Phosphorese
Overview
Home planet: Photoris VII
Often misnamed "Phosphies" as a mildly derogatory nickname by other races, the phosphorese are a colourful bunch of...well, basically, giant sentient furballs. Their fur, however, is far more than just an insulator - they use it for transportation, self-defense, and communication, to name but a few. It isn't exactly suitable for manipulation of objects, but certain techniques have been developed to carry things around. They 'eat' post-neutronium alloys (mostly rare earth metals) and other organisms - mostly plant life that they can crush with their incredible weight and absorb through their fur.
Biological Data
Biological Classification:
The Phosphorese evolved from sea-anemony-like creatures which somehow managed to plant themselves on the walls of Neutronium craters; as such, they are very well-adapted to high-radiation situations. They are, however, fairly intelligent (average IQ of 80 with respect to Humans).
The Phosphorese's internal organs consist primarily of a sort of cellular mush. There are three types of cells: the Surface cells, which consist partly of a mix of phosphorescent minerals (ie. barium sulfate, strontium aluminate) but mostly of a chitin-like substance which becomes extremely hard under pressure; the Blood cells, which autonomously transport minerals such as plutonium or iron around the body in an accelerated diffusion process; and the Special cells, which act as a nervous system as well as counteracting the Blood cells when necessary, ie for waste disposal.
Their Surface cells are arranged around a nucleus and in uniform 'hairs' or 'fur' attached to the surface of it. The fur consists of extremely long, hollow cones which harden when the hairs are filled with blood. They are generally approximately 2 microns thick at the tip, 1mm in diameter at the base, and 70-80cm long. At the base of each hair is a gland which regulates bloodflow to and from the hair, so that the individual may consciously straighten any area of hair into razor-sharp, chitin-like, 3/4-meter-long spikes in about 200 milliseconds. Though this is an extremely effective weapon, it only works in self-defense, since it is difficult to aim hair and easy to dodge it if the opponent is in control of his/her momentum.
The fur is also phosphorescent (glows in the dark). Each Phosphorese is a slightly different colour (since the phosphorescent compounds are relatively rare and the Phosphorese are genetically predisposed to reject certain types - kind of like voice tone, hair colour, and eye colour combined), and they communicate by amplitude-modulation of the light waves from their fur. As an unfortunate result, two phosphorese who are very similar in colour (frequency) will have a hard time communicating since they will both reflect each other's waves.
The blood cells are the primary energy-producers; they absorb the radiation given off by decaying rare earth metals, and convert it to ATP for use by the nervous system. The nervous system basically regulates everything, controls voluntary bodily function, and responds to stimuli - especially sensitive to but highly tolerant of external radiation.
It has recently been discovered that the Special cells are actually two different types - the fact that they have very few structural differences has led some to classify them as sub-types - the 'left-brain' cells and the 'right-brain' cells. The left-brain cells have a much more accurate input-output system, but the right-brain cells can handle a lot more throughput of information, albeit with some errors. It has been recorded that all stimuli pass through right-brain cells as a sort of filter, then through left-brain cells for processing, then back through right-brain cells in order to evoke reaction. The fact that these are more populous in the fur when combat-ready accounts for the dramatically increased reaction time but decreased overall intelligence of a Phosphorese under fire.
Childhood
A baby Phosphorese is created when three Phosphorese who like each other very much (and are of complimentary colours; for example, Red, Green, and Violet) attach together and allow bits and pieces of themselves to fall out onto the ground, eventually forming a small combination of the three. Since the three donors experience what is basically pure bliss during the entire twenty-day gestation period, it is very common practice, but they are left drained after and take almost a year to recover so it isn't a constant activity. By the time they are ready to go at it again, their child is generally fully-grown and ready as well.
The average lifespan is about ten years, but this is more of a half-life than an actual figure, since Phosphorese death is pretty random. Some elders of 100+ years are still alive and just as youthful as their great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandchildren, though tend to be a little more knowledgeable.
