The Derrabex are a starfaring species with a rather unusual biological development. The race itself is entirely female, and evolved alongside a second species known as the Gerun, which do have both sexes. The two are biologically bound together; their relationship may have started parasitically before the dawn of history, but has long since progressed to true symbiosis. The physically weak Derrabex protect and care for the much stronger but very simple Gerun, and when a Derrabex is ready to bear a child, she picks a Gerun male to father it.

Among the Empress's many duties to her people is, naturally, the production of a suitable heir, one who will be able to suit the needs of the Derrex Empire and its people, and lead them all to prosperity. Though the Gods alone can choose who the proper heir will be, it's the Empress's duty to prepare their choices; after all, the more options there are, the better the chance of finding the one that is exactly what you will need. Thus, the Empress is mindful to produce many possible heirs, choosing from different outstanding fathers whenever she can. Here, she's posing for a portrait with the father of her current child, who came to her attention from a bout of unexpected heroism during a natural disaster that caused great damage to one of the Empire's hive cities.


 Kairyu-shin suggested this one! Stellaris is a really amazing game, and my friends and I have had a ton of fun playing it. One of the best things is the depth of the empire-creator, and we've all got some favorite races therein. Kai's gotten a couple pictures of the leader of his, Matriarch Rhass of the Koru Confederacy, so we figured it was time for me to get around to doing a full draw-up of Empress Kul-Inul of the Derrex Hive! Along the way, I kind of accidentally wound up putting together a biology and history for the race xD I'm actually a bit surprised with what I came up with, and I really like the biology of the Derrabex and the Gerun. It originally comes from the "Syncretic Evolution" trait, which splits your starting civilization up into your main race and a second race that comes with a lot of bonus to the physical jobs, but penalties to the intellectual ones. Rather than have them be subservient or slaves, I'd rather have them be a biological part of the main race, simple and in need of guidance, but a full part of society.

Questions are welcome!