Llama
Tank
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2004
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As always, pointers / comments / critisisms (where necessary) valued :cheers:
In Depth: Xen Fauna
Wild Xenian Contents
a) Headcrab
b) Bullsquid
c) Barnacle
d) Houndeye
e) Panthereye
f) Snark
g) Leech
h) Tentacle
i) Ichthyosaur
j) Gargantua
k) Ant Lion
l) Myrmidont
m) Gonarch
Civilised Xenian Contents
a) Why Civilised?
b) Vortigaunt
c) Alien Grunt
d) Controller (Xen Master)
Wild Xenians
Headcrab - The Headcrab ranks among one of the most basic Xenian life forms. Small, parasitic aliens that scuttle along the floor at a slow speed. The Headcrab is a parasite by nature, and makes up for its slow speed with a considerable jump. It is unknown which life forms the Headcrab can use their parasitic abilities on. However, we known how these Xenians use them due to “Zombies”, unfortunately humans that have fallen host. The Headcrab jumps at the head of the victim and latches on by digging its four sharp claws into the front and back of the shoulder blades. It’s underbelly houses a wide, circular mouth containing a strong, sharp beak. The Headcrab uses this beak to burrow through the skull into the brain of the victim. Once this has occurred the Headcrab can slowly take over the hosts’ nervous system. Exactly how this is achieved is unknown, but following a “Crabbing” the hosts’ body mutates and loses most of its flexibility. We know that “Zombies” are primarily flesh eaters, but the Crabs natural diet is up to speculation, though it is most likely flesh.
Bullsquid - The Bullsquid is an amphibious monster, found in and around the rivers, ponds, and other wet areas of the alien world of Xen. They also have the infrequent tendency to hide in tight crevices. They are immune to radioactive waste. Bullsquid are approximately 2 metres in length, and its smooth skin is characterized by a deep yellow colouration with dark brown and olive spots, like those of a toad. The basic shape of the Bullsquids body is that of a squid, and has two cloven-hoofed legs, like those of a bull, hence the name. The Bullsquids front end has two large eyes, and multi-toothed mouth ringed by several long claw-tipped tentacles. This tentacle area is almost always very red, either from natural colouration or the blood of its last meal. The other end features a club tail tipped with a non-poisonous scorpion-spike. The Bullsquid can attack by biting its prey, or swinging its tail like a mace. However, it prefers to attack long-range, by spitting gobs of acidic green slime out of its mouth. These globs can easily travel medium range distances without a compromise in accuracy. Bullsquids are simple creatures that rely on power to take down their prey. They have two very simple driving influences, the need to feed, and the need to mate. If not mating Bullsquids will attack most other animals, including other Bullsquid. It feeds off humans, Headcrabs and other Bullsquids.
Barnacle - The barnacle is a slow-witted, immobile Xenian predator. Resembling a pulsating sac of ceiling hanging flesh with jaws, the barnacle uses its long, sticky tongue to wrap around and ensnare its prey. One anchored it is completely immobile, and therefore completely defenceless. However, anything caught in its tongue, unless it attacks the Barnacle and kills it, it doomed to be eaten alive. The barnacle is highly fragile, so it will therefore attach itself to dark, low ceilings while waiting for potential prey to pass by.
Houndeye - The common Houndeye or “Sound dog” is by nature a pack animal. It is rare to find one of these small, doglike animals alone, for alone they are shy and unhappy creatures. They are predators that can emit highly damaging sonic waves. These waves are produced by the growing neon crystals on the backs of the animals. These waves have a radius of several feet in any direction and can serious rupture the internal organs of most organisms in its path. Although they live in packs, this is mainly due to protection - They are predators, but are far to small to attempt an attack on a predator like a Bullsquid. The Houndeyes most unusual feature is its physical appearance. Although it is dog-sized, it only has three legs, two in front and one hind leg. Its skin is a striped greenish colour, and its entire head is made up of a single, large, black compound eye. When happily fed, the Houndeye is a relatively peaceful animal that will only attack during mating season or if it feels threatened.
Panthereye - The Panthereye first appears a much larger cousin of the Houndeye, but this is in appearance only. It is a territorial solitary hunter. It does not have the ability to emit sonic waves, instead it uses its incredibly strong back legs (The Panthereye is, unlike the Houndeyes, a quadruped) to pounce on its prey, tearing at it with the razor sharp claws on its arms. Its body is much larger then a Houndeye, and distinctly more proportional - The legs are longer, and it features a separate head. It is also a very dark shade of red. It is far more aggressive than a Houndeye, attacking on sight and only stopping when the victim is dead.
