The Eidolon are one of the strangest and, in many ways, most frightening threats to emerge from the Sea of Dead Stars. They are unique for many reasons. First, they appear to be human. In fact, many are identifiable as humans who were lost once they crossed the Terminus Line into quarantined space, or humans who were captured in an Eidolon raid and "re-educated." If there is some other power behind the Eidolon, no one has seen it or heard it's name. Second, the Eidolon only attack human colonies. Most threat species from the Sea of Dead Stars seem to have it in for all sentient life. The Eidolon will kill any alien species they come across, and in fact seem to be quite pro-human on some twisted level, but they only target other humans for their attacks. Typically, the Eidolon target small, fringe colonies of a few thousand people or less. They swoop in on freighters, disguised as supply convoys or lost ships requiring repairs, and then land and disgorged dozens or hundreds of the Eidolon shock troops, always headed by their dreaded Captains (one of which is pictured above). They then subjugate the populace, putting in place dozens of restrictive rules and requiring complete obedience. This is reinforced by The Miasma, a noxious gas they use to permeate the colonies they capture, which causes the people to become obedient and slowly twists their thinking into the same as the Eidolon. The Eidolon pick the strongest and brightest for "re-education" and subject them to subliminal torture, mental conditioning, desensitization and worse in order to convert them into Eidolon. Once they have re-educated all of the people who are deemed worthy, they leave, loaded with Miasma and new recruits. Then, like a cancer, the new Eidolon of the colony they attacked spread out to share their "New way of thinking" with other human colonies. So far, the authorities have prevented any permanent Eidolon "infestations" from taking hold on this side of the Terminus Line, but as humanity keeps expanding and more and more "shadow colonies" go unregistered, it seems inevitable that the Eidolon will begin to expand. In fact, many theorize that it's already happened on unregistered colonies the authorities never knew existed. The Eidolon are striking deeper in human territory and their ships are frequently newer and more modernized ships sold in just the last decade. The Eidolon appear to have a severe hatred of authority, and twist and pervert its purpose, almost as if they are making a mockery of human society and leadership. Even the way they look, with the coal-kettle helmets, gas masks, black rubber-looking suits and storm coats appear to be specifically designed to get a mental reaction of fear and abusive authority from any who see them. Their faces are scarred and their eyes red, but it's all superficial and makes no rhyme or reason, except to tap into subconscious human fear. They constantly babble about humanity being "prepared for what's coming" which can only be survived by the "new way of thinking." Psychic probes to uncover their secrets only runs into the mental wall built up by their "re-education" along with the firm conviction of all Eidolon that humanity has to be "darker than the darkness that is coming." Eidolon are murderous and don't hesitate to shoot and kill those opposing them, but they seem far more focused on subverting the human race and aren't known for their high body counts, unless a colony resists too strongly. At that point they deem the colony "beyond saving" and bathe it with poison gas, lift off, and destroy any signicant structures from above.