PATH OF THE WILD FORUM GAME
For old timers, Round 38 is at the bottom of this post. Newcomers I suggest reading this post fully.
Welcome to the game
To anyone who has recently joined the forum, it may seem odd that this game begins on Round 38, when it is tradition to start with Round 1. However, this game was started on our old forum (Old Thread: http://thrivegame.freeforums.net/thread/1473/path-wild-forum-game) and so a significant portion of the game is over there. However, I will give a recap of the rule and the game so far so that you can catch up.
What is this game?
Path of the Wild is a round-based forum game where a player both plays as an individual of the species and also guides their evolution. Not only this, but the world around them changes too, to simulate a true process of creation of natural history. It is based almost entirely on this thread but extra links are provided at the beginning of each round. There are two parts to this game for the player, the action part and the evolution part, which both complement each other.
Action Part - This is the part of the game where you get to control and individual of your species. Your aim here is to survive long enough to then be able to successfully reproduce, at which point you will then have an evolution part. (Note that you won’t all necessarily be in the same parts as each other, as some might evolve at different times.) You can help your critter survive by choosing an action for it to make in response to the description of its situation. E.g. You can choose to hunt for food. It can be anything you like, as long as your species can reasonably perform this action. However, the success of this action is based upon a couple of dice rolls. The primary dice roll looks like this:
1 - Action is not achieved and a serious malus is given.
2 - Action is not achieved and a small malus is given.
3 - Action is not achieved.
4 - Action is achieved.
5 - Action is achieved and a small bonus given.
6 - Action is achieved and a large bonus given.
There is also a secondary roll which factors in the status of your species (explained below). If a bonus point is won it gets added to your primary roll to improve it. A 7 will allow you to give or take a point from another player, or yourself, in the next round only:
3 - LC get a bonus point.
4 - LC, NT get a bonus point.
5 - LC, NT, VU get a bonus point.
6 - LC, NT, VU, EN get a bonus point.
Anyway, in this part, there are a few stats to keep track of. Maturity tracks how much growth you have done and goes up by 20% each time you eat. At 60%, you are considered large enough to reproduce. Health obviously tells you if you have any health issues. Nutrition shows you how far away you are from starving. Each round you don’t eat, it will decrease by a percentage of your species’ Nutritional Level, which is how much nutrition it needs based upon its mutations. I can be put back up by eating and the amount depends on what you ate. More nutritional food will boost you more. Finally, Energy is simply how much energy you have left for movement, and decreases depending on how much movement you have done. It can be increased again by resting. If you let either nutrition or energy get to 0%, you will die. Death means that you will be reborn and have to start from 0% maturity again, or if your species on a whole is doing bad it could mean extinction, so watch out!
Evolution Part - When you reproduce, you then enter an evolutionary round. This means you can choose mutations for your species that, depending on the dice rolls, they will evolve:
1 - Very disadvantageous.
2 - Disadvantageous.
3 - Nothing happens.
4 - As expected.
5 - Extra beneficial.
6 - Super beneficial.
To start off with, you can choose three mutations to try and evolve. You will become the species that is the result of this evolution, unless it goes immediately extinct. If you go extinct, you can become another existing species, as long as it at least descended from original player species. Your species’ status is represented by the following:
LC = Completely secure
NT = Secure but with minimal threat
VU = Major threat to security
EN = Security is falling
CR = On the edge
CR- = Extinct but for the player and few individuals
The World Around You - Remember that you and the other players are not the only components of this world. NPC species can evolve alongside you in response to player evolutions, and events can be started both by natural processes (occur anyway without dice roll because it make sense) and by the roll of the event dice.
Good luck and choose your path of the wild carefully!
Rounds
R.1 - Proto-worms descended from, and including, Superstes veteris dominate the oceans. The first eyes and circulation systems appear.
R.2 - The proto-worms continue to diversify and occupy new niches, like some turning to herbivorous habits. Kardiaskulus cormeum evolve an early heart.
R.3 - The ecosystem collapses after overpredation of microbes. Squickia viatorem start moving into shallow seas, whilst Tyranna natare ventures closer to the surface of the open ocean.
