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“Science has always wondered why men fear spiders. Now we know...”
— Unknown
Inferius (Inferius ferox) // Sentient > Carnivorous > Semi-parasitic > Homeworld unknown
History
The following is an entry taken from the archives of the Jedi Order:
There is something to be said about the mysteries of the Unknown Regions. The more we attempt to learn about this vastly uncharted region of our own galaxy, the more we realize that we know nothing. Take the recent incident on IV-03411: the edge of unknown space. It is rare that the Order gets calls for help that far out, but some brave pioneers ran afoul of something sinister while out staking their claim on a relatively unknown world and insisted that Jedi were needed to stop whatever they found there. The resulting investigation turned up inconclusive. No lifeforms of any significance were located. But the remnants of a civilization long gone were indeed uncovered.
This civilization — whoever they were — built mounds not all that unlike the Killiks of Alderaan and Alsakan. The mounds were vacant, absent of any physical remnant of their owners save unintelligible scrawl written on the walls. In fact, the writing was not all that unlike the hieroglyphs employed by the early Sith species. Several Jedi historians were dispatched to learn more about this mysterious new civilization. Were they truly a new species? Or, perhaps, were they just another colony of Killiks that had resettled far from their homeworld. The answer — chilling and cryptic in nature — came from a neighboring system. It was said there, by a young alien man calling himself a 'healer', that these insectoid beings were known as "They Who Live Below." Furthermore, the healer revealed that these beings were invaders who had long ago terrorized the borders of known space before they vanished and were never seen or heard from again.
Naturally, no one in any of the neighboring planets or systems had seen a live specimen in their lifetimes. What was known about "[Those] Who Live Below" were passed down from elders and storytellers: they were the bedtime stories used to keep children in their beds after nightfall. And, yet, we could not completely deny the truth of their tales. As the investigation continued, more mounds were discovered. All were seemingly abandoned, but those worlds upon which had other sentient beings also shared a common thread: sightings of these invaders had started around the same time the Order received a request for help on IV-03411. So the Order dispatched another team to the source of their investigation to search deeper for answers. I probably don't need to tell you what happened.
Suffice it to say the catacombs beneath those mounds contained a horror that was probably better left buried under the earth of that Force-forsaken world. These creatures, whatever they are, are ancient and deadly. Worse, they're intelligent. Cunning and vicious. Many good Jedi were lost that day and in the days after at the sites of the other mounds. The Order is already taking to calling them Inferius ferox: the "the terror from below." It is my advice to the Council that the Order keep an eye on the Unknown Regions. While it is not in the nature of a Jedi to take up arms in the goal of exterminating a species, we must still remain vigilant. These things — spiderlike and ruthless — had an empire once. And, if they should ever want one again, the galaxy may not be ready to defend itself from them.
This civilization — whoever they were — built mounds not all that unlike the Killiks of Alderaan and Alsakan. The mounds were vacant, absent of any physical remnant of their owners save unintelligible scrawl written on the walls. In fact, the writing was not all that unlike the hieroglyphs employed by the early Sith species. Several Jedi historians were dispatched to learn more about this mysterious new civilization. Were they truly a new species? Or, perhaps, were they just another colony of Killiks that had resettled far from their homeworld. The answer — chilling and cryptic in nature — came from a neighboring system. It was said there, by a young alien man calling himself a 'healer', that these insectoid beings were known as "They Who Live Below." Furthermore, the healer revealed that these beings were invaders who had long ago terrorized the borders of known space before they vanished and were never seen or heard from again.
Naturally, no one in any of the neighboring planets or systems had seen a live specimen in their lifetimes. What was known about "[Those] Who Live Below" were passed down from elders and storytellers: they were the bedtime stories used to keep children in their beds after nightfall. And, yet, we could not completely deny the truth of their tales. As the investigation continued, more mounds were discovered. All were seemingly abandoned, but those worlds upon which had other sentient beings also shared a common thread: sightings of these invaders had started around the same time the Order received a request for help on IV-03411. So the Order dispatched another team to the source of their investigation to search deeper for answers. I probably don't need to tell you what happened.
