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Chapter 20: “None of the Above - Exotic Species”

These species, for various reasons, cannot be categorized as any of the abovementioned. The majority are the descendants of uplift species with unusual and/or non-insectoid biology. However, compared to the species of other sections, a significantly high proportion of entries listed have divine origins despite not being classified as gods themselves.

As stated in the foreword and definition of “species,” gods or species-like groups that are known to gain members of their species through transformation/conversion are not included in this compendium. These entries do not represent the full sum of knowledge on each species, and have been edited for brevity. Additional information and resources are cited below each entry, for the curious.

Vessels

To the assumed surprise of none studying this compendium, the final - and one of the most dangerous - species in the compendium appears to hail from the infamous no-man's land, the fabled and failed kingdom of Hallownest^[1].

While there is no shortage of species with divine origins in this final section, the Vessels have especially mysterious origins, with no apparent progenitor god and exactly two written records of their existence, both of which lie in Hallownest’s ruins^[2]. Outside of Hallownest, hearsay (and a few rather recent records and sketches) are the only evidence of their existence.

Due to the scarcity of this species, no author has been able to directly interview a Vessel, although several nomadic individuals have been able to attest to their existence. Most descriptions given by those who claim to have encountered a Vessel are consistent in assessments of biology, capabilities, temperament, and other characteristics. Furthermore, nearly all sources stated that their encounters with a Vessel occurred in Hallownest’s caverns or in the Wastes nearby. Due to the consistency between these eyewitness reports, the combined testimony of several generous wanderers and scholars have been accepted as fact for the purposes of this document.

Most Vessels have been described as somewhat similar to common bugs in size and shape, albeit slightly shorter in stature. They are bipedal, with four limbs, a head with two or more horns that come in various shapes and lengths, and a cloak-like set of vestigial wings - very similar to those possessed by adult mantids. Their bodies and limbs are invariably black, while their heads and horns are invariably white. Their cloaks may exhibit one of several muted colors. Like nearly all bipedal beings, they use their upper set of limbs to manipulate objects. Their hands are paw-like, with five stubby fingers on each.

Here is where their resemblances to common bugs end. Every Vessel encountered by a civilized bug has been described as having no recognizable sex or gender characteristics. Their two large, forward-facing eyes appear to be less eyes and more empty pits rather than ocular organs - numerous sources described being able to see nothing but inscrutable darkness within. They are entirely expressionless, their heads being a natural full mask.

Their shells (authors will henceforth use this term out of convenience) are made of hard white chitin covering their heads and a strange, pliable material on the torso and extremities, which have no visible shell-plates, scales, or joints. Despite this, their bodies do not entirely lack shell (as worms and slugs do): they appear to have ordinary shell protecting their heads, but an “internal shell” within their bodies. This feature is entirely unique to their kind, allowing them to move in an unsettling manner akin to very flexible puppets.

Vessels lack true hemolymph, instead having shells filled with a viscous substance that seems to almost repel light. They are covered in skin similar to that of gastropods and non-divine worms. This skin, however is entirely dry and covered in a short fuzz - they cannot use it for respiration but appear to possess no spiracles, nor any orifice besides eyes. Only the largest individuals have been described as having a mouth, an observation that is possibly related to the species’ inability to produce sound.

Notably, Vessels are generally referred to as diminutive - around a head shorter than the average common beetle (horns included), and with childlike proportions. This is because, in fact, nearly all Vessels described have been hatchlings. Given that they do not appear to have mouths until their final instar^[3] it is unclear whether Vessels need to eat or drink at all. We do not understand the conditions Vessels require in order to grow, and what causes their growth to halt. It has been debated whether or not they can be considered alive in the typical sense - it is yet unclear how they obtain energy, although a few theories have been presented and are explained in the next section.

