Hive Lore

[b][u]Hive Biology: Summary[/u] [/b]An analysis of Hive physiology and how it infers conditions on their home planet. By their very nature, the Hive are an enigma of "necro-biology" and the suspension of the laws of physics and biology in favour of the Darkness. This makes describing them difficult, and I have some theories, but it will require step-by-step analysis. First, we must analyse a particular strain of Hive I have taken to calling the "Omega" strain. This group includes Thralls, Cursed Thralls and Ogres. We know that a Thrall can morph into an Ogre through a debilitating process caused by Wizards, and it can be assumed that Cursed Thralls are created in a similar way. As far as we can tell, "Thralls" (as shown by their name) are very much slaves to the will of the Wizards. They appear humanoid in nature, with three gnarled claws on each hand and gaps in their body revealing bone structure. There is no way such a creature could survive without the intervention of the Darkness but they (and the Ogres) seem to live in constant suffering. In my opinion, Thralls and Ogres were, once, humans. It might be a leap in assumption, but their seemingly once-humanoid appearance paired by an unnecessary need to be tortured by their leaders leads me to believe that the Hive's lowest creatures were once human beings. It has been seen (in the horrifying case of torture of a Guardian in the Hellmouth) that the Hive often capture victims alive, if they can. I can only theorise that this because the Hive are, to some extent, a parasitic organism, and the fact that Wizards are clearly defined as being female leads me to assume that this parasitism allows them to extend their brood. To some extent, this process is likely similar to the way the Taken operate (basking their foes in Darkness and converting them into their own). On the other hand, the "Alpha" strain (including Wizards, Knights and Acolytes) seem to be Hive, possibly recruited from the Omega strain, that are considered less expendable then the other types. Acolytes seem to be Thralls that may have proved themselves, allowing them time for the Darkness to morph their skeletal structures into a more coherent form and regain their intelligence. Here, it seems that male Acolytes become Knights and female Acolytes eventually become Wizards. It seems that age affects Hive gender in a strange way. It appears that the Hive possess three genders, with Hive that surpass others becoming either male or female and Thralls and Ogres remaining genderless. This is why I (personally, I'm not asking you to agree) think that the Hive created their Gods, not the other way around, as they seem to be built in their image (although Oryx being described as a "father" dents that somewhat) rather than the Hive being in their God's image.