Dionae

Overview

A unique race of fungoid creatures, the Dionae are a unique blend of biological and intellectual capabilities that distinguishes them from other known life within the Orion Spur, or the greater galaxy. With a physical resemblance to slugs, they have the ability to form "gestalts" which are complex, collective entities that enhance cognitive abilities and perform more intricate tasks than in their baseline forms. They may also exhibit sophisticated behaviour, showcasing a collective intelligence that evolves with the number of Dionae within a gestalt. Dionae have the ability to gain information through genetic absorption; meaning they are able to assimilate knowledge and skills from a genetic sample, allowing them to gain knowledge through biological interaction. This has allowed Dionae to rapidly adapt to the societies present within the Orion Spur. Dionae rely on radiotrophy, in which they derive energy for growth and sustenance from ionizing radiation. Dionae convert radiation into usable chemical energy, which in turn allows them to survive in otherwise inhospitable environments as long as radiation exists.

Heads of Staff

Dionae can be the following Heads of Staff:

• Research Director

• Chief Engineer

• Chief Medical Officer

• Operations Manager

Mechanics

• Access to the species' unique language, Rootsong with,q prefix.
• Lives off of light and radiation, will take damage and eventually die if they lack either for too long
• Heals damage while in light or radiation.
• Not affected by lack of atmosphere or pressure.
• Inability to run.
• Can split a nymph from their gestalt and control it. Can also switch between the split nymph and original gestalt at will, as well as still hear what’s happening near the other.
• Can split completely into several nymphs through an ability or when they take too much damage, as well as reform into a gestalt with enough biomass.
• Can regrow limbs with enough nutrients and while exposed to light or radiation, faster with radiation.
• Can devour certain creatures and objects by grabbing them, aiming for the mouth, and clicking yourself.
• Can use the Create Structure verb to form their biological mass into a wall, floor, or glowing bulb.
• In an emergency can absorb the local atmosphere for nutrients.
• Can be stunned with a flash, causing them to fall down for a few seconds. Cannot be protected against with normal equipment due to the nature of a Dionae’s eyes.

Dionae

D. Primis

Native Language(s): Rootsong

Faction(s): Xrim, Hieroaetheria, Moghes, Nralakk Federation, Primitive Sirens, Titan Prime and Others.

Location(s): Everywhere

Biology

Forms

See: Dionae Forms

The process of merging and separation for Dionae is a rather strenuous affair, taking both a significant amount of time and energy. Nymphs are considered the smallest form, however, Nymphs are Dionae in their 'baseline' form. Nymphs will then typically come together to form larger structures, a process which can span several hours, sometimes days for the larger forms. The majority of Dionae exist in Cyclops-forms, which is a bipedal, human-like formation. Before a formation is made, Dionae will typically gorge themselves on biomatter, and supplement themselves with radiation, as a method of ensuring that the stockpiled energy and resources needed for the demanding process are not exhausted at the end. In contrast to merging, there is separation. It is a rare, drastic measure typically reserved for situations where survival seems unlikely. It is a traumatic process, and very rarely done. Sustained, repeatedly separation may lead to the loss of knowledge, and even the loss of life in some circumstances.

Mindtypes

See: Dionae Mindtypes

Dionae, dissimilar to other sophonts, have personalities formed from the unique interplay of the biological and cognitive characteristics exhibited in the species: mindtypes. Mindtypes are essentially the personality of the collective gestalt and often involve how the Dionae presents itself to others. Mindtypes represent the myriad of ways in which gestalts process information, form identities, and develop consciousness. The formation of a mindtype is influenced by several factors, including the method in which they merged, continued separation of Dionae, the accumulation of experiences, and the manner in which these memories or experiences are shared or retained within the gestalt. There are several different types of document mindtypes, with more still being discovered as time marches on.

