Varna

[TLDunn213]

While I have spoken of the Varna elsewhere I want to take the time to cover them in more detail here and briefly touch on the ChoKa; which I will deal with more fully later.

Choka are what Varna tadpoles turn into if not implanted. 

 

The Varna, as noted elsewhere, are created from modified Thulian larvae to serve as spies and assassins. That is only partly true now that the Varna are trying to become a free people in their own right. An effort which is likely futile, as will be seen as we look at the different types of Varna a the success rate of the Morphoses process.

The success rate for Varna morphosis is basically the same as for Thuliens that are becoming Illith. 

Which is to say about 25% become Varna.

25% die.(no splits here).

Kulls are basically just a failure with the victim gaining knowledge from the Varna. It is unclear if a Kull of this type would be able to leave their former body and/or become a Gree later on as there are no confirmed reports of anyone actually escaping in this state.

Shulls are still Shulls. Although it is believed that there are potions that effectively allow a Shull to finish the morphosis process later.

So technically a close to 50% success rate because of Shulls of this type being able to finish later.

 

type two Varna are basically type ones after they reach a certain size. The growth process can be slowed by taking certain potions but this tends to have the inconvenient side effect of binding the Varna to its Husk. 

Type two Varna(hereafter called Gree) can undergo a morphosis process and become a fully adult  Thulien (also referred to as an Elder.)

Such Adults seem to be no different than ones that took a different life path.

although there are some reports that Gree Elders produce eggs that hatch into about equal numbers of regular and Varna tadpoles.

It is unclear if the morphosis from Gree to Elder is something that simply happens at some point or if some potion is needed to trigger the process.

In interest point to consider in light of rumors that the Varna are seeking to become a separate species.

Given that Varna who have reached the Gree stage can create more Varna by way of a morphosis causing injection they could have an independent life cycle. Assuming the Morphosis from Gree to Elder is a triggered rather than a spontaneous event. And even if spontaneous there could be potions that could be used to block it.

It is worth noting that Gree are also able to lay eggs which will become Thulien tadpoles. It is unclear if these tadpoles are Varna or regular Thulien tadpoles or a mix. 

As Choka, Cephalarack, and, Illith are not particularly desirable to the Varna they have no particular reason to lay eggs. 

Edited Wednesday at 12:21 AM by TLDunn213

[TLDunn213]

I was just rereading this and noticed that I never actually got around to saying what Varna look like.

Now obviously while a Varna is wearing a husk you don't get to see it. That is rather the point after all.

But when a Varna is out on its own

Type ones look like a floating brain with a bunch of jellyfish like tendrils dangling beneath it.  It's not entirely clear what the tendrils are for. Given that it has a psi-blast ability for defense and offense if needed. And telekinesis for moving objects. 

Type twos also look like a floating brain just larger. Type ones are the size of a normal brain while type twos are about 3 feet long by about 2 feet high and wide. Main body, with octopus like tentacles about 3 feet long hanging below. Type twos also have a stinger like appendage at the rear near the brainstem. 

Type twos are able to produce spawn by injecting a victim with whatever compounds are produced by their stinger.

While it was previously believed that type twos were basically type ones who had grown too big to continue wearing a husk. This seems to no longer be the case as there are now reports of type twos (hereafter refered to as Grees ) displaying the body compression ability similar to that seen in Seku.

More on this as information becomes available.

 

Edited Wednesday at 12:33 AM by TLDunn213