Thrive Rules of Nature Competition

Forum Games
83

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

84

mutations:

  1. eyes
  2. tail
85

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
87

Mutant 1: Internal fertilization

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

88

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.

89

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)

90

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.

91
  1. Brain
  2. Skeleton
1 Like
92

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.

93

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.

94

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

95

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?

96

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

97

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.

98

Mutation 1: better eyesight

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

99

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.

100

Is someone still missing for the next Round?

101
  • doomlightning :white_check_mark:
  • fralegend015 :white_check_mark:
  • aah31415 :white_check_mark:
  • Nonametoseehere :white_check_mark:
  • TeaKing :white_check_mark:
  • UndyingHazard :white_check_mark:
  • Chiori :white_check_mark:
  • willow :white_check_mark:
  • zenzonegaming :white_check_mark:
  • Cha :white_check_mark:
  • sci0927 :white_check_mark:

based on this it’s probably safe to assume one of two things, A: everyone went extinct, or B: the extinction event rounds take longer.

102

Sorry for the wait!

Round 6 - 60 Million Years
EVENT
Severity: 3/6 (-2 Conservation Status)
Location: 2/6 (Underwater Fault Line)

For millions of years, an oceanic plate boundary ground against its continental counterpart. Finally, the point of contact between the two came loose, and the results were disastrous. The darkness of the ocean floor suddenly lit up with a massive explosion, casting out mile-high tidal waves and collapsing much of the continental shelf in a colossal underwater rockslide. The gaping wound on the seabed belched out noxious hydrogen sulfide, which quickly became sulfuric acid. The pH of ocean waters plummeted, causing all life to suffer as acid worked its way into the atmosphere, covering the world in an eerie haze.

Fortunately, the animals on this planet clung to life in remarkable ways.

Species

doomlightning - Fulgurmortis coronafera - EN

  • Tiny Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts (Amphibious)

Mutations: Internal Fertilization, Hibernation

For the Fulgurmortis, the first sign of disturbance was when the shoreline suddenly receded below even the lowest tides. As some innocently made their slow crawl down to the new water line, they were all swept violently by an oncoming tsunami they could not have predicted. Many Fulgurmortis were carried far inland by the great wave, where they would dry out and die. The survivors struggled to find food along the beaches now that there was less to be brought ashore. They would search in deeper waters out of desperation, where they were set upon by starving Minacia. Those that waited at the surface were harried by torrential downpours of acid rain.

The secret of Fulgurmortis’s survival lies in its new ability to let environmental change pass it by, rather than fight it and lose. Fulgurmortis is now capable of internal fertilization, allowing it to lay eggs which already host a developing embryo. It reflexively releases mucus from its glands when laying eggs, giving them a gelatinous outer cover. This gave them better protection from the acidified waters than those of any other species. Meanwhile, adults can slow their metabolism to a crawl, leaving them in suspended animation, only waking up when conditions improve. This proved vital when the oceans’ pH oscillated seasonally as it gradually rebalanced itself. With its ability to hibernate, Fulgurmortis could wait out the parts of the year where acidity was at its highest.

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)

  • Internal Fertilization

  • Hibernation

fralegend015 - Legendicus vigorosus - EN

  • Tiny Omnivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Thicker Skin (+1 Strength), Vertebra (+1 Speed)

Legendicus had developed a coat of thicker skin to help it in struggles with well-defended prey. It also enhanced its swimming movements with a bony spine. This spine had no nervous cord within, but gave Legendicus greater stability as it turned.

Most Legendicus on the hunt for more protein frequented open waters to avoid competition with Minacia. Those prowling miles above the tectonic breach were shoved violently upward and aside by the explosion. Unlucky ones had their spines shattered by the sheer force, and were left with an impaired swimming pattern for the rest of their short lives. Surviving Legendicus all along the coasts were forced to rely more on meat as competition for Chlorogyra intensified. In addition to Aclaronomenus and Salixelysia at the water’s surface, Legendicus grew bold enough to tackle the seabed-frequenting Signumeris, whose abrasive skin it now had an answer for, though the latter’s own new defense - a simple skeleton - had thwarted these attempts often.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 Stealth

  • 8 Speed

  • 2 Strength

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa, 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)

  • Thicker Skin (+1 Strength)

  • Structural Spine (+1 Speed)

aah31415 - Sequentioscriptus vasculus - VU

  • Tiny Herbivore

  • Habitat: Rivers

Mutations: Nostrils, Enhanced Eyespots (+1 Stealth)

Sequentioscriptus spent the last few million years leading up to the event refining its senses. Its chemoreceptive notch has become a pair of nostrils, increasing the surface area of its perceptive cells and allowing it to better pinpoint faint traces of food. Its eyespots have also become shape-discerning pinhole eyes, the next step to the lensed eyes that prevail on Earth.

