Administrator
- Intent: To create a unique Species Submission to support the creation of an NPC Sithspawn.
- Image Credit: The header and dividers were edited and put together by
Srina Talon
using Photoshop CC/Elements.- Header: "Owl Bird of Prey" by Cole Borders
- Div Template: "Silence Graphics 2" by SilenceGrafix
- Permissions: N/A
- Name: Ninox'Natalis
- Designation: Sentient
- Average Lifespan: 125-150 GSY
- Estimated Population: Unique (Male)
- Description: The Ninox'Natalis has three different forms that it can assume. It typically appears in the "resting" state of a traditional Snow Owl of Alderaan with a large-head and transfixed golden eyes. While in this form the Sithspawn remains in a completely "Average" percentile of its ancestors in regards to weight, height, and wingspan. Regardless of a rather mundane and unassuming base genetic code, the Ninox is still a very large avian predator. It supports pristinely ivory feathers that are very sparsely dappled with black or gray spots. There is a notable mark of intelligence about it, comprehending eyes, that may give away that that Ninox is more than what it appears to be. The striking coloring may be unusual for some, though, not unheard of. It maintains a bluntly curved beak and wickedly hooked talons. When it takes the "modular" form of a shadow it is entirely gaseous and lacks the ability to physically interact. Lastly, the third form is a biological transformation that allows it to grow exponentially. It is very much the same, however, much, much larger. To the point that it can be used as a mount and method of airborne travel.
- Breathes: Type I, Type II, Type III, & Type IV
- Average Height of Adults: Resting-State (Small): 60cm || Shadow (Gaseous): 0.30m || Beast Mode (Large): 4.29m
- Average Length of Adults: Resting-State (Small): 1.5m Wingspan || Shadow (Gaseous): 0.30 || Beast Mode (Large): 14.5m
- Average Weight of Adults: Resting-State (Small): 2.9kg || Shadow (Gaseous): Weightless || Beast Mode (Large): 1,000kg
- Skin Color: Off-White (Beneath Feathers)
- Hair Color: N/A
- Feather Color: White with faint black and grey markings.
- Distinctions: The Ninox'Natalis was created in a laboratory setting rather than entering life through conventional means. It started out as a large-eyed owlet, with shining, golden eyes that peered out of a snowy white face and puffy pelt. When it first hatched it boasted tiny, malleable claws, that were barely able to hold him. Without the guidance of a true parent to mimic and learn from it could often be viewed attempting to waddle after its creator. Mostly, it managed to skitter unsteadily from side to side with occasionally toppling over. The baby owlet was always hungry and never steady or still, always exploring and examining his surroundings. It wasn’t a phase that lasted, as the tiny bundle of white grew rapidly, and darker spots of grey and black began to fill out its plumage. Once fully grown the owl was much more stable, confident, but holds a deep-seated curiosity for its surroundings. It has two notable spots on either wing, birthmarks, that are a slightly off shade of grey. Oddly, they appear as inverted crescents with the tips pointing upward.
- Races: N/A
- Force Sensitivity: All
- Shapeshifting: It can take three forms. Small, a preferred state, shadow, or a super-sized upgrade. This versatility allows the Ninox an ease of movement and freedom that otherwise wouldn't be available. It can go places that most companions wouldn't be able to, such as through small openings, like air vents, and most are non-the-wiser. It can't be hit with physical attacks in this state. It can also be utilized as a mount in its largest metamorphosis.
- Cryo Edge: When the Ninox flaps its wings with focus and intent it can press a wave of cold at an opponent in both of its physical forms. The severity of the cold, or even ice, is dependant upon its size. When he is smaller it is far less damaging with the application of moderately sized shards of ice that are mostly an inconvenience. When it takes on the larger transformation it can actually form sharp ice pikes great enough to fatally skewer a near-human.
- Sentient: It is capable of abstract thought, the ability to learn, rationalize, empathize, form attachments, and feel. This is a huge advantage in any scenario that might require more than the basic instincts of a Snow Owl. At times, it can seem more human than avian.
- Telepathy: It can use this skill to organize forces and communicate with others without ever needing to pick up a comm or give itself away. It can warn others of an impending skirmish long before they clash with the enemy and provide a tactical foothold in many scenarios. It can also emit a telepathic scream that simultaneously instills a sense of fear and mind-numbing pain.
