Thrive Rules of Nature Competition

@Mitobox are we gonna have mass extinction events?

I’ve never even heard of Sagan 4 Alpha.

Mucus glands, toxins, and mucus nests. That’s too much for one mutation, don’t you think?

Yep, every sixth turn. So the first one will happen in two more turns. I’ll roll for the severity of the event and whether its source is at an oceanic rift, a continental rift, or from the sky.

Sagan 4 was a group worldbuilding project by Spore fans waiting for it to be released. One of the leaders and artists, Hydromancerx, also designed the Nauceans (a concept race for Spore).

1 Like

I don’t think you interpreted my words correctly. This is only one mutation - Mucus glands as protection.this simply has many uses - protection, anti-dehydration, anti-toxin insertion (Prevents penetration) use and coating. It’s the same one

mutations:

  1. eyes
  2. tail

Round 5 - 50 Million Years

Life on this planet has made great strides these past few million years. It has become comparable to the Ordovician Period of Earth in its complexity. However, the Ordovician ended on a violent note. Many lineages met a sudden and unforeseeable end, their fates mirroring that of the Celts the period was named after. What will become of Thrivittifera’s descendants?

Species

doomlightning - Fulgurmortis coronafera - NT

  • Tiny Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts (Amphibious)

Mutations: Radula, Mucus Glands (+1 Strength)

Fulgurmortis has adapted further to life at the edge of the littoral zone. Its hairy corona has been reconstituted into a silicone-toothed radula. It uses its new radula to feed on piles of organic matter swept ashore by the waves, especially Ulvopsis fronds made brittle by the sun. Fulgurmortis’s other adaptation is the addition of mucus glands at gaps between and beneath its scales. On attack by a predator, this creature releases a stream of mucus while attempting to crawl away. This mucus inhibits the nematocysts of Minacia’s tentacles, and its thick consistency deters Legendicus entirely, lest its gills be blocked. If it weren’t for the fact that this creature relies on external fertilization, the mucus would even make a good protection for its eggs.

However, Fulgurmortis still remains at a stalemate with the rest of Minacia’s arsenal, especially now that this species is its only reliable prey. Bold Minacia even risk beaching themselves for the chance of bringing down a meal!

Stats:

  • 1*3 = 3 Stealth

  • 1 Speed (Water), 1 Speed (Land)

  • 3 Strength (Venom-Resistant)

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa, Ulvopsis digitata

Predated By: Minacia chirodropoides

Mutation History
  • Rotifer-like Corona

  • Epidermis

  • Pharyngeal Slits

  • Cephalization

  • Silicone Scales (+1 Strength)

  • Water Vascular System

  • Closed Vascular System

  • Branchiostegal Gills

  • Radula

  • Mucus Glands (+1 Strength)

fralegend015 - Legendicus vigorosus - LC

  • Tiny Omnivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Enhanced Eyespots (+1 Stealth), Denser Tail Muscles (+1 Speed)

For so long, many pinhole eye-bearing herbivorous species have avoided predation by recognizing the silhouettes of their would-be predators, who had remained blind. Legendicus now bears pinhole eyes of its own. Now this grazer with a taste for meat can see both clusters of Chlorogyra and potential prey feeding on them. It is also no longer left unawares when it crosses paths with the two cousins Aclaronomenus and Salixelysia in open waters - nor is it slow to pursue them, not with its strengthened tail.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 Stealth

  • 7 Speed

  • 1 Strength

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa, Evolumia analysia, Salixelysia aurata

Predated By: N/A

Mutation History
  • Lateral Muscles (+2 Speed due to gills)

  • Grinding Teeth

  • 8 Fins (+1 Speed)

  • Gills

  • Tail Muscles (+1 Speed)

  • Circulatory System

  • Omnivorism

  • Motor Ganglia (+1 Speed)

  • Enhanced Eyespots (+1 Stealth)

  • Denser Tail Muscles (+1 Speed)

aah31415 - Sequentioscriptus vasculus - LC

  • Tiny Herbivore

  • Habitat: Rivers

Mutations: Basic Jaw, Improved Digestive System

With its recently-heightened comprehension of the world around it, Sequentioscriptus has become more adept at consuming any Chlorogyra it finds. Its formerly jawless mouth can now articulate to break algal mats between its teeth. Orienting itself and its mouthparts to do so is the responsibility of its network of nerve clusters. These broken pieces are then brought into its improved digestive system, its other recent adaptation of note.

