Approved Species The Unshapen

The High Oracle · Apr 6, 2025

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

Intent: To submit the Unshapen as the lowest caste within The Sovereignty, representing those who are biologically and genetically altered for servitude. This submission will define their biology, cultural subjugation, and potential for future change, hinting at the possibility of Force sensitivity awakening in some of them.
Image Credit: AI art of emaciated humans
Canon: N/A
Permissions: N/A
Links: The Sovereignty The Oracles

GENERAL INFORMATION

Name: The Unshapen
Designation: Sentient
Origins: The exact origins of the Unshapen remain unclear. It is possible they were the result of experiments conducted within The Sovereignty's home galaxy, or they may have even come from a galaxy entirely different from the Sovereignty's. Some believe they were shaped by the ancient bioengineering of Sovereignty scientists, while others speculate that their existence could have been influenced by the enigmatic forces of the Chaos galaxy itself.
Average Lifespan: 30–40 standard years, often shortened due to poor living conditions and physical degradation from their genetic alterations.
Estimated Population: Scattered – A large population among the lowest ranks within Sovereignty society, typically used for labor and menial tasks.
Description: The Unshapen are genetically altered beings who serve as the underclass of Sovereignty society. Though near-human in appearance, they have been biologically modified to be subservient, physically weaker, and lacking in many traits that would allow them to be considered "worthy" by other castes. However, despite their outward appearance and societal status, some have begun to show signs of resilience — perhaps even something more — though whether it will ever lead to change is yet unknown.

PHYSICAL INFORMATION

Breathes: Type I (Standard Atmosphere)
Average Height of Adults: 1.7–1.9 meters
Average Length of Adults: N/A
Skin color: Pale, often with a sickly hue, ranging from stark white to grayish tones, indicative of their genetic modification.
Hair color: Typically hairless, though some may have sparse, thin patches of hair, usually white or light gray.
Distinctions: The Unshapen have undergone extensive genetic modification that has left them physically altered from their original form. They appear emaciated, hairless, and often display faint scarring or signs of failed biotechnical procedures. Male and female distinctions are present but barely emphasized due to the focus on utility rather than biology. Aging results in more pronounced deformities and a gradual deterioration of their physical form.
Races: No distinct races; all Unshapen share similar genetic traits but may have slight variations in appearance based on their designated purpose or the genetic alterations they were subjected to.
Force Sensitivity: Rare – There is speculation that some Unshapen may exhibit the potential for Force sensitivity, though this is an emerging idea and remains unconfirmed. Should any rise to power, they may not do so with the purest of intentions or designs.

Strengths:

High tolerance for physical pain and hard labor due to genetic modification.
Resilient to most diseases, as they were biologically engineered to survive in harsh conditions.

Weaknesses:

Genetically weaker and less resilient than other castes; their bodies deteriorate over time due to extensive biological tampering.
Their cognitive and emotional responses are often shaped by their genetic programming, limiting their ability to act beyond the roles they were assigned. However, some Unshapen have shown the capacity for independent thought and hidden defiance.

CULTURE

Diet: Omnivore; though the Unshapen typically consume low-grade, processed nutrient rations that sustain their physical needs but do little to support health or strength.
Communication: Primarily spoken language, but their communication is often devoid of emotional inflection. They may also use simple gestures or symbols to communicate in a more regimented manner.
Technology level: Minimal – The Unshapen have little access to advanced technology, instead utilizing rudimentary tools and labor machines designed for efficiency and survival.
Religion/Beliefs: The Unshapen are not permitted religious practices, as the Oracles view them as tools to serve the higher castes. They are often forced to adhere to the spiritual doctrines set forth by the Oracles, but some secretly harbor thoughts of rebellion or hope for divine intervention.
General behavior: The Unshapen are raised to serve or be victims of experimentation; they are not permitted to form families or independent lives. Their work consists of the most menial tasks, from sanitation and maintenance to being used as cannon fodder in war. Some Unshapen, however, form bonds in secret, and a small number of them have exhibited remarkable resilience and willpower, though these acts of defiance are often punished. Despite this, they are largely oppressed, their lives shaped by necessity and harsh control. There are whispers of some rising to prominence, though their intentions may not always align with the purest or most noble ideals.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The Unshapen were created as a biological underclass within Sovereignty society. Though once near-human, they were genetically altered through multiple generations to serve as the most expendable caste, tasked with menial labor, maintenance, and support roles. This genetic manipulation was part of the Oracles' broader strategy to enforce a rigid caste system designed to maintain the stability of Sovereignty society and uphold the Pattern Eternal.

Their genetic modifications suppressed personal agency, reducing them to little more than tools for labor. However, during research into their biology in the Sovereignty's home galaxy, scientists discovered an anomaly: cells within some of the Unshapen contained receptors that seemed to be attuned to an energy source, yet no signal was ever received. Initially dismissed as a biological defect, this discovery raised questions about whether the Unshapen possessed a latent potential — one that was never intended by their creators.

As the Sovereignty ventures into the Chaos galaxy, these dormant traits may begin to surface in ways the Oracles cannot anticipate. Some Unshapen, having endured the worst of their caste's oppression, might rise beyond their original purpose. Whether they will do so with pure intent or take advantage of their potential for less noble reasons is yet to be seen. Their evolution remains a mystery, and the full scope of what they may become has yet to unfold.