Concept art for a new species within the Sunset Sands Sinematic Suniverse: Mechins (pronounced meh-kin). More worldbuilding details below images.
I’ve had this idea for a while, but this is my first time trying to put it to paper. The basic concept is that they are mobile structures made of a wood pulp/paper mache-like material, analogous to termite mounds or wasp nests. The eusocial bug-like creatures that built and lives inside the structure have highly specialized castes for each of its necessary bodily functions, filling the roles of muscles, nerves, and connective fiber. Though none of these creatures are sapient on their own, they come together to form an intelligent collective conscience, that being the mind of the mechin itself.
Because the shape and structure of the hard outer parts is not determined by the resident creatures’ DNA, mechins can take on a near infinite variety of sizes and body plans. They may also incorporate materials besides just the aforementioned wood pulp, such as glass or metal, if they come across it.
The outer shell may take a more sleek, robotic form or a bumpier, organic form. This is more a matter of personal preference than anything, with tendencies from one to another varying greatly depending on region and cultural background.
The social structure of mechins is a bit more solitary than humans, with some individuals, especially larger ones. behaving and being viewed as more as nations than people. They are highly protective of the land they claim and the resources held within, and will fight off any unwanted invaders that may enter, often with weapons built into their bodies. If another mechin is found to be trustworthy, they may form an alliance, with larger alliances comprising possibly thousands of individual colonies. Alliances between mechins are technically a form of polyamorous romantic relationship, and behavior between allied mechins is usually more flirtatious than diplomatic.
The mechin reproductive process involves two or more individuals within an alliance first gathering the materials required to build the outer shell, mostly just plant matter and small bits of metal. After that, one adds a queen to the materials while the others each add a few drones. These initial organisms will give way to a generation of nerve, connective, and muscle organisms which will work together to construct a starting body for the colony-to-be. The structure of the newborn mechin is not set for life, and may be expanded and renovated in accordance with current tactical needs or fashion trends.
Mechin gender is determined by their preferred way of interacting with other mechins, and may change many times over the course of their lives. The long list of meche genders includes but is not limited to “warlord,” “diplomat,” “pacifist,” “isolationist,” and “economist.” It is generally expected that alliances will occur between mechins of the same gender, but straight relationships are not too uncommon.
The mechin homeworld, Borgam, is hotter than, drier than, and about 1.25x the size of Earth. It has five moons of varying sizes and orbits a pair of red stars. I have not yet put much thought into the resident flora and fauna of this planet, but I do know at the very least that there are a few species of eusocial centipede, which are relatives of the species that gave rise to the mechins.
That is all I can currently think to say about these things. Like all of my other assorted worldbuilding messes, I will add onto this post later if there is anything interesting I can think to expand on.