Unreviewed Ardyti’Laisvas Symbiote

[Mellifluous Magenta]

Spoiler

An Ardyti’Laisvas symbiote in its larval stage.​

• Intent: Create a Sithspawn for use in RP as an exotic symbiote.
• Image Credit: ChatGPT
• Canon: N/A
• Permissions: N/A
• Links:
  
  • Anchi’baburu
  • Xalmiris

• Name: Ardyti’Laisvas Symbiote
• Designation: Non-Sentient
• Origins: Malsheem
• Average Lifespan: The symbiote can only live ~48 hours in a larval state. However, after a successful implantation, the symbiote will live as long as the host survives.
• Estimated Population: Rare
• Description: The Ardyti’Laisvas exists in two distinct forms. In its larval state, it appears as a translucent, slug-like organism approximately 8-10 centimeters in length, with faint bioluminescent veins that typically pulse cyan and/or crimson. However, the species can only survive ~48 hours in this larval state before it desiccates and dies. To avoid this, the larva is implanted and integrated into a host, typically at the base of the skull or along the cervical spine. This is its integrated state, in which the symbiote does not retain its independent body. Rather, it exists only as a neural-networked colony of specialized cells threaded through the host's spinal column and brainstem.

• Breathes: Symbiote breathes through the host’s respiratory system and does not require an independent atmosphere.
• Average Height of Adults: N/A
• Average Length of Adults:
  
  • Larva: ~8-10 cm
  • Integrated: N/A
• Skin Color:
  
  • Larva: Translucent with cyan and crimson veins.
  • Integrated: N/A
• Hair Color: N/A
• Distinctions:
  
  • Symbiote Functions and Modes
    
    • The Ardyti’Laisvas operates in four distinct modes depending on the external environment and the host's will.
    • Dormant
      
      • The symbiote remains dormant and the host functions at their normal Force capacity. No passive benefit is granted.
    • Empowerment
      
      • The symbiote’s Xalmiri empowerment bubble activates, which effectively hyper-sensitizes the Force (specifically the Dark Side) within a 30-meter diameter bubble. When no Force suppression is present, the host’s Force abilities are effectively doubled in efficacy. Force senses extend further and are more acute, Lightning is supercharged, mental abilities become nearly irresistible to their targets, and yet more similar enhancing effects apply to various other Force powers. However, the empowerment bubble finds its true utility under the effects of Void Stone and similar means of dampening (but the Force). In this case, the Void Stone’s dampening effect and the Xalmiri empowerment cancel each other out, allowing the host to enjoy normal Force capacity and efficacy within a Void Stone’s (or a functionally similar material’s) dampening field. Although it should be noted that the empowerment effect by itself has no application within ysalamiri-style Force-neutral and Force-nullifying bubbles.
      • The diameter of the empowerment bubble can be adjusted at will by the host, allowing them to shrink the field to cover only themselves or alternatively, expand it to cover their allies out to a maximum diameter of 30 meters.
    • Collapse
      
      • This is the symbiote’s most aggressive mode, which is inherited directly from the Xalmiri lineage. When the host is within range of a Force-neutral and Force-nullifying bubble, they may voluntarily trigger the bubble collapse function. In this, the symbiote’s Xalmiri mutations activate, causing any Force-neutral/nullifying bubbles that the host is within to catastrophically collapse. This normally stuns the creature(s) (typically a ysalamir, but not always) generating the bubble(s), potentially preventing them from manifesting new bubble(s) for over an hour. By the same token, when the symbiote uses this ability, it is unable to generate a Xalmiri empowerment bubble for roughly an hour. It should also be noted that the collapse function has no application within Force-dampened zones of which are typically imposed by Void stone.
    • Restoration
      
      • The symbiote’s Anchi’baburu anti-Force neutrality/nullification bubble activates around the host. In this, the symbiote projects a counter-signal that unravels any Force-neutral/nullifying bubble within a 30-meter diameter around the host, allowing the host and any Force-sensitive allies within range to regain normal Force access while inside a Force neutral/null zone. It should be noted that this function has no application within Force-dampened zones of those imposed by Void Stone or similar materials.
      • The diameter of the anti-Force neutrality/nullification bubble can be adjusted at will by the host, allowing them to shrink the field to cover only themselves or alternatively, expand it to cover their allies out to a maximum diameter of 30 meters.
• Races: N/A
• Force Sensitivity: All
  
  • Symbiote is inherently Force-sensitive due to its Xalmiri and Anchi’baburu genetics. However, while it is capable of modulating the host’s connection to the Force, it has no ability to enact Force abilities on its own.

• Comprehensive Suppression Countermeasures: The Ardyti'Laisvas provides its host with layered defenses against two of the most common forms of Force suppression. The restoration mode can unravel Force-neutral bubbles within a 30-meter diameter, restoring normal Force access to the host and nearby allies. Simultaneously, the empowerment mode can counteract dampening fields (typically, but not always from Void Stone) by applying a compensatory amplification that cancels the dampening effect, ensuring the host operates at baseline capacity even within Force-dampening fields.
• Null Field Collapse: Inherited directly from the Xalmiris mutations, the collapse mode allows the host to catastrophically shatter any Force-neutral/nullifying bubble that they currently occupy. This ability has a very high chance of stunning the creature generating the field, preventing it from manifesting a new bubble for approximately one hour. If the host is within a merged colony field generated by multiple creatures, the entire merged field collapses, neutralizing a massive defensive asset in a single, decisive action.
• Squad Support: The restoration and empowerment bubbles extend to any Force-sensitive allies within their respective diameters, while the collapse function can shut down entire Force-neutral zones. A single Ardyti'Laisvas host can serve as a mobile anchor for a small strike team operating in suppression-heavy territory. This makes the symbiote invaluable for Sith assault squads infiltrating ysalamir or Void Stone-shielded facilities, allowing the entire team to benefit from the host's counter-suppression capabilities.
• Biological Stealth: After it is implanted and fully integrated within a host, the symbiote does not generate a life signature. It does not have a heartbeat or independent vital signs. In general, the symbiote can only be detected through focused medical imaging technologies.
• Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: The Anchi’baburu restoration fields can be overlaid with restoration fields manifested by other Ardyti’Laisvas symbiote hosts, thus expanding the restoration bubble the more hosts are in an area.

