Name: Stellarwhales "Caelum Piscis" Description: Stellarwhales are debatably the largest living creature in the entire known universe, only possibly being over taken by the organism that destroyed earth, or some larger Shifter hive worlds. Stellarwhales glow with a faint purple light emanating from beneath their skin, in a similar manner to bio-luminescent jellyfish. However, physically they look closer to deep sea Whales or Porpoises. These lights occasionally flash in different colors, such as yellow, green and blue underneath the skin around the creature's belly and fins as a result of their method of ingestion. Linning their body are six huge flippers arranged symmetrically down their stomach, three at each side, with one massive spoon shaped tail fin, similar in shape to that of a manatee's. At the front of their body is an elongated snout and huge toothless mouth, capable of opening to the width of the creatures body when necessitated. On each side of their heads are three huge, glowing yellow eyes capable of looking in multiple directions at once. These have a strangely human quality about them, due to their round black pupils at the center of each eye, and large dark bags underneath. For this reason Stellarwhales always seem to look tired. These creatures are so large, they have to live outside of the atmosphere of planets, instead swimming through outer space. Behavior: Stellarwhales are renownedly solitary creatures, only coming into contact with their own kind by chance and deliberately avoiding any external contact from other races unless absolutely necessary. Most of their lives are spent swimming aimlessly through space looking for another meal, completely and utterly alone. Tamability: Taming a Stellarwhale (Singular) is neigh-impossible as they pay almost no regard to humanoid sized lifeforms, considering they're like insects in comparison to them. They deliberately avoid spacecraft that try to make contact. For these reasons, even gauging the intellect of the creatures is difficult. Though through observation of brain activity, there is a suggestion of greater intelligence, advanced sentience or even possible sapience. Where is it found?: Stellarwhales can be found through out the galaxy, in orbits of uninhabited, underpopulated or abandoned planets as well as circling asteroid belts and low gravity gas giants. The creatures appear capable of using Hyperlanes, even entering Hyperspace freely through fault lines in the lanes. This has let some to posit that they may have originated in hyperspace, and their numbers could be greater there. But due to the other dimension's hostile nature monitoring their activity and numbers there is very difficult. Rarity: In Realspace Stellarwhales are extremely rare, their numbers could be as low as in the hundreds of thousands through out the entire local group of galaxies. Many space fairing pioneers go their entire lives having never seen one. Diet/Method of gaining nutrients and energy: Stellarwhales will attempt to eat literally anything in their path, with the possible exception of something that appears alive. Any form of matter at all that doesn't pose a threat, even gasses, can be processed into energy in their bodies. This energy can then be used for their propulsion through space. Their digestion is something akin to a sterling generator, breaking down matter and converting it to energy. As a result of this diet, in the event of ingesting matter with nuclear capabilities the creatures can even preform acts similar to thermonuclear fission in their "Stomachs" giving them incredible amounts of energy. Excess energy is then stored as a light purple cytoplasm like substance within their bodies, akin to battery-acid or a mammal's fat reserves. As a result of this Stellarwhales that haven't eaten enough to maintain their cytoplasm reserves will be paler and more translucent, closer in color to pink or white. Products: -Abundant amounts of energy rich fuel made from the creature's cytoplasm. -Huge quantities of Silicon carbide from the animal's skeletal system, the skull in particular being known for this resource. - Literal energy production, from the Stellarwhale's digestive system. - A pretty cool way to get around the galaxy, if you have a big enough saddle. Reproduction: Asexual, a Stellarwhale will reproduce once in its life, the process requires so much cytoplasm, basic matter and energy that the parent Stellarwhale will inevitably be killed by the process of giving birth.The maximum number of Stellarwhales ever recorded to be born from one adult was 3. On average a Stellarwhale will only ever have 1-2 offspring. Size: Stellarwhales have been recorded to have grown larger than the biggest Super-cruisers devised by modern 33rd century sentient life. A common fully grown adult being in sizes of up to 850 miles long and 400 miles wide, with a fin to fin wingspan of 600 miles. Weight: To judge the weight of these animals is almost completely impossible as they don't live within the confides of gravity and there is no method of judging weight in outer space. But consider an average US destroyer ship is about 510 foot long and weights 9200 tons. 510 foot is 0.096590909091 of a mile long, so one may be able to see where the issue of weight stems from considering the creatures size. Lifespan: Stellarwhales appear to be biologically immortal, however most eventually reproduce. This will inevitably cause the end of their lives. So their average lifespan can be estimated at between 500,000-1,000,000 years. Abilities: - Swimming through outer-space. -The ability to survive without oxygen. (Stellarwhales don't respire) -The use of Hyperlanes, without apparent harm. -The ability to survive in Hyperspace as comfortably as they do in Realspace. - Immunity to almost all Realspace illnesses, considering they're closer in biology to Novakids (Far from identical, however) then organics or synthetics. - Immunity to radiation poisoning or mutation, for reasons already discussed. - Incredibly strong, due to their skeletons weight. - The ability to propel themselves through outer-space with the movements of their fins and large bursts of excess energy from several hundred jet like pours located under their flippers and around their tails. - It is entirely possible for settlements or outposts to be built on these animals with the right equipment given their massive size, however locating the animals and preforming this task would probably prove outstandingly difficult to do. Flaws: -Their fleshy, silicon based skin membrane, can be punctured with enough force. -Their shy and easily frightened nature can result in them being hard to document. -They lack any known ability to communicate, as a result intelligence is difficult to measure. - The creatures will die upon giving birth, without fail. - When low on cytoplasm most of their internal organs can be visible from the outside of the creature, this can show a hunter where to aim torpedoes. -Their nervous system does not reach outside their bodies and as a result they cannot feel pain on, in or around their skin.
