Cyphs

Very different from human biology, each individual only fulfills a single function. The individual cyphs are ruled by hiveminds of multiple brain-cyphs. The hivemind is also responsible for growing new individuals, and reclaiming the old and dying ones back into themselves. The hiveminds are connected to at least one sustenance-cyph. These are non-sentient cyphs, filled by gatherer-cyphs with food, that digest the food and provide sustenance for all other cyphs. Every individual has to visit a sustenance-cyph daily to receive the nutrients it needs to survive.

The cyphs that regularly interact with other species are known as explorer-cyphs. This particular type of cyph was evolutionarily meant for reproduction, by finding other hiveminds, joining with them and exchanging genetics. In modern society, they perform the duties that humans are familiar with.