Milites

Sampled Vocals (male)

Sampled Vocals (female)

## Biology

Milite biology is often complex and difficult to understand completely, corpses and live specimens have been recovered allowing this breakdown of their biology and culture. Their skeletal systems and organs are somewhat similar to mammalian or humanoid organisms by their posture; standing upright on their heels with the option of standing on their toes. Research has been made harder however by the ever changing political state of our world and currently there is still much to learn about these creatures.

Based on their evolutionary traits, genetic selection and variability shaped their bodies into apex predators. Milites possess powerful senses mainly smell; able to lock onto a scent up to 4 kilometers away by means of an array of channeled wax coated nerves. Sensitivity to magnetic fields known as bio-frequencies can also detect organisms at long range granted by a filmed membrane across the occipital lobe. Organic carbon fibers grow over skin and eyes forming a rather thick carapice; thick yet flexible armour interlocking or shifting at joints for proper movement at increased protection with some armour plates being transparent in one direction mainly over the eyes letting them see clearly through them. This includes predatory features not limited to claws, razor sharp teeth, horns, spiked armour patterns, white fur like hair, thicker skins, and much more. The gaps in these armour panels become a weakness in 33% of Milite males, often a soft rose color if they are thinner and possess this weakness.

Further detail into the carbon fiber armour shows that this is able to heal like bone through rapid ossification and covers 89% of the Milites body. These plates are immune to extreme heat changes such as burning or rapid freezing letting the Milites survive extreme climates or environments, though, during rapid temperature changes armour will become brittle (Cannot survive temperatures over 3670 - 4000/below 3670 - 3900 degrees celsius) but certainly the kinetic resilience blended with the thermal resilience makes the armour naturally strong. Armour weaknesses are present in another 66% of the male population. This weakness is a thinner and more brittle armour feature around the center of the torso or the center back highlighted by a splotch of soft rose.

The occipital organs, wax filament scent detection, and magnetic sensitive fibres are all very sensitive to external damage, therefore during their exposed states where armour is peeled back for improved use or thin armour over these sensitive organs they can be harmed either with forms of firearms, blunt kinetic force, or targeted forms of frequencies reverberating the fluids within rapidly. As mentioned, this armour armour the skull is moderately thin requiring above average effort but not extreme trauma to crack or remove.

Average height range: Height can vary between male and female. Mature males are normally larger ranging from 182cm to 304cm. Mature females, 187.36cm to 300.22cm. No matter the size their builds make them exceptionally large targets and often make it difficult for them to seek cover from hostile assault.

Average weight range:

Male: 200 - 1200 lbs

Female: 180 - 800 lbs

### Circulatory system

It is clear that Milites have an advanced yet primitive circulatory system drawing oxygen from 4 lungs after passing it through a filtered organ in their trachea -that actively removes toxins from the air they breath while arresting the detonation of their sulphur exhale- using a set of two large hearts to then transfer this oxygenated blood throughout the body quickly providing great strength to muscle fibres which already have an amazing mass to power ratio. Lungs can switch between oxygen and carbon based methods of energy conversion though, during this switch Milites are vulnerable in a comatose like state. Alpha males/females have the innate ability from a mutation to utilize their filtration organ as a catalytic converter creating a powerful kinetic blast from their mouth to send smaller Milites to the ground or cause damages to the environment.

### Nervous System

Nervous system is quite extraordinary, throwing signals from the brain to the body within 0.02 of a second for amazing reflexes/coordination granted by naturally occurring organic conductive fibers layering nervous tissue. A high tolerance of pain is also evident with their nervous system, nerve ends are seen to limit signals sent back to the brain upon trauma with an electrochemical stored inside the body that is more potent than adrenaline (Stored in 6 adrenal glands across the body). Like most mammalian organisms the Milite’s possess a form of hormonal electrochemical released as a fight or flight drug into the circulatory system and surrounding tissues. Taking this into account, those who have studied the chemical and number of glands around the average Milite male understand key components being Methylphenidate and Metalloproteinase in a blend of several other organically produced materials or abiotic chemicals harvested from the environment during consumption of food or inhalation. A most notable additive is ICM-101 (HEDM) crystal super chemical that once released adheres and binds to external cellular connections of the carbon based armour rapidly forming a super crystal patterned growth over the armour in a fury of small silver flames/smoking streaks. With overclock active, Milites are much stronger, faster, reactive, attentive, and durable than normally possible without the release of this valued chemical blend. Overclock is not brought on by choice but by forced aggressive or painful trauma requiring the Milite’s body to release the compounds in order to survive or believe it needs them to survive.

