Molluscoids

Molluscoids
Molluscoids originated among the Morvaren Octopus, created to fill out the underwater ranks of the alliance and operate alongside its submarines and deep-ocean research settlements. Like other Beastfolk, their molluscan donor stabilized broadly rather than around a single animal, leaving them with traits drawn from across Mollusca. Their soft, highly flexible and somewhat compressible bodies strongly favored aquatic life, though they remained perfectly capable of walking and living on land. As they spread beyond the Octopus' heavy glass deep-sea research domes, Molluscoids eventually became common throughout many of the same underwater and coastal communities occupied by other nautical Beastfolk.
Molluscoids possessed four arms, each ending in only two flexible, suction-cupped digits. The two arms on either side were commonly coordinated as a pair, effectively functioning as one arm and four-digit hand when convenient, though all four could operate independently. Their vulnerable soft bodies gave them a powerful affinity for protective coverings, and Molluscoids became famous for wearing beautifully fitted, shell-inspired metal armor as ordinary clothing—often appearing heavily armored by the standards of other peoples while dressed completely casually. Adult males developed beard-like clusters of sensory tentacles around the face, while females developed longer scalp-like arrangements resembling hair. These tendrils were additional sensory organs that continued growing with age and were painful to cut; rather than trimming them, Molluscoids commonly banded, bundled, wrapped, or arranged them for practicality and personal style.