Terminarch

One of the most dangerous species of animal in the galaxy, terminarchs are highly successful apex predators. Feeding on Vita, like Progenitors, they almost went extinct when Progenitors drained their food source from much of the galaxy, but managed to survive. In the Second Age and beyond, with the Progenitors gone and Vita plentiful once more, they made a comeback... much to the devastation of many people.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

Terminarchs are incredibly rare, and found in a variety of habitats on equally varied planets, and can even survive in the void of space. They seek out living things to drain the Vita from them, but can also survive on environmental Vita in a pinch.
As terminarchs take the Vita from all living things around them, Vita core and all, they leave death wherever they go. Plants around them wither, animals drop dead, and even intelligent beings can feel the drain on themselves, just from getting too close.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Almost the cause of their extinction, terminarchs feed exclusively on Vita, which the Progenitors drained from the galaxy during the First Age to feed on themselves. Recovering now, with Vita back in the galaxy, terminarchs are surprisingly laid-back for apex predators. As the energy they feed on comes from all living things, they don't need to put much effort in finding it. Even if they run out, the Vita that exists everywhere in the galaxy is enough to sustain them, even if they won't thrive on that alone.
The most feared part of terminarchs are their hunting methods. As long as they are awake and seeking to feed, all living plants and animals around them die instantly, their Vita drained from their cores effortlessly. In intelligent beings, capable of being Vita-Touched, their cores are better protected. But still, a mere touch from a terminarch is enough to shred said protection, letting the terminarch absorb the Vita core in its entirety. Considering that many see the Vita core as its owner's soul, it is a rather gruesome death, and a dreadfully final one.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

It's unclear what senses terminarchs possess, or how keen they are. They can all sense Vita well enough to find Vita cores within living bodies, and track them over long distances, but otherwise details are lacking. It's almost impossible to say with certainty whether they notice things by sight, or hearing, or smell, or if Vita alone tells them everything they need to know.

Etymology

Named after one of the alternate terms for endlings. Though the name is a misnomer, as terminarchs were likely never down to a single individual left, and had definitely replenished some when they were named, the name nevertheless stuck. Various other names exist, but terminarch is the most commonly used.

Conservation Status

Data Deficient (DD): terminarchs had almost been driven to extinction during the First Age, but have since recovered, at least somewhat. Their current status is unclear.