synergyst-cynodd-fullSYNERGYSTS

Classification: humanoid extraterrestrial race 

Location/Base of Operations: Normally in deep space;
    brought to various planets by the Cynodd
        formerly present on Caveor Prime, Earth, others unidentified

Known Members: None named;
    population unrevealed

Affiliations: Enslaved/indoctrinated by Cynodd

Enemies: Enhanced (Gun Runner/Brell, Heavy Duty/Glora Teth, Lure/Kay Glayvor, Oracle, Smith), humanity (and all the creatures on Earth), Gale Patric, Vassyr, natives of Caveor Prime and likely numerous worlds

First Appearance: (BTS; Syntropy mentioned) Gun Runner#2 (November, 1993);
    (Synergysts mentioned) Gun Runner#5 (February 1994);
    (Synergysts shown) Gun Runner#5 (March, 1994)

synergysts-cynodd-handPowers/Abilities: Synergysts create growing fields of syntropy (pure order) in the matter around them, freezing existence into static form.

    From a central location, they generate an ever-growing web of syntropic energy, at the peripheral extent of which is a solid shell.
    This syntropic shell is solid enough for beings to run or fight upon, but a Vassyran tri-thermex charge can blow a large hole in this shell.
    One Synergyst could apparently convert an entire Earth-sized planet into syntropy within less than a 24 hour period.

    While Synergysts "stand" (float in a standing position) while generating syntropy, they are aware of what is going on around them, and they can move quickly enough to catch experienced warriors off-guard.

    They are large and strong, able to restrain the warriors Gun Runner and Smith each within a single hand.

    Dwelling in deep space, they thrived in this near absolute zero cold, total vacuum, etc. They could also survive and generate syntropy miles below a planet's surface.

    They are vulnerable to the rapid-fire blasts Thermex charges from Gun Runner's weapon.

    Synergysts breed and exist in embryonic form, presumably meaning they mate and produce offspring (see comments).

    Synergysts may not have physical sense organs (eyes, ears, mouth, nose) and may instead sense things via other means.

Traits: The behavior of Synergysts not indoctrinated by the Cynodd has not been revealed, but they normally exist in deep, uninhabited space and do not seek out other forms of life. They were described as innocents.

    The Cynodd twisted the Synergysts into weapons of destruction/genocide, and Synergysts indoctrinated by the Cynodd not only created syntropy within populated planets but fought off attempts to interfere with their activities.

Type:  Bilaterally symmetric bipeds
Eyes: Unrevealed (only a single image clearly shows one's face, and I'm not certain whether they even have eyes)
Fingers: Two (plus opposing thumb)
Toes: Three
Skin color: Gray-white (possibly light blue, or just shadowing?)
Average height: Unrevealed (approximately 25-30')
Other distinguishing features: Synergysts have a linear structure at the level of where they might have eyes, which may represent fused or mostly closed lids (or perhaps it was just blinking at the time of the image). They also do not appear to have obvious ears, mouths, or noses. It can only be speculated whether they have psionic powers or sense energy patterns, etc.

    They have prominent antennae-like structures, longer than the height of their heads, as well as a number of other projections from their head, two small nobs one each side, just inferior (below) their antennae, and well as four somewhat longer projections (two lateral (on the side) and two medial/central (in the center)) of where one might expect their mouths to be.

`They also have projections from their shoulders (2-3), longer spikes from the elbows, a few projections on the forearms and wrists, long projections (with smaller ones above and below) from the hip/pelvis, and large, sharp spikes projecting proximally/anteriorly from the knees.

History:

synergysts-cynodd-syntropy-america(Gun Runner#5 (fb) - BTS) - Synergysts existed in deep, uninhabited space, where their powers had no effect on living beings.

(Gun Runner#5 (fb) - BTS) - In ages past, the Cynodd discovered the Synergysts.

    The Cynodd worshipped the Synergysts as gods due to their ability to generate syntropy.

    The Cynodd took the Synergysts in embryonic form back into inhabited space, where they bred them via their genetic talents, educating them in the mystical doctrines of the Cynodd. The Cynodd nurtured the Synergysts to manufacture perfect areas of Syntropy in the places they controlled.

