Completion Date: February ‘24

Proportion Distortion

The environment that this assignment takes place in is the Subalpine Forest biome (generic biome, not a specific place). The Subalpine Forest acts as a transitional zone from the dense forests to the alpine tundra. This biome is characterized by its very long winters and short growing seasons (about 6-9 weeks), as well as thin, nutrient-poor soil, sparse amounts of shrubs and herbs, and high amounts of wind. The wildlife in this biome have evolved a variety of adaptations in order to survive and thrive in these conditions.

Raccoon

  • The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a highly adaptable, medium-sized North American mammal known for its black facial mask and ringed tail. As an omnivorous generalist, it consumes a wide variety of foods and thrives in both wild and urban environments. Noted for its intelligence and manual dexterity, the raccoon uses its sensitive front paws to forage and manipulate objects, aiding its success across diverse habitats.

Great Horned Owl

  • The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) is a large raptor native to the Americas, known for its tufted ear feathers, yellow eyes, and broad wingspan. A skilled nocturnal predator, it uses exceptional hearing and vision to hunt a variety of prey, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. Adaptable to diverse habitats, from forests to urban areas, it is solitary and territorial, often nesting in abandoned raptor nests or tree cavities. Its silent flight and hunting efficiency make it one of the most effective nocturnal hunters.

Pinwheel Bandit

Physical Adaptations

  • Pinwheel Bandit, they possess a hooded, insulated back flap that sits on the top of their back. This flap can be connected to the ears, allowing it to stay in place, similar to a hood on a hoodie. This allows the Pinwheel Bandit to store anything on their back, from their young, to food, to even objects. This also provides the secondary use of insulation due to the colder climate. All Pinwheel Bandits are kleptomaniacs; they are always looking for something to steal, be it food, objects, or even other creatures. This behavior is passed down from parent to child, allowing them to be opportunistic, as well as training the young to “hunt” (I’m not sure if I would classify this behavior as hunting, but Pinwheel Bandits are primarily scavengers, so I guess this would be the closest term).

  • They also possess a lengthened face mask, which serves a similar purpose to whiskers. While Raccoons typically possess whiskers, Pinwheel Bandits lost this feature due to the colder climate of the Subalpine. In place of this, the Face Mask is neurologically wired in a similar manner to whiskers, while also providing additional warmth. Pinwheel Bandits are also expert climbers due to their curled tail, as well as their lengthened body. Both of these features possess a wide variety of uses outside of climbing. For the tail, it evolved to possess large eyespot-like patterns on the tail. This provides a sense of intimidation, as well as camouflage.

  • While the large eyespots might seem counterintuitive in terms of camouflage, this is actually beneficial. The large eyespots are semi-fluorescent, and are in the shape of human eyes. This is because the only predators of the Pinwheel Bandit, such as Black Bears, Coyotes, and Bobcats, all share a common fear: Humans. This allows the Pinwheel Bandit to scare off larger predators. They do this by hiding in shrubbery, or other well hidden structures, making sure that their tail is visible. This gives off the impression to other animals that there are humans lying in wait, ready to ambush.

  • For the lengthened body plan, this was primarily an adaption for the hooded back flap, but it also provides stability while climbing via a phenomenon known as Concertina Locomotion. Snakes actually do the same thing while climbing trees. By tensing their stomach muscles, they are able to grip onto surfaces using the scales on their stomach. Pinwheel Bandits do a similar movement, but instead of gripping with scales, they use their long body plan to wrap around trees, effectively constricting it while holding themselves in place. Along with their sharp, dexterous hands, this allows the Pinwheel Bandit to either climb trees in seconds, or hold themselves in place, keeping them safe from some predators.

  • Finally, they possess a modified snout. This enhances their sense of smell, similar to the level of a Bloodhound. This allows them to track other animals for miles, as well as to distinguish a member of their family. Each Pinwheel Bandit possess a signature, faint “Odor Signature”, allowing them to mark their territory. While Pinwheel Bandits are not particularly territorial, they can get into disputes with other Pinwheel Bandits. This Odor Signature allows them to distinguish where their territory is, effectively resolving most conflicts regarding this. However, they do compete with other animals, such as Pine Squirrels, for tree cavities. Both of these animals store their belongings in tree cavities, but while Pine Squirrels use this as their primary nesting place, Pinwheel Bandits are more nomadic.