Suffice it to say the catacombs beneath those mounds contained a horror that was probably better left buried under the earth of that Force-forsaken world. These creatures, whatever they are, are ancient and deadly. Worse, they're intelligent. Cunning and vicious. Many good Jedi were lost that day and in the days after at the sites of the other mounds. The Order is already taking to calling them Inferius ferox: the "the terror from below." It is my advice to the Council that the Order keep an eye on the Unknown Regions. While it is not in the nature of a Jedi to take up arms in the goal of exterminating a species, we must still remain vigilant. These things — spiderlike and ruthless — had an empire once. And, if they should ever want one again, the galaxy may not be ready to defend itself from them.
— Jedi Master Tavos Naar
Culture
The culture of the Inferius is mysterious and possibly unknowable at the present time. Notes taken by the Jedi who went to investigate their mounds did not reveal the presence of any religious artifacts or idols. They appear to have both a written and spoken language, which is vocalized through the various clicking of their mandibles. Additionally, they are complex enough to create their own insectlike architecture, which is similar to the type employed by the Killiks.
Even the purposes of their mounds are presently unknown, as the Inferius seem to prefer living in catacombs beneath them. They are also known to take up residence in large caverns. One suggested purpose for these mounds are to act as holding cells or dwelling places for the Joiners: non-Inferius beings who have been absorbed into the colony through means not quite understood by science just yet.
What is known — both from what has been observed of them and what has been passed down by cultures who had contact with them at the height of their power — is that Inferius are a conquering species. They are ruthless and seem to lack the empathy and emotion shown by most Human and Near Human species, and thus kill without mercy or else force conquered species to subsume into their own society via the ability that allows them to turn other sentients and non-sentients into Joiners.
Note: Unlike Killiks, Inferius do not operate under a hive mind. Each specimen is an individual all of its own.
CastesDrone (images) — Drones are the most common variation. They are the most spiderlike, possessing six thin, stalk-like legs, and four bulbous black eyes. They are responsible for building the mounds of their species but also possess the speed and brutality to defend themselves from outsiders.
Spinners (images) — Spinners are the second most common variation and serve as the "warriors" of a colony. They resemble giant scorpions, possessing six legs and four bulbous red eyes. They also have well-defined teeth/fangs for tearing into prey and enemies alike. They are called "spinners" due to their ability to eject webbing from their abdomens, ensnaring prey as it attempts to escape. This webbing is extremely durable, but lightsabers can make short work of it.
Crawlers (image) — Crawlers are less common. They are also the least spiderlike, possessing two "arms" for crawling, and a long stinger-like appendage emerging from their abdomens. They are unique and get their name from the fact that they can use special padding on their arms to crawl along walls and ceilings, making them excellent ambushers.
King/Queen (no image available) — This caste has not been seen but has been speculated upon. Those species who have previously encountered the Inferius refers to this being(s) as the "Underking," too horrible to describe. Whether such a creature exists or is simply the stuff of legend is up for debate.
Joiners
Joiners are either sentients or non-sentients that are joined into a colony of Inferius by means of being saturated with Inferius pheromones. This process turns them into mindless thralls of their insectoid masters, retaining their skills from life, but little of their sentience. Joiners are commanded, seemingly through scent signals, by the individual who turned them and will be released from the control of the Inferius that controls them if said Inferius is killed or dies a natural death. Joiners undergo no physical changes, save for that their eyes appear to become misty and milky in coloration.
Other Info.
Reproduction: Inferius reproduction is parasitic in nature. Females will lay their eggs within a live host, either by depositing them into the victim's oral orifice by creating an opening with a stinger on the tip of their abdomen. The young then hatch and eat their way out of their host, using the host as initial nutrients for their journey towards adulthood.
Lifespan: 75+ standard years (the king/queen caste is believed to live far longer, spanning two to three centuries)
Behavior/Temperament: Highly aggressive
Intent
These creatures are to be the primary antagonists of mine and @Deviant's personal story arc. They are inspired by xenomorphs, white walkers, Killiks, and our shared arachnophobia. Some fleeting inspiration was also derived from the Empire of Zakuul of Star Wars Legends.
Tagging @Brandon Rhea for approval, since I cannot approve my own work.