Snarks - Snarks are, unquestionably, the most irritating creatures ever encountered on Xen. Highly aggressive Xenian insectiod creatures, Snarks are spawned from birthing sacs which can contain up to five or six Snarks. Despite their small size the Snarks have a very nasty bite. Combined with their somewhat disturbing speed and miniscule body size, a group of Snarks can become a deadly threat. Due to an incredibly fast metabolism, a Snark can only survive outside its birthing sack for a minute at maximum in Earth conditions. However, it is speculated they can survive for several hours on Xen, long enough to reproduce. Snarks will attempt (occasionally failing) to eat anything, including full grown Gargantua. When dying, Snarks explode, taking the scenery with them.
Tentacles - Tentacles are the Limbs of large pulsating organisms that dwell far below ground level. Each “Tentacle” is a long and thin (but still enormous) green appendage ending in a several foot long beak. Each head seems to be granted its own primitive brain, and hunts for prey by sensing vibrations then smashing down with its huge beak. It then drags its prey down by means of a sucker below the beak, where it can feed on the nutrients produced by decay. Tentacles are almost invulnerable to most weaponry, certainly in the way of one man firepower. They posses incredible powers of regeneration, and cannot be killed unless the head is severed completely.
Ichthyosaur - The Ichthyosaur is a very fast and agile predator that bears more resemblance to Jaws than anything else. It shares the basic shape of a Great White, but with several differences. The first is its fins end in long stabbing claws. The second is that even though it is smaller than a Great White its mouth is far larger. Another difference is the feeding habits of the Ichthyosaur. Rather than rip its prey apart the Xenian fish attempts to swallow it whole. Ichthyosaurs are solitary hunters but can cooperate with other individuals in the search for food. They will eat anything, literally, that falls in the water and cannot drag itself out in time. It takes the Ichthyosaur about ten seconds to recognize that prey has appeared, but once that connection has been made the Ichthyosaur will concentrate on attacking until each it or its prey has died.
Gargantua - It is undecided whether or not Gargantua are naturally occurring aliens or whether they are produced in the Xen factories. Regardless, they are an incredibly powerful threat. Gargantua stand about twelve to sixteen feet tall, are coated in thick blue armour and see using a single red large eye. Each arm ends in a pincer shape that can (when opened) shoot a blistering steam of fire and plasma several metres in the direction the creature is aiming. If attacked in close range the Gargantua will swing its arms (The actual power of these blows can smash concrete and snap metal) or use its feet to crush. Stamping there feet can also, if perfectly times, released a shot of red energy that obliterates anything it hits. They are highly territorial animals that attack whenever they sense a non Xenian life form. The armour prevents bullets from damaging the creature. It can only be hurt be extremely powerful explosive or energy weapons. Fortunately, this armour seems to also restrict brain space, as this is not the most intelligent life form ever to evolve - far from it.
Ant Lions - Ant Lions are insectiod Xenians that resemble giant crosses between beetles and ants. Six legged with wings used for flying short distances, the Ant Lion attacks by using its two front limbs as spears to skewer whatever is unfortunate to disturb them. However, using machinery (called thumpers) to strike the ground produces vibrations strong enough to scare Ant Lions off. They live in colonies buried in soft soil or sand. Whenever something touches the ground the Ant Lions sense the vibration, bursting through the ground and attacking as one. They share a hatred towards other Xen fauna, in particular Headcrabs and Bullsquids. They can be prompted to attack or resist attacking through the use of Aromatic Spores. Ant Lions are typically a dirty yellow colour but it varies depending on the terrain of their habitat.
Myrmidont - The Ant Lion Guard, or Myrmidont, is an enormous relative of the Ant Lion family. They do not posses the ability to fly but make up for it with enormous size and great power. A muddy brown colour, Myrmidont are six legged and partially covered in armour plating. While not as tough as, say, the armour of a Gargantua, it is extremely resilient. The armour is thickest on the head, which the Guard uses to smash bones as it charges. When standing a Guard is over seven feet tall, and can gallop at upwards of twenty miles an hour. Each Guard possess spores grown inside the body to control the lesser Ant Lions. Like its smaller brethren, it shares a hatred for anything that intrudes on its territory. Unlike Ant Lions, Ant Lion Guards are not put off by thumpers.
