Anglerraptor

### Aliases

Epicentre [Localised name, their name in their native language roughly translates to 'The centre of the trembling earth']

## Physical Description

### Height

9'2

With their towering stance, bizarre proportions, and unsettling singular eye, Epicentre's initial presence can come off as fairly menacing. Their demeanour is much more palatable however, as they are well-mannered and generally passive, often seeking knowledge from others. Unfortunately, being the harbinger of the bloodvine virus to the planet doesn't give them the greatest reputation outside of the bloodvine empire.

## Origin & Species

   Epicentre belongs to a species of advanced semi-organic aliens from a distant, bloodvine-ridden planet. Their species had learned to live with the virus - even embracing it - by the time of their creation, and they were fully infected with it by the time they had reached maturity.

The physical biology of this species consists of a hard, heat-resistant chitinous exterior, with their insides being made up of almost entirely molten lava. They get their energy from rich minerals that are melted down and dispersed through their bodies via being placed in their chest cavities. In this sense, the species relationship with the bloodvine is less parasitic and more symbiotic, as the constant scorching heat of their bodies allows the heat-loving vine to thrive. The exact effect of the bloodvine on this species is unclear due to how long-term the symbiosis has been, but it most likely improves lifespan and survivability to a significant degree.

There are little social conformities and standards amongst their anarchist-esc population, although there is one major 'beauty' standard - the status of ones horns. The horns of this species grow with age and never halt, with elder individuals sporting grand, striking horns that spiral over several times. A few chips in a horn or a missing tip is seen as a mark of battle to be worn proudly, yet broken or entirely missing horns are looked down upon, as it's seen as a sign of weakness for one to be so inept and incompetent to not be able to keep their own horns on their head.

Epicentre as an individual took a particular liking to study and science from a young age, specifically how the virus their society was so well acquainted with affected different forms of life. They became a decently renowned biologist with their passionate fieldwork involving the bloodvine and its influence.

## The Crash

While not inherently malicious, the virus does plague the mind with one main objective, no matter how familiar the species or how strong the willpower of an individual; *spread the bloodvine.* Along with the will to study its affects, Epicentre planned to travel off-world for a while and study alien lifeforms and their interaction with the bloodvine. Eventually they were able to get their hands on a scouting ship, perfect for seeking out planets to take samples from. Excited for this scientific venture, Epicentre packed up and took off effective immediately.

Scouting was a quick success, as Epicentre discovered the Everglow planet in a nearby solar system - a treasure-trove of life, a perfect subject for the bloodvine. Unknown to Epicentre, however, was the failing systems of their ship. Their scouting ship was a faulty one, manufactured poorly and sold to them at a cheaper price, which Epicentre took without a second thought. Paired with their eager attitude to begin this endeavour and therefore failing to check if it was properly intact and functional, the systems of the scouting ship had been gradually breaking down whilst in the solar system, reaching critical status around the time Epicentre's ship was orbiting the Everglow planet. Unable to achieve enough power to break orbit, Epicentre's ship pulled closer to the planet, until gravity took hold and sent their ship violently crashing into the ground, shattering it to pieces. Due to their species' sturdiness they were able to survive the impact, although - to their dismay - they lost one of their horns in the process.

With a devastating blow to their ego via a now missing horn, no foreseeable way to return home and nothing left from the crash but themselves and a few pieces of scrap, Epicentre had to make do with where they were and what they could find. At least the virus was content with the situation, with so much new life extending before it to contaminate.

## Post-Crash

Ground zero of the crash appeared to be a small, desecrated settlement, which held no signs of life. Without much else to work with yet, Epicentre began residing within the abandoned Catalyst Forge in the centre of the village, hoping to uncover both resources and information about the planet. Unknown to them, their initial spread of the virus in this location had begun a chain reaction that would lead to the rise of an empire.

Once infected with the bloodvine, the remains of previous inhabitants of the settlement began to reanimate, alongside some of their creations, which had now even gained a form of sentience. Epicentre was fascinated by this, as this affect of the virus had not yet been documented. Originally planning to find whatever means necessary to return home, they elected to stay, at least for a while, enough to study this breakthrough thoroughly. The settlement was rebuilt by these awakened residents, who graciously accepted Epicentre into their community as gratitude for introducing the virus that gave them new life.

   The societal structure of their home planet involved no major government, with a very individualistic 'fend for yourself' global mindset. Epicentre has trouble understanding and conforming to the 'rules' of their new home planet, often brushing over many factors of their experimentation that could be considered highly unethical.

## The Laboratory

After residing in what had now become the renowned Catalyst Forge for quite some time, Epicentre began to feel cramped and contained in the small lab of the Forge they had been using. With permission and funds from the emperor, they were given the opportunity to construct their own laboratory in order for the effects of the vine to be studied comfortably. With bizarre alien architecture reminiscent of their home planet, a grand laboratory fuelled by lava was indeed built. With the building named Aureus Laboratory upon completion, Epicentre promptly resumed their studies to great efficiency. They can be often found exploring the world looking for samples and experiment subjects, or deep within their lab testing the capabilities of the vine's influence on life, death, and the inbetween.