The Spherian have perhaps the most unusual physiology of virtually any known sentient species, as their bodies are sculpted out of pure crystal. They are the result of a virus evolved and mutated over time within the planet Spheris, which is virtually all crystal and water. It inhabited the. It inhabited the crystal of the planet, gained sentience, and gave the crystal life, gained sentience, and gave the crystal life, creating the Spherian people.
Despite their unusual appearance, the Spherians are very much like humans in personality and demeanor, with an equally wide range of different views on life, the universe and morality. It is viewed by some as rather ironic that the species most akin to humanity is the one that is the most physically different. Spherians have a number of remarkable abilities that humans do not have, however. For one, they can regenerate, growing new crystal to fill in the damaged areas where old crystal was fracturedor chipped away. They can even regenerate limbs (including their head) given time. This is because they do not have internal organs we know them, everybit of a Spherian is just as alive as any other part, so there is no brain to damage and no heart to destroy. They are only destroyed when they have been completely shattered into small pieces or disintegrated. They can also die from the lack of sunlight , which turns them brittle over time. Spherians can also meld with any large amount of crystals or crystal-bearing rock and can travel through veins of quartz and other crystals, emerging in an entire different location. This is easiest on their home world, but could be done wherever large crystal deposits are found.
They are also impervious to laser fire. Their smooth crystalline structures work like prisms and mirriors, deflecting and dissipating lasers as soon as they strike. Their knowledge of lasers is so complete, so instinctual, that Spherians can grow and sculpt laser weapons out their own bodies or out of large pieces of crystal. All they need is a power source. Every Spherian has an excellent knowledge and mastery of laser weaponry and laser communication system. The understanding of light and its many uses is just in their genetics.
Spheris itself is a very old world that sits on the very edge of its solar system’s “goldilocks” zone (the region in a solar system where a planet is close enough to its Sun to have liquid water) and surrounded on both sides by dense asteroid belts. This makes navigating the system rather treacherous, but also makes the star system rich in mineral resources, particularly heavy metals. The Robotech Masters first came here to mine the planet for these metals, which are used in the construction of their mecha and starships. The semi-organic green and purple colors of the Zentraedi fleet are quickly recognizable among some of the larger asteroids in these belts.
As one would except, Spheris is regularly struck by small, rogue asteroids, giving it a pock-marked appearance, like some very flawed gem. Meteor showers are sometimes a threat to those on the surface, but the Spherians are able to quickly meld underground when such a threat is detected.
The Tirolian scientist Zor hoped that he could somehow coax the Flowers of Life into growing in the planet’s shallow rivers and seas of rich crystal sediment. He created vast hydroponic gardens and covered large stretches of the planet with Flowers of Life stolen from Optera during its defoliation, in hopes of getting it to grow and reproduce again.
While artificial pollination covered large areas of the planet in the Flower of Life, those flowers failed to reproduce on their own or bear fruit.
What they did not fail to do was draw the attention of the Invid. Spheris was doomed, and the Invid conquered the planet in a vicious invasion that killed much of the native population and drove those who could escape underground.
The Invid gathered up as many Spherians as they could and enslaved them on Protoculture farms, continuing the artificial pollination process started by Zor. Even though the Robotech Masters were unsuccessful, given their intimate knowledge of the plant. They are able to derive very low amounts of Protoculture from the Spherian Flowers of Life, and the plants are still useful for their nutrient baths and in providing sustenance.
This has made Spheris a vital world in the Invid’s dominion, and one they will fiercely battle to protect.
Most of the surviving Spherians are hiding in crystal cities deep in the planet, where the Invid cannot go and are unware of their existence. However, until the UEEF came onto the scene, they had no means of striking back at their Invid overlords with any reasonable chance of success.
Few Spherians escaped their world’s enslavement, some because because they were taken to other worlds by the Robotech Masters years before the attack, others because they were captured by the Invid and taken off world for examination and the Inivd’s cruel experiments. Most were eager to join the UEEF’s efforts to free their world and others from Invid tyranny.
