Dawn of Life [Always open to ALL]

[Zetal]

The long extinction continues, and even more species die out. The Rizan numbers begin falling again, harshly spurned by their environment. The Rizan can no longer locate any nearby areas of increased warmth- all nearby areas are similarly frigid. While the Rizan are able, through their group hunting techniques, to continually secure prey and food sources as needed, other species are often not as lucky and the number of prey available to the Rizan drops, causing substantial issues in providing enough nutrients for the entire Rizan group. The population drops, and the Rizan are in danger.


In response, the Rizan improve their mind- their loose neural network cementing into a more permanent, fleshy cerebellum. This allows for the initial basis of thought, giving the Rizan an extremely basic sense of self in relation to the world around them. With this, they are able to more dynamically respond to the stimuli presented to them, and can select an additional behavior.


The Rizan also develop their basic musculature into a more advanced structure, commonly known as fins. These provide much more fine motor control in water and also provide substantial propulsion in addition to their tail. This will allow them to pursue prey more effectively, and migrate much faster.


-----------------------


Mind: 7 [Cerebellum]


Optical: 4 [Multicellular eyespot]


Tactile: 3 [Can feel pressure, can distinguish direction and a decent range of variance]


Chemoreception: 3 [Can detect the presence of particles and mostly identify from shape from M distance]


Photometabolism: 3 [All common reactions and some energy storage using radiation energy]


Mobility: [Multicellular mobility]


-- Control: Fin Musculature


-- Propulsion: Tail, Fins


Offense:


-- Acidic Spray [Linked with digestion systems]


-- Frontal Chitinous Spikes [Elongated and brittle]


-- Toxin [Linked with defensive Toxins]


Defense:


-- Acidic Cell Membrane [Linked with digestion systems]


-- Epidermal Chitin Cell Layer


-- Scaled Chitin


-- Toxin Production Organ [Cluster of specialized cells producing painful toxins]


Energy:


-- Acidic Denaturation [Most non-complex compounds can now be denatured]


-- Digestive Enzymes [simplistic reaction-based enzymes for minimizing energy use]


-- Nutrient Access Pores [Embedded in membrane, used for transporting nutrients]


-- Intercellular Vascularization [intercellular pathways that link cells together]


-- Gastrovascular Cavity


-- Heat retaining, compact Cellular Energy Storage


-----------------------


Behavioral Choices (Combine any Seven):


[Any <verb> + <modifier> + <noun> formulaic actions]


Adaptation Choices (Any TWO):


Examples: IMPROVE optics, DEVELOP chemometabolism -> do not include the RESULT of an improvement- that is for Biology to decide.


Any TWO Improvements, Your choice!


------------


Please use the tabs above, 'Out of Character' section for discussion. This section is used ONLY for updates and votes. Thanks!


This voting cycle will end on Thursday, December 17th.

 

[AlphaDraco]

Develop musculature contractions when cold


Develop hairs to cover body


Seek potential mates


Protect young Rizan


Hunt all prey


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go deeper underwater

 

[Spacekitty]

Develop musculature contractions when cold


Develop hairs to cover body


Seek potential mates


Protect young Rizan


Hunt all prey


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go deeper underwater

 

[Ferociousfeind]

Develop fatty cells


Improve heat retention


Seek potential mates


Protect young Rizan


Hunt easy, slow prey first


Hunt large, vulnerable groups of prey first


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go deeper underwater

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Develop fatty cells


Improve heat retention


Seek potential mates


Protect young Rizan


Hunt easy, slow prey first


Hunt large, vulnerable groups of prey first


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go Towards surface

 

[Zetal]

The Rizan adapt rapidly to the decreasing temperatures, confronting the dangerous threat to homeostasis. The higher population of the Rizan and their strong sexual development allow them to adapt more rapidly to the hostile environment than many other species, but some of the more efficient species accompanying the Rizan in the biome are able to keep up with the changes as well- as a result the populations of both the Rizan and other species plateau thanks to their respective adaptations.


The Rizan in particular evolved a minor physiological change to their musculature, causing them to contract when cold in order to consume more energy to produce heat. Amplifying this, the Rizan also develop a thin layer of compact hairs to help preserve heat. This allows them to better contain the heat they produce and stabilize their population.


On the behavior side of things, the Rizan choose to dive deeper underwater, where temperatures fall slightly, but this is offset by their decision to huddle together, sharing warmth more efficiently.


Since other species have also leveled out their populations, the Rizan and prey species balance in a temporary equilibrium.


