Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2016 11:14:36 GMT -5
PSYCHIC POLLEN (Psychicae cerinthus)
Canon
Morphology: Appearance varies, depending on the physiology of the first host that an individual takes. Spores of psychic pollen grow in pods of four to eight, and they are awakened by any form of heat. They are parasitic in nature, consuming the “inner darkness” of a host, often inducing dream states as they do so. They can go without feeding for approximately three days before they begin to starve, but due to the entertainment caused by hunting for and tormenting a victim (or victims), psychic pollen usually feed around once a day. Each member of this species has their “cue”, which is defined as a sound or action that is used to put their prey into an almost impenetrable sleep, e.g. the Dream Lord’s birdsong. Other abilities that these beings commonly have are that of telepathy (but only with others of their species and their first host), possession of other beings and teleportation. They can also perform photosynthesis, thanks to chloroplasts located in their forearms and forelegs (or equivalent) and can freely switch between being corporeal, non-corporeal (in terms of the solidity of their bodies) and reverting to the appearance of merely spores.
The latter ability, along with teleportation and possession, can be hindered by serious injury and major fatigue. Photosynthesis alone cannot sustain them; it merely serves as a useful last resort or top-up of energy. They need to sleep for just as long as an adult human per night.
It is important to note here that “entity” is only used when referring to a member of the psychic pollen species that has achieved independence from their first host. An individual before independence is technically a “manifestation”, since they have been shown to be non-corporeal at this point. In their manifested form, the actual pollen spores are embedded in the brain (at the crown of the head/the back of the parietal lobes in humanoids). Only about forty percent of psychic pollen become entities; this is why the species is unheard of in some parts of the universe. There is evidence to suggest that this species, Vishklar (Psychicae nebula) and Kantrofarri (Psychicae cancer) have a common ancestor, but no extensive research has been conducted. At an undefined, final point in their lives, psychic pollen become more conventionally plant-like, putting down roots and transforming into the same grass that grows in the Candle Meadows; thus they then begin to produce spores. At this point the individual loses sentience, in addition to the powers of communication and moving unaided, so none of their personality traits are passed on to the spores they produce.
When their surroundings drop below an undefined, very cold temperature, psychic pollen will reflexively go into hibernation, regardless of what else is going on around them. Any colder and they die. Death can also be caused by the removal of the spores from an entity’s brain. Weedkillers, such as the kind commonly made on Earth, are lethal if inhaled or ingested by psychic pollen. A potential target can anoint themselves with oil of oregano to deter these parasites; getting near it causes a reaction similar to a human with hayfever, while ingestion of it is again fatal.
While solid, entities can eat and drink conventional food, although this doesn’t give them any benefit. It is broken down into its constituent gases inside them, and exhaled as they breathe normally. Because of this, they have no need of a toilet.
Certain species aren't as susceptible to the effects induced by psychic pollen. One's mind has to have a certain level of complexity to be vulnerable; namely self-awareness. This rules out the majority of mammals, fish and birds. Even species that don't breathe can be targeted due to the pollen's telepathic properties.
Psychology: Most individuals of this species, due to their distinguishing characteristic of being formed from bad impulses, will be instinctively evil or ill-intentioned to some degree. This isn’t to say that they couldn’t be convinced to act otherwise – indeed, the “Thirteenth Doctor” in To Sleep, Perchance to Dream is shown to be largely well-meaning and kind.
A significant factor of their psychological makeup is that they inherit the memories of the host that they manifest from, and this may influence their own personality. However, psychic pollen cannot “see through their first host’s eyes” or view any memories that the host creates after they have manifested.
Psychic pollen will typically name themselves shortly after initial manifestation, although this isn’t always the case: some go without for a while until they have decided on one; others, having gained independence and reeling from the shock of being thrust into reality, are named by those that find them. There is also one who became immortalised in Earth children’s stories, as embellished and inaccurate as their versions of the tale are: Königin Maia, or “Thumbelina”.
Space-Time Coordinates: Karass Don Slava, a largely uncharted planet in the Arcturian Galaxy (a smaller next-door neighbour of the Milky Way) is home to the Candle Meadows, where all psychic pollen spores grow. However, due to the pollen’s unobtrusive size it can be blown thousands of miles – across other planets, onto ships…
Because of the vast quantity of plant life (and relative rarity of animal life) on the planet, the atmosphere has a higher oxygen content than Earth. This often causes the unprepared visitor to feel light-headed, carefree and drowsy to the point of danger. In winter, all psychic pollen living there hibernate (in the case of entities, by stowing away in enclosed, protected spaces such as hollowed-out logs). This is partly why 31st October tends to be the scariest night of the year on human-inhabited planets: psychic pollen go out en masse to binge-feed before settling down for their long sleep.
Technological Base and Level: Since it is possible for no two individuals to be similar, this is hard to pin down. Technical knowledge in one’s inherited memories may enable them to develop advanced gadgets, weaponry and even spacecraft, while another’s may only cover rubbing together two sticks to make fire. Karass Don Slava in itself is extremely primitive – an unspoilt place that tourists occasionally stop by on shuttles with the intention of exploring, only to wake up hours later in the grass, confused and angsty.