### Digestion System

Sulphuric acids are used in the breakdown of biological material that enters any one of the 2 stomachs, passing them on and able to suck the nutrients out of rotten flesh and even raw flesh thanks to a powerful liver able to filter out toxic bacteria/pathogens. A thick mucus is generated around the stomachs to prevent the acid from burning through the Milites body, this does have medicinal uses due to its regenerative chemicals and organic compounds.

### Metabolic Rate

Since Milite’s are able to metabolize any sort of proteins thrown into their stomachs and a rapid response of the circulatory system- It is not uncommon to see a Milite’s have great outbursts of strength or heal from injuries quickly, this includes healing a shallow cut in 24 hours or cutting the waiting time for a broken bone to just a month (dependent on diets). Since their metabolic rate is so high they have an extreme internal temperature to where water contact to raw skin causes it to steam and boil. To remain cool they are constantly moving or taking in large amounts of H2O. It is not uncommon to meet a Milite with a large water supply or living in arctic conditions to remain cool. Their metabolic rate can slow down however to remain stable in warmer climates at the cost of drowsy or sluggish movements for 48 hours as their body becomes acclimatized to the environment.

### Visual Organs

Milite’s generally have 4 eyes located on their head and within their skull. They are not visible though since a thick one way view carapace protects them from damage as stated in the carbon fiber armour arrangement. Their eyes are able to see in multiple wavelengths including infrared and Radial waves. This is achieved through two pairs of eyes, the primary pair allow them to see standard light detection and even night vision with heightened sensitivity through the nerves linked to the retina allowing clear sight in pitch black environments but the sensitivity can be brought down with a rolling retina to switch to standard sight.

Infrared and radial wave visuals are controlled by the other two eyes just under the primary pair of eyes. These are almost always closed unless they are needed and operate separately from the primary pair like a chameleon. Milite’s normally use these eyes for hunting prey in pitch black environments but it has been used for rather advanced construction and engineering for their peoples.

### Details (Horns)

It is through culture that the horns of a Milites show their true colours. The pride of the Milite males are their horns and appear to be bioluminescent with electrochemical reactions during breeding or mating rituals with females; or intimidation tactics with other species/Milites. Females do contain horns as well but they are normally smaller and used for more defence than combat but should not be underestimated due to their greater strength and manoeuvrability.

## Male Milites

(Sampled Vocals)

Milite males come in a variety of shapes, sizes, breeds, and subraces depending on where they are developed and what conditions they are exposed to, allowing armour pigmentation to drastically change in acquaintance with armour shape. Milite “True Blood” (refers to the true breed that came before the subraces. Rare to encounter in Sicoria, common in Incindiar) male armour is a bony grey white or steel grey. Beneath the armour is a chalky ash colored skin sometimes seeming pink when the armour is removed by force or is thin enough to be semi transparent. As traditional with Milite males two long curled horns are situated to the right and left of the skull behind the temple areas while 3 cm rear vertically situated behind the auditory organs. Angled 13 degrees back they head straight then begin curling at 73.152 cm from the base starting point to almost a steady circumference of 79.248 cm. The horns form sharpened points and there are often signs of regrowth or recovering battle damage when they were used offensively/defensively in rituals/battles, they normally shimmer a soft silver from the bioluminescent organelles within but change color based on what males are feeling. Some have shown the ability to ignite their horns in unholy flames as a form of ritualistic combat or threat display.