- Enhanced Senses: Extremely sensitive hearing and excellent eye-sight, binocular vision, for distant objects.
- Breathe Anywhere: Due to the variety of alchemical properties applied while it was still little more than an embryo it does not require ideal atmospheric conditions and can survive for a time, if needed, within the vacuum of space.
- Force Sense: It can sense Force Signatures and accurately determine who they belong to, if, they have met previously.
- Light Burns: As this creature is a Sith-Spawn any sort of Force Light will negatively affect it. If it is potent enough it can actually singe its feathers and cause it to lose control while flying. If that were to happen it would be a sitting duck, pun intended, because it wouldn't be able to fly very well again until the damage was rectified. All of its inherent skill in the air would be cut down and nullified.
- Void Stone/Ysalamir: The application of a Void Stone or one of "those rotten lizards" will steal its ability to communicate and stifle, or out-right stop, its ability to produce ice or manipulate it. He can still transform as that is a biological trait that is not tied to the Force.
- No Extra Defense: Large or small it is vulnerable when in either physical state. It has no armor, no natural defenses, and most modern weapons would tear through its feathers like a hot knife through butter. A well-aimed spear, even primitive, would be effective.
- Incorporeal Issues: When in a shadow form it can only move at half the pace a human can run. It is also vulnerable to energy-based attacks and can be stopped, or trapped, by a forcefield.
- Eyesore: When in its Beast Form it really can't hide. It is slower with amplified blind spots, which, could be a death sentence because of its basic physiology. Owls have no peripheral vision and must actually turn their head to see in one direction or the other.
- Farsighted: It can't focus on objects that are too close.
- Transformation Burn Out: The Ninox can move from its smaller resting form to the shadow form reasonably liberally. It cannot shift rapidly from his larger form to any other. It takes time and energy to recover enough so that he may return to an acceptable size. The length of time required can vary, though, it may take even longer if he has been injured.
- Diet: Carnivore
- Common foods include small mammals such as mice, shrews, rabbits, snakes, lizards, and other small living creatures. It swallows small animals whole while others get torn into more manageable pieces before being swallowed. Several hours after eating the indigestible remains of a meal such as bones and fur are regurgitated in the form of a waste pellet. Gross, but effective.
- Communication: While it can hoot like most owls the primary method of communication is via telepathy. It can both hear and transmit thoughts, allowing him to contact others over vast distances if necessary. It can innately understand a multitude of languages, especially, if there are roots or parts that link back to Galactic Basic.
- Technology Level: Galactic Standard
- Religion/Beliefs: N/A
- General Behavior: The Ninox has grown to be very patient and calculated. Though most snow owls are solitary beasts it prefers to remain with other sentient beings. It can often be observed listening quietly to determine what sort of individual it is dealing with and takes advantage of the fact that the majority of the galaxy will mistake it as little more than a flying poultry roast. The creature is curious, careful, and tends to err on the side of caution. It is uniquely self-aware and once it becomes fond of someone that bond will remain steadfast.
The sun bore down with unrelenting light, as it always did, in the Brightlands of Ryloth.
Despite the fact that they were safe-as-houses beneath a habitation dome the silent Echani could still feel the stinging edge of blistering heat by design. It reminded her of Geonosis and that memory provided a certain measure of comfort she would never speak of. Srina had spent the last few months investigating the possibilities of expanding her knowledge of what could and what could not exist within the known galaxy. In essence? Not much was restricted. Few things could not be. The pale woman had learned throughout her tenure as a Sith Apprentice that there was no end to that which was possible if the right circumstances were met. The limitations were superficial at best. Imagination, in some cases, or a healthy understanding of the subject in question. A willingness to collaborate combined with the pressing of moral boundaries in the name of invention.
Her first query into alchemical practices and biological-experimentation revolved around a singular thought. Why shouldn't more animals be Force Sensitive?
It was true that they were dangerous. From Vornskrs to Ysalamiri—They all presented a unique threat and hurdle to overcome. Without the capacity to understand their actions and driven simply by instinct, or base needs, such as hunger, or protection, they were almost a menace. Srina sought something a little more comprehensive. Flexible. Sentient, and teachable. Under the tutelage of
Darth Metus
, the Confederate Exarch came to realize that there simply was no reason that her intent could not be realized. Traveling allowed her to witness first hand that there was plenty of evidence supporting that the Force could be an evolutionary advantage. Just like spines, antlers, or a tough hide. The resources that the nation had at their disposal led to extensive research that ultimately culminated in one, simple, diminutive thing.
