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Finally... => Forum Games and Roleplaying => Topic started by: Eotyrannus on May 04, 2013, 12:30:38 pm

Title: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 04, 2013, 12:30:38 pm
The world is recovering.
One million years ago, the greatest challenge that oxygen-breathing life ever faced had finally been conquered. The Gelidian era ('frozen') has finally ended. The glaciers, after 400 million years of grinding the newly-born continents into rubble and dirt, have joined with the sea, and their cargoes of minerals have arrived in the waters. Trillions of photosynthesizing cells are pumping billions of tons of breathable gas into the air and ocean. Oxygen and nutrients are available in vast quantities, and multicellular life has begun. Most are simple creatures, focusing only on taking what they need from the blue-green liquid soup that surrounds them. One of the most prolific of these is the seafloor blob, a tiny organism that feasts off of the organic matter in the ocean's waters. They cover the floors of the ocean. For now, life is good, but competition is starting. One of them is destined to become great, though. And its form of life will survive, no matter what.

This one reproduces, and then dies, like the many other blobs of the reef. But its descendants are evolving. How, though? Will it evolve muscle and dig, or feast on fellow members of its species? Will it let itself free from the ocean floor? If there are a million different choices it could take, which is the choice that it will follow in the end?

That choice is up to you.

 
Spoiler: Explaining the game (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 04, 2013, 12:53:41 pm
Increase thickness/height some.
Evolve the ability to move like some sea anemones (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm98n3908QM) do.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Dredonius on May 04, 2013, 12:54:43 pm
Increase thickness/height some.
Evolve the ability to move like some sea anemones (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm98n3908QM) do.

+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: TopHat on May 04, 2013, 01:41:31 pm
Increase thickness/height some.
Evolve the ability to move like some sea anemones (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm98n3908QM) do.

+1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 04, 2013, 01:46:10 pm
Larvae should evolve the ability to move a little, like tiny jellyfishes. I'm pretty sure it's the case for some coral species.
PS: SWEEEEEEEET! Evolution on the move again in bay12!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 04, 2013, 01:47:10 pm
PTW.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 04, 2013, 02:06:48 pm
Larvae should evolve the ability to move a little, like tiny jellyfishes. I'm pretty sure it's the case for some coral species.
A medusal stage sounds good.
We're going to make a civilization of cnidarians, aren't we?

Quote
PS: SWEEEEEEEET! Evolution on the move again in bay12!
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 04, 2013, 02:21:43 pm
We're going to make a civilization of cnidarians, aren't we?
Maybe, maybe not. I'm rather for evolving further as an animal before aiming for sentience.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 04, 2013, 02:22:51 pm
We're going to make a civilization of cnidarians, aren't we?
Maybe, maybe not. I'm rather for evolving further as an animal before aiming for sentience.
Me, too, but...
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 04, 2013, 02:24:56 pm
We're going to make a civilization of cnidarians, aren't we?
Maybe, maybe not. I'm rather for evolving further as an animal before aiming for sentience.
Me, too, but...
I'd say it's a good idea, so how about we work on becoming a much more evolved cnidarian?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 04, 2013, 02:27:27 pm
we already are!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 04, 2013, 02:34:31 pm
we already are!
How so?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Funk on May 04, 2013, 02:44:10 pm
Increase thickness/height some.
Evolve the ability to move like some sea anemones (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm98n3908QM) do.

+1
+1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 04, 2013, 03:14:17 pm
Thanks for the approval, guys! Since no one seems to be arguing, I'll go with the current choice.

EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Movement-2, Mobile larval stage-5 Increase height-6
Evolutionary success- 5

The seafloor blob has evolved these past few million years. Many types of blob have appeared, but our species has become the tentablob. They have grown massive compared to the other blobs, at 30 centimetres tall, a rival to even the frondblobs (which are rapidly being outcompeted by the descendants of the seafloor blob). It has a basic muscular system, although the pinnacle of its movement abilities as an adult is to pull an edge out from underneath other blobs. The real reason for its success is its advanced tentacles. It gives it a larger surface area and reach than other blobs, too, but it also evolved a defined reproductive system. Male cells are attracted to the bases of the tentacles, which then develop into tiny tentaclets. These spread their yet-to-be-defined tentacles as a parachute, which they catch the currents with, and they drift far from the space next to their parents. This means that tentablobs spend less time competing with parents and more time beating up the competition.

The other blobs that changed, though, are causing problems. A blob with a more successful muscular system, the aciblob, is the most worrying. It has adapted to crawl over the surfaces of other blobs and digest their surfaces. Frondblobs have mostly receded into the depths of the reefs and become funguslike, although there is still a titan amongst the creatures of the ocean, a frond that grows up to 3 metres tall. Other fronds still exist, though.

GENERATION 2:
Tentablob
A dark brown blob of jelly that usually enjoys the best positions in the reef. Their long tentacles take food from the water. They grow up to 30 centimetres tall, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells in the current, and growths grow on the bases of the tentacles. These growths eventually become tentaclets, tiny parachute-like organisms that drift on the current to a better location.
MOVEMENT: They can move enough so they don't get buried.
EATING: It absorbs cells that are drifting on the current.
PREDATION: No meaningful prey. Aciblobs sometimes attack them, leaving gaping wounds.
COMPETITION: Tentablobs have little competition, even amongst themselves, due to their size and reproductive system.
ENVIRONMENT: A shallow sub-tropical sea. Layers upon layers of various types of blobs have built massive networks of reefs. Tentablobs grow above the rest, filtering food from the open water. Aciblobs, 3 or so centimetres wide, create open space for new blobs through their grazing of the small.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 04, 2013, 03:19:41 pm
Let's evolve speed, sensory systems, and durability.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 04, 2013, 03:28:29 pm
Nah. I propose we equip our  tentacles with simple poison cells. Those Aciblobs are going to face an indigestion. Also allows us to catch fish and such, when those poof into existence.

Also, I propose we then use this same acid to partly dissolve minerals from the sea floor, and bring them to our tentacles. In higher up specimens, this might result in symbiosis with certain photosynthetic algae.

In those specimens that are left in the dark deeps, it might evolve in some kind of armour.

Note that this is not a genetic difference (yet), but just the same gene having different expressions depending on situation. Of course, a good amount of tentacles stays the same to prevent problems with reproduction.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 04, 2013, 03:31:25 pm
Nah. I propose we equip our  tentacles with simple poison cells. Those Aciblobs are going to face an indigestion. Also allows us to catch fish and such, when those poof into existence.

Also, I propose we then use this same acid to partly dissolve minerals from the sea floor, and bring them to our tentacles. In higher up specimens, this might result in symbiosis with certain photosynthetic algae.

In those specimens that are left in the dark deeps, it might evolve in some kind of armour.

Note that this is not a genetic difference (yet), but just the same gene having different expressions depending on situation. Of course, a good amount of tentacles stays the same to prevent problems with reproduction.
Don't worry about reproduction, the base of the tentacles has nothing to do with food, it's just for mating.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 04, 2013, 03:58:08 pm
We make coral reefs, yes? So this mean we can excrete mineral (probably calcium), hard substance. We should put some of this on the tip of our tentacle. Sharp. And possibly poisonous. In short, stings.

Let's evolve speed, sensory systems, and durability.
and +1 to this.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 04, 2013, 04:04:37 pm
I like the idea of calcified stings on our tentacles. Speaking of tentacles, when did we get tentacles?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 04, 2013, 04:07:14 pm
They're our reproductive system.

+1 to the stingers.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 04, 2013, 04:08:34 pm
They're our reproductive system.
and feeding system as well. We catch things with it.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 04, 2013, 04:20:58 pm
They're our reproductive system.
and feeding system as well. We catch things with it.

Yup. Tentacles are really useful, so I decided a big blob would be more likely to grow tall with tentacles than as a big tall tower that brings up surface area problems.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on May 04, 2013, 04:37:15 pm
PTW and +1 to the poisonous sting tentacles
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 04, 2013, 04:38:28 pm
They're our reproductive system.
and feeding system as well. We catch things with it.
Yup. Tentacles are really useful, so I decided a big blob would be more likely to grow tall with tentacles than as a big tall tower that brings up surface area problems.
True. (I had imagined us as more disky than blobby to start, and was imagining turning us into tentacleless sea anemones. Tentacled sea anemones is fine, too, though.)

...Is there even such a thing as a land anemone?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 04, 2013, 04:45:46 pm
They're our reproductive system.
and feeding system as well. We catch things with it.
Yup. Tentacles are really useful, so I decided a big blob would be more likely to grow tall with tentacles than as a big tall tower that brings up surface area problems.
True. (I had imagined us as more disky than blobby to start, and was imagining turning us into tentacleless sea anemones. Tentacled sea anemones is fine, too, though.)

...Is there even such a thing as a land anemone?

Yeah, there are anemones on land. They're woodland flowers.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Sensei on May 04, 2013, 04:46:33 pm
PTW and +1 to the poisonous sting tentacles
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 04, 2013, 04:48:32 pm
They're our reproductive system.
and feeding system as well. We catch things with it.
Yup. Tentacles are really useful, so I decided a big blob would be more likely to grow tall with tentacles than as a big tall tower that brings up surface area problems.
True. (I had imagined us as more disky than blobby to start, and was imagining turning us into tentacleless sea anemones. Tentacled sea anemones is fine, too, though.)

...Is there even such a thing as a land anemone?
Yeah, there are anemones on land. They're woodland flowers.
I'd guessed it would be something like that. There's lots of cnidarians named after flowers.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 04, 2013, 05:08:43 pm
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Poison- 6+.5= (rounded down to) 6, Sting- 2+1.5=3, Armour- 3, Speed- 1, Senses- 3

(lol, seems that the dice gods mock your feeble attempts to become mobile)

The newest variety of the tentablob is the Devil's thornvine. They have developed enzymes and toxins on the ends of their tentacles, with a spine on the end, although said spine is fairly soft and (like a monitor lizard) only lets poison leak into the victim. Luckily, the aciblob's descendants are still relatively pierceable, so it gets the job done. The inner surfaces of the tentacles take in water, pass them through basic chemical detectors, absorb useful oxygen (nutrition is now done by the more toxic areas on the other side) and expel it again. This simple system lets the thornvine get a basic reading on the location of predators or prey, so it can have a certain direction to attack. Aciblobs are already learning to turn the other way when they get a whiff of the poisons. Other species, though, have begun to parasitise the other blobs. A tough outer skin helps fend them off (although it only works occasionally). Their climbing abilities are basically gone, as this new lifestyle means they can simply eat things that would otherwise overgrow them.

Parasiblobs are drifting on the currents. Aciblobs are developing better senses, and some of these more mobile aciblobs are reverting to a filter-feeding lifestyle. This time, though, they drift on the currents like jellyfish. Our reaction time is far too slow to catch them.

GENERATION 3:
Devil's thornvine
A deep purple cnidarian-like animal that is often found in depressions in the reef, due to their supplements of live meat. Their long tentacles take food from the water, for the most part. They grow up to 35 centimetres tall, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells in the current, and growths grow on the bases of the tentacles. These growths eventually become tentaclets, tiny parachute-like organisms that drift on the current to a better location.
MOVEMENT: Nope.
EATING: It absorbs cells that are drifting on the current, and any blobs that get close enough for a reasonable amount of time are impaled and digested.
PREDATION: The current apex predator. Ground-living blobs are what it eats.
COMPETITION: Thornvines still have little competition, even amongst themselves, due to their size and reproductive system.
ENVIRONMENT: A shallow sub-tropical sea. Layers upon layers of various types of blobs have built massive networks of reefs. Tentablobs grow above the rest, filtering food from the open water, while the thornvine dominates where it grows. Aciblobs, 3 or so centimetres wide, create open space and crevices through their tireless grazing.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 04, 2013, 05:13:46 pm
What does the numbers mean exactly? Are they rolls?

Anyway, I say we continue in this particularly successful path and focus on better senses and sharper stings.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 04, 2013, 05:17:39 pm
I agree. We need to try as always to become mobile, though.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 04, 2013, 05:19:33 pm
What does the numbers mean exactly? Are they rolls?

Anyway, I say we continue in this particularly successful path and focus on better senses and sharper stings.

The numbers are rolls. I add half an extra point to the chance of success with each vote more than 'lowest approved amount' it has, and then round it down. Thus, Poison had a roll of 6, I added 0.5 since it had 3 votes instead of 2, and rounded it back down to 6.

Duly noted, both of you, and it is down in the list of numbers.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Sensei on May 04, 2013, 05:28:41 pm
I'd say work on the ability to drag ourselves with tentacles, specifically, in regards to mobility.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 04, 2013, 05:57:54 pm
Mobility, better stings, senses.

And -1 to dragging, seeing as we're normally cemented to the sea floor. I suggest that we instead work on either moving like that sea anemone I linked to in the second post or maybe some squiddish movement.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 04, 2013, 05:59:37 pm
What about controlled buoyancy? We could manipulate our elevation that way.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 04, 2013, 06:01:09 pm
Again, not until we stop being primarily sessile animals.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on May 04, 2013, 07:10:04 pm
Yeah, +mobility +sting +senses.

Also, in the long term, I want our species to be like the jellyfloats from the pikmin series (floating jellyfish). Do you like that idea? I always found them interesting.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 04, 2013, 07:11:26 pm
I was thinking we could eventually make them into living underwater armorclads.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Cheesecake on May 04, 2013, 07:13:12 pm
PTW
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: javierpwn on May 04, 2013, 08:50:36 pm
+1 for Mobility!
I like Evolution games, nice to see one pop out; we have had a defecit.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Jembot on May 04, 2013, 10:12:28 pm
PTW and get mobile
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 05, 2013, 02:24:00 am
+1 to get mobile.  Try using our waste water expulsion system as propulsion.  Flatten out a few tentacles for rudders.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 05, 2013, 02:51:55 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Sting- 4, Speed- 3+1, Senses- 4

(still may take you a while to get moving properly, but it's a start, at least)

Thornvines have since evolved into crawlers. They are still a leviathan amongst the lesser blobs of the reef, and every mobile blob attempts to avoid it. It is yet to evolve eyes, but viral gene-swapping is in abundance right now, so you might get lucky and grow someone else's eyes. Because of its lack of vision and its towering body, it rarely gets to catch a moving blob, and usually just grazes. They move by slowly crawling along the seabed with their enlarged, fleshy bases. Apart from the movement, the stalk is atrophied, as a fusion of the base of the tentacles has become a new, far more complex body that can keep the body far more active than before. This isn't much in the adults, but the offspring (with their new senses and stings) are now active swimmers that can hunt and catch acijellies, stinging them to death with the tips of their tentacles. In the adults, the stings have sharpened and become far more mineralised, as they don't have to avoid sinking.

New species are appearing all the time. Frongi (frond-less fronds) make a network of roots under the reef, the varied descendants of the aciblob burrow and hunt and swim, and there's even completely new organisms appearing. From our perspective, it seems as though these far more complex organisms (with eyes, fins, brains) are appearing out of thin air. They're putting up good competition and fights, so we may want to get prepared.

GENERATION 4:
Devil's crawler
A deep blue cnidarian-like animal that is found all over the reef, due to their moving base. Their long tentacles impale their prey with the sharp, hard stings on the end. They grow up to 40 centimetres tall, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and a fair sense of smell/taste.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells in the current, and growths grow on the area of the body derived from the bases of the tentacles. These growths eventually move into the inside of the body, where they develop into tentaclets and swim free one day. Tentaclets are active hunters of swimmers like acijellies.
MOVEMENT: They move by rippling their bases.
EATING: It impales nearby blobs and digests them by wrapping the end of the tentacles around it.
PREDATION: The current apex predator. Ground-living blobs are what it eats.
COMPETITION: Crawlers still have little competition, even amongst themselves, due to their size and reproductive system. Fast moving aciblobs, though, are sometimes stealing our kills.
ENVIRONMENT: A shallow sub-tropical sea. Layers upon layers of various types of blobs have built massive networks of reefs. Tentablobs grow above the rest, filtering food from the open water, while the crawler dominates where it grows. Aciblobs fill the majority of space for animal life, burrowing and swimming and crawling on the seafloor. Flapworms have migrated from the open ocean, and are efficient filter-feeders and danger-avoiders.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 05, 2013, 02:55:51 am
-Attempt to evolve poison cells on all our tentacles. An unlucky touch should be enough to stun/kill
-Excrete small amounts of food as lure for animals/ base for symbiosis.
-Movement
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: flame99 on May 05, 2013, 03:00:01 am
I say we try to get a little more mobility not through moving like an anemone, but rather by burrowing. Also, I think we should develop a sort of "Tremor Sense". Basically, we can sense the movement of things through vibrations in the grounds. We can use this to burrow until we feel something, leap out, and eat it.

Also, EVO GAMES FTW!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Jembot on May 05, 2013, 03:02:51 am
-Attempt to evolve poison cells on all our tentacles. An unlucky touch should be enough to stun/kill
-Excrete small amounts of food as lure for animals/ base for symbiosis.
-Movement
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 05, 2013, 03:05:55 am
I say neoteny. The act of keeping the juvenile form through the entire life. (humans are basically neotenic apes)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Sensei on May 05, 2013, 03:14:29 am
Consider reducing weight/gaining gas sacs to float? Maybe with rippling fins, like a tadpole. We could just evolve the fins/membranes to use the same muscles we currently use to crawl.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: flame99 on May 05, 2013, 03:26:40 am
Consider reducing weight/gaining gas sacs to float? Maybe with rippling fins, like a tadpole. We could just evolve the fins/membranes to use the same muscles we currently use to crawl.
I'm retracting my idea to +1 this.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 05, 2013, 03:30:19 am
Consider reducing weight/gaining gas sacs to float? Maybe with rippling fins, like a tadpole. We could just evolve the fins/membranes to use the same muscles we currently use to crawl.
I'm retracting my idea to +1 this.
Changed the votes, decided to keep the vibrations in, because why not?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on May 05, 2013, 04:21:13 am
Posting to watch.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 05, 2013, 07:22:36 am
-Attempt to evolve poison cells on all our tentacles. An unlucky touch should be enough to stun/kill
-Excrete small amounts of food as lure for animals/ base for symbiosis.
-Movement
+1
+1 to the first two.

+1111111111111111 to the thrird.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 05, 2013, 08:17:50 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Poison- 3, Movement- 4+.5=4, Lures- 4

Crawlers have given way to a new species: the swimemone. These new species have developed a system of pheromones, which are mixed in with and descended from the toxins. These creatures are neotenous swimmers that use a fleshy tail to swim with. Their change in lifestyle means that they have had to shrink to 20 centimetres long, but the rewards of a free niche more than make up for it. The front end is the main area of shrinking and the tentacle tips have become more robust and sharp. They mate by scenting out the pheromones and forming a swarm, where they release the male cells. Below some of their gill-tubes, they have sacs of carbon dioxide that help keep them buoyant. This lets them swim far slower without sinking than the newer invasive species, which lets them survey their hunting area far more carefully. The main problem is their lack of a sense as good as vision or hearing, however. They have formed a symbiosis with the tentaclets of the upsidedown tentablob, a tentablob that (as its name suggests) crawls around, upside-down on its tentacles. The tentaclets are immune to the toxins of the swimemone, and they crowd around the swimemone's jaws. The larger predator follows the smaller creatures to food, while the tentaclets get to absorb food from the digestive acids that the swimemone makes during its meal. Adult upsidedown tentablobs are useful sources of cover for swimemones of all ages, and often have the parasites picked off of them by swimemone tentaclets. Swimemone tentaclets may also join the swarms surrounding the head of an adult.



GENERATION 5:
Swimemone
A yellow-and-green cnidarian-like animal that swims over the surface of the reef, hunting for food. They swim with their tail-like foot, and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They grow up to 20 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and a fair sense of smell/taste.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they form swarms, and growths grow on the area of the body derived from the bases of the tentacles. Younger animals are mostly male, and older animals are female, due to the pressures of swimming while pregnant.
MOVEMENT: They move by rippling their foot, swimming like a tadpole or fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant.
EATING: It impales nearby blobs and digests them by drawing them into the tentacles.
PREDATION: Not hunted by many creatures, due to its toxins. Ground-living blobs are what it eats.
COMPETITION: Swimemones are still mostly hunters of slow-moving blobs, and so stay out of the niche of the jawworm. They usually win out against crawlers, though.
ENVIRONMENT: A shallow sub-tropical sea. Layers upon layers of various types of blobs have built massive networks of reefs. Tentablobs grow above the rest, filtering food from the open water, while crawlers of various species create ditches and clear space. Aciblobs fill the majority of space for animal life, burrowing and swimming and crawling on the seafloor. Flapworms have migrated from the open ocean, and are efficient filter-feeders and danger-avoiders. Jawworms have also arrived recently, and hunt free-swimming animals (although the swimemone's toxins are still an obstacle, and they avoid the warning coloration of it). Upsidedown tentablobs are 60 centimetres or so wide, and are usually the centrepiece of a swimemone's territory.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 05, 2013, 08:24:55 am
Evolve better senses, speed, size, and camoflague to disguise ourselves while swimming.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 05, 2013, 08:26:32 am
Let's try to get some light detecting cells.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Cheesecake on May 05, 2013, 08:30:00 am
Evolve better senses, speed, size, and camoflague to disguise ourselves while swimming.

+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Jembot on May 05, 2013, 08:53:53 am
Evolve better senses, speed, size, and camoflague to disguise ourselves while swimming.

+1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 05, 2013, 09:08:15 am
I dunno, blindness seems like an interesting self-imposed challenge. I'd rather evolve something like a lateral line system and/or ampullae of Lorenzini, which are respectively the piscine forerunner of the ear and the organs sharks use to detect electrical fields.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: killerhellhound on May 05, 2013, 09:19:11 am
Evolve better senses, speed, size, and camoflague to disguise ourselves while swimming.

+1
+1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 05, 2013, 12:51:21 pm
I dunno, blindness seems like an interesting self-imposed challenge. I'd rather evolve something like a lateral line system and/or ampullae of Lorenzini, which are respectively the piscine forerunner of the ear and the organs sharks use to detect electrical fields.
+1. I had a suggestion game a bit like this one where my players relied on perception of pressure variations for a while. It was immensely fun for me to write the turns of a basically blind sea creature.

I am also puzzled by how you said "they are neotenic creatures". Neoteny is an evolutionary process, where the adult form is ditched and the juvenile form is kept as the new mature form.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 05, 2013, 12:53:50 pm
I dunno, blindness seems like an interesting self-imposed challenge. I'd rather evolve something like a lateral line system and/or ampullae of Lorenzini, which are respectively the piscine forerunner of the ear and the organs sharks use to detect electrical fields.
+1. I had a suggestion game a bit like this one where my players relied on perception of pressure variations for a while. It was immensely fun for me to write the turns of a basically blind sea creature.

I am also puzzled by how you said "they are neotenic creatures". Neoteny is an evolutionary process, where the adult form is ditched and the juvenile form is kept as the new mature form.
They underwent neoteny, so I decided to call them neotenic. And the next turn will be up fairly soon.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on May 05, 2013, 12:55:26 pm
we need sight, or really good senses. we are a hunter. a hunter needs senses to hunt. there is no need to say more
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 05, 2013, 12:56:35 pm
we need sight, or really good senses. we are a hunter. a hunter needs senses to hunt. there is no need to say more
Nah we don't.

We're a moving anemone. The flytraps of the sea. We let the food come to us, rather than the other way around. Besides, our primary food source are sessile sea creatures.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 05, 2013, 12:58:35 pm
We don't neccesarily need sight, but we need some precise detection method. Pressure sensing might be good. I think sight could be replaced by some sort of 360 degree sensing system, possibly like a radio scanner.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 05, 2013, 12:59:52 pm
We can also work with the electrical pulse of others synapses
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 05, 2013, 12:59:53 pm
we need sight, or really good senses. we are a hunter. a hunter needs senses to hunt. there is no need to say more

I already rolled. Guess what? :P
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on May 05, 2013, 01:00:21 pm
There aren't going to be sessile creatures all the time. Everybody evolves. The sessile ones will soon be exterminated by others. That's why we should think fowards and develop better hunting senses. Anyway, if it is not sight, let it be something like shark's perception of magnetic fields.

((nija'd 2 times))
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 05, 2013, 01:01:52 pm
There will always be coral reefs. One does not simply eliminate the basis of the food pyramid.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 05, 2013, 01:03:16 pm
Let me fetch a memetic picture.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 05, 2013, 01:10:51 pm
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Senses- 1+1.5=2, Speed- 5, Size- 5, Camo- 5

(dice still hates you)

The greater-tentacled swimemone is far larger than its ancestor, at half a metre long. It has developed the classic camouflage of marine animals, the black-top-white-underside. Small grooves on the side of its body, originally for detecting pressure, have deepened and largely replaced the pouch-gills inside of the body. These gills also help it speed up, as it can squeeze water through them to act as a small and simple jet. It has evolved simple fins as well, letting it swim or stop far faster.

The symbiotic tentaclets and tentablob have also evolved. The adult form is called the nestblob, and serves as a sort of base for the greater swimemone. They are guarded fiercely by both types of tentaclet that swarm around it, and swimemones form their territory around it. The tentaclets are called guidelets, and are the main reason that the swimemone hasn't been outcompeted by the rapidly-invading predators of further lands. Different species of swimemone also exist, but they have switched to sight instead of symbiots, due to their need to avoid other predators.

GENERATION 5:
Greater-tentacled swimemone
A black-and-white fish-like animal with a tentacled head that swims over the surface of the reef, hunting for food. They swim with their finned foot, and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They grow up to 50 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and a fair sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelets help it hunt live prey.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they form swarms, and growths grow on the area of the body derived from the bases of the tentacles. Younger animals are mostly male, and older animals are female, due to the pressures of swimming while pregnant. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at a nestblob. They eat mucus that the nestblob creates (although the nestblob sometimes takes either type of larva to supplement its diet) and, when they are large enough, swim with a suitable guidelet to form a territory.
MOVEMENT: They move by rippling their foot, swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have simple jets on their side-gills.
EATING: It impales nearby blobs and digests them by drawing them into the tentacles.
PREDATION: Not hunted by many creatures, due to its toxins and size. Some species of jawworm, however, are able to feed on the occasional tentaclet without dying horribly. Most creatures are on the menu.
COMPETITION: Swimemones are still mostly hunters of slow-moving blobs, and so stay out of the niche of the jawworm. They have outcompeted the carnivorous crawlers.
ENVIRONMENT: A shallow sub-tropical sea. Layers upon layers of various types of blobs have built massive networks of reefs. Tentablobs grow above the rest, filtering food from the open water, while crawlers of various species create ditches and clear space. Aciblobs fill the majority of space for animal life, burrowing and swimming and crawling on the seafloor. Flapworms have migrated from the open ocean, and are efficient filter-feeders and danger-avoiders. Jawworms have also arrived recently, and hunt free-swimming animals. Nestblobs are two metres or so wide, and form the base of the territory of swimemones.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 05, 2013, 01:18:04 pm
Increase senses. Then increase senses. Then increase senses. After that, we'll evolve better senses.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 05, 2013, 01:31:44 pm
Specifically, electrical senses.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 05, 2013, 01:53:51 pm
Electrical and pressure senses. and carapace.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Sensei on May 05, 2013, 02:49:44 pm
Yeah, let's evolve some catfish-style electrical sensors.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: flame99 on May 05, 2013, 03:37:14 pm
Evolve electrical senses. Evolve spade-like appendages to allow for digging.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on May 05, 2013, 03:41:54 pm
So many alternatives...

Lets go for speed and senses. We will get better at hunting.

Also, should we evolve a more complex mouth? Or will we use tentacles forever?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: flame99 on May 05, 2013, 03:46:31 pm
I just realized that with the way we're going, we could eventually become Cthulu.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 05, 2013, 03:56:50 pm
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Senses- 4

(the dice gods are still a bit reluctant, but you got something)

After many generations of being totally blind, the ghoulish swimemone... is still blind. However, it now has an almost-supernatural ability to find prey within a metre or so of its tentacles (from the electric sense), and its keen sense of smell and its symbiots let it get that close. It can send out bursts of electricity, not enough to be useful on its own, but it can recall its guidelets or send signals to others of its kind. This has made it vastly more effective than any other large swimemone.

The hive nestblob has also evolved. It uses a hive system, with one large sessile nest/mother and many guidelets.

The biggest threat to the swimemone's reign, though, is a massive one-and-a-half metre long predator that has appeared. Known as the giant jawshell, it bobs along with its rock-hard shell and spears nearby animals to consume them. It appears to be mostly immune to our toxins. Its scent and electrotouch are disturbing the swimemone and disrupting their hunts, or attacking and eating the nestblobs.

GENERATION 6:
Ghoulish swimemone
A dark-grey-and-white tentacled fish-like animal that swims over the surface of the reef, hunting for food. They swim with their finned foot, and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They grow up to 50 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and a fair sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelets help it find live prey. An electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they form swarms, and growths grow on the area of the body derived from the bases of the tentacles. Younger animals are mostly male, and older animals are female, due to the pressures of swimming while pregnant. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at a hive nestblob. They eat mucus that the nestblob creates (although the nestblob sometimes takes either type of larva to supplement its diet) and, when they are large enough, swim with a suitable guidelet to form a territory. Pheremones cause the guidelet to develop into a hive.
MOVEMENT: They move by rippling their foot, swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have simple jets on their side-gills.
EATING: It impales nearby blobs and digests them by drawing them into the tentacles. After many generations, they are finally able to reliably prey on fast swimmers, and their poison has changed to a venom. They still have the rather inefficient absorbing-via-tentacle feeding method.
PREDATION: Jawshells are the only hunter of adult swimemones. Some species of jawworm are able to feed on the tentaclets. Most smaller creatures are on the menu.
COMPETITION: Swimemones are hunters of large animals, and so stay out of the niche of the jawworm. They have little competition for their niche, other than the jawshell.
ENVIRONMENT: A shallow sub-tropical sea. Layers upon layers of various types of blobs have built massive networks of reefs. Tentablobs grow above the rest, filtering food from the open water, while crawlers of various species create ditches and clear space. Aciblobs fill the majority of space for animal life, burrowing and swimming and crawling on the seafloor. Flapworms have migrated from the open ocean, and are efficient filter-feeders and danger-avoiders. Jawworms have also arrived recently, and hunt free-swimming animals. Hive nestblobs are armoured animals two metres or so wide, and form the base of the territory of swimemones.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 05, 2013, 04:02:37 pm
Well, let's try some stuff.

Attempt to mimic Jawshell hormones, to make it friendly to us.
Increase tentacle strength.
Increase poison strength. Also, neurotoxin.
Invest in digestive juices.
Work on strong, eletric pulses. Mainly defense mechanism.
Carapace

Basically, new attack strategy is to knock out our enemies, then encapsulated them and slowly digest them. Works on larger prey too. As an added bonus, young specimen can be dropped of on a caught enemy, of which they can then leach nutriments. The enemy will guard them.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: flame99 on May 05, 2013, 04:06:25 pm
+1 to the electric pulses and pheromones

I say we should try to get a method of "vision" other than the pulses. Echolocation?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on May 05, 2013, 04:09:18 pm
Another idea: become pack hunters using pherormones and hunt jawshell to extinction. (with all the above)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 05, 2013, 04:10:49 pm
Just so you know, guys, the jawshell is a cannibal anyway. So making you think it's one of them will still result in your devourification. And it doesn't really use hormones/pheromones/stuff that could make you befriend it. So yeah, trying to make friends with it will result in subsequent nommage.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 05, 2013, 04:29:49 pm
No trying to get friendly or whatever. Having a predator is good, it put pressure. I say MOAR SPEED. Speed all the way.
And a freakin' mouth and digestive tube forget the tube, we need only a pouch, and digestive capabilities powerful enough to eat anything.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Sensei on May 05, 2013, 04:32:35 pm
We have jets, aye? We should try improving our poison, and gaining the ability to shoot it out in clouds.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Cheesecake on May 05, 2013, 05:04:12 pm
Pincers! And moar speed and senses! And grow in size! And evolve the brain!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 05, 2013, 05:53:18 pm
Yeah, let's evolve some catfish-style electrical sensors.
Or shark-style.

Also, should we evolve a more complex mouth? Or will we use tentacles forever?
I like tentacles, but the two aren't mutually exclusive.


I'd suggest working on an electrical pulse capability like many fishes can. Also strengthen our neurotoxin or add neurotoxin to our poisonous blend if it's absent. Also improve cognitive capability (perhaps evolving ganglia) and rudimentary social capacity.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Geneoce on May 05, 2013, 09:52:17 pm
Anchor hive to jawshell, insert electrical nematocyst into nervous system, take control?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: killerhellhound on May 05, 2013, 09:59:52 pm
Anchor hive to jawshell, insert electrical nematocyst into nervous system, take control?
all of my yes
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 06, 2013, 12:43:00 am
Anchor hive to jawshell, insert electrical nematocyst into nervous system, take control?
all of my yes

Mine too.  We're basically evolving into an illithid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illithid), let's get on with out-thinking and mind-controlling our opponents.

Also, our tentacles should probably start conducting acid and digestive enzymes, instead of (or in addition to) poison.  It will help us get through shells in a grapple, if it comes down to that.  And eventually, through skulls to the delicious brains.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: killerhellhound on May 06, 2013, 01:25:25 am
Anchor hive to jawshell, insert electrical nematocyst into nervous system, take control?
all of my yes

Mine too.  We're basically evolving into an illithid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illithid), let's get on with out-thinking and mind-controlling our opponents.

Also, our tentacles should probably start conducting acid and digestive enzymes, instead of (or in addition to) poison.  It will help us get through shells in a grapple, if it comes down to that.  And eventually, through skulls to the delicious brains.
this is also part of my yes
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Jembot on May 06, 2013, 02:11:40 am
Get faster and get sight.
And +1 to the jets shooting out poison
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 06, 2013, 02:30:19 am
Anchor hive to jawshell, insert electrical nematocyst into nervous system, take control?
all of my yes

Mine too.  We're basically evolving into an illithid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illithid), let's get on with out-thinking and mind-controlling our opponents.

Also, our tentacles should probably start conducting acid and digestive enzymes, instead of (or in addition to) poison.  It will help us get through shells in a grapple, if it comes down to that.  And eventually, through skulls to the delicious brains.
this is also part of my yes
Hmm...I'll +1 this.
Also, EEEEEEEEEEEEE EVOLUTION GAEM
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: killerhellhound on May 06, 2013, 02:44:52 am
Anchor hive to jawshell, insert electrical nematocyst into nervous system, take control?
all of my yes

Mine too.  We're basically evolving into an illithid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illithid), let's get on with out-thinking and mind-controlling our opponents.

Also, our tentacles should probably start conducting acid and digestive enzymes, instead of (or in addition to) poison.  It will help us get through shells in a grapple, if it comes down to that.  And eventually, through skulls to the delicious brains.
this is also part of my yes
Hmm...I'll +1 this.
Also, EEEEEEEEEEEEE EVOLUTION GAEM
all up 4 people want this  :D
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 06, 2013, 03:35:57 am
Anchor hive to jawshell, insert electrical nematocyst into nervous system, take control?
all of my yes

Mine too.  We're basically evolving into an illithid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illithid), let's get on with out-thinking and mind-controlling our opponents.

Also, our tentacles should probably start conducting acid and digestive enzymes, instead of (or in addition to) poison.  It will help us get through shells in a grapple, if it comes down to that.  And eventually, through skulls to the delicious brains.
this is also part of my yes
Hmm...I'll +1 this.
Also, EEEEEEEEEEEEE EVOLUTION GAEM
all up 4 people want this  :D
HEY YOU WROTE YES TWICE DANG YOU
Also, mind control may be a bit out of our league, so I'm going to say we can mutilate them horribly and stick a hive on them.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: killerhellhound on May 06, 2013, 03:45:41 am
Anchor hive to jawshell, insert electrical nematocyst into nervous system, take control?
all of my yes

Mine too.  We're basically evolving into an illithid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illithid), let's get on with out-thinking and mind-controlling our opponents.

Also, our tentacles should probably start conducting acid and digestive enzymes, instead of (or in addition to) poison.  It will help us get through shells in a grapple, if it comes down to that.  And eventually, through skulls to the delicious brains.
this is also part of my yes
Hmm...I'll +1 this.
Also, EEEEEEEEEEEEE EVOLUTION GAEM
all up 4 people want this  :D
HEY YOU WROTE YES TWICE DANG YOU
Also, mind control may be a bit out of our league, so I'm going to say we can mutilate them horribly and stick a hive on them.
yes I said yes twice but in counting I only counted myself once and the mind control is a long term goal
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 06, 2013, 03:48:28 am
Anchor hive to jawshell, insert electrical nematocyst into nervous system, take control?
all of my yes

Mine too.  We're basically evolving into an illithid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illithid), let's get on with out-thinking and mind-controlling our opponents.

