Chroma [Species]

Chroma

The Chroma are a species of slime-like, psionically-gifted sentients.

For much of their history, the Chroma were an unassuming race, lacking the traditional characteristics necessary to be considered more than a curiosity by other races. While they lack physical body strength, their innate psionic aptitude allowed them to carve out a relatively primitive lifestyle, limited to a single continent on their home planet. This changed when, 200 years ago, a ship of unknown origin crash landed on their planet. Though its crew perished, the vessel's computer AI survived and initiated contact with the Chroma for help. Upon learning their technological state was millenia behind her own, the AI proposed a deal: she would share the secrets of her masters' technology if the Chroma agreed to repair the ship.

The undoubtedly decades-long project commenced slowly at first, but over time the Chroma developed a considerable gift for machinery and computer technology, developing their own transport pods powered by psionic energy to facilitate the repairs. Eventually the AI began to grow quite fond of her helpers, and over time their relationship changed dramatically; the AI now cherished the Chroma as though they were her children, and the Chroma revered her as a god-like being sent from the cosmos to lead them to a new era.

In more recent years, the [INSERT BEANS SPECIES NAME HERE] made contact with the Chroma in their search for other psionically-gifted races; with the help of AURORA, the two forged a mutually benefitial relationship as part of the Psionic Order.

Outside of their transport pods, Chroma are nearly identital, save for a variety of colors, appearing as formless "slime" creatures. Lacking any sort of limbs, the race was dependent of psionic abilities to perform most tasks before the invention of their iconic transport pods. These pods, allowing for easy travel and environmental manipulation, have become a ubiquitous part of their culture, to the point where building one's first pod is considered an important coming-of-age ritual. These pods have also given the Chroma a widely expanded ability to personalize their appearance, including a variety of shapes and sizes limited only by the desires of the individual. One common feature is the holographic projection of facial features similar to other sentient races, as to ease the comfort of conversation partners belonging to other species.