The Typical Spherian is roughly human size, standing between 5 feet, 6 inchs and 7 feet (1.6m to 2.1m) tall. However, because their bodies are made out of crystal, they weight 400 �“ 600 pounds (181 to 272 kg). their bodies are smooth and sculpted with virtually no straight lines and not facets. They are slightly translucent with typical colors including white, light blue, dark blue. Their voices have a harmonic quality not unlike the alien echoing treble of the Tirolians.
While Sperians typically choose a male or female identity with which they deal with most others species, they are actually asexual. A Spherian reproduces by forcing a new growth of crystal from their body. Then they shape and cut into the shape of a small Spherian which, through processes not understood by other species, becomes a living Spherian. They grow up very quickly to adulthood physically, often coming out with an adult sized body the first time they meld with crystal, though it takes several years before they reach full mental maturity (most recently born Spherians have the mentality of a teenager).
Spherian R.C.C.
Attributes: I.Q. 3D6+1, M.E. 3D6, M.A. 2D6, P.S. 3D6+6, P.P. 3D6, P.E. 4D6, P.B. 5D6, Spd. 3D6
Hit Points: None. Spherians are natural Mega-Damage creatures!
M.D.C.: P.E. Attribute number X2, 1D6 M.D.C. per level of experience.
Height: 5 feet, 6 inches (1.6m) to 7 feet (2.1m) tall.
Weight: 300 +5D6X10 pounds (181 to 272 kg)
Natural Abilities: An affinity for lasers gives the Spherians the equivalent to W.P. Energy Rifle or W.P. Energy Pistol with all hand-held laser weapons, regardless of their skill selections. They are also impervious to all laser weapons ad can shape a laser pistol out of pure crystal in 1D4 days, or laser rifle in one week. The laser pistol does 2D4 M.D. and has a range of 1,800 feet(549m) and can fire 10 rounds before it needs to recharge. The laser rifle does 3D6 M.D. per blast and has a range of 4,500 feet (1372 m), and can fire 20 blasts before needs to recharge. Both recharge on blast for every 10 minutes in artificial light or every five minutes in sunlight.
Meld with Crystal: The Spherian can merge his or her entire body into a large body of crystal (like their home world) or rock that has significant crystal deposits the meld requires that the Spherian leave all of his personal effects behind when traveling in this manner expect any crystal laser weapon. The Spherian can travel through crystal at up to 100mph (161 km) and can emerge at any point on their home world, or in the case of crystal bearing rock deposits on the other worlds, they can emerge anywhere along the vein or mass of rock they are traveling through.
Regenerate: Spherians can regrow any piece of them that is destroyed or cut off, whether it is their arm, legs or head. While Spherians are incapacitated when reduced to zero (0) M.D.C., they are only destroyed when their M.D.C. is reduced to a negative number exceeding their P.E. attribute. Otherwise they can regenerate any injury at a rate of 1D6 per hour. Spherians with medical training can double this rate(paramedic or field surgery) or triple it (Medical Doctor).
No Biological Needs: The Spherians do not need to eat, drink or breathe, and are impervious to poison and gases. However, their crystal bodies are animated by what is essentially a highly evolved virus, so they can cannot survive in the vacuum of space, in levels of extreme radiation or in places that are too hot for your average human to live. The only sustenance they need is light. Natual is best, but artificial light works as well, as long as it is not diffuse. The average Spherian requires at least on hour of natural light, or two hours of artificial light. If they are unable to receive such light over a period of one week, they begin to turn brittle, losing 1D6 M.D. per day and are unable to heal. When their M.D.C. is depleted in this fashion the Spherian crumbles to dust.
Bonuses: +1 to parry, +2 to pull punch, +4 to roll with impact.
Combat: As per O.C.C.
Available O.C.C.s: UEEF infantry or mechanized Infantry or technical officer (Usually) with the communication M.O.S.).
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