Introduction
Known by many names - Skinwalkers, Mimics and more - Xenochimera have lived within the cultures and societies of countless species for centuries or even multiple millenia. Capable of assuming the forms of other organic life, Xenochimera have only relatively recently been catalogued as their own species, and are viewed with mutual suspicion.
Biology
Physicality:
From Humans to Unathi, these ‘Xenochimera’ have astounding capabilities to change their very biology and physiology. I feel we’ve only taken the first steps into understanding this peculiar race.
-Doctor P. Cepheid, Department of Biology at the Mars Medical Institute
Unlike almost any other organic life, Xenochimera hold the unique ability to gradually take the form of life that they have acquired the genetic makeup of. In addition to this, they are capable of modifying their appearance to the point that they can disguise themselves or perhaps even take the forms of others. Because of this, pinning down the exact biology of a single Xenochimera is difficult to do, if not impossible.
From what could be analysed from biopsy and autopsy, the basis of a Xenochimera’s body is a special type of cell that constitutes their entire makeup. However, unlike their more typical relatives like stem cells, when these cells change into another cell-type, they maintain their ability to adapt and one cell often changes to many different types during its lifespan. It is likely that these cells eventually came together to work in symbiosis to form complex life, giving birth to this mysterious and enigmatic race.
Xenochimera can reproduce with basically any organic life, however, any offspring of the Xenochimera and their partner will be born as another Xenochimera regardless of the partner’s species. The partner’s race is known as the ‘Host’ species. This is the primary method of reproduction of their kind, and commonly involves the typical manners of intercourse you’d expect from the people they’ve assumed the form of. Once born, a new Xenochimera would outwardly seem to be just another member of the ‘host’ race, though this is obviously far from the truth.
Due to the high energy and nutriment cost Xenochimera have thanks to their taxing biology, they are known to have a much greater hunger and appetite than most other races. Because of this, Xenochimera enter what could be considered a ‘feral’ state when their hunger reaches a critical point.
Mentality:
Your honour. Just because they can change how they look doesn’t make them any less of a person. They have just as much humanity as anyone else.
-Attorney Patricia Heathers, Advocate for Sapient Rights, speaking to the Orion Confederation Tribunal regarding the rights of Xenochimera
Xenochimera do not commonly form large collectives of their own kind out of fear of discovery and persecution. As such, many Xenochimera travel system to system or attempting to integrate into one organization and society. Xenochimera most commonly share the traits and personality of the original species they were born as.
Due to this, the exact mental traits of a Xenochimera are just as difficult to pin as their physiology, but common similarities between them include distrust and suspicion of other species, and typically a fear of persecution for what they are. Outside of this, many simply come across as your typical person.
When a Xenochimera goes ‘Feral,’ they are known to become extremely panicked with a tendency to hide until they can find something to eat.
History
Origin System:
Imagine being born into a world that is both your own, and alien to you. You don’t know where you came from, and you don’t know where you’ll be going next. That’s the life they lead.
-Doctor P. Cepheid, 'On The Origins of Xenochimera'
The origins of this species are shrouded in a mystery that goes aeons back. The source of this species can only be rumoured at, and each claim tends to be more fantastical than the next. The true origins of Xenochimera may never be known.
Homeworld:
Ahdomai is my home too, you barbarian! You would be wise to treat your kin with respect.
-Officer Njinga Killa Khalida Tyr'adrr M'sai, Tajaran Xenochimera, Clan Ma’sai, regarding a subordinate's questioning their true species.
Having no real origin for their species, Xenochimera as a race have no homeworld. However, it can be common for members of their species to call the planet they were born on, or the planet capital of their mimicked race their home.
History:
To the people of the Milky way; from the sun of Sol to Epsilon Eridani, from O’del to Ahdomai, I come to you today to tell you this; I am a Xenochimera. I did not choose to be one, nor did I know myself to be one, yet I am one none-the-less. But I am still a Martian. I am still a citizen. I am still a human. The people of Mars have spoken, the Congressional Public have spoken. I will be resigning as Chancellor of the Committee. Perhaps I may be barred from politics for my lifetime, but I hope that my kind - a kind I unknowingly belong to, will be able to serve as a politician of the people in the future to come.
-Felicia Lucchini, 77th Chancellor of the Martian Congressional Committee, prior to being forced to resign after being revealed as the first public Xenochimera.
It is believed that Xenochimera have been integrated or living within the societies of other races for hundreds or even thousands of years. How they ended up there is not known. How they were made is not known, or if they were even ‘made’ at all. Concepts in religion and mythology such as ‘Doppelgangers’ or ‘Skinwalkers’, and research by Xenoarchalogical scholars indicate that Xenochimera have been around for a very long time, and reports of shapeshifters and similar ‘creatures’ in history may have in-fact been Xenochimera.