• Metabolic Drain: The symbiote’s active functions and modes can drain the host’s energy reserves at an accelerated rate. Heavy use of the symbiote’s active modes can increase the host's caloric requirements by approximately 20-30%, potentially leading to constant hunger and cravings for protein-rich foods.
• Double-Edged Amplification: When fighting other Sith or Dark-Siders, careless use of the empowerment bubble can be a double-bladed sword. If a host’s opponent is with them inside the bubble, they will benefit from the boon to the Dark Side afforded by it as well.
• Vulnerability Window: The collapse mode comes with a tactical cost. After shattering a null field, the symbiote's Xalmiri-derived functions, including the entire empowerment mode, enter a mandatory one-hour cooldown. During this window, the host cannot amplify their abilities, nor can they counteract Void Stone dampening. If a Void Stone remains present post-collapse, the host operates at half capacity. If a second ysalamir appears, the host is fully nullified with no counter available.
• Dark Side Dependency: The Ardyti'Laisvas requires a Dark Side resonance to function properly. A Light Side or even neutral-aligned host attempting implantation risks suffering catastrophic rejection. Even in the event that implantation is successful, the host may experience gradual but inexorable Dark Side corruption, with a very high chance of death or transformation into a creature of the Dark Side ensuing as a result!
• Self-Made is Self-Maimed: The more ysalamir that are present in an area, the smaller the restoration bubble’s effective area. One ysalamir can reduce the restoration from 30 to 20 meters, two can reduce it to 10 meters, and three can cancel it out entirely.
• Scalding Luminescence: As the Ardyti’Laisvas is a Sithspawn, Force Light and its derivative powers are a powerful counteragent to both the host and the symbiote. In this, Force Light has the potential to cause severe burns, in addition to nerve damage, since the symbiote is connected to the host’s nervous system. Even non-lethal exposure to Force Light is likely to cause intense pain and temporary symbiote dysfunction.

• Diet: The symbiote draws nutrients directly from the host’s bloodstream.
• Communication: The symbiote does not have language or complex communication. However, in its limited capacities, it can communicate with the host via instinctual urges, somatic sensations, emotional bleed, and cooldown awareness. Most often, the instinctual urges and emotional bleed encompass a pull toward or away from active suppression fields and faint hints of predatory aggression. Somatic sensations may include a slight emptiness during the one-hour period after using the collapse function (during which the Xalmiri empowerment bubble may not be activated) and a slight burning when the symbiote is strained.
• Technology level: N/A
• Religion/Beliefs: N/A
• General Behavior: The Ardyti’Laisvas is a reactive lifeform. It has no independent will or agenda beyond survival, countering Force suppression, and amplifying Dark Side energy. In this, the symbiote is a biological tool. However, with prolonged implantation, hosts may experience faint predatory instincts encompassing a desire to hunt ysalamir, in addition to a visceral disgust at Void Stone emanations and a subtle pull toward Dark Side nexuses.

With her successful work in the creation of several sentient species, including Arkanian Offshoot 202s, Elryssiane, Swamp Undines, and Loimisa Seseli, Vestara VII established herself as one of the Kainate’s leading biology and genetics architects. With this reputation, she was picked to lead the project to develop a biological means of countering the ubiquitous Force suppression agents that are common in the Chaos era. Such powerful anti-Force measures had become a critical threat to Force-users, as they were capable of outright nullifying their powers. Thus, the Kainate sought ways to protect its Sith and loyal Dark Side discipless.

To this end, Vestara VII began her work with the genetics of Xalmiri and Anchi’baburu, two reptilian species notable for their unique ability to counter anti-Force measures. From here, she spliced portions of their genetics into an implantable organism—a symbiote. This symbiote was in effect, an entirely new creature, albeit with small portions of its genome derived from Xalmiri and Anchi’baburu.

After this, Vestara developed the creature’s maturation and growth. Rather than starting the symbiote from its pure, implanted form, Vestara designed its life cycle to begin as a slug-like larva, which is then surgically implanted into a host. Once implanted, the larva burrows into the nervous system, threading itself through the spinal column and brainstem in the process. This process takes roughly 72 hours, during which the symbiote loses its physical form and becomes fully integrated with the host.

The Eclipse Adept Ellissanthia was the first successful recipient of the symbiote, who Vestara chose because of her intimate familiarity with Swamp Undine biology. During Ellissanthia's recovery, she learned how to voluntarily control the symbiote’s functions, knowledge that Vestara utilized to produce literature and reports to guide future recipients. Thus, with the symbiote’s success cofnirmed, she christened it as the Ardyti’Laisvas, which translates to Basic as “Void Annihilator”.

Although the symbiote remains a closely guarded secret, full integration may one day see it proliferate among the Sith and Dark Jedi of the Kainate, with the potential for more limited, controlled distribution to select Sith and Dark Siders outside the Kainate. However, it should be noted that in the latter case, Vestara VII personally vets and approves each potential host.

Finally, it should be noted that no information on the Ardyti'Laisvas Symbiote, including (but not limited to) its genetic code, is available in any public database.