Because it lived in an inland freshwater environment, Sequentioscriptus was slow to be affected by the catastrophe. Some upstream of estuaries suffered when the tsunami flooded seawater back into the rivers, but most remained oblivious. This changed when the first drops of acid rain began to fall. These creatures’ new nostrils were assaulted by an acridness that pervaded their riverine homes. Many delicate strains of Chlorogyra died off, and Sequentioscriptus had to search far and wide for surviving patches. Many resorted to cramming their jaws full of mud in order to “pan” for algae worth its weight in gold.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 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

  • Nostrils

  • Enhanced Eyespots (+1 Stealth)

Nonametoseehere - Aclaronomenus ascendilus - EN

  • Tiny Mixotrophic Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Water-Storing Stem, Mover Caste (+1 Flight Speed)

Aclaronomenus’s swim bladder gained the company of a sort of stem. This stem stored water that Aclaronomenus would provide to itself and its algae symbionts, allowing it to remain aloft for longer. In addition, a second cast of this species emerged - a “mover” caste that discarded its brain in favor of four broad fins. These fins served as wings, allowing the mover cast to “sail” in the air. By staying attached to a mover caste using their neural claws, regular Aclaronomenus could improve their own mobility in the winds. In return, those of the normal caste sent impulses using information that the movers could not process on their own - most importantly, when it drifted too high to see the surface below, or when it was over dry land and had to correct its course.

Those Aclaronomenus drifting in the air far above the fault line were violently crashed into by the sea below them. They had no way of knowing, but the explosion below drove water up in a massive burst. Some were engulfed by the water and remained disoriented in the currents. Others, prompted by their fight-or-flight impulse, kept their hydrogen sacks inflated and were captured in the turbulent winds of the upper troposphere. The ones that were rushed out to the open ocean were the lucky ones - an unfortunate few were blown into the skies over the supercontinent. These were doomed to either slowly dry out, or risk landing in fresh water that bloated their cells, hoping that they could catch a lucky draft leading back to the saline waters they were suited to.

Frail and slow opponents in the water, the Aclaronomenus that survived were the ones that could keep their Chlorogyra alive as long as possible while staying aloft. Acidic waters made this a daunting challenge. In this regard, their new stems were invaluable. Through active transfer proteins, the water within stayed in harmony with the water outside the body, with one exception - no sulfuric acid could pass through. The Chlorogyra on the tongues of these drifters were provided with water almost identical to the water they would have had before the catastrophe. Meanwhile, Chlorogyra on the seabed faced a massive die-off at the hands of acidified water and desperate herbivores.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 Stealth

  • 3 Speed (Land), 2 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

  • Water-Storing Stem

  • Mover Caste (+1 Flight Speed)

TeaKing - Evolumia analysia - EN

  • Tiny Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Serrated Fins (+1 Strength), Disruptive Camouflage (+1 Stealth)

A duplication and repurposing of its gill slits gave Evolumia its first defensive adaptation - fins that terminated in thin blades. While these fins did not provide any movement at the time (sorry), they did make it a match for any Legendicus that could close the distance with it. Furthermore, while the swift omnivore certainly could, the question then arose whether it would, as Evolumia’s coloration also changed to break up its outline in the water. Because eyes on this planet remain unable to judge form and depth, Evolumia became practically indiscernible at a short distance.

The unlucky Evolumia at the continental dropoff near the fault line were caught in the blast rushing from miles below. Many had their notochords snapped - some were given the small comfort of an instant death. Others further out had their vision clouded by the mat of silt kicked up by the crumbling continental shelf. These desperately relied on their old chemoreceptive notches to smell their way out - or at least away from the oncoming signature of acidic water.

Emulating their Chemorecepta ancestors would be the only way Evolumia could compete for a dwindling food supply. Its peculiar stripes allowed it to lose most predators whose attention it caught, giving those it couldn’t second thoughts with a cut from its fins. It lacked a refined digestive system to eliminate the need to put itself at risk so often, but Evolumia was able to secure meals more safely than other herbivores.