Physiology

See: Dionae Biology

The lifespan of Dionae is not determinable, with some living for minutes and others for millennia. The species is categorized into six critical stages, which do not necessarily follow a linear timeline. The stages include Gesnatio, Coeus, Medio, Geras, Vetus, and Penuma. Each stage has distinct characteristics, such as the growth of chitin, and increased pain tolerance. The stages are influenced by contextual circumstances, such as environmental factors and the formation of a Gestalt. Dionae have a unique ability to absorb genetic material from other species, allowing them to modify their genome and adapt to new environments. This process, known as genetic assimilation, can also result in the unintentional absorption of harmful genes. Additionally, Dionae can mimic the neural structures of other organisms, which can result in the transfer of memories and skills but also carries risks such as the transmission of neurological pathologies. Dionae also exhibit genetic and environmental mimicry, allowing them to adapt to their surroundings by mimicking the appearance and traits of other species. This ability is studied by various organizations across the Spur, including the Skrell and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals. Overall, the complex life cycle and unique abilities of Dionae make them fascinating and potentially valuable subjects for research and study.

Psychology

Dionae differ incredibly compared to other species in terms of their emotions and psychology; primarily in how it affects each nymph and how it would be displayed in a gestalt. Dionae feel a myriad of diverging reactions to certain issues - which is what sets them apart from others. When a Nymph first becomes sentient, and the ability to grasp more intricate and complicated ideas becomes easier, there is a rare chance for complications to arise which are deemed ‘cognitive obstacles’ and can easily be seen as mental disorders. Cognitive obstacles parallel mental illnesses that frequently find themselves rooted within other species across the Orion Spur. These cognitive obstacles affect Dionae uniquely in the sense that each nymph can experience these differently from another. Dionae can form cognitive obstacles similar to that of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Tourettes. It can be expected that Dionae that fall into this category of cognitive obstacles will have bursts of unintended chirps, additionally coinciding with spasms. Some have noted that they have intense bouts of paranoia and periods where they will experience an existential crisis.

Dionae can also form cognitive obstacles similar to that of various depressive disorders. These are often seen as a mortal danger - where if an individual nymph begins to feel symptoms similar to depressive disorders, such as intense periods of feeling impending doom or simply feeling lifeless, will eventually spread these thoughts through a gestalt which will eventually perish. Nymphs that are deemed a hazard to the entire gestalt are usually cast and left to find a treatment or possibly perish if unable to find or receive one. Splitting Disorder is a temporary disorder that occurs in gestalts that have split off into smaller forms. The disorder is characterized by increased anxiety within the Dionae at being apart from each other and intense fear that harm might befall one of the split forms, getting worse the longer the gestalt is split. This fear of danger varies from gestalt to gestalt, with some split forms being “braver” than others. Splitting Disorder can temporarily be relieved by brief re-merging via physical contact. This usually appears to other species as close hugs or hand-holding followed by the happy chirping of the nymphs within the gestalt. It can be permanently cured by a full re-merging or after a long period of separation through long periods of separation can instead turn into a depressive disorder. The death or injury of a split partner tends to be extremely traumatizing for the other Dionae, with the level and manner of the trauma dependent on each nymph, with some being “braver” than others.

Culture

Language

Unlike most other species of the Spur, Dionae are grown already knowing their native language, Rootsong. Rootsong is spoken through a combination of sounds created by limbs, membranes, and movement that all come together to create a “song” that can be understood as words and sentences. To the uninitiated, these sounds tend to sound more "natural", with many comparing their songs to an orchestra of leaves rustling in the wind, branches rubbing together, and sometimes softer instrumental sounds such as a noise akin to a flute. Emotion and intent can be understood through the pitches and speed of the sounds, with faster, lighter pitches used for happier words, and lower, slower pitches for more negatively-inclined words. Dionae are capable of comprehending and oftentimes speaking a plethora of languages found throughout the spur, although they can have some difficulties with speaking languages that require certain facial features or body parts used in motions and gestures whilst speaking. To overcome this Dionae are capable of growing or designating a Nymph to create a mimicry of what they’re missing, such as by designating a Nymph to act as a tail to assist them in speaking certain languages or using biomass to create appendages that can act as fingers for sign language.

