Feeler

Of all the known species, the Feeler may be the most bizarre. Unlike other forms of plants, they require a host to reproduce. Once thought to be unintelligent, it was later found that they possess **** cunning, and a high intelligence, but they rarely demonstrate it. They lack any known form of written or spoken language, and instead appear to communicate via movements and vibrations.

Body type: Unclassified. May be a form of ambulatory plant. The base root is approximately 1 meter (3 feet) in diameter and a similar length in height. Tentacles can reach up to 30 meters (100 feet) in length.

Appearance: When stationary, the Feeler may appear to be some form of sprawling vine-like vegetation. The color generally ranges from dark green to light green based on how much light it regularly receives. It has 4 types of tentacles. The basic and most common type have numerous tiny suction cup-like features and are able to easily grab items. The second type of tentacle features a jaw-like mouth at the end, and when opened a slender tongue-like appendage can be thrust in or out. The purpose of this tentacle is not fully understood since it does not appear to be used for food consumption. The remaining two tentacle types appear to be male and female sex organs which are discussed under Sexual Characteristics.

Physical abilities: High strength, tentacle regeneration

Growth rate: They sprout 1 to 2 new tentacles each day, and existing ones continue growing larger and longer each day. The main root grows extremely slowly, increasing by less than a 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter each century.

Lifespan: Unknown. Attempts to ascertain their lifespan suggest that Feelers can live for thousands of years. Young infantile Feelers rarely survive to adulthood as most are devoured by other species who find their soft tentacles and immature root to be a delicacy.

Intelligence: High. Although the Feeler may seem plant-like and unintelligent, these creatures have demonstrated high levels of planning and problem-solving. Attempts to communicate with them often seem useless, but some studies indicate that Feelers are able to sense the emotions and general health of subjects they touch with their tentacles. Their vibration method of communicating is not yet understood, but it appears to be highly evolved and potentially capable of conveying complex levels of information.

Sexual Characteristics: Feelers seek out females of various species and attempt to use them as hosts for their seeds. When a female approaches a Feeler, its tentacles will often begin quivering excitedly, and when the female is within range of their grasping tentacles, it will usually reach out suddenly and attempt to capture and excite the female with its regular and mouth-shaped tentacles. Once the female is suitably excited, the Feeler's larger phallus-shaped male tentacles will begin probing and penetrating the female's orifices. These special penis-like tentacles are connected to gland-like structures that traverse the entire length of the tentacle. The glands produce a whitish fluid, and a single male tentacle can produce up to 8 liters (2 gallons) of the substance per day. When the tentacle reaches a certain level of excitement, it will release the substance in rapid bursts. The Feeler's female tentacle is similar in diameter to the male tentacles, but it is hollow. After being inserted into the female's vagina or anus, it will then release many egg-like seeds, implanting them into the host female. The seeds are typically 4 to 8 cm (1.5 to 3 inches) in diameter, but once introduced into the female host's womb or colon they will begin to incubate and expand in size. Depending on the chemical compatibility of the female host, the incubation period may vary between a few hours to several days after which point the seeds will sprout. The female host will then undergo a birthing phase where the young larva-like tentacles emerge from the vagina and/or anus.

Dangers: As the Feeler grows larger, it tends to become more aggressive. At a certain size, it will begin to seek out females, using it's tentacles to shuffle along the ground. Extremely large specimens have been known to destroy structures in attempts to reach females. The danger can be avoided by regular pruning of the Feeler. With fewer than 6 tentacles, the Feeler becomes docile and easy to manage. Those with 6 to 12 tentacles are relatively safe, provided they are allowed to interact with a female a couple times per week. Larger Feelers will need to interact with multiple females on a daily basis. Failing to do this will invariably lead to the Feeler turning violent. However, even violent Feelers tend to avoid injuring anyone, and instead they will attempt to restrain anyone that reacts violently toward them or their female hosts.

Additional details: It is not uncommon to find Feelers and Cunis in a symbiotic relationship as both tend to satisfy each other's seemingly insatiable sexual needs. Interestingly, this mating produces neither Cuni nor Feeler offspring. Although the implanted seeds appear to incubate and expand normally within the Cuni's womb or colon, the Cuni's physiology causes them to become nonviable, and during the subsequent birthing phase, the Cuni expels dozens of hardened seeds which will never sprout.