Reavers

Species
Native Environment: no data
See also: Planters; Reaver Combine

Reavers are hivemind spirits that physically manifest as insectoid aliens. They are deeply xenophobic. Reavers generally focus on gathering resources and eliminating possible threats. They have advanced network technology, especially for controlling slaves.

Known subspecies of Reavers include Overminds, Drones, Soldiers, and Wizbugs.

Planters and Reavers are collectively called Vyrik.

Reaver Cloaker

A reaver cloaker is a reaver-possessed human. The reaver enhances the host's abilities considerably, including strength, constitution, perception, and especially dexterity and speed. Initially, the signs of possession are subtle. Over time, the cloaker changes form to become a hybrid human-insectoid abomination. ((Cloakers are inspired by the Judas breed from the excellent movie Mimic.))

Reaver Wraith

A reaver wraith is a stalker merged with a reaver cloaker. Wraiths combine the worst dispositions and greatest powers of stalkers, reavers, and humans. They are extremely dangerous. Very little is known. All attempts to capture or study these beings have failed.

Brother Iron and Myriad on a Reaver Infection

Brother Iron sounds tired. "A being like a cloaker, it's unpredictable. The reavers are inherently beings of spirit, not flesh. So becoming a cloaker is like an infection, or, hrm, a ghostly possession. The reaver moves into the body of a host, sometimes by invitation, sometimes not. And they start to change it. I suspect from their perspective they're improving it. But those improvements can take many forms. Just think of the diversity of the insect kingdom. Limbs like serrated blades. Mandibles with the force to crush steel. Exoskeletal armor. Improved speed. Improved jumping. Improved vision. Improved smell. Wall-climbing. Active camouflage. And of course a wide variety of possible toxins, airborne or liquid.
"As for his tabaxi victim, I can't yet extrapolate as to why he kept her alive and… abused. We're taught that reavers are typically emotionless, focused threats. They care only about advancing the cause of their queens, their hives, their species, and their vast empire, the Reaver Combine. It's possible that the humanoid who became the cloaker did so willing, and retained some agenda that involved the tabaxi. But there's something about the whole situation that smells of vengeance. Like she was being punished for something."
...
Myriad pauses, then, "A reaver is a dangerous adversary. In large numbers, they are selfless in their ferocity, putting the good of their swarm or hive above their own self-preservation. That is a trait that was passed from reaver to assembler, and endures in us today.
"Alone or in a small group, a reaver is likely to evade danger rather than confront it. Alone or in a small group, a reaver is likely focused on a mission, such as reconnaissance or spreading the clandestine knowledge and practices of reaver cults."
Myriad pauses. "A reaver's physical manifestation is susceptible to fire in the way most organic life is. A reaver's true state of being is as a spirit. Not unlike the war spirit you have imprisoned on the roof. A spirit is much harder to harm, but it is also susceptible to attacks that are meaningless to a native Prime organism, such as Banishment."