Also, our tentacles should probably start conducting acid and digestive enzymes, instead of (or in addition to) poison.  It will help us get through shells in a grapple, if it comes down to that.  And eventually, through skulls to the delicious brains.
this is also part of my yes
Hmm...I'll +1 this.
Also, EEEEEEEEEEEEE EVOLUTION GAEM
all up 4 people want this  :D
HEY YOU WROTE YES TWICE DANG YOU
Also, mind control may be a bit out of our league, so I'm going to say we can mutilate them horribly and stick a hive on them.
yes I said yes twice but in counting I only counted myself once and the mind control is a long term goal
One we finish this quote pyramid, we shall have an update. Just so ya know. SO GET QUOTING KTHNX
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Sensei on May 06, 2013, 04:07:06 am
Anchor hive to jawshell, insert electrical nematocyst into nervous system, take control?
all of my yes

Mine too.  We're basically evolving into an illithid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illithid), let's get on with out-thinking and mind-controlling our opponents.

Also, our tentacles should probably start conducting acid and digestive enzymes, instead of (or in addition to) poison.  It will help us get through shells in a grapple, if it comes down to that.  And eventually, through skulls to the delicious brains.
this is also part of my yes
Hmm...I'll +1 this.
Also, EEEEEEEEEEEEE EVOLUTION GAEM
all up 4 people want this  :D
HEY YOU WROTE YES TWICE DANG YOU
Also, mind control may be a bit out of our league, so I'm going to say we can mutilate them horribly and stick a hive on them.
yes I said yes twice but in counting I only counted myself once and the mind control is a long term goal
One we finish this quote pyramid, we shall have an update. Just so ya know. SO GET QUOTING KTHNX
Y'asked for it.  ;D
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 06, 2013, 05:08:43 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Parasitise jawshell- 6+.5=6, Speed- 2, Poison- 5+1=6, Electric shocks- 1,  Senses- 3

(This is what I was talking about when I said it'd be twisted. You found some babies and the most fearsome carnivore of this period...)

(AND YOU TURNED THEM INTO A MOTORHOME.)

The symbiot swimemone has added yet another beast to its symbiotic web. The jawshell's shell now serves as a sheltered location for the hive, and the jawshell itself has evolved into the symbiot jawshell. This three-way relationship means that the swimemone has a mobile base of operations and a hunting system, the nestblob can scavenge the remains of both organism's kills and can migrate to a better habitat, and the jawshell can use the grazing of the guidelets to attack and eat sessile or hard-to-find blobs. The jets on the side of the body have become a dispenser for DEADLY NEUROTOXIN (as well as a way to turn while hovering in place), the normal poisons in the fangs have been upgraded with DEADLY NEUROTOXIN, and it even has a couple of very simple eyespots to tell how much light there is. The swimemone is also far more expansive with its new home, as it can invade new territory and bring the hive with it. However, its electrical sense has lost the ability to form pulses.

The symbiot nestblob has shrunk to fit inside its new home of the symbiot jawshell. Its various young are specializing to become different castes, with a soldier to defend the nest from anything the jawshell doesn't catch and swarmers to go with the swimemone. Swarmer castes have powerful digestive acids, which they can use to attack prey or burrow into the shell of a new home with.

The reign of the ghoulish swimemone and similar creatures is at an end. The symbiosis trio and normal jawshells have torn their hives to shreds and devoured their children. For now, at least, there are few threats to us.

GENERATION 7:
Symbiot swimemone
A dark-grey-and-white tentacled fish-like animal that swims over the surface of the reef, hunting for food. They swim with their finned foot, and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They grow up to 70 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and a fair sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelets help it find live prey. An electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they form swarms, and growths grow on the area of the body derived from the bases of the tentacles. Younger animals are mostly male, and older animals are female, due to the pressures of swimming while pregnant. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their jawshell. They eat mucus that the nestblob creates (although the nestblob sometimes takes either type of larva to supplement its diet) and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guidelet to make a nest with. The children of the jawshell (which follow the mother, and are tolerated) are attracted to the hive-forming pheremones, and a suitable animal is chosen and burrowed into. They then leave to find a new area to live.
MOVEMENT: They move by rippling their foot, swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have simple jets on their side-gills, which they use to make fine movement.
EATING: It impales nearby blobs and digests them by drawing them into the tentacles. After many generations, they are finally able to reliably prey on fast swimmers, and their poison has changed to a venom. They still have the rather inefficient absorbing-via-tentacle feeding method.
PREDATION: Some species of jawworm are able to feed on the tentaclets. Most smaller creatures are on the menu.
COMPETITION: They have little competition for their niche.
ENVIRONMENT: A shallow sub-tropical sea. Layers upon layers of various types of blobs have built massive networks of reefs. Tentablobs grow above the rest, filtering food from the open water, while crawlers of various species create ditches and clear space. Aciblobs fill the majority of space for animal life, burrowing and swimming and crawling on the seafloor. Flapworms have migrated from the open ocean, and are efficient filter-feeders and danger-avoiders. Jawworms have also arrived recently, and hunt free-swimming animals. Hive nestblobs are animals a metre or so wide, and live inside the symbiot jawshell.

NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: Open ocean, temperate reef, tropical reef, murky estuary
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: sjm9876 on May 06, 2013, 05:13:27 am
Evolve the ability to release hormones to control the symbiots. (Hivemind ftw ;) )
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 06, 2013, 05:16:01 am
Evolve the ability to release hormones to control the symbiots. (Hivemind ftw ;) )
Duly noted. Also, guys, I added a little thing on the bottom. Because I've remembered to add it.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 06, 2013, 06:10:30 am
Anchor hive to jawshell, insert electrical nematocyst into nervous system, take control?
all of my yes

Mine too.  We're basically evolving into an illithid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illithid), let's get on with out-thinking and mind-controlling our opponents.

Also, our tentacles should probably start conducting acid and digestive enzymes, instead of (or in addition to) poison.  It will help us get through shells in a grapple, if it comes down to that.  And eventually, through skulls to the delicious brains.
this is also part of my yes
and this is part of my no. this is unimaginative.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 06, 2013, 06:12:19 am
Anchor hive to jawshell, insert electrical nematocyst into nervous system, take control?
all of my yes

Mine too.  We're basically evolving into an illithid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illithid), let's get on with out-thinking and mind-controlling our opponents.

Also, our tentacles should probably start conducting acid and digestive enzymes, instead of (or in addition to) poison.  It will help us get through shells in a grapple, if it comes down to that.  And eventually, through skulls to the delicious brains.
this is also part of my yes
and this is part of my no. this is unimaginative.
Too late, we already turned it into a motorhome.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 06, 2013, 07:00:16 am
Dammit!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on May 06, 2013, 09:21:09 am
So, we are evolving into a kind of sea-like zerg species?

Anyway. Develop senses. Invade tropical reef (while being in this place, also).
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 06, 2013, 10:13:20 am
So, we are evolving into a kind of sea-like zerg species?

Anyway. Develop senses. Invade tropical reef (while being in this place, also).

Our ancestors would still be in the sub-tropics, but we'd have to evolve to a new species to cope with the environment.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on May 06, 2013, 12:11:46 pm
So, we are evolving into a kind of sea-like zerg species?

Anyway. Develop senses. Invade tropical reef (while being in this place, also).

Our ancestors would still be in the sub-tropics, but we'd have to evolve to a new species to cope with the environment.
So, we will only be able to control the species of only one environment?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 06, 2013, 12:22:13 pm
Invade the murky estuary..  We're adapted to function without being able to see, it will help to colonize an area where nobody can see much.

Adapt one bone spike tentacle into a toothed, rasping tongue.  We can use it to bore through and eat critters inside protective shells, and scrape snacks off rocks.  Develop a specialized true digestive tract.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 06, 2013, 12:34:06 pm
Invade the murky estuary..  We're adapted to function without being able to see, it will help to colonize an area where nobody can see much.

Adapt one bone spike tentacle into a toothed, rasping tongue.  We can use it to bore through and eat critters inside protective shells, and scrape snacks off rocks.  Develop a specialized true digestive tract.
+1'ing this. Improve non-light based senses.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 06, 2013, 12:41:32 pm
+1 improve non-visual senses.

We may also need to be a stronger swimmer if we're going to move around the river mouth.  Alternatively we might be able to use our spiketacles as clawed legs and crawl along the river bottom.  Anyway improve our ability to move when the current is fighting us.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 06, 2013, 02:32:19 pm
+1 to the spiked tongue and nonsight senses improvement.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 06, 2013, 03:12:46 pm
Okay, I've decided that (until the game gets bigger) 4 people voting shall lead to a new evolution, unless it's got the votes too spread out.

Also, very quick MSPaint scribble. (http://ellyszootycooner.deviantart.com/art/Symbio-trio-370092502?ga_submit_new=10%253A1367871123)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 06, 2013, 04:35:54 pm
Anchor hive to jawshell, insert electrical nematocyst into nervous system, take control?
all of my yes
Mine too.  We're basically evolving into an illithid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illithid), let's get on with out-thinking and mind-controlling our opponents.
Don't be crazy. Illithids are cephalopods!


Anyways...yeah, improve senses, make a radula, and expand our range.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 06, 2013, 07:44:21 pm
That looks like four votes for raspy mouth thing and four votes for improved nonvisual perception to me.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: killerhellhound on May 06, 2013, 07:58:46 pm
That looks like four votes for raspy mouth thing and four votes for improved nonvisual perception to me.
five now  :D
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 06, 2013, 08:06:30 pm
That looks like four votes for raspy mouth thing and four votes for improved nonvisual perception to me.
five now  :Dsix.
Nope.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 07, 2013, 09:58:30 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Senses- 5, Rasper/radula- 5

(It went without a hitch. For once.)

The estuarine shoalcore is the newest descendant of the original swimemone. These animals, as their names suggest, live in estuaries. Their keen non-visual senses are the main reason that they reign supreme in their murky environment. They have a superb sense of smell, which they use to home in on a potential meal. Their pressure-senses let them find any over-active animals, while their electrical senses mean that even the most well-hidden creatures aren't safe, and their fates are sealed the moment their hearts beat or their tentacles twitch. Even shelled animals aren't safe, as the bottom one of their seven tentacles has transformed into a radula that can bore a hole in the toughest of casings. They manually move their hives by making the hivecase grab them in their tentacles, before it gets dragged into a new location. The hivecases and shoalcores both use the guidelings to gather food, either by helping home in on unnoticed or too-fast prey or by being directly devoured. The hive has developed a cattle caste, which is used to keep their hivecase and its offspring well-fed.

The hivecase is the jawshell's descendant. It feeds near-exclusively on cattle guidelings.

The hive is the nestblob's descendant. It has three castes: the soldier, the guide and the cattle castes.

This estuarine habitat is completely devoid of competitors, because of the shoalcore's ability to sneak up on jawshells and other predators unnoticed.

GENERATION 7:
Symbiot swimemone
A murky green-and-brown tentacled fish-like animal that hunts in the low visibility of the estuary. They swim with their powerful tails and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They grow up to 70 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations in the water from moving creatures.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they meet a mate they approve of, and growths grow on the area of the body derived from the bases of the tentacles. Younger animals are mostly male, and older animals are female, due to the pressures of swimming while pregnant. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hivecore. They eat mucus that the hive creates (although the nestblob sometimes takes either type of larva to supplement its diet) and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with. The children of the hivecore (which follow the mother and are looked after by the guidelings) are attracted to the hive-forming pheremones, and a suitable animal is chosen and burrowed into. They then leave to find a new area to live.
MOVEMENT: They move by swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have jets which also function as their gills, which they use to make fine movement.
EATING: It impales nearby blobs and digests them by drawing them into the tentacles. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. They still have the rather inefficient absorbing-via-tentacle feeding method.
PREDATION: Some species of jawworm are able to feed on the tentaclets. Everything is dinner for an adult estuarine shoalcore.
COMPETITION: They have no competition.
ENVIRONMENT: A murky shallow estuary.  Various species of worms (collective small ancestors of aciblobs and crawlers) burrow in the muck or swim around to filter-feed or hunt. It is usually fresh-water, although tides can cause an influx of salt.

NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: subtropical reef, wide murky river
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 07, 2013, 10:17:28 am
How about we develop a one end digestion circuit. Just a sack in which to keep the food while it's being digested.

Like jellyfish, kinda.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on May 07, 2013, 10:20:45 am
How about we develop a one end digestion circuit. Just a sack in which to keep the food while it's being digested.

Like jellyfish, kinda.
+1
We have to use this stage without pressures to evolve into a more advanced being.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 07, 2013, 12:47:34 pm
How about we develop a one end digestion circuit. Just a sack in which to keep the food while it's being digested.

Like jellyfish, kinda.

I'm not convinced that a one end circuit is the best approach, but I agree that we need to improve our feeding method, and should do it while everything in our world is food.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 07, 2013, 12:52:20 pm
Well, It's kinda a stretch to develop a complete digestion system at once.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: sjm9876 on May 07, 2013, 12:54:47 pm
I say we evolve greater swimming abilities, and spread into the river itself.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on May 07, 2013, 12:58:01 pm
I say we evolve greater swimming abilities, and spread into the river itself.
Shhhh. We are already in a good place, lets focus in improvig ourselves and being a more complex and advanced organism.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 07, 2013, 01:26:55 pm
I say we evolve greater swimming abilities, and spread into the river itself.
Shhhh. We are already in a good place, lets focus in improvig ourselves and being a more complex and advanced organism.
Also, switching from salt  to sweet water might have some complications.

And I'm not sure our nests can survive there. Would be problematic if they get swept away.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 07, 2013, 02:02:47 pm
I say we evolve greater swimming abilities, and spread into the river itself.
I say we evolve speed and intelligence, so we can be fast and advanced, and evolve the tolerance to live both in the saltier water here and in the fresher water of the river.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: jaccarmac on May 07, 2013, 02:06:27 pm
The other ideas seem kinda far out, so I'll +1 the one-end digestive system idea.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 07, 2013, 02:54:14 pm
Me too. It'll force us to have efficient digestion, and no waste.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 07, 2013, 03:27:14 pm
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Advanced digestive system- 6
GM's choice- 4

(The dice gods favour your humbleness, but I thought I'd give you a little extra.)

The ungutted shoalcore is a shoalcore with simple guts. Sacs under each of its tentacles make it a far more efficient hunter, as it can digest a meal while still grabbing another. The radula has moved further towards the centre of the mouth, while the reproductive system has moved upwards and outside of the mouth, as it is now a hole just behind the top set of tentacles. As a side note, the radula and moved reproduction system have changed the creature's head, splitting the 6 non-radula tentacles into two halves on either side of the mouth. The solid material of the fangs have spread into a hard but flexible strip running down the outside of the tentacles and into the head, giving it a more powerful piercing bite.

The hivecase is the jawshell's descendant. It feeds near-exclusively on cattle guidelings.

The hive is the nestblob's descendant. It has three castes: the soldier, the guide and the cattle castes.

This estuarine habitat is completely devoid of competitors, because of the shoalcore's ability to sneak up on jawshells and other predators unnoticed. However, the newfound efficiency of this predator is causing food sources to drop.

GENERATION 9:
Ungutted shoalcore
A murky green-and-brown tentacled fish-like animal that hunts in the low visibility of the estuary. They swim with their powerful tails and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They grow up to 50 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations in the water from moving creatures.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they meet a mate they approve of, and growths grow on the area of the body derived from the bases of the tentacles. Younger animals are mostly male, and older animals are female, due to the pressures of swimming while pregnant. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hivecore. They eat mucus that the hive creates (although the nestblob sometimes takes either type of larva to supplement its diet) and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with. The children of the hivecore (which follow the mother and are looked after by the guidelings) are attracted to the hive-forming pheremones, and a suitable animal is chosen and burrowed into. They then leave to find a new area to live.
MOVEMENT: They move by swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have jets which also function as their gills, which they use to make fine movement.
EATING: It impales nearby blobs and digests them by drawing them into the tentacles. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. They still have the rather inefficient absorbing-via-tentacle feeding method.
PREDATION: Some species of jawworm are able to feed on the tentaclets. Everything is dinner for an adult estuarine shoalcore.
COMPETITION: They have no competition.
ENVIRONMENT: A murky shallow estuary.  Various species of worms (collective small ancestors of aciblobs and crawlers) burrow in the muck or swim around to filter-feed or hunt. It is usually fresh-water, although tides can cause an influx of salt.

NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: subtropical reef, wide murky river
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 07, 2013, 03:30:22 pm
Communication. Let's evolve a way to speak with our symbiots and other members of our species.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 07, 2013, 03:42:37 pm
Communication is good.  We don't need talk, simple bee-like signals will do for now.  I want to know what's further up the river, but don't want to commit to moving there in case the food thins out more the further upstream we go.  Communication would enable us to do some scouting.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 07, 2013, 04:23:26 pm
Communication is good. Use sacks to create vibrations, perceived by our kind's acute senses.
I have a bit of trouble to figure out what we are right now. Can someone explain me?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 07, 2013, 04:26:01 pm
Sort of like a cuttlefish, from what I hear.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 07, 2013, 04:37:33 pm
And the different castes?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 07, 2013, 04:39:06 pm
Sort of like little tentacled minnows.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Cheesecake on May 07, 2013, 05:56:10 pm
+1 to communication. When food finally thins out, move to the river.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 07, 2013, 07:39:18 pm
+1 to Communication

+1 to "What the hack ARE we?!?"
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 08, 2013, 01:59:39 am
TO MSPaint SCRIBBLING!!!

Also, another evolution or two to use might be nice.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 08, 2013, 02:04:42 am
Communication is good.  We don't need talk, simple bee-like signals will do for now.  I want to know what's further up the river, but don't want to commit to moving there in case the food thins out more the further upstream we go.  Communication would enable us to do some scouting.
+1 to the communication and scouting.
...
Scout caste?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 08, 2013, 02:12:14 am
The spots on the side are the jets/gills, the spot at the top is the reproductive one. The radula is hidden. (http://ellyszootycooner.deviantart.com/art/Ungutted-shoalcore-370378697?ga_submit_new=10%253A1367997067)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 08, 2013, 02:36:18 am
Communication already has plenty of votes to pass.

+1 to making a dedicated scout caste.  We seem to be more about specializing our juvenile stages/subspecies than specializing our body, anyway.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 08, 2013, 02:37:22 am
Anyone realize we're slowly turning into the Locusts from Independence Day?
Note: Proof computers against Macs.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 08, 2013, 03:50:36 am
MSPaint scribble is nice, but I was asking details about the different castes and subspecies. We used to parasitate something if I understood well...
At some point we had the big adult and the little juveniles swimming around it. Then the adult entered an ammonit, the juveniles became a caste, and then I got lost.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 08, 2013, 07:17:52 am
We need to watch out that we don't run out of food.

Evolve the capability to eat plants. As an added bonus, absorb their chlorophyll
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 08, 2013, 09:43:54 am
At some point we had the big adult and the little juveniles swimming around it. Then the adult entered an ammonit, the juveniles became a caste, and then I got lost.

The original used the tentaclets of a crawler to find food, and the adult to use as a nursery for its own tentaclets.

Then the adult crawler became a 'queen' caste, and most of the young stayed as tentaclets.

After that, the jawshell's shell became a container for the adult crawler, as well as others. Meanwhile, a soldier caste evolved.

The most recent notable evolution was the evolution of a cattle castes, that is eaten by the adult crawler (now the hive) and the jawshell (the hivecase).
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 08, 2013, 01:13:29 pm
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Better communication- 1

(oooh, buuurn)

Lesser shoalcores are smaller relatives of the shoalcores in the tropical reefs. They have shrunk in size compared to their ancestor. This has shrunk their electrical charge and pheromone glands, too, shrinking communication range. Their smaller size is due to the lack of prey for a large animal in this environment. As a side note, they do far better in fresh water than their ancestors did.

The hivecase is the jawshell's descendant. It feeds near-exclusively on cattle guidelings.

The hive is the nestblob's descendant. It has three castes: the soldier, the guide and the cattle castes.

The worms of the habitat are beginning to put up a fight. Most notably, the spearfaced worm is a bottom-crawler that is nearly as large as us, and is as toxic to us as we are to it. The bottom-living worms that make up a large part of our diet are being taken by this predator.

GENERATION 9:
Ungutted shoalcore
A murky green-and-brown tentacled fish-like animal that hunts in the low visibility of the estuary. They swim with their powerful tails and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They grow up to 30 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations in the water from moving creatures.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they meet a mate they approve of, and growths grow inside of the womb. Younger animals are mostly male, and older animals are female, due to the pressures of swimming while pregnant. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hivecore. They eat mucus that the hive creates (although the nestblob sometimes takes either type of larva to supplement its diet) and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with. The children of the hivecore (which follow the mother and are looked after by the guidelings) are attracted to the hive-forming pheremones, and a suitable animal is chosen and burrowed into. They then leave to find a new area to live.
MOVEMENT: They move by swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have jets which also function as their gills, which they use to make fine movement.
EATING: It impales nearby blobs and digests them by drawing them into the tentacles. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom.
PREDATION: Some species of jawworm are able to feed on the tentaclets. Other than that, the shoalcore is safe.
COMPETITION: The spearfaced worm has keen vision and an even better sense of smell. Tentacles along its back can feel our approach through pressure waves in the water.
ENVIRONMENT: A murky shallow estuary.  Various species of worms (collective small ancestors of aciblobs and crawlers) burrow in the muck or swim around to filter-feed or hunt. It is usually fresh-water, although tides can cause an influx of salt.

NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: subtropical reef, wide murky river
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 08, 2013, 01:21:57 pm
We need to watch out that we don't run out of food.

Evolve the capability to eat plants. As an added bonus, absorb their chlorophyll

Develop terretorial tendencies. Ie, attacking competing enemy predators (Recognise each other by pheromone). We can kill them, even if we can't eat them.

Develop larger social cohesion. Ie, better team work allowing some to hunt up/down stream, while a few stay to guard the nest.

Become larger again by increasing energy efficiency.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 08, 2013, 01:28:32 pm
At some point we had the big adult and the little juveniles swimming around it. Then the adult entered an ammonit, the juveniles became a caste, and then I got lost.

The original used the tentaclets of a crawler to find food, and the adult to use as a nursery for its own tentaclets.

Then the adult crawler became a 'queen' caste, and most of the young stayed as tentaclets.

After that, the jawshell's shell became a container for the adult crawler, as well as others. Meanwhile, a soldier caste evolved.

The most recent notable evolution was the evolution of a cattle castes, that is eaten by the adult crawler (now the hive) and the jawshell (the hivecase).
that... doesn't help me much.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 08, 2013, 01:31:36 pm
At some point we had the big adult and the little juveniles swimming around it. Then the adult entered an ammonit, the juveniles became a caste, and then I got lost.

The original used the tentaclets of a crawler to find food, and the adult to use as a nursery for its own tentaclets.

Then the adult crawler became a 'queen' caste, and most of the young stayed as tentaclets.

After that, the jawshell's shell became a container for the adult crawler, as well as others. Meanwhile, a soldier caste evolved.

The most recent notable evolution was the evolution of a cattle castes, that is eaten by the adult crawler (now the hive) and the jawshell (the hivecase).
that... doesn't help me much.
Oh yeah I was supposed to be saying what's going on instead of evolution stuff. durp

The shoalcore is the big one that's swimming around.

The hivecase is the ammonite thing, and it contains the hive. The hive is the one that gives birth to the guidelings. The guidlings have three castes: A cattle caste (that fattens up and is eaten by the hive and hivecase), a guider caste (that's the one that searches for food with the shoalcore) and the soldier caste (which guards the shoalcore or the hive).
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 08, 2013, 01:58:12 pm
This water isn't murky enough.  We need to blind the sighted bastards.

Develop melanin glands connected to our neurotoxin ducts, and surrounding muscles capable of powerful contraction.  When fully developed, we should be able to squirt out a stream (cloud, underwater) of ink that also has numbing (possibly paralyzing) effects.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 08, 2013, 02:00:11 pm
This water isn't murky enough.  We need to blind the sighted bastards.

Develop melanin glands connected to our neurotoxin ducts, and surrounding muscles capable of powerful contraction.  When fully developed, we should be able to squirt out a stream (cloud, underwater) of ink that also has numbing (possibly paralyzing) effects.
+1 for Deadly Neurotoxin Ink Cloud.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 08, 2013, 02:08:21 pm
The shoalcore is the big one that's swimming around.

The hivecase is the ammonite thing, and it contains the hive. The hive is the one that gives birth to the guidelings. The guidlings have three castes: A cattle caste (that fattens up and is eaten by the hive and hivecase), a guider caste (that's the one that searches for food with the shoalcore) and the soldier caste (which guards the shoalcore or the hive).
Aaaah, now I see!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: jaccarmac on May 08, 2013, 02:28:19 pm
+1 for Deadly Neurotoxin Ink Cloud.

Yes. I agree. +1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 08, 2013, 02:42:20 pm
+1 for neurotoxin cloud, +1 for what ebbor said.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Cheesecake on May 08, 2013, 05:14:57 pm
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 08, 2013, 05:16:05 pm
+1
I believe this suggestion adequately summarizes the discussion.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: cheesemcmuffin88 on May 08, 2013, 05:50:50 pm
First Time posting so bear with me i do believe something to consider would be a brain ganglion which would allow us at least a more advanced processing center for are cells and a quicker reaction speed.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 08, 2013, 07:07:23 pm
+1 for Deadly Neurotoxin Ink Cloud.
Yes. I agree. +1
We do what we must, because we can. +1

First Time posting so bear with me i do believe something to consider would be a brain ganglion which would allow us at least a more advanced processing center for are cells and a quicker reaction speed.
Greetings!
If we don't have anything like this already, +1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: killerhellhound on May 08, 2013, 07:34:48 pm
First Time posting so bear with me i do believe something to consider would be a brain ganglion which would allow us at least a more advanced processing center for are cells and a quicker reaction speed.
welcome to the nicest place on the internet now could you kindly transport these kittens to the butchers then could you kindly check on the mermaids they sould have some kids we can sell as bones
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 08, 2013, 07:36:30 pm
First Time posting so bear with me i do believe something to consider would be a brain ganglion which would allow us at least a more advanced processing center for are cells and a quicker reaction speed.
welcome to the nicest place on the internet now could you kindly transport these kittens to the butchers then could you kindly check on the mermaids they sould have some kids we can sell as bones
What Starbucks Dice here is saying is welcome!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on May 08, 2013, 07:38:30 pm
First Time posting so bear with me i do believe something to consider would be a brain ganglion which would allow us at least a more advanced processing center for are cells and a quicker reaction speed.
welcome to the nicest place on the internet now could you kindly transport these kittens to the butchers then could you kindly check on the mermaids they sould have some kids we can sell as bones
What Starbucks Dice here is saying is welcome!
Welcome fleshling! May your conversion to the Toad be quick and painless!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: killerhellhound on May 08, 2013, 07:48:19 pm
First Time posting so bear with me i do believe something to consider would be a brain ganglion which would allow us at least a more advanced processing center for are cells and a quicker reaction speed.
welcome to the nicest place on the internet now could you kindly transport these kittens to the butchers then could you kindly check on the mermaids they sould have some kids we can sell as bones
What Starbucks Dice here is saying is welcome!
Welcome fleshling! May your conversion to the Toad be quick and painless!
that reminds me I still have some shreads of sanity is that normal because only GWG seems to have sanity here
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: flame99 on May 08, 2013, 08:04:21 pm
+1 for Deadly Neurotoxin Ink Cloud.

Yes. I agree. +1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 08, 2013, 08:16:41 pm
First Time posting so bear with me i do believe something to consider would be a brain ganglion which would allow us at least a more advanced processing center for are cells and a quicker reaction speed.
welcome to the nicest place on the internet now could you kindly transport these kittens to the butchers then could you kindly check on the mermaids they sould have some kids we can sell as bones
What Starbucks Dice here is saying is welcome!
Welcome fleshling! May your conversion to the Toad be quick and painless!
that reminds me I still have some shreads of sanity is that normal because only GWG seems to have sanity here
Everyone needs their own brand of madness, maybe yours is mocking sanity. Have some falcons and bathrobes.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: killerhellhound on May 08, 2013, 09:06:25 pm
First Time posting so bear with me i do believe something to consider would be a brain ganglion which would allow us at least a more advanced processing center for are cells and a quicker reaction speed.
welcome to the nicest place on the internet now could you kindly transport these kittens to the butchers then could you kindly check on the mermaids they sould have some kids we can sell as bones
What Starbucks Dice here is saying is welcome!
Welcome fleshling! May your conversion to the Toad be quick and painless!
that reminds me I still have some shreads of sanity is that normal because only GWG seems to have sanity here
Everyone needs their own brand of madness, maybe yours is mocking sanity. Have some falcons and bathrobes.
thanks here have some cookies they are just out of the oven
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kahn1234 on May 09, 2013, 02:46:44 am
I think we need to develop some god damned eyes!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 09, 2013, 02:50:10 am
I think we need to develop some god damned eyes!
No we don't. Eyes are pretty useless in murky water, and rather hard to develop anyway.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kahn1234 on May 09, 2013, 02:50:45 am
I think we need to develop some god damned eyes!
No we don't. Eyes are pretty useless in murky water, and rather hard to develop anyway.

We need eyes eventually though.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 09, 2013, 02:52:05 am
I think we need to develop some god damned eyes!
No we don't. Eyes are pretty useless in murky water, and rather hard to develop anyway.
We need eyes eventually though.
No we don't. Plenty of blind species in the world.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kahn1234 on May 09, 2013, 02:52:57 am
I think we need to develop some god damned eyes!
No we don't. Eyes are pretty useless in murky water, and rather hard to develop anyway.
We need eyes eventually though.
No we don't. Plenty of blind species in the world.

And they are far from being dominant. If we ever progress to land, we need eyes.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 09, 2013, 02:57:06 am
Depends on how you calculate dominant. Plenty of biotopes and niches in which "good" eyes are not important. We're in one of those.

Also, why would we ever progress to land. We haven't got a skeleton, breathing system, structural support, digestion system, and our natural weaponry and movements systems are useless there.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kahn1234 on May 09, 2013, 02:58:35 am
Depends on how you calculate dominant. Plenty of biotopes and niches in which "good" eyes are not important. We're in one of those.

Also, why would we ever progress to land. We haven't got a skeleton, breathing system, structural support, digestion system, and our natural weaponry and movements systems are useless there.

we may want to progress to land later on, or we may more to a different biome.

I'm not saying replace what we have with eyes, just add eyes on top, even if they aren't much use at the moment.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 09, 2013, 03:03:01 am
Depends on how you calculate dominant. Plenty of biotopes and niches in which "good" eyes are not important. We're in one of those.

Also, why would we ever progress to land. We haven't got a skeleton, breathing system, structural support, digestion system, and our natural weaponry and movements systems are useless there.

we may want to progress to land later on, or we may more to a different biome.

I'm not saying replace what we have with eyes, just add eyes on top, even if they aren't much use at the moment.
Eh, right now we don't really need them.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 09, 2013, 04:26:43 am
no, no need for eyes. +1 to brain.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Cheesecake on May 09, 2013, 04:33:05 am
+1 to brain and body structure. Maybe cartilage because it's light and we're doing pretty nicely without bones anyway.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: arbiter787 on May 09, 2013, 04:36:41 am
+1 to brain and body structure. Maybe cartilage because it's light and we're doing pretty nicely without bones anyway.
Yes, +1 to brain and some sort of structure, preferably cartilage.

((Hope you guys don't mind if I drop in every now and then :P))
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 09, 2013, 04:54:54 am
(mispost)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 09, 2013, 06:29:16 am
I think we need to develop some god damned eyes!
No we don't. Eyes are pretty useless in murky water, and rather hard to develop anyway.
We need eyes eventually though.
Why?
Eyes are only "dominant" because those clades that are unusually good at adapting happened to have eyes as an ancestral characteristic. If the ancestral chordates had electricity-sensitive rather than light-sensitive cells, we would be arguing over electric sense vs. that crazy light-sense. Also, as noted, many creatures lost their eyes, so clearly they aren't all that important...especially if we have a variety of other senses that can be used in their stead.
And look at our creature. Its closest parallels are cephalopods and cnidarians, two clades which have not ever had a terrestrial member. What makes you think we're going on land any time soon?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 09, 2013, 09:42:08 am
I think we need to develop some god damned eyes!
No we don't. Eyes are pretty useless in murky water, and rather hard to develop anyway.
We need eyes eventually though.
Why?
Eyes are only "dominant" because those clades that are unusually good at adapting happened to have eyes as an ancestral characteristic. If the ancestral chordates had electricity-sensitive rather than light-sensitive cells, we would be arguing over electric sense vs. that crazy light-sense. Also, as noted, many creatures lost their eyes, so clearly they aren't all that important...especially if we have a variety of other senses that can be used in their stead.
And look at our creature. Its closest parallels are cephalopods and cnidarians, two clades which have not ever had a terrestrial member. What makes you think we're going on land any time soon?
Because if we want to be able to make nukes, we'll need fire to smelt the materials. And I'd say we're more fish with tentacle faces and deathcloud-makers in their gills. And pocket guts. And fangs. And a radula.
Okay we have many features from octoPODES but we look like a pretty fishy.
And that spearface guy might make nukes before us if we don't get onto land eventually.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 09, 2013, 11:54:23 am
Did I miss a key post?  I saw a lot of support for modifying the neurotoxin delivery system to to enable squirting the stuff out into a cloud of inky nastiness, but no actual confirmation that we got it nor how well it worked.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 09, 2013, 12:01:30 pm
That's still yet to be updated. Having a ALL-THE-VIDEO-GAMES day today, so the update might be tomorrow.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 09, 2013, 05:40:33 pm
I think we need to develop some god damned eyes!
No we don't. Eyes are pretty useless in murky water, and rather hard to develop anyway.
We need eyes eventually though.
Why?
Eyes are only "dominant" because those clades that are unusually good at adapting happened to have eyes as an ancestral characteristic. If the ancestral chordates had electricity-sensitive rather than light-sensitive cells, we would be arguing over electric sense vs. that crazy light-sense. Also, as noted, many creatures lost their eyes, so clearly they aren't all that important...especially if we have a variety of other senses that can be used in their stead.
And look at our creature. Its closest parallels are cephalopods and cnidarians, two clades which have not ever had a terrestrial member. What makes you think we're going on land any time soon?
Because if we want to be able to make nukes, we'll need fire to smelt the materials. And I'd say we're more fish with tentacle faces and deathcloud-makers in their gills. And pocket guts. And fangs. And a radula.
Okay we have many features from octoPODES but we look like a pretty fishy.
And that spearface guy might make nukes before us if we don't get onto land eventually.
1. What makes you think that we want nukes?
2. What makes you think that Bay12 can't come up with a way for aquatic animals to create a nuclear-age civilization?
3. Since this is an evolutionary suggestion game, what makes you sure we'd be able to control our civilization?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: arbiter787 on May 09, 2013, 11:35:55 pm
I think we need to develop some god damned eyes!
No we don't. Eyes are pretty useless in murky water, and rather hard to develop anyway.
We need eyes eventually though.
Why?
Eyes are only "dominant" because those clades that are unusually good at adapting happened to have eyes as an ancestral characteristic. If the ancestral chordates had electricity-sensitive rather than light-sensitive cells, we would be arguing over electric sense vs. that crazy light-sense. Also, as noted, many creatures lost their eyes, so clearly they aren't all that important...especially if we have a variety of other senses that can be used in their stead.
And look at our creature. Its closest parallels are cephalopods and cnidarians, two clades which have not ever had a terrestrial member. What makes you think we're going on land any time soon?
Because if we want to be able to make nukes, we'll need fire to smelt the materials. And I'd say we're more fish with tentacle faces and deathcloud-makers in their gills. And pocket guts. And fangs. And a radula.
Okay we have many features from octoPODES but we look like a pretty fishy.
And that spearface guy might make nukes before us if we don't get onto land eventually.
1. What makes you think that we want nukes?
2. What makes you think that Bay12 can't come up with a way for aquatic animals to create a nuclear-age civilization?
3. Since this is an evolutionary suggestion game, what makes you sure we'd be able to control our civilization?
I think nukes and stuff would be cool, but I agree with GreatWyrm. We can develop that stuff underwater somehow, and it would be cool to be blind, relying on electro-sense and smell the whole time.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 10, 2013, 03:38:37 am
C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!

When you said "submarine atomic civilization", mmy thoughts wandered to a decade-old wonderful strategy game, "Submarine titans". I found an image of the alien civilization base, unfortunately about to be crushed by a group of humans.

Spoiler: Warning, big image. (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 10, 2013, 05:03:19 am
Wouldn't electrosense allow us to use electrically based tools from a distance? It's the equivalent of looking at the steering wheel to turn left.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 10, 2013, 05:08:52 am
Unlikely. In this case, observing the object doesn't change it.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 10, 2013, 05:55:17 am
Wouldn't electrosense allow us to use electrically based tools from a distance? It's the equivalent of looking at the steering wheel to turn left.
absolutely not. It's like assuming we can use light-based tool with our eyes.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 10, 2013, 09:54:57 am
The main problem with an underwater civilisation is a lack of smelting. Still, civilisation is only an option, so nyeh.