Skull shapes are almost all similar besides facial structure and horn shape/positioning. A domed and curved broad spread crown is protected by layers of armour bone plate shifting with smaller fibers of muscle. This allows the armour segments over the occipital organs and mouth to recede into open armour gaps made with their recession. This happens when Milites do not require the armour and wish to appear friendlier or see things properly without the warped view of a one directional transparent carapace. Recessed above a flattened nose region and above the cheekbones a set of stacked orvacies allow the occipital organs to sink slightly into the skull once the armour comes down to protect them. The eyes of a Milite are often a beaty solid black, solid red, or rarely solid violet housing a tiny black/red dot in the center. These eyes can be considered similar in appearance to a spider/arachnid and are unsettling to look upon due to their moisture lacking the need to blink even though a skin layer can be used to flush infectants/obstructions from the eyes. Below the cheek bones and connecting to a wide jaw several long fanged teeth interlock and connect like a cage fully ceiling off the maw of the Milite that normally houses a long set of two tongues able to extend 32 cm from the inner jaw like a tentacle grabbing food. As mentioned with the armour components of the skull, pieces may recede and extend from armour gaps in the cheeks covering the teeth completely and forming lips that actually seem rather calming to look at compared to the razor sharp teeth normally shown.

Broad shoulders provide ample space for mounting of shoulder weaponry/utilities often seen as bucket carriers, log supports, seats, weapon locks. For military use even heavy armour or heavy bolt casters are mounted to rigging. Milite warriors carry piercings/ritualistic body modifications in the form of rings that their armour has grown over; these mount or hang gold/silver items mostly religious items holding similar value to catholicism's value of the crucifix like shaped thrones/symbols. Chains are often hung between them and rattle with movement as a demonstration of shame. At the forearms and elbows the organic armour plating becomes less smooth and more violent in the form of  short frequent spikes of various lengths used to protect from sharpened instruments and projectiles when blocking but increased damages when punting or striking. These forearms terminate at two palms housing three fingers, the middle finger the longest, while two opposable thumbs flank each side of the open palm. Due to armour and sharpened nails the appendage is rather dangerous with a crushing grip and ability to slash open thicker sheet metals. A Milite has often remarked/demonstrated the ability to fit a homosapiens head comfortably in their palm; tendons and connections as mentioned allow a crushing force of 7,000 - 8,000 pounds of force more than enough to crush a skull or thick steel bracing.

Touching on the back males boast a slightly hunched out spinal armour piece spiked to support greater weight, that being said, the armour along the Milite spine and back is thicker towards the shoulder blades and central spine while being thinner around the lower spine. Following their biology, a Milite has a space vertebrae type spinal column connected and linking together through soft tissue instead of cartilage being much stronger and durable compared to smaller entities mammalians but sending signals through a fiber-like neural hair structure yet to be fully researched. Through negotiation and acquisition of previously deceased members of their race it has been discovered that their spine is also a weaker point of their central stature granted from the thin armour around the lower back exposing several vertebrae with little protection in thin armour plating. Sharpened instruments or excessive blunt force sends kinetic energy through the armour and causes damage to the tissues connecting the spine either temporarily paralyzing the Milite specimen or permanently paralyzing them depending on the severity of their injury.

The legs, firstly the thighs, are heavily reinforced with two bones instead of a single femur standard to humanoids as well as retaining more tension through the ligaments and tendons used for sprinting/jumping. The knee is actually a unique joint connected to the side instead of directly through the bottom; a ring shaped bone acts as a kneecap and ensures the bone does not separate with cartilage limiting the grinding motion and fatigue of movement. Secondly the lower leg, the tibia and fibula are special in the case of the Milite with non fixed positions able to move freely for increased potential energy storage in a shifting bone position. When sprinting, this bone (Fibula) will shift lower and support the padded foot of the Milite in this case making greater amounts of kinetic-potential energy press down and reflect energy back into their legs increasing top speed substantially while building energy as mentioned in potential form that a kick may strike with remarkable energy after a long run or long fall often used to crack armour or stun opponents with the piercing bang given.

