Darkarian Hive

	Home System:	Dareikar
	Home Planet:	Darkaras
	Age Range:	Unknown†
	Psionic Type:	Psionic¥
	Language:	Telepathic, Expletun, Common
	Location:	Delta Trisector;
	Military Info:
	Leadership/Government:	Hive Based‡
	Technology Level:	14

About

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Notable Features

Non-Symbiotic Darkarians have a white-greyish skin color which is very rough, and often have a slight discoloration to the patterns of roughness. They are mostly very slim and have elongated heads with almond shaped black glossy eyes. They range in height from anywhere of just a few feet to as large as 7 feet. Horns and other resembling extrusions are also common in variation. They have very toothy grins, and long wide mouths. Their teeth are sharp and blade-like in appearance. Their hands are proportional with longer fingers which often have sharpened claws at the tips.

Darkarians are a self evolbed version of the Expletun form, which is similar but much less aggressive.

History

Originally Expletuns, the Darkarians started out as only a specific faction who opposed the preservation mentality of the mainstream Expletuns. After eons of self evolution, the Darkarians have become now their own species, despite their roots.

Hive Hierarchy

Leadership of the Darkarian Hive Hierarchy is split into three groups, and control is exerted through a cascading system of mind domination, which is called the Hive Mind. At the very Top is a Darkarian Elderblood named Torikor, who is the head, leader, and father of the Darkarian Hive. He is the Hive Mind, and his will is its will.

At the bottom of the hive...

The Enlightened

The Enlightened are Darkarian followers, who are controlled by way of a symbiotic relationship with a Darkarian Spawned Symbiont. The Symbiont takes over the host, and controls it completely. Enlightenment is also called the Darkarians Curse. In most cases the Host is still alive and sees, hears, feels, everything the symbiont is doing. The symbiont does give the host a number of enhanced Psionic and Physical abilities. The Host is also able to hear the thoughts of the Symbiont. In some very RARE cases a host may actually have enough willpower to control the symbiont instead of vise versa. These cases are usually not without some form of assistance and not by the sheer ability of the host. Symbionts, when implanted, usually take up the space where the heart and a lung are (as most species have their heart and lungs in the same place). If a host has been joined with a Darkarian symbiont the only way to stop the host is to sever the head (or spinal cord) or completely obliterate the host. This is due to a very fast regeneration ability the symbiont gives the host. After enlightenment, if the host is able to be retrieved, it IS possible to reverse the effects of Enlightenment. Removal of the Symbiont, destruction of the Symbiont are key as if the Symbiont isn't destroyed, the two are still connected and the Symbiont still has some control over the host. Even after a host is rescued from enlightenment, they are changed forever. Many who are retrieved from the Darkarians curse commit suicide.

The Enlightenment Process is found here.The Enlightened usually take up these roles :

Drones

Drones make up a brute work force of the Darkarian Hive. Production of the symbionts for this purpose is cheep and very versatile. They also make up a vast military force. The Darkarians usually use drones in the form of 'filler' troops to occupy whomever they are current engaged with. Being the expendable footmen, and highly rugged given the symbiont's high regeneration ability. Drones also make up the labor force in the Hive, doing everything from manual mining, to Starship repair.

Assassins

Assassins are used for infiltration and termination of key Political figures. When Darkarians take over civilizations they first take out the political structure by first abducting key and trusted personnel, then binding them with a symbiont for an inside operation of assassination. Since the Symbionts are able to assimilate the mind of the host, detecting Darkarian Assassins is troublesome. Symbiotic based species are becoming increasingly outcast because of this Darkarian Tactic.

Minions

Symbiont level minions (Symbionts who are Minions, NOT infecting Spawned Minions) take a minor role of leadership in the Hive Mind. They are similar to the Chief's of USI's command structure. Their Psionic ability is similar to their Darkarian counterparts.

The Lords

Overlords, Highlords and Masterlords are Hive Mind Leadership structure. While use outside of a spawned nature is unusual, it sometimes does occur with certain individuals.

The Spawned

The Spawned are Darkarians who were genetically created by the Darkarians. They are a direct creation of the Darkarians for their purpose. The Spawned usually take up more specific roles which exist in the hive, and are designed as such. They are :

Symbionts

Symbionts were created for the sole purpose of enlightenment. Their uses and roles are defined in the Enlightenment section. The last role of Symbionts are for the Hive itself: Hive link. While it has been known for Darkarians to use Enlightened species for the Hive Link and Command, they typically use Minions. The Symbiont structure are : Drones, Asassins, Minion, Lords. Lords are the Hive Mind Symbionts. Their order is Overlord, Highlord, Masterlord. The respective orders are just levels of leadership, overlords being the least powerful, Masterlords being the most powerful of all symbionts. When a symbiont is joined with a non-spawned host, all his Psionic ability goes towards controlling the host, and Regeneration. So its Psionic ability is reduced. If a Symbiont is joined with a Spawned, its usually between 5-7. Symbionts are all born at a Drone Level. Most can go through a process of increasing their level, but only BEFORE they are joined with a host.

