ZIL - a crystalline race

[davidence]

I was searching the net for some traveller info a few months ago and I came upon a text file with the descriptions of a few Besties. One of them caught my eye... The ZIL. Below is the description from the text file:
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ZIL: A crystalline race that communicates by electrical impulses. In effect, they are living computers. The Zil appear as furry yellow crystalline growths, something like sulphur growths. Each individual zil only grows to 1-2 kg., but a large field of the Zil is a beautiful sight, a brilliant yellow with message sparks passing from one Zil to another each moment. The Zil trade their computing abilities to humans in return for chemicals that help them grow. Homeworld: Ramanar.
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I was wondering:

1) Has anyone used these in any scenarios? How?

2) What might a computer interface to such a best be to harness their computing power?

3) If they can be interfaced to a computer, how about using them as a "brain" for a robot designed from Book 8 or something.

4) How might they augment a ships computer?

-David

 

[mike wightman]

Did anyone else read this and think "sounds like Cymbeline chips", only larger?

 

[davidence]

Sigg Oddra, what are Cymbeline chips?

 

[mike wightman]

A silicon based race of sentient micro-chips, discovered on the planet Cymbeline in the Solomani Rim. They are covered in CT Adventure 13.

When they are linked to a computer they provide various bonuses, such as improved sensors and the like.

 

[alanb]

Originally posted by Sigg Oddra:
A silicon based race of sentient micro-chips, discovered on the planet Cymbeline in the Solomani Rim. They are covered in CT Adventure 13.

When they are linked to a computer they provide various bonuses, such as improved sensors and the like.

*cough*VIRUS*cough*

 

[vegascat]

Oh yeah!

let them grow up, mature, fiure out human races and you get the "VIRUS"

Those who forget history are bound to repeat it, even if it is a future history.

 

[mike wightman]

Virus is a program, not a chip.
The Cymbeline lifeforms are not plague carriers

 

[Straybow]

YACL (Yet Another Crystalline Lifeform) *ugh*

Reminds me of a poorly plotted ST:TNG episode, memorable for the crystalline beings' description of organic life.

"Ugly bags of mostly water!"