The feet are a stranger story. Terminating after the lower legs the feet are spread pads of bone and thick hide meeting plated armour layered between a cellular membrane moving freely. Broken into three long heavy points they end in tapered claws. The heel or calcaneus bone is mounted to a single axis joint letting it raise and lower the elevation of the Milite increasing their top speed and height slightly but the true nature is balance as the clawed toes are directly aligned with the solid bone end of the Tibia granting the ability to run on the forward section of their toes similar to a digitigrade leg structure increasing the extension of the legs reducing the needed energy to sprint. With these distinct traits, a Milite has the ability to sprint at 52 kilometers per hour average but overclocked biological adrenaline can run at 72 kilometers per hour.

## Female Milites

Female Milites share similar organs and structures to males but are considerably smaller and armour configurations contain softer formations in thinner densities Their faces appear similar to males but their eyes are not stacked diagonally they are stacked horizontally with a soft ridge between them acting as a nose. Females armour formations around the face are narrow and soft but possess the same movement as males, able to recede and form soft lips and open eyes but in combat shift to expose the sharp teeth and protect the sensitive eyes from damage. Armour does also cover reproductive organs surrounded in an additional form of thick muscle able to crush anything managing to break through the solid bone armour protecting these organs effectively producing an anti-rape bodily defence.

The horns are short and stout with more rear facing defensive purposes or headbutting enemy units even though females are not adept to combat. A star difference from the males is the use of their leg skeletal forms. Females have digitigrade leg structures making them faster and more agile than a male who has a single knee joint; this may be for a gathering evolution long forgotten or superior grace when dealing with others needs.

## Milite Young

Milite’s are unique in the form they develop and age. Newborn Milite’s take 3 years to gestate, in that process there are often rituals or rites of passages taken by their mother/father to ensure their child is healthy and rightful in the eyes of the gods. After this long gestation, a Milite is born but at this stage it is difficult to determine their gender due to the lacking development of their body and naturally possessing a thick organelle around them produced by the female acting as weak external shelled armour protecting the infant for a month before it dries and can be peeled away like paper. At this stage their horns have grown enough to determine their gender; males have their horns slightly pointed as small nubs while females have almost like small hills on either side of their skull. At this stage, a rite is taken by the Matriarchs which follows a blood rite at a holy site. The infant has their blood drawn and a brand of their respective house is burned into their back depending on the color the blood burns. There are three colors for three houses depending on the concentration of proteins and chemicals in their blood plasma. These are listed below;

* Blue: House of Vok,
* Red: House of Kesh,
* Silver: House of Rakk.

When a house is selected by this rite the Milite child is returned to their parents after a year of separation. Females are expected and often demonstrate advanced protective instincts able to move with grace and ease in a reactive state when threatened. Their arms and palms are especially formed to hold these infants and in times of danger they seek their mate- the father. The father of the child demonstrates excessive protective instincts that never go away as the child develops. Often risking themselves to protect their mate and young in careless actions protecting the house.

At age 50 (human years) A milite has developed into a teenager with similar features to their mother and father. Though, young Milites do not have their armour. It is soft skin and because of this they often wear clothing or armour protecting their sensitive skin. Do not underestimate them however, at this age they are extremely agile and swift with a digitigrade leg structure walking on their toes and lightweight body form for both male and female young. In this stage of life, they are curious like a feline while enjoying horseplay with one another. At 60 years old females are forcibly separated from males, including brothers, fathers, cousins, friends, and so forth. This is to allow the female young to develop surrounded by other women in a monastery being taught how they should act and treat others considering at age 100 they not only develop their armour in a metamorphosis state generating a thick bony cocoon to keep safe. This is when hormonal breeding is rather active and must be controlled by the other matriarchs of the house hence the separation.

Once reaching 100 years old a Milite will mature into a young “pack-bound” entering a metamorphosis state as their body excretes a thick resin like substance hardening into a cocoon to armour them. They gestate within about 2 years before the cocoon can be broken and a fully formed Milite male or female with armour will step out. Depending on the formations of their armour, pigmentation, and armour features they are put through one of 10 rites of passage:

