So I'm a little interested in this and have the start of an idea I'd just like to run by to see if its okay, its an alternate take on a hivemind swarm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]The Lucifern Hosts[/b] [i]But a small civilization at the outset of the war, the Haradoni Union was young, excited and ambitious, hoping to prove themselves on the galactic stage. When the Great War broke out, legions of young men and women proudly marched off to war with all the pomp and circumstance of glory and victory. However, the Union bit off more than it could chew and after a singular stunning victory, they were met by set back after set back, defeat after defeat. What was once seen as a glorious honor became a solemn duty which then turned into a desperate defense. Unable to stand against what the major powers would consider a diversionary attack on their worlds turn into years of gruling warfare the young union couldn't sustain. As the skies where filled with fire and the streets filled with dying soldiers, it was Prince Kartam who entered the secret vaults below the Royal Palace. He ignored all of the wonders and secrets that filled the hall until he came upon a chamber marked "Lucifern Virus" and within a sentient mass grew to greet him. This being was all that remained of a mysterious extraterrestial plauge that ravaged the Haradoni homeworld long ago and the prince had heard stories of the horrific corpse monsters it created and the heroes it slew, but Prince Kartam, last of his line, was desperate. The Union was on the brink of collaspe, his militia dying in droves, his family wiped out in a precision strike. And so, on that day, the Haradoni Union made a deal with the devil and the Prince became the first willing host of the Lucifern Virus. His body twisted and contorted as bones broke and flesh ripped to be reshaped and molded. Soon a black ooze filled the streets and a deathly fog hung over the air. Slowly, the bodies of the dead rose again, undergoing rapid mutations and change, once again marching to war but now devoid of any feeling, any emotion, any pain and any remorse. Soon larger monsters formed from dozens of corpses roared and trampled the enemy underfoot. Unprepared to face off against such a nightmarish horde, the enemy broke and tried to flee back to their star ships, carrying the virus on them as they ran. Of the dozen ships tasked with the annihilation of the Haradoni Union, only one managed to return home, spreading the news of a horrific plague that stole the souls of the living and which even boarded their ships turning them into drifting hulks full of terrifying infected demons.[/i] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basically think of a Minor Combatant with WW2 Japan's enthusiasm but Italy's combat competence. They managed to win one stunning victory mostly out of surprise and luck but then got flattened until they were almost destroyed by what the Major players wouldn't think of as a true invasion force; a "oh we should probably knock them out on our way" sort of deal. In desperation the Haradoni released an ancient alien plague that is like a combination of the Necromorphs from Dead Space, the Flood from Halo, the Simbiotes from Marvel and a little bit of Zerg/Tyranids, and willingly infected themselves in a deal with the devil scenario. They all now look like horrid monsters from Dead Space but are are super durable and long lived, able to mutate/evolve rapidly, still use their old tech, have the whole direct control of the central hive mind and some other hive mind/swarm abilities. Their personalities are also sort of like the Necrons of 40k with the more important/noble people having more control over their minds since the hivemind recognizes their abilities are best used if they can think independently while much of the lower classes are drones and grunts.