Minions

Minions are the captains of the Darkarian Hive. Most are joined with an Overlord or Highlord to inrease its PR, and his link with their brood. There are usually three minions minimum per brood to ensure the will of the Hive is known. The more individuals in a brood, the more Minions there are to ensure the link. Minions are very skilled in combat, and are known to possess shapeshifting abilities.

Brovaska

A biological Tank. When joined with a symbiont, it gains psionic shielding abilities and faster regeneration. Total height extending about 10 Feet, these can even take a full out Ship PEC blast without immediately vaporizing it. Having two massive legs, and no arms, massive jaws. They will eat anything in their path and are extremely difficult to take down. They are seen to do only as a Minion commands, acting like a domesticated dog (with the exception when joined via symbiont.)

Dark Terrors

Another biological weapon, the Dark Terrors are similar to the Terran "Utah Raptor" In its intelligence and ferocity. The Dark Terrors have longer front limbs, and are thicker. While not as tough as a Brovaska, they are quick and lethal the same. They too are seen to do only as a Minion commands, acting like a domesticated dog (with the exception when joined via symbiont.)

The Elders

The Elders are purebred Darkarians. While it is known they used to be of another ancient race, their twisted Psionic Hive Link has altered them beyond. They lead the Darkarians as Admirals with a single mind of the Hive Link. Their Structure :

Dark Queens

Dark Queens provide and only fulfill the role of breeding. They have been genetically altered to give live birth to Elder Darkarians, and hatch the Spawned (in eggs). Dark Queens begin their breeding at very young ages, and live several thousand years. When they begin breeding, they do so until death, and are immobile. Princes breed with the Dark Queens.

Prince / Princess

Although normally referred to just as an Elder, they are the bulk of the Darkarians Elders. They fulfill the necessary Leadership role to keep the hive link in place. They are powerful psionic being, possessing full shapeshifting ability, and incredible offensive and defensive abilities.

Blood

Blood Darkarians are special darkarians who are born not into a leadership position, but are born into a service position. These Darkarians are not responsible for upholding the Hive Link, however are connected to it, and may enforce it if needed. The Blood Darkarians have been charged with the special mission to remove the remains of the Expletuns, their Preserver Faction, and the Chosen Races.

ElderBlood

The Elderblood are a royal family of Darkarians. Elderblood are the only Darkarians to not be born under the Dark Queens. Elderbloods are born only from Elderbloods. Elderbloods are the highest of the Darkarians. The eldest being the leader of the hive. Elderbloods have the Highest Psionic abilities and capabilities known.

Known Abilities

Metamorphasis, Extreme Regeneration, Mind Domination, Body Domination, Hive Mentality

Known Darkarians

• Talorn

Talorn was the first known Darkarian of the New Era. A Masterlord leader of the hive, his initial drive for conquest set the tone of the Hive during its rebirth as aggressive and relentless. While the Hive never intended for him to maintain his position as ranking lord over the Symbionts, his drive and motivation were critical for the hive, and he is honored among them for it. Talorns host is a future Marccus_Vagen.

• Sortic

Wife of the Host and Symbiont Talorn who was slain by Kerok Seccour.

• Xetra

Daughter of Talorn's Host, Darkarian name of the creature after enlightenment.

• Derrik

A Masterlord partner with Talorn who had fallen in love with his daughter Xetra. He built a body for Xetra and captured Tempest Satarius' soul for it. With Talorns death he is also vying for the Position of Supreme Lord over the Symbionts.

• Sklavus

The Darkarian Name for the Enlightened Human Chance Modaine. The Symbiont is a HighLord.

• Dylocke

The Darkarian Name for the Enlightened Metorian Kerok_Seccour. This is one of the oldest known Darkarian Symbionts, and considered to be Heir to the Hive after Torikor despite that he is a Symbiont. Prior to the creation of the Symbionts and the Chosen, the now history future of the Expletuns were predicted. As an attempt to sway the odds in their favor, the Darkarians had the Symbiont implanted in Kerok Seccour as a child. The The Symbiont is a MasterLord.

• Cerreon

Darkarian high lord responsible for the conquest of the Galactic Alliance.

• Torikor

Now known leader of the hive. The first of the Elder Darkarians who has been seen and recorded. Also is the head of the Darkarian Royal Family. One of the few known Elderblood Darkarians who are known by name, appearance, and position.

