Cindari

The Cindari were a race of Hive-minded Intelligent aliens, inhabiting the West of the Midrim Region and resembling Jellyfishes.

Biology
The Cindari went through 3 stages during their life cycle, which could last anywhere from 2 to 6 decades.

The first stage, known as the larval form, consisted of a blue-ish transparent gelatinous shell encasing a white core, which is where the creature’s vital organs were located. This form measured about 15 to 30 centimeters. While in this stage, the creatures rely completely on older Cindari to survive, and have no independent thought process, instead being linked to their parent’s mind.

The second stage, known as the polypal form, involved the growth of the larva into a jellyfish-like creature, growing gelatinous tentacles and being capable of movement underwater. Polyps measured anywhere from 1 to 3 meters in length from their core to the tips of its tentacles. Their ability to move meant they were able to hunt for food on their own, which mostly consisted of small aquatic beings and plant life.

The third stage, known as the medusal form, was the final form for most Cindari, growing to a massive 10 meters in length, and growing claws in the tips of its tentacles, which could enumerate anywhere from a dozen to 30. Cindari medusas were capable of some independent thinking, and would be the ones responsible for laying eggs and taking care of younger, however they were ultimately subservient to the Cindari Nest Queen.

The Nest Queen is typically the oldest of the colony, having control, to some extent, over the minds and thoughts of Medusas, through telepathy. They are even larger than any other Cindari, measuring about 100 meters in length. These Queens can live up to a thousand years, or even longer. In sharp contrast to their younger kin, Nest Queens are capable of very high intelligence, even more than the average human. This is especially the case for the Nest King, the head of the Cindari Dominion.

Beginning in their Polypal form, Cindari are capable of producing electrical energy in their cores, allowing them to attack their prey from far away while underwater.

Society
Although they may appear like primitive creatures, the high intelligence of the Nest Queens and King means that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Galaxy. There is typically one Queen per planet that is inhabited by Cindari. Each Queen has near complete control of their respective colonies, and are in turn subservient to the King, who resides in the capital system of Cindaria.

Thanks to their intelligence, Cindari Queens are able to design and, through their hive mind with their spawn, construct complex autonomous machines, which are used to fight in space against hostile species. The machines can vary from normal-looking starships to mechanical versions of themselves, capable of facing even the strongest alien vessels.

Geography
The Cindari mostly inhabit the western systems of the Inner Midrim region, within the Inner Belt, close to the Kara Dominion and Antarctican Empire. The capital planet of Cindaria is located at the center of their dominion, and is also the most populated planet.

History
One of the younger races in the galaxy, they were part of the Black Empire or Star H’essal. Once the empire collapsed, they claimed independence and formed their own dominion. They once fought a short defensive war against the Kara, repelling the invaders and keeping their independence.