Difference between revisions of "Compendium: Aliens"
(→Dahak) |
(→Dahak) |
||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
The majority of Dahak are mindless drones focused solely on consumption. Once inserted into an ecosystem, they quickly devour both the local life and each other. Protected by a nearly impenetrable exoskeleton and endowed with a high resilience, planetary collapse is the typical consequence of their arrival. An insatiable appetite fuels the continuous spawning of offspring. Starting off as small nodules on the skin, children mature at a frightening pace. Progeny detach in a violent and frequently fatal fashion. Once their supply of food is depleted, any remaining drones enter into a state of perpetual hibernation. Many believe the Dahak sustain themselves during quiescent periods by the direct absorption solar and other forms of radiation only to awaken when a ready source of nourishment manifests. | The majority of Dahak are mindless drones focused solely on consumption. Once inserted into an ecosystem, they quickly devour both the local life and each other. Protected by a nearly impenetrable exoskeleton and endowed with a high resilience, planetary collapse is the typical consequence of their arrival. An insatiable appetite fuels the continuous spawning of offspring. Starting off as small nodules on the skin, children mature at a frightening pace. Progeny detach in a violent and frequently fatal fashion. Once their supply of food is depleted, any remaining drones enter into a state of perpetual hibernation. Many believe the Dahak sustain themselves during quiescent periods by the direct absorption solar and other forms of radiation only to awaken when a ready source of nourishment manifests. | ||
| − | In direct contradiction to their dominant nature, one in a trillion Dahak is born sentient. Their genetic code is | + | In direct contradiction to their dominant nature, one in a trillion Dahak is born sentient. Their genetic code is believed to have been extensively modified to favour rapid reproduction and excessive mutation in order to increase the frequency of awareness. These higher forms are hyper-intelligent but have yet to exhibit any desire for empire, domination, or subjugation. Instead, all other life forms are viewed the same as their drones—biological fodder of no consequence. |
Dahak invasions typically take one of two forms. For worlds with a sentient species already entrenched, dropships full of mature drones are released to butcher the denizens. Sparsely populated worlds are infected with a virus, often delivered by asteroid. The virus hijacks existing phenotypes, resulting in Dahak with a variety of body forms. Fortunately, a vigilant population can often exterminate this second type of infestation before the drones mature to their full potency. | Dahak invasions typically take one of two forms. For worlds with a sentient species already entrenched, dropships full of mature drones are released to butcher the denizens. Sparsely populated worlds are infected with a virus, often delivered by asteroid. The virus hijacks existing phenotypes, resulting in Dahak with a variety of body forms. Fortunately, a vigilant population can often exterminate this second type of infestation before the drones mature to their full potency. | ||
Revision as of 04:12, 27 August 2017
Dahak
Little is known about the origins of the Dahak. Scourge of humanity and destroyer of the Second Terran Empire, the first Dahak incursion occurred on the fringes of imperial space in a region ruled by insignificant great houses. Predictably, the core worlds ignored the situation until the invaders had established a foothold and containment was no longer possible.
The majority of Dahak are mindless drones focused solely on consumption. Once inserted into an ecosystem, they quickly devour both the local life and each other. Protected by a nearly impenetrable exoskeleton and endowed with a high resilience, planetary collapse is the typical consequence of their arrival. An insatiable appetite fuels the continuous spawning of offspring. Starting off as small nodules on the skin, children mature at a frightening pace. Progeny detach in a violent and frequently fatal fashion. Once their supply of food is depleted, any remaining drones enter into a state of perpetual hibernation. Many believe the Dahak sustain themselves during quiescent periods by the direct absorption solar and other forms of radiation only to awaken when a ready source of nourishment manifests.
In direct contradiction to their dominant nature, one in a trillion Dahak is born sentient. Their genetic code is believed to have been extensively modified to favour rapid reproduction and excessive mutation in order to increase the frequency of awareness. These higher forms are hyper-intelligent but have yet to exhibit any desire for empire, domination, or subjugation. Instead, all other life forms are viewed the same as their drones—biological fodder of no consequence.
Dahak invasions typically take one of two forms. For worlds with a sentient species already entrenched, dropships full of mature drones are released to butcher the denizens. Sparsely populated worlds are infected with a virus, often delivered by asteroid. The virus hijacks existing phenotypes, resulting in Dahak with a variety of body forms. Fortunately, a vigilant population can often exterminate this second type of infestation before the drones mature to their full potency.
 |