Stats:

  • 1*3 = 3 Stealth

  • 3 Speed

  • 1 Strength

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa

Predated By: N/A

Mutation History
  • Grinding Teeth

  • Bloodstream

  • Chemoreception

  • Gills

  • Six Fins (+2 Speed due to gills)

  • Freshwater Adaptation

  • Neural Ganglia

  • Simple Heart

  • Basic Jaw

  • Improved Digestive System

Nonametoseehere - Aclaronomenus ascendilus - LC

  • Tiny Mixotrophic Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Hydrogen Sack (+1 Flight Speed), Neural Claws

Aclaronomenus has developed a novel approach to both avoiding predators and maximizing its sun exposure. Its leafy tongue now terminates in a hollow sack - a miniature replica of the swim bladder - that can be filled with hydrogen. By inflating it, Aclaronomenus that stay near the water’s surface are able to lift off into the air above the waves. Because their bodies are still meant for living in water, they only remain aloft for short periods, but it’s enough to evade the now sharp-eyed Legendicus in most circumstances.

Aclaronomenus now sports unusual claspers that it uses to link its rudimentary brain with those of its kin. With little more than sensory input to share, these connections aren’t conversation starters, but they represent the first instances of communication between multicellular organisms that this planet has seen.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 Stealth

  • 3 Speed (Land), 1 Speed (Air)

  • 1 Strength

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa

Predated By: N/A

Mutation History
  • Swim Bladder

  • Tail (+2 Speed due to Algae Assimilation)

  • Enhanced Eyespots (+1 Stealth)

  • Grinding Teeth

  • Adhesive Tongue

  • Algae Habitation

  • Algae Assimilation

  • Simple Brain

  • Hydrogen Sack

  • Neural Claws

TeaKing - Evolumia analysia - NT

  • Tiny Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Notochord, Open Circulatory System

Evolumia’s brain now interfaces with a bare-of-bones spinal cord. Its gills are also now accompanied by a fluid medium serving as a circulatory system, which is partially kept flowing with this creature’s serpentine motions.

Unfortunately, this herbivore’s occasional predator, Legendicus, has begun to catch up in evolving its nervous system. With the latter’s speed compounded with vision rivalling its prey, Evolumia is a choice meal in lower waters.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 Stealth

  • 4 Speed

  • 1 Strength

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa

Predated By: Legendicus vigorosus

Mutation History
  • Elongation (+1 Speed)

  • Chemoreception

  • Grinding Teeth

  • Tail (+1 Speed)

  • Simple Brain

  • Enhanced Eyespots (+1 Stealth)

  • Gills

  • Efficient Muscles (+1 Speed from gills)

  • Notochord

  • Open Circulatory System

UndyingHazard - Minacia chirodropoides - NT

  • Tiny Carnivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Thicker Skin (+1 Strength), Compartmentalized Gut

Minacia has improved its odds against its well-defended quarry by developing a defense of its own - a toughened epidermis. This built-up outer layer shields this predator from laceration and abrasion. The remains of any opponents it brings down are now digested in a digestive system of distinct components - namely, a gut set aside from the stomach.

Unfortunately, almost all animals in coastal waters have the advantage in initiative over Minacia. For reasons beyond its understanding, it only gets a residual trace of most prey nowadays. It’s still lethal enough to take down anything it can get the drop on, but the only prey it can stumble upon and outspeed most of the time is the inedible Iocusis and the shoredwelling Fulgurmortis. As a consequence, Minacia mostly resorts to prowling the littoral zone for the latter species, which is a tough but otherwise slow adversary in the water.

Stats:

  • 1*3 = 3 Stealth

  • 4 Speed

  • 4 Strength

Preys On: Fulgurmortis coronafera

Predated By: N/A

Mutation History
  • Elongation (+2 Speed due to gills)

  • Chemoreception

  • Nematocysts (+1 Strength)

  • Sharp Teeth

  • Paired Single-Chambered Hearts

  • Gills

  • Undulating Flaps (+1 Speed)

  • Venomous Tentacles (+1 Strength)

  • Thicker Skin (+1 Strength)

  • Compartmentalized Gut

Chiori - Nomenchiori echinoides - LC

  • Tiny Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Enhanced Eyespots (+1 Stealth), Defensive Pincers (+1 Strength)

Nomenchiori has improved its light-sensitive eyespots that can judge the shapes that ambient light produces, not just its intensity. Furthermore, this herbivore continues to be armed to the teeth - this time, literally. Twin extensions of its calcified teeth serve as a pair of mandibles, which it brandishes like a stag beetle. Nomenchiori could even use the pincers to break Ulvopsis into edible pieces… if it had the brainpower to do so. For the most part, this creature can only use them in slow, uncoordinated attacks, but they land true often enough to make them worthwhile.

