Silverling

Appearance
There are different forms of Silverling, that are referred to as tiers, all relating to their class within their species.

Tier 1 Appearance
The top tier of Silverling, and the most respected, are literal flowing metal that forms a funnel-cloud like shape. This form has no visible eyes or mouth, however they are still able to speak in echo-like voices and see things around them. They float along the ground. They do have "limbs" they can use to reach for things, but they're only visible when needed.

Tier 2 Appearance
The middle tier is thought to have been the evolution of the Silverling. They are thick, bipedal geodes with sharp glowing eyes. Some have weapons built into them from the Tier 3's forging into them.

Tier 3 Appearance
The bottom tier and ranking of the Silverling take on the most humanoid appearance. They actually look very similar to humans, but have metallic colored eyes and visible veins of flowing metal.

History
The Silverling have a simple history - they actually have no official government, but rather just a general agreement of how the species works together. The Silverling don't question where they come from or how they formed, instead they just exist in their own world with their own customs.

By other species definitions, Tier 1 Silverling are basically powerless, mindless deities. Tier 2 and Tier 3 worship their top tier by performing various rituals and sacrifices, usually at the expenses of Tier 3. It is thought that if Tier 2 and Tier 3 do not appease the Tier 1 Silverlings, the Tier 1 will be the end of their species. The Silverling do not know the extent of the powers that Tier 1 possess, but they believe its a godly amount.

Tier 3 Silverlings are considered a slave class, however Silverling do not see them as such. They are used in rituals and sacrifices by the Tier 2 Silverling for the Tier 1 Silverling. Tier 3 are also used as delegates for the Silverling.

Tier 1 Specializations

 * Tier 1 is able to phase through objects as long as their face can fit through it.
 * They can absorb explosions and bullets.
 * Absorbing too many can cause them to die in a poof of cancerous vapor.
 * They cannot use weapons or armor, except for helmets crafted from Tier 3 specifically for Tier 1.
 * If another species touches Tier 1, they end up dying from mercury poisoning at fast rates.

Tier 2 Specializations

 * They are only able to use weapons that are forged into them, and are only able to use armor forged into them.
 * Armor-less Tier 2 are extremely vulnerable and will collapse with just a kick.
 * They are able to manipulate rocks, metals and gems.

Tier 3 Specializations

 * They are extraordinary at forging weapons and armor, when they are made of metal and gems.
 * They are able to forge weapons and armor into Tier 2.
 * They have exceptional skills at ranged combat, especially with their Legionnaire Bows

Fun Facts

 * Despite Tier 1 being the highest rank, they actually have very little intelligence. Other species call Tier 3 "mindless Gods". The silverling worship them like deities, but they are generally useless.
 * There's a theory that Tier 1 Silverlings are incredibly powerful, but because of their lack of intelligence, they are unable to use that power.
 * Even though Silverlings are all over space, they get very sick during space travel.
 * Tier 3 are frequently recruited by the Astral Corps, mostly because of their ability to create weapons.
 * While the Silverling do not refer to Tier 3 as slaves, by definition that is how Tier 3 is treated.
 * Tier 2 make exceptional tanks, especially when equipped with a lot of armor.
 * There have been a few documented instances of Tier 3 silverling and Elvhen having mixed species.
 * This creates a mutant that shares both their appearances, but also gifts the abilities of Tier 3 Silverling and Elvhen. These mutants are immediately hunted down by both Silverling and Elvhen.
 * Supposedly, there is one documented and heavily hunted mutant in The Bandits of the Plague. The She-Devil was sympathetic to it and is now a high ranked officer.
 * No one, even the Silverling, actually know how Tier 1 Silverlings are formed. A new one just forms every few years.
 * Because of the violent atrocities Tier 3 face from the other tiers of Silverling, they are actually very hard to torture.