Post by InfiniteStrife on Jan 11, 2013 20:16:49 GMT -5
DATABASE INFORMATION
Entry # 2104
System # 0280-5
M Planet # 1063-D4
The Eshkoth (translated loosely from their native tongue to mean "bloodline" or "lineage") is a species of arborpod originating from 1063-D4, one of three M-class planets in system 0280-5. At their time of discovery by species 0037, they had yet to develop space travel capability, and thus had not yet reached the remaining two life-sustaining planets in their system (1063-D6 and 1063-D8). This encounter with the amoral, profit-mongering species 0037 proved to be a double-edged sword for the Eshkoth. While their people spent many years in enslavement by 0037 cultivating resources from system's planets, they were eventually transferred to other systems, and thus spread their race.
There are few blanket statements that may be made about the physical appearance of the Eshkoth. Very early in the evolutionary cycle of their species, they developed what we know today as "xenosynthesis," the ability to mimic the physical traits of the predominant species in their immediate habitat through the absorption of that entity's cells. There is no official record of the earliest mobile forms of the Eshkoth, but some of their own have claimed reptilian, avian, and insectoid characteristics in addition to many features borrowed from the carnivorous plants on their home jungle planet. Accounts from species 0037 describe the Eshkoth as "bipedal, and vaguely humanoid, while strongly exhibiting immediate environmental camouflage." Like most species, the Eshkoth offspring borrow physical qualities from their parents. After decades of mining on their barren sister planet, 1063-D6, Eshkoth offspring began to trade leafy appendages for hard, mineral growths, and had developed horns and prehensile tails much like their captors, 0037. It is common to see Eshkoth mimicking male and females of many races, humans included.
As plant-based organisms, the Eshkoth maintain features from their evolutionary roots.
1. Each member of their species have male and female reproductive organs, both of which are internal. As such, a single Eshkoth is not considered male or female at birth, and rather "chooses" their sexual identity between the 20th and 30th years of their life. Until this point, they appear as a remarkably androgynous version of the race that they currently mimic.
2. As photoautotrophs, the Eshkoth derive energy and sustenance from light energy. They are able to store and use this energy in a number of ways (which will be detailed further on). However, since they are capable of locomotion, they require more energy. The Eshkoth prefer to also absorb nutrients from soil (directly through their pores) to supplement their energy in an attempt to avoid full reliance on light.
They are by and large a peaceful people. They have never participated in a war of their own volition. Although it has since been seen that the Eshkoth are quite capable of learning C to B level technology, they often do not bother with it, preferring to live at an E to D level. Many are employed happily as physical laborers. Surprisingly, they stray from intellectual positions, despite their almost phenomenal memory. Without exception, each Eshkoth has an eidetic memory, and can relay with startling accuracy any detail or event from their life. This ability extends further; a single Eshkoth can remember to a certain extent, memories of their parents, and their parents, and so on, as far as the original sentient Eshkoth on planet 1063-D4. Cultural songs, dances, and some skills can be performed by Eshkoth children without being taught. As such, their people are almost completely without written records.
The existence of a deity is lost upon the Eshkoth, however they revere nature and the cosmos as a whole. It is their belief that all life was one, is at this time one, and always will be one. They refer to the Big Bang as "The Dusting" and often cite their longing to "return to the dust." Many are heard at death to say "As we have fed on others, so shall we feed them." On a related note, they are said to have a deep connection with the world on which they dwell and the nearby star, and can even feel the slight shifts of the universe. This leads to what some have called cosmic premonitions. Few Eshkoth are employed as soothsayers by certain cultures, and have saved civilizations by predicting the death of a star or a tectonic shift.
Finally, a note of warning: the Eshkoth contain two unique organs, one of which acts as a battery, and the other as a capacitor. Upon absorption of light energy, the Eshkoth are able to store it in the battery-like organ and generate photovoltaic power, which they can then externalize in several forms, including, but not limited to such effects as electrical shields, projectiles, whips, and blades. This requires an excessive amount of energy and often requires long periods of rest prior to extended use. An Eshkoth that has worked throughout the day may be able to produce such effects only momentarily to answer a threat. Although Eshkoth are a peaceful people, there are known instances of warriors. This requires the utmost management of their energy output. Eshkoth warriors spend the majority of their time meditating in sunlight. In most cases, however, this energy is used to increase performance of duties, such as lifting, pushing, or moving more quickly.