R.4 - The Planiusidae family goes extinct. Pinhole eyes evolve in Kardiaskulus labes.
R.5 - The first predators, Regemsitula occisor and Rostros acris, arrive, alongside the first chordate Orthus talonus.
R.6 - The first action round begins; a lonely Rostros acris follows a tempting trail.
R.7 - A young Rostros acris takes its first bite, whilst a Squickia caecus happens upon an early coral reef.
R.8 - A Viitria ventri and a Rostros acris each narrowly avoid being eaten, but an Orthus talonus is not so lucky, as a tentacled monster descends from above.
R.9 - Submarine earthquakes cause a devastating tsunami, beaching many animals and leaving them to die. It also causes the collapse of a cliff wall that crushes a Quatora similis.
R.10 - Displaced by the tsunami, a Tyranna caultrifaucius miraculously manages to survive UV hit shallow water and escapes back into the deep. At the same time, a Squickia caecus finds a mate and repdrouces.
R.11 - The first cartaliginous animal, Makryostus wavii, appears.
R.12 - A Chontraderma agentii is lost on the desolate abyssal plain, as a Rantisma immortalus just escapes predation by squirting ink at it.
R.13 - The Chontraderma agentii perishes from starvation and a Quatora memorus appears to be going the same way. Grohkius vasorum finds a food source in the form of a cold seep.
R.14 - A Rostros acris pierces the side of a Makryostus wavii with its sharp beak.
R.15 - By the skin of its teeth, a Squickia visionii slips out of the grasping tentacles of a Regemsitula. Meanwhile, a Viitria cyclopis and Quatora memorus succumb to starvation.
R.16 - Regemsitulas continue to prey on small animals.
R.17 - A hurricane rages over the Manaurai Sea, displacing animals and beaching them. Aerochelus gasbagensis evolves and is able to swim continuously thanks to its swim bladder.
R.18 - The animals enjoy the relative calm after the hurricane.
R.19 - Algae evolves to survive temporary exposure to the air, and now cover the littoral zone. A Chontraderma agentii is killed by a Regemsitula. Armed with stinging spikes, Achmachelus subitamortis appears and becomes quite populous.
R.20 - Plants continue to make pioneering moves onto beaches.
R.21 - Blooms of Mollisitula are drawn into lagoons by tidal forces, crowding out other species.
R.22 - A group of Nassiaskulus oculimagnus get a baptism of fire, as they are born in a field of rocketing gas pockets. At the same time, Squickia dissolvi and Chontraderma cannonballsi appear and go extinct. The first vertebrate carnivore arrives in the form of Achmachelus occisorum.
R.23 - A miniscule Quatora agentibus gets consumed by a large filter-feeder.
R.24 - Another hurricane ravages the Manaurai Sea, stranding many animals and leaving them to die. A Nassiaskulus oculimagnus finds a hydrothermal vent field.
R.25 - Again, the animals recover after the disaster, except for some like Aerochelus gulpin which are stranded on a beach. Achmachelus occisorum dominate the deep water, preying on smaller animals and killing them with their barbarous spikes.
R.26 - The stranded Aerochelus gulpin succumb to the UV radiation, whilst a juvenile Achmachelus occisorum escapes a pursuer.
R.27 - Driven by the need to reproduce, an Achmachelus occisorum swims too close to hydrothermal vents and the water starts to burn it’s skin.
R.28 - Filter-feeders like Aerochelus gulpin and Squickia visionii take advantage of temporary blooms in phytoplankton. The first jawed animal, Skelechelus inkenaria, evolves.
R.29 - An Achmachelus occisorum feeds on another Achmachelus occisorum as it deposits it’s egg capsule.
R.30 - A Kapnosta limus becomes sick. It seems to be harder to find a mate these days.
R.31 - An anoxic event covering much of the deep water decimates species that live in this area, and forced the survivors into higher areas that they are not adapted to. Several species go extinct during this period.
R.32 - Kapnosta limus teeters on the brink with life on the continental slopes.
R.33 - The anoxic water gradually dissipates but a volcanic eruption means no rest for the animals; ash covers some of the Manaurai Sea.