Gonarch - Gonarch is a rare creature (or it may have been a completely isolated creature). It appears to be a gigantic armour plated Headcrab, towering at least three times the height of a man. Under belly is slung a huge birthing sac that spawns its young. It can throw corrosive balls of acid by spitting or striking with its huge legs (each leg has several spikes protruding from it) With the exception of the birthing sac it is completely invulnerable to weaponry. It is almost certain that the Gonarch did not grow from a normal Headcrab, for size difference is to enormous to contemplate. It is also far more spherical in shape with a higher profile. It even charges rather than scuttles. When it takes enough damage and dies the body of the Gonarch spasms violently before exploding, releasing up to fifteen young Gonarch.
Wild Xenians
Why Civilised? - The Xenians In this class are called “Civilised” for many reasons, explained here:
They have a clearly defined social structure that follows guidelines not set by evolution. They, like humans, can communicate emotions and there own thoughts using speech. They can engineer great structures and have a complex culture. They can even change their own bodies through production growth.
Vortigaunts - These creatures occupy the lowest parts of the Xen hierarchy. Bred for loyalty and chained for obedience the Alien Slaves (or Vortigaunts) are the slaves of the Xen race. They are forced to perform all the manual labour and are the servants to the more powerful Grunts. They are controlled by Controllers, and they can communicate using telepathy. The Alien Slaves are actually the most powerful members of the race and equally as intelligent as the Controllers which oppress them, but are kept in toe and unquestioning by the so called Slave Collars. If a Slave tried to disobey the collar would cause it unquestionable pain. They attack by generating electricity that they fire from their hands.
Alien Grunts - grunts are the backbone of Xen’s armies. Born and grown in containers, grunts can be produced in large numbers in a very short space of time. Their bodies are partial covered in an exo-skeleton of metal and a wasp shorting ‘hive hand’ is attached to the left arm. While the Grunts are still chained by the Controllers under their direct control, they can make their own basic free decisions, and they are not punished for not following direct orders, meaning that they occupy a higher position in the hierarchy, similar to that of a medieval knight.
Controllers (Xen Masters) - These creatures occupy the higher tier of Xen. Flying thin humanoids with abnormally large skulls, they posses the ability to launch balls of yellow plasma from their heads or their hands. They are the most intelligent of Xenians with the most diverse use of both telepathy and speech.
In Depth: Xen Fauna
Wild Xenian Contents
a) Headcrab
b) Bullsquid
c) Barnacle
d) Houndeye
e) Panthereye
f) Snark
g) Leech
h) Tentacle
i) Ichthyosaur
j) Gargantua
k) Ant Lion
l) Myrmidont
m) Gonarch
Civilised Xenian Contents
a) Why Civilised?
b) Vortigaunt
c) Alien Grunt
d) Controller (Xen Master)
Wild Xenians
Headcrab - The Headcrab ranks among one of the most basic Xenian life forms. Small, parasitic aliens that scuttle along the floor at a slow speed. The Headcrab is a parasite by nature, and makes up for its slow speed with a considerable jump. It is unknown which life forms the Headcrab can use their parasitic abilities on. However, we known how these Xenians use them due to “Zombies”, unfortunately humans that have fallen host. The Headcrab jumps at the head of the victim and latches on by digging its four sharp claws into the front and back of the shoulder blades. It’s underbelly houses a wide, circular mouth containing a strong, sharp beak. The Headcrab uses this beak to burrow through the skull into the brain of the victim. Once this has occurred the Headcrab can slowly take over the hosts’ nervous system. Exactly how this is achieved is unknown, but following a “Crabbing” the hosts’ body mutates and loses most of its flexibility. We know that “Zombies” are primarily flesh eaters, but the Crabs natural diet is up to speculation, though it is most likely flesh.
Bullsquid - The Bullsquid is an amphibious monster, found in and around the rivers, ponds, and other wet areas of the alien world of Xen. They also have the infrequent tendency to hide in tight crevices. They are immune to radioactive waste. Bullsquid are approximately 2 metres in length, and its smooth skin is characterized by a deep yellow colouration with dark brown and olive spots, like those of a toad. The basic shape of the Bullsquids body is that of a squid, and has two cloven-hoofed legs, like those of a bull, hence the name. The Bullsquids front end has two large eyes, and multi-toothed mouth ringed by several long claw-tipped tentacles. This tentacle area is almost always very red, either from natural colouration or the blood of its last meal. The other end features a club tail tipped with a non-poisonous scorpion-spike. The Bullsquid can attack by biting its prey, or swinging its tail like a mace. However, it prefers to attack long-range, by spitting gobs of acidic green slime out of its mouth. These globs can easily travel medium range distances without a compromise in accuracy. Bullsquids are simple creatures that rely on power to take down their prey. They have two very simple driving influences, the need to feed, and the need to mate. If not mating Bullsquids will attack most other animals, including other Bullsquid. It feeds off humans, Headcrabs and other Bullsquids.