Darth Metus
, the Confederate Exarch came to realize that there simply was no reason that her intent could not be realized. Traveling allowed her to witness first hand that there was plenty of evidence supporting that the Force could be an evolutionary advantage. Just like spines, antlers, or a tough hide. The resources that the nation had at their disposal led to extensive research that ultimately culminated in one, simple, diminutive thing.An egg.
An artificially created strigiforme owl egg—To be specific.
Though she held the reigns for the project the young woman retained a large team of scientists to aid in her endeavor. Firstly, they created a new genetic template with resources from Kamino utilizing properties from a variety of species. From the mythic Shyyyo, they observed the order of DNA that allowed it to grow to an impressive size without hampering its ability to fly. The careful observation of the gaseous Filar-Nitzan was also brought to bear while the transformative properties of the Dazouri were inserted to bridge the gap between the two. The design was intended to allow for seamless shifting between three states. Resting, gaseous, and a massive beast. There were several failed attempts at producing a viable subject before methods adjusted and experimentation proved hopeful. Then, Sith Alchemy was introduced.
Her Master excelled in the Dark Side technique, and so, Srina sought his expertise to imbue specific qualities. She wished for the newest creature of her menagerie to hold a meaningful way of defending itself, moreover, she wished for it to be Sentient. They observed the behavior of a Starweird, their affinity for telepathy, and for traveling within the confines of space and moved on from there. Again. There were many failed attempts. Then, one day, their darkly woven magic seemed to hold purchase. Rather than turning their incubating owlet into scrambled eggs and all manner of explosive, rotten mucus, they felt it stabilize. It was a small lifeform within the Force that even from an unhatched state seemed to emanate hopeful results. The presence of something warm, curious, and hungry began to keep them company in the Forge. It incubated for far longer than expected. Twenty-One Galactic Standard Days came and went. An entire season passed before they finally heard something strange.
A small chirping scuffle. From within the egg. In a day or so it cracked, pipped, and the owlet forced itself bravely into the world.
Despite her general empty expression and chilly mannerisms, Srina was delighted. She spent the next few months keeping it safe and monitoring its progress. It didn't seem to latch onto any Force related abilities until it was several months old. Telepathy had been expected, though, it didn't speak. It touched minds but only gave off a general "feeling" of its well-being. Slowly, it began to mimic Srina and started parroting words. Then it developed understanding. Meaning. The Echani taught it as well as she was able. Her own stunted emotional capacity left the owlet with a slow to develop a sense of very dry, very sarcastic humor. When she read; it read. While she learned; it learned.
They covered all manner of subjects, training as often as possible until the avian Sithspawn was fully grown in its own right. Mental maturity seemed to advance at an accelerated rate. It went from barely mentally communicating to grasping complicated subjects, abstract thought, philosophy, poetry, theories of morality, and tactical prowess. Srina oft referred to the Sithspawn as a sort of surrogate "youngling" and the creature referred to her simply as "mother" when addressed. It views her, up close, as a blob of blurry white and tan. From a distance, it can recall distinct features and describe the clarity of her pores. Cryokinesis, akin to abilities of the Shapers of Kro Var, developed and evolved with time, and the Ninox eventually, painfully, managed to mostly master its ability to transform. It can't shift perfectly through states without rest—But they are manageable. It is expected that skill will increase with time.
While Srina was content to guide and direct the Sithspawn she did begin to notice a sense of loss. They had created the Ninox'Natalis to think and feel. It did. The menagerie on Ryloth was starting to feel more like a prison to it, day after day, and it longed for adventure. It longed for connections beyond that which the young woman could provide. She allowed the avian creature to choose its own name from the literature that it found appealing. Horace. With a name and designs of its own Srina began looking for a way to give it the life it wished for. A sense of adventure. Purpose.
Throughout all of her endeavors, she had only met one individual that seemed a likely candidate to caretaker her most precious design.
Perhaps he would be able to give Horace what she could not.
A life worth living.