(Gun Runner#5 (fb) - BTS) - The Cynodd's Synergysts created a syntropic wasteland on Caveor Prime.

(Gun Runner#6 (fb) - BTS) - The Enhanced (genetically enhanced Vassyran warriors) traveled a number of webs/patterns, navigating to stop the Synergysts at their core.

(Gun Runner#5 (fb) - BTS) - Recognizing the Cynodd's threat, the Vassyr race sought to prevent them from activating a network of conditioned Synergysts across the galaxy, which would turn all creation into a stolid, ordered, universal machine.

(Gun Runner#2 (fb) - BTS) - After a long and bloody war, the Enhanced defeated the Cynodd, destroying their armies and machines, and incarcerating their leaders.synergysts-cynodd-fighting

(Gun Runner#2 (fb) - BTS) - Using their genetic materials stored on crystals, surviving Cynodd or their agents captured homeless people and other transients, using their bodies as the physical template onto which to "clone" their people, including their leader, Shakata.

(Gun Runner#1 (fb) - BTS / Gun Runner#2 (fb) - BTS) - The Cynodd established a base below The Lucky Shoe Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, Earth. A second base was established 3 kilometers below this base.

(Gun Runner#5 - BTS) - Back on Earth, Shakata and the Necroborg discussed the failures of their agents (Dog Soldiers and the Zoo) at the hands of the Enhanced. Shakata concluded that they had no choice but to advance the processes on Earth, first by activating the Synergysts.

    The Necroborg noted that the planet was decades away from readiness and that activating a Synergyst now would be--but Shakata cut it off, telling it he would not tolerate insubordination. Shakata continued that while it was dangerous, Earth must be secured, and -- if Brell returned to face him -- there was no other way but total Syntropy; he did not care what pains the planet suffered.

(Gun Runner#5 (fb) - BTS) - Shakata created or activated another Synergyst, which they manipulated to initiate Syntropy on Earth.

(Gun Runner#5 - BTS) - The damage to Earth induced psychic shock, sending human Gale Patric into a coma that would fatally progress. Realizing what had happened, the Enhanced headed back to Earth.

(Gun Runner#5 (fb) - BTS) - Shakata predicted that the Syntropic effect would lead the Enhanced back to Earth.

(Gun Runner#5 - BTS) - As the Enhanced returned, Syntropy spread outwardly from Las Vegas across the North American continent. Unable to get closer than 400 miles or risk syntropy herself, Oracle (who controlled Gun Runner's Warbird ship) used a rider beam to teleport the Enhanced to Earth.

(Gun Runner#6 - BTS) - With Syntropy threatening to engulf Earth within hours, Heavy Duty blew a hole in the Syntropic shell via a Thermex charge. The Zoo pursued the Enhanced as they went through the hole and headed underground.

    Back on the Warbird, the Syntropy-maddened Gale (acting as a Cynodd killing machine) confronted and was subdued by Oracle.

    As the Enhanced followed the pattern/web of syntropic energy, Lure's cybernetic hawk, Gyre, located the heart of the pattern and transferred the information to Gun Runner before being destroyed.

(Gun Runner#6) - As Gun Runner reached the Synergyst, he apologized as he drew his weapon.

    Shakata ambushed Gun Runner, striking him in the head before he could fire on the Synergyst. As Shakata raised his sword, however, Smith, who had secretly followed Gun Runner, took out Shakata.

(Gun Runner#6 - BTS) - Alerted to the Enhanced's presence, the Synergyst moved out of their field of view while they were distracted by Shakata.

(Gun Runner#6) - As Gun Runner realized the Synergyst was gone, it suddenly reached down and snatched Smith in its grasp. Gun Runner charged to rescue his ally, but the Synergyst grabbed him as well.

(Gun Runner#6 - BTS) - Instructing his Tactical unit to employ rapid fire Thermex charges, Gun Runner apparently destroyed the Synergyst.

Comments: Created by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Anthony Williams, and Colin Fawcett as part of Marvel UK.

