FIGHTING POLYGON TEAM

The Fighting Polygon Team is a powerful unaligned faction who's territory extends beyond the borders of N-Spider's universe (much like THEM). The Fighting Polygon Team has no real investment in the Plasma Temple community and any appearances therein are entirely incidental as the group pursue their own agenda.

## Homeland

The Fighting Polygon Team's history is not well documented by PT scholars, especially since they did not originate from PT. Records of the group can be traced back farther than N-Spider's universe, and potentially N-Spider itself. These ancient entities hail from a vast dimension inhabited entirely by more of their own number. This "Polygon dimension" has been described by higher caliber visitors as an infinite cavern with no clear ceiling or floor, only layers upon layers of ground and spire composed of the group's signature magenta paneling (and hypothesized to be members of the group in a sessile state).

## Appearance

The Fighting Polygon Team appear as primitive constructs made of hard magenta panels. They are attached at the edges, but held together and moved by unclear mechanisms. They vary greatly in size, with the smallest being no bigger than a bug and larger versions standing head to head with a human. They are natural shapeshifters and enjoy experimenting with new forms, especially those they believe could be more efficient than their own.

Not only are The Fighting Polygon Team adept shapeshifters, but they are equally compatible with eachother's biology. Two members can seamlessly trade panels, bolstering one while shrinking the other. Other times, members might combine to form larger individuals, or break apart to form swarms. Three individuals may combine to form one individual which later breaks into only two. Despite these displays of hivemind-adjacent activity, the faction possesses individual consciousnesses; each solitary unit has its own subtle behavioral nuances that divide to form smaller spawn, merge to form larger spawn, and mutate as new body plans are established. Even "dead" members can be reborn, with others subsuming their lifeless panels, activating the stored memories within, and re-adding their essence to the polygon presence.

## Manifestational abilities

The Fighting Polygon Team are very attuned to their dimension, so much so that they are commonly considered an *extension* of it. Members of the group can manifest anywhere within it, exit it into another reality, or return to it from a different reality without any technological aid. If necessary, a single member (or squad of members) can pop into a universe of their choice with no fanfare save a slight bending of space and sudden emergence of geometry. This technique - though doable - is believed to be taxing and inefficient, so larger parties and areas with heavy foot traffic will make use of sustained portals between the respective worlds. It is harder for a Fighting Polygon Team member to re-enter their dimension than it is to exit - the equivalent of climbing a ledge vs jumping off - and smaller groups or isolated individuals may become stuck until assisted by other, stronger members.

## Personality

The Fighting Polygon Team's personality is well depicted by their name. They are a faction of interdimensional brawlers, seeking fights where fights may be found and reveling in the thrill of combat. They need no motivation for battling; they are not interested in territory acquisition, amassing of status, or even any sort of sadism. There is no malicious intent behind The Fighting Polygon Team, only a passion for challenging physical altercation. This lack of real ill-will makes them relatively tame invaders. Though they have no true "code of honor", they recognize noncombatants and will not battle those who either cannot defend themselves or refuse to do so, as this would not result in a fight at all. Even those who do possess dangerous weapons will be left alone if they do not utilize said weapons in a display of power. To all of these groups, the Fighting Polygon Team generally respond by lounging about and engaging in play behaviors amidst their own kind, with the occasional minor instigation to "test the waters" with the populace.

In the absence of a clear battle, members of The Fighting Polygon Team grow restless. In addition to their occasional provocative nips, they may nose about in other's territory while searching for stimulus. It is common to see rogue members wandering streets, swarming buildings or congregating in sewer systems. On random whims they may build elaborate structures with their bodies that inevitably crumble due to complexity. These behaviors seem to be two parts play and one part neuroticism. It is recommended to let them lose interest and return to their reality, as starting conflict will be eagerly interpreted as a challenge.

In the presence of conflict, The Fighting Polygon Team goes straight for the strongest attacking side. They have many innate powers in conjunction with their alien physiology that makes them well-adapted to pick such targets.

## Strengths

The Fighting Polygon Team has a host of abilities that make them powerful adversaries.

Adaptability - The Fighting Polygon Team can change their shapes, combine to create larger units, or split up to create tiny hordes. Given time, they can construct boat, aircraft, and spacecraft-adjacent forms, allowing them to reach potentially any location.

Cooperation - While most individuals have the attack power of caliber 4 beings, the entire faction is very communal, with each contributing affably to the goal of their comrades. Infighting is unheard of; the entirety of the swarm's dedication will be focused on their foe.

Nigh-immortality - Though individuals may be "shattered" into smaller motionless panels, these can be readily recycled by other members, effectively resurrecting the fallen.

Endless numbers - Word of a good battle spreads fast, and reinforcements will often arrive to participate in the fight. Since the polygon dimension is practically endless and its soldiers hard to definitively kill, this can lead to a war that lasts forever.

With these assets, the Fighting Polygon Team is poised to virtually always win, even if by sheer attrition. For opponents that don't enjoy the conflict as much as their foe, they may opt to surrender by waiting for a lull in the war and adopting a noncombatant status, or by quickly moving locations such that the Fighting Polygon Team loses track of them. If they continue the war or fail to dissuade their opposition, the Fighting Polygon Team will wear them away until there is nothing left to challenge, then move on.

The Fighting Polygon Team tends to ignore the actions of caliber 1s, but has less qualms about picking fights with caliber 2s. This means they would wage war with Cotton Eye Joe.

## Usage in summoning

Ironically the Fighting Polygon Team make very good peacekeepers. Their presence alone is enough to deter violence by anyone who doesn't want to get infinitely dog-piled. Sometimes they are summoned for the express purpose of making all other factions lay down their arms. Other times they are summoned as desperate maneuvers by underdogs who believe the Fighting Polygon Team will naturally be attracted to their aggressors.

Summoning can be done by gazing into the heavens and shouting the phrase "FIGHTING POLYGON TEAM". This requires a sizeable amount of willpower, but if done correctly, results in a few curious members popping over to explore. Other viable strategies involve using attuned technologies to create a portal into their world, which they will often take out of intrigue. The Fighting Polygon Team remembers each person who has invoked them and has a reputation system with all of them. If one summons them and they repeatedly find the experience boring, they will stop responding to that person's call. Coincidentally, those who consistently lead them into battles may find that more and more members respond each time.

## Trivia

* The Fighting Polygon Team has a sense of balance when it comes to retaliatory gestures. When pushed, for instance, they will usually shove back and counter with non-lethal bullying. Fights escalate to the strength of their adversary.
* During less intense skirmishes, members rapidly lose interest in cowering opponents, meaning a battle can be aborted with no loss of life.
* I don't fucking care that they're from super smash bros i love them so much they are perfect