Blauxolm

The **Blauxolm** are a physically empowered, warlike species.

## History

While some tomes on Ludus reference a Kao-devout population with potential physical similarities to the Blauxolm, their true point of origin is unknown. Another theory with some merit is that they hail from somewhere in the Separ Dimension, though where exactly is up for debate (as is whether or not it is their homeland).

## Biology

### Anatomy

Most Blauxolm are commonly fleshy and have rounded body parts. Their skin is most often a shade of blue. A Blauxolm that has not been specialized for any one role, called a "Standard," is relatively gridoid in structure, having a large head mounted on a torso, two arms, and two legs. A defining trait in most Blauxolm types, with few exceptions, is their sharp, needle-like teeth, of which they can have up to eight rows.

#### Metamorphosis

A key trait of all Blauxolm is their ability to shift in physical form. Unlike traditional "shapeshifter"-types, this transition is not instant nor is it temporary. A Blauxolm, during their earliest years, will unconsciously focus their efforts on increasing in size and regenerating wounds or malformed body parts up until a time early in their adolescence. After this phase, they will begin to shift based on subconscious influences, pulling either direct or indirect inspiration from their caretakers, leaders, peers, rival clans, or even non-Blauxolm cultures or nonliving structures. Their body will then begin to mold into this specialized form through a mix of biological necessity and willpower.

Aging past this stage and reaching adulthood, further metamorphosis does not happen so innately, and while shifting one's physical form is possible, it requires much more willpower than before, as well as constant physical effort and likely more sources of energy (as well as encouragement, to assist with one's mental health due to the will-cost). A Blauxolm's biology will, if not forced into anything else, merely attempt to retain the shape that the Blauxolm has ended up with and provide very slow and weak regeneration to wounds.

Blauxolm do not have innate patterns to copy during metamorphosis. Even the Standard shape is only kept in line on account of their prevalence and commonality in cultures - a Blauxolm removed from birth to all Standards would not bear any resemblance to one, even if directly birthed by one. Specialized forms may pull direct or indirect inspiration from their caretakers, leaders, peers, rival clans, or even other non-Blauxolm cultures.

### Sex and Gender

While able to adapt to and mimic the sex and gender norms of other nearby civilizations for practical reasons, Blauxolm do not have any base sex/gender systems unique to them.

### Life Cycle

Blauxolm, being incredibly adaptive, may be born as traditional infants or fully-formed. This depends entirely upon their sole progenitor, who sexually reproduces over the course of anywhere from one to three years on average. Blauxolm born this way are created initially as tumors, brought into being through physical metamorphosis and intense willpower from the progenitor, and then eventually removed from the source body and left to develop on their own. Most Blauxolm consider this experience to be unpleasant, and as such, very few Blauxolm specialized only in giving birth exist - those who wish to produce offspring or feel that they must out of duty will take up the operation themselves.

### Variation

Blauxolm may be created through non-traditional means, including sexual reproduction through coupling (though finding compatible hosts is a rarity), infection and splicing through magic/science/specialized offshoots, or artificial creation by scientific means.

Too many specialized offshoots of Blauxolm exist to list on account of their metamorphic properties. A large percentage, projected to be at least 75% of the matured population, no longer resemble Standards, and many within this percentage no longer have the same number of limbs or the same recognizable shape as them.

## Culture

### Combat

Blauxolm, from an early age, may begin to specialize themselves for specific fields in combat as soon as their metamorphic properties shift from simple regeneration. Given their physiology, their bodies will begin to mold to their forms of specialty as they continue training and willing themselves into their roles.

Blauxolm, even within an allied group, may engage in a combat ritual called a "deathmatch" for any number of reasons, though they often amount to physical or emotional conflicts between two Blauxolm. Contrary to this name, deathmatches are not always battles to the death, and only a fraction of them lead to an opponent being killed. Deathmatches are performed between two or more Blauxolm with a number of witnesses who are not to intervene, and brutalization by any means is to continue until one admits defeat by visibly spitting to their side. In the event that a Blauxolm dies from their wounds prior to surrender, the victor becomes entitled to all of their possessions, and an agreement (enforced by all witnesses) is made that no one is allowed to speak dishonorably of that deathmatch, and that no one is to attempt to avenge the fallen Blauxolm.

### Leadership

Blauxolm are very particular about leadership within their ranks. At all times, a Blauxolm is aware of who their direct superior is, every leader above them, and any figures who may potentially challenge and defeat any of these leaders and subsume their position. Electing to follow a leader is a strict vow of allegiance, for which abandonment or betrayal is a shameful act. However, having a leader be deposed merely means that one is to adjust their loyalties to the one who defeated said leader, granted that they are allowed to live or otherwise serve under the new one. Challenging a leader that a Blauxolm believes is not devoting themselves to a cause is considered respectable, though shameless power grabs done by those who simply want a position of leadership are not.

### Diet

Blauxolm are naturally carnivores, though can specialize themselves out of this diet. Like all specialization, however, this is most successful if attempted consistently and with determination from a young age, and it may be difficult or impossible for a starving Blauxolm to convert to a non-carnivorous diet even if their last moments depend upon it.

Blauxolm may cannibalize their rivals as a display of dominance, and may resort to autocannibalism in dire situations.

## Members

* Aox
* Elte
* Hatexi
* Squato (hybrid, with Monster)

### Featured Variants

The following is a list of specialized variants featured in Stories:

* Blauxolm Bat (*Trix*)
* Blauxolm Interceptor (*Trix*)
* Blauxolm Slugger (*Trix*)
* Blauxolm Goliath (*Trix*)
* Blauxolm Failure (*Trix*): Encompasses Blauxolm under Aox's thrall who do not conform to the variants he deems proper. Five are seen in combat, excluding the character Elte.
* Blauxolm Mass (*Trix*, *Midday at Fuckhat*)
* Blauxolm UFO/Big Blauxolm UFO (*Trix 2*, *Midday*): These are called "Pilots" by the Blauxolm themselves, with the "Big" sizes being simply their normal crafts and the others colloquially called "smallflies."
* Blauxolm Alien (*Trix 2*)
* Mecha Blauxolm (*Trix 2*)