PmWiki | PhotonKnights / Mimirogue

Mimirogue are appar as tetrapodal humanoids, and can use most equipment designed for tetrapods or hexapods. However, cellular analysis indicates that they are in fact a highly specialized polynucleated cytoplasmatic aggregate, closer in genetic relation to the Armus of Vagra II. Most animal lifeforms on their home planet follow this model; it is not known how the humanoid strain came about, but as is often the case with this sort of thing, external interference previous to official Imperial survey is suspected. The fact that mimirogue are, essentially, single-cell organisms means that they are easy to clone without suffering from clonal degeneration. Due to a high degree of cytoplasmatic specialization, mimirogue are unable to naturally alter their phenotype quickly, although stories of mimirogue ki users who impose atavistic traits upon themselves for the purpose of "face dancing" abound. Most mimirogue retain a digitigrade gait, making it hard for them to stand still.

They are somewhat short for humanoids, coming up at roughly 130 to 150 standard centimeters (four to four-and-eight-twelfth Zardoz cubits); the top of their ears more or less reaches standard humanoid height.

Mimirogue, like whiptail lizards, reproduce parthenogenetically. They maintain genetic diversity through outbreeding and through breastfeeding from individuals other than their mothers (groups of two or three will constitute a family unit and share colostrum). Litters are generally small (1 to 3), but since family mates tend to gestate with light staggering due to hormonal synchronization, multiple mammary glands are necessary. The parthenogenetic process is somewhat akin to slime mold budding at the earliest stages.

Due to their biology, Mimirogue are about as easy to clone as plants, and can even be artificially reproduced by forced budding and iatric mold tanks. Individuals so produced tend to remain in a blanked-out state until exposed to sufficient karmatronic influence that their brain starts up normally; the practice is somewhat controversial and rumors of organ farms and the like abound, although Mimirogue practice it on their home planet without issues. Careful karmatronic manipulation of a Mimirogue bud, coupled with reimplantation, can result in artificially generated siamese twins; in particular, this technique has been applied for generations onto the Twin Queens of the Mimirogue home planet, reputed to hold great wisdom due to having two brains. The import of iatric mold after contact has made the ritual essentially risk-free compared to what it used to be.

Mimirogue did not discover spaceflight independently and were catalogued as an uplifted race by Imperial scholars. Their reputation for low intelligence is simply due to their low attention span, stemming from their aboriginal environmental conditions. Due to their biology, for a time after initial cataloguing (and despite the evidence) they were not considered an actual intelligent species for a while; independent researchers and entrepreneur would abduct some and try to make them into assassins, courteseans, cuddlebuddies, and so on. By the time the mistake was corrected, stereotypes about mimirogues had already formed in Imperial culture.

The skeleton of a mimirogue is deposited from calcium accretion; juvenile mimirogue effectively have no bones, as the membrane structure that is intended to calcify into a skeleton only begins to harden after birth. Mimirogue pseudoskeletons imitate a hexapodal configuration, but with the middle pair of limbs mostly atrophied into two extra pairs of ribs; its muscles evolved to instead provide extra support for the chest, abdomen, and lower back. Thanks to this and to their fast metabolism, Mimirogue are noticeably tougher than they look.

Mimirogue are primarily herbivorous, and often thought to be obligate vegetarians. Those who aren't tend to shun red meat.

Mimirogue Phenotype

The mimirogue phenotype is a racial trait that comes with enhanced toughness (D), natural healing (D+), and a base speed of +2.

Enhanced Toughness D – Creatures with this trait are more durable than they appear. At rank D, grants +1 base health, and further increases health by +1 per 5 base health.
Natural Healing D+ – Creatures with this trait recover health naturally over time, even without medical care. At rank D, 1 health is recovered per cycle, and recovery is doubled with proper care. In addition, Mimirogues are capable of regenerating lost body parts, albeit at a slow rate.

Rabitian Phenotype

The rabitian phenotype is a racial trait that comes with limbless, natural healing (D), telekinesis (B), enhanced durability (E), and a base speed of +1.

Limbless – Creatures with this trait lack arms (and so hands as well) and legs. This limitation isn't quite as extreme as some might believe, but it does cause some minor problems at times.
Enhanced Durability E – Creatures with this trait are harder to injure than normal. At rank E, grants a +1 bonus to combat defense rolls.
Natural Healing D – Creatures with this trait recover health naturally over time, even without medical care. At rank D, 1 health is recovered per cycle, and recovery is doubled with proper care.
Telekinesis B – Creatures with this trait gain the psionic ability to manipulate stuff at a distance. This is an Excuse for various narrative abilities. The specifics of this trait, such as range, strength, and other limitations can be discussed with the game master.