WHIMs WISPs and WARPs
Overview
Whiptails originate from an artificial setting where they were created as small, portable, friendly data managers. Small enough to sit on your shoulder if they are allowed to, they are record keepers and data analyzers meant to out compete protocol droids. Relatively durable for their size, they required far less maintenance than droids, and they didn't require a technician or oil baths for care. Dark colored with striking patterns, they were meant to appeal to the upper echelons of society who could afford the initial purchase price. Like most technology, the price came down with time to make them more common, and unexpected circumstances of their advanced version came to pass.
Common Properties
Classification | Biodroid | Movement modes | Walk, swim, flight (WISP/WARP only) | |
Height | 6-10 inches | Diet | Herbivorous / Nectar feeder. Photosynthetic | |
Length (Nose to Tail tip) | 8-15 inches | Color | Dark gray base, default blue and yellow. Customizable at cost | |
Weight | 5 - 10 pounds | Cybernetics | Cyber ready. Custom Neuromachine interface standard |
- Movement
- All three series of whiptail are aquatic and capable of both swimming and breathing underwater but to different degrees. Whims excel in water with Warps second. The wings of a Wisp can be used for swimming but are less effective.
- Wisp and Warp series whiptails are flight capable. Wisp units focus on high agility and maneuvering while Warps are biased more towards speed and endurance flight. Both are capable of moving in small spaces.
- Walking is always the slowest movement mode for whiptails due to their small legs. They can keep up with most bipeds walking speed, but they need to be carried or switch to flight for running speeds.
- Photosynthesis
- All whiptails are photosynthetic. The dark coloration of their skin is due to optimized visible and ultraviolet absorption that drives their photosynthesis. Both carbon and nitrogen are fixable by whiptails. As a result, whiptails can subsist for long periods on light and mineral water. Photosynthesis reduces their maintenance cost and upkeep by offsetting their other dietary needs.
- Diet
- All whiptails are herbivorous with nectar feeding being their preferred source of nutrition. Sugar water and occasional mineral supplements are enough to sustain whiptails. They can also process even chain alcohols like ethanol and butanol without becoming intoxicated. This lets them consume and subsist on cheap, common liquors, and this makes them easier to take into bar settings or in scenarios when drinking is required as a social or diplomatic action.
- Cybernetics
- All whiptails have three find on their back: on as a dorsal fin and two near the lower back, tail base, or hips. These serve both to guide them when in water, but each fin is packed with specialized nerve clusters that form their innate neuromachine interface. When paired with a mobile cyber suit, they can operate communication and computer interface tasks by directly linking to the specified computer systems
- Bio-Luminescence
- All whiptails have luminescent structures meant to make them visible at night or in dark places to better prevent stepping on or otherwise damaging them in the dark. The intensity of the light is determined consciously by the whiptail from nearly dark to bright and visible at range. Antennae, fins, and tail adornments such as finds or spades glow.
Specific Lineages
Because they were commissioned to fill very specialized roles, almost all of which required stronger wills, better ability to handle isolation, and, in the case of two units, the ability to sense and use supernatural abilities. Given out as diplomatic gifts with the understanding that these multi-million cred it units and their accessories were meant, mostly, as peace offerings, they also provided a subtle foot in the door for the company to keep an eye on investors and others who received a wisp. Units 1 and 13 are shown above.
Notable Whiptails
- Relic Whim An old series Whim that survived through the Replicator Wars only to end up entangled in an eldritch plot far older. Bears a number of power he would rather not have. Often accompanied by the Darkness entity (K)Night
- Pepper Wisp Wisp used in a Star Wars game setting. An emerging force user a dangerously strong need to belong. Partner to Jack, a Wildkin collie from Protein Solutions
- Ryvyx Warp A class 10x Warp from long after the Replicator Wars. His shuttle vanished after entering light speed, and he has been lost since.