And update nearly here. I just wrote this post in the way.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 10, 2013, 10:24:32 am
The main problem with an underwater civilisation is a lack of smelting.
I beg to differ
(http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/04fire/background/volcanism/pillow_lava_220.jpg)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 10, 2013, 10:47:01 am
The main problem with an underwater civilisation is a lack of smelting.
I beg to differ
(http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/04fire/background/volcanism/pillow_lava_220.jpg)
Since I'm lazy, have a discussion on whether aquatic sapients are plausible or not. (http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5086318/1/)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: sjm9876 on May 10, 2013, 11:28:17 am
The main problem with an underwater civilisation is a lack of smelting.
I beg to differ
(http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/04fire/background/volcanism/pillow_lava_220.jpg)
Since I'm lazy, have a discussion on whether aquatic sapients are plausible or not. (http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5086318/1/)

Surely the importance of metals is somewhat mitigated by the fact water will take a some of the weight of a structure. And metal and electricity aren't really necessary either. We already effectively have mobile houses. Anyway, speculation.
+1 to brain and structural strength.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 10, 2013, 03:07:21 pm
Wouldn't electrosense allow us to use electrically based tools from a distance? It's the equivalent of looking at the steering wheel to turn left.
absolutely not. It's like assuming we can use light-based tool with our eyes.
Funnily enough, there are devices that can be operated with the eyes, intended for quadrepalegics IIRC.
Devices which are operated by electrosense are probably a good bit above electricity in the metaphorical tech tree, but they're probably doable.

The main problem with an underwater civilisation is a lack of smelting.
Why is metal so needed for civilization? It's one thing, and a thing many peoples lived without, and several empires arose with very little of.
And why is smelting needed? Presumably you can cold-forge metals underwater as well as on land.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 10, 2013, 03:14:11 pm
The main problem with an underwater civilisation is a lack of smelting.
Why is metal so needed for civilization? It's one thing, and a thing many peoples lived without, and several empires arose with very little of.
And why is smelting needed? Presumably you can cold-forge metals underwater as well as on land.
It's more 'industrial civilisation' than 'sapience' I'm on about. But DANG YOU ME YOU POSTED IN AN ARGUMENT AGAIN.

Okay. Someone make sure there's no posts I need to respond to until I can get the next update up.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 10, 2013, 05:21:39 pm
The main problem with an underwater civilisation is a lack of smelting.
Why is metal so needed for civilization? It's one thing, and a thing many peoples lived without, and several empires arose with very little of.
And why is smelting needed? Presumably you can cold-forge metals underwater as well as on land.
It's more 'industrial civilisation' than 'sapience' I'm on about.
Well, industry would take a while to get off the ground, but as long as you don't take a definition of "industry" that specifically requires steel, stem power, or whatever, I don't see why--

Quote
Okay. Someone make sure there's no posts I need to respond to until I can get the next update up.
--oops.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 10, 2013, 05:45:45 pm
(SCREW THAT LET'S GET AN UPDATE UP)

EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Omnivory- 4, Territorial against other predators- 5, Stable mobs- 6, Neurotoxic ink clouds- 2+2=4, Respiration efficiency- 4, Intelligence- 2+1=3

Mafia shoalcores move, live and nest as a group. This means that there's always a defense against predators at the nest, and there's always some spare guidelings lying around. They have adapted to feed off of seeds that have floated down from the river. They drive out spearfaced worms from their territory, and this has shaped the environment of the area, given how both species affect the environment with their methods of hunting. They have developed toxic clouds of ink near the front of their gills, letting them shoot it forwards by shunting water through the gills. The gills have grown fleshy lobes, increasing the surface area. They have quicker reaction time now, thanks to a slightly more specialised brain.

The hivecase is the jawshell's descendant. It feeds near-exclusively on cattle guidelings.

The hive is the nestblob's descendant. It has three castes: the soldier, the guide and the cattle castes.

Spearfaced worms are still our biggest enemy. However, we have managed to form an equilibrium. This causes large depressions from the shoalcore's methods of moving dirt into the current while digging, and large mounds when spearfaced worms dig nests of their own.

GENERATION 11:
Mafia shoalcore
A murky green-and-brown tentacled fish-like animal that hunts in the low visibility of the estuary. They swim with their powerful tails and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They grow up to 35 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations in the water from moving creatures.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they meet a mate they approve of, and growths grow inside of the womb. Younger animals are mostly male, and older animals are female, due to the pressures of swimming while pregnant. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hivecore. They eat mucus that the hive creates (although the nestblob sometimes takes either type of larva to supplement its diet) and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with. The children of the hivecore (which follow the mother and are looked after by the guidelings) are attracted to the hive-forming pheremones, and a suitable animal is chosen and burrowed into. They then leave to find a new area to live.
MOVEMENT: They move by swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have jets which also function as their gills, which they use to make fine movement.
EATING: It impales nearby blobs and digests them by drawing them into the tentacles. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from unearthed mud worms.
PREDATION: Some species of jawworm are able to feed on the tentaclets. Other than that, the shoalcore is safe.
COMPETITION: The spearfaced worm has keen vision and an even better sense of smell. Tentacles along its back can feel our approach through pressure waves in the water. It is highly aggressive towards us, and its elongated spears can keep it out of range of our various toxins.
ENVIRONMENT: A murky shallow estuary.  Various species of worms (collective small ancestors of aciblobs and crawlers) burrow in the muck or swim around to filter-feed or hunt. It is usually fresh-water, although tides can cause an influx of salt.

NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: subtropical reef, wide murky river

ENVIRONMENTAL ALERT- EXTINCTION EVENT
DICE ROLL- 6, MASS EXTINCTION, WORLDWIDE DISASTER

The planet has been hit by a gamma ray burst. The atmosphere has, quite literally, shattered. Every live form that was in sunlight was completely and utterly annihilated.
SURVIVAL ROLL- 2
The mafia shoalcore were almost eradicated. The only survivors of the event were the tentaclets, hidden in their hives. The hivecases didn't survive, and without their protective casing, the hives almost died out as well. Competition for the few surviving hives was fierce, and in the end, the population was only just large enough to avoid death by inbreeding. The spearfaced worms have almost completely overshadowed us now, growing far larger than any complex organism the world has ever seen. We, meanwhile, are still only a local disaster away from extinction.

POST-EXTINCTION GENERATION 11:
Diminutive shoalcore
A murky green-and-brown tentacled fish-like animal that hunts in the low visibility of the estuary. They swim with their powerful tails and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They grow up to 15 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They are almost extinct.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations in the water from moving creatures.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they meet a mate they approve of, and growths grow inside of the womb. Younger animals are mostly male, and older animals are female, due to the pressures of swimming while pregnant. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hive. They eat mucus that the hive creates and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with.
MOVEMENT: They move by swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have jets which also function as their gills, which they use to make fine movement.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the tentacles. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from unearthed mud worms.
PREDATION: The larger species of jawworm and spearfaced worm may prey on us, as long as they're immune.
COMPETITION: Our diminutive size means that we are now at the mercy of other predators. There are numerous types of predators of our size, and we are vulnerable.
ENVIRONMENT: A murky shallow estuary.  Various species of worms (collective small ancestors of aciblobs and crawlers) burrow in the muck or swim around to filter-feed or hunt. It is usually fresh-water, although tides can cause an influx of salt.

NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: subtropical rocky coast, wide murky river
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 10, 2013, 06:21:42 pm
Query: What do the Spearfaced thingies eat?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: flame99 on May 10, 2013, 06:24:52 pm
...Wow.

Niche grabbing time! We should evolve primitive lungs, enough so that we can live out of water for relatively short periods of time before needing it as a supplement. Then, change our muscle structure to allow us to wriggle powerfully, similarly to a lungfish. Change our tentacles so that some are our previous, poison-injecting tentacles, while others are more similar to spades. Re-purpose our electrosense so that we can sense vibrations in the ground. Use this to burrow in safety and locate other creatures and kill them.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 10, 2013, 06:27:08 pm
Why don't we evolve the lungs, and evolve a fast burst speed so we can leap out of the water like a flying fish?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: javierpwn on May 10, 2013, 06:27:22 pm
Query: What do the Spearfaced thingies eat?
Everything we do, including us on occassion
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 10, 2013, 06:39:02 pm
Niche grabbing time! We should evolve primitive lungs, enough so that we can live out of water for relatively short periods of time before needing it as a supplement. Then, change our muscle structure to allow us to wriggle powerfully, similarly to a lungfish. Change our tentacles so that some are our previous, poison-injecting tentacles, while others are more similar to spades. Re-purpose our electrosense so that we can sense vibrations in the ground. Use this to burrow in safety and locate other creatures and kill them.
Why, sure, alright..., and only if we can keep electrosense.

Query: What do the Spearfaced thingies eat?
Everything we do, including us on occassion
And they're bigger than anything else?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 10, 2013, 06:39:29 pm
DDDDAAAAAAAAMMMMMNNNNNNN
Of course, the only solution here is to do as the wise do: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

Become symbiotes with our predators.
Increase breeding rate.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 11, 2013, 12:42:39 am
I say we make another try at communication ability, intelligence, and neurotoxic ink.  If we can do well enough with all of those, our size doesn't matter against our enemies.  Englobe one spearfaced jerk with dozens of ourselves, release toxink all at once, eat blind convulsing dying jerk.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 11, 2013, 02:56:26 am
Just as a note.
Quote
The atmosphere has, quite literally, shattered.
Never mind the fact that Gamma ray burst don't do that(they microwave the atmosphere), I don't think it's a smart move to go out of the water now. There won't be anything alive outside the water, after all.

Become symbiotes with our predators.
Increase breeding rate.

Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 11, 2013, 02:59:07 am
Niche grabbing time! We should evolve primitive lungs, enough so that we can live out of water for relatively short periods of time before needing it as a supplement. Then, change our muscle structure to allow us to wriggle powerfully, similarly to a lungfish. Change our tentacles so that some are our previous, poison-injecting tentacles, while others are more similar to spades. Re-purpose our electrosense so that we can sense vibrations in the ground. Use this to burrow in safety and locate other creatures and kill them.
Why, sure, alright..., and only if we can keep electrosense.
We already got a basic pressure sense, so it's not mutually exclusive. And, if anyone remembers, we still got our basic eyespots.

Query: What do the Spearfaced thingies eat?
Everything we do, including us on occassion
And they're bigger than anything else?
They have much the same diet as previous bigger us: Whatever's not too toxic and not too fast, as long as it's meaty.

Also, by 'shattered' I was meaning the molecules (quoting a program with that). By now, it's largely a functional atmosphere with enough ozone to prevent us getting irradiated.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 11, 2013, 03:04:45 am
Still, there's nothing up there. Everything on the surface should 've been fried.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 11, 2013, 03:13:09 am
Still, there's nothing up there. Everything on the surface should 've been fried.
From what I can tell, that's the point. We are now midgets that are most probably going to get eaten by everything that can get its jaws around us without vomiting, and there is a total of 0 things that can do that on land.

Also, guys who already voted, we've still got 9 things without any of them having a vote higher than 4. If you see anything you like, make sure to +1 it. Also, -1 is a valid vote.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 11, 2013, 03:21:12 am
Still, there's nothing up there. Everything on the surface should 've been fried.
From what I can tell, that's the point. We are now midgets that are most probably going to get eaten by everything that can get its jaws around us without vomiting, and there is a total of 0 things that can do that on land.

Also, guys who already voted, we've still got 9 things without any of them having a vote higher than 4. If you see anything you like, make sure to +1 it. Also, -1 is a valid vote.
There's also nothing to eat on land.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 11, 2013, 03:26:46 am
Still, there's nothing up there. Everything on the surface should 've been fried.
From what I can tell, that's the point. We are now midgets that are most probably going to get eaten by everything that can get its jaws around us without vomiting, and there is a total of 0 things that can do that on land.

Also, guys who already voted, we've still got 9 things without any of them having a vote higher than 4. If you see anything you like, make sure to +1 it. Also, -1 is a valid vote.
There's also nothing to eat on land.
That's why we live in the water. We're not moving to land, we're gaining the ability to go on it if we feel like it (say, if we're being chased by a spearfaced worm).
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 11, 2013, 03:42:44 am
We need this:
(http://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/galleryformatter_slide/Flying%20Squid.png)
So +1 to out of the water (but only temporary jumps for now. It confuse the hell out of the predators)

+1 as well to the increased breeding rate. Maybe moving to the river.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on May 11, 2013, 04:44:38 am
I support symbiosis/parasitism on the predators. So +1 to that.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 11, 2013, 04:47:03 am
Just so it's easier to vote on them, I'll put up my notes on the votes. I'll need a 4 in more than one of them to get an update on the way.

Primitive lungs x3
Better digging x2 Spade-tentacles x2
Improve pressure sense x2
Water leap x2
Breeding rate x3
Symbiosis/parasitism with spearfaces x3
Communication x2
Intelligence x2
Neurotoxic ink x2

Move to river x1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 11, 2013, 05:06:50 am
I'll support lungs and digging as well.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 11, 2013, 05:09:01 am
Improved breeding rate and symbiotic/parastic relationship with our most dangerous competitor seems to be a winner.  The second one was before.  +1 for each.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: killerhellhound on May 11, 2013, 06:41:54 am
Improved breeding rate and symbiotic/parastic relationship with our most dangerous competitor seems to be a winner.  The second one was before.  +1 for each.
My vote goes here
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 11, 2013, 06:56:04 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Parasitism against spearfaced worms- 2+.5=2, Primitive lungs- 5, Breeding rate- 3+.5=3

The population has stabilised. Chambers in the guts have become extremely simple lungs, allowing us time on land. It isn't worth very much right now, but it's enough to get us away from predators. Our species has taken to attacking the nests of spearfaced worms to get an extra meal, as the adult worms store food for the developing young inside. The young can defend themselves, and the eggs are below a layer of mucus and silk, but the food stores are a delicious prize.

The guidelings and hives are beginning to grow in waters far shallower than many potential predators are comfortable in. The adult hive has thick skin to prevent it from drying out, in the event it becomes stranded somehow.

GENERATION 12:
Lung shoalcore
A murky green-and-brown tentacled fish-like animal that hunts in the low visibility of the estuary. They swim with their powerful tails and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They grow up to 15 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They are almost extinct.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations in the water from moving creatures.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they meet a mate they approve of, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hive. They eat mucus that the hive creates and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with.
MOVEMENT: They move by swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have jets which also function as their gills, which they use to make fine movement.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the tentacles. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from unearthed mud worms. Algae and seaweeds are also on the menu.
PREDATION: The larger species of jawworm and spearfaced worm may prey on us, as long as they're immune.
COMPETITION: Our diminutive size means that we are now at the mercy of other predators. There are numerous types of predators of our size, and we are vulnerable.
ENVIRONMENT: A murky shallow estuary.  Various species of worms (collective small ancestors of aciblobs and crawlers) burrow in the muck or swim around to filter-feed or hunt. It is usually fresh-water, although tides can cause an influx of salt.

NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: subtropical overgrown coast, wide murky river
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on May 11, 2013, 07:05:36 am
Continue parasitising those bloody worms! Also increase burrowing capacity.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 11, 2013, 07:07:04 am
Continue parasitising those bloody worms! Also increase burrowing capacity.
Do this. Also, sybiotize a species of plant so that it won't let anyone else eat it.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 11, 2013, 07:09:03 am
we should dig nests in the rivers, like some fishes does. It would have a dry passageway, like a siphon, to enter.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 11, 2013, 07:22:29 am
We can do something sea snail like. Absorbing the cholorophyls of the plants we eat.

Continue parasitising those bloody worms! Also increase burrowing capacity.
+1

Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 11, 2013, 10:34:41 am
Just as a note.
Quote
The atmosphere has, quite literally, shattered.
Never mind the fact that Gamma ray burst don't do that(they microwave the atmosphere), I don't think it's a smart move to go out of the water now. There won't be anything alive outside the water, after all.
-1
Water all the way, unless we have a darn good reason to head onto land. Amphibianism may be fine, but I'd prefer to remain primarily aquatic--fully aquatic if we can. Lots of clades are 100% aquatic.

We can do something sea snail like. Absorbing the cholorophyls of the plants we eat.
Continue parasitising those bloody worms! Also increase burrowing capacity.
+1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: killerhellhound on May 11, 2013, 11:26:44 am

We can do something sea snail like. Absorbing the cholorophyls of the plants we eat.
Continue parasitising those bloody worms! Also increase burrowing capacity.
+1
+1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 11, 2013, 11:27:34 am

We can do something sea snail like. Absorbing the cholorophyls of the plants we eat.
Continue parasitising those bloody worms! Also increase burrowing capacity.
+1
+1
+1
+1, as well as -1 to land.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 11, 2013, 12:17:49 pm
Get better at parasitic behaviour.

Also, let's try to improve that vibration sense into something like actual hearing.  Our nonvisual senses are not adapted well to time out of water.  Not that I'm suggesting we become land creatures, but emergency escaping into a possibly hostile environment we can't sense seems dumb.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 11, 2013, 12:19:35 pm
True.

How do mudskippers do it?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 11, 2013, 01:06:12 pm
True.

How do mudskippers do it?

Mudskippers keep themselves oxygenated by using water trapped within their gills, or through absorbing oxygen with their skin. They suck up plankton that have been washed up on the mud, and use their four front fins to push themselves along.

Does that give you an answer? I didn't really figure out the question.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 11, 2013, 01:10:08 pm
True.

How do mudskippers do it?
Mudskippers keep themselves oxygenated by using water trapped within their gills, or through absorbing oxygen with their skin. They suck up plankton that have been washed up on the mud, and use their four front fins to push themselves along.

Does that give you an answer? I didn't really figure out the question.
I was referring to senses, actually. Do they just see or do their lateral lines have some kind of tympanic membrane or something so they can hear on land?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 11, 2013, 01:17:29 pm
Eyes, I suppose.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 11, 2013, 05:00:14 pm
+1 to parasitism and

We can do something sea snail like. Absorbing the cholorophyls of the plants we eat.
Continue parasitising those bloody worms! Also increase burrowing capacity.
+1
+1
+1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 12, 2013, 03:23:32 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Parasitism- 4+1=5, Burrowing 3+1.5=4

(isn't much local seaweed in the estuary, so I left the chlorophyll absorbing thing out)

The brood shoalcore has changed yet again. We now hide our young inside the nests of large spearfaces, and leave them there until the parent comes back in. The young then proceed to dig into the spearface's flesh, and slowly poison her until she dies. After waiting for the toxins to break up a bit, they dig in, before returning home to the mob. As an extra adaptation, we are also better burrowers than we were, using the top two of our tentacles to form a spade.

The guidelings and hives are still basically the same.

GENERATION 13:
Brood shoalcore
A murky green-and-brown tentacled fish-like animal that hunts in the low visibility of the estuary. They swim with their powerful tails and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They grow up to 15 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations in the water from moving creatures.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they meet a mate they approve of, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hive. They eat mucus that the hive creates and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with.
MOVEMENT: They move by swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have jets which also function as their gills, which they use to make fine movement.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the tentacles. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from unearthed mud worms. Algae and seaweeds are also on the menu.
PREDATION: The larger species of jawworm and spearfaced worm may prey on us, as long as they're immune.
COMPETITION: Our diminutive size means that we are now at the mercy of other predators. There are numerous types of predators of our size, and we are vulnerable.
ENVIRONMENT: A murky shallow estuary.  Various species of worms (collective small ancestors of aciblobs and crawlers) burrow in the muck or swim around to filter-feed or hunt. It is usually fresh-water, although tides can cause an influx of salt.

NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: subtropical overgrown coast, wide murky river
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Cheesecake on May 12, 2013, 03:25:30 am
Grow in size and aggressiveness.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 12, 2013, 03:27:52 am
Grow in size

Develop pheromones for better communication. Swarming is fun.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on May 12, 2013, 03:30:38 am
Make ourself less meaty and more difficult to chew (spikes, exoskeletons, whatever).

Develop pheromones for better communication. Swarming is fun.
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 12, 2013, 04:29:40 am
Make ourself less meaty and more difficult to chew (spikes, exoskeletons, whatever).

Develop pheromones for better communication. Swarming is fun.
+1
+1 to all of that.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 12, 2013, 07:02:23 am
Make ourself less meaty and more difficult to chew (spikes, exoskeletons, whatever).

Develop pheromones for better communication. Swarming is fun.
+1
+1 to all of that.
Indeed,
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 12, 2013, 07:27:12 am
MEANWHILE IN EO-LAND

my hands smell of langoustines. curses.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 12, 2013, 02:19:46 pm
Make ourself less meaty and more difficult to chew (spikes, exoskeletons, whatever).

Develop pheromones for better communication. Swarming is fun.
+1
+1 to all of that.
Indeed,
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 12, 2013, 02:50:07 pm
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Communication pheromones- 5+.5=5, Armour- 5

(the random number gods seem to have forgiven you after they blasted you to near-extinction with the gamma ray burst fiasco)

The bony shoalcore is yet another step up from its ancestors. Using pheromones, they can communicate with other members of their mob to affect their decisions (such as using an aggression pheremone when devouring the young of a large and angry spearfaced worm). The main adaptation, however, is their skeletal system. The simple tough tissues in their head and tentacles have evolved into a bony cage surrounding their body, keeping them flexible and stopping certain species of worm (such as the grindfish, a migrant from the ocean) from attacking us as easily.

The guidelings and hives are, still, basically the same.

This explosion of life is beginning to run out again. The run-off from further upstream is thinning, possibly due to large amounts of plant growth. This is also hindering us by increasing visibility by a large amount.

GENERATION 14:
Bony shoalcore
A murky green-and-brown tentacled fish-like animal that hunts in the low visibility of the estuary. They swim with their powerful tails and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They grow up to 20 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations in the water from moving creatures.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they meet a mate they approve of, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hive. They eat mucus that the hive creates and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with.
MOVEMENT: They move by swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have jets which also function as their gills, which they use to make fine movement.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the tentacles. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from unearthed mud worms. Algae and seaweeds are also on the menu.
PREDATION: The larger species of jawworm (such as the grindfish) and spearfaced worm may prey on us, as long as they're immune.
COMPETITION: Our diminutive size means that we are now at the mercy of other predators. There are numerous types of predators of our size, and we are vulnerable.
ENVIRONMENT: A murky shallow estuary.  Various species of worms (collective small ancestors of aciblobs and crawlers) burrow in the muck or swim around to filter-feed or hunt. It is usually fresh-water, although tides can cause an influx of salt.

NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: subtropical overgrown coast, wide overgrown river
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 12, 2013, 02:53:06 pm
Evolve better freshwater tolerance and migrate up the river.

We can take nice advantage of those plants.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 12, 2013, 02:55:08 pm
Evolve better freshwater tolerance and migrate up the river.

We can take nice advantage of those plants.
+1
Should we get sight to take advantage of the visibility?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 12, 2013, 03:00:36 pm
Evolve better freshwater tolerance and migrate up the river.

We can take nice advantage of those plants.
+1
Should we get sight to take advantage of the visibility?
If we go upriver, it should be hard to see again because of the plant cover.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 12, 2013, 03:00:59 pm
Evolve better freshwater tolerance and migrate up the river.

We can take nice advantage of those plants.
+1
Should we get sight to take advantage of the visibility?
If we go upriver, it should be hard to see again because of the plant cover.
Hmm.
Camoflage?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 12, 2013, 03:01:20 pm
Evolve better freshwater tolerance and migrate up the river.

We can take nice advantage of those plants.
+1
Should we get sight to take advantage of the visibility?
Nope, in the plants, visibility will decrease again.

Again attempt chlorophyll absorption.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 12, 2013, 03:02:36 pm
+1 to both camoflague and chlorophyll absorption.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 12, 2013, 03:46:44 pm
+1 to both camoflague and chlorophyll absorption.
+1

-1 to break our Oath of Sightlessness
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 12, 2013, 03:47:45 pm
When our civilization has risen, it will become a crime against nature to be born with eyes.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 12, 2013, 03:48:52 pm
On another note: Develop echolocation. Should help us find some stuff.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 12, 2013, 03:49:21 pm
On another note: Develop echolocation. Should help us find some stuff.
...
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 12, 2013, 03:59:07 pm
Okay, so our list of senses is:

Hearing
Touch
Taste
Fine-tuned pheremone-detecting sense of smell
Extremely advanced electroreception
Pressure reception (also known as tremor sense)
Baby versions of our own houses
And a vague sense that lets us detect when everyone else can't see so we can use all of the above to find them and devour their faces.

And now you want echolocation, of all things. And we're still blind fishes that have only just evolved a skeleton.

I love you all.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Sensei on May 12, 2013, 04:23:50 pm
We should probably look at going from pheromones to telepathy. Because that's the next logical step.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 12, 2013, 04:35:03 pm
True enough. From there, we can replace all forms of limb with telekinetics.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: flame99 on May 12, 2013, 08:21:10 pm
Bah, that's boring. The FUN way to do it is to rip off something else's limb and use it instead every time we want to so much as change the channel.

Also, +1 to freshwater tolerance, moving upstream, and camouflage.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 12, 2013, 11:42:31 pm
+1 to freshwater tolerance (and extending upstream of course. We should stay in the estuary as well).
+1 to camouflage

Maybe we should have longer and more nimble tentacles. And better ink (makes bigger, darker clouds)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 18, 2013, 08:17:30 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Camouflage- 4

(okay got it up, don't have the largest amount of time)

The riverine shoalcore is very similar to its ancestors. However, it lives upriver, in the tangled growth of clogweed and bubblegrove. It has tassles on its body to disguise it as vegetation and it is murky green.

The guidelings and hives are, still, basically the same. However, they too have grown tassles and changed colour.

Various grazers live amongst the masses of vegetation. Clogweed is a type of plant that grafts itself to others of its species, forming a dense web of life. Exposure to light, water or air changes its adaptations, such as a low-light weed specialising to become root-like. Bubblegrove is a plant that grows up from thin stalks. On the end of the stalk is a bubble filled with hydrogen. These aren't light enough to fly off on their own, but even a tiny amount of wind can send a detached bubble to far-off places. Larger bubbles are beginning to inhabit the atmosphere, absorbing moisture from the air with tiny hairs.

GENERATION 15:
Riverine shoalcore
A murky green-and-brown tassled fish-like animal that hunts in the low visibility of the estuary. They swim with their powerful tails and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They grow up to 20 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations in the water from moving creatures.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they meet a mate they approve of, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hive. They eat mucus that the hive creates and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with.
MOVEMENT: They move by swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have jets which also function as their gills, which they use to make fine movement.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the tentacles. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation.
PREDATION: We are mostly unpredated.
COMPETITION: The dense growth means there are very few predators of our size. Dwarf spearfaces are the main competition, still.
ENVIRONMENT: A murky shallow estuary.  Various species of worms (collective small ancestors of aciblobs and crawlers) burrow in the muck or swim around to filter-feed or hunt. It is usually fresh-water, although tides can cause an influx of salt.

NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: muddy estuary, fast-flowing river, massive lake past land bridge
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 18, 2013, 08:22:29 am
What about the others? Did they not get enough votes?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 18, 2013, 08:32:20 am
What about the others? Did they not get enough votes?
No, they only got a 3-vote and a 2-vote.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 18, 2013, 08:44:57 am
I will suggest the flying japanese squid-like "flight" a second time. Plus increased agility of the tentacles. And a fanged mouth.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 18, 2013, 08:45:42 am
I will suggest the flying japanese squid-like "flight" a second time. Plus increased agility of the tentacles. And a fanged mouth.
All sound good to me.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 18, 2013, 08:59:32 am
I will suggest the flying japanese squid-like "flight" a second time. Plus increased agility of the tentacles. And a fanged mouth.
All sound good to me.
I, too, will +1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on May 18, 2013, 09:04:35 am
I will suggest the flying japanese squid-like "flight" a second time. Plus increased agility of the tentacles. And a fanged mouth.
All sound good to me.
I, too, will +1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 18, 2013, 09:14:05 am
The top pair of tentacles (they're bony, so we might as well start calling them jaws) are fanged. The bottom pair is slicer/shovels, and the middle pair is general big-spiky-teeth.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 18, 2013, 10:23:32 am
I will suggest the flying japanese squid-like "flight" a second time. Plus increased agility of the tentacles. And a fanged mouth.
All sound good to me.
I, too, will +1
+1
+1

On another note, I again suggest the stealing of chlorophyll.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 18, 2013, 11:08:33 am
I will suggest the flying japanese squid-like "flight" a second time. Plus increased agility of the tentacles. And a fanged mouth.
All sound good to me.
I, too, will +1
+1
+1

On another note, I again suggest the stealing of chlorophyll.
+1 to all
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 18, 2013, 11:09:52 am
Meh. More intelligence as well? Group behaviour enhanced?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 18, 2013, 11:20:56 am
Okay, current votes are:

Propulsion gliding x6
Nimbler tentacles x6
Chlorophyll x2
Intelligence x1
More group organisation x1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 18, 2013, 11:22:51 am
Intelligence and organization +1.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 18, 2013, 11:23:40 am
Okay, current votes are:

Propulsion gliding x6
Nimbler tentacles x6
Chlorophyll x2
Intelligence x1
More group organisation x1
I shall +1 all of these except for the propulsion and tentacles which I already +1'd.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 18, 2013, 11:24:44 am
I'll give ten more minutes to see if anyone wants to get those three in. Chlorophyll, Intelligence and Organisation all require 1 more vote to become an evolution.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 18, 2013, 11:36:49 am
+ Intelligence and organisation
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on May 18, 2013, 11:37:11 am
I vote chlorophyll!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 18, 2013, 11:52:58 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Chlorophyll- 1, Nimbler tentacles- 3, Gliding- 6

(the random number gods don't seem to like chlorophyll)

The gliding shoalcore, when it comes to its name, is the opposite of the flying fish. A flying fish glides, but a gliding shoalcore flies. This enables it to completely avert the problems of slogging through thick vegetation, as well as making it the ultimate ambush predator of this time. Spearfaced worms and grindfish from the estuary had moved in, devouring areas of vegetation and hunting us for food, but a simple reaction of leaping out of the water snowballed into true flight. Extremely large and well-muscled pelvic fins provide the bulk of its staying-in-the-air, while the thorachic fins continuously flap to propel it through the air. Its primitive lungs can't keep up this activity for long, but it has meant that a single population now covers both the lake and the river. Its skin has a thin layer of keratinous scales to prevent sunburn in the event of being stranded on land. The fins on its underside have developed simple joints and feet to help push it back into the air if this happens.

The hives, like earlier generations, can now stick themselves onto the shoalcore and its guidelings, before using them like reindeer on a sleigh. The guidelings are able to travel on land to graze.

Clogweed is beginning to cover the banks of the river. Various species of grindfish and spearface have moved in.

GENERATION 16:
Gliding shoalcore
A murky green-and-brown tassled fish-like animal that hunts in the dense growth of the river. They swim with their powerful tails and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They can fly. They grow up to 25 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations in the water from moving creatures.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they meet a mate they approve of, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hive. They eat mucus that the hive creates and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with.
MOVEMENT: They move by swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have jets which also function as their gills, which they use to make fine movement. They fly by using their large pectoral fins as wings and their thorachic fins as engines. Their top fins and bottom fins are not used in flight.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the guts. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation.
PREDATION: We are mostly unpredated.
COMPETITION: Dwarf spearfaces are the main competition, still.
ENVIRONMENT: An overgrown lake and river. We are the dominant species in the lake, and a highly effective one in the river.

HOME TERRITORY:  Massive overgrown lake, Wide river
NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: muddy estuary, fast-flowing river
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 18, 2013, 11:57:32 am
Evolve lungs and wing structuring such that we can now both fly and swim almost indefinately.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: tryrar on May 18, 2013, 11:58:31 am
Evolve lungs and wing structuring such that we can now both fly and swim almost indefinately.
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 18, 2013, 12:08:46 pm
Evolve lungs and wing structuring such that we can now both fly and swim almost indefinately.
+1 and scales/thick skin to avoid dehydratation.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 18, 2013, 12:10:18 pm
Evolve lungs and wing structuring such that we can now both fly and swim almost indefinately.
+1 and scales/thick skin to avoid dehydratation.
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: tryrar on May 18, 2013, 12:35:17 pm
+1 to adding scales/thick skin to the equation
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 18, 2013, 12:38:56 pm
+1 to adding scales/thick skin to the equation
Indeed, although this is starting to sound a bit like a dragon.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: tryrar on May 18, 2013, 12:41:15 pm
....you're right. I thought we were going for a mind-bending horror from the beyond :P
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 18, 2013, 12:43:08 pm
The electromagnetic spectrum didn't like that. We can still work on it, though. Maybe we can evolve the ability to survive in SPAAACE?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 18, 2013, 12:47:05 pm
+1 to adding scales/thick skin to the equation
Indeed, although this is starting to sound a bit like a dragon.
That's good!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 18, 2013, 01:04:55 pm
Evolve lungs and wing structuring such that we can now both fly and swim almost indefinately.
+1 and scales/thick skin to avoid dehydratation.
+1


In addition, develop a "voice" (preferably at a very high or very low frequency) and improve our hearing/vibration sense.  We're a blind flier and a social species, let's improve our communication options and acquire echolocation.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 18, 2013, 01:56:20 pm
From my mental image, we're still cthulid in nature. Three sets of muscular mandibles, a long fish-like body, a fish's tail, two large wings at the centre, two smaller wings near the front, a single leg-fin under each pair of wings, see-through scales, slimy skin, a hive and a horde of hexapedal lizard-like things with similarly tentacled faces.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 18, 2013, 03:01:51 pm
Vote on everything.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: jaccarmac on May 18, 2013, 03:03:28 pm
Develop an appendage to produce a chemical that reacts somewhat violently with water. We can use it for self-defense and hunting, and our flying ability will allow us to escape our own "bomb".
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 18, 2013, 04:48:49 pm
+1 to adding scales/thick skin to the equation
Indeed, although this is starting to sound a bit like a dragon.
+1

From my mental image, we're still cthulid in nature. Three sets of muscular mandibles, a long fish-like body, a fish's tail, two large wings at the centre, two smaller wings near the front, a single leg-fin under each pair of wings, see-through scales, slimy skin, a hive and a horde of hexapedal lizard-like things with similarly tentacled faces.
+1

The electromagnetic spectrum didn't like that. We can still work on it, though. Maybe we can evolve the ability to survive in SPAAACE?
-1

I'd like to see if we can work on more intelligence/social organization this time.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on May 18, 2013, 05:08:13 pm
Has anyone considered using bubblegrove plants to spread ourselves? As they are carried by the wind, they seem as a good way to expand the reach of our species.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 18, 2013, 05:15:22 pm
Has anyone considered using bubblegrove plants to spread ourselves? As they are carried by the wind, they seem as a good way to expand the reach of our species.
+1 for attaching some babies to them
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: flame99 on May 18, 2013, 06:23:49 pm
Has anyone considered using bubblegrove plants to spread ourselves? As they are carried by the wind, they seem as a good way to expand the reach of our species.
+1 for attaching some babies to them
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on May 18, 2013, 07:31:01 pm
Has anyone considered using bubblegrove plants to spread ourselves? As they are carried by the wind, they seem as a good way to expand the reach of our species.
+1 for attaching some babies to them
+1
+1 to ataching babies/hives to the bubblegrove seeds. Maybe also have our hives grow amoungst their roots to defend them from grazzers.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 19, 2013, 03:45:18 am
Okay, current votes:

Better lungs x5
Better movement x5
Proof skin against dehydration x6
Better hearing x2
Echolocation x2
Communication x3 Voice x2
Develop water-reactive bombs x1
Intelligence x1
Attach young to bubblegrove x3
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on May 19, 2013, 03:46:26 am
+1 to Attach young to bubblegrove
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 19, 2013, 06:25:15 am
I'd like to +1 better hearing, please.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 19, 2013, 06:52:29 am
I'd like to +1 better hearing, please.
+1 to Attach young to bubblegrove
me too, to both.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 19, 2013, 07:25:11 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Better lungs- 5, Attach young to bubblegrove- 3, Better movement- 6, Better hearing- 5, Proof against dehydration- 5+1=6

(they love you again. minus attaching something to a bubblegrove)

The all-terrain flapper is a highly successful animal in the river systems it inhabits. The majority of new species of flapper that evolved became herbivores, feeding on skyglobes in the sky or on the greenweed plains below. This flapper, though, is a predator of pretty much anything that's close enough in size. It has a more aerodynamic shape, two claws on its back descended from its upper fins, and two legs on its underside that lets it travel on land to hunt slitherers. Its lungs have joined into a single horseshoe-shape, letting it keep a constant flow of air through them, like a bird's lungs. It has sensitive hearing to detect animals pushing through the foliage or flapping their wings. Like before, they still live in groups. A pack of flappers and their guidelings hunting a pinhead flapper is one of the most awe-inspiring spectacles the planet has to offer. Thick scales prevent it from dehydrating.

After numerous incidents of baby hives falling off while hanging onto their prospective flapper, the guidelings are now able to glide. The hives are still unable to move out of the water, though.

Our prey is beginning to synchronise its electric sense with ours, effectively jamming our vision. It is also jamming our pressure sense with frilled edges to their wings and a humming noise.This, obviously, causes problems.