In the year of infancy, a Phosphorese will spend most of its time learning to consciously and subconsciously operate the various parts of its body, learning to speak by the advanced morse-code-like language, and consuming minerals to make its colour the most vivid in the tribe.
Economy
Since the Phosphorese need very little in the way of sustenance (one glob of neutronium each will last them for ten years even if they reproduce as often as they can, and the rest of their nutrients they pick up by spiking the ground or rolling around on it), and they don't have much in the way of luxury goods, there is very little in the way of trading that goes on.
Religion, Mythology, etc.
The Phosphorese believe in one creator and respect it very much. They don't, however, worship it, since they also believe it is no longer around or no longer has any power over their world - they generally don't care which. The name rarely comes up, except in the expression "Oh, god" or "Thank god", which are frequently said during reproduction and at scientific epiphanies.
Society
The Phosphorese have a tribal community, by which large numbers of them stay together, migrate together, and share a lot of things in common. Status in the society is mostly based on the number of children, thus indirectly, age, though other merits may improve one's status. Naming is generally a colour (sometimes with modulation) followed by the clan name, for example "Scarlet of the Skybound" or "Redlin of the Healites" (though this is just translation). The tribes tend to be named by their main scientific exploits and goals; some tribes specialize in healing, others in astrophysics, and some even in warfare - these latter ones are generally stationed near the north-south continental border.
Art for the Phosphorese is a single profession; since the use of colour is also the use of words, the effective shaping of it becomes a veritable feat that very few can hope to achieve even once in a lifetime, though many elders are known to have produced as many as three, or even in rare cases, five. Generally, a particular work would represent an epiphany that a certain individual has had. Abstract sculptures of phosphorescent, metallic, and even just colourful shapes litter the entire northern continent, and some Phosphorese have taken it upon themselves to see every single one.
Overview
Home planet: Photoris VII
Often misnamed "Phosphies" as a mildly derogatory nickname by other races, the phosphorese are a colourful bunch of...well, basically, giant sentient furballs. Their fur, however, is far more than just an insulator - they use it for transportation, self-defense, and communication, to name but a few. It isn't exactly suitable for manipulation of objects, but certain techniques have been developed to carry things around. They 'eat' post-neutronium alloys (mostly rare earth metals) and other organisms - mostly plant life that they can crush with their incredible weight and absorb through their fur.
Biological Data
Biological Classification:
- :arrow: Animalia
- :arrow: Cnidaria
- :arrow: Anthozoa
- :arrow: Actiniaria
- :arrow: Stichodactylidae
- :arrow: Heteractis
- :arrow: Phosphorescis
- :arrow: Heteractis
- :arrow: Stichodactylidae
- :arrow: Actiniaria
- :arrow: Anthozoa
Heads: 1 - :arrow: Cnidaria
The Phosphorese evolved from sea-anemony-like creatures which somehow managed to plant themselves on the walls of Neutronium craters; as such, they are very well-adapted to high-radiation situations. They are, however, fairly intelligent (average IQ of 80 with respect to Humans).
The Phosphorese's internal organs consist primarily of a sort of cellular mush. There are three types of cells: the Surface cells, which consist partly of a mix of phosphorescent minerals (ie. barium sulfate, strontium aluminate) but mostly of a chitin-like substance which becomes extremely hard under pressure; the Blood cells, which autonomously transport minerals such as plutonium or iron around the body in an accelerated diffusion process; and the Special cells, which act as a nervous system as well as counteracting the Blood cells when necessary, ie for waste disposal.
Their Surface cells are arranged around a nucleus and in uniform 'hairs' or 'fur' attached to the surface of it. The fur consists of extremely long, hollow cones which harden when the hairs are filled with blood. They are generally approximately 2 microns thick at the tip, 1mm in diameter at the base, and 70-80cm long. At the base of each hair is a gland which regulates bloodflow to and from the hair, so that the individual may consciously straighten any area of hair into razor-sharp, chitin-like, 3/4-meter-long spikes in about 200 milliseconds. Though this is an extremely effective weapon, it only works in self-defense, since it is difficult to aim hair and easy to dodge it if the opponent is in control of his/her momentum.