Entry # 2104
System # 0280-5
M Planet # 1063-D4
The Eshkoth (translated loosely from their native tongue to mean "bloodline" or "lineage") is a species of arborpod originating from 1063-D4, one of three M-class planets in system 0280-5. At their time of discovery by species 0037, they had yet to develop space travel capability, and thus had not yet reached the remaining two life-sustaining planets in their system (1063-D6 and 1063-D8). This encounter with the amoral, profit-mongering species 0037 proved to be a double-edged sword for the Eshkoth. While their people spent many years in enslavement by 0037 cultivating resources from system's planets, they were eventually transferred to other systems, and thus spread their race.
There are few blanket statements that may be made about the physical appearance of the Eshkoth. Very early in the evolutionary cycle of their species, they developed what we know today as "xenosynthesis," the ability to mimic the physical traits of the predominant species in their immediate habitat through the absorption of that entity's cells. There is no official record of the earliest mobile forms of the Eshkoth, but some of their own have claimed reptilian, avian, and insectoid characteristics in addition to many features borrowed from the carnivorous plants on their home jungle planet. Accounts from species 0037 describe the Eshkoth as "bipedal, and vaguely humanoid, while strongly exhibiting immediate environmental camouflage." Like most species, the Eshkoth offspring borrow physical qualities from their parents. After decades of mining on their barren sister planet, 1063-D6, Eshkoth offspring began to trade leafy appendages for hard, mineral growths, and had developed horns and prehensile tails much like their captors, 0037. It is common to see Eshkoth mimicking male and females of many races, humans included.
As plant-based organisms, the Eshkoth maintain features from their evolutionary roots.
1. Each member of their species have male and female reproductive organs, both of which are internal. As such, a single Eshkoth is not considered male or female at birth, and rather "chooses" their sexual identity between the 20th and 30th years of their life. Until this point, they appear as a remarkably androgynous version of the race that they currently mimic.
2. As photoautotrophs, the Eshkoth derive energy and sustenance from light energy. They are able to store and use this energy in a number of ways (which will be detailed further on). However, since they are capable of locomotion, they require more energy. The Eshkoth prefer to also absorb nutrients from soil (directly through their pores) to supplement their energy in an attempt to avoid full reliance on light.
They are by and large a peaceful people. They have never participated in a war of their own volition. Although it has since been seen that the Eshkoth are quite capable of learning C to B level technology, they often do not bother with it, preferring to live at an E to D level. Many are employed happily as physical laborers. Surprisingly, they stray from intellectual positions, despite their almost phenomenal memory. Without exception, each Eshkoth has an eidetic memory, and can relay with startling accuracy any detail or event from their life. This ability extends further; a single Eshkoth can remember to a certain extent, memories of their parents, and their parents, and so on, as far as the original sentient Eshkoth on planet 1063-D4. Cultural songs, dances, and some skills can be performed by Eshkoth children without being taught. As such, their people are almost completely without written records.
The existence of a deity is lost upon the Eshkoth, however they revere nature and the cosmos as a whole. It is their belief that all life was one, is at this time one, and always will be one. They refer to the Big Bang as "The Dusting" and often cite their longing to "return to the dust." Many are heard at death to say "As we have fed on others, so shall we feed them." On a related note, they are said to have a deep connection with the world on which they dwell and the nearby star, and can even feel the slight shifts of the universe. This leads to what some have called cosmic premonitions. Few Eshkoth are employed as soothsayers by certain cultures, and have saved civilizations by predicting the death of a star or a tectonic shift.
Finally, a note of warning: the Eshkoth contain two unique organs, one of which acts as a battery, and the other as a capacitor. Upon absorption of light energy, the Eshkoth are able to store it in the battery-like organ and generate photovoltaic power, which they can then externalize in several forms, including, but not limited to such effects as electrical shields, projectiles, whips, and blades. This requires an excessive amount of energy and often requires long periods of rest prior to extended use. An Eshkoth that has worked throughout the day may be able to produce such effects only momentarily to answer a threat. Although Eshkoth are a peaceful people, there are known instances of warriors. This requires the utmost management of their energy output. Eshkoth warriors spend the majority of their time meditating in sunlight. In most cases, however, this energy is used to increase performance of duties, such as lifting, pushing, or moving more quickly.