Torinian

Torianin, also known as "Type 37" - is a sentient plant that is at least 50,000 years old. Determining its actual age is nearly impossible due to Torianin's ability to go into hibernation for millennia. This unique entity possesses telepathy and mind control abilities, as well as a vast sensory system. It releases spores into the air, allowing Torianin to control those who inhale them through pain. These "slaves" serve Torianin, performing its will. Torianin is also capable of creating creatures known as "Torianin Creepers". Additionally, it can "absorb" sentient beings and create clones of them that will speak on behalf of their master when necessary.

According to the VI in the ExoGeny headquarters, Torianin is essentially a "tangle of tendrils"*, covering much of the surface of Theros. Some of these tendrils extend kilometers in length, with some regions clustered into nerve nodes. Torianin is intelligent but views other sentient beings merely as potential slaves. It refers to itself as the "Old Plant"**.

During the Prothean Era

Shepard first hears about Torianin from Elizabeth Baynham, who hypothesized that it might be the reason behind the Geth's attack on the Theros colonists. Additional information can be gathered from the ExoGeny VI and from the freed Shiala. According to her, Torianin existed on Theros long before the Protheans arrived. It spent thousands of years in hibernation, then awakened for "a few mad centuries" of activity, and then went back to sleep. When the Protheans arrived on Theros and began constructing a metropolis that would eventually cover the planet, Torianin curiously studied them, possibly turning several into slaves and absorbing them after death, making them part of its expanding consciousness. Thus, it gradually acquired knowledge, eventually forming the Cipher. Torianin survived the cataclysm that destroyed the Protheans and continued to grow on Theros for the next fifty thousand years.

Control Group

In the late 2170s, ExoGeny began colonizing Theros and established a colony in one of the ruined skyscrapers, unaware that deep beneath it lay Torianin's lair. The enormous plant woke from hibernation, and the presence of so many potential slaves at such a close distance proved too tempting. In 2183, a small group of researchers was exploring the ruins and accidentally stumbled upon Torianin's lair, which led to the infection of all group members with spores. ExoGeny became aware of what happened; however, instead of protecting its colonists, they isolated the settlement to observe the aftermath and study Torianin's mind control abilities.

While the corporation observed, 80% of the population of Zhu Hope were infected in less than a month and began serving Torianin. According to the corporation's VI, Torianin transmits commands to its slaves through spores; if the slaves resist, they suffer from excruciating pain until they cease to think of resistance. Although the initial stage of taking control of a living being is quite painful, Torianin does not force its slaves to perform dangerous tasks or harm themselves. The VI compares it to a master gently handling its tools. Thus, the Zhu Hope colonists appeared to live normal lives until they were needed by Torianin, although some, like Yen Newsted, were strong enough to resist. Torianin carefully kept these few away from prying eyes.

Geth Attack

However, Saren Arterius learned of Torianin's existence and its connection to the Protheans. He secretly arrived on Theros with a squad of Geth and Shiala, a powerful biotic Asari. He offered Torianin a deal, presenting Shiala as a sacrifice. Shiala merged with Torianin; sharing consciousness with it, she acquired the Cipher, which she then transmitted to Saren.

However, Saren knew that Shepard was pursuing him and could not risk giving Shepard the opportunity to acquire the Cipher. He ordered the Geth to destroy Torianin and all traces of its existence.

The Geth began their assault on Zhu Hope, but the colonists blocked the path to Torianin's lair and, under its will, began to fight for it. Rumors of the Geth attack soon reached Shepard, and the Normandy arrived on Theros to clarify the situation. Initially, the colonists were glad to see the team - Torianin deemed Shepard an excellent weapon to eliminate the Geth without risking becoming a victim of another betrayal. It even ordered Ledra, a salarian trader, to sell any available weapons to Shepard and compelled the other colonists to convince Shepard to focus on battling the Geth.

After Shepard entered the ExoGeny building, Torianin learned through its sensory system that Shepard had deduced its existence and would likely try to destroy it. The colonists turned against the team and even attempted to attack the Normandy. Torianin forced the colonists to fight Shepard's team on their way back to the colony. It made a final attempt to stop them using Faye Den, but he rebelled against its control and shot himself.

Sneaking underground, Shepard discovered Torianin's lair, which smelled, apparently, of rotting compost. Descending the stairs, the captain's team encountered the master of this place - a massive organic mass, completely unlike a plant. In response to Shepard's approach, Torianin created a clone of Shiala, who spoke on behalf of its creator. Through it, Torianin attempted to frighten Shepard, labeling every step of his team as a violation. It viewed humans as "meat capable only of digging and decaying." After Saren's betrayal, Torianin was no longer interested in making deals with "those who fuss." It attempted to stop the team by sending clones and creepers; however, Shepard succeeded in destroying Torianin's nerve nodes located throughout the building, thus eliminating it.

To Shepard's great surprise, Shiala was almost saddened by Torianin's death. Despite what it had done to the colonists and to her, it was a unique form of life that would never be encountered again.

Aftermath

When the Geth retreated, ExoGeny retrieved Torianin's remains. Unfortunately, the effects of its spores still affected the victims. The colonists began to experience headaches and muscle spasms similar to those they had while under Torianin's control. As the colonists passed by Torianin's former victims, they could feel their elevated temperature or pain. Shiala (if spared) has green skin like her clones, and her biotic abilities are unstable. Zhu Hope negotiated with Baria Frontiers in hopes of studying and curing these effects.

Interesting Facts

- Torianin bears a slight resemblance to the Sarlacc from Star Wars Expanded Universe and the Grave Mind from the Halo universe.

- The method of mind control used by Torianin causes victims to suffer pain if they attempt to think independently. This is very similar to the brainwashing method shown in one episode of Star Trek ("Dagger of the Mind").

- In a conversation with Shiala in ME2, Shepard can ask if Torianin is still alive. She confirms its death. Later, Shepard may receive a message from the colonists stating that they spent a lot of time verifying this. Doubts are not unfounded if considering Torianin's decentralized nature.

\*"Tendril" in this case is a botanical term denoting "creeping shoots with long internodes that root (at nodes) using adventitious roots; serve for vegetative reproduction."

**"The Old Growth" in the original.