The fur is also phosphorescent (glows in the dark). Each Phosphorese is a slightly different colour (since the phosphorescent compounds are relatively rare and the Phosphorese are genetically predisposed to reject certain types - kind of like voice tone, hair colour, and eye colour combined), and they communicate by amplitude-modulation of the light waves from their fur. As an unfortunate result, two phosphorese who are very similar in colour (frequency) will have a hard time communicating since they will both reflect each other's waves.
The blood cells are the primary energy-producers; they absorb the radiation given off by decaying rare earth metals, and convert it to ATP for use by the nervous system. The nervous system basically regulates everything, controls voluntary bodily function, and responds to stimuli - especially sensitive to but highly tolerant of external radiation.
It has recently been discovered that the Special cells are actually two different types - the fact that they have very few structural differences has led some to classify them as sub-types - the 'left-brain' cells and the 'right-brain' cells. The left-brain cells have a much more accurate input-output system, but the right-brain cells can handle a lot more throughput of information, albeit with some errors. It has been recorded that all stimuli pass through right-brain cells as a sort of filter, then through left-brain cells for processing, then back through right-brain cells in order to evoke reaction. The fact that these are more populous in the fur when combat-ready accounts for the dramatically increased reaction time but decreased overall intelligence of a Phosphorese under fire.
Childhood
A baby Phosphorese is created when three Phosphorese who like each other very much (and are of complimentary colours; for example, Red, Green, and Violet) attach together and allow bits and pieces of themselves to fall out onto the ground, eventually forming a small combination of the three. Since the three donors experience what is basically pure bliss during the entire twenty-day gestation period, it is very common practice, but they are left drained after and take almost a year to recover so it isn't a constant activity. By the time they are ready to go at it again, their child is generally fully-grown and ready as well.
The average lifespan is about ten years, but this is more of a half-life than an actual figure, since Phosphorese death is pretty random. Some elders of 100+ years are still alive and just as youthful as their great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandchildren, though tend to be a little more knowledgeable.
In the year of infancy, a Phosphorese will spend most of its time learning to consciously and subconsciously operate the various parts of its body, learning to speak by the advanced morse-code-like language, and consuming minerals to make its colour the most vivid in the tribe.
Economy
Since the Phosphorese need very little in the way of sustenance (one glob of neutronium each will last them for ten years even if they reproduce as often as they can, and the rest of their nutrients they pick up by spiking the ground or rolling around on it), and they don't have much in the way of luxury goods, there is very little in the way of trading that goes on.
Religion, Mythology, etc.
The Phosphorese believe in one creator and respect it very much. They don't, however, worship it, since they also believe it is no longer around or no longer has any power over their world - they generally don't care which. The name rarely comes up, except in the expression "Oh, god" or "Thank god", which are frequently said during reproduction and at scientific epiphanies.
Society
The Phosphorese have a tribal community, by which large numbers of them stay together, migrate together, and share a lot of things in common. Status in the society is mostly based on the number of children, thus indirectly, age, though other merits may improve one's status. Naming is generally a colour (sometimes with modulation) followed by the clan name, for example "Scarlet of the Skybound" or "Redlin of the Healites" (though this is just translation). The tribes tend to be named by their main scientific exploits and goals; some tribes specialize in healing, others in astrophysics, and some even in warfare - these latter ones are generally stationed near the north-south continental border.
Art for the Phosphorese is a single profession; since the use of colour is also the use of words, the effective shaping of it becomes a veritable feat that very few can hope to achieve even once in a lifetime, though many elders are known to have produced as many as three, or even in rare cases, five. Generally, a particular work would represent an epiphany that a certain individual has had. Abstract sculptures of phosphorescent, metallic, and even just colourful shapes litter the entire northern continent, and some Phosphorese have taken it upon themselves to see every single one.
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