THE XADARI Pitch: Spiritual astral projecting molluscoid scientists escaping stellar tragedy FULL FINISHED APP IS HERE (Above: Elder Highmind Xelani Thalos, chosen leader of the Xadari Technocracy.) ~ The Xadari ~ Allow me to tell you this, reader. It is hallmarked upon any sapient species’ history the wonder of discovery, that questions answered manifest more questions unanswered yet, that the universe exists to solve its enigma shrouded in mystery. The limits are not limits, inevitable in the face of progress and sapient wonder. When we were young, we gazed upon the skies with eyes. We then matured, and created the telescope to see for us. When telescopes failed us, we devised mathematics, to infer for us, to calculate for us. Then, when questions answered manifest more questions unanswered, the only path left is to fly upwards. Is it the spirit of my species to wonder questions unanswered? To prove that limits are the constructs of pessimism, to engineer the sciences to cast away burdens, to gaze upon the stars and wish with absolute covet to visit them yourself? This day was inevitable, inevitable for any sapient species who failed to destroy themselves. These questions answered manifest into questions unanswered, and the only path left is to fly. But can one fly too far? The Xadari (Zuh-dar-ri) are a species of highly intelligent yet physically weak molluscoids, possessing latent psionic power from generations of evolution near a subspace anomaly in their home system. Their large brain mass allows them full use of their astral projection, embedding within them a deep scientific rationale and spiritual connectedness. In appearance, Xadari possess octopus-like faces with large craniums, deep-set eyes, and a cluster of smaller tentacles formed around their sharp small beaks that are their mouths. Their other limbs are also a cluster of tentacles, with their elongated chest holding most of their vital organs. Most Xadari are able to levitate with anti-gravity modules worn on their bodies. Xadari reproduce sexually, lain in singular eggs that are left for nearly a year until they hatch and grow. Xadari females lay eggs sparsely, resulting in a naturally slow population growth. Female Xadari do not produce mammaries; instead, female Xadari tend to have more vivid colorations on their bodies, and often have tentacles that are flattened or streamlined, their bodies slim while male Xadari have more pronounced features such as tighter skin on their cranium and duller colors. Xadari possess a singular lung that filters out the methane-nitrogen mixture of gas native to their home planet, breaking methane into basic hydrocarbons that sustain the production of their blue blood that carries nitrogen-based compounds to the rest of their bodies. They exhale carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that is processed by the native plants of their planet. When venturing outside of their native atmosphere, Xadari usually must wear gasmask filters that provide them with a methane-nitrogen mixture from small tanks, unless they possess certain advanced lung augmentations that are able to breathe in normal oxygen-nitrogen air mixtures. Xadari are omnivorous, evolving past carnivorism as their beaks flattened with inner teeth indentations that allow them to consume both plant matter and meat. The cranium of a Xadaran holds a large brain nearly thrice the size of a human brain, allowing them a much higher magnitude of intelligence than many other species, on the level of a genetically modified apex mind or even greater. Xadari also have an organ section in their brain called the “Xadichi”, a part of their brain that contains more neutric activity that makes it to be a type of phase matter organ. The Xadichi is able to be utilized by them due to their vast intellectual awareness, and is what makes their astral projection (explained later on) possible. (Above: A style of Xadari lower tentacles.) They are governed by a body named the Xadari Technocracy, headed by a council of intelligent specialists that guide the Xadari to progress. The Xadari only currently have one planet that they inhabit, named Xalara, a moon orbiting a large gas giant named Yttaisa. Xalara is an alien planet exposed to a low number of cuils due to a subspace anomaly present in the system, orbiting around a quark star collapsed from a supernova; the star system is called Zari. (Above: The Xadari capital supercomplex known as the Citadel. Xalara’s native environment is shown.) Xadari technology is, ironically, rather primitive because the Xadari are a fairly young species. They have explored their own system with probes. The species on their planet are catalogued and they have produced technology that can be controlled with their own minds, essentially being in the advanced-modern era of their species. The only barrier left is to invent the FTL drive, an occasion that is monumental for any species ready to let loose their starbound shackles. Xadari culture is embedded with a strange mix of rationality and spirituality. Xadari possess a deep bond with each other, believing that great minds combined create even greater minds. Xadari possess a love for science, and enjoy pursuing it whether it be for themselves or others; they do not see any purpose in locking knowledge away, ready to share it provided others are ready and that they provide something worthwhile in exchange. Many Xadari consider foreign minds to be inferior if they openly display this; their rationality often causes them to act neutral in many situations, not possessing any moral scope that could be considered good or evil. Many Xadari are okay with concepts such as slavery, but will often dislike a concept if it is too brash and overextending, such as genocide or the murder of their own species. Otherwise, Xadari are enthusiastic about what they study, and make willing friends with even inferior minds of people who also pursue science or engineering. Things such as brutal combat, however, are below them. They are generally passive and will flee unless forced into a battle. Xadari