Jhester
| Jhester | |
|---|---|
| Base Information | |
| Classification | |
| Terrain | Swamp |
| Locomotion | Amphibious Walker |
| Size | 1.3m |
| Speed | Slow |
| Strength | |
| Social Structure | small groups |
| Weapons | None |
| Armor | None |
| Source | |
| Homeworld | Nukaush (Dagudashaag 1906) |
| Multi-world | Yes |
| Canon | No |
| Reference | "Port of Call: Nukaush." Signal-GK 10 8. |
The Jhester’s are perhaps the best known example of shape-changer.
Physiology and ecology
Jhester’s are only found in the region around the Jhester seas of Nukaush (Dagudashaag 1906) Nukaush is one of only two planets in Dagudashaag to have developed polymorphic fauna. Creatures from this region all have the following characteristics; All lack fur, instead they have a thick layer of epidermis, which they can alter to be thinner or thicker as required. 'Bones' consist of flexible hollow tubes made up of a flexible cartilage which can be reshaped and then filled with a super-dense 'blood'-like fluid to give the creature skeletal strength.
Its natural form is of a 1.3 m high frog-like creature with long limbs and long digits, yet it is capable of mimicking most racial forms through mentally controlling the alteration of its bone and outer skin. Jhester’s can only imitate images that they see and then only on the surface. It can create ridges of 'armour', grow new limbs (though these generally lack strength or dexterity and are more for decoration than function) or 'false’ sensory organs, or even swell their size to half again its original bulk through creating pockets of methane deep within the layers of epidermis.
Jhester’s are not intelligent though scientists have not yet been able to figure out the mechanism which controls the metamorphosis.
History and background
Most other polymorphic creatures lack the Jhester’s ability to imitate a wide variety of creatures and generally develop a defensive and attack forms, often in imitation of their most feared predator. Jhester’s have been classed as nonintelligent though the Brethren Uplift Institute has stated that it is their belief that Jhester’s could develop intelligence eventually. This theory is hotly contended by many other scientists who believe that Jhester’s are an evolutionary dead-end.
Surprisingly, in all other regions of Nukaush, the animals have developed along standard evolutionary patterns. In this region, however, the native life forms are both amphibious and shape changing.
Jhester’s have become a popular pet throughout Dagudashaag, Vland and Gushemege Sectors.
References and contributors
- Jae Campbell. "Port of Call: Nukaush." Signal-GK 10 (1995): 8. via HIWG
- Jae Campbell. Encyclopaedia Dagudashaag (Signal-GK, 2017), 174-175.