Pinthi

The **Pinthi** are a bioweapon originally used by the Scryve. They are sentient microbes who have been used as a bioweapon in the past by the Scryve and are now trying to make up for all the genocides they have committed in that time.

**Biology**

Pinthi are a series of sentient microbes who operate as part of colonies controlling their ships in space. These larger physical forms are merely concentrations of Pinthi, forming massive blobs of slime which contain the Pinthi pathogen.The Pinthi have a full spectrum of infection and only a mild infection can cause exploding. They seem capable of surviving without hosts. They are capable of judging intent from their analysis of DNA and are capable of modifying themselves using said DNA. For the Pinthi, generations pass fairly quickly, mounting into the billions over several years.

Pinthi are highly contagious and the final symptom of the disease is to cause the infected to literally liquefy into a puddle. Pinthi have long been used to wipe out rebellions within the Empire, which this often being the final result for many planets. The Pinthi have since been turning this ability against the Scryve.

Some Pinthi remained with the Scryve, who developed these Pinthi into a more aggressive and dangerous form. These Pinthi are self-vectoring, capable of controlling minds and are vicious. This is due to these Pinthi being bred for fighting the Xraki, with the Scryve setting up a special research facility, forcing the Pinthi to fight for countless generations.

**Culture**

The Pinthi are a kind species, wishing to redeem themselves for the countless genocides they have committed over the centuries of Scryve servitude. However, given their nature as a living bioweapon, Pinthi are often attacked on sight by multi-cellular beings attempting to wipe them out.

As a result, the Pinthi tend to view new aliens with suspicion and work to kill as many Scryve as the only method of redemption they have. Due to this desire for good, the Pinthi are more than willing to make alliances with those who show them kindness

They even take precautions when dealing with other species they encounter, placing themselves in containment vessels for transport and friendly communication, to put other multi-cellular beings at ease. The Pinthi operate a number of “regrowth” colonies, where they breed. The main Pinthi supercolony acts as their centre of governing the various Pinthi colonies across the sector.

Pinthi are so adamant not to be used as a biological weapon again that they will take whatever actions they deem necessary not to kill. This includes absorbing the Pinthi under the control of the Scryve to use their ability to control minds. They use this to take control of the Xraki controlling the Origin and are integral to saving the galaxy from the gluttonous eyes.

**History**

The Pinthi were developed by the Scryve early on in their history, though it is possible that they have origins with the Precursors, having appeared on an examination display discovered by the Vindicator. During their servitude to the Scryve, the Pinthi were used with impunity, wiping out culture after culture who dared to oppose the Scryve with rebellion or as peers.

After millennia of genocide, the Pinthi managed to rebel two years before the events of the game and begin a war of attrition with the Scryve, wiping out their colonies one by one and killing millions of their citizens as penances for their past transgressions. It was during this time that the Pinthi realised they were largely alone in their fight and resolved to do what they could to end the Scryve.

An unfortunate meeting with the Mowlings caused the species to become infected with the Pinthi contagion and begin to develop the symptoms that led to liquification. The Pinthi had hoped to resolve their mistake, but the presence of Jeff within the Mowling’s home system prevented them from doing so. Another issue arose from a ship of similar design to the Pinthi’s was sent hurtling towards the Greegrox and the Ancient One. This was met with fierce hatred from the Greegrox who began their own war against the Pinthi, destroying them wherever possible.

Eventually, in spite of all the hardship the Pinthi had faced, they met the Captain of the Vindicator who helped them to resolve the two issues they had with the Greegrox and the Mowlings, as well as welcoming the Pinthi into the Federation of Allied Species. This alliance was bolstered by the might of the Pinthi’s war machine and they even played a crucial role in stopping the threat of the Xraki, using a new pathogen to temporarily take control of the Xraki aboard the Origin and shut it down, cutting the Xraki from their reinforcements, and effectively ending the war in one fell swoop. Since then, the Pinthi have begun a series of treatments for themselves, attempting to alter their very DNA to become more of an anti-biotic than a virus, in the hopes of helping the galaxy heal, rather than destroying it.