For the purposes of this compendium, a Vessel is considered to be an adult once it has reached its maximum size - towering over most non-divine intelligent beings at about 4 times the height of the common bug. Adult Vessels can be considered hemimetabolous, as they continue to follow the general body plan of their hatchling forms - four limbs, generally bipedal, two eyes, and no wings. A Vessel’s head seems to stretch as it grows, lengthening from its initial round shape with short horns into a sharp V. Their stubby paws extend into full hands and fingers as seen in many civilized species, and the undersides of their heads become able to open, revealing a hinged, fanged maw that can bite in an up-and-down fashion, as opposed to the sideways motion of nearly all insect mandibles. They do not seem to use this mouth to breathe, and lack mandibles or chelicerae. Their tongues and teeth are black, and their mouths seem to lead to the same darkness behind their eye-holes. When heavily injured, this darkness seems to leak out of the Vessel’s body.

While the Vessel body structure at least seems somewhat natural at first glance, the same cannot be said for their other biological traits, the most notable of which is their silence. Even adult Vessels, which possess mouths, seem to be unable to produce sound. On the contrary, Vessels seem to be able to absorb sound at will, radiating a kind of “unsound” that nullifies any noise in their vicinity. Their senses of hearing and sight are uncanny - while they are able to detect movement as well as the common bug, they appear to have more powerful eyesight and can discern objects from far away, despite not appearing to have true eyes at all. Many Vessels have been described as tireless, showing no need for sleep or even rest over days or weeks. These attributes point to a likely divine origin, although our religious scholars have been unable to point to a god that could account for all of these traits^[4].

While not needing to eat, drink, or supposedly rest, Vessels can consume energy in certain forms. Instead of absorbing light energy through leaves like some beings, or from the ground like fungi, Vessels can directly absorb the life-energy (more commonly known as “Soul”) of other living beings by damaging them at close range. Many have been observed using this soul to quickly heal damaged portions of their bodies. It has been theorized that this is how Vessels grow - like how they use this energy to repair their shell, they can use great amounts of it to slowly stretch their shape and grow, without needing to eat, drink, or molt and bear the period of vulnerability immediately afterwards. An immense amount of soul and a long stretch of time would likely be required for such a change; however, this theory does not explain why Vessels seem to have a fixed maximum size in their adult forms.

The most notable - and most confusing - aspect of Vessel biology is the darkness that all Vessels seem to contain within their shells. The properties of this darkness suggest a deep connection to the Abyssal sea, with Vessel “hemolymph” possibly being a form of void. Until a living Vessel can be observed by a scholar of primordial elements, it is unlikely that the nature of their darkness can be brought to light.

The veracity of the following information is unclear to the authors of this compendium, but much of it has been described to the point where they should be included nonetheless. Several interviewees have claimed that Vessels can use soul-based spells, or teleport short distances in a rush of darkness. Unlike healing, these do not appear to be innate or instinctive skills, but must be learned and practiced. Light from strong sources tends to almost bend towards Vessels, although they always appear as though they are standing in shadow.

A handful of sources insist that Vessels cannot die - a statement that seems profane alone, but may be explained by another phenomenon: All accounts from those who have witnessed a Vessel’s death explain that when its shell is cracked beyond the point of repair, the darkness within it bursts out of the now-empty husk and assumes a similar form to the Vessel in life.

No scholar contacted by the authors of this encyclopedia could agree on what this “shadow” of the Vessel is, and why it forms after death - Is it a sort of corrupted Dream ghost? A parasite, or symbiote? Is the “shadow” the actual Vessel, simply animating an organic husk? Given its clearly inorganic nature, is it part of the Vessel at all? Are Vessels organic to begin with? Regardless, this shadow will turn on any being that comes near it - friend or foe or killer, Vessel or bug or beast. While it may retain the skills and abilities of its living self, it lacks its intelligence, and can only be stopped through violence. Upon being damaged enough, these shadows seem to condense and drop to the ground, quickly sinking through even solid rock. This behavior aligns with the behavior of ephemeral void creatures, indicating an inorganic and possibly divine origin for this darkness. Scholars speculate that once the shadow is heavily damaged, it loses its ability to hold its form and is forced to return to the Voidsea.

Vessels have no society or culture to speak of. They lack any physical belongings, markings, or even a language of any sort to identify them as part of a group, although all Vessels innately understand Hallownestian^[1] and can be taught to sign and/or understand new languages.

Most Vessels described have been found alone, wandering aimlessly. Some, always hatchlings, have been found in small groups of 2-5. According to the one informant who once encountered a group of Vessels that knew how to sign, these Vessels found in groups are siblings.