Hibernation

{{{Hibernation}}}

Other Information

Age Range

Age range is largely unknown due to the inability to accurately record natural life and death cycles of the Darkarian Hive. It is speculated at the Elder types Darkarians are able to live indefinitely through its psionic ability and ability to change their biological structure. A few rare observances have also indicated that Symbionts live upto several thousand years, and Spawned have a life cycle of possibly only several years, long enough to accomplish specific tasks. Since Spawned are generally used for hazard work, it would make sense that not alot of resources are put into their ability for long lasting life.

Reproduction

While Dark Queens give birth to both male and female Darkarians alike, the question arises on darkarians being created outside of the scope of their society. While its possible it can happen, the likelihood is that doesn't given the hierarchy and society that the Darkarians live in. Commonly, like most societies, Darkarians, symbionts alike, will join in a marriage of sorts. This is usually seen as a companionship or mutual beneficiary reason. Love and romance aren't not prominent emotions in the non Elder ranks of the Darkarian Hierarchy. If a two symbionts hosts did mate, they would create the species equivalent from the hosts. The mind of the offspring would be permanently tied to the hive link itself. These would be most likely have an average of their parents psionic ability. They would still be of the Hive, and want to do its will. Given the fact that most Elders wouldn't WANT to mate with anything other than their own kind, the possibility still exists. Had an Elder mated with anything other than a Darkarian Elder, would result in an Half Elder. While most likely shunned by the Hive, they too would be bound to the hive. Given the dominate nature of the Darkarian Elders, the offspring would look like an Elder, however would not have many of the traits or the psionic ability. Spawned Darkarians don't have the ability to mate, and are gender Neutral. Symbionts don't have the ability to mate (only through their hosts), though carry gender characteristics and will often only want a host of that same characteristic.

The Enlightenment Process

NOTICE - THE BELOW MAY BE GRAPHIC.

Enlightenment is basically a surgical process in where a Darkarian Symbiont is placed in a host. Symbionts, when implanted, usually take up the space where the heart and a lung are (as most species have their heart and lungs in the same place).

The Darkarians do have a ceremonial process in which this occurs. The process of enlightenment is very demonic and sadistic, at least to everyone except the Darkarians. The Darkarians have this idea that to become a Darkarian one must fully feel the whole process...

For normal drones, minions, assassins, the person is strapped to a platform and the the Enlightener, which is a Darkarian Elder, typically a Prince, produces a blade either in or from one hand and slices open the host. The Symbiont is then placed on top of the fresh wound, and it consumes the hosts heart (eating it). The symbiont takes the place of the heart and the wound is sealed through the regenerative properties of the Symbiont. Female Darkarians never do the enlightenment.

For lords, the host is placed on an Alter, and an Elderblood performs the ritual, however uses a Darkarian Blood knife instead of transforming an appendage to a blade.

In essence, the host is killed , only to be reborn as a Darkarian. Death is a purging of a previous existence and the rebirth is Enlightenment.

Due to this process, those who are retrieved from enlightenment usually commit suicide. Enlightenment is a very intense process, not only physically as we can see, but also psychologically as the Symbiont binds itself to the host in many ways. Darkarians actively seek death for lords who overcome Enlightenment.

Other classes of those who overcome Enlightenment are of no concern as the symbiont was expendable in the first place.

The Returned. These are those who have been rescued from enlightenment, or overcome enlightenment. In most situations this refers to a removal of the symbiont, and its complete destruction.

As noted above, those that do are likely to commit suicide. They can also go insane and many other severe psychological problems are extremely common (one out of 3000 may have a semi-normal existence.) One very severe problem with those who overcome Enlightenment (the returned) develop a condition known as "Yearning". This is where a the host suddenly desires to return to the Hive and become reenlightened. This condition occurs in about 1 in 5. Another condition common with the returned is conjoining. This is where even though the symbiont is gone and destroyed, the returned still hear the psionic will of the hive. And lastly, another major condition is visions. The returned, still susceptible to psionic eddies of the hive, hallucinate and see visions of Darkarians.

Post enlightenment is very horrifying. While USI counselors and therapists have been working on these conditions, there are no absolute cures for the psychological impact.

The Darkarian Chosen

While the Chosen races, The Akerians,Metorians,and the Nephatsu, were created prior to the division of the Expletuns into the factions of the Darkarians and the Preservers, the Darkarians first experiments were with their own separate species creations.

Like the original three chosen, the first of the Darkarians creations were not tied into a collective mind or intellect. In fact, the creation of the Weren happened prior to the development of the Hive Mind. It was due to their perceived failure with controlling the Weren, that the Hive mind was first conceived. Later, the Faulyn, Sauren, and the Scipicants were created as bidding servants of the hive. <headertabs/>