    The text said the Cynodd bred the Synergysts and that the Cynodd brought them in embryonic form into inhabited space. That would imply that they mated (typically sexually) and produced offspring, but it is possible that Gun Runner (who was a warrior, not a biologist), may not have understood (or perhaps properly described) exactly what they did; maybe they budded off or otherwise virtually cloned themselves...or the Cynodd cloned them. We only saw one form that didn't seem to have any external genitalia, so it's impossible to conclude anything definitively.

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Synergysts should be distinguished from:

synergysts-cynodd-syntropy-holesynergysts-cynodd-syntropy-webSyntropy

    Synergysts generate syntropy (pure order) in the matter around them, freezing existence into static form.

     From a central location, Synergysts generate an ever-growing web of syntropic energy, at the peripheral extent of which is a solid shell.

    This syntropic shell is solid enough for beings to run or fight upon, but a Vassyran tri-thermex charge can blow a large hole in this shell.

(Gun Runner#5 (fb) - BTS) - Manipulated by the Cynodd, the Synergysts manufactured perfect areas of syntropy in the places they controlled.

(Gun Runner#5 (fb) - BTS) - The Cynodd's Synergysts created a syntropic wasteland on Caveor Prime.

(Gun Runner#6 (fb) - BTS) - The Enhanced (genetically enhanced Vassyran warriors) traveled a number of webs/patterns, navigating to stop the Synergysts at their core.

(Gun Runner#5 (fb) - BTS) - Recognizing the Cynodd's threat, the Vassyr race sought to prevent them from activating a network of conditioned Synergysts across the galaxy, which would turn all creation into a stolid, ordered, universal machine.

(Gun Runner#5 - BTS) - Back on Earth, Shakata resolved that Earth must be secured, and that there was no other way but total Syntropy.

(Gun Runner#5 (fb) - BTS) - Shakata created or activated a Synergyst, which they manipulated to initiate Syntropy on Earth.

(Gun Runner#5 - BTS) - The damage to Earth induced psychic shock, sending human Gale Patric into a coma that would fatally progress. Realizing what had happened, the Enhanced headed back to Earth.

(Gun Runner#5 (fb) - BTS) - Shakata predicted that the Syntropic effect would lead the Enhanced back to Earth.

(Gun Runner#5 - BTS) - As the Enhanced returned, Syntropy spread outwardly from Las Vegas across the North American continent.

    Unable to get closer than 400 miles or risk syntropy herself, Oracle (who controlled Gun Runner's Warbird ship) used a rider beam to teleport the Enhanced to Earth.

(Gun Runner#6 - BTS) - With Syntropy threatening to engulf Earth within hours, Heavy Duty blew a hole in the Syntropic shell via a thermex charge. The Zoo pursued the Enhanced as they went through the hole and headed underground.

    Back on the Warbird, the Syntropy-maddened Gale (acting as a Cynodd killing machine) confronted and was subdued by Oracle.

    As the Enhanced followed the pattern/web of syntropic energy, Lure's cybernetic hawk, Gyre, located the heart of the pattern and transferred the information to Gun Runner before being destroyed.

(Gun Runner#6) - Gun Runner slew the Synergyst, apparently neutralizing the Syntropy.

--(Mentioned) Gun Runner#2; (seen) Gun Runner#5

images: (without ads)
Gun Runner#5, pg. 20, panel 3 (Syntropy spreading across North America);
    #6, pg. 1, panel 3 (Syntropy - all pale yellow);
       pg. 8, panel 1 (hole blown in Syntropic shell);
       pg. 10, panel 1 (web of Syntropic energy);
       pg. 18, panel 3 (Synergyst, full);
       pg. 20, panel 1 (hand grasping Smith)
            panel 3 (Synergyst, full body, holding Smith & Gun Runner);

Appearances:
Gun Runner#2 (November, 1993) - Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (script), Anthony Williams (penciler), Jeff Anderson (inker), Bambos Georgiou (editor)
Gun Runner#5-6 (February-March, 1994) - Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (script), Anthony Williams (penciler), Colin Fawcett (inker), Bambos Georgiou (editor)

First posted: 01/11/2019
Last updated: 01/11/2019

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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