Xenochimera were discovered in 2539 in a dramatic and highly controversial incident. An extremely prominent politician in the Orion Confederation - Felicia Lucchini - who was undergoing a test for cancer at the Mars Medical Institute was found to have an extremely energetic and fast-reproducing type of cell. It was originally believed to be an unknown and advanced form of the disease. Samples were taken and analysed, and the results of this changed the political scape in the Confederation from then on. Unknown to Miss Lucchini herself, she was in-fact the first Xenochimera to be officially documented. This news was originally kept extremely classified, but in 2542 the government of Mars called for her to resign privately, and the whistleblower revealed the truth of her medical investigation to the whole system.
The Orion Confederation had to come forward in a rare case of solidarity to say that they would investigate Felicia Ludchini for being a potential spy and traitor. The subsequent investigation revealed the species of Xenochimera to the whole galactic stage. Some organizations came forward, including the Mars Medical Institute itself claiming that it had in-fact encountered similar cases in the past, and that the reality of the situation was that Xenochimera were nothing new - and had been around for a surprisingly long time.
Because of this controversial public reveal to the people of the galaxy, Xenochimera were immediately plagued with a bad reputation for being imposters and fraudsters that undermined a race’s integrity and sensibilities. This stigma has receded in the decade that has passed, but suspicion and mistrust persists to this day.
Besides this, there is very little information regarding the history of their people, and this may remain the case for a long time.
Current Racial Status/Government:
Xenochimera have no (known) government of their own and are subject to the laws of nations, and organizations not of their race.
Xenochimera are treated with suspicion by most governments due to how exploitable the power of shapeshifting are and the perceived idea that Xenochimera are ‘fakes’ or fraudulent people. Technological Advancements as Understood by NanoTrasen: Technological advancements of Xenochimera are completely subject to the society they live with, as they have no government, culture, or nation of their own.
Culture
The Typical Xenochimera Experience:
It’s not easy, you know? The hunger, the suspicion… I feel like I have to prove myself every day, yet… I wouldn’t want to be anything else. I’m unique, and my ‘powers’ are unique. I embrace my lineage.
-Justin Karthage, a Xenochimera crewmember with NanoTrasen
Xenochimera can take many forms depending on the genetic markers they have acquired from either their parentage or other means. Because of this, many of them often change their appearance even superficially. The experience of any one Xenochimera changes dramatically depending on where they are from, how they were raised, and the place they work at or have worked at in the past. Some areas of the galaxy are more accepting of them than others, while on the other hand there are places that hunt and ostracize them. These experiences can shape a member of their race in a myriad of ways, and one Xenochimera could be friendly and sociable, while another could be extremely introverted and wary of everyone not of their kind.
Language:
The language of a Xenochimera is typically the one of their ‘host’ species, or the society they live within.
Naming Conventions:
Xenochimera are commonly given names of their host species by either their Xenochimera or ‘Host’ parent, and follow the typical naming practices of that race. However, it is known for them to change their names once they become aware of what they are, or once they reach adulthood, these names can differ drastically from their ‘original’ species due to a desire for uniqueness and originality.
Religion:
Religion is a concept that can be deeply appealing to Xenochimera as a way to try and understand where they come from, though this can work both ways. Outside of this, the society they were raised in is a huge factor for the religion they may adopt, if any.
Relationships With Other Species:
Xenochimera require to try and intermingle with society for their own survival and the continuation of their lineage. Because of this, many of their people try to hide their identity as Xenochimera, which can lead to a great deal of strife and mutual distrust. Those Xenochimera that do present as what they really are tend to be wary of other species because of the scorn they often receive.
Species Relationship Quick Reference Chart
| Species | Standing |
|---|---|
| Angels | Suspicious |
| Akula | Suspicious |
| Alarune | Suspicious |
| Demons | Suspicious |
| Diona | Suspicious |
| Humanity | Suspicious |
| Phoronids | Suspicious |
| Rapala | Suspicious |
| Roseu | Suspicious |
| Shade-Kin | Suspicious |
| Skrell | Suspicious |
| Tajaran | Suspicious |
| Teshari | Suspicious |
| Unathi | Suspicious |
| Vox | Suspicious |
| Vulpkanin | Suspicious |
| Zorren | Suspicious |
Rumors and Speculation:
Xenochimera run a secret society that controls governments and positions of power from the shadows, to the point of ‘replacing’ senior officials with their powers of disguise. Xenochimera have no soul. Can Xenochimera really have ‘humanity’? Xenochimera were created artificially.
OOC Notes
Etiquette Guide for Xenochimera:
One Xenochimera can act vastly different to another, based on how they were raised and what kind of life they’ve lived. As a general rule of thumb, they are typically introverted and suspicious of most people, but this is not always the case.
The most important thing to remember is that Xenochimera are not aggressive when they are hungry enough to become feral. They are skittish and fearful, and are likely to run away from a confrontation, not start a brawl for food.