The Taynix are slug-like eyeless creatures about the size of a loaf of bread which come in a range of subtypes differentiated by colour patterns and cytonic abilities.
Description[]
Anatomy and Physiology[]
Approximately the size of a loaf of bread but thinner a Taynix's body is long, flat and boneless, covered in short spikes along it's back and with a eyeless fleshy bulb rather than a head.
The coloration and patterning varies between subtypes, Hyperslugs are yellow with blue spikes and patterns, Commslugs are purple with orange patterns, Boomslugs red with black and so on.
Taynix move either by crawling or (in the case of Hyperslugs) via cytonic teleportation. Lacking eyes they perceive their environment through a mixture of sound, scent and cytonic radar.
Being boneless, Taynix can tolerate g-forces better than many species, their bodies compressing and going rigid, though they do not enjoy the experience.
Behaviour and Life Cycle[]
Taynix are highly intelligent semi-sapient animals capable of recognizing individuals and places, forming emotional attachments and understanding moderately complex orders.
Able to make a variety of fluting and trilling noises with their spines they are prolific mimics capable of recreating a wide variety of sounds including words and environmental noises. These sounds serve primarily to attract attention and express emotion with more complex communication being possible via cytonic telepathy.
Taynix are highly affectionate responding positively to physical affection such as petting or cuddling and are quick to form strong emotional attachments to a carer and recognise and remember familiar figures even after prolonged separation.
Powers & Abilities[]
Perhaps their most notable trait is their cytonic abilities, all Taynix have evolved to make use of the Nowhere (the timeless spaceless alternate dimension used for FTL travel) with the specific abilities varying between subtype.
Known subtypes include:
Hyperslugs - Yellow and blue Taynix which possess the ability to transport themselves (and passengers in physical contact) through the Nowhere instantaneously as a form of FTL teleportation. Hyperslugs are capable of evading the attentions of the Delvers by projecting a misleading cytonic 'scream' that masks their actual passage. Within the Nowhere Hyperslugs are capable of subsisting entirely of negative energy/cytonic radiation producing a substance known as reality ashes as a by-product as well as using advanced illusory capabilities to adopt different shapes as a form of concealment.
Commslugs - Purple and orange Taynix possessing the ability to communicate cytonically over interstellar ranges, when linked to the appropriate machinery they enable FTL transmissions.
Boomslugs - Red and black Taynix capable of projecting 'mindblades' a form of invisible telekinetic blade that can cut apart most materials and dice whatever threatens the Taynix in question.
Inhibitorslugs - Blue and lime green Taynix who can produce an inhibitor field which dampens and silences cytonic activity preventing the usage of cytonic powers within it's area of effect, as well as making teleportation in impossible. Exceptions can be made allowing the use of cytonics within the field by sharing a cytonic 'key' a mental cipher that acts as a form of user permission.
Homeworld[]
Originally native to the planet Cambri the Taynix's natural abilities allow them to move between planets easily and populations can be found across the universe. Their preferred diet is primarily fungi and as such they are often found in subterranean environments.