Naming

The naming conventions of Dionae are as diverse and intricate as the beings themselves, varying significantly depending on the origin of the gestalt. Unlike other sophonts within the Orion Spur, in which there exists a conventional naming system that generally is applied to all members of the species, Dionae are deeply rooted in their experiences, emotions, actions or ideals, in which their names serve as a reflection of their identity. They are highly fluid, changing as the Dionae evolves and undergoes new experiences, and can be both literal and metaphorical in nature. A Dionae's name might stem from daily routines, significant memories of interactions with others, particular fascinations or emotions, unique locations where important events occurred, or even distinctive physical features. The broad range of inspirations indicates there exists no limit to the length or complexity of a Dionae's name, through for practical reasons, they are typically shortened to make them more manageable in written form.

Voidic Dionae

See: Voidic Proto-Culture

Voidic Proto-Culture refers to the oral traditions, behaviours, and beliefs held by feral or wild Dionae gestalts that exist within the vast expanse of open space. These gestalts, often removed from the influence of more structured and technologically advanced societies, develop a unique cultural framework shaped by the harsh and isolating conditions of their environment. Despite the vast distances and isolation inherent in space, the Voidic Proto-Culture is remarkably widespread and uniform among Dionae, indicating a deep-seated set of survival strategies and shared understandings. Among the Dionae, this proto-culture is known simply as the Voidic.

Terrestial Dionae

Unlike their voidic counterparts, terrestrial Dionae do not have a uniform culture. It is heavily dependant on the origin of the gestalt, this variation stems from the wide range of environments, societies and experiences encountered by the Dionae living on different planets or within other terrestrial settings such as the Pests of Titan Prime. As a result, the cultural practices, beliefs, and behaviours of such Dionae are as varied as the worlds they inhabit. There is a complex integration of ecological, social, and historical influences that give rise to these unique cultures across the planets of the Orion Spur.

The Eternal

From left to right: Symbol of the Iron Eternal, symbol of the Orthodox Eternal, symbol of the Omnivirate, symbol of the Ichor Eternal.

See: The Eternal

The Eternal has spread far and wide across the Orion Spur. It is largely considered the most influential organisation within Dionae society, having branched into three different Schools of Thought that each has its own interpretation of the Eternal; ranging from ingesting blood to augmenting oneself with biotechnology to transcend into a reality with the Eternal in accordance with their faith. Othrodox Eternal is the most followed branch of the religion, followed by the Iron Eternal, and lastly the Ichor Eternal. Operating as an interstellar theocracy, headed by the Omnivirate, they call for all Dionae to follow the Eternal, and pledge themselves to it. The future of the faith is uncertain as it continues to develop and evolve from its circumstances in the Orion Spur. The majority of Dionae are well acquainted with the Eternal, with it being a facet of life in most factions. It is advised for players to familiarize themselves with it.

History

See: Dionae History

Dionae have a varied history, with three defined instances of first contact with the Skrell. Humans and the Unathi. Though these first contact situations each differ, they all led to the fundamental discovery of the species in a new capacity; the Skrell sought to use the species as a stop-gap measure as they built a new society without the incorporation of artificial intelligence, in the wake of the reign of Glorsh-Omega and the Genophage. They were integrated and subsequently became an integral component of the Nralakk Federation in the decades following their discovery. However, their ability to act as a replacement for the lost workforce of the Federation was merely one element of their abilities.

The discovery of the Rueltab Titan brought forward an era of concern regarding the presence of Dionae. A joint Human-Skrell expedition into Rueltab turned into a gruesome conflict following the destruction of the SAMV Ophion as a result of the largest conglomerate of Dionae to ever, and likely have ever existed in the Orion Spur, launched an attack on the expedition. This attack ultimately changed the view of Dionae for many within the Orion Spur, and after the attack surviving gestalts were forced into servitude to repay the Solarian Alliance reparations for their actions. The ensuing years saw Dionae proliferate across the Orion Spur as they found themselves assisting the Solarian Alliance in bolstering their colonisation forces in some instances. Following the discharge of their debt, many found themselves within the Republic of Biesel, building themselves a life from the scattered remnants of the Rueltab Titan.