R.34 - Another hurricane hits the area.
R.35 - A young Makoura jousteri attempts to fit through a very small coral-edged cave. Meanwhile, a Skelechelus inkenaria is killed by another, trying to escape it’s cave.
R.36 - A submarine earthquake in the Manaurai Sea causes a tsunami, and the massive wave spills over the coast, taking animals with it. Deep underwater, the Makoura jousteri is stuck. Glistroskulus louixi evolve and become the first animals to live in polar water.
R.37 - The Makoura jousteri finally manages to slip through the cave into a cavern. A Skelechelus inkenaria utilities the night to hunt in shallow water.
Waiting List
The current max of players I will allow is 8. These are the people waiting for a place.
- BiologicalSomething
- infinitewisdom
Round 38
Prev: [a href=“http://thrivegame.freeforums.net/post/30585”]Round 37[/a]
Next: Coming soon.
Extra Stuff
[details=“POTW Soundtrack (for listening to when you read this):”] https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T1_wnREGllg
Chat Thread: Coming soon.
Eztan Extant Ecosystems: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ramXIxwYwggWj1bVH3zmZT-tlZSbQvW4PUZAEiVWYB8
Book of the Dead: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JOwzI4ZHorn8nrqEr62v2_uXXlbs7qSCudHc476qLMY
[/details]
~9.5 million years into the Atroxian~
Calamitas Stage
Event - 1 + 3 (Local Disaster)
In the dark depths of the ocean where the water ins generally quite still, a rare phenomenon occurred; a storm of much stronger currents was whipped up by changing water densities elsewhere in the ocean. These currents are strong enough to disperse animals that get in their way, but luckily are not much more dangerous than that.
Global Climate: The climate of the single landmass, Uteeno, is generally hot (globally 25c) and dry; there are few land plants to soak up the greenhouse gases (CO2 is at 0.1%), and most of the supercontinent is too far from the Uteenessa superocean to receive rain. As a result, there are high sea levels and no glaciers.
@robotranicrex
Kapnosta limus (LC)
NORTH-WESTERN UTEENESSA OCEAN, DEEP OCEAN
Crossing the abyssal desert in search of food, you travel quite a distance for such a small creature, and crawling through the viscosity of water when you are small isn’t easy. Eventually, you come across a current being pushed down from above, bringing with it potential food. But as you get closer, the water around suddenly becomes choppier and before you know it river-like currents are pushing you away. They carry you until eventually they subside. When the water stills, you are in a place very similar to where you started, and getting very hungry. (1 + 1)
Status
Health: Malnourished
Maturity: 0%
Nutrition: 15%
Energy: 75%
Temp: Ok
Species Details
Kapnosta limus
(Skeleton = 5)
(Smell = 1)
(Scales = 6)
Description: These common, tubular animals are the first to evolve a layer of scales over their bodies, which provide more protection than bare skin. The downside though is that to prevent the sparse light glinting off their scales and giving away their position to predators, a fine slime is secreted over the scales to dull them. The problem is that this slime produces a strong smell, which spreads for tens of metres. Fortunately, at this time no predators have any olfactory organs. Kapnosta limus are the most common animal of the deep ocean, but are most successful around hydrothermal vents; the scales means that they can withstand more heat than their competitors. The vents produce a lot of valuable chemicals which microbes thrive off, and Kapnosta limus in turn thrive off these. Another adaptation that gives them an advantage is the evolution of a cartilage skeleton, which supports the heavier body and allows them to swim, albeit slowly and just above the ocean floor. The skeleton provides a place for muscle attachment, and it moves it’s body from side to side to swim. It’s name means slimy smoker, due to its fondness of hydrothermal vents.
Size: 6.5cm (length)
Status: LC
Biome: Deep Ocean
Niche: Benthic Filter-Feeder
Distribution: Uteenessa Ocean
Classification: Kapnostidae, Kardiaskulea, Ochipoda, Mollicorpea
Predecessor: Nassiaskulus oculimagnus
Previous Mutations: Coming soon.