Barnacle - The barnacle is a slow-witted, immobile Xenian predator. Resembling a pulsating sac of ceiling hanging flesh with jaws, the barnacle uses its long, sticky tongue to wrap around and ensnare its prey. One anchored it is completely immobile, and therefore completely defenceless. However, anything caught in its tongue, unless it attacks the Barnacle and kills it, it doomed to be eaten alive. The barnacle is highly fragile, so it will therefore attach itself to dark, low ceilings while waiting for potential prey to pass by.
Houndeye - The common Houndeye or “Sound dog” is by nature a pack animal. It is rare to find one of these small, doglike animals alone, for alone they are shy and unhappy creatures. They are predators that can emit highly damaging sonic waves. These waves are produced by the growing neon crystals on the backs of the animals. These waves have a radius of several feet in any direction and can serious rupture the internal organs of most organisms in its path. Although they live in packs, this is mainly due to protection - They are predators, but are far to small to attempt an attack on a predator like a Bullsquid. The Houndeyes most unusual feature is its physical appearance. Although it is dog-sized, it only has three legs, two in front and one hind leg. Its skin is a striped greenish colour, and its entire head is made up of a single, large, black compound eye. When happily fed, the Houndeye is a relatively peaceful animal that will only attack during mating season or if it feels threatened.
Panthereye - The Panthereye first appears a much larger cousin of the Houndeye, but this is in appearance only. It is a territorial solitary hunter. It does not have the ability to emit sonic waves, instead it uses its incredibly strong back legs (The Panthereye is, unlike the Houndeyes, a quadruped) to pounce on its prey, tearing at it with the razor sharp claws on its arms. Its body is much larger then a Houndeye, and distinctly more proportional - The legs are longer, and it features a separate head. It is also a very dark shade of red. It is far more aggressive than a Houndeye, attacking on sight and only stopping when the victim is dead.
Snarks - Snarks are, unquestionably, the most irritating creatures ever encountered on Xen. Highly aggressive Xenian insectiod creatures, Snarks are spawned from birthing sacs which can contain up to five or six Snarks. Despite their small size the Snarks have a very nasty bite. Combined with their somewhat disturbing speed and miniscule body size, a group of Snarks can become a deadly threat. Due to an incredibly fast metabolism, a Snark can only survive outside its birthing sack for a minute at maximum in Earth conditions. However, it is speculated they can survive for several hours on Xen, long enough to reproduce. Snarks will attempt (occasionally failing) to eat anything, including full grown Gargantua. When dying, Snarks explode, taking the scenery with them.
Tentacles - Tentacles are the Limbs of large pulsating organisms that dwell far below ground level. Each “Tentacle” is a long and thin (but still enormous) green appendage ending in a several foot long beak. Each head seems to be granted its own primitive brain, and hunts for prey by sensing vibrations then smashing down with its huge beak. It then drags its prey down by means of a sucker below the beak, where it can feed on the nutrients produced by decay. Tentacles are almost invulnerable to most weaponry, certainly in the way of one man firepower. They posses incredible powers of regeneration, and cannot be killed unless the head is severed completely.
Ichthyosaur - The Ichthyosaur is a very fast and agile predator that bears more resemblance to Jaws than anything else. It shares the basic shape of a Great White, but with several differences. The first is its fins end in long stabbing claws. The second is that even though it is smaller than a Great White its mouth is far larger. Another difference is the feeding habits of the Ichthyosaur. Rather than rip its prey apart the Xenian fish attempts to swallow it whole. Ichthyosaurs are solitary hunters but can cooperate with other individuals in the search for food. They will eat anything, literally, that falls in the water and cannot drag itself out in time. It takes the Ichthyosaur about ten seconds to recognize that prey has appeared, but once that connection has been made the Ichthyosaur will concentrate on attacking until each it or its prey has died.