Stats:

  • 3*3 = 9 Stealth

  • 4 Speed

  • 2 Strength

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa

Predated By: N/A

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

  • Serrated Fins (+1 Strength)

  • Disruptive Camouflage (+1 Stealth)

UndyingHazard - Minacia chirodropoides - EN

  • Tiny Omnivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Enhanced Eyespots (+1 Stealth), Grinding Plates

Struggling to keep up with its elusive prey, Minacia developed pinhole eyes to escape the shackles of blindness. It could then match the wary gaze of any other eye-bearing creature on the planet - and sometimes catch them unawares. It also adorned its mouth with grinding plates to accommodate plant matter between hunts. The positioning of these did not inhibit the sharper teeth’s ability to tear meat.

Unfortunately, during the cataclysm, the ability to eat the scarce Chlorogyra did this species little good. In fact, meat was in no short supply for the first few years - the seafloor became a graveyard of dead and dying herbivores. However, as carrion and algae alike dwindled, Minacia was forced to return to hunting. This it had immense trouble doing - Nomenchiori had the uncanny ability to detect other animals’ movements. Often, as soon as Minacia could discern Nomenchiori’s figure before it, the herbivore would bolt away.

Minacia’s survival can be fairly contributed to one factor - the near disappearance of the plankton that gave Iocusis its poison. Suddenly, the slow, blind herbivore with nothing but a layer of silicone to protect it went from a non-option to a staple. Whenever it could, this predator drove its tentacles into Iocusis before the quarry could escape with its own, probing for an opening to deliver its fatal sting into.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 Stealth

  • 4 Speed

  • 4 Strength

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa, Fulgurmortis coronafera, Signumeris rugosus

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

  • Enhanced Eyespots (+1 Stealth)

  • Grinding Plates

Chiori - Nomenchiori echinoides - VU

  • Tiny Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Simple Brain, Auditory System (+1 Stealth)

Not long before the marine plate boundary gave way, Nomenchiori developed a pair of holes behind its eyes. These holes housed canals lined with modified dermal cells that sensed vibrations instead of touch. These provided Nomenchiori with rudimentary hearing. Nomenchiori also developed a central brain in the space between them. In addition to input from its eyes and these holes, Nomenchiori’s brain also controlled its pincers, giving them the dexterity to ply and break off pieces of Ulvopsis.

Those Nomenchiori living near the fault line were deafened by the blast they were caught in, which ruptured their sensitive auditory cells. Those further away fled as the disturbance reached them. They didn’t know what caused it, only that they needed to swim away. In the coming years, Nomenchiori’s mandibles proved to be its most precious asset. Competition over Chlorogyra was fierce, but no other herbivore was able to exploit Ulvopsis. Though the larger alga was no less affected by the acidified waters, Nomenchiori was the best oceangoing animal at weathering the storm.

Stats:

  • 3*3 = 9 Stealth

  • 4 Speed

  • 4 Strength

Preys On: Chlorogyra filamentosa, Ulvopsis digitata

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)

  • Simple Brain

  • Auditory System (+1 Stealth)

willow - Salixelysia aurata - EN

  • Tiny Mixotrophic Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Gliding Wings (+1 Flight Speed), Hemocyanin

The third pair of fins along Salixelysia’s flanks expanded into wings that resembled those of a flying fish. Its regular swim pattern adjusted to use the front two pairs for turning, and the remaining pairs for swimming, with the wings spread to gather sunlight. However, whenever a Legendicus torbelgiumed toward it, this planimal could fold its wings, jet out above the waves, and spread them again to catch the winds. By gliding, Salixelysia could escape into an environment that Legendicus couldn’t follow it into, nor could the predator reliably maintain line of sight and continue the chase. Its internal fluid medium also developed modified cells bearing molecules of hemocyanin. This blue, copper-based pigment carried oxygen to exchange with other cells. Together with its simple heart, Salixelysia could sustain the level of activity a planimal needs to go from sunbathing to gliding at a moment’s notice.

When the explosion occurred, many Salixelysia were cast up in the blast of water. Some were kept underwater as the giant dome of water flattened out, but most reflexively attempted to glide. The result was the peculiar sight of countless Salixelysia soaring higher from the surface than they could have ever jumped on their own. All followed their instincts and tried to remain aloft as long as possible, unintentionally using their own wings as parachutes. Those closest to the center were flung too high to save themselves; they inevitably hit the water hard, smashing into a green pulp stained with blue.

