Outworld Visages
Species: Iirkaaz
The Iirkaaz are 3rd dimension wisplike beings that possess psionic abilities to varying degrees. Their initial pure form is similar to a galaxy and is approximately the size of a car, but the more they "evolve", the more their appearance changes as matter is added around themselves. Thus, they may end up as having a spherical metallic shell on some evolutions, and the current most evolved, Serthaskaroshim'vi-Atelesieralus, takes the form and is capable of this. Initial psionic abilities include basic telekinesis and the Sap Missile that is just as damaging as a basic bullet gun, and also consumes the mind of the victim if the kill is with this ability. In the middle of a newborn Iirkaaz is a palm-sized white orb, which is typically its weak spot, and two hits from a plasma blaster is usually enough to kill it regardless of evolutionary level. The weakness grows slightly larger as the individual evolves.
For an Iirkaaz to evolve, it must consume the minds of the sentient. Psionic abilities are increased, and after, a somewhat specific amount of matter can be out and manipulated, giving it more physical form. Reproduction involves the construction of spires, which draws energy from a planet's core to create a new being every thirty minutes as well as replenish an Iirkaaz's "life force". (The life force is actually the binding power of the shell to the Iirkaaz, which accordingly diminishes when part of the shell becomes heavily damaged.)
The lifespan of an Iirkaaz is ~1210 years. They are not exactly immortal since over the course of that period, their own "soul" energy leaks out to the surroundings and dissipates. When they die of natural causes, they leave behind their lifeless core, which grants psionic abilities or amplifies existing ones when held.
Previously, they were able to reproduce on their own by combining the energies of two to give form to a new Iirkaaz. As a consequence of moving into the current dimension however, they are now only able to resort to artificially creating their own using Spires. Thus, the Spires can be said as the weakpoints of the race, but they are heavily shielded.
Government
The structure of the Visage governance is hierarchy-based. This means that higher the evolutionary level, the more one is likely to be revered and followed. However, respect for all Visages of any level of evolution still prevails, unlike most other hierarchies in which the lowest are often abused and ridiculed. The laws of the Visages are legislated by the ten highest Iirkaaz in the levels.
Military
The Visages finds little use for ships, as all of them can travel in space. Well, yes, all, but only the fairly evolved can move fast, and only some having the ability to travel faster than light. They do make weapons and armor, which they bind to their bodies.
Population and Military Numbers
Iirkaaz Total Count: 12 billion
Armor-protected: 8 billion
Fairly Armed (self defense): 1 billion
*Soldiers: 30 million
Spacefarers: 500 million
*Battle-Ready Spacefarers: 10 million
Interstellars (including carriers): 250 million
*Battle-Ready Interstellars (including carriers): 1 million
*Total Military Count: 41 million
Notable Psionic Abilities keyword: notable
Sap Missile - The first evolutionary tool learned by all Iirkaaz. It's property is described under "Species".
Telekinesis - This ranges from simple grabbing of objects, to an antigravity-like catastrophic effect in a huge area.
Mass Sap - Usually learned as one becomes of the Soldier-tier of evolution, this is an AoE upgrade of the Sap Missile. Higher evolutions make this a beam instead of a projectile.
Disintegration Beam - Dissolves the bonds of molecules in contact. Higher evolutions give it an AoE as well as give it more potency.
Hexashield - 3 types of barriers are created under this: a hexagonal wall that block damage in only one direction yet more resistant, a hexagon-patterned sphere that blocks damage from all directions yet not as resistant, and the shell-wrapping variant of the second that allows more free movement.
Cataclystic Rune - This ability is powerful enough that only 7 of the 10 heads of the Visages can use it. A trail of psionic energy draws the emblem of the Outworld Visages in a huge area, say, a city. The process of drawing this rune takes five minutes, yet when complete, a huge circular barrier is erected, and all the atoms inside the barrier split in a matter of seconds. In space, the area is a sphere rather than a dome.
Culture
Thanks to their evolution's requirement of devouring consciousnesses, the Visages are often feared by many who come across their path. However, they can be merciful at times and spare lives if one pleas so, and ignore races they deem too powerful for consumption. Rarely had they made diplomatic relation, and when they did, it was back when they still dwelt in their home dimension. Their religion is based on worship of the record powerful Iirkaaz in the races' history that greatly helped in the Visages' exodus, although this belief does not usually affect their political decisions.
Contrary to how it looks, the Visages have forms of commerce and entertainment; parts are traded with other parts or currency in the form of gemstones, and an Iirkaaz may amuse itself and others with creative use of its powers.
Because of the need for a more careful approach in the current dimension, they have sought to find a way for lesser conquest attempts. Some have suggested raising sentients like hogs in order to alleviate this problem, but its feasibility to supply the race's needs is still questioned.
Also, ridiculously-long names.
Technology
While the Iirkaaz mainly rely on psionics to deal damage, there are quite some weapons as well that will complement their abilities as well as do things psionics can't do. However, it is as primitive as conventional particle weaponry, though their armor is quite decent, being alloys of various layered hard materials. Proton beams are the most common choice of beam weapons, with fusion for missiles.
History
Amylethyrainath-Siiluvareilasus, the galaxy-sized patron god of the Visages and the most powerful Iirkaaz that ever lived. It sacrificed itself in order to save millions of its kind by opening an interdimensional gate while fending them away from the Visages' ultimate enemy. The planetlike objects in this image are actually the matter parts of its body.
The Third Dimension.
A disorderly place of bizarre and incomprehensible properties. Here the Iirkaaz was given form; here the order of the Outworld Visages was built. Eons long they have existed, and they had well consumed over thousands of races for their own benefit of growth. Extinction from one world, cataclysm in another, the Iirkaaz's ravenous tendencies made them expand into billions of worlds, which looked more ethereal rather than material, as expected of other dimensions.
Over millions of years, they were the biggest threat in the place. However, that place won't exactly last forever, as the saying goes, "Records are made to be broken.". In one fateful moment, a much more powerful race that has been in hiding for ages resurfaced, quickly striking the forces of the Visages. As quick as a lightning bolt jumping through a the entire Mongolian army, the enemy wiped multitudes of Iirkaaz off the face of the Third Dimension.
Seeking the way towards the salvation of the Visages' future, they were left with no choice but to seek refuge in the lesser universe, through their most powerful being's power. Huge portions of its energy were directed towards making the entrance to the refuge, and another portion into keeping the threat away from the evacuees. Unable to enter the gate, Amylethyrainath-Siiluvareilasus was now left behind, either doomed to keep fighting the enemy forever or die by their hands.
With their powers more diminished in their new home, the Visages must renew their way of living. Life will never be the same now that many of their functions have been altered. Now going for a less aggressive and more careful approach, they now seek a different kind of glory that will depend on what decisions they make.