GENERATION 17:
All-terrain flapper
A murky green-and-brown tassled fish-like animal that hunts around the riverplains. They swim with their powerful tails and use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They can fly. They grow up to 25 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They use two claws on their back to snatch prey from the ground or air.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations in the water from moving creatures. Its hearing is superb.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they meet a mate they approve of, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hive. They eat mucus that the hive creates and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with.
MOVEMENT: They move by swimming like a fish. Sacs of carbon dioxide keep them buoyant. They also have jets which also function as their gills, which they use to make fine movement. They fly by using their large pectoral fins as wings and their thorachic fins as engines. They have two legs on their underside.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the guts. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation. Other prey include land-dwelling spearfaced worms (slitherers) and other flappers.
PREDATION: We are mostly unpredated on the land. In the river, larger spearfaced worms are still moving in.
COMPETITION: Dwarf spearfaces are the main competition in the water, but we are dominant on land and in the air.
ENVIRONMENT: An overgrown lake and river. We are the dominant species in the lake, and a highly effective one in the river.

HOME TERRITORY:  Massive overgrown lake, Wide river, Greenweed plain
NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: muddy estuary, fast-flowing river
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 19, 2013, 07:32:04 am
Evolve echolocation, and give our guidelings similar senses so that they can triangulate signals.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 19, 2013, 07:40:08 am
mmm... Obviously we need to deal with this "camo". The solution might lie in our brains. If we can use pulses of pressure via secondary jets to communicate perception information throughout the pack, the brain can recalculate the prey's position. Basically using multiples point of view transmitting a general area where the prey is to build a 3D brain imagery of the surroundings.
Furthermore, the hearing could recalibrate itself to ignore the humming sounds. Quite easy (human brain does it automatically). And the electric perception could be multifrequential to prevent synchronisation (the equivalent of randomly quickening/slowing down our pulse to a certain degree).

TL;DR mainly improving "software", slight changes to the "hardware". Result in better brain, open door to further brain/group improvement.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on May 19, 2013, 07:59:37 am
Evolve larger brain

Evolve sharper claws, to make them act like scissors on vegetation\shelled prey
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on May 19, 2013, 10:08:40 am
mmm... Obviously we need to deal with this "camo". The solution might lie in our brains. If we can use pulses of pressure via secondary jets to communicate perception information throughout the pack, the brain can recalculate the prey's position. Basically using multiples point of view transmitting a general area where the prey is to build a 3D brain imagery of the surroundings.
Furthermore, the hearing could recalibrate itself to ignore the humming sounds. Quite easy (human brain does it automatically). And the electric perception could be multifrequential to prevent synchronisation (the equivalent of randomly quickening/slowing down our pulse to a certain degree).

TL;DR mainly improving "software", slight changes to the "hardware". Result in better brain, open door to further brain/group improvement.
plus all the ones
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 19, 2013, 12:25:15 pm
Echolocation +1.
Better brain +1.
Improve communication +1 (though I still think it should be done via sound).

Revise old neurotoxin ink projection system for distance and accuracy improvements (focus more on projectile than cloud applications).
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on May 19, 2013, 01:27:52 pm
Echolocation +1.
Better brain +1.
Improve communication +1
Revise old neurotoxin ink projection system for distance and accuracy improvements (focus more on projectile than cloud applications).+1
Evolve the catale cast to produce fatty globuals rather then getting eaten, make them dary cows not meat cows.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 19, 2013, 01:30:20 pm
Quote
Revise old neurotoxin ink projection system for distance and accuracy improvements (focus more on projectile than cloud applications).

Better brain +1.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 19, 2013, 03:13:46 pm
Echolocation +1.
Better brain +1.
Improve communication +1
Revise old neurotoxin ink projection system for distance and accuracy improvements (focus more on projectile than cloud applications).+1
Evolve the catale cast to produce fatty globuals rather then getting eaten, make them dary cows not meat cows.
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 19, 2013, 03:20:38 pm
Revise old neurotoxin ink projection system for distance and accuracy improvements (focus more on projectile than cloud applications).+1
Evolve the catale cast to produce fatty globuals rather then getting eaten, make them dary cows not meat cows.
+1
same thing.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Parsely on May 19, 2013, 04:07:58 pm
Echolocation +1.
Better brain +1.
Improve communication +1
Revise old neurotoxin ink projection system for distance and accuracy improvements (focus more on projectile than cloud applications).+1
Evolve the catale cast to produce fatty globuals rather then getting eaten, make them dary cows not meat cows.
+1
+1 This is quite good, this game. I like it.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 19, 2013, 04:18:07 pm
Echolocation +1.
Better brain +1.
Improve communication +1
Revise old neurotoxin ink projection system for distance and accuracy improvements (focus more on projectile than cloud applications).+1
Evolve the catale cast to produce fatty globuals rather then getting eaten, make them dary cows not meat cows.
+1
+1 This is quite good, this game. I like it.
+1
mmm... Obviously we need to deal with this "camo". The solution might lie in our brains. If we can use pulses of pressure via secondary jets to communicate perception information throughout the pack, the brain can recalculate the prey's position. Basically using multiples point of view transmitting a general area where the prey is to build a 3D brain imagery of the surroundings.
Furthermore, the hearing could recalibrate itself to ignore the humming sounds. Quite easy (human brain does it automatically). And the electric perception could be multifrequential to prevent synchronisation (the equivalent of randomly quickening/slowing down our pulse to a certain degree).

TL;DR mainly improving "software", slight changes to the "hardware". Result in better brain, open door to further brain/group improvement.
+1
Evolve larger brain

Evolve sharper claws, to make them act like scissors on vegetation\shelled prey
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tidal on May 19, 2013, 08:02:43 pm
Spoiler: OOC (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 19, 2013, 08:03:54 pm
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
We are honored.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 20, 2013, 11:16:37 am
Wow. This is going faster than I expected. Intelligence has EIGHT VOTES. Okay, in case anyone wants any last votes in:

VOTES-

Echolocation x6
Intelligence x8
Communication of location x7
Change frequencies of sound/electricity x3
Scissor-like claws x2
SNIPAH NEUROTOXIN x6

Cattle-caste guideling 'milk' x5
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on May 20, 2013, 11:18:43 am
SNIPAH NEUROTOXIN x6
This, because it's fcking awesome.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 20, 2013, 12:08:40 pm
SNIPAH NEUROTOXIN x6
This, because it's fcking awesome.
FCK YEAH
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on May 20, 2013, 01:13:37 pm

Change frequencies of sound/electricity x3
Scissor-like claws x2
+1 to each
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 20, 2013, 01:22:25 pm
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Echolocation- 2+1=3, Intelligence- 3+2=5, Communication between pack- 5+1=6, SNIPAH NEUROTOXIN- 2+2=4, guideling milk- 5, Change frequency- 3

(seems that the random number gods don't like you today.)

The pack flapper is a highly social species of flapper. These animals coordinate their hunts with expert precision, using fields of electricity, loud calls and infrasound and ultrasound to communicate. The ultrasound also gives it the ability to echolocate. The jets on its side can now build the neurotoxin to a high pressure, before 'sneezing' it out. It usually ends up as a spray, but it gives at least a little precision. However, this has hindered its breathing ability in the water, and the animal generally stays in the air now.

Hives are still underwater. The guidelings are now expert gliders, and can easily find their way back to the hive. The cattle caste, however, is now able to produce fatty globs from its mouth, so it can continue to grow without having to be eaten.

The land below us is continuing to evolve. Herbivores are growing, carnivores are growing, and plants are growing. The carnivorous spearfaced worms are now being pushed into smaller niches by the strong-boned, strong-jawed leggedgrinder, a powerful predator.

GENERATION 18:
Pack flapper
A murky green-and-brown tassled fish-like animal that hunts around the greenplains. They use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They can fly. They grow up to 30 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They use two claws on their back to snatch prey from the ground or air.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations in the water from moving creatures. Its hearing is superb, and it can echolocate.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when they meet a mate they approve of, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hive. They eat mucus that the hive creates and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with.
MOVEMENT: They fly by using their large pectoral fins as wings and their thorachic fins as engines. They have two legs on their underside.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the guts. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation. Other prey include land-dwelling spearfaced worms (slitherers) and other flappers.
PREDATION: We are mostly unpredated on the land.
COMPETITION: We are dominant in the air.
ENVIRONMENT: A lush plain of greenweed surrounding the lake and river.

HOME TERRITORY:  Greenweed plain
NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: Near-barren mountain, Rocky shore, Cool uplands
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on May 20, 2013, 01:32:01 pm
Develop better, larger wings.

Develop better memory (orientation, ability to remember more different calls from pack members)

Develop scissor like claws
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 20, 2013, 01:52:44 pm
Develop better, larger wings.

Develop better memory (orientation, ability to remember more different calls from pack members)

Develop scissor like claws
+1

Our wings should also develop some bony structure allowing us to walk, althoug somewhat clumsily, on them. (and our legs).
Furthermore, we need to change that reproductive system now that we are less waterborne than airborne. Internal fecondation is a durable solution to this problem. To be crudely direct, we need proper sex.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on May 20, 2013, 02:14:14 pm
Develop better, larger wings.

Develop better memory (orientation, ability to remember more different calls from pack members)

Develop scissor like claws
+1's
Evolve the hive to burow into the mud so that it is protected, keep a pasage to the surface open so guidlings and Tentaclets can access it.


Are our Tentaclets still aquatic? What about guidelings (not the guide cast but the rest)?

Furthermore, we need to change that reproductive system now that we are less waterborne than airborne. Internal fecondation is a durable solution to this problem. To be crudely direct, we need proper sex.
I'd like to not, even if we don't spend out adult lives in the water out larva and our symbiotes are still aquatic (I think)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 20, 2013, 02:22:17 pm
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THERE IS QUITE DEFINITELY A FATTY GLOB ON THAT CATTLE AND I QUITE DEFINITELY DIDN'T EDIT IT FIVE SECONDS AGO.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on May 20, 2013, 02:26:34 pm
What do you mean what am I talking about? I didn't say anything anymore

 :P
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 20, 2013, 02:58:35 pm
Evolve the hive to burow into the mud so that it is protected, keep a pasage to the surface open so guidlings and Tentaclets can access it.
+1

I'd like to not, even if we don't spend out adult lives in the water out larva and our symbiotes are still aquatic (I think)
Not a reason not to improve our reproductive system, I think.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on May 20, 2013, 02:59:22 pm
Improve wings +1.
Improve brain +1.
Improve claws +1.
Direct mating +1.

Evolve hive to burrow into mud -1.

Begin laying eggs.
Begin implanting eggs and hives into neorotoxin-disabled leggedgrinders.
Improve neurotoxin potency and delivery.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 20, 2013, 03:19:01 pm
Direct mating -1.

Burrowing hive +1.

Horizontal gene transfer : Basically, a system that allows for "usefull" genes to be transferred from a single specimen to another without needing offspring.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 20, 2013, 03:41:24 pm
Horizontal gene transfer : Basically, a system that allows for "usefull" genes to be transferred from a single specimen to another without needing offspring.
There isn't really any way of knowing which gene is useful, and a successful animal is hardly going to give its genes to some randomer it doesn't know.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on May 20, 2013, 03:43:14 pm
Horizontal gene transfer : Basically, a system that allows for "usefull" genes to be transferred from a single specimen to another without needing offspring.
Tentative +1, horizontal gene transfes is almost unheard of in eukariotes, lets see how this plays out.

New idea!

Catal cast developes pouches of the digestive system to hold sybiotic algae. The pouches are near the outer surface and are translucent as is the skin over them


Improve wings +1.
Improve brain +1.
Improve claws +1.
+1
Quote
Begin implanting eggs and hives into neorotoxin-disabled leggedgrinders.
good long range plan but first we need to make the soldier and catle guidelings air breathers. Theoreticly the hive can get its nutrition and resperation from interfacing with the leggedgrinder's circulatory system. burowing may even act as a pre adaptation, the tube for holding the tunel open would translate nicly, and the hive could develope a special pouch for holding our eggs, but for now we should focuse on the short term small steps.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on May 20, 2013, 03:48:48 pm
Horizontal gene transfer : Basically, a system that allows for "usefull" genes to be transferred from a single specimen to another without needing offspring.
There isn't really any way of knowing which gene is useful, and a successful animal is hardly going to give its genes to some randomer it doesn't know.
The first part is a bit sticky, IRL the transfered information is usualy eaither randome, neare a virus insertion site, or on a specilized plasmid. Natural selection gets rid of the bad ones. The second part is simpler, its copy paste not cut and paste. the risk to the donar is neglagable (unless the recipeant is going to out compeate the donar afterwards)

Edit: oops! though for sure someone would ninja me and prevent this from being a double post, what with my typing speed and all
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 20, 2013, 03:50:08 pm
Horizontal gene transfer : Basically, a system that allows for "usefull" genes to be transferred from a single specimen to another without needing offspring.
There isn't really any way of knowing which gene is useful, and a successful animal is hardly going to give its genes to some randomer it doesn't know.
The first part is a bit sticky, IRL the transfered information is usualy eaither randome, neare a virus insertion site, or on a specilized plasmid. Natural selection gets rid of the bad ones. The second part is simpler, its copy paste not cut and paste. the risk to the donar is neglagable (unless the recipeant is going to out compeate the donar afterwards)
Yeah, that last bit. And it'd be way too much work to rewrite your ENTIRE genome just to get an extra bit in, that's what sexual reproduction is for.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on May 20, 2013, 03:56:55 pm
Horizontal gene transfer : Basically, a system that allows for "usefull" genes to be transferred from a single specimen to another without needing offspring.
There isn't really any way of knowing which gene is useful, and a successful animal is hardly going to give its genes to some randomer it doesn't know.
The first part is a bit sticky, IRL the transfered information is usualy eaither randome, neare a virus insertion site, or on a specilized plasmid. Natural selection gets rid of the bad ones. The second part is simpler, its copy paste not cut and paste. the risk to the donar is neglagable (unless the recipeant is going to out compeate the donar afterwards)
Yeah, that last bit. And it'd be way too much work to rewrite your ENTIRE genome just to get an extra bit in, that's what sexual reproduction is for.
You don't rewright the entire thing, just the part that is homologus to the donated part. IRL only a smal fragment is transfered, It lines up in part or in whole with a peice of the recipeant genome and they are swaped out by homolgus recombonation, or if its a plasmid it just gose into the cell cytoplasm, or if transmited with a virus (or potentialy a virus like particle) is just inserts into the genome at a sequence defind by the enzimes it came with. Horazontal gene transfer is complicated , mostly becuse of how many types there are.

Edit: this is shaping up to be a very scholorly quote pyramid :P

Edit2: you can get around the danger of being out compeated by the recipiant if youi only donate to individuals in the same pack and use group selection to make it profitable to bothe the donor and recipiant. If everyone in a group is working together then they arn't compeating against one another but rather against other groups
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on May 20, 2013, 08:06:49 pm
+1 to Horizontal Gene Transfer

I'd also like to suggest making the hive thingy mobile and like a giant snail thing.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 22, 2013, 01:14:45 pm
Memory/learning x5
Scissor-claws x5
Better wings x5
Walk on wings x3
Contact sex x2
Hive in mud x3
Algae-symbiotic caste x1
Lay eggs x1
Implant offspring into leggedgrinders x2
MOAR SNIPAH NEUROTOXIN x1
Mobile hive x1

Any more votes?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 22, 2013, 01:18:09 pm
+1 to all.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on May 22, 2013, 01:20:20 pm
+1 to contact sex
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 22, 2013, 02:56:34 pm
+1 to EVERYTHING!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: InZane on May 22, 2013, 05:15:11 pm
+1 to EVERYTHING!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 23, 2013, 10:39:13 am
Well done guys. You have literally approved EVERYTHING ON THE ENTIRE LIST. The only thing that could be better is if you made an extra six things and approved them before I got back.

*goes off grumbling about how long this is going to take*
alsopostplz dunlikedoublepost
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on May 23, 2013, 10:40:23 am
Ok.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 23, 2013, 10:44:35 am
Quick! post extra six things we can approve before he comes back!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 23, 2013, 02:56:38 pm
Improve dancing skills.
Better heat management.
Don't be not in the water all the time.
Extra sensors on the tail for rearview sensing.
No legs.
Hivecase is amphibious.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on May 23, 2013, 03:04:28 pm
Improve dancing skills.
silly
Quote
Don't be not in the water all the time.
long sence taken care of
Quote
Extra sensors on the tail for rearview sensing.
+1
Quote
No legs.
WTF!? no -1
Quote
Hivecase is amphibious.
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 23, 2013, 05:55:07 pm
Improve dancing skills.
silly
What are you talking about that? We need it for a Social victory! In fact, adding Pose would be a good idea.

Quote
Quote
Don't be not in the water all the time.
long sence taken care of
You could use a reread.

Quote
Quote
Extra sensors on the tail for rearview sensing.
+1
Quote
No legs.
WTF!? no -1
Quote
Hivecase is amphibious.
+1
Agreed.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 23, 2013, 07:57:10 pm
Eotyrannus, there is a lesson here: Never say statements to the effect of 'the only way this could be...' to Bay12.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on May 27, 2013, 01:42:39 pm
Mumps!
I mean bump
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 27, 2013, 01:51:09 pm
He's waiting for us to approve 6 petitions.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 27, 2013, 01:55:46 pm
How about...

Improved Electrosense
Said electrosensitive organs duplicating, so we have more
One set of electrosensitive organs becomes electrogenic
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 27, 2013, 02:09:06 pm
Actually I am just a massive procrastinator. I'll get it up soon, but I got distracted by that Species: Artificial Life, Real Evolution game.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on May 27, 2013, 02:37:46 pm
Actually I am just a massive procrastinator. I'll get it up soon, but I got distracted by that Species: Artificial Life, Real Evolution game.
hehehe
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 27, 2013, 03:33:15 pm
Actually I am just a massive procrastinator. I'll get it up soon, but I got distracted by that Species: Artificial Life, Real Evolution game.
hehehe
*SLAP*
PROCRASTINATION HAS ONE TOO MANY SYLLABLES FOR THAT
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on May 28, 2013, 04:28:06 pm
(since we got a lot of votes, I raised the entryway bar to getting 6 votes, so there wouldn't be automatic passes)

EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Memory/Learning- 3+2=5, Scissor-claws- 3+2=5, Better wings- 1+2=3, Walk on wings- 4, Contact sex- 5, Buried hive- 1

The common slicer is an aerial animal, not particularly specialised. It uses its wings to walk with, aiding its two legs, giving it a grand total of six walking limbs. Its bottom two tentacles have developed into ferocious-looking shears, that can slice through the flesh of its prey with ease.  Its most interesting characteristic (apart from its ability to mate without having to spawn in the water) is its ability to memorise useful techniques it uses or copies. This has given it a simple cultural evolution, where different populations of the outwardly-same species specialise in different prey, like orcas do on our planet.

Hives are still underwater, but have projected their upper surface above the water, letting us land on them. The bad side of this is that it is now open to air-based parasites. The guidelings are still expert gliders, and can still easily find their way back to the hive. The cattle caste, however, is now able to produce fatty globs from its mouth, so it can continue to grow without having to be eaten.

Leggedgrinders of various shapes and sizes are beginning to dominate the environment. There are no herbivores yet, but the spearfaced worms have shrunk.

GENERATION 19:
Common slicer
A grey bird-like animal that hunts around the greenplains. They use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They can fly. They grow up to 40 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They use two claws on their back to snatch prey from the ground or air.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations from moving creatures. Its hearing is superb, and it can echolocate.
REPRODUCTION: It 'kisses' a mate it approves of, passing male cells to it, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hive. They eat mucus that the hive creates and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with.
MOVEMENT: They fly by using their large pectoral fins as wings and their thorachic fins as engines. They have two legs on their underside.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the guts. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation. Other prey include land-dwelling spearfaced worms (slitherers) and other flappers. We can use a precise jet of neurotoxin to poison prey.
PREDATION: We are mostly unpredated on the land.
COMPETITION: Most populations don't compete with the native predators.
ENVIRONMENT: A lush plain of greenweed surrounding the lake and river.

HOME TERRITORY:  Greenweed plain
NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: Near-barren mountain, Rocky shore, Cool uplands
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on May 28, 2013, 04:39:54 pm
Improve our agility while in the air.
Improve our poison into a device that launches small stinger proectiles at opponents.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Cheesecake on May 28, 2013, 05:17:17 pm
Increase size.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on May 28, 2013, 05:26:12 pm
Shouldn't we move to the shore? It should be quite rich in pray both on land and in the sea
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on May 28, 2013, 10:06:59 pm
Make a 'swarm' guideling caste. Covered in tiny spines and bearing small wings. Carry them on the main creature and use them as bombs.

Improve our agility while in the air.
Improve our poison into a device that launches small stinger proectiles at opponents.


Or combine them with this and cover them with our poison first.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on May 28, 2013, 10:17:19 pm
Make a 'swarm' guideling caste. Covered in tiny spines and bearing small wings. Carry them on the main creature and use them as bombs.
Improve our agility while in the air.
Improve our poison into a device that launches small stinger proectiles at opponents.

Or combine them with this and cover them with our poison first.
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Parsely on May 28, 2013, 11:03:38 pm
Develop iridophores on the outer skin. They're cells that reflect light for camouflage. Squid use them, so they should work well underwater. Dunno about how that much that would benefit the slicers while flying.

EDIT: +1 to improved agility and spitting poison, as well as the new caste
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on May 29, 2013, 04:16:52 am
Improve our agility while in the air.
Improve our poison into a device that launches small stinger proectiles at opponents.

+1 to that.

We should move inside land, or anywhere there is enough water to sustain us. Conquer the world!
Yeah, that means longer flight time and somehow moving the hives.

-1 to suicide bombers.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 13, 2013, 05:53:34 pm
Is this dead?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Iituem on June 13, 2013, 08:07:44 pm
I hope not.  I only just found this and it's bloody good.  :D

Make a 'swarm' guideling caste. Covered in tiny spines and bearing small wings. Carry them on the main creature and use them as bombs.
Improve our agility while in the air.
Improve our poison into a device that launches small stinger proectiles at opponents.

Or combine them with this and cover them with our poison first.
+1 to this, by the by.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on June 13, 2013, 10:55:21 pm
Yay this is still - oh just a bump.
Err...
I hope this is revived.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 14, 2013, 09:39:11 am
Yeah, it is revived. I was planning to get it up again, but yeah, procrastination.

Current vote list:

VOTES-

Aerial agility x6
Stinger-gun x6
Size x1
Swarm caste x4
Develop light-reflector cells on skin for camouflage x1
Mobile hives x1
Longer flight x1

Move to shore x1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 14, 2013, 09:59:14 am
+ to camo and size.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on June 14, 2013, 12:13:24 pm
Suggestion: stop hitting the already-procrastinating OP with new suggestions until he catches up with where we already are.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 14, 2013, 12:14:02 pm
I'm not. They're on the list already.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 14, 2013, 12:27:05 pm
Just wait for the update.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on June 14, 2013, 01:58:24 pm
I'm not. They're on the list already.

They were on the list at 1 support, minimum to pass is 2, which they now have.  That's new things he gets to deal with now.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 14, 2013, 02:10:26 pm
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Aerial agility- 4+1=5, Stinger-gun- 5+1=6, Swarm caste- 3

Waspsting slicers are a new breed of aerial predator. They can shoot silica shards from their neurotoxin jets, turning a weapon that only affects the already-injured into a lethal and terrifying weapon. They have also developed a neck, enabling them to aim better and fly better. Their wings are stronger and larger, and rounded similarly to a hawk's. They dominate the sky, although larger predators often compete with them.

Hives are still underwater-with-landing-pad, and the guidelings are all still relatively the same.

A dramatic change has happened to the environment. Where once there were algal plains, there are now hugely dense swamp forests. The trees have affected the environment by making it much more humid, and we now have to survive in a rainforest environment. The sky balloons are far more common with this torrential downpour, and the trees below have a purple tinge (from symbiotic algae) to help them absorb more light. This change in environment is generally bad for us, as it's harder to locate our hives and it's hard to get through the canopy. The guidelings' gliding skills mean that they're doing better than ever, however. Some new species are doing away with their slicers altogether, and/or vice versa.

GENERATION 20:
Waspsting slicer
A grey bird-like animal that hunts above the swampforest. They use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They mostly fly. They grow up to 40 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They use two claws on their back to snatch prey from the ground or air.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations from moving creatures. Its hearing is superb, and it can echolocate.
REPRODUCTION: It 'kisses' a mate it approves of, passing male cells to it, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hive. They eat mucus that the hive creates and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with.
MOVEMENT: They fly by using their large pectoral fins as wings and their thorachic fins as engines. They have two legs on their underside.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the guts. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation. Other prey include land-dwelling spearfaced worms (slitherers) and other flappers. We can use a precise jet of neurotoxin, laced with silica shards (to pierce the skin), to kill prey.
PREDATION: We are mostly unpredated.
COMPETITION: Larger aerial predators sometimes compete with us, but we're generally fine.
ENVIRONMENT: A massive swampy forest, with torrential downpour and balloons filling the sky.

HOME TERRITORY:  Swamp forest
NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: Montane forest, saltwater swamp
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 14, 2013, 02:12:31 pm
Right. Get the hive onto the pand and possibly into the trees ASAP.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 14, 2013, 02:15:06 pm
If anyone's wondering, by the way, these trees were introduced as spores by some of our more migratory cousins.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 14, 2013, 02:15:52 pm
Also have the hives give of signals of some kind--sub- or ultrasonic, pheromones, etc--which lets them be found more easily by the slicers.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 14, 2013, 02:22:47 pm
I suggest that rather than put the hives in the trees, let's have floating aerial hives that will be less vulnerable to predators. That way, we never actually have to set foot on land.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 14, 2013, 02:24:25 pm
Nah, too much energy consumption for something like that. But the hives DO need to be more mobile.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 14, 2013, 02:25:17 pm
It wouldn't cost us any energy if we simply made the hives work similarly to those balloons.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on June 14, 2013, 02:29:06 pm
Strengthen tentacle-limbs and modify spike tips into somewhat more hook-like claws.  If we can jump and climb effectively, we will have less trouble in tree cover or rain too dense to fly through, and can use the canopy as a defense (or possibly even ambush) against other aerial predators that are not similarly modified.

Hives need camouflage.

Hives need ability to detect and selectively emit scent.  Under normal circumstances they should emit some cover scent that makes them uninteresting to anything that would normally threaten them.  When we are nearby, they should detect us and emit a different scent that helps us to find them.

We need the ability to selectively emit scents, to inform our hive of our proximity.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 14, 2013, 02:37:58 pm
I suggest that rather than put the hives in the trees, let's have floating aerial hives that will be less vulnerable to predators. That way, we never actually have to set foot on land.
This sounds cool, I'll grant you that.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 14, 2013, 03:24:37 pm
I suggest that rather than put the hives in the trees, let's have floating aerial hives that will be less vulnerable to predators. That way, we never actually have to set foot on land.
This sounds cool, I'll grant you that.
Only problem is that with the slightest bit of wind, they float away. This is no problem for an floating plant, but could drive us out of our habitat.

Instead, I propose we put our hives in the trees. Instant camouflage, armour and sustenance.

Make hives parasital/symbiotic with certain trees.µ

((Oh, and please bold stuff. Makes it easier to find.))
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 14, 2013, 03:36:11 pm
VOTES

Get hive out of water x2 Into trees x1 Using hydrogen floats x1
Hives need trackers x2 Sound x1 Pheromones x2
Better legs/claws x1
Camouflage hives x1
Hives detect our scent x1
Parasitise trees x1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 14, 2013, 03:39:20 pm
I suggest that rather than put the hives in the trees, let's have floating aerial hives that will be less vulnerable to predators. That way, we never actually have to set foot on land.
This sounds cool, I'll grant you that.
Only problem is that with the slightest bit of wind, they float away. This is no problem for an floating plant, but could drive us out of our habitat.

Instead, I propose we put our hives in the trees. Instant camouflage, armour and sustenance.

Make hives parasital/symbiotic with certain trees.µ

((Oh, and please bold stuff. Makes it easier to find.))
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 14, 2013, 03:41:33 pm
Oh and +1 to hive pheromones.

Another thing: How do the hives reproduce?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: tryrar on June 14, 2013, 03:42:36 pm
+1 symbiotic hives
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 14, 2013, 03:43:30 pm
+1 to parasitism.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 14, 2013, 05:51:16 pm
+1 to floating hives that attach to trees with spiked tentacles (to avoid floating away, and can parasite it), but can still move away if needed.

Scents in rainforest is a bad idea. Let's go with sound-based localisation. We have fine hearing, so we can detect sounds our predators cannot (hopefully). Both for the hive and the gliders. Hive "sing" to help us locate it, and conversely.

On that topic, we could midify our brain process to turn the rain from a jammer into a passive radar. If rain is regular enough, we can infer our surroundings from the sounds it makes. That would require a lot of brainpower, and indirectly makes us sort of smarter. Especially if we later redirect that brainpower to different tasks (because we moved to a less rainy area).

+1 to tree-climbing as well.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 14, 2013, 05:52:12 pm
+1 to floating hives that attach to trees with spiked tentacles (to avoid floating away, and can parasite it), but can still move away if needed.

Scents in rainforest is a bad idea. Let's go with sound-based localisation. We have fine hearing, so we can detect sounds our predators cannot (hopefully). Both for the hive and the gliders. Hive "sing" to help us locate it, and conversely.

On that topic, we could midify our brain process to turn the rain from a jammer into a passive radar. If rain is regular enough, we can infer our surroundings from the sounds it makes. That would require a lot of brainpower, and indirectly makes us sort of smarter. Especially if we later redirect that brainpower to different tasks (because we moved to a less rainy area).

+1 to tree-climbing as well.
I approve of this.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Iituem on June 14, 2013, 06:14:19 pm
Have the hives parasitise the already floating gasbags is an option.  Otherwise...

+1 symbiotic tree hives AND/OR floating hives (floating tree spikers are cool), sound-based hive localisation, definitely get the hives out of water either way.

Oh, and +1 to using the rain to supplement our radar.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: tryrar on June 14, 2013, 07:28:09 pm
+1 to everything above
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 14, 2013, 07:49:08 pm
+1 to floating tree parasite hives
+1 to strong tree attaching tentacles
+1 to sent based hive communication.
I reiterate my suggestion that we have the cattle cast develop translucent gut pouches to hold symbiotic algae
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on June 14, 2013, 07:50:55 pm
+1 to everything above
This.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 15, 2013, 02:08:27 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Hives out of water- 2+1=3, Hive tracking- 5+1=6, Better climbing- 2, Hive senses of us- 5, Parasitise trees- 4

Forest slicers are the newest species of slicer. They have a keener sense of hearing and smell, to find their hives below the dense canopy. A few other adaptations include shorter, more rounded wings, for dodging through branches.

Hives can now detect our sonar, and can listen to pheremones as well. When this happens, runway guidelings (guidelings with large and excessively bright lower tentacles) help us find our way home by providing both a visual, audio and smell-related message. This helps us use valuable time that would have otherwise been wasted on finding the hive. As a side note, the hive itself can now pierce the roots of the trees (or the corpse of some creature that's been killed) and use digestive acids to devour it.

The forest is only becoming denser, both with the sky version and the ground version. The tough wood means that the frongi that digest stuff like that are unable to digest it, resulting in massive, slowly-rotting piles of dead trees.

GENERATION 21:
Forest slicer
A mottled purple-and-green bird-like animal that hunts above the swampforest. They use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They mostly fly. They grow up to 40 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They use two claws on their back to snatch prey from the ground or air.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations from moving creatures. Its hearing is superb, and it can echolocate.
REPRODUCTION: It 'kisses' a mate it approves of, passing male cells to it, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hive. They eat mucus that the hive creates and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with.
MOVEMENT: They fly by using their large pectoral fins as wings and their thorachic fins as engines. They have two legs on their underside.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the guts. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation. Other prey include land-dwelling spearfaced worms (slitherers) and other flappers. We can use a precise jet of neurotoxin, laced with silica shards (to pierce the skin), to kill prey.
PREDATION: We are mostly unpredated.
COMPETITION: Larger aerial predators sometimes compete with us, but we're generally fine.
ENVIRONMENT: A massive swampy forest, with torrential downpour and balloons filling the sky.

HOME TERRITORY:  Swamp forest
NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: Montane forest, saltwater swamp
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 15, 2013, 04:04:01 am
guidelings with large and excessively bright lower tentacles) help us find our way home by providing a visual message.
query: when did we get eyes? ???
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 15, 2013, 07:37:16 am
guidelings with large and excessively bright lower tentacles) help us find our way home by providing a visual message.
query: when did we get eyes? ???
Indeed. I believe we have strict bans on eyes and living on the ground.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 15, 2013, 07:47:45 am
Anyway

Continue hive parasitism. We want to grow through the tree, and end up on top of it.


This overgrowth of the forest is getting rather dangerous. Won't be long before all those hydrogen balloons go up in flames.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 15, 2013, 08:06:43 am
Won't be long before all those hydrogen balloons go up in flames.
...Shit
Can gliders carry hive embryos/eggs? If a thunderstorm turn the forest into a michael bay movie, we need a backup.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 15, 2013, 12:30:14 pm
WE don't have eyes, but the guidelings do.

There isn't a strict 'hive' caste, any guideling chosen can become a hive.

A thunderstorm would only turn the sky into a Michael Bay movie. Wet trees generally don't catch fire.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 15, 2013, 12:40:55 pm
Well, could still be fairly dangerous. We got lot's of rotting trees building up beneath, which might block the water. (Resulting in either rising or lowering of the water levels). Also, methane.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 15, 2013, 12:57:07 pm
Oh god... Hydrogen filled balloons filling the skies, and piles over piles of methane-filled rotting trees on the ground? One spark and everything could explode...
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 15, 2013, 01:07:21 pm
Perhaps we should consider a different habitat?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 15, 2013, 01:28:59 pm
Oh, stop worrying about explosions. We've lived here at least a few hundred thousands years if we've evolved into a forest slicer or whatever it was.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 15, 2013, 04:08:34 pm
Hm.

Have the hives evolve to be symbiotic with trees. The hives get off the ground and a solid protection around them; the trees get protection and are fertilized by scraps of food and waste from the Hives.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 15, 2013, 07:12:34 pm
+1 and guidelings can also fend off animals that could damage the tree. Though I still think the hive should get balloons and the ability to move from tree to tree should the need arise.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 15, 2013, 07:17:41 pm
+1 and guidelings can also fend off animals that could damage the tree.
I thought that was implied.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Iituem on June 18, 2013, 01:33:35 pm
Continue hive parasitism. We want to grow through the tree, and end up on top of it.
Have the hives evolve to be symbiotic with trees. The hives get off the ground and a solid protection around them; the trees get protection and are fertilized by scraps of food and waste from the Hives.
+1 and guidelings can also fend off animals that could damage the tree. Though I still think the hive should get balloons and the ability to move from tree to tree should the need arise.

+1 to all these, I'd say.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 18, 2013, 02:06:16 pm
VOTES ARE:

Parisitise trees x2
Symbiotise trees x3
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 18, 2013, 02:10:13 pm
I intended those two to be the same basically.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 18, 2013, 02:21:21 pm
I intended those two to be the same basically.
Yeah but I needed a spare one.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 18, 2013, 02:37:59 pm
Symbiotise trees
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 18, 2013, 02:44:44 pm
Symbiotise trees
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 18, 2013, 02:45:53 pm
Okay, guys. PLEASE BE INSANE. YOU'RE BEING BORING RIGHT NOW.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 18, 2013, 02:49:07 pm
I reiterate my suggestion that we have the cattle cast develop translucent gut pouches to hold symbiotic algae
's about all the crazy I got at the moment
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 18, 2013, 02:49:23 pm
Okay, guys. PLEASE BE INSANE. YOU'RE BEING BORING RIGHT NOW.
Very well.

You know our previous plans of being mind flayers? Hives release spores that attach to organisms and establish control over them. Why symbiotize trees when we can make them our mind slaves?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 18, 2013, 02:52:33 pm
Nah.

I like original stuff, and stuff that's remotely possible. Also, usefulness is debatable.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 18, 2013, 02:52:49 pm
Okay, guys. PLEASE BE INSANE. YOU'RE BEING BORING RIGHT NOW.
Very well.

You know our previous plans of being mind flayers? Hives release spores that attach to organisms and establish control over them. Why symbiotize trees when we can make them our mind slaves?
7
I APPROVE CARRY ON.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on June 18, 2013, 02:57:33 pm
Okay, guys. PLEASE BE INSANE. YOU'RE BEING BORING RIGHT NOW.
Very well.

You know our previous plans of being mind flayers? Hives release spores that attach to organisms and establish control over them. Why symbiotize trees when we can make them our mind slaves?

YES.  Start to evolve into mind flayers.  We may not be able to use genuine psychic powers, but we've already proven we can do symbiosis and parasite functions.  A driver caste that infiltrates and hijacks other organisms' nervous systems, and maintains communication with us is a step in the right direction.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 18, 2013, 02:58:46 pm
Okay, guys. PLEASE BE INSANE. YOU'RE BEING BORING RIGHT NOW.
Very well.