These two adaptations have finally allowed Nomenchiori to overcome Minacia in the evolutionary arms race between prey and predator. Nowadays, the only predator that can get the drop on this juggernaut is its cousin Legendicus… but the latter’s an opportunist, not a fighter.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 Stealth

  • 4 Speed

  • 4 Strength

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa

Predated By: N/A

Mutation History
  • Lateral Muscles (+2 Speed due to gills)

  • Grinding Teeth

  • 8 Fins (+1 Speed)

  • Spines (+1 Strength)

  • Digestive System

  • Bloodstream

  • Gills

  • Thicker Skin (+1 Strength)

  • Enhanced Eyespots (+1 Stealth)

  • Defensive Pincers (+1 Strength)

willow - Salixelysia aurata - NT

  • Tiny Mixotrophic Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Chloroplast Assimilation, Simple Brain

Salixelysia has evolved to skip the middleman in its photosynthetic lifestyle by assimilating the chloroplasts of Chlorogyra directly. It’s still capable of coupling with the alga, but now that the green hue of its body is truly its own, it usually opts to digest them - something that its sister genus Aclaronomenus did in its own way millions of years ago. This proper planimal is also endowed with a simple brain, which the calories of getting glucose the old fashion way are invested in.

However, Salixelysia is still a flesh-and-fluid prey item for Legendicus. The latter has spent millions of years developing one speed adaptation after another - and now that it can see Salixelysia eye-to-eye, this mixotroph’s only option half the time is to brace itself for a fight. Just like Evolumia, Salixelysia is in an uneasy position.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 Stealth

  • 4 Speed

  • 1 Strength

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa

Predated By: Legendicus vigorosus

Mutation History
  • Swim Bladder

  • Tail (+1 Speed)

  • Algae Assimilation

  • Metallic Teeth

  • One-Way Heart

  • 10 Fins (+2 Speed due to Algae Assimilation)

  • Algae Absorption

  • Enhanced Eyespots (+1 Stealth)

  • Chloroplast Assimilation

  • Simple Brain

zenzonegaming - Iocusis myriadus - LC

  • Tiny Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Simple Brain, Simple Heart

In contrast to some of the above species, Iocusis continues its easygoing lifestyle without fear. This cousin of Sequentioscriptus now has a simple brain of its own, as well as a heart to keep it supplied with oxygen. There’s no telling how much longer ciguatoxins will avail it, but this herbivore’s surviving just fine for now.

Stats:

  • 1*3 = 3 Stealth

  • 3 Speed

  • 1 Strength (Poisonous)

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa

Predated By: N/A

Mutation History
  • Grinding Teeth

  • Bloodstream

  • Chemoreception

  • Gills

  • Fecundity

  • Movement Tentacles (+2 Speed due to gills)

  • Ciguatera Poisoning

  • Improved Digestive Tract

  • Simple Brain

  • Simple Heart

Cha - Testificatus relictus - LC

  • Tiny Detrivore

  • Habitat: Rivers

Mutations: Hairy Tongue, 10 Crawling Legs (+1 Speed)

Testificatus has enhanced its dirt-trawling lifestyle with the addition of a tongue stretching from its long mouth. This tongue is covered with thin, fine bristles that catch any loose organic matter they make contact with. The sides of its body are also now adorned with five sprawling “legs” on each side. Like the legs of a velvet worm, they allow it to steadily carry its own weight - and unlike that land-dwelling Earth creature, Testificatus has water to support it. It mostly uses them to crawl up to the water’s edge, then fasten itself to slopes as it licks up detritus carried in on currents.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 Stealth

  • 2 Speed

  • 1 Strength

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa

Predated By: N/A

Mutation History
  • Symbiotic Camouflage

  • Elongated Mouth

  • Freshwater Adaptation

  • Cephalization

  • Hairy Tongue

  • 10 Crawling Legs (+1 Speed)

sci0927 - Signumeris rugosus - LC

  • Tiny Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Enhanced Eyespots (+1 Stealth), Tail (+1 Speed)

Signumeris is the latest species to take in the sights of its surroundings. With its new pinhole eyes, it can spot Minacia ahead of time and keep its distance accordingly. Legendicus may be able to return its prying stares, but Signumeris’s sharkskin gives the omnivore second thoughts.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 Stealth

  • 4 Speed

  • 2 Strength

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa

Predated By: Minacia chirodropoides

Mutation History
  • Grinding Teeth

  • Bloodstream

  • Chemoreception

  • Gills

  • Four Fins (+2 Speed due to gills)