1. *Malicke* - Rite of Resilience - This Milite’s armour is remarkably thick and their weight is blended nicely with their musculature making them prime labour workers or weapon specialists. This rite of passage must have the Milite complete 72 hours of nonstop heavy labour.
2. *Brokity* - Rite of Strength - This Milite’s armour has formed normally but their personality and morals have them a formidable yet respectful character willing to do what must be done. This rite of passage must have a Milite test their decisions and decide choices for themselves or the betterment of their tribe. Often, they have a red spiralling mark somewhere on their armour.
3. *Frolt* - Rite of Heart - This Milite male or female have their armour formed with exquisite curves and rounded edges lacking any spikes as seen with standard members of their species. These Milites male or female are often nurses and caregivers with their mannerisms. A Milite must undergo medical training and be blessed by a Blood mother to complete this passage.
4. *Jholt* - Rite of Power - Milite armour formations are extremely spiked or prominent with another set of long fangs sticking out of their lower mandibles like short boar horns. Their armour is a deeper grey with fur. Excessively obedient and well rounded soldiers. Must complete field training and attend several discipline prayers to pass this rite.
5. *Yimen -* Rite of Fertility - Whoever possesses a deep ridge from their upper crown down the back of their skull to the base of their neck is more fertile than a standard milite and are assigned to the breeding efforts of their home tribe. These males/females are coveted and must complete a prayer of the faithful every evening to sustain this rite of passage. Those who fail have this unique rite cut out and are outcasts. Yimen members are forbidden to breed without the approval of a matriarch and cannot possess a mate.
6. *Veldoom* - Rite of Blood - Milite’s here have a crimson/scarlet pigmentation to their armour with drastically sharp and abnormally shaped horns coupled with extreme aggression. Most are executed for the dangers they pose to the tribes they belong to but those who survive make strict and effective intelligence operators. To complete this rite the milite must endure a thousand pains without raising a hand to his/her matriarch.
7. *Sixta* - Rite of Brood - Milites exiting their cocoons with a yellowish tint to their forearms and calves/shins are brought to the rite of Sixta which makes them very proactive and skilled guardians of key religious sections/locations as well as the number one candidates for the Zealot high council task force. This passage is completed following training and the Milite selecting a mate.
8. *Clartia* - Rite of Vision - Exceptional politicians and leaders belong to this group while they are also rare for males to be morphed into while it is moderately common for females. These are given away by another set of horns just 3 centimeters back from the bases of their standard horns. They are not present for females and are exclusive to males. Females possess swirls at these locations or slight spiked lines going from these locations down to their jaw. This passage is completed with time and patience.
9. *Aatsrox* - Rite of Alpha - Extremely rare armour formations and deep black pigmentation coupled with two additional sets of horns and monumental size. Alphas are very violent and are not pack-bound like other milites preferring to take control of what they want and destroy what they please. This is not a rite that can be completed and most Alphas are executed at birth in the belief they are demons. Only a rite born capable of using magic without training.
10. *Utaril* - Rite of Person - The most common Milite variant with average armour formations and build regarding the prior descriptions. This rite is completed following the formation of a Ka’tesh for males and the blooded ceremony of his might for the females.

## Religion(s)

**The blood faith (Bloodicaism)**: A faith defined to the almighty father, his wife, and his children. Originally derived from the fictional wars they believed ruined their world and turned it into a wasteland that birthed the human cancer. The father and his family stood atop a mighty kingdom of life and prosperity while the lost ones below challenged his power of resolve. Males have a firm belief in the father and brother while females and children believe in the mother and sister. The Father and Brother (Arminion, Merde); power, strength, kinship, and acceptance, traits all of the warriors beneath them uphold and the special arch fathers of the clans acting as warrior priests sharing their preachings while also recruiting religious zealots known as huntsmen. The Mother and Sister (Helthora, Kamtara); resilience, tolerance, care, fertility, and openness. The Mother and Sister support accepting traits teached to females and children and preached by warrior priestesses responsible for controlling the males as well as breeding with the mates of their choosing. With these values, the faith around the Mother and Sister are the most commonly taught deities that can be taught more through Milite peoples to other races if they are willing to lend an ear. The dark lord has unwillingly wandered into their faith as a personification of the Father’s power in her form leading to a fracture in their religion known as the Covenant. In this event, the true believers saw her as a false god and fled to Sicoria’s north to hide from their tyranny while the “Broken” remained in Incindiair to worship their new god.