@aviscerator
Quatora agentibus (VU)
MANAURAI SEA, SHALLOW SEA
You leave the once idyllic bay behind and head out into the sea. You swim away in search of food, but unfortunately all that you can find are bare sandy plains. You are nearing adulthood. (1 + 1)
Status
Health: Healthy
Maturity: 40%
Nutrition: 50%
Energy: 50%
Temp: Ok
Species Details
Quatora agentibus
(Muscles = 4)
(Digestion = 3)
One of the many herbivores that plunder the mossy outcrops in the shallow seas, this mossy-green species only slightly edges out beyond its competition as it is slightly faster and more athletic. However, this niche is becoming quite crowded.
Features: The reason for its extra athleticism is the fact that is has well-arranged muscles, that increase movement efficiency. Another difference is the fact that the stomach now contains an acid capable of breaking down meat. However, it has no way of catching meat and cannot even scavenge due to the specific design of its teeth.
Size: 2.7cm (length)
Status: VU
Biome: Shallow Sea
Niche: Herbivore
Distribution: Shallow seas connected to Uteenessa Ocean
Classification: Quatoridae, Quatorea, Pteryskula, Mollicorpea
Predecessor: Quatora rigidum
Previous Mutations: Coming soon.
@agenttine
Makoura jousteri (LC)
NORTH-WESTERN UTEENESSA OCEAN, DEEP OCEAN
After your struggle through the cave, you are in dire need of a rest. Once in the cavern, you find a quiet spot tucked under a sponge and settle down. You recuperate much of your energy but when you wake up you are hungry. Your cuts seem to have stopped bleeding. Outside, the deep sea storm whirls, but you are protected by your cavern. You are nearing adulthood. (5 - 1)
Status
Health: Numerous scratches on sides.
Maturity: 40%
Nutrition: 25%
Energy: 75%
Temp: Ok
Species Details
Makoura jousteri
(Whip Tail = 6)
(Pigment = 2)
(Venom = 6)
Description: This species is by far the largest, although this is because it has a tail that is twice the length of the main body. This tail can be whipped at small animals, stunning them, and the toxic spikes that remain on its end ensure the prey never recovers. The toxins are also useful for taking down larger animals and other predators. The tail can also be used to put on a burst of sudden speed. The species has also developed toxins glands in the head, connected to a pair of venomous, albeit small, tusks strutting out straight in front of the head. It has no jaw, so can’t bite, but the tusks can be used like a joust to pierce the skin of their target. They still have no pigment and so are confined to the deep; they are one of many species jostling for space on the continental slopes whilst the deep ocean remains anoxic. It is one of the stronger ones.
Size: 15cm (length)
Time: R. 31
Status: VU
Biome: Deep Ocean
Niche: Apex Predator
Distribution: Uteenessa Ocean
Classification: Makouridae, Orthusea, Chondraca, Chordatea
Predecessor: Achmachelus occisorum
Previous Mutations: Muscles II, Electroreceptors, Open Circulatory System, Axochord, Whip Tail, Gills (3), Notochord, Cartilage, Digestive Acid, Spike (2), Teeth, Cup Eyes, Venom
@immortaldragon
Aerochelus gulpin (VU)
MANAURAI SEA, SHALLOW SEA
You head straight for the surface, allowing your swim bladder to take you easily to the top. You make it safely and, as the sky turns blue, the deep water predators disappear so your chances of survival are greater. (3 + 1)
Status
Health: Healthy
Maturity: 0%
Nutrition: 30%
Energy: 90%
Temp: Ok
Species Details
Aerochelus gulpin
(Swim Bladder = 6)
(Notochord = 2)
Aerochelus gulpin is unusual amongst contemporary sea creature in that it gulps in air from above the surface of the water. It is not using this to breathe in oxygen as it might first appear, although it could do in a pinch, but instead it is taking in air of a certain pressure into its swim bladder. This allows fast, safe movement between depths.
Features: To allow the air breathed in to enter the swim bladder, a small tube now connects the sac-like organ and the gut. The axochord of this species is also slightly stiffer than its cousins, which hinders movement somewhat.
