Tripodal Plains Runner

Life in the Dark

In the murky blackness of the deep sea, creatures are spread out over immense distances. To find each other, many use biologically-generated light. But what appears to be a potential mate might instead be a lurking predator.

A new environment with some new species here.

This is the first look into this particular biome- hopefully with more to come. All creatures depicted have a photosynthetic component to them - least of all the large plodding walkers, who rely most heavily on grazing for their energy intake. The creatures that resemble flowers are motile, but move less frequently. The long rope-like organism grows at a rapid pace to stake its claim over as much ground area as possible. The large round textures semi-spheres are not phased by this tactic, as they employ an electro-chemical defense over their outer surface to keep the strident ropes at bay.

Guardian

On Veteris, it is common for creatures to obtain energy from multiple sources. The large round, multifaceted autotroph angles its plates to face the light at any given time of day. It also feeds on decomposing organic matter it obtains by moving slowly on its long spindly legs. Conversely, the spiny guardian on top originally evolved to hunt the semi-transparent flat creatures that feed on the autotroph, but came to rely on them exclusively. Over many generations, individuals that allowed some prey items to live and reproduce eventually outlasted the more aggressive hunters, and now their style of subsistence is closer to farming. The guardians now protect the entire micro-system – each large round walker and its flock of parasites is topped by a spiny guardian who has the dual task of defending against predators as well as keeping the herd numbers in check. A round walker without a guardian slowly succumbs to parasite overpopulation. Occasionally huge numbers of walkers congregate in vast gently-swaying miniature forests, each crowned by a flamboyant spiny guardian defending its small world.

World Eater

In the murky ponds on the floor of the Glow Forest lives a surprisingly diverse community adapted to the near total darkness. Decaying organic material releases methane gas which is harnessed by towers of colonial microorganisms. Upon this bedrock of the food chain, a plethora of creatures creep and crawl about their daily lives while trying to avoid the pond’s top predator - a massive leviathan blindly devouring everything in its path.

The Challenger

A new competitor has entered the misty valley. Attracted by ample food supply, the hopeful newcomer will have to contend with the reigning resident of this territory. In times of scarcity, populations begrudgingly coexist in shrinking pockets of such favorable habitat, but rain and sun have been plentiful lately, so a battle seems imminent.

In the Shadow of Colossus

Veteris is a geologically dynamic world, with active plate tectonics that thrust huge mountains high into the sky. One of the highest ranges is Colossus, which contains peaks well over 50,000 feet tall. Here on its outskirts, deep valleys have formed, whose unfortunate position robs them of sunlight for most of the daytime.

These twilight conditions are not favorable for creatures with high photosynthetic needs, but provide opportunities for others. The ominous Valley Plate-globes are covered in dark panels that absorb as much sunlight as possible during the short daylight hours. Rising far above the ground are the Skycolumns, who extend their fleshy fronds when the sun is directly overhead. Their main body column is heavily buttressed to prevent being toppled by strong winds.

The particular species of tube carpet that covers the valley floor grows a large glowing bulb which carries a multitude of its microscopic embryos. Once the bulb reaches a certain size and luminosity, it attracts the attention of mobile creatures, who by eating it spread the tube carpet’s offspring far and wide. The primary patron at this bioluminescent buffet is the Ghost Celeriarma, a swift and well-defended denizen of the shadow lands. Like many inhabitants of Veteris, it utilizes a combination internal/external support structure that is both flexible and strong. A turret of eyes extends high above the rest of its body and gives it 360 degree surveillance capability. If eyesight should fail to detect a predator, its quick speed and sharp, moveable spines may keep it safe.

A far less athletic creature, the smaller Pluriped has instead developed camouflage to avoid predation. Lateral markings and a glowing bulbous growth of its own help it blend in to the shadowy sea of tube carpet.

Here is a nocturnal view of a habitat in which the inhabitants have evolved extreme forms of bioluminescence. The vertical glowing blobs are the reproductive bulb form of a species with a complex life cycle (to be elucidated in following artworks). The groove-backed, ravenous creatures at the bottom are of the same species as the glowing blobs, but at a different life stage. At center is a rather placid, slow-moving consumer of the bulbs- one who has incorporated its own form of bioluminescence into its respiratory apparatus as a means of camouflage. Names and descriptions will come as soon as possible.

Kings of the High Desert

A herd of strange creatures has congregated on this rocky outcrop. Known as Emperor Shinebacks, they often climb these rugged foothills to obtain access to cooling breezes and additional food sources. Their top-heavy tripodal stature prevents further ascension into the mountains, but it serves them well on more level ground. Reflective carapaces mitigate much of the sun’s harmful rays, and cooling flaps along their flanks dissipate excess heat. A shineback’s normal gait is rather clumsy, but when haste is needed they clamp all three legs together into a single monopod and bounce effortlessly across the desert at remarkably high speeds. This combined with their massive size (adults are over eight feet tall) and protective social behavior makes them almost impervious to attack. Almost…

New Lands

Down Below

Deep sea floor.