Editing User:Taln Fan/Taynix

{/{lifeform
|image=Doomslug.png
|abilities=[/[Cytonics]]
|world=Cambri
|universe=[[Cytoverse]]
|books=[[Skyward (series)]]
}}
{/{update|sf1}}

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}} There are three known varieties. One variety has bright yellow skin and small, blue, somewhat stiff spines along their backs, though there may be coloration differences between individuals.{{wob ref|12554}} 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}} They have rows of sharp yet flexible teeth.{{book ref|sf1|3}}

== 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}} The yellow and blue variety can also teleport with their cytonic ability, though they never do so when being watched.{{book ref|skyward|15}}{{book ref|skyward|30}}{{book ref|sky2|33}} 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}} The red and black variety of taynix can use mindblades, defending themselves if put in danger or harmed.{{book ref|sf1|4}}

== 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}}

== Uses ==
Taynix have an innate [[cytonics|cytonic]] ability to travel through the dimension of the [[delver]]s, and are used by the Superiority as hyperdrives that do not risk drawing the delvers into the universe.{{book ref|sky2|34}} To do so, a cage containing a taynix is inserted into a Superiority hyperdrive. During a hyperjump, the taynix 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}}

== 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 claims the taynix are highly venomous invasive species.{{book ref|sky2|27}}{{book ref|sky2|34}} The Superiority also sends out teams to exterminate taynix that in reality are presumably collecting the taynix in order to power their hyperdrives.{{book ref|sky2|39}}

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

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

== Notable Taynix ==
* [[Doomslug]]
* [[Chubs]]
* [[Boomslug]]
* [[Gill]]
* [[Drape]]

== Notes ==
<references />
{{partial}}
{{Skyward}}