Leso
by vvulf
Basic Information
Anatomy
Leso do not have any singular body plan, nor do they have a set number of limbs. Between all of them, there have been observed Leso with centauric body builds, with bipedal stature, tripods, quadrupeds-- the Leso's body is woven by the Leso themselves, and what shape their flesh takes is a matter of personal desire and satisfaction.
Their only similarity between all of them with regards to precise anatomical features is the presence of affixed old world skulls which are, without fail, attached to a singular neck. These eyeless skulls have no brain within them, but they are the head of the Leso, and if the skull is crushed or detached from its flesh-body, the Leso does die. As such, Leso are very protective of their skulls, and it is considered a sign of aggression to touch the skull of a Leso uninvited.
What is also uniform between the Leso is their body itself. The Leso's body is made of flesh that has been harvested from the pulsing life-meat of Iun-- scraped from a home's wall, harvested from the bowels of Iun, or carefully excised from a particular place that the parent Leso likes to stay. This flesh, when attached to the skull and implanted with proper memories, shapes the body. All Leso are at least half-covered in pure muscle, tendon, and sinew. Some have patchwork skin and fur, but none have skin and fur on the majority of their body.
Biological Traits
Leso are made of flesh and bone and sinew, and as such, they all tend towards specific biological traits. In particular, Leso do not possess physical eyes, but they report no blindness, and are by all accounts capable of sight. Their musculature is often laced with 'veins' and 'cords', binding particular pieces together or tensed for maximum impact once sprung.
Genetics and Reproduction
Leso do not reproduce sexually.
Their bodies are living testaments to knowledge and experience. Each Leso carries within them a core memory (Tluxeku in the language of Iun). This core memory is their source of life, and is also the first memory imparted to them by the Leso who created them. It is something the Leso cannot share, as their very life-thread is wound into the memory itself.
When a Leso wishes to die-- for the reproduction process always "kills" the Leso responsible, even if their consciousness and memories seep into the flesh of their young -- they located a skull from the old world and harvest a suitable chunk of Iun's city-flesh. Once this is done, the Leso isolates, slowly weaving more and more of their body and soul and memories into their offspring. The process is not painful, nor is it uncomfortable. Instead, the Leso experiences a sensation of euphoric awareness as they become one with the collective memories of their ancestors.
Inevitably, the last memory of the parent-Leso's consciousness is of the first stirring of their child-Leso's body before they seep into it fully, and become part of the centuries-long trove of knowledge that are carried within the Leso.
When a Leso accesses this life-memory, they are made aware of which ancestor gave it to them: It is from Dekahi I know how to weave a basket. Leso are fond of citing the memories of particular ancestors that they feel a kinship with.
Growth Rate & Stages
Leso do not have growth or stages once they acheive consciousness and have been made -- at least not as we know them.
Instead, for some time, the Leso shapes itself. They ponder their flesh, and the shape they wish to have. Leso will grow extra limbs, change their body plans, and gain various defensive features such as spikes, broad limbs, and claws. Over decades, they alter themselves until they have reached their ideal physical form. By the time a Leso is a century in age, they're occupying the form they wish to have.
Behaviour
Leso are walking repositories of knowledge to a degree that no other species could hope to replicate. Even the most belligerent and antisocial of Leso carries the memories of dozens of predecessors. As such, Leso -- even those with roguish tendencies -- make natural scholars or teachers, which some have been known to find quite embarrassing.
A Leso's core memory is their most treasured possession. To give it up is to die, regardless of the circumstance.
Young Leso can have trouble accessing or controlling the memories that they hold within flesh and body, and as a result, some of them can be more violent than others while they learn to ease the ceaseless tide of information. Older Leso will often seek out the younger kin, even going so far as to cross into the Bowels and Underbelly of Iun to find newborns and teach them techniques of isolating the chattering knowledge-tide before it drives them to aggression.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Each Leso's head is an old world skull. These skulls are often pristine, despite their age, and are well-groomed. In some districts of Iun, it is an outright crime to touch the skull of a Leso without permission, because a Leso's skull contains the key of life-- if it is shattered, the Leso dies, and with them dies the memories of flesh and soul.
Origin/Ancestry
Construct
Lifespan
Leso can live anywhere between 100 to 300 years, depending on the individual.
Average Height
Height varies, but for bipedal Leso, the average height is 7 feet at the top of the skull.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Red, white, purple-tendoned. Leso are walking grotesqueries even if they are well-tempered. Fur and skin, when the Leso possesses such things, can be any shade or texture.
Related Materials
Comments