-----------------------


Mind: 7 [Cerebellum]


Optical: 4 [Multicellular eyespot]


Tactile: 3 [Can feel pressure, can distinguish direction and a decent range of variance]


Chemoreception: 3 [Can detect the presence of particles and mostly identify from shape from M distance]


Photometabolism: 3 [All common reactions and some energy storage using radiation energy]


Mobility: [Multicellular mobility]


-- Control: Fin Musculature


-- Propulsion: Tail, Fins


Offense:


-- Acidic Spray [Linked with digestion systems]


-- Frontal Chitinous Spikes [Elongated and brittle]


-- Toxin [Linked with defensive Toxins]


Defense:


-- Acidic Cell Membrane [Linked with digestion systems]


-- Epidermal Chitin Cell Layer


-- Scaled Chitin


-- Toxin Production Organ [Cluster of specialized cells producing painful toxins]


Energy:


-- Acidic Denaturation [Most non-complex compounds can now be denatured]


-- Digestive Enzymes [simplistic reaction-based enzymes for minimizing energy use]


-- Nutrient Access Pores [Embedded in membrane, used for transporting nutrients]


-- Intercellular Vascularization [intercellular pathways that link cells together]


-- Gastrovascular Cavity


-- Muscular Contractions


-- Thin Layer of Hair


-- Heat retaining, compact Cellular Energy Storage


-----------------------


Behavioral Choices (Combine any Seven):


[Any <verb> + <modifier> + <noun> formulaic actions]


Adaptation Choices (Any TWO):


Examples: IMPROVE optics, DEVELOP chemometabolism -> do not include the RESULT of an improvement- that is for Biology to decide.


Any TWO Improvements, Your choice!


------------


Please use the tabs above, 'Out of Character' section for discussion. This section is used ONLY for updates and votes. Thanks!


This voting cycle will end on Saturday, December 19th.

 

[AlphaDraco]

Develop contraction of intercellular spaces near the outside of the body when really cold


Improve gastrovascular cavity to increase surface area


Seek potential mates


Protect young Rizan


Hunt all prey


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Develop contraction of intercellular spaces near the outside of the body when really cold


Improve gastrovascular cavity to increase surface area


Seek potential mates


Protect young Rizan


Hunt all prey


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface

 

[Spacekitty]

Develop contraction of intercellular spaces near the outside of the body when really cold


Improve gastrovascular cavity to increase surface area


Seek potential mates


Protect young Rizan


Hunt all prey


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface

 

[Zetal]

The Rizan continue to develop improved homeostasis management when confronting cold temperatures, and even improving the storage of energy by expanding their gastrovascular cavity, improving the efficiency of digestion and the capacity for consumption. The temperature finally stabilizes instead of dropping, and the Rizan's position is further stabilized, the light of the metaphorical new dawn finally coming over the horizon as the Rizan population starts rizing again. They have overcome the largest hurdle their species has faced yet. The Rizan wisely maintain their behavior, and some key behaviors become so normal they are ingrained into the species as semi-permanent instincts, no longer requiring behavior votes. These include the following:


Seek potential mates


Protect young Rizan


Hunt all prey


Many other species were not so lucky, but from the ashes- life perseveres. Once temperatures stabilize and over time, new species arise capable of using the new climate to their advantage, relying on the group huddling to overwhelm smaller species like the Rizan, one species in particular ripping through the carapace of the Rizan with wrathful claws, each one half the size of a Rizan. These monstrously large species have suitably high nutritious needs, as evidenced by their constant state of hunting, and can sustain only a smaller population.


As a result of their apex predation, this new species now stands out as the ruler of the Rizan's current biome.


-----------------------


Mind: 7 [Cerebellum]


Optical: 4 [Multicellular eyespot]


Tactile: 3 [Can feel pressure, can distinguish direction and a decent range of variance]


Chemoreception: 3 [Can detect the presence of particles and mostly identify from shape from M distance]


Photometabolism: 3 [All common reactions and some energy storage using radiation energy]


Mobility: [Multicellular mobility]


-- Control: Fin Musculature


-- Propulsion: Tail, Fins


Offense:


-- Acidic Spray [Linked with digestion systems]


-- Frontal Chitinous Spikes [Elongated and brittle]


-- Toxin [Linked with defensive Toxins]


Defense:


-- Acidic Cell Membrane [Linked with digestion systems]


-- Epidermal Chitin Cell Layer


-- Scaled Chitin


-- Toxin Production Organ [Cluster of specialized cells producing painful toxins]


