Not that I'm unhappy. On the contrary, I don't think I've smiled so much while reading AEM as I did when I read this. xD
Thank you. XD
I hope Lanette is always there, reminding him of this incident.
Pfft. The entire Caravan will always be there, reminding him of this incident. Even long after the fic is over. That boy is never going to live this down. XD
Originally Posted by GastlyMan
I know! I need to learn to live without food and a house so I don't have to worry about all that anymore. >: (
If you learn to do that, e-mail me because I'd like to do the same someday. *raises mug in a salute*
Ooh, I'm excited to see. |D
It may come sooner than people think! ...Along with something that will make Absol happy. XD
Ah, yes. Interesting how the hierarchy of ixodida works. Being a drone would definitely suck.
Oh yes. I can't wait to explain it in-depth within the fic (because there's a lot that I can't reveal due to spoilers and whatnot).
But for funsies, the non-spoilery hierarchy as y'all know it is at the end of this post as your first extra. Have fun!
Mood whiplash, huh? Sounds exciting, hehe. ^_^
Haha, I hope so. Honestly, I feel like anything after this chapter will be mood whiplash. XD; Sorry!
Oh, and the special was awesome!
Thank you!
...I was laughing so hard when I read that. XD
Awesome. XD In that case, I've done my job correctly. *salutes!*
Oh goodness. Poor Bill. :D So amazing that the Attract only worked on the males.
Bwahahahaaaaa, so something I would do, amirite? ;D
Also, thanks for the comments! I promise, I'm working on AEM 26 as quickly as possible. :D
In the meantime, the first extra! I was thinking of doing a profile for it, but really, GM's post made me just want to break out the world building stuff. So!
Extra #1: The Ixodida Hierarchy
Spoiler:- Whee, semi-spoilers!:
Technically, there are two types of adult-form ixodida: monarchs and drones. Monarchs are distinguished with arrowhead-shaped blades at the ends of their tails, along with the ability to speak coherently in their host's language and generally think for themselves. Drones are distinguished with a blunt or club-like end on their tails, besides savage behavior, a lack of higher intelligence, and unwavering loyalty/servitude to monarchs of like types. (For example, a flying-type monarch can control flying-type drones. It's debatable as to whether or not this would be a type of mind control. Drones, after all, willingly follow orders and lack minds to speak of, but on the other hand, if a monarch told them to march off a cliff, they would without question, regardless of what either the parasite or the host thinks would be best for their body.)
All ixodida are arranged in this social structure, starting with the highest-ranked at the top and going on down the line to the lowest at the bottom. Furthermore, this only applies to a single colony (group of ixodida on a single planet) but does not deal with any possible superstructures (interplanetary groups) within the species. Think of it like a hive of bees, but there's no reason to believe that the hive isn't somehow connected to hives elsewhere. That is also the closest thing you're getting to a spoiler here.
Imperial Ixodida
The imperial ixodida -- often referred to as the emperor or empress (depending on the gender of the host) -- is a monarch in control of the entire colony. Typically the strongest ixodida on its respective planet, its main job is overseeing the activities within its domain, making decisions to preserve the colony, and breeding. All monarchs and drones answer to the imperial ixodida, regardless of type. Lilith is the current imperial ixodida -- empress, to be specific -- of Earth's colony.
Consort
The emperor or empress's mate. Not necessarily the strongest ixodida in a colony, although imperials have a tendency to choose a mate based on strength anyway. Lilith does not have a consort as of yet.
Court
The emperor or empress is typically attended to by a "court," usually the strongest monarchs of each type. Court members have the double-duty of overseeing the activities of their respective clans (types) and carrying out direct orders from the imperial ixodida. When not attending to matters throughout the colony, court members typically station themselves close to the imperial ixodida in order to serve as direct body guards to His or Her Majesty. Pandora and Prometheus are both members of Lilith's court, as was the Lord of the Skies. It should be interesting to note that Bill would technically be considered a court member because of a lack of any representatives of the steel-type besides him, but because of his free will, he falls under a different category.
Nobles
All other (non-rogue) monarchs. Nobles can order drones around if they so desire, but they must take orders from the court members above them.
Drones
Explained previously.
