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AedenSolus In reply to Ribbontail [2012-09-18 02:44:45 +0000 UTC]

Haha, wow I hadn't even realized the similarity to the enki! Clearly we need to organize a field trip for these guys and the umishi/rajayayu. I think only adrasta with the nanites can eat *literally* anything (such as the table), but they have naturally highly efficient digestive systems and can get nutrients out of nearly anything organic.

I didn't realize how hippo-like they were until I drew one from the front. The original idea was gorgonopsid , because yay synapsid reptiles. These guys definitely give the sunifee a run for the spot of top predator. Ha, Hebrew was the base I used for their language. A bit too obviously, maybe, but it seemed like such a perfect mix of guttural and flowing.

I'm still working out the details of the shifting. I included those animal sketches as two common alternate forms, but I'm not sure exactly what it looks like when they shift. I imagine something fluid and unsettling. They can do a complete phenotypic shift to another species, even species from other planets that share no common DNA with them. It's not a total genetic shift, so they still maintain their intelligence and ability to eat everything, but outwardly they become the other species. If they're shifting to something larger, they have to eat to provide the extra mass. I do think the leftover stuff just drips off. I suspect they have a way of storing it, but that otherwise it breaks down really quickly. Store it and keep it in a thermos for when you need a quick energy shot later

Genetic modification yes, to a degree. They know their own physiology inside and out and their medical tech is the most advanced of the entire Federation. They aren't much for genetic engineering, but they use the nanites to treat genetic disorders and the like (if you can afford it). They also use it for simple cosmetic things, or as a way of permanently branding criminals and their descendants. The chaedan'kai are more the gengineering masters.

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Ribbontail In reply to AedenSolus [2012-09-20 08:03:39 +0000 UTC]

Yeah I didn't realize it until halfway through my comment. It's cool that there your adrasta and umishi share tiny similarities with my enki and rajayayu... it'd be fun to sit a group of them down and see how they'd interact!

Thanks for explaining their shapeshifting though, and if you develop it any more you must share! I can't get over how awesome the loss-of-mass idea is, and it makes sense: in shape/size/etc-shifters, where WOULD mass go or come from?
(My biggest tiff with shapeshifting is the neuropsychology. I've only seen a few others realize this: the brain would obviously change during a shape shift, so how would it-- and the person's mind-- cope? SLkjajlaj)
Have you thought about the extent of their shapeshifting, though? Is it a mere "species shift", or a whatever-you-want form shift (like, say, wings to fly or a longer arm to scratch a bad itch)? With free-for-all shapeshifting there are so many options. C:

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AedenSolus In reply to Ribbontail [2012-09-20 22:16:23 +0000 UTC]

I'd also thought that in really extreme shapeshifting (to something much much smaller, say) it might be possible for the person's consciousness to shift to the nanites themselves. That's a hell of a stretch, but it's a possibility since the nanites are so closely linked to the individual, and it at least considers the issue. Or maybe they just can't become anything that doesn't actually have a real brain.

I'm not sure about partial shifting. Maybe you can if you've gotten really good at it, but your average person can't. That might be a specific part of the police training, or something. That would take less time than a full shift, which makes it very useful in some situations.

I totally want to see an enki/adrasta picnic now. "Oh dear, we didn't pack enough snacks. Here, have the plate. It's a little old though."

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AedenSolus In reply to AeonRevenant [2012-09-18 02:50:44 +0000 UTC]

Clearly, nanotech is the way to do interesting things.

I had trouble justifying true shapeshifting as an evolved thing, with no 'magic'. I could have just not explained it, but you know I can't do that :b I tried to be really careful on the writing, but calligraphy is just not my thing. My handwriting is too rough and sharp for this language.

Well, get off your ass and finish that Demri or Vex ref you started while you were here. You just make things complicated with the proper shapeshifting thing. But hey, that's an excuse to draw all kinds of interesting things, right??

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AedenSolus In reply to geminithewildfire [2012-09-17 03:21:47 +0000 UTC]

You're the only one that knows that terrible thing ever existed XD If I remember, you sketched Axis for us too. They look so much better now, I think.

I've been wanting a shapeshifting race for the longest time, but never knew how to do it without saying "poof magic!" I figured it would make sense for stuff you're carrying to be used for energy. I also like the idea that they can literally eat anything and convert it to energy. Sudden emergency shift? Take bites out of the table.

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geminithewildfire In reply to AedenSolus [2012-09-17 03:25:39 +0000 UTC]

OH right! I almost forgot! I still have that pic in my gallery I think

LOL that is quite awesome. I can totally see that happening. "Boy I'm hungry--NOM." "...um, you just ate a chair..." "Yes. Yes I did."

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