 The Episiarchs have other military (and possibly civilian) uses as well, although these are not greatly elaborated upon.In "Startide Rising" an Episiarch is used to create a temporary dry pathway on waterlogged land so that a party of Tandu infantry may move more easily.Acceptors are spider-like creatures that have the ability to psionically "see" the universe around them in great detail and clarity, that is, they "accept" data at a quantum level at great range.