Salixelysia had the benefit of its own photosynthesis to survive the cataclysm. This allowed Salixelysia to stay in the safety of the upper water column, where it was in the best position to flee pursuing Legendicus. Still, having less Chlorogyra to supplement itself with as the need arose, the loss of eggs to acidity just as in other species, and the sheer persistence of Legendicus meant Salixelysia’s survival was not easily won.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 Stealth

  • 4 Speed (Water), 1 Speed (Air)

  • 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

  • Gliding Wings (+1 Flight Speed)

  • Hemocyanin

zenzonegaming - Iocusis myriadus - CR

  • Tiny Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Corrosive Stomach Acids, Silicate Exoskeleton (+1 Strength)

To give it some structural support, this poisonous herbivore grew an exoskeleton. Its new armor was made of silicate material, an example of convergent evolution with Fulgurmortis, though organized into plates instead of scales. Iocusis both furnished silicon and studded its exoskeleton with tougher materials - calcium, aluminum, and even iron - by employing stomach acids that digested sand. Depending on the composition of sand, Iocusis’s exoskeleton ranged from chalky white to as clear as quartz, though it was typically a sandy brown.

Iocusis withstood the acidified waters for a few years thanks to its lack of predators. However, its fortunes changed as the accumulated sulfuric acid killed off many of the ciguatoxic plankton it relied on for its main defense. Gradually, natural selection favored those Minacia who were willing to risk eating this herbivore. Slow to retreat with its tentacles, Iocusis’s exoskeleton was not enough to combat the venomous tentacles of its starving predator, which always found an opening.

In the end, Iocusis only hung on thanks to how well it was performing before the catastrophe. Now that the waters have cleared and the plankton has recovered, Iocusis are beginning to emerge again from scattered pockets, though their future remains in doubt.

Stats:

  • 1*3 = 3 Stealth

  • 3 Speed

  • 2 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

  • Corrosive Stomach Acids

  • Silicate Exoskeleton (+1 Strength)

Cha - Testificatus relictus - VU

  • Tiny Detrivore

  • Habitat: Rivers

Mutations: Open Circulatory System, Book Gills

Testificatus enabled itself to have a faster metabolism with a fluid medium and a set of book gills. The increased oxygen intake and distribution allowed it to crawl with its legs more vigorously.

Like Sequentioscriptus, Testificatus was not severely impacted by the carnage that struck the global ocean. To some extent, the die-off of Chlorogyra due to acid rain even favored it for a few years - more decaying matter and microscopic decomposers meant more food for it to eat. However, the disruption of the river ecosystems and the increased mortality of its eggs caught up with Testificatus eventually. Still, with the hard times now over, it stands on the road to a fast recovery.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 Stealth

  • 3 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 (+2 Speed due to Gills)

  • Open Circulatory System

  • Book Gills

sci0927 - Signumeris rugosus - EN

  • Tiny Herbivore

  • Habitat: Coasts

Mutations: Simple Brain, Skeleton (+1 Strength)

Signumeris developed a rudimentary brain at the front end of its notochord. Furthermore, it developed a simple skeleton in the form of a few thin, narrow ribs extending from the back of the notochord. While most curved along the sides, one curved over the brain just before the mouth - perhaps a skull in the making? While this internal skeleton did Signumeris little good against Minacia’s stings, they shielded the inner organs from Legendicus’s weak “bites,” especially those of juveniles that the latter attempted to devour whole. So long as one slipped away with mere scratches on its rough hide, the ossified structures did their job.

The collapse of the oceanic plate boundary led to many Signumeris in the area having their skeletons shattered. Over the following years, this species struggled to compete. Evolumia had its stripes of camouflage, and Nomenchiori had its ability to hear threats ahead of time. If there was anything a Minacia at the seafloor would set its new-and-improved eyes on, it was Signumeris. As a result, this species faced more pressure than its competitors on top of the rigors of the acidified ocean. Signumeris had one edge - the chemoreceptive notch it inherited from Sequentioscriptus. Unlike Evolumia, it also had a digestive system that could wring out that last calorie from its food. As a result, although it had no unique food source, it could get the most out of the meager Chlorogyra left for it.

Signumeris was among the species in the worst positions before the cataclysm. However, as much as its enemies outclass it in some aspects, its less eye-catching adaptations have allowed it to pull through.

Stats:

  • 2*3 = 6 Stealth

  • 4 Speed

  • 3 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)

  • Simple Brain

  • Skeleton (+1 Strength)

NPC - Chlorogyra filamentosa - VU

  • 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 - EN

  • Small Producer

  • Habitat: Coasts

Ulvopsis, is a marine alga that forms a thin, vertical sheet. It sprouts from well-lit sands swept by gentle currents, where entire fields of it sway. Its stern structure protects it from herbivores that lack jaws or mandibles.

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.

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Fortunately, everyone has been keeping themselves decently competitive, so no species were in a weak enough position to be finished off. Good job!

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mutations:

  1. more complex eyes
  2. jaw (I think I can do this? if not, tell me)

did not think that the digestive system would help so much, but I am glad it did.