Voidbloods

### Significant Features

Scaled wings, two curved horns, ink black eyes, tongue, and blood, glittering hair.

## Social Information

### Subspecies

Starborns (Majority), Voidlings (Endangered/Extinct), Spectres (Extinct), Crystallians (Extinct), Paccyions (Extinct)

### Culture

Varies on subspecies. Starborns worship "The Void" and "The Mother"

Voidbloods are known for their inky black eyes, glittering hair, and large scaled wings on their back. The species is incredibly religious, and have created subspecies and religions based on these beliefs. The top of this chain of command rests Starborns, who have more or less slaughtered 95% of Nihilnus (Typhon-X084)'s population. Voidbloods are very spiritual, and tend to be possessive of their own personal belongings. Things like weapons are meant to be handmade and cherished, and most young learn to survive or perish as soon as they can walk. The species is huge, with lean muscles and abilities to go from each sector of the dying planet with little to no issues. They are always craving- if it’s just hunger for food, or blood is uncertain, and tend to attack on sight like hyenas.

One odd thing about Voidbloods, specifically the dominate group of Starborns, is the language and education. For as violent as they are, the Voidbloods value learning and record keeping- they are extremely intelligent, but most get swept into spirituality at a young age and become indoctrinated. Voidbloods can speak and understand several languages, from Nihili, Galactic, and English.

Fortunately, as this species cannot leave the planet, they are incredibly rare and sightings outside of Typhon-X084 are impossible. Most do not even know of the species, and only may if they are in a medical field and are looking for supplies on this overridden planet.

## Starborns

Starborns, the main subspecies of Voidbloods, have evolved over time from the original founders of this religion and group. Those closest to the top of command are typically more mutated and distinctive from other Voidbloods.

Starborns share all of the features of Voidbloods. However, some have additional attributes. Some Starborns have not only the typical black blood, but black tears, organs, and saliva. There are a handful who may also date back to the Paccyions, and have the same chemicals which make Paccyspo so valuable. A high concentration of their blood, flesh, etc., can be letal, but small levels could be a substitution for the plant. All of the higher ranking Starborns have twisting, delicate horns that are usually covered in gems and silks, as a status symbol. They are much longer and noticeable than other Voidbloods.

## History

Voidbloods were once a relatively peaceful and kind species- the overseers of Nihilnus. They had the ruling family, councils of decision makers, and most sectors of Voidbloods were friendly with one another. Nihilnus had a vast landscape, and each of the groups typically evolved over time to match their environments in order to adapt better. Some grew taller, or gained different coloration, while others had more noticeable features such as a secondary set of wings or eyes. The species thrived as the apex creature of the planet for thousands of years, with their own unique culture, languages, and knowledge.

Nihilnus, to an outsider or lesser native, is an incredibly harsh and dangerous planet. However, because of the environment, the inhabitants who dominated the planet tended to be much stronger, adaptable and gained new features to survive against the hostile land. Voidbloods, specifically, had several beneficial gains because of this. They could go much longer without nourishment, which over time would deplete natural storage and begin to use less important features as fuel such as defensive barbs and new horn growths to fuel the body. Voidbloods also could eat nearly anything that they could catch or harvest- the species developed a larger, powerful jaw which could unhinge slightly in order to quickly consume to not be vulnerable while eating. They are an incredible species, with constant evolution to change to whatever environment they are placed into.

When space travel became more common, it wasn't too long before Nihilnus was discovered. The natives were hesitant at first to welcome these newcomers in, however embraced their differences and passed knowledge around. The first waves of travelers were almost exclusively those that humans would consider to be Xenos, introducing Galactic to the Voidbloods and waves of new information. Goods were exchanged, crops multiplied in variety, and different techniques were passed around. Voidbloods had difficulty communicating perfectly to some Xenos with the new Galactic language due to their mouth shapes, and eventually found ways to draw their teeth further into their mouth (like a cat's claws) to form words better.

As much as they flourished from new imports, introduction to galaxy trade and advanced technologies, they would soon be met with a harsh force that would shift the planet for the worse. Humans.

When humanity reached Nihilnus, they were greeted with this alien environment, full of danger but riches as well. The Voidbloods greeted these newcomers with open arms after their experience with the last waves, however were taken advantage of. Humans began to introduce new diseases, illness, and over time stole more and more goods from the Voidbloods. The native species was confused- they would catch humans with things that were theirs, and as soon as they were busted, the humans would toss the belongings into the void or in worse cases, jump in themselves. Their reasoning? Religion. The Void was used as a cover for their thefts, all of the items that had gone missing- even some of the younger Voidbloods vanishing into thin air. The Voidbloods were curious about all of this, and rightfully so, as these were things they worked hard for. However, humans created various documents, scattering them to each of the groups to keep them distracted while they drained the planet of resources.

The biggest issue with this wasn't just the introduction of religion, but the conflict that followed. Some of the books were different from one another, some interpreted them as a vastly new idea and it began to force the different communities to fight and argue. Who was more loyal to the Void? Who was the most blessed, the most perfect? Starborns claimed to be the closest to the Void herself- for they were comprised mostly of the older bloodlines with roots in royalty.

Eventually, the fighting became so bad, that humans declared the planet unsafe for travel and eventually a lost cause. Outside of occasional trips to collect a specific product or two, they would steer far from the planet and watch from a distance as it consumed itself from the inside out.