2019 January Post 08 - Devoratrix regina (Patreon)

notes: I will most likely get back to this and tweak the human face some more, after I've not looked at it for a while. Just hitting a brick wall with it, maybe someone will have suggestions for it?

Devoratrix regina (working title, until something better comes along)

This aquatic species is omnivorous, with a preference for meat. Though capable of surviving on land, the creature is barely mobile out of the water. Several unique traits of this species make them particularly interesting research subjects. This species encompasses a range of variants, which are oddly enough not genetically distinct - differences are due to as-of-yet unknown triggers during development.  The species is named after the 'queen' variant, which while rare, tends to be dominant.

Variants - Different variants of this species have been observed. Despite the differences in appearance, all specimen carry the genetic material required to develop into the listed forms. The trigger for most developmental pathways is speculated to be as-of-yet unknown events during prenatal development.

Type I: Standard - This is the type of creature most commonly encountered.

Type II: Warrior - This variant features oversized jaws and barbed tentacles. It is by far the most aggressive variant encountered, and also the fastest. Both male and female specimen have been encountered. Unlike warrior castes from social insects, these warriors are fertile and capable of reproducing.

Type III: King - Due to as of yet unknown stimuli, a warriors may develop into a 'king'. This is a larger version of the warrior, with disproportionate jaws and multiple jagged appendages. It is too slow to hunt effectively, relying on warriors and 'normal' variants to feed it. Specimen of this type are always male and spend all their time mating with females while killing or driving off all males who aren't direct offspring. 'King' variants feature indeterminite growth, but their extremely violent behavior generally results in them dying quickly.

Type IV: Queen - This variant specializes in reproduction and is invariably female. Ovaries increase in both number and size and the womb expands dramatically. Additional vertebrae form as needed, extending the spine. The growth discs for new vertebrae are located inside the intervertebral discs. The formation process is almost certainly an engineered feature, not a naturally occurring one. Queen specimen exhibit indeterminite growth and are often accompanied by agressive offspring, making them the most dangerous variant to encounter.

Subtype A: Normal - this is the subtype most commonly encountered.

Subtype B: Human Face - this rare subtype has a human face at the tip of its snout.

Subtype C: Tauric - this subtype has a humanoid torso in place of the normal head. These specimen never have 'mouth tentacles' but always has a split tongue. Extending the tongue distends the humanoid torso and mouth.

Metabolism - Amazingly, this species requires no oxygen, even though they possess lungs. The metabolic pathways supporting its cellular processes are powered by an organic form of fusion that uses molecular structures forcing nuclei close enough together for aneutronic fusion. This process relies on quantum tunneling made possible by an unknown effect that drastically widens the wave function of the particles involved. Instead of radiating away, the high-energy photons excite electrons in a structure somewhat reminiscent of chlorophyll, which in turn powers conventional ATP pumps and other, as-of-yet unidentified structures.

The stomach of this creature exhibits strong psychic emanations. The digestive process and cellular metabolism throughout the body are assumed to be psychically enhanced or linked. The working hypothesis is that this enhances the speed and efficiency of nutrient absorption, possibly allowing for molecular disassembly of unwanted materials and reassembly into useful nutrients. This psychic pattern is more powerful in larger specimen, perhaps allowing more difficult matter to be digested as the creature's psychic field becomes more powerful.

Radiation Resistence - Specimen have been observed absorbing or blocking background radiation in unique bands. These bands in fact widen as the individual develops, eventually rendering the creature immune to high-energy photons. No increase in temperature has been observed after absorbing radiation. Instead, cellular activity increases slightly and proportionally. Other forms of radiation such as neutrons, positrons, and alpha particles are blocked but do not stimulate cellular activity.

Skeleton - The skeleton is comprised of a mixture of hard and flexible structures. The entire structure, (and to a lesser extent the softer tissues) feature carbon macromolecules, giving it tremendous strength, both compressive and tensile. These macromolecules can only be sustained inside the living creature - when extracted, they decay in a matter of minutes. The cartilage-like structures in the ribcage can stretch to several times their original length, most likely to assist in the swallowing of large prey.

Movement - The creature propels itself using its powerful tail as well as a gravitic effect. This gravitic effect is more powerful in larger specimen and allows the creature to both move and turn faster than one might expect. 

Tentacles - The six tentacles immediately behind the creature's head are used to grapple prey and manipulate objects. The nervous tissue in these structures show signs of psychic energy, moreso in larger specimen.

Jaws - The creature has a powerful bite, but not remarkably so for its size. On a warrior or king variant, the jaw has oversized, protruding teeth that can do tremendous damage, but are less effective at eating.

Mouth Tentacles - Many specimen possess two or four tentacles sprouting from the back of the mouth. These are used to pull in prey.

Split Tongue - Many specimen possess a hollow tongue that extends, and splits at the tip into four short tentacles. This tongue can be used to swallow smaller prey or drain blood.