Gargantua - It is undecided whether or not Gargantua are naturally occurring aliens or whether they are produced in the Xen factories. Regardless, they are an incredibly powerful threat. Gargantua stand about twelve to sixteen feet tall, are coated in thick blue armour and see using a single red large eye. Each arm ends in a pincer shape that can (when opened) shoot a blistering steam of fire and plasma several metres in the direction the creature is aiming. If attacked in close range the Gargantua will swing its arms (The actual power of these blows can smash concrete and snap metal) or use its feet to crush. Stamping there feet can also, if perfectly times, released a shot of red energy that obliterates anything it hits. They are highly territorial animals that attack whenever they sense a non Xenian life form. The armour prevents bullets from damaging the creature. It can only be hurt be extremely powerful explosive or energy weapons. Fortunately, this armour seems to also restrict brain space, as this is not the most intelligent life form ever to evolve - far from it.
Ant Lions - Ant Lions are insectiod Xenians that resemble giant crosses between beetles and ants. Six legged with wings used for flying short distances, the Ant Lion attacks by using its two front limbs as spears to skewer whatever is unfortunate to disturb them. However, using machinery (called thumpers) to strike the ground produces vibrations strong enough to scare Ant Lions off. They live in colonies buried in soft soil or sand. Whenever something touches the ground the Ant Lions sense the vibration, bursting through the ground and attacking as one. They share a hatred towards other Xen fauna, in particular Headcrabs and Bullsquids. They can be prompted to attack or resist attacking through the use of Aromatic Spores. Ant Lions are typically a dirty yellow colour but it varies depending on the terrain of their habitat.
Myrmidont - The Ant Lion Guard, or Myrmidont, is an enormous relative of the Ant Lion family. They do not posses the ability to fly but make up for it with enormous size and great power. A muddy brown colour, Myrmidont are six legged and partially covered in armour plating. While not as tough as, say, the armour of a Gargantua, it is extremely resilient. The armour is thickest on the head, which the Guard uses to smash bones as it charges. When standing a Guard is over seven feet tall, and can gallop at upwards of twenty miles an hour. Each Guard possess spores grown inside the body to control the lesser Ant Lions. Like its smaller brethren, it shares a hatred for anything that intrudes on its territory. Unlike Ant Lions, Ant Lion Guards are not put off by thumpers.
Gonarch - Gonarch is a rare creature (or it may have been a completely isolated creature). It appears to be a gigantic armour plated Headcrab, towering at least three times the height of a man. Under belly is slung a huge birthing sac that spawns its young. It can throw corrosive balls of acid by spitting or striking with its huge legs (each leg has several spikes protruding from it) With the exception of the birthing sac it is completely invulnerable to weaponry. It is almost certain that the Gonarch did not grow from a normal Headcrab, for size difference is to enormous to contemplate. It is also far more spherical in shape with a higher profile. It even charges rather than scuttles. When it takes enough damage and dies the body of the Gonarch spasms violently before exploding, releasing up to fifteen young Gonarch.
Wild Xenians
Why Civilised? - The Xenians In this class are called “Civilised” for many reasons, explained here:
They have a clearly defined social structure that follows guidelines not set by evolution. They, like humans, can communicate emotions and there own thoughts using speech. They can engineer great structures and have a complex culture. They can even change their own bodies through production growth.
Vortigaunts - These creatures occupy the lowest parts of the Xen hierarchy. Bred for loyalty and chained for obedience the Alien Slaves (or Vortigaunts) are the slaves of the Xen race. They are forced to perform all the manual labour and are the servants to the more powerful Grunts. They are controlled by Controllers, and they can communicate using telepathy. The Alien Slaves are actually the most powerful members of the race and equally as intelligent as the Controllers which oppress them, but are kept in toe and unquestioning by the so called Slave Collars. If a Slave tried to disobey the collar would cause it unquestionable pain. They attack by generating electricity that they fire from their hands.
Alien Grunts - grunts are the backbone of Xen’s armies. Born and grown in containers, grunts can be produced in large numbers in a very short space of time. Their bodies are partial covered in an exo-skeleton of metal and a wasp shorting ‘hive hand’ is attached to the left arm. While the Grunts are still chained by the Controllers under their direct control, they can make their own basic free decisions, and they are not punished for not following direct orders, meaning that they occupy a higher position in the hierarchy, similar to that of a medieval knight.
Controllers (Xen Masters) - These creatures occupy the higher tier of Xen. Flying thin humanoids with abnormally large skulls, they posses the ability to launch balls of yellow plasma from their heads or their hands. They are the most intelligent of Xenians with the most diverse use of both telepathy and speech.