The caution concerning Dionae only began to wane upon the discovery of their biological abilities to essentially terraform upon the unearthing of the species on Moghes. Though it is unknown how they came to arrive to the irradiated wastelands, their beneficial presence largely discounted any such further enquiry. In a matter of months, areas highly populated with Dionae and previously thought to be uninhabitable as a result of the overwhelming presence of radiation began to transform into many oases in the growing wasteland. Soon thereafter, Dionae found themselves embedded within some of the Unathi Clans, but also captured and forced into servitude similar to the survivors of the Rueltab Titan.

In recent times, Dionae have established themselves as a species within the Orion Spur that wishes to have presence on the interstellar stage. The Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria is one such example, as well as the Covenant of Xrim. Both are among the only known instances of communities having been created, and sustained, by Dionae. Though, the former more prominent than the latter, considering the vassalage of the Covenant of Xrim with the Nralakk Federation. Only time will tell whether they truly integrate within the greater Spur, besides merely being a population encompassed by the other factions present within the Orion Spur.

Major Factions

Primitive Sirens of Mictlan

Mictlan

Sankta Tereza System

Sector: Corporate Reconstruction Zone

Capital: Arequipa

Species: Human, Skrell, Unathi, Diona, IPC

Common Languages: Tau Ceti Basic, Tradeband, Sol Common

Demonyms: Mictlani

Part of: Republic of Biesel

Formerly part of: Sol Alliance

See: Mictlan

Rooted within the emigrants from Rueltab, following the completion of their debt as a result of the Rueltab Incident, Dionae have nestled themselves within their own city of “Fallowed Meadows” in the Mictlani Sertão. However, different from other Dionae settlements across the Orion Spur, the Primitive Sirens follow an ideology of technophobic primacy, where they deny themselves the pleasures and convenience of advanced technology to ensure the preservation of the true tenets of a Dionae – connection to nature, and to themselves. Though their foundations remain the same, the Primitive Sirens have evolved their approach to their understanding, and assimilated themselves within Mictlani society, to a degree, of course. Following the cornerstone of gaining experience, the Primitive Sirens regularly leave the Fallowed Meadows and work in the surrounding Mictlani cities, most of the time forming the basis of the cities’ common labourers – construction workers, operations employees and even farmhands.

Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria

See: Hieroaetheria

Standing as a beacon of interstellar cooperation and unity amidst the vast expanse of the Spur and its political system, the Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria represents a collaborative effort to foster mutual prosperity and security for the Dionae of the planet; at its core lies a commitment to diplomatic dialogue, economic integration and collective defence, aimed at ensuring stability and progress for all member entities. Hieroaetheria is unique in that it is amongst one of the few planets within the Spur dominated primarily by Dionae, but with varying views on their existence. There currently exists three factions within the Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria; The Consortium, who strives to realize the principles of freedom, equality and fairness; The Eternal Republic of the Ekane, who are religious fanatics that do not take kindly to non-Dionae or heresy; The Union of Gla'orr, a nationalistic entity that seeks to prove the supremacy of Dionae, and the inferiority of non-Dionae.

Mourning Survivors of Rueltab

See: Rueltab

The resting place of the largest formation of Dionae, the Last Vociferation of The Superlative Consensus, a Titan-class the size of Mars. Initial contact between Humanity and the Rueltab Titan resulted in the breaking out of a conflict that led to the destruction of the latter, forced to reside on Rueltab I and perform menial work to 'pay reparations' for the damage that it had inflicted during First Contact. Rueltab I is a glorified landfill for the discarded refuse of the Solarian Alliance, the Dionae put to work scavenging anything salvageable in hopes of being relocated to more prosperous colonies within the Alliance. Many eventually were distributed across the Solarian Alliance as indentured workers, some establishing their own communities such as the Primitive Sirens of Mictlan, or the Hierophants of the Eternal Gardens. Those who remained on Rueltab, even following the collapse of the Solarian Alliance, continue attempting to pay off their reparations, likely as a result of a unified guilt present in all those originating from Rueltab.

