[Old Hunch Arbat]

On page 559 of the Canadian paperback edition Kruppe, as he is trying to Torvald Nom's interrogation uses a phrase..."...thus arching the exoskeletal eyebrows of the Black..." etc. to describe the armor (one assumes), worn by the Moranth. When taken in the context of other bits and pieces of information about the Moranth's armor, whether or not it is removeable (it is, apparently), and what is NOT known about the Moranth, I wonder if the reference to an exoskeleton raises questions about exactly what this armor is. The possibility of a true exoskleton, "WALDO"-like reinforcement (like that used by Sigorney Weaver to combat the Alien creature), or other technological performance enhancement makes the Moranth (and their bombs) an intriguing bunch.

The above paragraph is not really a question and not really a statement - my curiosity was piqued by Kruppe's use of that word. Any thoughts?

OHA

[Aptorian]

I still reckon that the armor is grafted into their skin. I have absolutly no evidence but I like it.

[Old Hunch Arbat]

Aptorian, on Feb 17 2009, 12:51 PM, said:

I still reckon that the armor is grafted into their skin. I have absolutly no evidence but I like it.

Apt - when Nait/Sgt. Jumpy starts to find Tourmaline "dead sexay" after he discovers that she is a she, she responds by offering to jump his bones, thinking she'll not survive, so the offer is easy to make. When it turns out that she is probably going to survive another of the characters comes to her aid and tells Nait that the armor is not removeable (so she doesn't have to follow up on her offer) and she thanks him (the other character) as they then both acknowledge that the armor is, in fact, removable. This fact, and the exosketon comment got me to thinking about Iron Man-like armor and cyborgs...

I have little info other than that. Grafted armor is just as likely.

OHA

[Aptorian]

If they don't remove the armor I wonder how they poop?

[Grief]

You always wondered why the elder moranths armer was much larger than the youngers...

[Slow Ben]

I always pictured it kind of like the armor the mandalorians wear in the Knights of the old Republic game, except maybe more permanent and of course shaped different.

[Ain't_It_Just_]

Remember in RotCG:

Spoiler

After Jumpy and his kid sappers blew some Moranth to hell they tried pulling some of the Gold's armour off, but it was "sutured on."

I think their armour was described as an exoskeleton once...

[Traveller]

Yeah, there is definitely some permanent attachment going on. I assume that some of the armour, like on the legs and arms, chest, and possibly some facial plates are sutured on, and can't be removed.

Other parts can still be removed, partially or completely, or maybe they just have hinges!

[Soulessdreamer]

I had the impresion that they were either insectiod or based there culture on insectiod parallels given how interwoven with actual insect species they seem to be

@apt you're assuming they poop, or at least poop like we do.

Most armour uses skirts to cover the arse and the clothing was designed to allow access to this area. Then of course there is always magic or maybe the moranth have bio engineered an alternative. Hey maybe the armour is grown from their own biological waste and that is why the older ones are bigger.

TTFN

[Theotendo]

One would assume that the armour comes off at some point, otherwise breeding would become impossible (if not woefully overcomplicated).

In MoI one of the Barghast clans use the stripped armour of fallen Moranth as their own. The chief was wearing some Gold Moranth's as I believe.

[Soulessdreamer]

Theotendo, on Mar 6 2009, 04:52 AM, said:

One would assume that the armour comes off at some point, otherwise breeding would become impossible (if not woefully overcomplicated).

Unless they spwan like some insects, frogs or fish ie no coupling just making deposits.

Theotendo, on Mar 6 2009, 04:52 AM, said:

In MoI one of the Barghast clans use the stripped armour of fallen Moranth as their own. The chief was wearing some Gold Moranth's as I believe.

What you have never scooped out the insides of a clam/crab/turtle and been left with a shiny new shell to play with. Hell skinning a mammal tends to be much more messy and complicated.

TTFN

This post has been edited by Soulessdreamer: 06 March 2009 - 04:08 PM

[Fox]

I thought Moranth were descendants of the Imass, which would mean they are human-ish. I don't think they're actually insectoid, they're just a strange people.

[Old Hunch Arbat]

Any more thoughts on whether or not they could be exoskeltons?

OHA

[Soulessdreamer]

Which definition do you mean?

An exoskeleton is an external skeleton that supports and protects an animal's body, in contrast to the internal endoskeleton of, for example, a human. In popular usage, many of the larger kinds of exoskeletons are known as "shells".
Exoskeletons contain rigid and resistant components that fulfil a set of functional roles including protection, excretion, sensing, support, feeding and (for terrestrial organisms) acting as a barrier against desiccation. Exoskeletons have a role in defence from predators, support, and in providing a framework which musculature can attach to.

or

A powered exoskeleton is a powered mobile machine consisting primarily of a skeleton-like framework worn by a person and a power supply that supplies at least part of the activation-energy for limb movement.Powered exoskeletons are designed to assist and protect the wearer or to aid the survival of people in other dangerous environments.


If the Moranth are not a new race/species and the the stuff is an exoskeleton and not just armour then it would require either technology or magic to work, ie power the suit

Then of course there is a symbiotic bio armour alternative http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Bio-Armour

TTFN

This post has been edited by Soulessdreamer: 06 March 2009 - 04:29 PM