Lepiformidons are an omnivorous species from planet Polyominus. That still makes them quite dangerous to the planet's sapient species Segmentasapiens. They are possibly simply a predator of Segmentasapiens, not necessarily the natural one or a superpredator, which explains why they are found in Eta-Nemetrix (Nemetrix's "bootleg" version).
Appearance[]
Lepiformidons are flightless insect-like aliens which are as big as medium-sized dogs. They look very vaguely like silverfish and feed similarly. Lepiformidon's body is made up from building block-like segments which are connected from the inside by rubbery-dark substance similar to oil. It's body is sleek and more mobile than it looks.
Lore[]
Lepiformidons have evolved during one particular period when Segmentasapiens were hiding during invasions, through the process of natural selection. Possibly the invaders helped this process, by destroying weaker, more peaceful members of Lepiformidon ancestors which left the cunning, fastest and more ruthless Lepiformidons to populate. Since they spend lots of energy during their everyday lives, Lepiformidons became gluttonous too, but at least their larger size diminished the average number of their brood.
Abilities[]
Lepiformidon can be injured or even killed by a Segmentasapien if it's hit with enough force, so it tries to avoid situations in which Segmentasapiens form a bigger construct to crush it. Attacking Segmentasapiens, while they are hiding from nearby invaders, are one of these approaches. When a Lepiformidon bites into a Segmentasapien, it releases an enzyme, which renders that part more numb, so it can gnaw at it or even sever it. Letting a Lepiformidon bite his head (or any part housing life core) can be a death sentence to a Segmentasapien. Segmentasapiens try to launch away the part onto which a Lepiformidon has grasped. Lepiformidons can be hurt by Segmentasapiens explosive projectiles, so they use their agility, mouthparts and tail scythes to slash off a part of a Segmentasapien. Lepiformidon's front limbs have broom like hairs, which helps it gather together pieces of the material it eats in case it runs into an area covered in rubble. To avoid being spotted by Polyominus invaders, Lepiformidon can transform itself into an object of primitive shape (it lacks the power to shapeshift as proficiently as a Segmentasapien) or hide in a cavity it has made. Lepiformidon must watch out because a Segmentasapien can crush Lepiformidon when it has crawled into said cavity. Finally, Lepiformidons can arrive in large swarms, against which a smaller group of Segmentasapiens cannot defend without more advanced strategy.
Etymology[]
It's species name are made from latin words "lepisma" and "formido" which mean "silverfish" and "dread", respectively.
Trivia[]
- Lepiformidon is modelled after silverfish, which can eat materials which can be seen as inedible to humans or most animals.
- Lepiformidon's ability to digest Segmentasapiens material is probably enchanced by microorganisms residing inside it's gut, which can chemically break down the material to managable pieces helping it's host, Lepiformidon.
- Lepiformidon is an omnivore, because it can not only digest Segmentasapien blocky flesh, but also structures Segmentasapiens themselves build which cannot come to life (unless they are infused with it by Segmentasapiens themselves).