Size: 3.5cm (length)
Status: VU
Biome: Open Ocean/Shallow Sea
Niche: Pelagic Filter-Feeder
Distribution: Uteenessa Ocean & connected seas
Classification: Tyrannidae, Tyrannea, Ochipoda, Mollicorpea
Predecessor: Aerochelus gasbagensis
Previous Mutations: Muscles, Electroreceptors, Open Circulatory System, Axochord, Tail, Digestive Acid, Gills (4), “Throat-Teeth”, Dark Blue Pigmentation, Ink Sac, Basic Instincts, Gas Bladder (Air Attained)
@soundwave
Achmachelus occisorum (EN)
NORTH-WESTERN UTEENESSA OCEAN, DEEP OCEAN
The other Achmachelus occisorum has sensed you and it swims towards you. However, strong currents suddenly materialise and both of you are carried away by them. You tumble through the water as the currents carry you onwards, until eventually they begin to subside. The currents have pushed you to the edge of a much larger cave which seems to lead to a cavern at the end. The cave also seems to have weaker natural currents that bring small food straight by. You slip into a small crevice on the side of the cave and rest. You are nearing adulthood. (5)
Status
Health: Healthy
Maturity: 40%
Nutrition: 60%
Energy: 85%
Temp: Ok
Species Details
Achmachelus occisorum
(Teeth = 3)
(Eyes = 4)
The first chordate predator has arrived; it is comparatively large and wields deadly spines on its tail. When it finds another animal it swings its tail into them, delivering a deadly toxin. It follows its wounded prey until it becomes motionless, and then starts to feed on the body like a hagfish would. It has no jaw, so it can grip, but it gets a purchase with its teeth and then uses its flexible body to pull a chunk off.
Features: In its mouth is a circular row of small, dentine teeth. It also has a pair of cup eyes on the front of its body, but they are quite useless in the dark depths, except to detect the direction of the pale sun. Its main tracking tool is still its electrolocation.
Size: 6.5cm (length)
Status: EN
Biome: Deep Ocean
Niche: Apex Predator
Distribution: Uteenessa Ocean
Classification: Makryostusidae, Orthusea, Chondraca, Chordatea
Predecessor: Achmachelus subitamortis
Previous Mutations: Muscles II, Electroreceptors, Open Circulatory System, Axochord, Tail, Gills (3), Notochord, Cartilage, Digestive Acid, Spike (2), Teeth, Cup Eyes
@blackink
Skelechelus inkenaria (EN)
NORTH-WESTERN UTEENESSA OCEAN, DEEP OCEAN
When the darkness fell, you successfully ploughed the surface for more food, and found it in a sleeping Aerochelus gasbagensis. You had your jaws around it before it had even awoken. You quickly killed and ate it, and returned safely to the twilight zone before the sun rose. You are nearing adulthood. (5)
Status
Health: Healthy
Maturity: 40%
Nutrition: 90%
Energy: 70%
Temp: Ok
Species Details
Skelechelus inkenaria
(Jaw = 5)
(Fins = 3)
(Fat = 1)
Description: Over time, the cartilage that supported this species’ gills, known as pharyngeal arches, became a simple jaw and makes Skelechelus inkenaria the first jawed animal. The jaw can move up and down, and contains fine, needle-like teeth. This allows Skelechelus inkenaria to bite, although due to teeth inefficient for attack and the relative weakness, the tail barbs are still it’s primary weapon. Nonetheless, it does make this the deadliest creature alive, as well as help with feeding and even holding onto struggling prey. Another addition that helps makes this more dangerous is a pair of oval fins near the front of the body, which increase manoeuvrability. All of this adds up to a dangerous hunter. While this is true, unfortunately it’s range of dominance is limited; to lessen weight and improve speed Skelechelus inkenaria has foregone with all fat deposits. This leads to an animal that has skin stretched tight over it’s cartilage, muscles and organs with very little insulation so they cannot live in the cold depths of the ocean. Neither can they survive the sunlit upper levels, as they have no pigment to protect from UV radiation. They are reduced to hunting in the twilight zone inbetween, or above at night. An influx of colder water can kill off populations.