Parasites
Technically part of the hierarchy in that they're the lowest rung. There's two reasons why they rank so low. First, they're considered to have no mind at all (rather, a single hive-mind that's very easily influenced by the commands of virtually any monarch). Second, it's not unusual for an adult-form ixodida to cannibalize the parasite group. About the only form of respect the drones and monarchs have towards the parasites is that they eventually form more drones and monarchs to extend the ixodida species, but really, they're more regarded as non-entities or livestock (much in the same way that ixodida treat host species).
Rogues
A group that operates outside of the hierarchy system, defined by monarchs who -- for whatever reason -- have gained free will. They defy the imperial ixodida's orders and function for their own well-being, rather than the survival of the colony. It's also not unusual for rogues to attempt to usurp the imperial ixodida or attempt to destroy the colony completely by campaigning to fight against the throne. However, due to the host's typical ignorance towards the way the ixodida hierarchy works (if not due to a loss of sanity or a lack of understanding towards how an ixodida body works to begin with), the life expectancy of a rogue is not that impressive, so rogues who make their intent to stage a coup against the emperor or empress are usually not taken seriously by the court. Drones are never rogues due to the extremely feral mindset of the parasite suppressing the mind of the host completely, but monarchs, who are generally either an incredibly arrogant or an intensely mysterious breed, are much easier for a host to negotiate with for free will. Both Tate and Bill are these, although their reasons for being rogues are completely different.
The only other thing that would be helpful to know about the ixodida hierarchy are group names. A colony would, as noted earlier, be a group of all ixodida on a planet. A clan, meanwhile, is every ixodida of a certain type. Ixodida have their own words for each type, so as a quick run-down, the clans (along with noteworthy members).
Normal: Light Clan
Side note: So named for their use of light- and sound-based attacks.
Noteworthy members: None
Water: Sea Clan
Side note: Members of this clan can swim and possess gills, webbed hands and feet, and fins (the latter in lieu of wings to fly). They were also the only types of ixodida that were not killed in the sinking of the St. Lucia, but the government conveniently left that part out when it was noted that all ixodida are converging on the mainland instead of spreading out to other regions. Also, they seem to prefer freshwater instead of salt.
Noteworthy members: None
Flying: Sky Clan
Side note: Bug-types that aren't obviously bugs. Wrap your mind around that one. Since losing their court member, a noble has been promoted to the position, but luckily, you'll never meet her.
Noteworthy members:
- Lord of the Skies (court)
- The Harpy Sisters (drones)
Poison: Venom Clan
Noteworthy members:
- Male and female drones (deceased) way back at the beginning of the Mauville arc
Electric: Storm Clan
Side note: Explicitly mentioned as being the fastest ixodida in existence. Adam's note on this is very appropriate; it's true.
Noteworthy members:
- Abel (drone, deceased)
Ground: Sand Clan
Side note: So named for their preference for desert and sandy habitats.
Noteworthy members: None
Psychic: Heart Clan
Side note: So named for their natural ability to see within the hearts of other ixodida. Yes, Tate is rather touchy about how girly this is too. And yes, make all the "what kind of lame power is heart anyway" jokes you'd like.
Noteworthy members:
- Tate (rogue)
Rock: Mountain Clan
Side note: So named for their preference for mountainous habitats. The only other type of ixodida that can't fly. (Even Sand Clan members ironically can.)
Noteworthy members: None
Dragon: Beast Clan
Side note: So named because these are usually the ixodida that look the least like their host species. Additionally, monarchs from this clan are known for being the most barbaric and inhumane -- or, in other words, the most violent and the least manipulative. They do not play with their food, in other words. They make clothing out of their food's skin, fashion their limbs into clubs, and tear their heads off. Usually in that order.
Noteworthy members: None. And be happy about it.
Ghost: Spirit Clan
Noteworthy members: None
Dark: Moon Clan
Side note: So named for their nocturnal behavior.
Noteworthy members: None
Steel: Iron Clan
Noteworthy members:
- Bill (rogue)
- There are literally no other members of the Steel Clan on Earth besides Bill. It's been implied that the Iron Clan had been decimated on the ixodida's homeworld. Whether or not this is true has yet to be seen.
There is no bug-type clan because, as all ixodida are part bug-type, there is no pure-bug ixodida.
Last edited by JX Valentine; 26th June 2012 at 1:48 AM.
Codename Adam: Chapter thirty-one now available
The Witch of Fic (A simple ask blog for all your writing needs.)
Originally Posted by Phantom Kat
*lets head fall on laptop* What did I just read?!
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