Hierophants of the Eternal Gardens

See: Eternal Gardens

Having settled in District 11 following the discharge of their debt to the Solarian Alliance, the Hierophants of the Eternal Gardens are mostly Dionae that have elected to pursue a life in accordance with one of the three branches of the Eternal. Within the centre of Eternal Gardens exists the Eternal Temple, amongst the largest religious monuments to the faith within the entirety of the Orion Spur. The way of life within District 11 is significantly influenced by the presence of the Eternal Temple, who often seek to run humanitarian campaigns to both improve the perspective of the species, but also uplift those in close proximity to the Temple. Though not considered a 'faction' in the same way as others are, it arguably has the most influence over Dionae. The Omnivirate, the head of the theocratic order of the Eternal, deliberates on decisions that may ultimately change the direction of Dionae, seeking to insert themselves in most affairs that concern the species.

Pests of Titan Prime

See: Pests of Titan Prime

Having survived in the shadows within the Vaurcae Hiveship of Titan Prime for over half a millennia, the Pests of Titan Prime are believed to have originated from a Voidic Cetus travelling amongst the stars before colliding with the Hiveship – with stories told from the survivors of the original encounter recalling flight across clouds of hydrogen, refuelling themselves to continue their own journey before being vacuumed into the hydrogen harvesters of Titan Prime. Trapping them for the next five hundred years. They were subjected to repeated onslaughts by the Vaurcae of Titan Prime, having been forced to continuously split and reform to ensure their survival. There is a deep-rooted fear of the Vaurcae for the majority of the Pests of Titan Prime, with the arrival of Titan Prime to Tau Ceti mostly allowing them to flee and begin their lives anew elsewhere. However, there still exists a minority that have chosen to forgive the Vaurcae, and assist them in integrating themselves within the Orion Spur.

Servants of the Covenant

Covenant of Xrim

Xrim System

Sector: The Estuaries

Capital: Sanctus

Species: Dionae

Common Languages: Nral'Malic and Rootsong.

Part of: Nralakk Federation

See: Covenant of Xrim

Within the deep frontier of the Nralakk Federation, the Covenant of Xrim exists in a precarious situation. Attempting to juggle their own internal strife, alongside ensuring amicable relations with its suzerain, Xrim's initial purpose significantly changed following the introduction of Dionae. With a history of religious conflict and a deep reverence to a now-departed artificial intelligence, Xrim has slowly begun to adapt to its new circumstances, at least in some regions of the planet, with others calling for an end to the Federation's control and subsequent return to their original roots. However, others call for a more systematic suppression of those calling for independence, seeking to align themselves closer to the Nralakk Federation so as to protect their positions of authority in its governance.

Indentured Wanderers of Moghes

See: Dionae in the Hegemony

Concentrated primarily within the growing nuclear wastelands of Moghes, Dionae have become a unique demographic within the sphere of influence of the Izweski Hegemony. Having first established contact in the early 2450s CE, they have sought coexistence with the Unathi, primarily Wastelanders, in which they have been used to assist in surviving the wastelands thanks to their abilities to essentially clear radiation. Though they have become integrated within some Unathi Clans, mostly the Oasis Clans, they have also become an indentured workforce not dissimilar to those in Rueltab. It is not uncommon to see Dionae being traded as objects within the Wastelands, or being used for nefarious acts.

Prisoners of the Narrows

See: The Narrows

The Narrows was a penal ship, an initial footstep for Hephaestus Industries into punitive labour. However, a cataclysmic uprising resulted in the destruction of the Narrows, with almost no survivors. The only survivors were Dionae who had been sentenced aboard the penal ship. Through repairing and expanding, Dionae would seek to claim the Narrows as their own, reclaiming the expanse of the stars as they drifted throughout it. It now serves as one of the largest 'independent' mining corporations within the Coalition of Colonies, having significantly multiplied the vessel's previous mining abilities. Though loyalty to the Narrows is uncontested, there exists subsets that do not believe that the Narrows should associate with Hephaestus Industries, but instead to forge their own path. Dionae from the Narrows that find themselves on the SCCV Horizon are typically contracted by Hephaestus Industries unless one has sought fit to desert their origin.