  • Rough Skin (+1 Strength)

  • Notochord

  • Improved Digestive System

  • Enhanced Eyespots (+1 Stealth)

  • Tail (+1 Speed)

NPC - Chlorogyra filamentosa - LC

  • Tiny Producer

  • Habitat: Coasts, Rivers

Chlorogyra grows in fresh and salt water with plenty of sunlight. Its box-shaped cells line up in long filaments, their chloroplasts forming distinctive spirals. While colonies can survive anywhere in the water column, they form clusters at the surface and floor when undisturbed. In still waters, Chlorogyra can form a green carpet over rock and silt alike.

NPC - Ulvopsis digitata - LC

  • Small Producer

  • Habitat: Coasts

The appearance of toothed herbivores pressured marine Chlorogyra colonies into finding a way to entrench themselves in sun-rich spots. The result was Ulvopsis, a sterner alga that forms a thin, vertical sheet. It sprouts from well-lit sands swept by gentle currents, where entire fields of it sway. These tough, slippery growths are difficult to break with teeth alone.

(Jaws require a central nervous system to provide fine motor control. In order to support one, you’ll need some way to draw in or circulate oxygen, if you don’t have one already.)

Habitats

Coasts: Warm, saline waters surrounding the supercontinent. The floor lies as deep as 150 meters beneath the surface.

  • Flora: Chlorogyra, Ulvopsis

  • Fauna: Fulgurmortis, Legendicus, Aclaronomenus, Chemorecepta, Minacia, Nomenchiori, Salixelysa, Iocusis, Signumeris

Rivers: A network of waterways found all over the supercontinent, but especially the West and South.

  • Flora: Chlorogyra

  • Fauna: Sequentioscriptus, Testificatus

Badlands: A muddy, rainswept land spanning much of the supercontinent.

Great Mountains: A jagged wall of mountains at the heart of the supercontinent.

Eastern Desert: A vast rain shadow desert on the eastern half of the supercontinent.

An event will take place on the next turn - be ready for anything!

3 Likes

Mutant 1: Internal fertilization

Mutant 2: Hibernation (It will help me survive difficult times)

Mutant 1: Nostrils, in which chemoreceptors reside (chemoreception upgrade)
Mutant 2: Eyespot upgrade, a move towards camera-type eyes

Both of these will help me find the greenery when extinction hits our world.

Mutation uno: open circulatory system

Mutation dos: book gills in the lower end of the body (For refence horseshoe crabs use this to this day)

Mutation 1 : A simple brain to use its pincers more effectivly and analyse what it sees.

Mutation 2 : A auditory System to sense vibrations in the water to be better aware of its surroundings.

  1. Brain
  2. Skeleton
1 Like

Mutation 1: Thicker skin layer that provides better protection and that prevents moisture from escaping the organism when outside water.

Mutation 2: A spine that works as anchorage point for muscles, allowing them to extert greater strenght and thus being faster.

Now I can just go above ash in the sky once the disaster happens! I’ll still have to go down for water, though…

Mutations:

Hollow stem to store water, letting it stay in the air longer.

A specialized “mover” caste that has next to no brain, saving weight, but making it rely on the normal caste, and has 4 wings, its whole purpose is to move the normal caste around.

Luckily i know how to survive

M1: many sharp fin-like structures develop on the creature’s skin, not only making it much faster when traversing the waters, but also slicing up any fast predators who aren’t careful around it

M2: Evolumia’s colouration also changes, becoming a striped mix of white and black, combined with its seprentine motions, its guaranteed to confuse all predators that stumble upon it, and greatly improving its survival chances

Just a quick thing to add to what I said:

The wings also function in water, just not as well, and can I survive in the badlands?

wings to allow for gliding and more photosynthesizing surface area made from 3rd pair of fins, hemocyanin for oxygen storage

Vote 1: extremely powerful stomach acids strong enough to melt and strip the minerals from sand.
Vote 2: exoskeleton made out of the sand minerals.

Mutation 1: better eyesight

Mutation 2: Grinding plates inside the mouth for a more opportunistic and omnivorous diet.

Not for long, no. The only bodies of water there are freshwater lakes and rivers. You wouldn’t be able to make up for lost salts expelled in ammonia by landing in them. The same goes for relying on rainwater - the animals on this planet are adapted to excrete salts either quickly (in the salt-heavy ocean) or slowly (in the salt-poor rivers), not to retain it.

Is someone still missing for the next Round?