Vespers (Mosaica vespera) are the most diverse species of Mosaic, serving as mascot and holotype for the entire class.
.anatomy
Vespers have no set anatomy. Each individual can very drastically in appearance, possessing an often abstract body plan. The one thing they all share is colouration, which is often bordering on the magenta spectrum.
.behaviour
Vespers are self-aware and extremely intelligent. The existence of their species is incidental, born as a side effect of the King in Cyan existing, traces of his influence being contaminated and corrupted by Anima, leading to the formation of the pseudo-Devils later known as Vespers. This is also where their capacity for extreme violence and auto-translating speech originate, along with some of their anatomy, as Vespers will imitate traits found in Devils. They are otherwise mostly cooperative, although they ultimately do so to further their own agendas.
.abilities
Vesper cells can expel infrared light for movement, using the momentum of the photons to reach extreme speeds. The process is done on an individual cellular level, with each cell negating air friction, and with the ability to instantaneously switch the direction of the emission, allows them extremely precise control in movement, bordering on teleportation. They can, similarly, use surrounding light sources for a similar effect, although this way their direction of travel is imposed by the light source and its intensity, while being considerably much easier to master and less mentally exhausting.
Vespers can similarly use strong electric currents as a means of transport, able to use cables or electric arcs to transpose their entire bodies. This also extends to electronic devices, which they can inhabit indefinitely as long as it has a current actively running through it, and can even alter the currents in such a way they can control the device from inside.
.vectors
Vectors are power system unique to Vespers. One can understand them as programs and sets of instructions which alter the behaviour and capabilities of their cells.
Vectors require Anima to function. Vespers siphon Anima from their surroundings, processing and storing it in their cells. The maximum capacity of a Vesper varies per individual, which directly affects the way Vectors are deployed. Concentration can allow Vespers to increase the siphoning speed, which is also influenced by the Anima density, meaning the Anima density will passively affect how fast Vespers can restock. Vespers can use more Anima at a time to increase the Vector’s strength and efficiency.
Vectors fall into two categories:
| Root Vectors | The one Vector ingrained into a Vesper’s cells. Each Root Vector is virtually unique and intrinsically tied to the individual Vesper. Root Vectors are highly specialised and of higher strength. Require more Anima but mastery can reduce their cost and increase their power. |
| Branch Vectors | Vectors acquired later in life by Vespers. Branch Vectors are less powerful, but have larger use case scenarios. They are modular, and can be learned, transferred, removed, and even patched and updated. |
.reproduction
Vespers reproduce through light. They leave behind certain imperceptible frequencies and wavelengths of light that, in the presence of a high enough density of Anima, will crystallise into a womb-like larva. This larva will then absorb the surrounding Anima and radiation, eventually reaching a point of saturation which will create a mature Vesper.