You know our previous plans of being mind flayers? Hives release spores that attach to organisms and establish control over them. Why symbiotize trees when we can make them our mind slaves?
7
I APPROVE CARRY ON.
WHY IS THERE A 7.

Also I have thought of a way we could biologically possibly do this.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on June 18, 2013, 02:59:59 pm
Okay, guys. PLEASE BE INSANE. YOU'RE BEING BORING RIGHT NOW.
Very well.

You know our previous plans of being mind flayers? Hives release spores that attach to organisms and establish control over them. Why symbiotize trees when we can make them our mind slaves?
7
I APPROVE CARRY ON.
WHY IS THERE A 7.

Also I have thought of a way we could biologically possibly do this.

You mean like this nasty organism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiocordyceps_unilateralis)?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Iituem on June 18, 2013, 03:01:13 pm
Agreed.  Since we have electrical capacity, can we evolve a way of mimicking the fight or flight response in the brains of higher animals and forcing them to flee, as a starting point?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 18, 2013, 03:03:59 pm
Agreed.  Since we have electrical capacity, can we evolve a way of mimicking the fight or flight response in the brains of higher animals and forcing them to flee, as a starting point?
This would be good. We could use it to keep our hives cleared.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 18, 2013, 03:04:16 pm
For what point.

To eat them? We get enough food already
To defend ourselves? We'll be getting in more significant trouble because of the damage to the ecosystem. Besides, neurotoxin works better and faster
To kill them all? And kill ourselves, most likely

Besides, symbiosis and parasitism needs a specific approach for each type or even member species it's tried on. Can't just eat someone's brains and driving them around.


You mean like this nasty organism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiocordyceps_unilateralis)?
Or you know, standard Toxoplasma gondii.

Agreed.  Since we have electrical capacity, can we evolve a way of mimicking the fight or flight response in the brains of higher animals and forcing them to flee, as a starting point?
Chemicals are better at manipulating brains than electrical signals. Location doesn't matter as much for those.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 18, 2013, 03:06:20 pm
Agreed.  Since we have electrical capacity, can we evolve a way of mimicking the fight or flight response in the brains of higher animals and forcing them to flee, as a starting point?
Probably not, unless we use BRAIN HIJACK first.

HERE IS THE PLAN:
Step 1: Implant guideling
Step 2: Add mood chemicals
Step 3: Use electrical field to tell guideling which chemicals to use

This, unfortunately, means we shall not be able to hijack them instantly. However, we could theoretically get an alien sky rex and make it flee from our 40-cm-long self, with time and effort. So that's good.


As a side note, MORE SUGGESTION. We only have two.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: javierpwn on June 18, 2013, 03:07:36 pm
Besides, even if we do parasitise them; there will still be a bunch of overgrowth of those darned trees, and e need clearings!Evolve the cattle caste digestive system; in order to digest tough plant tissues!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 18, 2013, 03:08:30 pm
Hydrogen bladders on our flyers. They make us lighter and therefore make flying easier.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 18, 2013, 03:12:20 pm
Hydrogen bladders on our flyers. They make us lighter and therefore make flying easier.
You mean on us or some sort of flying guideling?
Also I forgot if guidelings can fly.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on June 18, 2013, 03:12:58 pm
For what point?!  I don't know about you, but I was hoping to engulf and incorporate the entire ecosystem, develop into a hivemind planet of many species and one consciousness.  From there, maybe we develop invader castes and incorporate other worlds into ourself.  Evolve into a unified sapient galaxy, eventually.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 18, 2013, 03:14:40 pm
We already did that once, in another suggestion game.

It's often boring.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 18, 2013, 03:16:04 pm
We already did that once, in another suggestion game.

It's often boring.
Don't worry, if this succeeded, it would only be able to target things with similar chemical signals. So it'll be like The Birds, except with alien skywhawks.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on June 18, 2013, 03:22:05 pm
We already did that once, in another suggestion game.

It's often boring.

Well yes, winning is boring and losing is fun.  That's why you set your goals unreasonably high, and if you actually reach them, come up with ever more reckless and unrealistic things to pursue.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 18, 2013, 03:25:33 pm
Actually, it's why I expect realism to happen and this plan to backfire horrifically.

-Massive parasitism requires a certain amount of compatibility between species --> Massive increase in plagues and diseases

-Major change of ecosystem --> Major instability of said ecosystem

-Massive distribution of spores --> something that likes to feed on them, and our hives
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 18, 2013, 03:59:20 pm
Why, not crazy enough? WE ARE GODDAMNED FLYING SQUIDS WITH SPEAR TENTACLES NESTING IN ORGANIC BALOONS ATTACHED TO THE TREES. How is that not crazy?

Forgive the caps lock x)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 18, 2013, 04:00:07 pm
Why, not crazy enough? WE ARE GODDAMNED FLYING SQUIDS WITH SPEAR TENTACLES NESTING IN ORGANIC BALOONS ATTACHED TO THE TREES. How is that not crazy?

Forgive the caps lock x)
You forgot that we have rifles as well.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist McDwarfFortress on June 18, 2013, 04:03:34 pm
I liked the electro-communication we used to have. Do we still have that? Like we can change our electrical field in ways that other slicers would pick up and could interpret. It would be pretty cool to be able to communicate in a way that most other organisms can't even detect.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Iituem on June 18, 2013, 05:55:03 pm
I liked the electro-communication we used to have. Do we still have that? Like we can change our electrical field in ways that other slicers would pick up and could interpret. It would be pretty cool to be able to communicate in a way that most other organisms can't even detect.

Hydrogen bladders on our flyers. They make us lighter and therefore make flying easier.
You mean on us or some sort of flying guideling?
Also I forgot if guidelings can fly.

This, but let's go further.  Parasitise/Symbiotise the hydrogen gas-bag creatures - create airborne hives and move our entire life-cycle into the air.  True, we'd have to manually supply a lot of the hive's needs (or it'd require feeder guidelings), but it'd certainly be Fun.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 18, 2013, 06:03:20 pm
I liked the electro-communication we used to have. Do we still have that? Like we can change our electrical field in ways that other slicers would pick up and could interpret. It would be pretty cool to be able to communicate in a way that most other organisms can't even detect.

Hydrogen bladders on our flyers. They make us lighter and therefore make flying easier.
You mean on us or some sort of flying guideling?
Also I forgot if guidelings can fly.

This, but let's go further.  Parasitise/Symbiotise the hydrogen gas-bag creatures - create airborne hives and move our entire life-cycle into the air.  True, we'd have to manually supply a lot of the hive's needs (or it'd require feeder guidelings), but it'd certainly be Fun.
This is something I support. What need have we for the ground when we can conceivably live our entire lives in the air?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 18, 2013, 06:06:39 pm
I liked the electro-communication we used to have. Do we still have that? Like we can change our electrical field in ways that other slicers would pick up and could interpret. It would be pretty cool to be able to communicate in a way that most other organisms can't even detect.

Hydrogen bladders on our flyers. They make us lighter and therefore make flying easier.
You mean on us or some sort of flying guideling?
Also I forgot if guidelings can fly.

This, but let's go further.  Parasitise/Symbiotise the hydrogen gas-bag creatures - create airborne hives and move our entire life-cycle into the air.  True, we'd have to manually supply a lot of the hive's needs (or it'd require feeder guidelings), but it'd certainly be Fun.
Supporting all of that.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on June 18, 2013, 07:32:24 pm
Parasitise/Symbiotise the hydrogen gas-bag creatures - create airborne hives and move our entire life-cycle into the air.
This, I love this idea.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 18, 2013, 11:10:01 pm
Parasitise/Symbiotise the hydrogen gas-bag creatures - create airborne hives and move our entire life-cycle into the air.
This, I love this idea.
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 19, 2013, 12:26:56 am
I don't.

For previously mentioned reasons.

1) The bags are floating relatively close to the ground, meaning they don't have a lot of exess hydrogen. Attach something to it, and it's going down
2) Remember Michael Bays. That's what an errant spark would cause
3) Our hives are weaker there (out in the open, no food supply, no defense)
4) No way to control where we're going, a bad gust of wind and we might find ourselves in the sahara
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 19, 2013, 04:11:07 am
I don't.

For previously mentioned reasons.

1) The bags are floating relatively close to the ground, meaning they don't have a lot of exess hydrogen. Attach something to it, and it's going down
2) Remember Michael Bays. That's what an errant spark would cause
3) Our hives are weaker there (out in the open, no food supply, no defense)
4) No way to control where we're going, a bad gust of wind and we might find ourselves in the sahara
1) MOAR BALLOONS. BIGGER.
2) That's a risk. Mortality shouldn't be excessive, otherwise the whole forest would have burned down already (as pointed by our GM)
3) We are the Sky True Masters. None can challenge us there. There is no more secure area. As for food, either we come down to suck treesap or we use symbiots.
4) Take the opportunity to adapt to new environments and spread further. Acceptable mortality rate. And balloons can control themselves enough to stay above the forest.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 19, 2013, 05:33:25 am
1)Fire is the way these balloons spread. They burn down, their seeds fall to the ground, and then they hatch into new trees, which release new balloon seeds. As the GM said, in case of a fire, most of the sky will go Michael bays.
3) We're not. We're just to fast and to dangerous for the large aerial predators. Or hives are immobile, and often undefended. Also more tasty than our small selves.
4) These are not balloons. These are just bottles of hydrogen with no real way to choose their heading or altitude. The fact that the amount of balloons above the forest is constant is because well, balloons fly into the area as well as out.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 19, 2013, 06:12:02 am
1)Fire is the way these balloons spread. They burn down, their seeds fall to the ground, and then they hatch into new trees, which release new balloon seeds. As the GM said, in case of a fire, most of the sky will go Michael bays.
3) We're not. We're just to fast and to dangerous for the large aerial predators. Or hives are immobile, and often undefended. Also more tasty than our small selves.
4) These are not balloons. These are just bottles of hydrogen with no real way to choose their heading or altitude. The fact that the amount of balloons above the forest is constant is because well, balloons fly into the area as well as out.
1) never heard of that, and GM toned down our fears of the whole forest going MB.
3) They are defended by guidelings or slicers more often than not. Occasional predation is acceptable.
4) Thermodynamics. They should logically spread evenly over the whole planet.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 19, 2013, 06:17:56 am
1) How else would the balloons spread or reproduce. They have no source of biomass, hence can't grow. No real source of water too, so only limited photosynthesis. Only logical solution is to assume that they're part of a larger lifecycle of one of the groundbased trees, with these things spreading it's seeds over a large distance
4) They don't last forever. Doubt they last longer than 6 months. We're pretty close to the source, hence we get lots of balloons flying over.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 19, 2013, 06:46:25 am
Parasitise/Symbiotise the hydrogen gas-bag creatures - create airborne hives and move our entire life-cycle into the air.
This, I love this idea.
+1
-1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 19, 2013, 07:34:45 am
Parasitise/Symbiotise the hydrogen gas-bag creatures - create airborne hives and move our entire life-cycle into the air.
This, I love this idea.
+1
-1
-1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 19, 2013, 10:05:04 am
For the whole Baymovie thing, there ARE frequent methane/hydrogen explosions. Yes, they do hurt us. No, they will not result in a visible hit to the population. Yes, attaching our hives to hydrogen-filled balloons in a thundercloud-filled forest happens to be a spectacularly bad idea.

VOTES
Parisitise trees x2
Symbiotise trees x5
Parasitise EVERYTHING with hive spores controlling their minds x4
Make cattle digest wood x1
Parisitise balloons x2
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 19, 2013, 10:19:59 am
-1 to PARASITISE EVERYTHING

parasitise baloons and spread outside of the forest.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 19, 2013, 10:21:43 am
Voting for better cattle digestion
Also, for remaining in current location
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 19, 2013, 11:16:59 am
it's not moving, it's spreading.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 19, 2013, 11:20:06 am
Doubt the GM is letting us play in 2 areas at once. So yes, it's moving.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 19, 2013, 02:09:17 pm
Doubt the GM is letting us play in 2 areas at once. So yes, it's moving.
D:
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 19, 2013, 03:14:58 pm
Yeah. As a general rule, environments similar enough for a species to live in is counted as one environment.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 19, 2013, 03:25:52 pm
What would it take to spread to several, wildly different environments? It may cause divergent evolution, but then again, it is one major feature of evolution.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 19, 2013, 03:58:37 pm
+1 to symbiosis

Better brains

Faster

Suction cups for attaching to trees

Reintroduce burrowing and swimming ability
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 19, 2013, 04:03:10 pm
+1 to symbiosis

Better brains

Faster

+1.
Quote
Reintroduce burrowing and swimming ability[/b]
-1. No ground association for us.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 19, 2013, 06:07:59 pm
what about swimming?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 19, 2013, 06:14:59 pm
Swimming I neither endorse nor crusade.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 19, 2013, 09:32:21 pm
What would it take to spread to several, wildly different environments? It may cause divergent evolution, but then again, it is one major feature of evolution.
Agreed. I'd like it if we formed the ancestors of the dominant clade.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 20, 2013, 12:43:27 am
What would it take to spread to several, wildly different environments? It may cause divergent evolution, but then again, it is one major feature of evolution.
Agreed. I'd like it if we formed the ancestors of the dominant clade.
I assume that already happens. However, those who spread simply become another species, and hence are no longer in our control.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 20, 2013, 04:01:57 am
What would it take to spread to several, wildly different environments? It may cause divergent evolution, but then again, it is one major feature of evolution.
Agreed. I'd like it if we formed the ancestors of the dominant clade.
I assume that already happens. However, those who spread simply become another species, and hence are no longer in our control.
We cant become the dominant clade if we stay strictly endemic to a single forest at a.time...
Seriously, if we were to send half of our things to a nearby plain, why would we lose control?
And if not, at which point would we lose control over one of the groups and why?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 20, 2013, 06:54:19 am
I know let's add

Web-spinning
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 20, 2013, 07:18:45 am
What would it take to spread to several, wildly different environments? It may cause divergent evolution, but then again, it is one major feature of evolution.
Agreed. I'd like it if we formed the ancestors of the dominant clade.
I assume that already happens. However, those who spread simply become another species, and hence are no longer in our control.
We cant become the dominant clade if we stay strictly endemic to a single forest at a.time...
Seriously, if we were to send half of our things to a nearby plain, why would we lose control?
And if not, at which point would we lose control over one of the groups and why?
Arbitrary gameplay reasons

The GM said that each environment is the area in which a single species can survive without developing subspecies. Each turn is the time it takes for a new species to develop. It's what happened last times we moved, so it will happen now too.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 20, 2013, 07:46:39 am
I know let's add

Web-spinning
+1

Let us begin our road to construction!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 20, 2013, 08:59:39 am
I know let's add

Web-spinning
+1. It's yours. You can have it.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 20, 2013, 09:15:53 am
Faster

Stronger

More Agile

Bone blades on it's wings

Better protection


Are we allowed to +1 ourselves?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 20, 2013, 09:19:20 am
Symbiotise trees
Make cattle digest wood

+1
I know let's add

Web-spinning
+1

Better brains

Faster


+1


These things would be terrifying  in real life
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 20, 2013, 09:38:59 am
GUYS. WE ARE BECOMING INTELLIGENT, FLYING, OMNIVOROUS SPIDER-SQUID. HOLY FUCKING GOD.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 20, 2013, 09:39:54 am
So are those +1s to my ideas, Gamerlord?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 20, 2013, 09:40:23 am
FUCK YES.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Harbingerjm on June 20, 2013, 09:41:57 am
Symbiotise trees
Make cattle digest wood
+1
I know let's add
Web-spinning
+1
Better brains
Faster

+1
These things would be terrifying  in real life
+ another 1

Parisitise balloons x2
+1, sort of. Only instead of using them as highly explosive hive base thingies, we use our new web ability and mini-forms to exploit the hell out of them. String up webs between them, possibly between them and the trees, consider evolving a moustache and the ability to cackle as the larger, presumably clumsier and less-guided-by-minions-and-non-sight-senses flying predator species stumble around the skies. Between that and the earlier suggestion we get suction cups, (+1ing that, btw), we should be able to develop a whole new form of mini-us, based around sticking on to balloons, trees and the like then ambushing others when they get hampered by webs.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 20, 2013, 09:45:41 am
Okay, so we've got a few metric effloads of stuff. The current things are:

Parisitise trees x2
Symbiotise trees x7
Parasitise EVERYTHING with hive spores controlling their minds x3
Make cattle digest wood x4
Parisitise balloons x3
Faster x4
Strength x1
Suction cups for climbing x2
Intelligence x4
Better swimming x1
Web-spinning x5
Bladed wings x1
Armour x1

Staying here x1

Just in case anyone has any last +1s. UPDATES SHALL SOON.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on June 20, 2013, 09:48:38 am
Waaait.

+1 to web spinning, parasitise ballons and intelligence
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 20, 2013, 09:49:38 am
Suction cups get a +1.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 20, 2013, 09:50:16 am

Parisitise trees x2
Symbiotise trees x7
Parasitise EVERYTHING with hive spores controlling their minds x3
Make cattle digest wood x4
Parisitise balloons x3
Faster x4
Strength x1
Suction cups for climbing x2
Intelligence x4
Better swimming x1
Web-spinning x5
Bladed wings x1
Armour x1

Staying here x1

Just in case anyone has any last +1s. UPDATES SHALL SOON.

I +1 anything that can b by me
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 20, 2013, 09:58:23 am
Okay, I am now satisfied with the +1s. Someone post so I can get up the next update.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 20, 2013, 09:59:36 am
Boobies.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 20, 2013, 10:18:27 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Symbiotise trees- 1+2=3, Hive spore mind control- 5, Parasitise balloons- 2, Cattle caste wood digestion- 4, Speed- 2, Suction cups- 4, Intelligence- 6+1=7, Web-spinning- 5+1

Webber slicers have recently evolved in the forests of the continent. These animals are highly intelligent, and play a large part in the ecosystem. Their hives have another caste, the radio caste, which imbeds itself in the brains of other flyers and controls their behaviour. Herbivores of all kinds now gather into one spot, becoming herds that the webbers keep together. These creatures also create webs, gluing balloons together to create fields for their livestock to graze on and trapping animals to be eaten. The massive success of these animals has meant more energy to go to brains, and they now are intelligent enough to have true pack hunting instead of mobs.

Cattle caste guidelings can now digest wood. This takes a lot of time, though, and other food sources are available. It does, however, help break down the wood slightly.

Strangely enough, the concentration of herbivores has in fact made the forest even denser, by letting more light to the forest floor and spreading balloon seeds through the area. The trees are even more purple than before, to cope with the increasing lack of green light. However, there is a problem growing. CO2 is being used up and trapped in the rotting wood, turning the climate colder. The other problem is that higher decomposition rates (thanks to cattle guidelings) is creating layers of methane on the forest floor, killing off many ground-dwelling species. This, alongside the increased density of hydrogen balloons and decrease in thunderstorms and lightning, is starting to turn the forest into a veritable time bomb.

GENERATION 22:
Webber slicer
A mottled purple-and-green bird-like animal that hunts above the swampforest. They use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They mostly fly. They grow up to 40 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They use two claws on their back to snatch prey from the ground or air.
SOCIAL: They work together to chase or ambush prey. They put their hives together, so whole swarms of guidelets can protect them.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations from moving creatures. Its hearing is superb, and it can echolocate.
REPRODUCTION: It 'kisses' a mate it approves of, passing male cells to it, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hive. They eat mucus that the hive creates and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with.
MOVEMENT: They fly by using their front wings to glide and their back wings as engines. They have two legs on their underside.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the guts. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation. Other prey include land-dwelling spearfaced worms (slitherers) and other flappers. We can use a precise jet of neurotoxin, laced with silica shards (to pierce the skin), to kill prey.
PREDATION: We are mostly unpredated.
COMPETITION: We are currently the dominant predator of our environment.
ENVIRONMENT: A massive swampy forest, with torrential downpour and balloons filling the sky.

HOME TERRITORY:  Swamp forest
NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: Montane forest, saltwater swamp, swamp forest on another continent, cold forest
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 20, 2013, 10:18:41 am
Hehehe permanently enlarged mammary glands acting as secondary sexual characteristics to attract mates
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 20, 2013, 10:19:07 am
Hehehe permanently enlarged mammary glands acting as secondary sexual characteristics to attract mates
wait howd you get there that fast
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 20, 2013, 10:21:39 am
Begin the exodus!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 20, 2013, 10:22:27 am
I believe a we have two options:

A: A 'cleanup' caste which metabolises harmful waste products.
or
B: Migrate.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 20, 2013, 10:25:29 am
Begin the exodus!
To WHERE, exactly?
Also, HOORAY FOR FLYING OMNIVOROUS PREDATORY SQUIDS WITH LEGS AND HIVES AND MIND PROBES CAUSING CLIMATE CHANGE!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 20, 2013, 10:26:39 am
To the South, wherever that may be. Should be warmer there.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 20, 2013, 10:27:17 am
Hehehe permanently enlarged mammary glands acting as secondary sexual characteristics to attract mates
wait howd you get there that fast
It was a response to Gamerlord  :P

Begin the exodus!
To WHERE, exactly?
Also, HOORAY FOR FLYING OMNIVOROUS PREDATORY SQUIDS WITH LEGS AND HIVES AND MIND PROBES CAUSING CLIMATE CHANGE!
To the cold forest!
Or
To the Montane forest!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 20, 2013, 10:30:19 am
To the South, wherever that may be. Should be warmer there.
This. Normally I would advocate cold places, but I sense an Ice Age.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Harbingerjm on June 20, 2013, 10:30:45 am
A: A 'cleanup' caste which metabolises harmful waste products.
+1.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 20, 2013, 10:30:59 am
To the South, wherever that may be. Should be warmer there.
This. Normally I would advocate cold places, but I sense an Ice Age.
I'll call that the other continent's forest.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 20, 2013, 10:36:31 am
Maybe we can make something like penguin feathers or seal fur to keep ourselves warm?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 20, 2013, 10:37:50 am
If the ice age hits lving in a cold climate will be to our advantage as the cold biomes will grow and spread while warm biomes will shrival up and die. Remember, we arn't livinfg in a spot we are living in a biome and they will be driven ahead of the glaciers rather than swalowed by them
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 20, 2013, 10:38:37 am
Maybe we can make something like penguin feathers or seal fur to keep ourselves warm?
Are we even endotherms? it wouldn't be very helpful if we arn't.
evolve endothermy
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 20, 2013, 10:41:05 am
The real problem is that we don't actually know if it's even possible to live in areas that cold in the context of the game. If it is possible, why not just evolve our bodies to work when extremely cold?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 20, 2013, 10:42:22 am
But even if we DO adapt to the cold, we should still look into a cleaner caste. Just because there are SO many potential applications for it down the line.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 20, 2013, 10:45:34 am
+1 to moving to montane forest
my suggestions again+1 to cleaner caste
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 20, 2013, 10:48:14 am
In order to metabolize methane they would probably need a gut microbe of some kind to brake it down, giving them CO2 arts insted of methane farts
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Harbingerjm on June 20, 2013, 10:50:46 am
In order to metabolize methane they would probably need a gut microbe of some kind to brake it down, giving them CO2 arts insted of methane farts
How convenient.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 20, 2013, 10:58:30 am
I presume algae want to happen.

Also, yeah, we're currently cold-blooded. We've never been in a biome cooler than a suitable temperature for flight.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 20, 2013, 11:01:54 am
To be fair methane can also be used in photosynthisis, just not the "normal" kind.Its also a stronger green hous gas than CO2. But CO2 dosn't go BOOM so there's that.
Quote
Cleaner cast
Move to montane forest
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on June 20, 2013, 11:36:57 am
Why not just adapt our own respiratory system to be able to use methane as an additional energy source?  But if that doesn't get enough support, sublimate this suggestion to a +1 cleaner caste vote.

+1 to becoming an endotherm.

Feathers are fur are boring.  We have webbing and we have a brain.  I say we develop the ability to make simple clothing for ourselves.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 20, 2013, 11:44:12 am
Why not just adapt our own respiratory system to be able to use methane as an additional energy source?  But if that doesn't get enough support, sublimate this suggestion to a +1 cleaner caste vote.
I was going to say we couldn't and we still can't. That kind of biochemicle chang is way out of our leauge. But then it ocured to me that we could evolve special chambers off our trachia that house methane eating bacteria. We would probably need some sort of semi permiable berier to prevent methane from filling our lungs (wich would replace air and sufocate us) but nothing is actualy imposible about it.
So yeah what the circus +1


Quote
Feathers are fur are boring.  We have webbing and we have a brain.  I say we develop the ability to make simple clothing for ourselves.
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Iituem on June 20, 2013, 12:49:07 pm
+1 to cleaner caste.  We're already terraformers, we might as well take it to the next step and achieve control over the atmosphere itself.

+1 to silk clothing as an adaptation against cold - it's like building a nest around our own bodies!  Also, spin the silk around hives to keep them warm too!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 20, 2013, 12:50:38 pm
+1 to cleaner caste.  We're already terraformers, we might as well take it to the next step and achieve control over the atmosphere itself.

+1 to silk clothing as an adaptation against cold - it's like building a nest around our own bodies!  Also, spin the silk around hives to keep them warm too!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 20, 2013, 12:51:51 pm
It's not like silk is flamable, right.

Still +1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 20, 2013, 12:54:51 pm
It's not any more flammable than we are, so that's kind of a moot point.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 20, 2013, 01:06:47 pm
+1 to the stuff

Also, how about a new caste which can make the silk into a proper building material like termite mounds

And tails that have bone tips so they can be a weapon or a saw.

Ooh, and large clawed spadelike feet for digging into trees and better kicking
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 20, 2013, 01:11:25 pm
Just so ya know, the guidelings can't silk stuff. Only we can do that.

VOTES-

Endothermy x2
Cleaner caste remove rotting wood/methane x5
Insulation x1
Methane-breathing with bacterial sacs x2
Spin silk clothing x5
Spin silk hive clothing x3
Silk buildings x1
Weaponised tail x1
Claws on feet for tree-digging/kicking x1

Move to cold forest x1
Move to montane forest x2
Move to other continent's forest x1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 20, 2013, 01:14:17 pm
Spin silk hive clothing
Silk buildings
Claws on feet for tree-digging/kicking
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 20, 2013, 01:24:18 pm
Hey, what if someone made a seperate evolution thread in the same world and the species got into competition 

Oh and +1 to everything
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on June 20, 2013, 01:25:41 pm
Aaand I'm giving a +1 to everything.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 20, 2013, 01:27:34 pm
That sounds like it might be interesting. I would probably do it myself, but I wouldn't be able to continue something like that for an extensive period of time.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on June 20, 2013, 01:48:11 pm
Silk hive covers for protection and insulation is good, I should have thought of that myself.  +1 to that.

Looks like the methane-breathing isn't getting much support.  Change that to +1 cleaner caste from me... might as well get a roll bonus and make them as good as they can be.

Insulation with clothing or otherwise isn't going to help much if our only way of getting to an ideal temperature is to get to a place that's that temperature and collect or shed heat, first.  Support Endothermy, guys.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 20, 2013, 01:49:33 pm
It did have 4 votes( mostly from people who voted +1 to everything)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on June 20, 2013, 01:50:48 pm
Fair enough. Change vote back from cleaner caste to methane-breathing.  Also, support Endothermy so our silk clothing matters. :P
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 20, 2013, 01:52:38 pm
Yeah +1  for methane breathing and endothermy
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on June 20, 2013, 02:17:43 pm
+1 to moving to mountains
+1 to silk clothing
-1 to everything else
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 20, 2013, 02:18:33 pm
Quote
+1 to moving to mountains
This.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on June 20, 2013, 02:19:53 pm
Hey, what if someone made a seperate evolution thread in the same world and the species got into competition 
Or, maybe, we should have a secondary GM who decides how to rest of the environment adapts to us. It could bring challenge to this game.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 20, 2013, 02:21:16 pm
 who will be it?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 20, 2013, 02:22:39 pm
I would be happy to try my hand at the job, but I couldn't guarantee I would be able to maintain the position after summer break ends.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Tomcost on June 20, 2013, 02:25:23 pm
First, we need to know if this idea has support. Then, well, we can make a poll? Those who want to be the environmet GM can just post saying their intentions and they will be included. Well, I don't really know, I'm not experienced in dealing with decisions in forums. Either way, Eotyrannus has the final word on this.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 20, 2013, 03:02:22 pm
Just as a note, but those things have been tried in the past and almost all ended in failure.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 20, 2013, 04:00:46 pm
Just as a note, but those things have been tried in the past and almost all ended in failure.
Yeah. Personally, I'd enjoy having an alternate universe where someone takes control of a different type of creature, and we see what would happen if it was that (and not tentablobs) which went strange mood with their evolutions.

ALSO, UPDATE SOON, GET THOSE +1s IN

VOTES-

Endothermy x4
Cleaner caste remove rotting wood/methane x6
Insulation x2
Methane-breathing with bacterial sacs x4
Spin silk clothing x8
Spin silk hive clothing x8
Silk buildings x3
Weaponised tail x2
Claws on feet for tree-digging/kicking x3

Move to cold forest x2
Move to montane forest x6
Move to other continent's forest x2
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 20, 2013, 04:14:21 pm
Vote everything
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 20, 2013, 04:42:00 pm
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Endothermy- 4, Rotting-wood-eater cleaner caste- 1+1=2, Bacteria in sacs digesting methane- 4, Silk clothing- 5+2, Hive clothing- 6+2, Silk constructs- 3, Tree-digging/kicking- 1

Mountain slicers have evolved to be able to survive in higher, cooler, moister climates. It continues to have herds in the sky, but it can now generate its own heat within its body, to deal with cold mornings. Its feet have specialised for climbing around the sky balloons, and are now blunter and with sticky pads. To keep heat in, it constructs silken sleeping bags and surrounds its hive with another layer of silk. They keep the sleeping bag on throughout the day, although they regularly tear wing holes and foot holes in the fabric. Their guts contain bacteria that break down methane and provide a long enough dose of oxygen for the slicer to get to safer ground if they find themselves waking up in a puff of gas.

The guidelings and hives are about the same as normal, if slightly more robust to deal with the cooler climate.

Water-living species of leggedgrinders are beginning to return to the land. The forest is even denser nowadays.

GENERATION 23:
Mountain slicer
A mottled purple-and-green bird-like animal that hunts above the swampforest. They use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They mostly fly. They grow up to 40 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They use two claws on their back to snatch prey from the ground or air.
SOCIAL: They work together to chase or ambush prey. They put their hives together, so whole swarms of flying guidelets can protect them.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. Symbiotic guidelings help it find live prey. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations from moving creatures. Its hearing is superb, and it can echolocate.
REPRODUCTION: It 'kisses' a mate it approves of, passing male cells to it, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother until they can be dropped off at their hive. They eat mucus that the hive creates and, when they are large enough, find a suitable guideling to make a nest with.
MOVEMENT: They fly by using their front wings to glide and their back wings as engines. They have two legs on their underside.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the guts. They are able to prey on fast swimmers, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation. Other prey include land-dwelling spearfaced worms (slitherers) and other flappers. We can use a precise jet of neurotoxin, laced with silica shards (to pierce the skin), to kill prey.
PREDATION: We are mostly unpredated.
COMPETITION: We are currently the dominant predator of our environment.
ENVIRONMENT: A massive cool swampy forest, with torrential downpour and balloons filling the sky. There are clouds and fog everywhere, and many rivers.

HOME TERRITORY:  Montane forest
NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: Swamp forest, mud flats, tropical swamp forest

ENVIRONMENTAL ALERT- EXTINCTION EVENT
DICE ROLL- 5, MASS EXTINCTION, WORLDWIDE CRISIS

A combination of events change the world completely. Firstly, the forest becomes dense enough for a proper explosion. A lightning strike causes the sky balloons to explode, and the flaming cinders fall upon the methane below, igniting that as well. The burning gases release vast amounts of water vapour and CO2 into the atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect. This melts the ice caps of the newly-started ice age, as well as releasing the vapour, flooding coastal forests. This is compounded by the release of more methane from under the ocean, causing even more global warming. By the time the events are finished, 70% of species have gone extinct, the swamps are now mere forests and rolling bubblegrass praries cover much of the landscape.
SURVIVAL ROLL- 1
We teeter ever so closely to extinction. The drying landscape meant our hives didn't get enough water to survive, and the last remnants of our symbiotic trio are lost to the sands of time. We are no longer supreme rulers of our environment. The hives are gone. The guide caste is gone. The warrior caste is gone. The cattle caste is gone. The radio caste is gone. We are alone, and at the mercy of the whims of fate. If we fail to do well in the next few million years, our own extinction is inevitable too. With the loss of our guidelets, we have to work hard to feed our tentaclets and protect them, and the loss of their sight means our own lack of eyes has hit us harder than ever. Other slicers are able to see far into the distance, but we only get a blur of shapes at the distance they are preparing to attack. We are in trouble.

POST-EXTINCTION GENERATION 22:
Loner slicer
A mottled purple-and-green bird-like animal that hunts above the swampforest. They use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They mostly fly. They grow up to 40 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They use two claws on their back to snatch prey from the ground or air.
SOCIAL: They live alone, as they can no longer support themselves in a group.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations from moving creatures. Its hearing is superb, and it can echolocate. However, this is still inferior to the eagle-eyed vision of other slicers.
REPRODUCTION: It 'kisses' a mate it approves of, passing male cells to it, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother and are fed by them. They eat regurgitated food from the mother's guts, and when they are old enough, they leave.
MOVEMENT: They fly by using their front wings to glide and their back wings as engines. They have two legs on their underside.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the guts. They are able to prey on most animals smaller than them, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation. Other prey include land-dwelling spearfaced worms (slitherers) and other flappers, as well as leggedgrinders. We can use a precise jet of neurotoxin, laced with silica shards (to pierce the skin), to kill prey.
PREDATION: We are fed on by many predators, despite our toxicity.
COMPETITION: Many predators our size are taking over.
ENVIRONMENT: A moist rainforest, with scarce balloons over the sky and many purple-ish trees.

CURRENT ENVIRONMENT: Montane forest
NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: Bubblegrass prarie, mudflats, taiga, open ocean
[/quote]
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 20, 2013, 04:45:38 pm
We have reached full Michael Bays. Things will never be the same.

Become bigger, faster, stronger, and smarter. As much as possible. Evolve teleawareness to stand in for eyes. Evolve tentaclets into armored shells.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: jaass on June 20, 2013, 05:16:54 pm
We have reached full Michael Bays. Things will never be the same.

Become bigger, faster, stronger, and smarter. As much as possible. Evolve teleawareness to stand in for eyes. Evolve tentaclets into armored shells.
-1 on bigger and stronger. We need to regroup and start co-operating again.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 20, 2013, 05:26:19 pm
Evolve crude real-time electrical telepathy.
Fine electrical impulses from the sides of the Slicers can be interpreted by other slicers' electrical senses as the transmitter's visual sensations. Our evolved brain allow us to analyze the signal and "see what they see", and combine it with our own vision. Large groups will in time be able to have a single unified vision field. It is NOT a hivemind, just shared vision.

Live in less open environments. Dense forests, caves... Be nocturnal. Be the night. BE THE BAT.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 20, 2013, 05:27:52 pm
Evolve crude real-time electrical telepathy.
Fine electrical impulses from the sides of the Slicers can be interpreted by other slicers' electrical senses as the transmitter's visual sensations. Our evolved brain allow us to analyze the signal and "see what they see", and combine it with our own vision. Large groups will in time be able to have a single unified vision field. It is NOT a hivemind, just shared vision.

Live in less open environments. Dense forests, caves... Be nocturnal. Be the night. BE THE BAT.
A nocturnal schedule is good. So is telepathy.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 20, 2013, 05:34:56 pm
Lets do the spider!
evolve silk webs
evolve electrical field to interfere with other organism's brain waves, causing confusion.
+1 shared vision
+1 telepathy
+1 nocturnal.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: InZane on June 20, 2013, 06:12:25 pm
Lets do the spider!
evolve silk webs
evolve electrical field to interfere with other organism's brain waves, causing confusion.
+1 shared vision
+1 telepathy
+1 nocturnal.
1+ all of dis
We will become the giant spider!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on June 20, 2013, 06:17:03 pm
Evolve crude real-time electrical telepathy.
Fine electrical impulses from the sides of the Slicers can be interpreted by other slicers' electrical senses as the transmitter's visual sensations. Our evolved brain allow us to analyze the signal and "see what they see", and combine it with our own vision. Large groups will in time be able to have a single unified vision field. It is NOT a hivemind, just shared vision.

Live in less open environments. Dense forests, caves... Be nocturnal. Be the night. BE THE BAT.
+1
Lets do the spider!
evolve silk webs
evolve electrical field to interfere with other organism's brain waves, causing confusion.
+1 shared vision
+1 telepathy
+1 nocturnal.
+1

Also we should evolve the ability to take control of other creatures if we haven't already.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 20, 2013, 06:54:18 pm
+1 to everything as well as weaponized tail and digger/kicker feet

Greater cooperation

Smarter
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 20, 2013, 08:18:54 pm
What would it take to spread to several, wildly different environments? It may cause divergent evolution, but then again, it is one major feature of evolution.
Agreed. I'd like it if we formed the ancestors of the dominant clade.
I assume that already happens. However, those who spread simply become another species, and hence are no longer in our control.
Still, there's no proof that our clade is the dominant one.
The most interesting clade? Sure. The dominant species? Yes, and surprisingly early. Dominant clade? No.

