Lanima

**Lanima** are a species of parasitic linguastata that produce dust. They are native to the planet Pangaea III. Their name derives from the Latin *lambere* (to lick) and *anima* (soul). Neo-Davidian colonists of Pangaea III, who first discovered the species, referred to victims as being rendered 'soulless'.

## Characteristics

Lanima (colloquially called "lickers") are apex-level predators, known for their hostile temperaments and aggressive territoriality. They are characterized by a serpentine body, two long forelimbs and four sucking mouths, appearing similar to lamprey eels. Specimens have reached recorded lengths of three meters (roughly 10 feet), with individual mouth circumferences of over 30 cm. Each jaw-less mouth is equipped with an elongated prehensile tongue. Being sightless, they sense vibrations by "licking" the air around them. Additionally, they secrete a psychoactive venom used for immobilizing prey.

Lickers are covered in a moist dermis, which produces a kaleidoscopic pattern when exposed to visible light. It has been described by both Analyst ID 7213-0089-DN and AIDAN as being a kaleidoscope of 'un-colors'. They secrete a thick, oily fluid from subdermal glands - the secretion reacts in the presence of CO2 to produce an airborne psychoactive, used to disorient and disable prey. It is stated that they possess at least canine-level intelligence.

Lanima become extremely agitated in the presence of noise exceeding 100 dB. It is assumed that this is due to interference to their aural network, the way rapidly strobing light might agitate a human.

## Feeding

Lanima feed on electromagnetic frequencies emanating from brainwave activity, typically by attaching one or more mouths to the cranial region of their victims and inserting the tongue through available orifices (eyes, ears, mouth, etc.). Lanima will feed on brainwave activity until their victims are reduced to a permanent vegetative state, but the act of feeding itself often fails to kill the victim.

## Life Cycle

Lanima reproduce via asexual methods, but will not seed larvae unless they sense an abundance of electromagnetic activity in the surrounding area. They prefer tropical environments and are repelled by frigid temperatures (their secretions coagulate below 10º Celsius, making movement difficult). Lickers can grow extremely rapidly—the more one can feed, the faster its cells will replicate. They possess at least canine-level intelligence, as shown by a pack hunting instinct.

## Cultivation and Uses

As the slime that they produce is used in the production of Dust, lanima are extremely valuable. They have been outlawed by the United Terran Authority, but are still kept illegally in high-population areas (such as the House of Knives on Heimdall Jump Station) to feed on all the brainwave activity and produce more slime. They are incubated when very young, and eventually are transferred to an animal (preferably bovine) host, which they feed on further until ejecting themselves and becoming full-fledged lanima capable of hunting on their own.

## References

1. ↑ Gemina, The Illuminae Files\_02, Pages 44-45 [Unipedia - Lanima]
2. ↑ Gemina, The Illuminae Files\_02, Page 141
3. ↑ Gemina, The Illuminae Files\_02, Page 276