utilize psionic powers that they call “Psyche”, utilizing what they consider to be the “raw” psionic arts of astral projection. Their Psyche is the evolutionary result of hundreds of generations under the effect of the subspace anomaly in their history, inducing them a low number of cuils. Their reliance on this power also reduced their physical strength, causing their bones to become more brittle and their muscles small and weak, arguable making them weaker than novakids. Their psionic powers are embedded in their culture; despite being extremely intelligent in rationale, they are spiritual, believing in the force of Psyche as a means that allows Gods to exist. These gods hold no effect on their lives, but they are able to infer that they do exist - generally, Xadari believe in a spiritual force that propagates all of the rules of nature, as well as being the source of their psionic power; they call this force the “Mist”. The Mist is intangible and inaccessible, believed to exist throughout the realm they know as hyperspace as Dark Energy. Xadari are generally pacifist in nature due to their frail bodies, preferring instead to take a neutral stance in many conflicts. When forced into self-defense, Xadari rely purely on their own technology that they possess, or their astral projections. Most Xadarans are scientists, specializing in a field of study of some sort. Most Xadarans are also often realists in worldview, finding the most rational option to be the best options. Many Xadarans are also egotistical due to their high intelligence, something they often are not afraid of showing off. A Xadari, under intense meditation, is able to create an “astral projection”, projecting their thought streams into a phase matter avatar projected from the Xadichi in their brains. Alone, their Avatars are very weak, able to only pick up light objects and possessing no real physical prowess; they are able to travel through thin walls unguarded by any energy fields and are restricted to the senses of sight and hearing. The sight of a Xadari while Astral Projecting is more vivid, colors becoming brighter and more saturated as they blur and warp around the greater distance from their body they are. Most Xadari are able to move their Avatar a distance of 100 meters away, though training and practice can increase this distance. In addition, Xadari possess a unique bond with each other, allowing multiple Xadari to meditate near each other and resonate with each others’ thoughts. They are able to combine their Avatars into one, increasing the strength and link distance of their avatar exponentially, as well as size. Avatars take an ethereal appearance of whatever their bearer has an affinity to, features sometimes being animalistic or otherwise strange in appearance, each avatar unique to their own bearer. Astral projections become stronger when in immediate range of the body, around 6 meters, being able to pick up objects easily or even defend the user. (Above: A unique Avatar created by a Xadaran. This one is abstract, others may appear as actual beings.) If an Avatar is slain during its venture outside the body by means typical of destroying other phase matter creatures, the Xadaran controlling it will suffer from a sudden loss of sensory input for up to five minutes with a fear as a result. Massive headaches and migraines will follow for up to a week, gradually reducing in intensity. The death of a Xadaran’s avatar damages their Xadichi, preventing them from projecting until it naturally heals within a week. [[ As a Xadari player, your character’s story, personality, etc. is completely up to you, provided they conform with the lore itself. Select a scientific field of study for your character unless they are some cultural position such as an artist, writer, or musician. When we begin the first RP, you will play your character during the day that the Xadari Technocracy plan to activate their first Hyperdrive. This way, you will be RPing an event that will actually allow you to experience the Xadari homeworld as well as Xadari culture in general. To create a character, you can just DM me and we will talk about it. This species was created as a means to create RP that is constructive and towards the single goal of construction and research for a dying species. Xadari are naturally nonviolent because of their frail bodies, and as such you are expected to flee or hide from immediate danger. ]] Cosigners: (Let me know if you want to cosign and aren't on the list. I'll invite you to our discord.)@WowGain @Pinkbat5 @zecon125 @PanKruk
Hi. I'll be starting the grading of this application today. I have several questions and concerns to begin with. -How much do they weigh on average? -How tall are they on average? -How much can your typical Xadari lift? I need a bit more than just 'physically weak'. -How quickly can your typical Xadari run? -How long can a Xadari live? -100 meters with the potential to be further, while being able to move through walls is far too much. I can't accept that much distance while still being able to see, hear and interact with physical objects. Reduce this, and instead give me a maximum distance one can project their Avatar either by a strict limitation in place for some reason, or simply a maximum that's been placed historically by another individual Xadari that may or may not be passed in the future by another with exceptional abilities. -More details are needed regarding the Avatar's physical strength. What's a maximum lift capacity for your typical, non-combined Avatar? How much does this increase with each Avatar that is combined into one? At what distance from the user does this physical strength begin to taper off, and how much? At what distance does an un-combined and combined Avatar's physical strength reach essentially nothing? -Are the limitations to a Xadari's focus on their Avatar similar to one who is, say, using a Qarin? Unable to move, being in a state of deep focus, etc? Basically, would losing focus through being moved, slapped in the face or anything of that nature cause the Avatar to fade away?