As their method of reproduction is unclear despite their clearly Hallownestian origin, it is entirely unknown how Vessel families function, if they exist at all. Further complicating the matter, the few Vessels that have been taught to sign tend to refer to other Vessels as “siblings.” In some foreign cultures, strangers or friends are addressed as “brother,” “sister,” or “sibling.” However, due to their seeming lack of unified communication methods, it is possible that this is a literal indication that all Vessels are each others’ siblings. This seems to indicate some degree of sociality bordering eusociality, and raises further questions as to the possibility of a Vessel “queen.”

Descriptions of Vessel personalities vary wildly. Most who interacted with a Vessel for a short period of time described their mannerisms as unsettling. They appear to look straight through others, cannot blink or close their eye-holes, and show a total lack of reaction to signaling pheromones. Many show a distaste for strong light. Their movements are described as eerily fluid despite their hinged joints - likely a result of their unique internal biology. It is little wonder then that the majority of lone Vessels encountered have been described as emotionless, off-putting, and sometimes even mindless.

However, some accounts of lone Vessels describe them fending off scavengers to protect injured wanderers, hunting and releasing wild beasts seemingly for entertainment, expressing excitement by jumping or running in circles, and occasionally scratching pictures in the dirt to ask or answer questions - all very clear indications of sapience, and on occasion, empathy. One unique case in which a Vessel was adopted by a nomadic tribe - who are the source of most of this compendium’s information on Vessel biology - shows that it is possible for Vessels to bond with those outside their species.

Although fewer records exist of Vessels’ interactions with other beings or even other Vessels, these records do nothing to undo their reputation of strange behavior. In general, Vessels are extremely social in a manner distinct from eusociality. Unlike eusocial insects, Vessels are all independent beings. They seem to have no strict hierarchy in groups, do not specialize in tasks, and do not seem to serve any beings outside themselves or their chosen group.

Vessels that choose to interact with bugs or others of their kind seem to be fond of touch in a manner that goes against the instinct of civilized bugs - not just tolerating, but welcoming it. They seem to have a need for interaction with other beings that is unheard of in all but the most extroverted members of particularly social cultures. However, it should be noted that as all information on Vessels comes from those who have spent some time with one, selection bias may play a strong role in this observation.

Furthermore, Vessels in groups seem to have an innate understanding of the others’ emotional states, energy levels, and focuses of attention in a manner exceeding the canniest of pack-hunting beasts. Notably, this understanding extends to non-Vessels they trust, although that understanding does not go both ways. It has been ruled out that Vessels possess any form of telepathy, as they appear unable to transmit complex information without signing or writing, even to other Vessels. The most likely explanation for this form of intangible communication is that it is an aid for the extremely social behavior most Vessels display, given their inability to communicate in the same manner as other creatures. The bugs of most civilizations communicate through speech, facial expressions, and/or pheromones. While the exact mechanism of communication is unclear, it is likely that Vessels are extremely sensitive to subtle visual and touch-based cues in the beings around them, allowing them to express and “read” basic emotion or intent in a way that is nigh-indecipherable to others.

This section is typically devoted to idiosyncrasies, traditions, or values of a species that could endanger the well-being of strangers unfamiliar with that species's culture or biology. It also evaluates the threat posed by an average member of a species to warriors seeking challenge. As Vessels have no discernable common culture, we will focus on the latter.

Few mercenaries, warriors, and hunters have claimed to have fought a Vessel. Some of these informants claimed victory, while others claim to have barely escaped with their lives intact.

Most Vessel hatchlings, given their small size, can be taken down by any reasonably skilled hunter or warrior. That being said, any aspiring warriors should note that Vessel size does not indicate age, as Vessels appear to grow by some other means than aging or feeding. While uncommon, a Vessel Hatchling experienced in the art of a nail or other weapon can be a terrifying foe: Small, quick, and seemingly tireless. The ability of some Vessels to teleport, use spells, or even use the strange darkness within them as a spell-like ranged weapon only adds to their strength. Any aspiring hunters or warriors seeking to test their strength should take care to never bite or be bitten by a Vessel. The hemolymph-like darkness within them eats away at flesh and shell like acid, and remains a slow-acting but deadly poison in even trace amounts.