Energy:


-- Acidic Denaturation [Most non-complex compounds can now be denatured]


-- Digestive Enzymes [simplistic reaction-based enzymes for minimizing energy use]


-- Nutrient Access Pores [Embedded in membrane, used for transporting nutrients]


-- Intercellular Vascularization [intercellular pathways that link cells together]


-- Gastrovascular Cavity [Expanded to much of the organism]


-- Muscular Contractions


-- Intercellular Contractions


-- Thin Layer of Hair


-- Heat retaining, compact Cellular Energy Storage


-----------------------


Behavioral Choices (Combine any Seven):


[Any <verb> + <modifier> + <noun> formulaic actions]


Adaptation Choices (Any TWO):


Examples: IMPROVE optics, DEVELOP chemometabolism -> do not include the RESULT of an improvement- that is for Biology to decide.


Any TWO Improvements, Your choice!


------------


Please use the tabs above, 'Out of Character' section for discussion. This section is used ONLY for updates and votes. Thanks!


This voting cycle will end on Sunday, December 20th.

 

[Spacekitty]

Develop Counter-current gas exchange.


Increase effectiveness of forward facing spikes


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface


Protect other Rizan packs when they are attacked


Aggressively attack predators that come too close


Surround creatures when attacking

 

[AlphaDraco]

Improve Vascularization


Develop counter-current gas exchange


Have scouts swim around large huddled group


When scouts sense an apex predator, the group disperses and runs away


Scouts, when sensing an apex predator, will distract it to save the group


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Develop Counter-current gas exchange.


Improve forward spike.


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface


Protect other Rizan packs when they are attacked


Aggressively attack predators that come too close


Surround creatures when attacking

 

[Zetal]

The Rizan develop the basics of a counter-current gas exchange system to more rapidly extract needed gasses from the surrounding media as they move through it, allowing them to perform tasks more quickly, tiring slower, and improving the rapid rejuvenation of needed gasses. However, this change comes with some loss, as the ability to implement this system requires, of course, the thinning of their heat retention substantially in one area, causing heat to diffuse out of the body and out into the surrounding environment. While they still have a substantial amount of heat retention, Rizan that once didn't have to shiver anymore now do so habitually.


The other change the Rizan undergo is an offensive one, strengthening the spikes near the front of their bodies, used for delivering toxins. While this makes them more expensive to maintain and create after birth, it also ensures that they are more capable of piercing thick carapace armor.


Unfortunately this change is too minor to allow for a substantial change against the apex predator of the biome, but it does allow the Rizan to more consistently hunt using the spikes, since they are less likely to break after use.


The Rizan's new behavior of swarming incoming attacks unfortunately serves little purpose other than slightly aggravating the large apex predators, but because of the harsh environment the threat the Rizan pose is apparently worth it, and little changes in their predation patterns. Instead, this gathering of Rizan simply allows the powerful creature to more easily kill many Rizan at a time.


Despite the Rizan's ability to cope with the cold, their population begins to drop again.


-----------------------


Mind: 7 [Cerebellum]


Optical: 4 [Multicellular eyespot]


Tactile: 3 [Can feel pressure, can distinguish direction and a decent range of variance]


Chemoreception: 3 [Can detect the presence of particles and mostly identify from shape from M distance]


Photometabolism: 3 [All common reactions and some energy storage using radiation energy]


Mobility: [Multicellular mobility]


-- Control: Fin Musculature


-- Propulsion: Tail, Fins


Offense:


-- Acidic Spray [Linked with digestion systems]


-- Frontal Chitinous Spikes [Elongated]


-- Toxin [Linked with defensive Toxins]


Defense:


-- Acidic Cell Membrane [Linked with digestion systems]


-- Epidermal Chitin Cell Layer


-- Scaled Chitin


-- Toxin Production Organ [Cluster of specialized cells producing painful toxins]


Energy:


-- Acidic Denaturation [Most non-complex compounds can now be denatured]


-- Digestive Enzymes [simplistic reaction-based enzymes for minimizing energy use]


-- Nutrient Access Pores [Embedded in membrane, used for transporting nutrients]


-- Intercellular Vascularization [intercellular pathways that link cells together]


-- Gastrovascular Cavity [Expanded to much of the organism]


-- Muscular Contractions


-- Intercellular Contractions


-- Thin Layer of Hair


-- Heat retaining, compact Cellular Energy Storage


-- Counter-current gas exchange (faster access to vital gasses)


-----------------------


Behavioral Choices (Combine any Seven):


[Any <verb> + <modifier> + <noun> formulaic actions]


Adaptation Choices (Any TWO):


Examples: IMPROVE optics, DEVELOP chemometabolism -> do not include the RESULT of an improvement- that is for Biology to decide.


