Amorphous

The minions of the Preeminent come in many shapes. Yet not all of them are quite as mindless as first expected. Some are just as intelligent as Humans. These intelligent aberrations, known as Amorphous, are parasitic creatures who latch on to other creatures to survive leaving only a trace of their possession.

Physical Description

In their natural form, Amorphous appear as a mass of writhing black goo made up of knotted, rope-like appendages. However, as they are parasitic creatures, they cannot survive for very long without a host. Amorphous can survive only around a month without being attached to some form of host. Though they can attach themselves to any living creature, they prefer to attach to sentient creatures, or at least ones with the capacity for speech. When an Amorphous attaches to a creature, their mind is completely overwritten by the Amorphous’, their consciousness ceasing to exist. The Amorphous binds to all of their vital organs and becomes suffused in all of their tissue. This causes the blood of Amorphous to appear as a thick, black sludge and blood tests were commonly used to determine if one was secretly an Amorphous. While attached to a host, Amorphous cause only small changes to the host’s appearance. Some place on the host’s body, a mass of the Amorphous’ true form appears, often no bigger than the size of a fist, though this varies. While Amorphous used to hide this to conceal their identity, many have begun to show it openly as a sign of cultural pride.

History

When the Preeminent arrived, many of their minions followed. Among them were the intelligent, shapeshifting parasites who would come to be known as Amorphous. In order to survive, the Amorphous latched on to Humans. People quickly began to discover that someone wasn’t always what they appeared to be. The terror of someone secretly being an Amorphous led many to withdraw from others and enter into hiding where they could be safe.

As the hosts of the Amorphous died off, they were forced to latch on to other creatures, mainly the experiments of their masters. For years before the rise of the Successor Kingdoms, Amorphous ruled over much of the land, doing whatever they pleased. Yet as forces rose against them, they were unprepared to fight back. After years of bloody war, the Amorphous were backed into a corner. In desperation, they surrendered to the Successors, signing a treaty that would allow them to continue to live so long as they stayed within their lands, a treaty that still stands to this day.

Culture

Amorphous live their lives quietly, always conscious that everyone around them is suspicious of them. To this end, most Amorphous find their work on the road where they do not have to deal with any one group for too long. Amorphous trade caravans and traveling musicians are extremely common. Much of their culture is dominated by a desire for self preservation. They are keenly aware that other creatures would kill them given the chance and that none are willing to become their hosts, letting the Amorphous starve. Thus, Amorphous take their own survival very seriously and are often very manipulative, using others to further themselves and trusting no one. Amorphous are well known to be smooth talkers but also creatures who will lie at every given opportunity.

Politics

Amorphous have no formal government structure as this role was always filled by the Preeminent. Instead, they have a group of shadowy police known as the Assailants who serve to maintain order and work as diplomats for their people. The Assailants are almost never seen, instead working in the shadows where criminals will mysteriously disappear in the night only to be found in jail or executed the next day. Decisions for the whole of their lands are made by consensus of the senior members of the Assailants who then send the lower members to enforce these decisions. Just the same, foreign policy is conducted by the Assailants delivering messages secretly between the senior members and other heads of state.

Lands

Most Amorphous have a hard time staying put, finding the idea of trusting their neighbors not to kill them or rob them foreign, and instead many spend their lives on the road. By their ancient treaty with the Successors, Amorphous cannot hold any land outside the area around their city, Roulette. The place seems random to most outsiders, a shamble of buildings sticking every which way with no rhyme or reason, but to Amorphous, the place is home.

Relationships

Most are suspicious of Amorphous, often doubting what they want or their true allegiance. Many believe they still serve the Preeminent and are simply waiting for an opportunity to attack. Amorphous take great strides to not get too attached to anyone for fear of being killed, making the suspicion run both ways.

Religion

Amorphous worship their ancient masters, the Preeminent as gods. They see them as the pinnacle of all life and seek to follow their will wherever it leads. Most hide this fact however and all but the most devout of Amorphous will claim to lack beliefs.