Interaction with Environment

  • They typically don’t possess a single territory, but multiple clusters of territories known as Bases. This allows them to be on the move, as well as protecting portions of their belongings. Their Bases will typically be within running distance of one another, as far as about a half-mile apart. Their bases can be anything from tree cavities, to shrubbery, to a small, hidden hole in the ground.

  • As mentioned previously, Pinwheel Bandits are extreme kleptomaniacs. This behavior results in them constantly performing “Heists”, a method of scavenging involving packs of 2 or more Pinwheel Bandits. This involves them sneaking into other animal territories, be it other animals or even other Pinwheel Bandits, and cleaning the place dry. Potential stolen goods include food, objects, or even young animals. After this, the Pinwheel Bandits either escape undetected, or try to “Bargain” with other animals in order to get more goods.

    Due to most animals not possessing the intelligence to bargain, the former is much more likely. However, in the case of smarter animals, such as Humans, they will attempt to bargain with them, using either hostages or stolen goods as leverage. Speaking of humans, Pinwheel Bandits are highly aggressive towards them. Whenever encountered by Humans, Pinwheel Bandits will act extremely aggressively, including behaviors such as snarling, hissing, or false attacks. This is primarily to scare off Humans, but if they stand their ground, Pinwheel Bandits will most likely retreat.

Persistent Austringer

Physical Adaptations

  • For the Persistent Austringer, they possess an enlarged body plan. This includes their large, round body (similar to and ostrich), a lengthened neck (similar to a swan), bigger facial disks, and modified legs / limbs. They also possess large, rigid horns on top of their head, used for intimidation, ramming enemies, and allowing their young to perch while on the move. Their necks have evolved to lengthen, allowing for stability while running, as well as allowing Persistent Austringers to reach their horns much lower to the ground. Finally, they possess small, rolled up wings on the wrists of their front limbs.

  • The young use these wings for flight, but they don’t grow proportionally with the rest of the body. While at first they might seem useless for the older members, they actually provide stability while running, as well as allowing the creature to perform sharp turns. In order for them to lengthen, they pump them full of blood, making them sturdy yet flexible. The wings unravel from the wrists in a similar manner to a party blower, allowing for them to be portable. Finally, they stick their front limbs out to the sides and, for lack of a better term, “Naruto Run”. While looking slightly goofy, this allows the Persistent Austringer to conserve energy while running, as well as to perform sharp turns.

Nesting

  • Persistent Austringers nest near the base of shrubs, building a nest in shallow depressions in the ground. In order to prepare a nest, the Persistent Austringer young will first scout of the area for potential nesting, nearby threats, and sources of water. Once they find a suitable place, the young will alert the leader about their newfound nesting area. Once the group arrives, they will start preparations for the nest.

  • They begin by scanning the area for a place to lay their future eggs, then build around it. They like to keep their eggs at the edge of their perimeter, as to be able to have a full view of vision of their entire area while at the same time being able to guard their eggs. Persistent Austringers like to keep their nesting area nice and tidy, both for removing any potential danger for the newborn, as well as general cleanliness. You can tell when you’ve entered their territory by the general tidiness of the area, as well as the 8-foot bird charging at you at full speed.

Hunting Methods

  • Persistent Austringers are, as the name implies, persistence hunters. They possess excellent endurance, as well as an average run speed of ~35 mph. That isn’t them sprinting either, they can run for miles while keeping the same speed. This allows them to effectively run down prey, including Chipmunks, Hares, Marmots, Shrews, Weasels, and more. They top out at ~45 mph, but only in short bursts. However, they only tend to sprint when they need to close a short gap in distance or to run from predators. The ones who run are the ones that are worse off. There’s not a single animal in the Subalpine region that can outrun a Persistent Austringer. Any prey that try to outrun a Persistent Austringer will see this firsthand. The prey will end up collapsed from exhaustion, resulting in a swift death via a powerful kick to the neck. The prey is then scooped up with the Persistent Austringer’s front limbs, and carried back to the nest.