Any TWO Improvements, Your choice!


------------


Please use the tabs above, 'Out of Character' section for discussion. This section is used ONLY for updates and votes. Thanks!


This voting cycle will end on Tuesday, December 22nd.

 

[Spacekitty]

Develop Anti-Freeze Proteins


Improve Vasculation


Have scouts swim around large huddled group


When scouts sense an apex predator, the group disperses and runs away


Scouts, when sensing an apex predator, will distract it to save the group


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface

 

[Ferociousfeind]

Improve Mind


Improve Optics


Study predators outside proximity


Have scouts swim around large huddled group


When scouts sense an apex predator, the group disperses and runs away


Scouts, when sensing an apex predator, will distract it to save the group


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Improve Mind


Improve Optics


Study predators outside proximity


Have scouts swim around large huddled group


When scouts sense an apex predator, the group disperses and runs away


Scouts, when sensing an apex predator, will distract it to save the group


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface

 

[AlphaDraco]

Improve Vascularization


Develop Anti-Freeze Proteins


Have scouts swim around large huddled group


When scouts sense an apex predator, the group disperses and runs away


Scouts, when sensing an apex predator, will distract it to save the group


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface

 

[Zetal]

The Rizan continue along their path unfettered by the threats of the apex predator species, developing more advanced vascularization and a new form of protein capable of preventing freezing within their bodies. The vascularization allows the Rizan to behave more continuously, distribute resources more evenly to the cells around their body, and grow in size slightly. The improved vascularization, and therefore size of the Rizan, allow them to fend for themselves better, but their newfound plentifulness makes them a tempting target to species who find themselves less fortunate. The apex predator responds quickly, hunting the Rizan in further earnest.


However, due to recent cerebral developments several generations back, the Rizan have begun to learn how best to avoid predation, and use a communal herding style of ensuring the safety of as many Rizan as possible. The apex predators, unprepared to deal with this new behavior, struggle to corner the Rizan and only rarely find themselves easy prey amongst the newly behaving Rizan.


-----------------------


Mind: 7 [Cerebellum]


Optical: 4 [Multicellular eyespot]


Tactile: 3 [Can feel pressure, can distinguish direction and a decent range of variance]


Chemoreception: 3 [Can detect the presence of particles and mostly identify from shape from M distance]


Photometabolism: 3 [All common reactions and some energy storage using radiation energy]


Mobility: [Multicellular mobility]


-- Control: Fin Musculature


-- Propulsion: Tail, Fins


Offense:


-- Acidic Spray [Linked with digestion systems]


-- Frontal Chitinous Spikes [Elongated]


-- Toxin [Linked with defensive Toxins]


Defense:


-- Acidic Cell Membrane [Linked with digestion systems]


-- Epidermal Chitin Cell Layer


-- Scaled Chitin


-- Toxin Production Organ [Cluster of specialized cells producing painful toxins]


Energy:


-- Acidic Denaturation [Most non-complex compounds can now be denatured]


-- Digestive Enzymes [simplistic reaction-based enzymes for minimizing energy use]


-- Nutrient Access Pores [Embedded in membrane, used for transporting nutrients]


-- Macrocellular Vascularization [basic "high capacity" pathways for linking many cells at once]


-- Gastrovascular Cavity [Expanded to much of the organism]


-- Muscular Contractions


-- Intercellular Contractions


-- Thin Layer of Hair


-- Heat retaining, compact Cellular Energy Storage


-- Counter-current gas exchange (faster access to vital gasses)


-- Anti-freeze proteins


-----------------------


Behavioral Choices (Combine any Seven):


[Any <verb> + <modifier> + <noun> formulaic actions]


Adaptation Choices (Any TWO):


Examples: IMPROVE optics, DEVELOP chemometabolism -> do not include the RESULT of an improvement- that is for Biology to decide.


Any TWO Improvements, Your choice!


------------


Please use the tabs above, 'Out of Character' section for discussion. This section is used ONLY for updates and votes. Thanks!


This voting cycle will end on Friday, December 25th.