-How much do they weigh on average? 60-100 Lb on average. Men tend to weigh more. -How much can your typical Xadari lift? I need a bit more than just 'physically weak'. When using most of their tentacles, they can lift at around half their body weight. However, they lack many twitch muscle fibers, so actions such as throwing or punching are difficult. -How quickly can your typical Xadari run? They don't typically run, as they usually float; how far depends on the charge of their technology. On ground though, when they are forced to slither, moving too far can physically exhaust them easy. Maybe at most 100 meters before they need to rest. This changes when they're in zero gravity, as they are a lot more maneuverable in microgravity. When floating, they can usually move at jogging pace, unless they have any special tech modifications that allow them faster movement. -How long can a Xadari live? With access to modern medical technology, a Xadaran could live up to 150 years potentially. -Astral spirit stuff Sure thing. I'll make it so that the further it goes or the more strength it attempts to put out, the more strenuous it becomes to control, requiring more concentration. A historic hard limit has been 60 meters for the most focused of users, after which it becomes too painful to continue. As for strength, a quarter of what the Xadaran could normally lift (half of their body weight). Lifting at the maximum can be strenuous and the avatar's strengthen decreases proportionally to its distance from the user. When combining avatars, the concentration of the users is added together, multiplying the strength or distance by around 2.5. The effect increases the more Xadari participate, meaning that three Xadaris forming one projection is stronger than the combined strength of just three projections. I'm not going to complicate things further with hard numbers when it comes to distance. Yes. Losing focus causes the avatar to weaken or fade away completely. When combined, and a user loses focus, some strength of the avatar is lost. Telekinesis: They also have a mild form of psionic telekinesis that allows them to lift up to a quarter of their weight up to 10 meters away. Multiple objects can be grabbed and manipulated, as long as their total weight does not exceed the limit.
You mention they float. How high do they levitate off of the ground? How much variation is there in the technology that allows them to levitate and how much higher than normal would these enhancements allow them to do so? If you choose to not elaborate quite yet and save it for, say, a future tech app that's fine too. With the historical hard limit being a distance of 60 meters for their Avatars, where would you place your average Xadari's limit? I'm thinking quite far below that.
I may save it for a tech app but it's basically just an anti-grav module strapped to their back, along with their air tanks and stuff. It floats around a meter from the ground. I'm sure adding particle thrusters would allow them to move faster or higher, but they tend not to use particle thrusters in their tech. Probably at most 20-30 meters.
It was brought to my attention that at some point in the application's writing that it was possible to combine upwards of hundreds of the projections together in order to basically create a super weapon-level sort of Avatar. Regardless of whether or not that is true it helped me realize that the one problem remaining is that there is no soft cap on how many Xadari can meditate together in order to combine their projections, so that's what I want to do next. I feel a reasonable explanation behind this limitation existing is simply due to there being too much "noise" in their minds between the ever-increasing amount of Xadari that would join in on this group meditation, so the next thing that should be established is how many Xadari at most (who are experienced in doing so, mind you) would be able to do this. Personally, I'd advise no more than 5 at one time, again using experienced Xadari. Those who don't delve into it quite as much I'd say 2, or 3 at a stretch with the potential for the projection to not last very long just due to a lack of synchronization.
Alright. That's all the clarification I need. I find this all to be balanced enough. Passed and awaiting a seconding or further questions from another grader.