## Language(s)

-Morilia, a form of language using aggressive rises in pitch for authoritative forms and softer tones when speaking happily. Has a 200 character letter system, complex adjectives, nouns, pronouns, and terms. Most humans or other species must spend years to understand their language properly, let alone speak it.

-English, Poorly speak it depending on their regions and exposure to outside influence. Females are able to speak english based on knowledge obtained by diplomatic relations and cross species scholarships helping people develop relations with them.

## Culture

Factions:

* Northern blood tribe: Devoted warriors and believers of the blood faith normally peaceful unless provoked. The leader is an alpha female who is a scholar and rather intelligent creature. Her mate is second in command and a ruthless warrior. They were among the first of the tribes to unite their people and push to the stars with advancements in diplomatic relations and weapon development. Remnants of the true believers and devout worshippers of the true gods.
* Nomadic tribe: Mobile tribe settling in where they can hunt and savor sunlight in safe zones across the northern hemisphere. They are peaceful and rather complex pack based hunters in small to large groups depending on the region they are located in. Led by a Veldoom rite male without a mate.

## Governing System

They normally reside in large tribes with men holding an arbitrary position in hunting and teaching the young while women hold leadership and gathering positions. Tribe leaders are often female with an apex male as their mate and personal guard. Tribe populations range from 10 - 640 Milites in a single region of a planet though an upwards of 10,000 have been found in concealed areas allowing their development without conflict. Highly territorial and their morals are honour based. To dishonour a Milite is to challenge them to combat for their honour back or to grant servitude until their debt is repaid. There are countless more traditions that may be discovered by interacting with them.

Women are naturally higher in the caste system with political, science, medical, caregiving, etc.. while males are heavy movers, protectors, soldiers, hunters, gatherers, testers, and rarely hold important positions but it has happened with a few instances of males becoming political advisers and diplomatic members or scientists. The most notable male diplomat is Arch Priest Veldam who controls the nomadic tribe on his own without the advice of a female.

Shared technology: Despite their moderately young evolutionary path and minimal exposure to outside influence they have a remarkable level of primitive yet complex utilities including weapons and armour. Dense and rich metals located deeper within the crust are easily accessible to them due to their preference to remain underground. Special weapons known as ka’teshs are wielded by every male warrior of a tribe with a Turbati as a shield for every male warrior. Magic is accessible to males and females who take the time to learn from an arch priest; however, alphas and certain rites are born with the ability to use magic without training.

## History

Milites are initially from the northern hemisphere of Secoria and are in otherwise hazardous regions for other races to scale making it perfect ground for them to establish settlements. Milites initially traded and were peaceful with other kingdoms but as time progressed and the final war broke out. They were forced to take sides and inevitably joined the Incindiar rebellion as a means to break free from the cruel hunting practices of humans that valued their horns and armour for high value trade across the continent. From a legion of 100,000 milites strong, their kingdom was crushed and broken from the years of war that ripped the lands asunder. From those 100,000 warriors, only 72 remained following the end of the war and banishment of the milite people to Broken Incindiar. The lucky few that hid within the mountain caves avoided this fate and from women and children did the northern tribe form within these caves under the protective embrace of the cold mountain rock. The nomads soon formed in secret from the remnants of 3 warriors that escaped the banishment and built up their people, constantly moving to avoid the deadly gaze of the humans that so long before had murdered many of their people in cold blood.

Those in Broken Incindiar were quick to form a tribe known as the Broken from many of their own warriors that survived the great conflict. Many were present when the deal was made with Kuvuna for immortality yet many stood aside for many thousands of years, growing, festering, building their strength in the hellish pits of magma that replaced the calm rushing waters of arctic glacial water streaming from the cracks in the rocks of their home. Gentle giants turned into tortured souls of war carrying the shame of their transactions as would their children and their bloodline for the rest of eternity. Their peace was broken by infighting and conflict until the seal was broken and finally they were united under their true god. The one true dark lord. From her rise of power to the breach of realms the Milite people have served the dark one loyally through labour, heavy combat, personal service, and expendable muscle.