  • Their main hunting strategy is persistence hunting, but they do possess an alternative strategy: Austringery (traditionally, the process of training and hunting accipiters and buteoine hawks). While the older members of Persistent Austringers are terrestrial, their young can both run and fly. Due to competition with other bird of prey, such as the Golden Eagle, Red-Tailed Hawk, and Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Persistent Austringers evolved to grow into tremendously large terrestrial birds of prey, covering an entirely untapped niche within the Subalpine. Furthermore, by having the young being able to fly soon after birth (about 2-3 days), this allows Persistent Austringers to cover land and air at the same time.

Interactions Between Species

  • Pinwheel Bandits will attempt to steal eggs from the Persistent Austringer’s nest while they are out hunting. While typically the Persistent Austringer’s nest is guarded by very young Persistent Austringers, this is usually not enough to effectively defend the nest from Pinwheel Bandits. Pinwheel Bandits tend to perform Heists in pack of 2-3, usually enough to handle anything that they come across with minimal trouble. The exception to this being when there is a Persistent Austringer in the area. Persistent Austringers are highly territorial and will attack on sight. During this scenario, a Persistent Austringer will outrun, outmaneuver, and will ultimately kill any Pinwheel Bandit in the vicinity of their nest. Even if the Pinwheel Bandits manage to steal the eggs and attempt to Bargain, the Persistent Austringer will usually not reciprocate. While Persistent Austringers are intelligent enough to understand the process of Bargaining, they tend not to bother due to their high birth rate.

  • In very rare cases, Pinwheel Bandits will stage a “Mock Heist”. This doesn’t provide any real benefit for the Pinwheel Bandit other than enjoyment. Pinwheel Bandits are, for a lack of a better term, “cheeky little shits”, and find enjoyment in instigating other animals. They will fill their back flaps with hard objects, such as stones, bones, or litter accumulated by Humans. After this, they will stalk the Persistent Austringer’s nest, close enough to that they are heard, but far enough to be at a safe distance. Finally, they will pelt the nest with their gathered objects, annoying the Persistent Austringer, but not enough for them to give chase. After they do this, the Pinwheel Bandits will run off, laughing all along the way.

  • The other scenario in which these two would interact would be in competition for nesting. While Pinwheel Bandits control a number of smaller territories, Persistent Austringers tend to nest in one large area. Due to this, some conflict may occur in terms of nesting. Persistent Austringers will send their young off to scout potential nesting areas due to their ability to fly, while Pinwheel Bandits travel in packs of 2-3 in order to scout together. As a result, these two parties will come into contact with each other. Pinwheel Bandits will attempt to either intimidate the Persistent Austringer young or kill them outright in order to prevent the Persistent Austringer leader from showing up. In the event of the Persistent Austringer leader arriving, the Pinwheel Bandits will flee. Even as a pack, they would not be able to take down a Persistent Austringer leader. They are faster, stronger, and have much more endurance. Also, any attempt of an ambush would be prevented by either the young alerting the leader, or by the Persistent Austringer’s incredible sense of hearing.

Wonder Puffer

Completion Date: March ‘24

The Wonder Puffer is an mixotrophic tribrid that flies through space via the chemical process behind Baker’s Yeast, inflating their body and making them smell like yeasty sourdough bread. They use this smell to attract smaller organisms, where they are killed and eaten by the Venus Fly Trap mouths that act as fins for the creature. Said “fins” are able to constrict into itself, forming sleek, fin-like structures.

Baker’s Yeast
(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae (commonly known as Baker’s Yeast or Brewer’s Yeast) is a species of yeast used in baking, brewing, and winemaking. This is due to it’s role in the fermentation process: it produces ethanol and carbon dioxide via the metabolization of sugar. I wanted to include this mainly for this characteristic. I was thinking of an aquatic creature that would be able to move in space without an external source of propulsion.

Pilarbini, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Avocado Puffer
(Auriglobus modestus)

  • Auriglobus modestus, more commonly known as the Avocado Pufferfish, the Bronze Puffer or Golden Puffer, is a fresh-water, ray-finned pufferfish native to Southeast Asia. Characteristics include their fast swim speed, inquisitive nature, and their tendency to nip at the fins of other fish. I chose this animal mainly for the name (Avocado Puffer + Baker’s Yeast = avocado toast), but I also wanted a fish-like body plan for the tribrid.

