Anglerraptor

With their towering stance, bizarre proportions, and unsettling singular eye, Epicentre's initial presence can come off as fairly menacing. Their demeanour is much more palatable however, as they are well-mannered and generally passive, often seeking knowledge from others. Unfortunately, being the harbinger of the bloodvine virus to the planet doesn't give them the greatest reputation outside of the bloodvine empire.

Origin
Epicentre belongs to a species of advanced semi-organic aliens from a distant, bloodvine-ridden planet. Their species had learned to live with the virus - even embracing it - by the time of their creation, and they were fully infected with it by the time they had reached maturity. Epicentre took a particular liking to study and science from a young age, specifically how the virus their society was so well acquainted with affected different forms of life. They became a decently renowned biologist with their passionate fieldwork involving the bloodvine and it's influence.

The Crash
While not inherently malicious, the virus does plague the mind with one main objective, no matter how familiar the species or how strong the willpower of an individual; spread the bloodvine. Along with the will to study it's affects, Epicentre planned to travel off-world for a while and study alien lifeforms and their interaction with the bloodvine. Eventually they were able to get their hands on a scouting ship, perfect for seeking out planets to take samples from. Excited for this scientific venture, Epicentre took off effective immediately.

Scouting was a quick success, as Epicentre discovered the Everglow planet in a nearby solar system - a treasure-trove of life, a perfect subject for the bloodvine. Unknown to Epicentre, however, was the failing systems of their ship. Their scouting ship was a faulty one, manufactured poorly and sold to them at a cheaper price, which Epicentre took without a second thought [As passionate as they are about their job, scientific study doesn't pay the bills very well]. Paired with their eager attitude to begin this endeavour and therefore failing to check if it was properly intact and functional, the systems of the scouting ship had been gradually breaking down whilst in the solar system, reaching critical status around the time Epicentre's ship was orbiting the Everglow planet. Unable to achieve enough power to break orbit, Epicentre's ship pulled closer to the planet, until gravity took hold and sent their ship violently crashing into the ground, shattering it to pieces. Their species is very sturdy, so they were able to survive the impact, although they did lose one of their horns.

Now without a foreseeable way to return home and nothing left from the crash but themselves, Epicentre had to make do with where they were and what they could find. At least the virus was content with the situation.

Post-Crash
Ground zero of the crash appeared to be a small, desecrated settlement, which held no signs of life. Without much else to work with yet, Epicentre began residing within the abandoned Catalyst Forge in the centre of the village, hoping to uncover both resources and information about the planet. Unknown to them, their initial spread of the virus in this location had begun a chain reaction that would lead to the rise of an empire.

Once infected with the bloodvine, the remains of previous inhabitants of the settlement began to reanimate, alongside some of their creations, which had now even gained a form of sentience. Epicentre was fascinated by this, as this affect of the virus had not yet been documented. Originally planning to find whatever means necessary to return home, they elected to stay, at least for a while, enough to study this breakthrough thoroughly. The settlement was rebuilt by these awakened residents, who graciously accepted Epicentre into their community as gratitude for introducing the virus that gave them new life.

Nowadays Epicentre can often be found in the laboratory of the now rebuilt Catalyst Forge, conducting bloodvine related experiments on native flora and fauna, seeking answers to just how far the virus can push the boundary of life and death.