-----

Evolve crude real-time electrical telepathy.
Fine electrical impulses from the sides of the Slicers can be interpreted by other slicers' electrical senses as the transmitter's visual sensations. Our evolved brain allow us to analyze the signal and "see what they see", and combine it with our own vision. Large groups will in time be able to have a single unified vision field. It is NOT a hivemind, just shared vision.
Live in less open environments. Dense forests, caves... Be nocturnal. Be the night. BE THE BAT.
+1 to everything as well as weaponized tail and digger/kicker feet
Greater cooperation
Smarter
+1

Boobies.
-1

Anyone feel up to drawing us again?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Iituem on June 20, 2013, 09:09:54 pm
Just as a note, but those things have been tried in the past and almost all ended in failure.
Yeah. Personally, I'd enjoy having an alternate universe where someone takes control of a different type of creature, and we see what would happen if it was that (and not tentablobs) which went strange mood with their evolutions.

*innocent whistling* (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=127524.0)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 20, 2013, 09:10:46 pm
Just as a note, but those things have been tried in the past and almost all ended in failure.
Yeah. Personally, I'd enjoy having an alternate universe where someone takes control of a different type of creature, and we see what would happen if it was that (and not tentablobs) which went strange mood with their evolutions.
*innocent whistling* (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=127524.0)
Subtle.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 21, 2013, 12:44:31 am
Just as a note, but those things have been tried in the past and almost all ended in failure.
Yeah. Personally, I'd enjoy having an alternate universe where someone takes control of a different type of creature, and we see what would happen if it was that (and not tentablobs) which went strange mood with their evolutions.
*innocent whistling* (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=127524.0)
Subtle.
XD
I changed telepathy to electrical communication, since it'd be a bit hard to say EXACTLY what they see.
Faster x1
Smarter x2
Nocturnal x6
Zap things for confusion x3
Electrical communication x8
Weaponised tail x1
Digger feet x1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 21, 2013, 12:47:11 am
+1 to everything.
I already have my vote on electrical com and nocturnal btw.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 21, 2013, 06:14:58 am
+1 to everything
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 21, 2013, 08:27:28 am
You forgot webs

also +1 to digging feet
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on June 21, 2013, 08:38:52 am
+1 to nocturnal
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 21, 2013, 08:52:46 am
Just as a note, but those things have been tried in the past and almost all ended in failure.
Yeah. Personally, I'd enjoy having an alternate universe where someone takes control of a different type of creature, and we see what would happen if it was that (and not tentablobs) which went strange mood with their evolutions.
*innocent whistling* (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=127524.0)
Subtle.
XD
I changed telepathy to electrical communication, since it'd be a bit hard to say EXACTLY what they see.
Faster x1
Smarter x2
Nocturnal x6
Zap things for confusion x3
Electrical communication x8
Weaponised tail x1
Digger feet x1
Hey, you're missing this:
Lets do the spider!
evolve silk webs
(I think it means like RL spider webs, not what we had before.)

And +1 to everything.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: ansontan2000 on June 21, 2013, 09:37:41 am
+1 everything
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 21, 2013, 11:27:28 am
Lets do the spider!
evolve silk webs
(I think it means like RL spider webs, not what we had before.)

Yes it dose. Even a non adhesive net would be good for now.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 21, 2013, 02:35:20 pm
Suction cup arms at base of neck
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 21, 2013, 03:25:20 pm
Suction cup arms at base of neck
I'll just say that's the arms on the back. SOON, UPDATE, SOON.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 21, 2013, 08:01:41 pm
Great. +1 to all again
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist McDwarfFortress on June 22, 2013, 10:39:40 am
Evolve crude real-time electrical telepathy.
Fine electrical impulses from the sides of the Slicers can be interpreted by other slicers' electrical senses as the transmitter's visual sensations. Our evolved brain allow us to analyze the signal and "see what they see", and combine it with our own vision. Large groups will in time be able to have a single unified vision field. It is NOT a hivemind, just shared vision.
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 22, 2013, 11:42:21 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Faster- 3, Smarter- 5+1, Nocturnal- 3+2, Zap things for confusion- 6+1, Electrical communication 3+2, Weaponised tail- 5, Digger feet- 6, Webs- 5

SURVIVAL ROLL- 3! Our species is still in trouble, and another bad generation could spell our doom.

The loner slicer has managed to form social groups again, and has evolved into the nightmace. These animals are even more intelligent than previous species, with their already-existing cultural abilities being expanded even further. Their most obvious feature, however, is their tail. It has developed a spiked ball of spongy bone at the end of their tail. This is frequently groomed, as tiny grooves on the surface are used to carry deadly neurotoxin. This isn't enough for it to be a lethal concentration, but the nightmace can also generate powerful electrical shocks, which are powered by the ever-working muscle of the wings. They sprawl webs across trees in their mountainous homes, and feed on any creatures that are caught when they wake or return to their homes. These animals have powerful feet, with which they can dig through solid tree bark, where they keep their young in a maze of silk. The silk can be a secondary shock communicator, as it is an excellent conductor and a sprawl of threads attached to prey can be highly effective.

The world is continuing to dry. The montane forests are shrinking.

GENERATION 24:
Nightmace
A mottled dark purple bird-like animal that hunts under the montane forest canopy. They use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They mostly fly. They grow up to 40 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They use two claws on their back to snatch prey from the ground or air.
SOCIAL: They live alone, as they can no longer support themselves in a group.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations from moving creatures. Its hearing is superb, and it can echolocate. However, this is still inferior to the eagle-eyed vision of other slicers.
REPRODUCTION: It 'kisses' a mate it approves of, passing male cells to it, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother and are fed by them. They eat regurgitated food from the mother's guts, and when they are old enough, they leave.
MOVEMENT: They fly by using their front wings to glide and their back wings as engines. They have two legs on their underside.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the guts. They are able to prey on most animals smaller than them, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation. Other prey include land-dwelling spearfaced worms (slitherers) and other flappers, as well as leggedgrinders. We can use a precise jet of neurotoxin, laced with silica shards (to pierce the skin), to kill prey.
PREDATION: We are fed on by many predators, despite our toxicity.
COMPETITION: Many predators our size are taking over the daytime niches.
ENVIRONMENT: A moist, cool rainforest, with scarce balloons over the sky and many purple-ish trees.

CURRENT ENVIRONMENT: Montane forest
NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: Bubblegrass prarie, mudflats, taiga, open ocean, lowland woodland
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 22, 2013, 11:48:50 am
Hm. Let's migrate to the taiga. More cold adaption, like more insulated webbing.

Is there anyone here who can draw this thing?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 22, 2013, 11:51:28 am
If I can get off of my buttocks, I can
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 22, 2013, 11:53:00 am
The one problem I see with the taiga is that we will need some new sort of elevated hidey hole for our babies, and there will be a lack of stuff in the sky for us to web.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 22, 2013, 11:54:02 am
The one problem I see with the taiga is that we will need some new sort of elevated hidey hole for our babies, and there will be a lack of stuff in the sky for us to web.
Good point. Hmmm...

HAVE A DALEK RELAXATION VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e59guruVL4o
THIS SHALL HELP YOU THINK OF IDEAS
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 22, 2013, 12:30:03 pm
Evolve water proof web funnels to catch rain and direct it to the tree roots.

Use water proof silk to cover ponds during the dry season and leave them uncovered in the wet so we can retain as much moisture as possible in our biome.

Alternatively we could just up and move to the lowland woodlands
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Bronimin on June 22, 2013, 02:08:57 pm
-
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 22, 2013, 02:13:36 pm
Grow smaller and increase reproduction rate and 'age' rate (shroter lifespan, grows to adult faster). If we are smaller we can reduce biomass and thus energy required to grow. Basically, zerg rush the ecosystem; hopefully more of us will survive that way.
-1. If we make ourselves less k strategists and more R strategists, we'll end up as prey animals. We need to be too much of a threat to be preyed upon.

Form hard bone shells with neurotoxin grooves to punish those who might try to eat us. Move to the woodlands. Hunt in large numbers. Grow bigger and stronger.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 22, 2013, 02:21:24 pm
Move into caves. Evolve digger claws.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 22, 2013, 02:56:31 pm
Move into caves. Evolve digger claws.
Ain't got no caves, ain't got a lack of claws
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 22, 2013, 03:28:57 pm
I suppose we try or old good friend,.

Try to parasite one of the largest aerial predator. Basic brainhack to make them defend our hives at day.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 22, 2013, 03:34:36 pm
symbiotize? they defend us at day, we defend them at night?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 22, 2013, 03:42:31 pm
VOTES-

Make silk water retainers x1
Shrink x0
Increase reproduction/aging-to-adult rate x0
Bone shells with neurotoxin grooves x1
Larger packs x2
Become larger and robust x1
Symbiotise larger predator x2

Move to lowland woodlands x3
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 22, 2013, 05:45:57 pm
Larger packs x3
Symbiotise larger predator x3
Move to lowland woodlands x4
Fixed it for you (ie added my +1's)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on June 23, 2013, 01:18:23 am
+1 pack hunting
+1 revert to our old reliable turn-greatest-threat-into-motor-home ways
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 23, 2013, 01:41:42 am
+1 pack hunting
+1 revert to our old reliable turn-greatest-threat-into-motor-home ways
+1 to both. SKY WOLVES GO!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 23, 2013, 02:10:59 am
There sn't any caves in the mountains? I am disappoint.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on June 23, 2013, 02:48:24 am
+1 pack hunting
+1 revert to our old reliable turn-greatest-threat-into-motor-home ways
+1 to both. SKY WOLVES GO!
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 23, 2013, 06:27:07 am
+1 pack hunting
+1 revert to our old reliable turn-greatest-threat-into-motor-home ways
+1 to both. SKY WOLVES GO!
+1
+1. Also, +1 to everything else except shrink and increase aging
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 23, 2013, 09:12:47 am
+1 pack hunting
+1 revert to our old reliable turn-greatest-threat-into-motor-home ways
+1 to both. SKY WOLVES GO!
+1
+1.
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 23, 2013, 12:57:54 pm
+1 pack hunting
+1 revert to our old reliable turn-greatest-threat-into-motor-home ways
+1 to both. SKY WOLVES GO!
+1
+1.
+1
+1 (bandwagon pyramid of agreement go!)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 25, 2013, 11:59:39 am
Update probably won't be up today, and I'll probably forget that +1 just behind me, but I shall have a SUPER SPECIAL MEGA ULTRA AWESOME with me when I return!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 25, 2013, 12:07:13 pm
I hope so! I think!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on June 25, 2013, 12:10:08 pm
Update probably won't be up today, and I'll probably forget that +1 just behind me, but I shall have a SUPER SPECIAL MEGA ULTRA AWESOME with me when I return!
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 25, 2013, 12:14:57 pm
Also, you'll need to stop main-game +1s for a bit. I don't have my notes on the laptop I'm using.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 25, 2013, 12:16:50 pm
Also, you'll need to stop main-game +1s for a bit.
As opposed to what, minigame +1's?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 25, 2013, 12:18:47 pm
Also, you'll need to stop main-game +1s for a bit.
As opposed to what, minigame +1's?
Well, you could... Make a quote pyramid?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on June 25, 2013, 01:32:14 pm
Also, you'll need to stop main-game +1s for a bit.
As opposed to what, minigame +1's?
Well, you could... Make a quote pyramid?

Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Hello.
Hello.
How are you?
Pretty good.
+1.
I like peanut butter!
Really? What kind?
Crunchy.
No, plain is better!
I disagree.
What about pie?
True. Do peanut butter cups count as pie?
Hello. I have nothing to say in this conversation.
You know who else has nothing to say in this conversation? HITLER!

Quote pyramid established, sir!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 25, 2013, 01:34:22 pm
You are insane and I refuse to participate in the quote pyramid.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on June 25, 2013, 02:48:24 pm
You are insane and I refuse to participate in the quote pyramid.
Too late!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 25, 2013, 09:59:57 pm
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Hello.
Hello.
How are you?
Pretty good.
+1.
I like peanut butter!
Really? What kind?
Crunchy.
No, plain is better!
I disagree.
What about pie?
True. Do peanut butter cups count as pie?
Hello. I have nothing to say in this conversation.
You know who else has nothing to say in this conversation? HITLER!
Quote pyramid established, sir!
Glory to the pyramid!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 25, 2013, 10:09:46 pm
At least he didn't edit me into the pyramid.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on June 25, 2013, 10:11:58 pm
You are insane and I refuse to participate in the quote pyramid.
Too late!
At least he didn't edit me into the pyramid.
Hohoho.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 25, 2013, 10:23:56 pm

You are insane and I refuse to participate in the quote pyramid.
Too late!
At least he didn't edit me into the pyramid.

Now I'm quoting the future!

We must abuse this power. For science!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 25, 2013, 10:29:25 pm
You people are insane.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on June 25, 2013, 10:30:10 pm
You people are insane.
Of course.
I'll stop now, though.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 26, 2013, 10:18:44 am
You people are insane.

you are correct sir! but I fit really bothers you I'll stop as well. Just a fun way to keep bumping the thread.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on June 26, 2013, 10:55:06 am
You people are insane.
Hello there, we're Bay12! So pleased to meet you!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 26, 2013, 11:54:20 am
Only go out in the woods at day,
And never go out at night.
Those who decided not to heed my advice
Always got more than a fright... (http://ellyszootycooner.deviantart.com/art/Nightmace-380856516?ga_submit_new=10%253A1372265505)

Updates should hopefully continue as normal!
VOTES-

Faster x6
Smarter x7
Nocturnal x10+
Zap things for confusion x8
Electrical communication x10+
Weaponised tail x6
Digger feet x6
Webs x5
Suction cup arms on the back x1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on June 26, 2013, 12:38:26 pm
Hm...Could we possibly become nocturnal?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 26, 2013, 12:50:08 pm
I thought we already were?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 26, 2013, 12:54:43 pm
I thought we already were?
Yup, we're nocturnal already.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 26, 2013, 01:00:21 pm
So, are we going to get better at? 'cause it looks like we have more than 10 votes for it  :o

Actually, that looks like the vote set from last time, not the one for this coming update.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 26, 2013, 01:08:35 pm
This should be it. (I might have missed some but the difference between 10 and 11 or 6 and 7 isn't something we need to worry about)

Make silk water retainers x2
Shrink x0
Increase reproduction/aging-to-adult rate x0
Bone shells with neurotoxin grooves x2
Larger packs x10
Become larger and robust x2
Symbiotise larger predator x10

Move to lowland woodlands x5
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 26, 2013, 01:32:00 pm
Thanks! I think what must've happened is that the laptop got turned off, and it didn't have the most recent votes saved.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Jembot on June 26, 2013, 06:36:09 pm
You people are insane.
Hello there, we're Bay12! So pleased to meet you!
To the surprise of nobody, this will be sigg'd
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on June 29, 2013, 04:38:36 am
GUUUYS WE NEED MORE STUUUUUFF

VOTES-

Make silk water retainers x2
Shrink x0
Increase reproduction/aging-to-adult rate x0
Bone shells with neurotoxin grooves x2
Larger packs x10
Become larger and robust x2
Symbiotise larger predator x10

Move to lowland woodlands x5
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 29, 2013, 05:06:12 am
Let's grow larger and be better at walking and running (without losing the flight, of course)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on June 29, 2013, 10:15:22 am
So I did a reading spree and went through all the pages of this thread.
You guys sure do know how to sh!t over Darwin.

PTW, and also...
+1 to everything but Shrink.

Also,
More seamless and efficient synergy between our senses? (unless that's already a thing, indirectly)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on June 29, 2013, 02:42:54 pm
GUUUYS WE NEED MORE STUUUUUFF
You want MORE? You got MORE.

Let's grow larger and be better at walking and running (without losing the flight, of course)
+1
Evolve communal webbing behavior (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_web#Communal_spider_webs) sealing off portions of the forest with thick domes in which we hunt all other predators to extinction and take only small portions of the herbivore populations.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: InZane on June 29, 2013, 03:36:23 pm
GUUUYS WE NEED MORE STUUUUUFF
You want MORE? You got MORE.

Let's grow larger and be better at walking and running (without losing the flight, of course)
+1
Evolve communal webbing behavior (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_web#Communal_spider_webs) sealing off portions of the forest with thick domes in which we hunt all other predators to extinction and take only small portions of the herbivore populations.
1+
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on June 29, 2013, 04:35:11 pm
+1 to the communal webbing.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on June 30, 2013, 02:15:29 am
+1 to the communal webbing.
Agreed. +1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on June 30, 2013, 02:22:07 am
+1 to the communal webbing.
Agreed. +1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on June 30, 2013, 06:52:03 pm
+1 to eveything but shrink and aging
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: ansontan2000 on June 30, 2013, 09:20:33 pm
+1 EVERYTHING.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on July 01, 2013, 10:43:38 am
Evolve suction cups and infared sensing ability
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist McDwarfFortress on July 01, 2013, 01:49:30 pm
Let's grow larger and be better at walking and running (without losing the flight, of course)
What's the point of walking or running when you can fly?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on July 01, 2013, 02:00:41 pm
alternative, less energy-consumptive means of travel? There may be some times where flight is not better than running, especially if we get bigger.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on July 01, 2013, 02:05:49 pm
alternative, less energy-consumptive means of travel? There may be some times where flight is not better than running, especially if we get bigger.

Develop hydrogen sacs that allow us to float like balloons?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Parsely on July 01, 2013, 02:14:17 pm
PLUS VUN.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on July 01, 2013, 02:35:10 pm
alternative, less energy-consumptive means of travel? There may be some times where flight is not better than running, especially if we get bigger.

Develop hydrogen sacs that allow us to float like balloons?
I was answering to Urist McDwarfFortress above.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on July 01, 2013, 03:24:54 pm
alternative, less energy-consumptive means of travel? There may be some times where flight is not better than running, especially if we get bigger.

Develop hydrogen sacs that allow us to float like balloons?
I was answering to Urist McDwarfFortress above.

Oh.
Nevermind then.

Lacking context is bad. Or just not paying attention.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Torknick on July 01, 2013, 03:49:08 pm
+1 to the communal webbing.
Agreed. +1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on July 02, 2013, 09:14:05 pm
summon DM to update thread
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Parsely on July 02, 2013, 09:20:22 pm
-1 to prodding the GM.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on July 03, 2013, 11:48:17 am
+1 to getting GM off his buttocks
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on July 03, 2013, 12:03:11 pm
+1 to developing butt oxen
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on July 06, 2013, 06:40:54 pm
Develop organs to use as mana pools. Learn the secrets of life and death. Necro the thread.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on July 07, 2013, 03:12:27 am
(okay I am off my buttocks now)

EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Make silk water retainers- 2, Bone shells with neurotoxin grooves- 6, Larger packs- 5+3=6+, Become larger and more robust- 4, Symbiotise larger predator- 5+3=6+, Better ground movement- 3, Better senses- 1, GIGAWEB PARTY- 3+1=4,

SURVIVAL ROLL- 5! We've managed to escape from the slope to extinction.

The shelled nightmace is another step up from the last generations, and now forms even larger packs. They have formed a symbiosis with a larger predator, the greater eagle-squid, which has powerful day vision but is virtually blind at night. We have taken to nesting alongside it, going out with it at night and guarding its chicks. Our sense of smell has dwindled, now that we are able to find food by following the eagle-squid. They have developed a strong, light and grooved shell, and neurotoxin leaked from the poison-tubes is spread around the body by their shape. Our webs are slightly larger, but a bit looser, to allow our hosts to navigate them. We have a slightly larger size, as well, although this has had an effect on our flying abilities.

The world is continuing to dry. The forests have been replaced by meadows.

GENERATION 25:
Nightmace
A mottled dark purple bird-like animal that hunts under the montane forest canopy. They use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They mostly fly. They grow up to 40 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They use two claws on their back to snatch prey from the ground or air.
SOCIAL: They live in groups of about 25, alongside one or two eagle-squid.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations from moving creatures. Its hearing is superb, and it can echolocate. However, this is still inferior to the eagle-eyed vision of other slicers, although the eagle-squid partially makes up for that.
REPRODUCTION: It 'kisses' a mate it approves of, passing male cells to it, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother and are fed by them. They eat regurgitated food from the mother's guts, and when they are old enough, they leave.
MOVEMENT: They fly by using their front wings to glide and their back wings as engines. They have two legs on their underside, which can break through wood and dig through dirt.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the guts. They are able to prey on most animals smaller than them, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation. Other prey include land-dwelling spearfaced worms (slitherers) and other flappers, as well as leggedgrinders. We can use a precise jet of neurotoxin, laced with silica shards (to pierce the skin), to kill prey. We scavenge from the kills of our host when we are not hunting.
PREDATION: We have few predators, now we are protected by our shells and our hosts.
SYMBIOSIS: The greater eagle-squid, a large predator with a 3-metre wingspan and powerful vision and claws.
COMPETITION: Many predators our size are taking over the daytime niches. However, we can scavenge from our host's kills as well.
ENVIRONMENT: A woodland with loose trees and quite a few balloons above it.

CURRENT ENVIRONMENT: Lowland woodlands
NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: Bubblegrass prarie, mudflats, taiga, open ocean, alpine meadows, overseas coastline
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on July 07, 2013, 12:02:59 pm
I'd say we do something to futureproof ourselves from the world around us drying out, but I have no idea what.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on July 07, 2013, 04:03:32 pm
I'd say we do something to futureproof ourselves from the world around us drying out, but I have no idea what.
Reduce water intake needs, say by turning nitrogenous wastes into uric acid or something?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on July 18, 2013, 09:53:09 pm
BUMPAWNCH
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on July 19, 2013, 08:44:22 am
Improve senses

Gain two tentacles that can be used to grip things
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: blademan9999 on July 20, 2013, 09:10:11 am
Gain light producing enzymes in clusters above the eyes so we can produce light to see by from in dark places.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on July 20, 2013, 10:20:06 am
Gain light producing enzymes in clusters above the eyes so we can produce light to see by from in dark places.
1) We have no eyes
2) We can see in the dark very well, thank you very much
3) It's wonderfully ineffective and counter productive.

But thanks for caring ^^
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on July 20, 2013, 11:28:45 am
Yes, yes, I'm still here, don't worry.

VOTES-

Gripping tentacles x1
Improved senses x1
Uric acid x1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on July 20, 2013, 11:31:01 am
How about making little silk/poison bombs to use to trap our nests?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on July 20, 2013, 12:30:06 pm
Should we just go straight up nocturnal?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on July 20, 2013, 12:30:27 pm
Yes.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: blademan9999 on July 22, 2013, 10:26:46 am
Gain light producing enzymes in clusters above the eyes so we can produce light to see by from in dark places.
1) We have no eyes
2) We can see in the dark very well, thank you very much
3) It's wonderfully ineffective and counter productive.

But thanks for caring ^^

Okay then, evolve eyes first, I want eye lasers.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on July 22, 2013, 10:49:04 am
VOTES-
Gripping tentacles x1
Improved senses x1
Uric acid x1
Poison traps in nest x1
Nocturnal x1
Eyes x1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Helgoland on July 22, 2013, 10:52:11 am

Gripping tentacles +1
Improved senses +1
Uric acid +1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on July 22, 2013, 11:29:31 am
Gripping Tentacles +1
Nocturnal +1
Improved Senses +1
Eyes -1

Eyes are for losers, we're boycotting them.  This way we work well in the dark when sighted creatures are at a disadvantage, and we completely ignore camouflage and other such visual defensive traits.  Eye lasers have nothing on our remote crystal neurotoxin stingers.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Helgoland on July 22, 2013, 11:31:37 am
Oh yeah, eyes -1 of course.
and maybe it would be a good idea to reduce our skin temperature - in case any predators can see infrared wavelengths.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on July 22, 2013, 12:28:30 pm
Gripping Tentacles +1
Nocturnal +1
Improved Senses +1
Eyes -1
This, and improve our toxins. It's always worthwhile to be more poisonous.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on July 22, 2013, 12:43:50 pm
Gripping Tentacles +1
Nocturnal +1
Improved Senses +1
Eyes -1
This, and improve our toxins. It's always worthwhile to be more poisonous.
+1 to all of dis.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Carnwennan on July 22, 2013, 12:59:34 pm
Quote
Gripping tentacles +1
Uric acid +1

Larger wings and more efficient wing musculature; So we can hunt more easily over the plains (ocean even) where there are no trees to soak up sound waves.
Further develop sense of hearing; We are getting beat by the lesser sighted beasts, dammit. Where is out ability to snipe prey from the other side of the forest if they so much as breath?
Develop pack hunting further so we can take on bigger prey.

Hey, reckon -if we get smart enough- we could rope those seed-balloon things together, use our back fins as engines and make little biological zeppelins? Wouldn't it do wonders for our range. We could cross the oceans!



Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on July 22, 2013, 01:00:57 pm
Quote
Gripping tentacles +1
Uric acid +1
Larger wings and more efficient wing musculature; So we can hunt more easily over the plains (ocean even) where there are no trees to soak up sound waves.
Further develop sense of hearing; We are getting beat by the lesser sighted beasts, dammit. Where is out ability to snipe prey from the other side of the forest if they so much as breath?
Develop pack hunting further so we can take on bigger prey.
+1ing this as well.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on July 22, 2013, 01:27:11 pm
Hey, reckon -if we get smart enough- we could rope those seed-balloon things together, use our back fins as engines and make little biological zeppelins? Wouldn't it do wonders for our range. We could cross the oceans!

Because clearly it is a very safe method of travel, having a combustible ball on your back.
-1

+1 to everything else, though.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on July 22, 2013, 02:04:45 pm
VOTES-
Gripping tentacles x8
Improved senses x6
Uric acid x6
Poison traps in nest x2
Nocturnal x4
Eyes x-2
Better insulation/infrared-proofing x2
Toxins x3
Large efficient wings x3
Better hearing x3
Better pack hunting x3
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on July 22, 2013, 02:25:31 pm
VOTES-
Gripping tentacles x8
Improved senses x6
Uric acid x6
Poison traps in nest x2
Nocturnal x4
Eyes x-2
Better insulation/infrared-proofing x2
Toxins x3
Large efficient wings x3
Better hearing x3
Better pack hunting x3
+1 to EVERYTHING (except eyes)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on July 22, 2013, 02:58:17 pm
VOTES-
Gripping tentacles x8
Improved senses x6
Uric acid x6
Poison traps in nest x2
Nocturnal x4
Eyes x-2
Better insulation/infrared-proofing x2
Toxins x3
Large efficient wings x3
Better hearing x3
Better pack hunting x3
+1 to EVERYTHING (except eyes)
Yep. +1 to all except eyes.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Carnwennan on July 22, 2013, 03:07:43 pm
Hey, reckon -if we get smart enough- we could rope those seed-balloon things together, use our back fins as engines and make little biological zeppelins? Wouldn't it do wonders for our range. We could cross the oceans!
Because clearly it is a very safe method of travel, having a combustible ball on your back.
-1

Why should the fact it is combustible mean anything? The only thing that could potentially ignite it would be lightning, extremely dry conditions (unlikely what with us being right next to an ocean) and probably something else that my sleep and caffeine deprived brain can't think of at the moment. If it is the former you are worried about, then clearly the solution is to not use it in a storm. Easy, since we would be in no way attached to it, and could build another if it is destroyed.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on July 22, 2013, 03:18:51 pm
Well, last time we lived next to a forest of those they all went Michael Bay and sh!t hit the fan short after.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on July 22, 2013, 03:27:44 pm
+1 improve toxins, and sure, why not
+1 toxin traps in our nests
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on July 22, 2013, 03:54:42 pm
+1 improve toxins, and sure, why not
+1 toxin traps in our nests
Have my +1 to this.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Carnwennan on July 22, 2013, 03:57:53 pm
Well, last time we lived next to a forest of those they all went Michael Bay and sh!t hit the fan short after.
They are being dispersed anyway. So what we do would not have much of an effect on stalling their spread regardless. Also, there were several orders of magnitude more balloons back then than there currently are, no?

Although, I admit I am not sure how many balloons we would require to lift a single nightmace/ whatever our next evolution will be called. Considering that we are by nature a flying creature (usually light) and <40cm long I don't assume it is all that many.

Oh, and I didn't +1 better poison in my last posts (so +1)... nor did I see 'better senses' when I suggested 'better hearing' Huh.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: blademan9999 on July 23, 2013, 06:09:56 am
with methane sacks we can eventually evolve the ability to breathe fire and be a dragon!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Helgoland on July 23, 2013, 06:57:44 am
Eh, not really. The volume of methane needed for any appreciable effect would be ridiculously huge at close to standard conditions. The ignition mechanism is also far from trivial, and finally: It would be pretty damn inefficient.
+1 for better toxins
-1 for toxin traps - if something gets into our nest, traps aren't gonna be of much help.

Develop pack hunting and a social structure with guardians for our nests.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on July 23, 2013, 08:40:27 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Gripping tentacles- 5+3=+6, Improved senses- 1+2=3, Uric acid- 1+2=3, Poison traps- 1, More nocturnal- 5, Less heat-loss- 5, More toxins- 6, Better wings- 2+2=4, Better hearing- 5+1=6, Better pack-hunting- 6+1=+6

The philosopher nightmace is, as of now, the most intelligent animal ever to have evolved on this planet. It has a grasp of complex problem-solving and forethought, making it only slightly less intelligent than a human. Its pack-hunting skills are phenomenal, and can use complex cultural language to communicate. The poison-spitting tubes have developed into manipulating tentacles, and the extra musculature lets them spit venom over even greater distances. Said venom can now kill with mere drops, and a goat-sized animal would die in seconds if it had no immunity. For the majority of animals, however, they do have some sort of immunity, so far more venom is needed to kill them. Nightmace are even better at hunting at night now, and their hosts will often wake up to a delicious meal of carrion from the nightmace's own meals. Infrared-proofing insulation lets them stay active in even the coldest weather, and makes it harder for animals with infrared vision to see a philosopher nightmace. Improved hearing lets them detect a mouse-sized animal burrowing from up to 50 metres away.

The woodland is starting to dry out as well, and the coastline is shrinking. The other continent has joined ours, and glaciers are coming down from it, smothering the coasts. Relatives of ours, sightmace, have evolved complex vision in ultraviolet, normal and infrared spectrums. They can take advantage of their previously-evolved absurd overcompensation for a lack of sight, and if we don't have some luck, we might be in trouble.

GENERATION 26:
Philosopher nightmace
A mottled dark purple bird-like animal that hunts under the montane forest canopy. They use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They mostly fly. They grow up to 40 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They use two claws on their back to snatch prey from the ground or air.
SOCIAL: They live in groups of about 25, alongside one or two eagle-squid.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations from moving creatures. Its hearing is extraordinary, and it can echolocate. However, this is still inferior to the eagle-eyed vision of other slicers, although the eagle-squid partially makes up for that.
REPRODUCTION: It 'kisses' a mate it approves of, passing male cells to it, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother and are fed by them. They eat regurgitated food from the mother's guts, and when they are old enough, they leave.
MOVEMENT: They fly by using their front wings to glide and their back wings as engines. They have two legs on their underside, which can break through wood and dig through dirt. They can use their wings and legs to gallop across the ground.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the guts. They are able to prey on most animals smaller than them, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation. Other prey include land-dwelling spearfaced worms (slitherers) and other flappers, as well as leggedgrinders. We can use a precise jet of neurotoxin, laced with silica shards (to pierce the skin), to kill prey. We scavenge from the kills of our host when we are not hunting.
PREDATION: We have few predators, now we are protected by our shells and our hosts.
SYMBIOSIS: The greater eagle-squid, a large predator with a 3-metre wingspan and powerful vision and claws.
COMPETITION: Sightmace seem to be the greatest threat. They are like us, but with sight.
INTELLIGENCE: We have complex language and good manipulators.
ENVIRONMENT: A cold woodland with loose trees and quite a few balloons above it.

CURRENT ENVIRONMENT: Cold woodlands
NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: Mammoth steppe, icy ocean, alpine meadows, glaciers, icy mudflats
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on July 23, 2013, 08:45:06 am
Gain the problem-solving and dextrous abilities required to make tools.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on July 23, 2013, 08:50:42 am
Make our venom thick and sticky, to allow us to blind any predators with.
Aim for the eyes!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on July 23, 2013, 08:56:28 am
Develop light-emitting glands/organs on the sides that can flash bright patterns of light to disorient sight-based predators.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Harbingerjm on July 23, 2013, 09:03:42 am
Develop light-emitting glands/organs on the sides that can flash bright patterns of light to disorient sight-based predators.
Light the forest up like a rave, then hope the Sightmaces are prone to epilepsy?

Gain the problem-solving and dextrous abilities required to make tools.
We already have tentacles, gripping claws and language, why the hell not? +1
Also, think up some kind of derogatory name to call the sighted ones.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on July 23, 2013, 09:04:48 am
Just to distract them.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on July 23, 2013, 10:12:58 am
Also, think up some kind of derogatory name to call the sighted ones.

Eyediots.
Iunno.

Develop light-emitting glands/organs on the sides that can flash bright patterns of light to disorient sight-based predators.

Why not? +1
Gain the problem-solving and dextrous abilities required to make tools.
And this. +1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on July 23, 2013, 10:16:16 am
Also, think up some kind of derogatory name to call the sighted ones.

Eyediots.
Iunno.

Develop light-emitting glands/organs on the sides that can flash bright patterns of light to disorient sight-based predators.

Why not? +1
Gain the problem-solving and dextrous abilities required to make tools.
And this. +1
Yep +1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Carnwennan on July 23, 2013, 11:14:25 am
Develop light-emitting glands/organs on the sides that can flash bright patterns of light to disorient sight-based predators.

So, light ourselves up in the dark so we can be seen even more easily? -1.

Gain the problem-solving and dextrous abilities required to make tools.

Tools? sure, +1

The sightmace isn't as intelligent as us yet, right?
As the philosopher nightmace is of an intelligence just sub-par of humans....
What do we reckon of our chances at attempting to domesticate the sightmace?

I mean, if the sightmaces evolved from us recently, then they should have that same pack mentality we have, and that which humanity abused in wolves oh so long ago, right?

Learn to use our claws to tear chunks of meat off of larger carcasses. Because, seriously, we are this lethal and can only feed on things smaller than us because of how we eat :/.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on July 23, 2013, 11:16:05 am
Develop light-emitting glands/organs on the sides that can flash bright patterns of light to disorient sight-based predators.

So, light ourselves up in the dark so we can be seen even more easily? -1.
Think defence mechanism to blind a creature hunting us. NOT on all the time. Ever worn night vision goggles and been exposed to bright light suddenly? It'd be like that.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on July 23, 2013, 11:17:44 am
+1 to all of these.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on July 23, 2013, 11:19:09 am
+1 as well.
We shall render the Sight useless!
Camouflage! Flash grenades! Jam their vision!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on July 23, 2013, 11:21:50 am
We have shearing jaw bits, don't worry, we can eat larger prey. I just forgot to mention that in the main description.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on July 23, 2013, 11:25:20 am
It's war now. The sighted infidels dare to challenge us.

Develop a substrain of poison that acts as an aerosol. We'll poison their eyes if they dare to get close.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on July 23, 2013, 11:27:46 am
VOTES-
Tool use x5
Blinding venom x1
Light x2
Domesticate sightmace x1
Venomy pepper-spray x1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on July 23, 2013, 11:45:09 am
+1 to tool use
+1 to blinding venom
+1 to venom pepper spray
+1 to domesticate our lesser kin (fortunately we're colour-blind, so unfortunate implications should be reduced, slightly)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on July 23, 2013, 12:01:10 pm
Then we'll use sightmaces as guide dogs of sorts!
And we'll rule the world! Muahaha!

But until then, death to the sighted ones!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Helgoland on July 23, 2013, 12:17:09 pm
+1 to tool use
+1 to blinding venom
+1 to venom pepper spray
+1 to domesticate our lesser kin
This and -1 to unnecessary flashiness. Not only does it conflict with domesticating the eyediots, it would take tremendous amounts of energy to significantly impede their vision.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist McDwarfFortress on July 23, 2013, 02:27:15 pm
+1 to tool use (especially weapons, perhaps darts or blowguns used to deliver our own poison at greater range!)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist McDwarfFortress on July 23, 2013, 02:28:17 pm
Oops. Double post.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on July 23, 2013, 02:43:00 pm
You can only +1 once.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on July 23, 2013, 04:55:01 pm
Why not symbiotize the sightmace?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Carnwennan on July 23, 2013, 05:54:30 pm
Why not symbiotize the sightmace?
I had a pretty long response to this, but I lost the post, frustratingly enough.

One of the nicer points was that domestication may imply a degree of control over the development of the domesticated species, whereas a symbiote would be pretty much free to evolve however they want to.