Special Collections of the University of Amsterdam ,

Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Venus Fly Trap
(Dionaea muscipula)

  • Dionaea muscipula, more commonly known as the Venus flytrap, is a carniviorous evergreen plant known for its modified leaves it uses as snapping traps. The traps fold shut, capturing insects and small amphibians for the plant to digest. I chose this plant for several reasons. The main reason is the usage of the unique snapping trap-like leaves. In addition, the leaves look similar to fish fins when folded. I thought I would be able to blend the two nicely, so I went with it.

ImagePerson, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Unpuffed Form

Physical Traits

  • The Wonder Puffer is a 10 ft long pufferfish-like organism that is defined by their harpoon-like fins, loose baggy skin, explosive scales, and needle-like teeth, similar to that of a Venus Fly Trap. In their normal state, Wonder Puffers are much more fish-like in body plan. However, when puffed up, they extend to about 2-3 times their body length, depending on age. In this puffed up state, their body plan is much longer, and somewhat resembles a long loaf of bread. They also reveal their razor sharp teeth, as well as flare out their dense beak.

  • In both states, they possess either green skin with pink scales or orange skin with red scales, females having the former and the males the latter. Aside from color, males are slightly bigger, and have a higher diversity scale sizer, ranging from pea-sized to grapefruit-sized, while females are slightly smaller, and have more uniform scales.

  • The Wonder Puffer possesses multiple types of movement, from propulsion to locomotion. Firstly, the primary form of movement for this creature is the use of their fins to propel them forward. Using this form of locomotion, Wonder Puffers are able to move at a slightly slower speed than a typical Avocado Pufferfish. Additionally, when they need a quick burst of speed, they can expel a stream of gas from their intestines which propels them forward.

Puffed Form

Specialized Traits

  • The Dorsal, Caudal, and Anal fins are able to launch out and expand to form Venus Fly Trap-like structures. In this state, they release the built-up pressure inside of their stomach, launching the fin out at about 25 mph. However, this is offset by the fast that this fin is mostly hollow on the inside, resulting in more of a wet slap than a powerful strike. However, when puffed up, this speed exponentially increases. In addition to this, the fin is filled with gas, making it tought and hard. This is especially true with the scales that are on top of the fins, adding an explosive punch to said hit. All of this results in a powerful weapon that can send opponents flying.

  • The Wonder Puffer has the ability to “puff up”. They possess a chemical compound inside of their stomach chemically exact to Baker’s Yeast, allowing themselves to elongate. They possess a collar of very loose skin, which sags around their body. This skin is very elastic, allowing them to extend about 2-3 times their original body length. This process isn’t painful for them; it’s actually quite relaxing, similar to someone cracking their back. While doing this, they are able to shoot out their fins individually, or keep them in place. In this state, they are far more streamlined, allowing them to move at speeds reaching 45 mph. They move in a similar pattern to an eel, moving their body from head to tail. In addition to this, this also allows the Wonder Puffer to launch their fins at a much faster speed, acting as either a tackle or a sort of lunging bite. This is due to the built up pressure being built up and released inside their stomach.

  • The internal portion of the fin is connected to the intestine in a structure similar to that which can only be described as a “biblically accurate hose”. In addition to this, they are also able to control with a greater degree of control, similarly to a prehensile tail.

    Each “fin” performs a different purpose:

    Dorsal / Top: Maintain balance while swimming.

    Caudal / Back: Locomotion (Either by movement or by releasing a steady stream of gas from the gaps in between the mouths of the fins).

    Anal / Bottom: Stability while swimming.

    Pectoral / Side: Abrupt changes in side-to-side direction / speed and brake (able to decrease speed while swimming).

  • The Wonder Puffer’s digestive tract is interconnected with their fins, allowing them to feed in multiple ways. The primary way they feed is through the use of their fins; more specifically the Dorsal, Caudal, and Anal fins. They are elongated, and through the use of the intestines as a form of rope, are able to launch out. The total length of their GI Tract is about 300 feet long, with the majority of said length coming from the intestine. The intestine is highly elastic, as well as being extremely long, about 170 feet, making it one of the longest in terms of organism-to-intestine ratio. This allows the Wonder Puffer to expel their fins out, sort of like a harpoon gun.

