Shiverbat
| Shiverbat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Base Information | |
| Classification | carnivore |
| Terrain | Flyer |
| Locomotion | Telepathic Flying |
| Size | 2 feet long, 4-foot wingspan, 50 pounds |
| Speed | 30 mph average |
| Strength | |
| Social Structure | |
| Weapons | Thorn-like teeth |
| Armor | |
| Source | |
| Homeworld | Devi (Crucis Margin) (world) |
| Multi-world | |
| Canon | Yes |
| Reference | Alien Races 2 127-134. |
One of the component forms of the Devi Intelligence, a sophont from the Crucis Margin Sector.
Physiology & Ecology[edit]
The "spores" known as Shiverbats are the juvenile form of the Devi Intelligence. Shiverbats resemble giant eyeless slugs with two bat-like wings. They are a motted gray-green, and their only facial feature is a large mouth with thorn-like teeth. The average Shiverbat is 2 feet long with a 4-foot wingspan, and weighs about 50lbs.
Shiverbats are psionic carnivores. They move by psionic levitation, propelling themselves through the air telekinetically at an average speed of 30 mph. Their wings provide no lift, but allow fine control. They are consummate aerialists, and can accelerate instantly to full speed, stop on a dime, or perform complex aerobatics.
Senses[edit]
Shiverbats lack any analog to the Human senses of hearing or sight. They have secondary senses of smell and touch, both several times more acute than a Human's. Their name comes from their primary sense, the ability to use their telekinesis in a sonar-like fashion to scan the area around them, The fleeting caress of their mental fingers is the only warning that a Shiverbat is hunting.
Life Cycle & Reproduction[edit]
Shiverbats grow throughout their lives, gradually becoming slower but more psionically powerful. About one in four Shiverbats survives local predators, accidents, and microorganisms to reach their full growth. After 15 years, a Shiverbat will be 5 feet across and weigh 70 lbs. -- ready to begin the metamorphosis into adulthood. It will begin making a nest from a pile of compost or carrion. It will then burrow into the ground and roll itself into a ball, entering a hibernation trance in which all its stored energy is used to power its metamorphosis. During this time, other Shiverbats will keep intermittent watch over it, to protect it from burrowing scavengers and predators. After about two months in hibernation, the Shiverbat will emerge from the ground as an adult Intellect, the mature form of the Devi Intelligence.
Diet & Trophics[edit]
Shiverbats are omnivore/hunters. Normally, they eat various mobile fungoid lifeforms, the most common of which are small hopping creatures resembling blind two-legged rabbits, as well as certain types of immobile fungoids. If necessary, they can live entirely on rotting vegetable matter, although they would need to eat a lot of it. They would have no trouble living off typical ship's rations.
History & Background (Dossier)[edit]
They are subjects of the Two Thousand Worlds.
Travellers' Aid Society Advisory[edit]
No information yet available.
Worlds & Sectors (Astrography)[edit]
This sophont species can primarily be found in the following areas:
World Listing: 1105[edit]
The following systems and worlds are associated with this sophont species:
References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]
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- Andy Slack, David Thomas, David L. Pulver. Alien Races 2 (Steve Jackson Games, 1999), 127-134.
- Author & Contributor: (*) I-C #DroyneLife (*) (talk) 23:35, 30 March 2017 (EDT)