Mechanically, they would probably be very similar. But we haven't tried domestication before and it is a process that by nature would require intelligence, right? Maybe something cool might happen :)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Harbingerjm on July 23, 2013, 08:37:30 pm
VOTES-
Blinding venom x1
Domesticate sightmace x1
Venomy pepper-spray x1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on July 23, 2013, 08:59:44 pm
VOTES-
Tool use x5 +1
Blinding venom x1 +1
Light x2 -1
Domesticate sightmace x1 +1
Venomy pepper-spray x1 +1

Mrowl.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on July 23, 2013, 10:35:20 pm
VOTES-
Tool use x5 +1
Blinding venom x1 +1
Light x2 -1
Domesticate sightmace x1 +1
Venomy pepper-spray x1 +1

Mrowl.

Is this just bookkeeping or are your votes included?
Domesticate sightmace +1
Venomy pepper-spray +1

Tool use +1
Blinding venom +1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on July 24, 2013, 01:49:35 am
While we're upgrading our biological weaponry, why not combine it with another biological tool we have, and our clever brain?

Adapt behaviour to spin and hold elastic web net, and "throw" it using the crystals from our venom spray as weights.  Think a combination of an ogre-faced spider's short-range projectile web, and a bolas.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on July 24, 2013, 03:49:48 am
At some point we're just gonna go pure Tyranids, I'm telling you.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on July 24, 2013, 04:54:24 am
And that's a problem how?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on July 24, 2013, 09:59:07 am
And that's a problem how?

That's the best part - it isn't.
I love dem 'nids!

They're like the Zerg, only better. :P
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on July 24, 2013, 10:02:10 am
And that's a problem how?

That's the best part - it isn't.
I love dem 'nids!

They're like the Zerg, only better. :P

*Disapproved*
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on July 24, 2013, 10:13:34 am
the zergs are a pale copy of the World Devourer.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on July 24, 2013, 11:20:10 am
Wait, which came first--the Zergs or the Tyranids?
I thought the Tyranids were based a bit on xenomorphs and Zergs, but I could have the Tyranid-Zerg relationship mixed up.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on July 24, 2013, 11:23:36 am
I believe Tyranids came out first in the tabletop series.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on July 24, 2013, 11:44:28 am
tyranids were first described in 1987, ten years before the release of the first Starcraft.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on July 28, 2013, 09:31:51 am
+1 to everything times 10
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 05, 2013, 08:32:15 am
Bump.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on August 05, 2013, 10:06:30 am
krump (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gxwb-HOgng)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 09, 2013, 06:09:51 am
Okay, after managing to break my laptop and go on a holiday for 12 days in the meantime, I'll just have to retally the votes and then we should be ready.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on August 12, 2013, 07:30:30 am
Great
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 12, 2013, 04:54:17 pm
Okay, nearly off of my buttocks. I had job day today so I am now going 'GLURRRRG' and not doing anything constructive.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on August 12, 2013, 09:17:11 pm
Okay, nearly off of my buttocks. I had job day today so I am now going 'GLURRRRG' and not doing anything constructive.
Ah, that sucks.
For us.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 13, 2013, 03:52:54 am
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Tool use-4+3=7, Blinding venom- 4+2=6, Domesticate sightmace- 4+2=6, Venomy pepper-spray- 1+1=2

The sophont nightmace has managed to reach full-on human-scale intelligence. It is a skillful toolcraft, using rocks, wood and other objects to create things such as fang sheaths, hammers, flutes and drawings. A smaller sightmace, the coyote sightmace, has become a domesticated species. Eagle-squids are their equivalents of angels. Their middle legs are dextrous and nimble, for creating these tools, and their venom tubes often hold the results. Another venom tube now creates a thick gloop, which permanently blinds the eyes of soft-eyed species (including sightmace).

The woodland is now fading away rapidly. Our species is making rapid technological advancements, like home-made webbing poles and nest-holes, and has learned that surrounding and capturing a herd of land animals gives a constant source of meat.

GENERATION 26:
Sophont nightmace
A mottled dark purple bird-like animal that hunts on the mountain meadows. They use their fanged tentacles to attack and kill their prey. They mostly fly. They grow up to 40 centimetres long, and their offspring are called tentaclets. They use two claws on their back to snatch prey from the ground or air.
SOCIAL: They live in groups of about 25, alongside one or two eagle-squid.
SENSES: It has a sense of touch that lets it figure out if it's touching food, and an extremely good sense of smell/taste. A keen electrical sense lets it find creatures that are close to it, and it can feel vibrations from moving creatures. Its hearing is extraordinary, and it can echolocate. However, this is still inferior to the eagle-eyed vision of other slicers, although the eagle-squid partially makes up for that.
REPRODUCTION: It 'kisses' a mate it approves of, passing male cells to it, and growths grow inside of the womb. Tentaclets follow their mother and are fed by them. They eat regurgitated food from the mother's guts, and when they are old enough, they leave.
MOVEMENT: They fly by using their front wings to glide and their back wings as engines. They have two legs on their underside, which can break through wood and dig through dirt. They can use their wings and legs to gallop across the ground.
EATING: It impales small animals and digests them by drawing them into the guts. They are able to prey on most animals smaller than them, and they  use venom. Most of their food is from grazing worms and the dense vegetation. Other prey include land-dwelling spearfaced worms (slitherers) and other flappers, as well as leggedgrinders. We can use a precise jet of neurotoxin, laced with silica shards (to pierce the skin), to kill prey. We can also blind soft-eyed animals with a thick gloopy venom. We scavenge from the kills of our host when we are not hunting.
PREDATION: We have few predators, now we are protected by our shells, our sightmace, our spears and our hosts.
SYMBIOSIS: The greater eagle-squid, a large predator with a 3-metre wingspan and powerful vision and claws.
COMPETITION: Our intelligence, domestication and symbiosis has managed to drive away most threats.
INTELLIGENCE: We have complex language, full sapiece, basic herding, domestication of sightmace, art and good manipulators.
ENVIRONMENT: A cold meadow with loose trees and quite a few balloons above it.

CURRENT ENVIRONMENT: Alpine meadows
NEARBY ENVIRONMENTS: Mammoth steppe, icy ocean, glaciers, icy mudflats
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 13, 2013, 03:53:52 am
With that update done, we've hit sapience. Do we want to start over, carry on with evolution, carry on with culture, or pick a new species in the same world?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 13, 2013, 03:54:23 am
WHOO! KEEP GOING!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on August 13, 2013, 04:24:05 am
Take new species, isn't it fun to struggle against your former creation?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 13, 2013, 04:26:42 am
WHOO! KEEP GOING!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 13, 2013, 05:33:03 am
A bit more evolution, and then it's culture time.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on August 13, 2013, 07:21:16 am
Stronger
Faster
Better Dexterity
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: escaped lurker on August 13, 2013, 08:07:24 am
Stronger
Faster
Better Dexterity

+1

I also propose a full-scale-war on the Sophont Sightmace!
They are the only real threat left. If we are able to beat them, we will rule this world. Then we can either start anew, or whatever the most people want. Or Eotyrannus, for that matter. :P
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 13, 2013, 08:24:28 am
Stronger
Faster
Better Dexterity

+1

I also propose a full-scale-war on the Sophont Sightmace!
They are the only real threat left. If we are able to beat them, we will rule this world. Then we can either start anew, or whatever the most people want. Or Eotyrannus, for that matter. :P
Whoops. Guess I only noticed the second time I made that typo.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 13, 2013, 11:38:49 am
Stronger
Faster
Better Dexterity

+1

I also propose a full-scale-war on the Sophont Sightmace!
They are the only real threat left. If we are able to beat them, we will rule this world. Then we can either start anew, or whatever the most people want. Or Eotyrannus, for that matter. :P
+1

WHOO! KEEP GOING!

More Intelligence! We want to be transcendental supergenius squids.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 13, 2013, 11:42:46 am
Just so ya know, guys, we're basically at the point where (unless you manage to find a specific way to do it) improving speed is counter to improving strength. We haven't really had any problems like these before, since we've always been at a point where the votes are something we can improve.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 13, 2013, 11:43:56 am
How about someone (preferably someone with better writing skills and more passion than me) hosting a suggestion game akin to this one, but focused on cultural/technological evolution of this species? Where we control one nation/tribe/whatever and the point is to eventually reach space and...
You get the point, do you?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 13, 2013, 11:44:55 am
Just so ya know, guys, we're basically at the point where (unless you manage to find a specific way to do it) improving speed is counter to improving strength. We haven't really had any problems like these before, since we've always been at a point where the votes are something we can improve.
So if the vote passes we will be stronger or faster, but not both?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 13, 2013, 11:46:41 am
Probably a good idea. Since this is an evolution game, I'm keeping crops (and therefore proper civilisation) away, so we don't get massively sidetracked by an industrial evolution or something. It gets hard to do evolution when most selective pressures are gone.

@Remuthra: Depends on the rolls, but yeah.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 13, 2013, 11:51:16 am
I think that would be interesting. I would probably host that game.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on August 13, 2013, 11:51:58 am
We could go full  moties (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mote_in_God's_Eye) and adapt to civilization. Even sence the invention of agraculture humans have been adapting to better suit the enviroment, just that now its an enviroment we have made.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 13, 2013, 11:53:57 am
I think that would be interesting. I would probably host that game.

Do it!
If we're playing Spore, we're playing it all the way to the end!

We can't just stop at the end of the creature stage like that.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 13, 2013, 11:55:02 am
I think that would be interesting. I would probably host that game.

Do it!
If we're playing Spore, we're playing it all the way to the end!

We can't just stop at the end of the creature stage like that.
Well, I figure I'll hold off until we all agree to stop evolving.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 13, 2013, 11:57:13 am
Well, but what else can we do now?
Humans didn't change that much since the dawn of civilization, to the best of my knowledge.

There are essentially no threats to us, at least none that we couldn't handle. We could push ourselves further, yeah, but beyond numbers there's not much else to adapt to.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 13, 2013, 11:59:01 am
Alright, then. Might I perform a timeskip to spread us a bit more throughout the surrounding lands, so that we can have a distinct culture?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 13, 2013, 12:01:16 pm
Alright, then. Might I perform a timeskip to spread us a bit more throughout the surrounding lands, so that we can have a distinct culture?

That would be ideal, me thinks.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on August 13, 2013, 12:13:48 pm

Humans didn't change that much since the dawn of civilization, to the best of my knowledge.
We hve a little bit. Our teath are smaller, our brains more compact (I think more tightly folded, not less mass) and we have evolved lactose tolorence.

That said, I vote we stop evolving. We can have a spin off thread were we do cultures and maybe reboot this thread?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 13, 2013, 12:16:59 pm
That'd be the best option.
Continue this game in another thread from a civilization POV and make Competition 2.

Either that or suddenly we all go play Adaptation and (extinct) Extinction. Works as well.

-1 to further evolution
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 13, 2013, 12:19:30 pm
Claim your destiny, ye watchers of the nightmace of old. (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=129849.0)

That said, I think it might be quite interesting if we intertwined the threads a bit, the idea being that each of the games in the multithread conglomerate takes place in the same continuity. For example, as the nightmace becomes more developed, the new creatures which emerge in this thread also emerge on the planet, or, if you prefer, on a different planet. As the race develops, we might create another thread following the adventures of a specific nightmace, or a small group of them, and their actions would affect the state of things in the other threads, and vice versa.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 13, 2013, 12:30:13 pm
So what, we're creating some sort of a game universe?
I tried doing that with YAaSD, but so far only the first game had any sort of success. (the second one was a waste of potential on my part and nobody seems to bother playing the 3rd one :( )
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 13, 2013, 01:06:28 pm
Oooh, I likey. This one's continued evolution might not be included in Cultural Evolution due to the timescales involved, but yeah, a game universe thing sounds great! Ask if you need the world fleshing out, so I can create a bunch of fauna for it. Flora is mostly just purple ground plants and green sky balloons, with algae and pond plants of either colour (plus red and brown).

Since we're letting that lot do more stuff with the nightmace, anyone got an opinion on what us lot should do? My thoughts are:

-New planet. Not very connected to this one, but they could potentially meet up in the far future with us.
-A little generalistic species on this planet. We'll know what's around, but it would involve 'locking' the future of theirs into our evolution, which would either result in their destruction being assured or technological singularity being assured.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 13, 2013, 01:13:36 pm
Oooh, I likey. This one's continued evolution might not be included in Cultural Evolution due to the timescales involved, but yeah, a game universe thing sounds great! Ask if you need the world fleshing out, so I can create a bunch of fauna for it. Flora is mostly just purple ground plants and green sky balloons, with algae and pond plants of either colour (plus red and brown).

Since we're letting that lot do more stuff with the nightmace, anyone got an opinion on what us lot should do? My thoughts are:

-New planet. Not very connected to this one, but they could potentially meet up in the far future with us.
-A little generalistic species on this planet. We'll know what's around, but it would involve 'locking' the future of theirs into our evolution, which would either result in their destruction being assured or technological singularity being assured.
This sounds prettty good. I can come up with any flora and fauna needed, but it would be helpful if you listed anything that needs to be around, so I don't mess up the continuity.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on August 13, 2013, 01:27:08 pm
We still have some physical evolving to do.  Our primary assets are our intelligence, our extruded substances, and our ability to exploit (whether symbiotically or parasitically) other species and other members of our own.  I say we improve on their potential, before we shift our evolution to mainly social, cultural, and technological modes.

Extend maximum lifespan.  We no longer benefit from short generations if we don't mutate much.  Longer individual lives may allow for living archives of memory, and produce experts in given tasks due to long periods of focus, helping with specialization and training through apprenticeships.
Introduce (mild) tendency toward insanity.  We mustn't become stagnant. A few individuals each generation that ignore the rules and do things their own way can be sources of surprise innovation.  We need our Nikola Teslas and other mad geniuses.  Essentially I'm suggesting we build in a way for the GM to give us boosts and new stuff via random chance, not simply near-extinction events.
Improve memory.  All our advances and experiences mean nothing if we can't keep track and have to keep re-discovering them.
Improve electrosense range, precision and emission.  We don't have magic, but we can have radio-telepathy, albeit maybe not in that particular section of the electromagnetic spectrum.  This can also be useful to control newly developed/encountered creatures via implants, when we get that far with our technology.
Gain ability to refine and incorporate non-food ingested materials into our webbing and venom.  We're almost certainly going to have medicine and materials science.  Being able to use our own bodies to produce some of it will give us an edge.
Gain ability to incorporate viral DNA into our own genetic structure.  Continuing our fine heritage of using or absorbing every useful non-us thing that comes along.  No, I'm not talking Resident Evil, though that'll be amusing when it inevitably happens.  I mean more along these lines (http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2012/02/14/mammals-made-by-viruses/#.Ugp5TLxx0xA).
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 13, 2013, 01:30:32 pm
Should we continue evolving a bit, I will hold Ascendancy until we finish and incorporate the new mutations into the timeskip.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: escaped lurker on August 13, 2013, 02:28:44 pm
Weenog's Ideas are certainly great... but would they not make us somewhat overpowered?

I say, we are quite fine the way we are, as we still have some hurdles that need to be overcome by intellect. So..

- New Planet +1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: weenog on August 13, 2013, 02:34:30 pm
What's overpowered?  We dominate our current environment, but who knows what we'll need if we start exploring other environments, or if something migrates in from elsewhere and tries to take over?  If we're going to say "No more.  This is the toolbox we will use for every situation from now through the alien invasion and onward to the heat death of the universe," it would be nice if the tools in it were top notch.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on August 13, 2013, 02:40:00 pm
Top notch = boring. 

New planet
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Helgoland on August 13, 2013, 02:46:44 pm
At least moderately improved cognitive abilities and some life span increase would make things... more interesting, methinks.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 13, 2013, 02:49:14 pm
Keep in mind that just because we're civilized doesn't mean we never improve again. With technology we can improve our abilities substantially.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on August 13, 2013, 07:48:37 pm
+ 1 new planet
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on August 13, 2013, 09:05:24 pm
We still have some physical evolving to do.  Our primary assets are our intelligence, our extruded substances, and our ability to exploit (whether symbiotically or parasitically) other species and other members of our own.  I say we improve on their potential, before we shift our evolution to mainly social, cultural, and technological modes.

Extend maximum lifespan.  We no longer benefit from short generations if we don't mutate much.  Longer individual lives may allow for living archives of memory, and produce experts in given tasks due to long periods of focus, helping with specialization and training through apprenticeships.
Introduce (mild) tendency toward insanity.  We mustn't become stagnant. A few individuals each generation that ignore the rules and do things their own way can be sources of surprise innovation.  We need our Nikola Teslas and other mad geniuses.  Essentially I'm suggesting we build in a way for the GM to give us boosts and new stuff via random chance, not simply near-extinction events.
Improve memory.  All our advances and experiences mean nothing if we can't keep track and have to keep re-discovering them.
Improve electrosense range, precision and emission.  We don't have magic, but we can have radio-telepathy, albeit maybe not in that particular section of the electromagnetic spectrum.  This can also be useful to control newly developed/encountered creatures via implants, when we get that far with our technology.
Gain ability to refine and incorporate non-food ingested materials into our webbing and venom.  We're almost certainly going to have medicine and materials science.  Being able to use our own bodies to produce some of it will give us an edge.
Gain ability to incorporate viral DNA into our own genetic structure.  Continuing our fine heritage of using or absorbing every useful non-us thing that comes along.  No, I'm not talking Resident Evil, though that'll be amusing when it inevitably happens.  I mean more along these lines (http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2012/02/14/mammals-made-by-viruses/#.Ugp5TLxx0xA).
I agree with these ideas.
Then new planet.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 14, 2013, 02:35:27 am
Okay, I'm feeling lazy in regards to the nightmace, so I'll just give you a few rolls for those matters.

Maximum lifespan- 2. Our lifespan is still the same, although good conditions could extend it dramatically, as with humans.
Insane tendencies- 3. We're still average in regards to insanity, but it's a sure thing we'll get a few crazies anyway.
Memory- 4. Our memory is slightly better.
Electrosense- 4. Our electrosense is slightly more sophisticated.
Non-food ingested material in venom- 5. We can absorb toxins from foodstuffs, and put it into our venom, working as more specialised kidneys and letting us know if we have bad diets.
Viral DNA- 1. We have a strengthened immune system in regards to retrovirae, the ones that insert themselves in our DNA.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 14, 2013, 08:42:25 am
Okay, let's start thinking about our new planet. Chapter 2 is going to be a bit harder, with 1s and 2s being negative evolution, 3s being nothing, 4s being doing it but doing it wrong, 5s being good, and 6s being more important. The +n from more than 4 votes is also going to be kicked out in the name of fairness.

HOORAY, ACTUAL CHALLENGES TO OUR DEMONIC DOOMY DOOM DOOM!

So, what do we want to start with? Will it be:

A. Seafloor blob again
B. A primitive but recognisable thing, like a basal mollusc thing or a basal vertebrate thing.
C. An *insert whatever here*
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on August 14, 2013, 09:16:58 am
A. Blobs are fun

And this time we should go peaceful, herbivore\photosynthetic route
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 14, 2013, 09:17:55 am
I vote for a nonterran situation. Alternate scenario, ...

Like a very low gravity moon, or something else.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 14, 2013, 09:19:21 am
I vote for a nonterran situation. Alternate scenario, ...

Like a very low gravity moon, or something else.
What about a tidally-locked super-earth, 3 times larger than our own, with a xenon-containing atmosphere?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 14, 2013, 09:20:08 am
Ours contains Xenon too. Little, but it's there.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on August 14, 2013, 09:29:37 am
I think hem eans a lot of xenon
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 14, 2013, 09:39:17 am
Yeah. Someone else did a project on the spec-evo forums, and it resulted in temporary xenon 'lakes'.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on August 14, 2013, 09:52:14 am
Low G tidal locked moon of a gas giant is quite interesting place to start, imo
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 14, 2013, 10:05:13 am
Let us go on bolded/+1 things to decide on where on earth we want to be! Make sure the vote is in sections, so it would be:

+1 high xenon
+1 big
+1 tidally locked
+1 red dwarf star

Or something like that.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on August 14, 2013, 10:11:48 am
Blue star

0.5 G gravity

Moon of a gas Gaint

Tidal locked

Several active stars in 1-3 light years radius
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 14, 2013, 10:50:09 am
Blue star

0.5 G gravity

Moon of a gas Gaint

Tidal locked

Several active stars in 1-3 light years radius
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 14, 2013, 10:50:24 am
Blue star

0.5 G gravity

Moon of a gas Gaint

Tidal locked

Several active stars in 1-3 light years radius
+1

High atmospheric pressure
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 14, 2013, 10:53:50 am
Blue stars wouldn't really work, due to the fact they don't really last long enough to do anything useful. If the 'nearby star thing' is about permanent light or something, we could put it further towards the centre of the galaxy with all its star density and whatnot.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on August 14, 2013, 11:15:20 am
Hm, then what about

Cold, small star
Nebula nearby ?

In that way heat will be coming partly from  the star, partly from tidal forces, and light will come from the star, partially reflected   from the gas gaint, and partially from the nebula. As far as I know they are quite bright

Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 14, 2013, 11:16:52 am
Blue star

0.5 G gravity

Moon of a gas Gaint

Tidal locked

Several active stars in 1-3 light years radius
+1

High atmospheric pressure

+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on August 14, 2013, 01:31:46 pm
Blue star

0.5 G gravity

Moon of a gas Gaint

Tidal locked

Several active stars in 1-3 light years radius
+1

High atmospheric pressure

+1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on August 14, 2013, 01:44:58 pm
Blue star
-1 Blue stars go boom. Like, fast enough that we wont get land.


Moon of a gas Gaint

Tidal locked

+1


High atmospheric pressure
That's hard to do with low G unless you get insainly cold. With a low gravity and a tolorable tempature you are likly to get a dry world with a thin atmosphere. 
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 14, 2013, 02:26:59 pm
If not a blue star, a hot star at least.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 14, 2013, 02:29:25 pm
High atmospheric pressure
That's hard to do with low G unless you get insainly cold. With a low gravity and a tolorable tempature you are likly to get a dry world with a thin atmosphere.
Not really. It's just not that stable.

Edit: Could work if you have something, like volcanic activity, replenishing it.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on August 14, 2013, 02:55:38 pm
Blue star

0.5 G gravity

Moon of a gas Gaint

Tidal locked

Several active stars in 1-3 light years radius
+1

High atmospheric pressure

+1
+1
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wolfchild on August 15, 2013, 08:08:54 am
Blue star

0.5 G gravity

Moon of a gas Gaint

Tidal locked

Several active stars in 1-3 light years radius
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on August 15, 2013, 09:13:08 am
Ya want harshness?
no star
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 15, 2013, 10:33:20 am
Ya want harshness?
no star

+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on August 15, 2013, 01:52:19 pm
Other than that, apply UR's suggestion.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 15, 2013, 01:57:08 pm
Let's go even more hardcore.

Rogue planet
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on August 16, 2013, 03:06:41 am
Let's go even more hardcore.

Rogue planet
that's pretty much what I was saying. No star <=> rogue planet. We can be a moon around a rogue gas giant though, all the !!FUN!! of rogueing with enough excuses to have an inhabitable planetoid, and other planetoids around for added fun (?).

It would be absolutely awesome if we developed a way to survive long enough in space to reach other moons in the area.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wolfchild on August 16, 2013, 03:11:58 am
Ya want harshness?
no star

+1

-1, I want my 1st one to have a decent chance
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 16, 2013, 04:01:07 am
Ya want harshness?
no star

+1

-1, I want my 1st one to have a decent chance
Pansy.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wolfchild on August 16, 2013, 04:02:31 am
Do you know what the habitable zone is?, Well its gonna make the GM's life harder if we are not in it
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 16, 2013, 04:06:37 am
That sucks demon balls.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 16, 2013, 04:20:38 am
That sucks demon balls.

I needed a new quote for my sig. Praise the Gamerlord!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 16, 2013, 04:21:32 am
*wipes a tear from his eye*
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 16, 2013, 11:20:52 am
Do you know what the habitable zone is?, Well its gonna make the GM's life harder if we are not in it
Not as bad as when there's no habitable zone.

Though technically, if you add enough nuclear material to the core, you can have live everywhere. Sure, the atmosphere will eventually freeze over, but the depths will remain.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 16, 2013, 11:29:26 am
Habitable zone is an arbitrary and meaningless term. Life can exist anywhere, whether it be in the classical sense or not. How about on a gas giant?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 16, 2013, 11:32:37 am
Habitable zone is an arbitrary and meaningless term. Life can exist anywhere, whether it be in the classical sense or not. How about on a gas giant?

There are theories of life supposedly existing in the upper parts of Venus' atmosphere, so why not.
Life beginning in the water is overrated.

Also, the gas giant needs to be rogue. (ie. without an associated star system)
Would make for at least a nifty environment.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 16, 2013, 11:35:12 am
Habitable zone is an arbitrary and meaningless term. Life can exist anywhere, whether it be in the classical sense or not. How about on a gas giant?

There are theories of life supposedly existing in the upper parts of Venus' atmosphere, so why not.
Life beginning in the water is overrated.

Also, the gas giant needs to be rogue. (ie. without an associated star system)
Would make for at least a nifty environment.
Indeed.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 16, 2013, 01:04:13 pm
Current votes:

0.5G gravity x6
NO, WE ARE GAS GIANT x2

Tidally locked x7
No orbiting star x2

Moon of a gas giant x7
NO, WE ARE GAS GIANT x2

Several active stars nearby x6

Dense atmosphere x5
0.5G gravity x6

Red dwarf x1
No orbiting star x2

Nearby nebula x1

Things next to each other are contradictory, just so you know. Feel free to use -1 if you think something would be boring.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on August 16, 2013, 02:39:04 pm
Black hole anyone?
Anyone who's read the Xeelee sequence knows what I'm talking 'bout
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on August 16, 2013, 02:49:39 pm
Gas giant ('s moon) orbiting a black hole? Unless someone else is interested I remain on gas giant moon, no star, low grav and dense atmosphere. Which are not contradictory, at least in the short term. Favouring low grav over dense atmos in case it matters.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 16, 2013, 03:14:31 pm
I remain on gas giant moon, no star, low grav and dense atmosphere. Which are not contradictory, at least in the short term. Favouring low grav over dense atmos in case it matters.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 16, 2013, 03:22:28 pm
Hot/warm, rogue gas giant with low gravity and dense atmosphere.
Basically a starless Jupiter/Saturn.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 16, 2013, 03:26:20 pm
I kinda like a star. I'd like at least a small star. Red dwarf or something.

NO star might sound cool, but honestly it just means that we're playing on a Europa like planet. No atmos, just an artic ocean and lots of ice.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Carnwennan on August 16, 2013, 03:27:25 pm
A nearby nebula sounds cool, for the aesthetic imaginary sky. Orbiting a black hole would also be cool. But eh, what are the chances of life evolving on a planet like that, right? ((FEdit: Damn, ninjas)) Don't last long enough (the black holes) iirc. Rogue planet sounds fun-ish.

For the planet:

- Obscenely high tectonic and volcanic activity (volcanism get, diastrophism get, natural disasters get).
- Need moar heeet retention (+1 to dense atmosphere).
- Only maybe 30% water coverage, concentrated on the northern pole (not because it's colder or anything, just for reference). Ice sheets if it is too cold for liquid water.

Anything else specific to the planet? Makes it easier on the DM and such such.

Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 16, 2013, 03:28:24 pm
NO star might sound cool, but honestly it just means that we're playing on a Europa like planet. No atmos, just an artic ocean and lots of ice.
Hmm?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 16, 2013, 03:30:06 pm
I kinda like a star. I'd like at least a small star. Red dwarf or something.

NO star might sound cool, but honestly it just means that we're playing on a Europa like planet. No atmos, just an artic ocean and lots of ice.

Just because we don't have a star doesn't mean we're living on Hoth.
If we have a hydrogen-heavy atmosphere, the planet could hold enough heat to maintain liquid water.

(and according to *cough*the Polish article about rogue planets, if Jupiter was a rogue planet, its temperature in the upper parts of the atmosphere would be lower by roughly 15 kelvins. The part about hydrogen atmosphere also comes from that same article.)

Anyway, my point is that no star does not equal -100 Celsius all day, every day.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 16, 2013, 03:32:59 pm
Okay, attempting to come up with a planet...

Kaon is a moon orbiting a rogue gas giant. It is located closer to the middle of the galaxy than Earth or the nightmace's planet, resulting in a perpetual dim sky. It is about two thirds of the size of earth, but due factors such as its density, a high abundance of xenon and slight leakage of gases from the giant, it has a thicker atmosphere than Earth's. Tidal forces and volcanic gases give it enough volcanism to have a healthy greenhouse effect. It is tidally locked to the gas giant, meaning one side recieves more reflected light but more radiation, while the other is darker but has a far safer amount of radiation. Its surface has only 50% water, but the oceans are fairly deep.

So, waddaya think? It's more pseudoscience ramble than actual science, but if it makes your spaceship fly...

EDIT: Dangit, five ninjas.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 16, 2013, 03:34:52 pm
That sounds fine. I vote we play on the radiation bath side.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on August 16, 2013, 03:35:31 pm
Radiation path sound is good for me. Does that mean we'll get more mutations?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 16, 2013, 03:35:42 pm
Disregard wenches moons, acquire gas giants.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 16, 2013, 03:37:01 pm
Radiation path sound is good for me. Does that mean we'll get more mutations?
Damaged DNA =/= Faster evolution

The only mutations that matter are the ones that get into the sexual cells. The others are all far more likely to just give you cancer or something. Therefore, we'd probably be submerged in mud permanently until we get a radiation-proof shell or something.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 16, 2013, 03:37:28 pm
Disregard wenches moons, acquire gas giants.
Perhaps we could make a migration?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 16, 2013, 03:41:13 pm
Disregard wenches moons, acquire gas giants.
Perhaps we could make a migration?

Through space and a large radiation belt. Right.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on August 16, 2013, 03:43:11 pm

-1 to no star
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 16, 2013, 03:45:16 pm
Disregard wenches moons, acquire gas giants.
Perhaps we could make a migration?

Through space and a large radiation belt. Right.
Yep.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 16, 2013, 03:47:32 pm
Disregard wenches moons, acquire gas giants.
Perhaps we could make a migration?

Through space and a large radiation belt. Right.
Yep.

There are multiple problems with this theory, most notably the fact that space wings and jets do not work. And farting our way through a radiation belt sounds extremely unlikely.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 16, 2013, 03:48:35 pm

-1 to no star

You ain't know what's fun, do you?
Stars are extremely overrated.

THIS PLANET AIN'T NEED NO STINKIN' STAR!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 16, 2013, 03:50:07 pm
Disregard wenches moons, acquire gas giants.
Perhaps we could make a migration?

Through space and a large radiation belt. Right.
Yep.

There are multiple problems with this theory, most notably the fact that space wings and jets do not work. And farting our way through a radiation belt sounds extremely unlikely.
Actually, all we need to do is escape the gravity well on the radioactive side, catapaulting ourselves towards the gas giant. We can probably accomplish this with some sort of chemical reaction, and use some sort of host to protect us from the vacuum.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 16, 2013, 03:51:49 pm
Disregard wenches moons, acquire gas giants.
Perhaps we could make a migration?

Through space and a large radiation belt. Right.
Yep.

There are multiple problems with this theory, most notably the fact that space wings and jets do not work. And farting our way through a radiation belt sounds extremely unlikely.
Actually, all we need to do is escape the gravity well on the radioactive side, catapaulting ourselves towards the gas giant. We can probably accomplish this with some sort of chemical reaction, and use some sort of host to protect us from the vacuum.
The GM continues arguing!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 16, 2013, 03:54:25 pm
Disregard wenches moons, acquire gas giants.
Perhaps we could make a migration?

Through space and a large radiation belt. Right.
Yep.

There are multiple problems with this theory, most notably the fact that space wings and jets do not work. And farting our way through a radiation belt sounds extremely unlikely.
Actually, all we need to do is escape the gravity well on the radioactive side, catapaulting ourselves towards the gas giant. We can probably accomplish this with some sort of chemical reaction, and use some sort of host to protect us from the vacuum.
The GM continues arguing!
The parasitic space worm strikes the GM in the logic!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 16, 2013, 03:55:45 pm
Disregard wenches moons, acquire gas giants.
Perhaps we could make a migration?

Through space and a large radiation belt. Right.
Yep.

There are multiple problems with this theory, most notably the fact that space wings and jets do not work. And farting our way through a radiation belt sounds extremely unlikely.
Actually, all we need to do is escape the gravity well on the radioactive side, catapaulting ourselves towards the gas giant. We can probably accomplish this with some sort of chemical reaction, and use some sort of host to protect us from the vacuum.
The GM continues arguing!
The parasitic space worm strikes the GM in the logic!

Don't try to do something with biology that Soviets could not do with technology.
Let's settle on some kind of a choice and THEN you can go on with your complaints, ok?

I'm just impatient, that's all. P:
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Carnwennan on August 16, 2013, 04:03:19 pm
Therefore, we'd probably be submerged in mud permanently until we get a radiation-proof shell or something.
A subterranean start would mean we are safer from the radiation, right? I suck at physics, so...

E: The gas giant is purple.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Harbingerjm on August 16, 2013, 11:30:33 pm
Moon of a gas giant x7
NO, WE ARE GAS GIANT x2
You know, these two could probably be combined...
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 17, 2013, 02:42:15 am

-1 to no star
Idem.

Moon of a gas giant x7
NO, WE ARE GAS GIANT x2
You know, these two could probably be combined...
Reject.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on August 17, 2013, 10:05:26 am
Or... We chould say FUAK FISICS and do A half moon- half gas giant, were one side is pure gas giant, the other is A habitable-ish Moon, both sides cannot be affected by the other, atmspherics wise.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 17, 2013, 10:41:40 am
Well it's going to make at least seeming sense. If you can make a pseudoscientific ramble that sounds like it would work, feel free.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: escaped lurker on August 17, 2013, 10:48:10 am
How about a moon with an extremely dense gas-y atmosphere? Else, I really do not know why we are arguing about such a topic ;/
(Except this being bay12, true enough)

But basically, "moon of a gas giant" +1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Harbingerjm on August 17, 2013, 10:50:15 am
How about a moon with an extremely dense gas-y atmosphere? Else, I really do not know why we are arguing about such a topic ;/
(Except this being bay12, true enough)

But basically, "moon of a gas giant" +1
Gas giant moon of a gas giant. That fits perfectly!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 17, 2013, 10:56:14 am
We keep talking about things and you keep forgetting about how are we supposed to actually LIVE on such a planet. (I know that's what evolution is about, but still)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 17, 2013, 10:57:20 am
Don't be so Earth life focused. We can be however we want.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on August 17, 2013, 10:58:08 am
We are on the Planet A-32, A strange planet, about half the planet is A mostly Atmospheric less Planet, but the strange part is, the other half Has A atmosphere thats like A Gas giant, Further analysis detects that because of the core, electromagnetic and magnetic requency's make it so that one half of the moon is covered in atmosphere, but the other is not, and both sides of the rocky area are the same, the atmosphere on the bigger side makes it look like  A small gas giant, but the other looks like A rather large planet, both have enough Atmosphere to protect at least some form of life. Truly one of the most strangest planets we have seen
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 17, 2013, 11:00:38 am
Not one part of that makes any sense, and multiple parts are contradictory.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on August 17, 2013, 11:03:05 am
I tried :P
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 17, 2013, 11:05:27 am
Here's mine!

Planet ZX-535 is a highly volcanically active planet, and its unstable molten core changes on a (Earth) bi-daily basis, causing the planet's gravity to change and parts of the ground to begin to lift in the dense atmosphere, effectively causing the planet to "shatter".

Something like that, I don't know.
Didn't go with any suggestions, it's just my own vision of the senseless thing.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 17, 2013, 11:23:25 am
Well, I can't really think of any way to get floating ground or divided planets, so the one I made earlier seems to be the one we're using. BEGIN THE EDITS OF IT/THE +1S.

If you wish to switch vote, simply say you're switching, and then -1 and +1 to equalise the score.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 17, 2013, 11:24:13 am
Which one?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 17, 2013, 11:27:00 am
Point is, there's no logical way for it to work, because well, it can't.

Any forces(gravitational, magnetic, rotational) capable of moving that massive amount of atmosphere would easily shatter the planet itself, and destroy it utterly.

Well, I can't really think of any way to get floating ground or divided planets, so the one I made earlier seems to be the one we're using. BEGIN THE EDITS OF IT/THE +1S.

If you wish to switch vote, simply say you're switching, and then -1 and +1 to equalise the score.
I'm fairly sure there's no majority for the no star start. The rogue planet crowd just likes to shout in all caps, and posts constantly.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 17, 2013, 11:27:58 am
Hey! I don't post in all-caps (a lot)!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 17, 2013, 11:28:21 am
Point is, there's no logical way for it to work, because well, it can't.

Any forces(gravitational, magnetic, rotational) capable of moving that massive amount of atmosphere would easily shatter the planet itself, and destroy it utterly.

Well, I can't really think of any way to get floating ground or divided planets, so the one I made earlier seems to be the one we're using. BEGIN THE EDITS OF IT/THE +1S.

