Editing Taynix

{{lifeform
|image=Doomslug.png
|abilities=[[Cytonics]]
|world=Cambri
|universe=[[Cytoverse]]
|books=[[Skyward (series)]]
}}
{{spoilers|ReDawn}}
{{update|ReDawn}}

The '''taynix''' are a species of slugs with [[cytonics|cytonic]] abilities.{{book ref|sky2|34}}

== Appearance and Anatomy ==
Taynix are somewhat blobby, and about the size of a loaf of bread, but flatter.{{book ref|skyward|12}} The hyperslugs have bright yellow skin and small, blue, somewhat stiff spines along their backs, though there may be coloration differences between individuals. The boomslugs are similar, but have red skin, black spines, and black stripes. The commslugs are purple with orange spines.{{wob ref|12554}}{{wob ref|15071}} They are not slimy to the touch, feeling tough like leather, but with a soft, springy consistency.{{book ref|sky2|3}}{{book ref|sky2|24}} While they do not have eyes or any components of a face, they can still perceive their environment, probably through sound and scent, or possibly cytonically.{{book ref|sky2|18}}

== Behavior ==
Taynix are able to make fluting and trilling noises with their spines{{book ref|skyward|12}}{{book ref|sky2|7}} using different tones, and sometimes do so to express emotion.{{book ref|sky2|3}}{{book ref|sky2|9}} They are capable of recreating a wide variety of sounds, as they often parrot words said to them, as well as other sounds like grunts, groans, and whistles.{{book ref|skyward|16}}{{book ref|skyward|22}}{{book ref|sky2|7}} They are of above animal intelligence,{{wob ref|12908}} and Doomslug occasionally corrects [[Spensa]]'s grammar.{{book ref|sky2|9}} Taynix can also give off a cytonically detectable sound that is similar to soft music. This sound, while only perceptible to cytonics, can be used to find out their location over long distances.{{book ref|sky2|epilogue}}

Taynix can move by crawling,{{book ref|skyward|12}} though hyperslugs can teleport to get around. Taynix are able to handle heavy gravitational forces, responding by going rigid and hunkering down, though they do not seem to enjoy the experience.{{book ref|sky2|3}}

Taynix are also very compassionate and kind. After Spensa showed them how she saw the delvers, the various Taynix around reacted with love and support.{{book ref|sky4|50}}. While on her secret mission to the Harkil supply depot, Spensa communicated cytonically with a commslug who believed that it could not be saved. Despite that, the slug sent her message as desired, and only after the message was sent asked Spensa to rescue two inhibitor slugs and two hyperslugs from the facility.{{book ref|sky4|13}} The same slug also gave Spensa comfort when she was imprisoned by Brade and Winzik.{{book ref|sky4|25}} 

== Ecology ==
According to the [[Superiority]], the taynix are originally from the planet [[Cambri]],{{book ref|sky2|27}} though they have since migrated to other planets. They have been found on [[Detritus]] and the [[kitsen homeworld]].{{book ref|sky2|epilogue}}{{book ref|sky2|39}} Little is known about their natural living conditions, except that their diet consists mostly of fungi. Consequently, they are often found near such organisms.{{book ref|sky2|34}}{{book ref|sky2|18}} They also enjoy eating mushrooms.{{book ref|sky4|epilogue}}

In captivity, a taynix could survive with poor living conditions. The Superiority kept them alive but miserable in a box with occasional food and water. {{book ref|sky4|13}}

== Uses ==
Taynix have various different [[cytonics|cytonic]] abilities, with the specific one depending on their species and indicated by their color.

=== Hyperslugs ===
Hyperslugs{{wob ref|15071}}, which are yellow with blue spines, have the innate [[cytonics|cytonic]] ability to travel through the dimension of the [[delver]]s. They are used by the Superiority as hyperdrives since they do not risk drawing the delvers into the universe.{{book ref|sky2|34}} To do so, a cage containing the taynix is inserted into a Superiority hyperdrive. During a hyperjump, the hyperslug produces a [[cytonics|cytonic]] scream, which distracts the delvers from the passing ship.{{book ref|sky2|20}} This scream is apparently only perceptible for beings with cytonic abilities.{{book ref|sky2|21}} Cytonics onboard can, intentionally or unintentionally, interfere with the ship's hyperjump process and cause a malfunction, which is usually resolved by replacing the taynix in use with a new one.{{book ref|sky2|24}}{{book ref|sky2|33}} Engineers can be reluctant to swap in a fresh taynix, though, because doing so leads to a lot of paperwork.{{book ref|sky2|31}}

=== Boomslugs ===
Boomslugs{{wob ref|15071}}, which are red and black, have an ability that greatly resembles a [[mindblade]]. When thinking of a delver or else threatened, they send out a powerful force in all directions that is capable of injuring humans. Their attack inflicts a score of shallow cuts on whatever is threatening them. They are generally left alone, due to the danger of mishandling one and setting it off.{{book ref|sf1|4}}

=== Blue and Green Taynix ===
FM found this fourth variety of taynix aboard a Superiority ship on [[ReDawn (planet)|ReDawn]]. The are used as cytonic inhibitors, enabling them to create a large invisible bubble in which cytonic abilities are prevented from being used. Using one’s abilities within this bubble requires a cytonic key, which is likely only known at first by the one who initially interfaced with the taynix.{{book ref|sf2|12}}

=== Commslugs ===
Commslugs{{wob ref|15071}}, which are purple and orange, have the ability to communicate cytonically. This communication can be received by traditional technology, however, as [[Platform Prime]] was able to receive [[Cuna]]'s cytonic transmission without needing a commslug.{{book ref|sf1|7}}{{book ref|sf1|8}} They are also capable of sending double signals.{{book ref|sky4|25}}

== History ==
Prior to the rise of the Superiority, humans were likely aware of the cytonic powers of the taynix; Commander [[Spears]]' order to [[M-Bot]] to look for mushrooms was likely because he was trying to find a taynix to power his cytonic hyperdrive.{{book ref|sky2|34}}

In order to cover up the taynix's role in cytonic hyperdrives and maintain a monopoly over FTL travel across the galaxy, the Superiority claimed the taynix were highly venomous invasive species.{{book ref|sky2|27}}{{book ref|sky2|34}} The Superiority also sent out teams to exterminate taynix that in reality were presumably collecting the taynix in order to power their hyperdrives.{{book ref|sky2|39}}

During her exploration of the Detritus caves, Spensa found a taynix which she nicknamed [[Doomslug]] and kept as a pet.{{book ref|sky1|12}}

Immediately before the invasion of Detritus, [[Jorgen]] found a colony of several hundred taynix deep in the caves of Detritus.{{book ref|sky2|epilogue}}

== Notable Taynix ==
{{for|:Category:Taynix|a full list see}}
{{columns|
* [[Doomslug]]
* [[Chubs]]
* [[Boomslug]]
* [[Gill]]
* [[Drape]]
* [[Happy]]
* [[Twist]]
}}

== Notes ==
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{{Skyward}}
[[Category: Taynix| ]]