.

Disadvantage Guide

Hypsos are especially prone to sickness due to them absorbing oxygen and moisture through their skin and external gills. Although their lack of external eyes is compensated by a heightened sense of heat and space, they still possess poor visual eyesight which makes it difficult to read or manipulate controls and touch screens. The Hypsos are somewhat helpless to powerful instinct and urges related to hunger and breeding; these urges are not insurmountable, but non-Hypsos find them to be incredibly disruptive. The abilities, large size, and constant changes in body weight of the Hypsos make their caloric need much higher than other species their size.

A Hypsos character may have one mutation or ability; to have a second, please choose a special flaw:

  • Missing limbs (no arms, no legs, aka “naga”)
  • Does not shift between forms, thus is permanently small/fertile, large/maternal, or somewhere between.
  • Cannot convert others into Hypsos
  • Quadrupedal, and cannot stand on hind legs without assistance (this is common with the shelled variety)
  • Unstable or unpredictable lifecycle

Personality Guide

Hypsos are more ruled by instinct than most sentient creatures. If you play a Hypsos, you should play them as very often horny or hungry - sometimes both. Hypsos often value hedonism and a sense of community - the idea that everyone should fairly and easily have as good a time as they can. This varies widely by individual, of course, as to the core philosophies of the many clans that make up Hypsos society as a whole.

Converted Hypsos often struggle with their new, overwhelming urges and instinct and usually take a long time to adjust and overcome the desires to eat and breed - desires natural Hypsos are more than eager to encourage.

Conversion Guide

The end result of a converted Hypsos varies greatly. Some maintain the colors and patterns of their old self, and many maintain some of the anatomy they originally had (wings, horns, etc). Others are completely unrecognizable when compared to their old self. This choice is a matter of personal taste. Most converted Hypsos keep their original names, pronouns, and general sense of identity; others decided on an entirely new identity.

hypsos.1606185742.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/11/24 02:42 by immelmann