HOME | DD

Octomod — Description

Here we are again! Hoped everyone enjoyed the holidays and is looking forward to a (hopefully better) new year! This will consequently likely be my last post of the year, but the first in a set of commissions that are all related to one another. Brought you by the wonderful , they have been graciously and patiently waiting for this one for a good while. With any luck, the rest should be quick to come!
Onto the facts!
Name: Octomod
Species: Cephaloshin
Home World: Thaumus
Powers/Abilities: Octomod is able to greatly shape-shift his body in nearly any way he sees fit, being able to change his size, color, and appearance in a matter of seconds. This enables him to mimic not only the form, but the very biology of other species, which also enables him to replicate their abilities, such as an Arachnichimp's silk, with near perfect accuracy.
Cephaloshin eyes allow them to 'scan' other species and objects in order to examine their genetic code or molecular structure, respectively. This is what allows them to closely mimic other forms with exceptional precision.
Each of Octomod's arms actually consist of three tentacles which coil and wrap around each other for better dexterity and manipulation. All ten of his tentacles possess strength capable of subduing a rampaging Appoplexian with significant effort.
Cephaloshin's possess gills that allow them to breathe underwater. By modifying the structure of these gills, they can also surviving in toxic atmospheres and even in the vacuum of space.
Due to his natural lack of bones and rubbery skin, Octomod is durable to a certain degree, such as being able to withstand blasterfire from standard Plumber Tech. This also allows him to slip into small, tight spaces with minimal difficulty.
Cephaloshin's have a near-perfect, photographic memory, which allows them to remember the genetic code or molecular structures of numerous transformations.
Weaknesses: Despite his incredible shape-shifting capabilities, Octomod is incapable of producing or reducing his mass. When transforming or squeezing into small spaces, this forces him to reallocate his mass to different portions of his body; the larger a transformation is, the more difficult it is for him to replicate and maintain it. As a result, the largest form he can mimic without hurting himself is Suemungousaur in her base form.
Unlike Lenopans, who possess similar capabilities, Cephaloshin transformations take considerably more time to assume. The larger a transformation is, the longer it takes, with the longest time being up to five minutes.
Octomod's shape-shifting capabilities are greatly restricted and slowed down in cold temperatures.
Cephaloshin's are vulnerable to electricity or large amounts of heat, such as those produced by a Nosedeenian or Pyronite, respectively, in their default form.
Octomod is incapable of mimicking energy beings, such as Anodites, beings of a higher plane, such as Celestialsapiens, or beings whose genetic code has been heavily tampered with, such as Clancy. He is also incapable of replicating the abilities of an organism if it isn't a natural part of their biology.
Cephaloshin's must consciously choose to transform in order to use their abilities. Only young Cephaloshins will instinctively transform as a reaction, but these transforms are never perfect and incredibly sloppy at best.
Octomod is slow and cumbersome on land in his default form.
Cephaloshin's are vulnerable to their natural predator, the Arggosian Frostinger, which possess a cryogenic venom that slows the cellular activity of their body until it causes muscle paralysis. This prevents them from defensively transforming.
Despite his shape-shifting prowess, Octomod's genetic signature can still be detected by certain programs and devices, such as Tachyon cannons and DNA scanners. Additionally, the Omnitrix is always visible on his body when he transforms, no mater what he turns into.
Etymology: Octomod's name stems from the word "octopod", in reference to his cephalopod-like appearance, and "mod", a shortened term for "modify", which refers to his morphing capabilities.
Trivia: The species name is derived from "cephalopod" and "henshin", which translates as "transform" in Japanese.
The species' home world is taken from the Thaumoctopus genus, to which the mimic octopus - a species famous for its ability to mimic the appearance and behavior of other animals as a defense mechanism - belongs to.
Octomod's abilities draw inspiration from that of the aforementioned mimic octopus, as well as how real-world cephalopods are able to actively modify their genes to handle minute changes in their environment. His appearance is greatly inspired by Dr. Zoidberg from Futurama, as well as the Omnitrix transformation, Gax, from the Ben 10 Reboot.
Cephaloshins are a curious species that originally hail from the Andromeda galaxy. Much like the Galvan in the Milky Way, they are famous for their exploratory habits and efforts to extensively catalog as many new species as possible, ranging from the most innocuous of microorganisms to the most colossal of astromegafauna, and every sentient species in-between. Modern Cephaloshins have also used them to blend in with other species in order to more closely study them, particularly species that have remained uncontacted by the wider galactic community for one reason or another.
While generally considered peaceful, many species carry a level of distrust toward Cephaloshins due to their inquisitively invasive behavior and morphing capabilities. In an effort to improve their reputation, Cephaloshin leaders readily cooperate with Andromeda authorities and have provided a number of samples of their natural predator's venom as a sign of trust, should any of their species turn towards criminal activities.
Orbiting a class-K star, Thaumus is a world characterized by its greenhouse effect. This is due in part to its dense atmosphere, consists primarily of a noxious mixture of carbon, methane, and nitrogen, as well as high levels of geologic activity. Nevertheless, this has resulted in a warm and tropical world whose surface is primarily dominated by vast network of seas and archipelagoes. It's these conditions, as well as the resulting insular isolation, that has led to Thamus developing an incredibly diverse and rich biosphere unlike few other planets in the galaxy. This highly competitive ecosystem is what led to Cephaloshins evolving their shape-shifting abilities, which in turn led to them down a remarkable path of cultural development: they never invented certain tools. Using their morphing capabilities to assume the forms of everything from spoons and hammers to baskets and saws, they strangely only built what they couldn't approximate with their own biology.
Programs Used: Adobe Illustrator
Est. Time: Approximately 4 hours