With their ridiculous size, adult Vessels have lost the advantages that come with being small and difficult to hit. They more than make up for this with monstrous strength and speed, the combat experience required for a Vessel to survive and grow, and a bite that will likely cost the victim use of any limbs near the wound. One should also assume that an adult Vessel is proficient in the use of one or more weapons, teleportation magic, soul-based spells, and manipulation of the darkness within it. Very, very few warriors could hope to survive a serious battle against a fully grown Vessel.

Regardless of the age or strength of a Vessel, any hunter or warrior would have to contend with one final challenge after its defeat: The darkness contained within. When a Vessel’s shell is broken, the darkness within it bursts out, attacking every living being nearby before being destroyed or eventually sinking into the ground below. Those seeking to honorably hunt a Vessel should prepare to fight a Shade as well.

All in all, many Vessels - especially fully grown Vessels - are far stronger than the average common bug, warrior, hunter, or mercenary. While the level of danger posed may depend on age and experience, we do not recommend challenging Vessels unless one knows what one is doing. If by some miracle none of the above convinces you, consider that the recently-crowned Queen of Pharloom - a demigod in her own right - wrote in a letter collectively addressed to the authors of this encyclopedia that she had previously lost not one, but two fights to a Vessel hatchling^[5].

No Vessel has been reported to show hostility before being provoked, although wanderers should note that anyone who had been attacked by a Vessel in the Wastes would have perished before being able to report it. There is a good chance they pose no danger to travelers who do not aim to hunt one or best one in combat.

[1] Vessels share one feature with many uplifted species - an inborn understanding of the language of the god that “created” them. Although they are unable to speak it, all Vessels seem to innately understand Hallownestian. This further cements scholarly conclusions that Vessels originate from Hallownest.

[2] Very few adventurers manage to comb the depths beneath the surface-most levels of Hallownest’s caverns and return alive. One particularly strong or lucky individual braved the kingdom’s depths to reach its capital and spoke to a resident relic collector. He described a statue in the capital’s central square - a memorial to a knightly figure almost exactly matching the description of several members of a mystery species in the Wastes, surrounded by three masked figures as though being protected. A separate individual ventured to a burial ground relatively close to the surface and described a separate memorial to three masked figures identical to those in the memorial in the capital, wherein those figures were described as protecting “the Vessel.” As such, it can be inferred that Hallownest referred to members of this species as “Vessels,” and that at least this individual held great importance in their society.

[3] In only two recorded instances has a civilized bug observed a Vessel for long enough to watch it grow. Both highlight the observation that Vessels do not appear to molt, instead slowly stretching into a new form. We use “final instar” to mean “at maximum size” in their case.

[4] Vessels likely have some divine origin, as evidenced by their inexplicable biology and abilities. Their inborn understanding of Hallownestian indicates that they were created or uplifted by the Pale King, but this theory falls apart when examined closely. The only mentions of Vessels are from the last era of the kingdom’s existence, in the years before its decline, meaning if the Pale King had created them, he would have done so centuries after uplifting the bulk of his kingdom - centuries after his first death. Wyrms have never shown an ability to uplift or create new species after their first death, and there is no reason to believe the Pale King is any exception. Furthermore, Vessel biology shows their strong connections to the primordial darkness, a force opposing any god of light, which the Pale King was. While Vessels are likely the creation of a divine being, which being that is remains unclear.

[5] We are unsure of how the Queen of Pharloom caught wind of the authors’ search for knowledge on the Vessel species during the research phase of this publication, or why Her Highness felt inclined to provide us any information. We are truly humbled by this display of goodwill and generosity, and extend our most genuine gratitude for Her aid, as well as for Her repeated warnings to not delve too deeply into the history of Hallownest^[6]. We will carefully heed Her sage advice.

[6] Her exact words were that we should (sic) “keep your pathetic, desecrating claws out of that twice-damned corpse of a kingdom if you have an ounce of sense. Let that tomb remain a tomb, unless you wish to lie in it. Should you choose to pry, I will seal you in there myself.” Our archaeologists have elected to remain at home.