Size: 7cm (length)
Status: EN
Biome: Mid Ocean
Niche: Apex/Nocturnal Predator
Distribution: Uteenessa Ocean
Classification: Skelechelidae, Skelechea, Chondracea, Chordatea
Predecessor: Achmachelus occisorum
Previous Mutations: Muscles II, Electroreceptors, Open Circulatory System, Axochord, Tail, Gills (3), Notochord, Cartilage, Digestive Acid, Spike (2), Teeth, Cup Eyes, Jaw, Fins
@louix
Glistroskulus louixi (LC)
MANAURAI SEA, SHALLOW SEA
You squirm along the ocean floor filtering microbes and it’s not long before you make your way to where the downwards currents meet the floor, bringing with them rich water. You feed on the plenteous plankton, with no signs of danger around. (4 + 1)
Status
Health: Healthy
Maturity: 20%
Nutrition: 75%
Energy: 85%
Temp: Cold
Species Details
Glistroskulus louixi
(Notochord = 6)
(Improve Eyes = 4)
(Protection Against The Cold = 6)
Description: The most widespread animal on the planet also happens to be one of the smallest and simplest, at only 2cm in length. Glistroskulus louixi is the only animal which can withstand the freezing water of the poles; it has special antifreeze proteins in its circulatory system which inhibit the freezing of its body fluids. Although there are no shallow seas in polar regions at this time, the simplicity of this species allowed it to return to the deep. It therefore occupies the deep ocean in polar regions, with no competition. It has also replaced Squickia visionii in shallow seas in warmer climes, but here it is not as successful. Furthermore, this species has evolved a cartilaginous notochord, which adds stronger muscle attachment and therefore movement. Lastly, a transparent layer of skin has evolved over the forward-facing pinhole eyes, protecting them and improving the clarity of vision.
Size: 2cm (length)
Status: LC
Biome: Deep Ocean / Shallow Sea
Niche: Bottom Feeder
Distribution: Uteenessa Ocean
Classification: Glistroskulusidae, Squickidea, Ochipoda, Mollicorpea
Predecessor: Squickia visionii
Previous Mutations: Muscles, Membrane, Cup Eyes, Chemoreceptors, Basic Instincts, Gills (3), Yellow Pigmentation, Teeth, Open Circulatory System, Pinhole Eyes, Immune System
@PositiveTower
Glistroskulus louixi (LC)
MANAURAI SEA, SHALLOW SEA
You head off in search of food but completely completely separated from your siblings and even head away from the downwards currents to the bare abyssal plain. There is not much food here, and to make hints worse, you fall into a gulley. You have to waste some energy to get back out onto the plain, but you manage it and carry on your journey. (1 + 1)
Status
Health: Healthy
Maturity: 0%
Nutrition: 35%
Energy: 70%
Temp: Cold
Species Details
Glistroskulus louixi
(Notochord = 6)
(Improve Eyes = 4)
(Protection Against The Cold = 6)
Description: The most widespread animal on the planet also happens to be one of the smallest and simplest, at only 2cm in length. Glistroskulus louixi is the only animal which can withstand the freezing water of the poles; it has special antifreeze proteins in its circulatory system which inhibit the freezing of its body fluids. Although there are no shallow seas in polar regions at this time, the simplicity of this species allowed it to return to the deep. It therefore occupies the deep ocean in polar regions, with no competition. It has also replaced Squickia visionii in shallow seas in warmer climes, but here it is not as successful. Furthermore, this species has evolved a cartilaginous notochord, which adds stronger muscle attachment and therefore movement. Lastly, a transparent layer of skin has evolved over the forward-facing pinhole eyes, protecting them and improving the clarity of vision.
Size: 2cm (length)
Status: LC
Biome: Deep Ocean / Shallow Sea
Niche: Bottom Feeder
Distribution: Uteenessa Ocean
Classification: Glistroskulusidae, Squickidea, Ochipoda, Mollicorpea
Predecessor: Squickia visionii
Previous Mutations: Muscles, Membrane, Cup Eyes, Chemoreceptors, Basic Instincts, Gills (3), Yellow Pigmentation, Teeth, Open Circulatory System, Pinhole Eyes, Immune System
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