If you wish to switch vote, simply say you're switching, and then -1 and +1 to equalise the score.
I'm fairly sure there's no majority for the no star start. The rogue planet crowd just likes to shout in all caps, and posts constantly.

Actually, I counted. There's a +2 for no star and a +1 for a red dwarf star.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 17, 2013, 11:35:50 am
and a -2 for rogue stars. IIRC. Also, a total +4 to a Blue star primary system, as seen on page 49.

Besides, it's reasonable to assume that everyone who disliked the rogue star idea would vote for an alternative option.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 17, 2013, 11:37:26 am
Why does everyone have to be boring and go for a normal star? Rogue planet has so much more potential.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 17, 2013, 11:38:46 am
The -2 was counted up as well. And blue stars, as said previously, would result in us exploding spectacularly after a few generations.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 17, 2013, 12:01:46 pm
Why does everyone have to be boring and go for a normal star? Rogue planet has so much more potential.

I support this man. (technically I was the one that came up with the idea of a rogue planet, although after a star-less system was mentioned)

Seriously though, why go for a normal star?
It's BORING.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 17, 2013, 12:04:04 pm
Why does everyone have to be boring and go for a normal star? Rogue planet has so much more potential.

I support this man. (technically I was the one that came up with the idea of a rogue planet, although after a star-less system was mentioned)

Seriously though, why go for a normal star?
It's BORING.
Indeed. I say we go for a very harsh planet, such that life will be forced to adapt in interesting ways.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 17, 2013, 12:08:24 pm
The -2 was counted up as well. And blue stars, as said previously, would result in us exploding spectacularly after a few generations.
Depends, it might also turn into a Wolf Rayet star (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf%E2%80%93Rayet_star#Evolution_models), which would be interesting.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 17, 2013, 12:14:01 pm
The -2 was counted up as well. And blue stars, as said previously, would result in us exploding spectacularly after a few generations.
Depends, it might also turn into a Wolf Rayet star (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf%E2%80%93Rayet_star#Evolution_models), which would be interesting.
From what I can tell, they still need some sort of explosion to turn into those stars, which would still destroy any planets in orbit.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 17, 2013, 12:15:06 pm
The -2 was counted up as well. And blue stars, as said previously, would result in us exploding spectacularly after a few generations.
Depends, it might also turn into a Wolf Rayet star (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf%E2%80%93Rayet_star#Evolution_models), which would be interesting.
From what I can tell, they still need some sort of explosion to turn into those stars, which would still destroy any planets in orbit.
Unless the planet was captured after the explosion.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 17, 2013, 12:15:43 pm
The -2 was counted up as well. And blue stars, as said previously, would result in us exploding spectacularly after a few generations.
Depends, it might also turn into a Wolf Rayet star (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf%E2%80%93Rayet_star#Evolution_models), which would be interesting.
From what I can tell, they still need some sort of explosion to turn into those stars, which would still destroy any planets in orbit.
Not really, depends on it's orbiting distance. (Which, for a star this massive would be pretty far out.). Yes, the planet would be scorched, but it wouldn't be much worse than the gamma ray burst we had last game.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: escaped lurker on August 17, 2013, 12:16:17 pm
Indeed. I say we go for a very harsh planet, such that life will be forced to adapt in interesting ways.

So yeah, harsh conditions get a +1 from me.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 17, 2013, 12:16:59 pm
I know it might sound a bit stubborn from me, but why even bother with having a star?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 17, 2013, 12:17:20 pm
The -2 was counted up as well. And blue stars, as said previously, would result in us exploding spectacularly after a few generations.
Depends, it might also turn into a Wolf Rayet star (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf%E2%80%93Rayet_star#Evolution_models), which would be interesting.
From what I can tell, they still need some sort of explosion to turn into those stars, which would still destroy any planets in orbit.
Unless the planet was captured after the explosion.
I don't really know enough about these stars to use them properly, to be honest. For all I know, the collected matter from the nebula would turn us into a brown dwarf star or something.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 17, 2013, 12:21:34 pm
Doubt we'd have enough gravity. It'd be interesting for the atmosphere though. Near permanent Aurorae, and pretty bright ones too.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 17, 2013, 12:28:31 pm
Alright, we're doing some serious brainstorming here, which I like, but it makes me think...
To what extents will the planet (especially those more exotic ones) conditions actually affect our evolutionary track? In the beginning at least?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 17, 2013, 12:31:51 pm
Alright, we're doing some serious brainstorming here, which I like, but it makes me think...
To what extents will the planet (especially those more exotic ones) conditions actually affect our evolutionary track? In the beginning at least?

Depends. Gravity and atmosphere will only really affect land animals, radiation will need some sort of protection before we can leave the water, and so on.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 17, 2013, 12:32:20 pm
What about a post-garden world (A world which formerly held life which already went extinct. We could have ruined cities and such.))?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on August 17, 2013, 12:33:54 pm
Gonna start counting the votes to see what we want.
Shamelessly copied over the GM's list.
0.5G gravity x6
NO, WE ARE GAS GIANT x2

Tidally locked x7  +1((? to sun or to Gas giant?))
No orbiting star x1

High Planet activity x1 +1

Moon of a gas giant x8 +1
NO, WE ARE GAS GIANT x2

Several active stars nearby x6 +1

Dense atmosphere x6
0.5G gravity x6 +1

Red dwarf x1 +1
No orbiting star x2

Nearby nebula x1 +1 from me

Blackhole x 1 +1 from me

Extinct life x 1
Bear in mind I was lazy and only counted the +1's so, feel free to say so.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 17, 2013, 12:35:04 pm
Alright, we're doing some serious brainstorming here, which I like, but it makes me think...
To what extents will the planet (especially those more exotic ones) conditions actually affect our evolutionary track? In the beginning at least?
The rogue planet means that surface temperatures would be artic at best, eliminates day/night cycles, and some other things. We'll be reliant on geothermal. Having a volatile star would be especially interesting. Periodic burst of radiation would make the surface somewhat hazardous, but not unlivable. The aurorae would be spectacular, and some other stuff.

Alright, we're doing some serious brainstorming here, which I like, but it makes me think...
To what extents will the planet (especially those more exotic ones) conditions actually affect our evolutionary track? In the beginning at least?
Depends. Gravity and atmosphere will only really affect land animals, radiation will need some sort of protection before we can leave the water, and so on.
High atmospheric pressure would have significant effects on flying creatures too. It means that they can get a lot larger, but are quite slow. Low gravity + high atmospheric pressure should also have interesting effects on the waves.

What about a post-garden world (A world which formerly held life which already went extinct. We could have ruined cities and such.))?
Any remnants of civilization would not survive the time required for life forms to crawl back out of the seas. Unless we go archeological, and even then, it's highly unlikely we'll notice.

[Ninjas]
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 17, 2013, 12:38:00 pm
The rogue planet means that surface temperatures would be artic at best, eliminates day/night cycles, and some other things. We'll be reliant on geothermal. Having a volatile star would be especially interesting. Periodic burst of radiation would make the surface somewhat hazardous, but not unlivable. The aurorae would be spectacular, and some other stuff.

As I said, just because a planet does not have a star it does NOT, by any means, mean that it's instantly Hoth all over the place.
And conventional day/night cycles are for pussies.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 17, 2013, 12:39:50 pm
Make sure all the votes are bold so I don't recount anything. Because I'm good at that.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 17, 2013, 12:41:52 pm
The rogue planet means that surface temperatures would be artic at best, eliminates day/night cycles, and some other things. We'll be reliant on geothermal. Having a volatile star would be especially interesting. Periodic burst of radiation would make the surface somewhat hazardous, but not unlivable. The aurorae would be spectacular, and some other stuff.
As I said, just because a planet does not have a star it does NOT, by any means, mean that it's instantly Hoth all over the place.
And conventional day/night cycles are for pussies.
Actually, barring some special atmospherical circumstances ((Which are ruled out by our residential gas giant)), it does. Life will be perfectly possible, but it will be under the ice. Unless the core happens to contain a lot of nuclear materials. Like, ridiculous amounts.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 17, 2013, 12:46:41 pm
The rogue planet means that surface temperatures would be artic at best, eliminates day/night cycles, and some other things. We'll be reliant on geothermal. Having a volatile star would be especially interesting. Periodic burst of radiation would make the surface somewhat hazardous, but not unlivable. The aurorae would be spectacular, and some other stuff.
As I said, just because a planet does not have a star it does NOT, by any means, mean that it's instantly Hoth all over the place.
And conventional day/night cycles are for pussies.
Actually, barring some special atmospherical circumstances ((Which are ruled out by our residential gas giant)), it does. Life will be perfectly possible, but it will be under the ice. Unless the core happens to contain a lot of nuclear materials. Like, ridiculous amounts.
If we're near the galactic core, star density will mean eternal day, as in my planet example.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 17, 2013, 12:50:17 pm
The galactic center might be a cluster of quite a few(actually, quite a lot) rather bright stars, but I doubt it would be very bright, or warm. Especially considering these are mainly older and rather bright stars, which have emissions outside our visible spectrum.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 17, 2013, 12:52:04 pm
The galactic center might be a cluster of quite a few(actually, quite a lot) rather bright stars, but I doubt it would be very bright, or warm. Especially considering these are mainly older and rather bright stars, which have emissions outside our visible spectrum.
What visible spectrum? We haven't even evolved eyes.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on August 17, 2013, 12:56:38 pm
The galactic center might be a cluster of quite a few(actually, quite a lot) rather bright stars, but I doubt it would be very bright, or warm. Especially considering these are mainly older and rather bright stars, which have emissions outside our visible spectrum.
What visible spectrum? We haven't even evolved eyes.
Visible at Humans I assume he meant.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 17, 2013, 12:58:34 pm
The galactic center might be a cluster of quite a few(actually, quite a lot) rather bright stars, but I doubt it would be very bright, or warm. Especially considering these are mainly older and rather bright stars, which have emissions outside our visible spectrum.
What visible spectrum? We haven't even evolved eyes.
Visible at Humans I assume he meant.
My point is that the spectrum of light visible to humans means precisely nothing when determining whether it is day constantly on another planet.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 17, 2013, 01:00:32 pm
Alright, I give up on the rogue planet concept.
Still though, don't you dare go for a normal star.

-1 to "standard" star settings (the worst vote title, I know)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 17, 2013, 01:00:52 pm
The galactic center might be a cluster of quite a few(actually, quite a lot) rather bright stars, but I doubt it would be very bright, or warm. Especially considering these are mainly older and rather bright stars, which have emissions outside our visible spectrum.
What visible spectrum? We haven't even evolved eyes.
Visible at Humans I assume he meant.
My point is that the spectrum of light visible to humans means precisely nothing when determining whether it is day constantly on another planet.
There's no such thing as constant day btw. Considering that day is the part of a planet's rotation in which it receives more light (spectrum of choice), and night when it receives less. Permanent day is hence entirely subjective. Might as well call it permanent night, or permanent noon.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 17, 2013, 01:05:39 pm
Guys.
Worst case scenario - we retreat to RNG and dice rolls (http://donjon.bin.sh/scifi/world/).
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 17, 2013, 01:10:42 pm
If we don't decide anything, then I'mma just use OVERRIDING GM VOTE OF DOOOOOOOOOOOOM. Because I am equal to the power level of Dial's Liver.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on August 17, 2013, 01:11:37 pm
If we don't decide anything, then I'mma just use OVERRIDING GM VOTE OF DOOOOOOOOOOOOM. Because I am equal to the power level of Dial's Liver.

Whatever works.
How many pages did we waste for planet discussion alone? 7? 8?
EDIT:

Almost 9 pages.
Wow.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on August 17, 2013, 01:12:28 pm
If we don't decide anything, then I'mma just use OVERRIDING GM VOTE OF DOOOOOOOOOOOOM. Because I am equal to the power level of Dial's Liver.
Is the GM VOTE OF DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM a harsh vote, or is the DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM just there for added effect?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 17, 2013, 01:13:03 pm
If we don't decide anything, then I'mma just use OVERRIDING GM VOTE OF DOOOOOOOOOOOOM. Because I am equal to the power level of Dial's Liver.
Is the GM VOTE OF DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM a harsh vote, or is the DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM just there for added effect?
Marketing: The strongest, undefeatable, evil in this world.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 17, 2013, 01:17:08 pm
If we don't decide anything, then I'mma just use OVERRIDING GM VOTE OF DOOOOOOOOOOOOM. Because I am equal to the power level of Dial's Liver.
Is the GM VOTE OF DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM a harsh vote, or is the DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM just there for added effect?
Marketing: The strongest, undefeatable, evil in this world.
It is the  DOOOOOOOOOOOOM of your FREE WILL IN THE PROCESS OF PLANET CREATION! MUAHAHAHAHA!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on August 17, 2013, 02:42:20 pm
I want  something with instability. +1 to all instability
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on August 17, 2013, 03:10:18 pm
Well, GM I hope you use the list I gave you
WHich I stole from you :3
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on August 17, 2013, 04:24:04 pm
+1 for everything involving no star
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist McDwarfFortress on August 19, 2013, 02:43:04 pm
What if we're on a large moon with a large atmosphere that orbits so close to a gas giant that the atmosphere of the moon blends with the atmosphere of the other. Like, there's just a continuum from one atmosphere to the other. So you could fly a jet from the moon into the upper atmosphere of the planet.

Or would that just result in tons of atmospheric drag that would quickly send the moon crashing down into the gas giant?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 19, 2013, 02:46:20 pm
You can't go into orbit willy nilly. There are certain constants that need to be abided.

In order to go that low, the moon needs to be
    -A: Very,Very light (Likely to be blown out of orbit by a sudden wind gust.)
    -B: Very,Very Fast (Friction)
    -C: Have a positively huge gas giant (Friction still kills it)

Also, gas pressure will automatically spread out, so you can hardly go from high pressure, to low pressure (high atmosphere), to high pressure.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist McDwarfFortress on August 19, 2013, 02:58:36 pm
Also, gas pressure will automatically spread out, so you can hardly go from high pressure, to low pressure (high atmosphere), to high pressure.
I think you actually could if you take gravity into account.

If you stood on the moon's surface facing the gas giant and flew straight "up" (ie. towards the gas giant), the atmospheric pressure would be relatively high near the starting point on the surface, then as you get further from the surface of the moon, the atmospheric pressure would steadily decrease until you reach a point (The L1 Lagrangian point, I believe) where the atmospheric pressure would start increasing because of the gravity of the gas giant.

But yeah, I'm not sure you could ever form a stable system like that due to friction from atmospheric drag. Could it maybe be unstable, but last for a few million years?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on August 20, 2013, 12:28:25 am
Gravity is not a very strong force at those distances. Besides, the L1 point would lie pretty close to the lunar surface. You won't really have a significant difference in athmospheric density.


I don't give such a system more than an hour. This is, for all points and purposes, a meteoroid barreling into a hostile atmosphere at a very high speed. Most likely, the moon'll break up under the tidal stress, burn up, or simply crash.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 21, 2013, 04:43:43 am
Since there haven't been any other sense-making planets, KAON IT IS. Suggest what you want to start out as!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wolfchild on August 21, 2013, 04:50:57 am
Something fairly basic, give us an opportunity to take it pretty much any direction
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Carnwennan on August 21, 2013, 04:57:58 am
An amoeba inside some volcanic hot springs
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on August 21, 2013, 06:24:46 am
An amoeba inside some volcanic hot springs
+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on August 21, 2013, 08:41:54 am
more like a flat blob than an amoeba. Getting out of the unicellular stage generally takes ages...
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Carnwennan on August 21, 2013, 08:46:53 am
more like a flat blob than an amoeba. Getting out of the unicellular stage generally takes ages...
Right, right. This.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 21, 2013, 08:57:27 am
Since there haven't been any other sense-making planets, KAON IT IS. Suggest what you want to start out as!
Wait, what is Kaon? Is it the one with no star?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 21, 2013, 09:31:40 am
Since there haven't been any other sense-making planets, KAON IT IS. Suggest what you want to start out as!
Wait, what is Kaon? Is it the one with no star?
It's the orbitless one, but there's enough stars so we won't freeze.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 21, 2013, 10:34:37 am
Since there haven't been any other sense-making planets, KAON IT IS. Suggest what you want to start out as!
Wait, what is Kaon? Is it the one with no star?
It's the orbitless one, but there's enough stars so we won't freeze.
Aw. That's less of a challenge than an ice world.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on August 21, 2013, 10:54:38 am
Since there haven't been any other sense-making planets, KAON IT IS. Suggest what you want to start out as!
Wait, what is Kaon? Is it the one with no star?
It's the orbitless one, but there's enough stars so we won't freeze.
Aw. That's less of a challenge than an ice world.

Don't worry, one side is irradiated by the gas giant!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on August 21, 2013, 08:45:09 pm
Since there haven't been any other sense-making planets, KAON IT IS. Suggest what you want to start out as!
Wait, what is Kaon? Is it the one with no star?
It's the orbitless one, but there's enough stars so we won't freeze.
Aw. That's less of a challenge than an ice world.

Don't worry, one side is irradiated by the gas giant!
YAY!
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on September 01, 2013, 06:15:32 pm
Great
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on September 01, 2013, 06:24:18 pm
Lets start out in A deep geothermic vent, in A cavern of the moon, 8 miles deep, we start as A small pressure-resistant vent-Feeder.

Good?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on September 01, 2013, 06:47:51 pm
good.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on September 01, 2013, 06:49:44 pm
Sounds good to me. Shall we impose any limitations on ourselves this time?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Helgoland on September 02, 2013, 05:17:51 am
No fedoras.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on September 02, 2013, 05:20:58 am
No spines.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Helgoland on September 02, 2013, 05:27:30 am
5th order rotational symmetry.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on September 02, 2013, 05:31:43 am
That sounds good. I'll get off of my buttocks and start soon.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on September 02, 2013, 05:33:19 am
*yawn*
Uh, what?

Oh, you're starting. Great.
*goes back to sleep*
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on September 02, 2013, 08:28:07 am
The entire pantheon of gods watch in curiosity as Eotyrannus, God of life puts all the ingredients of life into A cauldron, The cauldron is three times as tall as A man, And twice as wide as A fat teenager Man lying down, But then while he was adding the ingredients, he messed up when the gods queried him what he was doing, and added one extra ingredient, The cursed substance named "Water of the surviving", allowing anything who uses it to live in the most hardiest environments no single other creature can live in, But however, the substance was cursed eons ago, to make it so they who abuse this substance cannot live in the best of conditions, So the batch was almost destroyed in the anger of Eotynnus, But then he saw what he can do with it, to make sure that they are able to survive in the environment that would normally kill anything several times over, and he added one extra ingredient into it, It allowed the gods to watch and see how the species evolve, and make them able to change there destiny in such A way it would seem nothing would happen much more easily.

And so Eotynnus revealed what he made, and thanked those who made him mess up his academical mix of life, and then he casted the mixture of like onto the moon  ((Koan?)) and the mixture split all around the moon, into the ground, into the caverns, to the core of the planet it self.
This was the legend of how the moon was populated, ((by future sentient species we will probably make))

This is non cannon btw, just trying my hand at fan fiction, unless the GM wants it to be that way :P
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on September 02, 2013, 08:43:06 am
After many millions of years of an unstable orbit, the Gas Giant has found a stable position around the yellow star it orbits. After many millions of years of being frozen or scorched, the moon of Kaon has found itself at a position favourable for advanced life. A thick bacterial mud has formed around volcanic springs worldwide, coloured pink, purple, red and green. Sustenance comes from deep inside the core, or far away at the life-giving glow of the star. And, as inevitable with this bounty of oxygen and food, advanced life has evolved. All over the planet, multicellular blobs of slime feast. It is peaceful now, but as always, competition is about to begin.
How will your species survive?


CHAPTER 2, GENERATION 1:
Volcanic amoeba
A reddish blob of jelly that absorbs volcanic bacteria with its underside. It is roughly 3 cms long.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when it smells another amoeba nearby, and tiny eggs grow on the animal's side.
MOVEMENT: Moves at a rate of 2 cms a minute.
EATING: It absorbs algae and chemosynthetic cells from the seafloor.
PREDATION: No predators currently exist.
COMPETITION: The ooze only has volcanic amoeba living upon it, and soon, other types will arise.
ENVIRONMENT: A shallow pool of water stretching for many miles. It is about halfway between the gas giant side and the open side of Kaon, and many geysers keep it fresh.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wolfchild on September 02, 2013, 08:46:22 am
Develop Mitochondria
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on September 02, 2013, 08:46:59 am
Develop Mitochondria
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on September 02, 2013, 08:48:01 am
Evolve A way to eat the chemicals from the vent in A better way
Develop Mitochondria
+1
Or maybe A way to make lasers
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on September 02, 2013, 09:10:48 am
Develop a shell.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on September 02, 2013, 09:32:53 am
Evolve A way to eat the chemicals from the vent in A better way
Develop Mitochondria
+1

+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on September 02, 2013, 10:52:22 am
Evolve A way to eat the chemicals from the vent in A better way
Develop Mitochondria
+1

+1

+1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on September 02, 2013, 11:12:08 am
Develop Mitochondria
+1
+1
+1
I'm betting my jar of candy that we already have that.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on September 02, 2013, 11:26:22 am
Develop Mitochondria
+1
+1
+1
I'm betting my jar of candy that we already have that.
I am stuck between lying and obtaining candy right now...
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: escaped lurker on September 06, 2013, 12:38:24 am
Shall we impose any limitations on ourselves this time?
... how about not being a predator of multi-celled lifeforms? As in, being a herbivore :3

Develop Mitochondria
+1
+1
+1
I'm betting my jar of candy that we already have that.
I am stuck between lying and obtaining candy right now...
+1 to obtaining candy mitochondria
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: tryrar on September 06, 2013, 01:05:10 am
Shall we impose any limitations on ourselves this time?
... how about not being a predator of multi-celled lifeforms? As in, being a herbivore :3

Develop Mitochondria
+1
+1
+1
I'm betting my jar of candy that we already have that.
I am stuck between lying and obtaining candy right now...
+1 to obtaining candy mitochondria
Quote pyramid ahoy! Also, plus 1 from em as well
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on September 06, 2013, 01:18:25 am
Shall we impose any limitations on ourselves this time?
... how about not being a predator of multi-celled lifeforms? As in, being a herbivore :3
Plants are multicelled too.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: escaped lurker on September 06, 2013, 01:31:22 am
Shall we impose any limitations on ourselves this time?
... how about not being a predator of multi-celled lifeforms? As in, being a herbivore :3
Plants are multicelled too.
>< My bad, I meant animals. And I made my point by writing herbivore. But yeah, not like bay12 to let such mistakes slide :"I
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Ukrainian Ranger on September 06, 2013, 02:02:36 am
I suggest to
Grow larger

As for long time plan I suggest to go big cells route... Stay one cell as long as we can, growing larger cells, than go multicell, but with large cells, so human sized creature will have like 1000 cells
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Harbingerjm on September 06, 2013, 04:46:06 am
Shall we impose any limitations on ourselves this time?
... how about not being a predator of multi-celled lifeforms? As in, being a herbivore :3
Plants are multicelled too.
Obviously we're going to need a very tiny mouth.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on September 06, 2013, 04:50:10 am
Shall we impose any limitations on ourselves this time?
... how about not being a predator of multi-celled lifeforms? As in, being a herbivore :3
Plants are multicelled too.
Obviously we're going to need a very tiny mouth.
Or a very big one. Some plankton is single celled.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Harbingerjm on September 06, 2013, 05:09:06 am
Shall we impose any limitations on ourselves this time?
... how about not being a predator of multi-celled lifeforms? As in, being a herbivore :3
Plants are multicelled too.
Obviously we're going to need a very tiny mouth.
Or a very big one. Some plankton is single celled.
Well, yeah, if the objective was to eat single celled organisms. If the objective is to avoid eating multi-celled ones...
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on September 06, 2013, 09:29:23 am
VOTES:

Develop chemosynthesis x1
Gain shell x1
Grow larger x1

We're multicellular ourselves, I just didn't want to call it a blob this time.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on September 06, 2013, 09:49:41 am
+1 to the ones I didn't suggest.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Harbingerjm on September 06, 2013, 01:14:00 pm
VOTES:

Develop chemosynthesis x1
Gain shell x1
Grow larger x1

We're multicellular ourselves, I just didn't want to call it a blob this time.
+1 to all.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on September 06, 2013, 01:48:26 pm
VOTES:

Develop chemosynthesis x1
Gain shell x1
Grow larger x1

We're multicellular ourselves, I just didn't want to call it a blob this time.
+1 to all.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wolfchild on September 06, 2013, 05:10:58 pm
VOTES:

Develop chemosynthesis x1
Gain shell x1
Grow larger x1

We're multicellular ourselves, I just didn't want to call it a blob this time.

+ Ln(e)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: tryrar on September 07, 2013, 12:36:34 am
ditto from me, +1 to above
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wolfchild on September 07, 2013, 12:39:13 am
Is no one batting an eyelid at my post?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: tryrar on September 07, 2013, 12:49:35 am
???????????
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on September 07, 2013, 01:22:52 am
Seems fine to me.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wolfchild on September 07, 2013, 01:30:41 am
well then, more people on bay12 are mathematicians than I thought
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: tryrar on September 08, 2013, 07:28:11 am
oh, math joke. No wonder i didn't get it :P
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on September 08, 2013, 07:34:50 am
I did get it... x)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on September 08, 2013, 07:43:28 am
Neither did I.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wolfchild on September 08, 2013, 08:03:05 am
Ln is the natural log of something an example LN(X) = Y, In this equation Y is the number of times you need to multiply e(2.71828182845904523536028747135266249775724709369995) by itself to get X. so if x was e then Y would be 1

((I think I suck at explaining maths to people))
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on September 08, 2013, 09:05:34 am
A logarithm is always "base something". Typically 10 or e (2.718somethingsomething, in which case it is written ln).

loga(X)=Y, where aY=X. For example, log10(1000)=3, because 10^3=1000.

e(X) is e^X, with e being equal to the magical number 2.718blahblahblah. It's special for... reasons. That's another lesson (with derivative functions)

Point is, ln(e(X)) gives how many times you need to multiply e by itself to give e to the power of X. That is to say, X.

therefore ln(e)=1.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wolfchild on September 08, 2013, 03:23:43 pm
You explained it better than me
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on September 09, 2013, 09:25:59 am
Top-tier (relatively speaking) maths.
In English.

That's it, I'm out.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on September 09, 2013, 02:24:36 pm
erhm, so can we get back on the rails with A update...?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on September 09, 2013, 02:37:44 pm
Yes, yes, soon, my mind-slaves.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on September 09, 2013, 02:51:17 pm
uuuupppdddaaatteee nooowwww...
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on September 09, 2013, 03:02:18 pm
EVOLUTION ATTEMPTS: Chemosynthesis- 6, Gain shell- 2, Grow larger- 6

The hades amoeboid is a new, larger amoebid. Many frills surrounding its body let it absorb chemicals from the water, which it then converts into food. It has tripled in size from the volcanic amoeba.

The springs haven't changed much.

CHAPTER 2, GENERATION 2:
Hades Amoeboid
An orange-ish blob of jelly that absorbs volcanic bacteria with its underside. It is roughly 10 cms long, and it has many frills containing chemosynthetic bacteria.
REPRODUCTION: It lets out male cells when it smells another amoeba nearby, and tiny eggs grow on the animal's side.
MOVEMENT: Moves at a rate of 2 cms a minute.
EATING: It absorbs algae and chemosynthetic cells from the seafloor, and uses volcanic chemicals to create sugars.
PREDATION: No predators currently exist.
COMPETITION: The ooze only has volcanic amoeba living upon it, and soon, other types will arise.
ENVIRONMENT: A shallow pool of water stretching for many miles. It is about halfway between the gas giant side and the open side of Kaon, and many geysers keep it fresh.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Urist Mc Dwarf on September 09, 2013, 03:11:28 pm
Psuedopods to move and castch things with.
 Nerve and muscle cells
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on September 09, 2013, 03:59:07 pm
Radioactivity.

Nobody will come near us if we emit constant radiation.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on September 09, 2013, 04:03:49 pm
Radioactivity.

Nobody will come near us if we emit constant radiation.
The problem with radiation is that there is only 'hide' or 'get DNA torn to shreds'. And we can't really hide if it's inside of us.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on September 09, 2013, 04:07:45 pm
Radioactivity.

Nobody will come near us if we emit constant radiation.
The problem with radiation is that there is only 'hide' or 'get DNA torn to shreds'. And we can't really hide if it's inside of us.
We could not have a genetic code highly vulnerable to deadly radiation.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on September 09, 2013, 04:11:03 pm
Radioactivity.

Nobody will come near us if we emit constant radiation.
The problem with radiation is that there is only 'hide' or 'get DNA torn to shreds'. And we can't really hide if it's inside of us.
We could not have a genetic code highly vulnerable to deadly radiation.
The problem with that is that DNA tends to be vulnerable to deadly radiation no matter how it is. If you want to protect yourself with radiation, go to the irradiated side of the geysers.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on September 09, 2013, 04:11:42 pm
Radioactivity.

Nobody will come near us if we emit constant radiation.
The problem with radiation is that there is only 'hide' or 'get DNA torn to shreds'. And we can't really hide if it's inside of us.
We could not have a genetic code highly vulnerable to deadly radiation.
The problem with that is that DNA tends to be vulnerable to deadly radiation no matter how it is. If you want to protect yourself with radiation, go to the irradiated side of the geysers.
Why do we have to use DNA?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Harbingerjm on September 09, 2013, 04:12:21 pm
Radioactivity.

Nobody will come near us if we emit constant radiation.
The problem with radiation is that there is only 'hide' or 'get DNA torn to shreds'. And we can't really hide if it's inside of us.
We could not have a genetic code highly vulnerable to deadly radiation.
The problem with that is that DNA tends to be vulnerable to deadly radiation no matter how it is. If you want to protect yourself with radiation, go to the irradiated side of the geysers.
Also, even if we could manage it it would probably result in high levels of stability.
Which, while not bad in and of itself, rather defeats the purpose of this game.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on September 09, 2013, 04:13:56 pm
Radioactivity.

Nobody will come near us if we emit constant radiation.
The problem with radiation is that there is only 'hide' or 'get DNA torn to shreds'. And we can't really hide if it's inside of us.
We could not have a genetic code highly vulnerable to deadly radiation.
The problem with that is that DNA tends to be vulnerable to deadly radiation no matter how it is. If you want to protect yourself with radiation, go to the irradiated side of the geysers.
Why do we have to use DNA?
Because we're DNA-based organisms. We could switch a few chemicals around, maybe use arsenic for that, but there's no known radiation-proof genetic code in nature.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: escaped lurker on September 09, 2013, 04:59:39 pm
Eh, I'm going to blatantly aim for my "non-predatory-scheme" that I proposed for this run's handycap. Wich would go as follows;

Develope even more Frills!
We shall devour all! ...chemicals, that is.

Develope retractable appendages for additional Frills!
Getting chemicals out of the tides that else would be beyond us. Also, even more frills can never be a bad thing, no?

Developing peudopos to move with is also on the plan.
We shall go beyond, and further! At some point. For now to evade possible predators.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on September 10, 2013, 02:07:07 am
Nerves and muscle x1
Pseudopods x2
MOAR FRILLS x1
Frilled appendages x1
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kaian-a-coel on September 10, 2013, 03:07:02 am
Nerves and muscle x1
Pseudopods x2
MOAR FRILLS x1
Frilled appendages x1
+1 to everything there
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Helgoland on September 10, 2013, 03:43:09 am
Nerves and muscle x1
Pseudopods x2
MOAR FRILLS x1
Frilled appendages x1
+1 to everything there
+1
We already are multicelled, right? Then we should try to develop an exoskeleton (not a shell, but sort of like an external spine). With 5th-order rotational symmetry, remember?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Remuthra on September 10, 2013, 05:19:21 am
Nerves and muscle x1
Pseudopods x2
MOAR FRILLS x1
Frilled appendages x1
+1 to everything there
+1
We already are multicelled, right? Then we should try to develop an exoskeleton (not a shell, but sort of like an external spine). With 5th-order rotational symmetry, remember?
+1.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wolfchild on September 10, 2013, 06:08:07 am
Nerves and muscle x1
Pseudopods x2
MOAR FRILLS x1
Frilled appendages x1
+1 to everything there
+1
We already are multicelled, right? Then we should try to develop an exoskeleton (not a shell, but sort of like an external spine). With 5th-order rotational symmetry, remember?

+1 (no maths this time)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Mesa on September 10, 2013, 01:38:52 pm
Nerves and muscle x1
Pseudopods x2
MOAR FRILLS x1
Frilled appendages x1
+1 to everything there
+1
We already are multicelled, right? Then we should try to develop an exoskeleton (not a shell, but sort of like an external spine). With 5th-order rotational symmetry, remember?

+1 (no maths this time)

+1
Math is overused anyway.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: kopout on September 10, 2013, 07:59:22 pm
Nerves and muscle x1
Pseudopods x2
MOAR FRILLS x1
Frilled appendages x1
+1 to everything there
+1
We already are multicelled, right? Then we should try to develop an exoskeleton (not a shell, but sort of like an external spine). With 5th-order rotational symmetry, remember?
trimming the pyramid

+1

I suggest our exoskeleton be more of a basket weave of elastic fibers with hard round plates at the junctions

We should probably keep the ability to eat unicellular plankton for the time being. I have nothing against being chemosynthetic but I think we should remain a filter feeder.
Radioactivity.

Nobody will come near us if we emit constant radiation.
The problem with radiation is that there is only 'hide' or 'get DNA torn to shreds'. And we can't really hide if it's inside of us.
We could not have a genetic code highly vulnerable to deadly radiation.
The problem with that is that DNA tends to be vulnerable to deadly radiation no matter how it is. If you want to protect yourself with radiation, go to the irradiated side of the geysers.
Why do we have to use DNA?
Because we're DNA-based organisms. We could switch a few chemicals around, maybe use arsenic for that, but there's no known radiation-proof genetic code in nature.
Not quite radiation proof but darn close.  Conan the Bacterium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinococcus_radiodurans) is nearly indestructible. We don't know why, it could be an anti-desiccation adaptation or a total over reaction to background radiation, but they can shrug off 1,000 times the lethal dose of radiation.   
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: The Froggy Ninja on November 24, 2013, 11:03:05 am
Bump?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: 10ebbor10 on November 24, 2013, 11:05:54 am
Bump?
This has been dead for months. Where do you guys even find these threads?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: The Froggy Ninja on November 24, 2013, 11:20:19 am
Bump?
This has been dead for months. Where do you guys even find these threads?
Searches for thing like evolution.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Icefire2314 on November 24, 2013, 12:42:27 pm
I think we should make a new one. I just read the entire thread from start to finish in the past hour. If anyone wants to start the new one, they can, if not, I probably will. I want this to continue  :'(
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on November 24, 2013, 12:43:59 pm
If you do post a link here.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on November 24, 2013, 12:48:02 pm
damn, thought this was alive for a second  :-\
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Icefire2314 on November 24, 2013, 01:08:58 pm
I'm trying to figure out how exactly he ran the game. I PM'ed him about it, he was on earlier today so hopefully he'll reply soon.

Alternatively, do any of you know how it ran?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on November 24, 2013, 01:35:01 pm
I'm not really the best with staying on-course when running something, but I could probably try again (since I'm not really running anything else at the moment).

If anyone else wants a go, the basic rules of it are:

1. Count up the votes. Anything over a certain number (usually about 4) is put into the dice-rolling.
2. Roll a dice. 1 is going so wrong that you improve in the other direction, 2 and 3 are nothing, 4 and 5 are success and 6 is a major impact in evolution.
3. Create the form, changing it as you go.

If you guys wanted, I could run either a rerun of this one or a totally new thing. For the totally new thing, what I have in mind is multiple teams of however-many-you-like competing against each other, possibly using the rolls added up to determine success.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Icefire2314 on November 24, 2013, 01:37:42 pm
If you start a new one, I'll hold off on making my own, for the fact to keep the main one alive.

It'd probably be best to start a totally new one, in a new thread even.

Trust me, I'm not the best with staying on course either  :P This game however, has inspired me.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on November 24, 2013, 01:38:39 pm
Perhaps you could do the vote-based one and I could do a team-based one?
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Icefire2314 on November 24, 2013, 01:40:26 pm
Sounds good to me. I'll get started as soon as I'm done with this work I'm doing presently.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Gamerlord on November 24, 2013, 01:40:27 pm
Perhaps you could do the vote-based one and I could do a team-based one?
Reserving a spot on the team based one. Need sleep now.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Xantalos on November 24, 2013, 03:26:40 pm
Perhaps you could do the vote-based one and I could do a team-based one?
Team evolution! Yesssss
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on November 24, 2013, 03:32:57 pm
damn, thought this was alive for a second  :-\
So did everyone else.
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: wer6 on November 24, 2013, 04:02:57 pm
Reserving spot on team based one! :)
Title: Re: Competition- An evolutionary suggestion game
Post by: Eotyrannus on November 24, 2013, 04:28:31 pm
Okay guys, I've made my topics! The floodgates are open!