 

[AlphaDraco]

Improve Vascularization


Improve Optics


Have scouts swim around large huddled group


When scouts sense an apex predator, the group disperses and runs away


Scouts, when sensing an apex predator, will distract it to save the group


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface

 

[Spacekitty]

Improve Vascularization


Improve Optics


Have scouts swim around large huddled group


When scouts sense an apex predator, the group disperses and runs away


Scouts, when sensing an apex predator, will distract it to save the group


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Improve Vascularization


Improve Optics


Have scouts swim around large huddled group


When scouts sense an apex predator, the group disperses and runs away


Scouts, when sensing an apex predator, will distract it to save the group


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface

 

[Ferociousfeind]

Improve Vascularization


Improve Optics


Have scouts swim around large huddled group


When scouts sense an apex predator, the group disperses and runs away


Scouts, when sensing an apex predator, will distract it to save the group


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface

 

[Zetal]

Merry Christmas!


Behavioral and Adaptation votes made on Christmas, December 25th, will be double votes!


If you don't celebrate Christmas, consider it a happy holidays bonus, and be happy!





The Rizan take advantage of the thundering success of their previous adaptation, taking this period of relative safety to improve their vascularization further, improving the general physical performance of the Rizan on an individual level and allowing them to more rapidly assess their surroundings. Increased flow of resources throughout the body has a general purpose improvement to all systems, including their cerebellum and musculature, but also makes the Rizan more nutrient dense.


The Rizan also further develop their eye, pushing it offcenter and utilizing a relatively simple mutation to encourage parallel organ development, giving them solid depth perception and improved vision at a distance, even allowing them to start making out simple details at the optimum range, and see farther. This change follows in step with further basic optic development, pushing the eyespot to be closer to an eye than what the cellular stage once knew.


These changes allow the Rizan to step ahead even further in escaping their predators, although 'scouts' are still often sacrificed for the greater good of the group, the population continues to grow immensely, now completely unfettered by predation, and the woes of the colder climate solidly behind them.


-----------------------


Mind: 7 [Cerebellum]


Optical: 5 [Primitive Eyes]


Tactile: 3 [Can feel pressure, can distinguish direction and a decent range of variance]


Chemoreception: 3 [Can detect the presence of particles and mostly identify from shape from M distance]


Photometabolism: 3 [All common reactions and some energy storage using radiation energy]


Mobility: [Multicellular mobility]


-- Control: Fin Musculature


-- Propulsion: Tail, Fins


Offense:


-- Acidic Spray [Linked with digestion systems]


-- Frontal Chitinous Spikes [Elongated]


-- Toxin [Linked with defensive Toxins]


Defense:


-- Acidic Cell Membrane [Linked with digestion systems]


-- Epidermal Chitin Cell Layer


-- Scaled Chitin


-- Toxin Production Organ [Cluster of specialized cells producing painful toxins]


Energy:


-- Acidic Denaturation [Most non-complex compounds can now be denatured]


-- Digestive Enzymes [simplistic reaction-based enzymes for minimizing energy use]


-- Nutrient Access Pores [Embedded in membrane, used for transporting nutrients]


-- Widespread Vascularization [High capacity pathways for linking many cells at once]


-- Gastrovascular Cavity [Expanded to much of the organism]


-- Muscular Contractions


-- Intercellular Contractions


-- Thin Layer of Hair


-- Heat retaining, compact Cellular Energy Storage


-- Counter-current gas exchange (faster access to vital gasses)


-- Anti-freeze proteins


-----------------------


Behavioral Choices (Combine any FOURTEEN):


[Any <verb> + <modifier> + <noun> formulaic actions]


Adaptation Choices (Any FOUR):


Examples: IMPROVE optics, DEVELOP chemometabolism -> do not include the RESULT of an improvement- that is for Biology to decide.


Any TWO Improvements, Your choice!


------------


Please use the tabs above, 'Out of Character' section for discussion. This section is used ONLY for updates and votes. Thanks!


This voting cycle will end on Saturday, December 26th.

 

[AlphaDraco]

Improve Tail


Improve Optics


Develop Calcium deposits along nerve chord


Develop More potent toxin


Have scouts swim around large huddled group


When scouts sense an apex predator, the group disperses and runs away


Scouts, when sensing an apex predator, will distract it to save the group


Sting predators that get too close


Hunt with other Rizan


When not hunting, huddle with other Rizan to share warmth


Go closer to surface


When scouts chased by predator, swim in zig-zag fashion


Protect females first


When group disperses, go opposite direction of scout


Females and young stay at center of huddled group