Canon
Morphology: Appearance varies, depending on the physiology of the first host that an individual takes. Spores of psychic pollen grow in pods of four to eight, and they are awakened by any form of heat. They are parasitic in nature, consuming the “inner darkness” of a host, often inducing dream states as they do so. They can go without feeding for approximately three days before they begin to starve, but due to the entertainment caused by hunting for and tormenting a victim (or victims), psychic pollen usually feed around once a day. Each member of this species has their “cue”, which is defined as a sound or action that is used to put their prey into an almost impenetrable sleep, e.g. the Dream Lord’s birdsong. Other abilities that these beings commonly have are that of telepathy (but only with others of their species and their first host), possession of other beings and teleportation. They can also perform photosynthesis, thanks to chloroplasts located in their forearms and forelegs (or equivalent) and can freely switch between being corporeal, non-corporeal (in terms of the solidity of their bodies) and reverting to the appearance of merely spores.
The latter ability, along with teleportation and possession, can be hindered by serious injury and major fatigue. Photosynthesis alone cannot sustain them; it merely serves as a useful last resort or top-up of energy. They need to sleep for just as long as an adult human per night.
It is important to note here that “entity” is only used when referring to a member of the psychic pollen species that has achieved independence from their first host. An individual before independence is technically a “manifestation”, since they have been shown to be non-corporeal at this point. In their manifested form, the actual pollen spores are embedded in the brain (at the crown of the head/the back of the parietal lobes in humanoids). Only about forty percent of psychic pollen become entities; this is why the species is unheard of in some parts of the universe. There is evidence to suggest that this species, Vishklar (Psychicae nebula) and Kantrofarri (Psychicae cancer) have a common ancestor, but no extensive research has been conducted. At an undefined, final point in their lives, psychic pollen become more conventionally plant-like, putting down roots and transforming into the same grass that grows in the Candle Meadows; thus they then begin to produce spores. At this point the individual loses sentience, in addition to the powers of communication and moving unaided, so none of their personality traits are passed on to the spores they produce.
When their surroundings drop below an undefined, very cold temperature, psychic pollen will reflexively go into hibernation, regardless of what else is going on around them. Any colder and they die. Death can also be caused by the removal of the spores from an entity’s brain. Weedkillers, such as the kind commonly made on Earth, are lethal if inhaled or ingested by psychic pollen. A potential target can anoint themselves with oil of oregano to deter these parasites; getting near it causes a reaction similar to a human with hayfever, while ingestion of it is again fatal.
While solid, entities can eat and drink conventional food, although this doesn’t give them any benefit. It is broken down into its constituent gases inside them, and exhaled as they breathe normally. Because of this, they have no need of a toilet.
Certain species aren't as susceptible to the effects induced by psychic pollen. One's mind has to have a certain level of complexity to be vulnerable; namely self-awareness. This rules out the majority of mammals, fish and birds. Even species that don't breathe can be targeted due to the pollen's telepathic properties.
Psychology: Most individuals of this species, due to their distinguishing characteristic of being formed from bad impulses, will be instinctively evil or ill-intentioned to some degree. This isn’t to say that they couldn’t be convinced to act otherwise – indeed, the “Thirteenth Doctor” in To Sleep, Perchance to Dream is shown to be largely well-meaning and kind.
A significant factor of their psychological makeup is that they inherit the memories of the host that they manifest from, and this may influence their own personality. However, psychic pollen cannot “see through their first host’s eyes” or view any memories that the host creates after they have manifested.
Psychic pollen will typically name themselves shortly after initial manifestation, although this isn’t always the case: some go without for a while until they have decided on one; others, having gained independence and reeling from the shock of being thrust into reality, are named by those that find them. There is also one who became immortalised in Earth children’s stories, as embellished and inaccurate as their versions of the tale are: Königin Maia, or “Thumbelina”.
Space-Time Coordinates: Karass Don Slava, a largely uncharted planet in the Arcturian Galaxy (a smaller next-door neighbour of the Milky Way) is home to the Candle Meadows, where all psychic pollen spores grow. However, due to the pollen’s unobtrusive size it can be blown thousands of miles – across other planets, onto ships…
Because of the vast quantity of plant life (and relative rarity of animal life) on the planet, the atmosphere has a higher oxygen content than Earth. This often causes the unprepared visitor to feel light-headed, carefree and drowsy to the point of danger. In winter, all psychic pollen living there hibernate (in the case of entities, by stowing away in enclosed, protected spaces such as hollowed-out logs). This is partly why 31st October tends to be the scariest night of the year on human-inhabited planets: psychic pollen go out en masse to binge-feed before settling down for their long sleep.
Technological Base and Level: Since it is possible for no two individuals to be similar, this is hard to pin down. Technical knowledge in one’s inherited memories may enable them to develop advanced gadgets, weaponry and even spacecraft, while another’s may only cover rubbing together two sticks to make fire. Karass Don Slava in itself is extremely primitive – an unspoilt place that tourists occasionally stop by on shuttles with the intention of exploring, only to wake up hours later in the grass, confused and angsty.