Incognito Impressionist

Completion Date: March ‘24

Creature that lives in the deep ocean of a distant planet. Possesses aggressive mimicry, along with the ability to exhibit yellow bioluminescence. They are able to launch this bioluminescent mucus at enemies in order to better track them, as well as to distract them. They are primarily ambush predators, using their camouflage in order to approach prey and catch them with their 8 tentacles, as well as releasing type of ink that produces a strong, yellow bioluminescence. This light attracts prey, in which the creature then grapples the prey with their 8 tentacles. These tentacles possess small, venomous barbs all across their surface, which the creature uses to further trap and poison the prey. Finally, the creature constricts the prey, further injecting the prey with venom, and ultimately suffocating them.

Deathstalker Scorpion
(Leiurus quinquestriatus)

  • Leiurus quinquestriatus, more commonly known as the deathstalker scorpion, is a highly venomous species found in North Africa and the Middle East. Their most known trait is their potent neurotoxic venom, causing paralysis, convulsions and death. I chose this animal mainly due to the body plan. I thought I could incorporate the pincers and tail into the tentacles from the mimic octopus.

RichardMcJimsey, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mimic Octopus
(Thaumoctopus mimicus)

  • Thaumoctopus mimicus, more commonly known as the mimic octopus, is a cephalopod found in the Indo-Pacific known for their intelligence and their ability to mimic the appearance and behaviors of other marine creatures. I chose this animal due to their tentacles, as well as their abilities to mimic other marine animals and to produce ink.

Steve Childs, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gossamer Worm
(Tomopteris)

  • Tomopteris, more commonly known as the gossamer worm, is a plankton worm known for their bioluminescence, their streamlined body, and their paddle-like parapodia (paddle-shaped appendages on each side of their body). I chose this animal due to their bioluminescence, as well as their parapodia. I thought both features would be very useful for a creature based on mimicry.

uwe kils, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

  • The Incognito Impressionist is a 12 ft tall organism that is defined by their long, retractable scorpion tail-like appendages, flexible and translucent skull and skin, long sensory antennae, duel-layered legs, and bioluminescent veins / ink. The Incognito Impressionist’s body is flexible and translucent, with many sets of limbs. They possess bioluminescent ink, as well as veins. They possess various different kinds of limbs, including tentacles, dexterous pincers, and scorpion-like legs.

  • Incognito Impressionists have multiple types of movement depending on where they are. In the water, their body waves from back to front. This doesn’t provide much forward thrust, so in order to compensate, they have a series of swimming legs that propels them forward. On land, they possess a set of 8 thin, agile legs that they use to move on land. Finally, they possess a set of 8 parapodium-like structures, each containing scorpion tail-like structures at the end. This doesn’t provide much movement, but they can help disorient an enemy by glowing and waving them around.

Physical Traits

  • The Incognito Impressionist possesses a strong bioluminescence in their veins as well as their ink. This serves multiple purposes, from camouflage to a source of light to a weapon. Firstly, this allows the Incognito Impressionist to see in their environment. Due to the lack of light in their habitat, their bioluminescence allows them to see much further than they normally would. Additionally, the light acts as a sort of lure for prey, drawing them towards the Incognito Impressionist. Aside from being a source of light, this bioluminescence allows them to mimic certain organisms that can glow. By shifting and controlling the translucency and hue of their skin, they can even glow different colors. Finally, they can use their ink, which is full of the chemicals that cause the Incognito Impressionist to glow, to temporarily blind their prey. Additionally, by leaving the ink on their prey’s skin, it will stain their skin, allowing the Incognito Impressionist to track their prey.

  • The Incognito Impressionist possesses the ability of camouflage via mimicry. This allows them to mimic various organisms in their surroundings, such as plants, other animals, or even their own prey. For this creature, this serves multiple purposes. In hunting, this allows the Incognito Impressionist to wait for their prey to come to them. Using their camouflage, they are able to mimic other organisms as a lure for their prey, whether it be a potential mate or a source of food for the prey. Outside of hunting, the Incognito Impressionist uses their camouflage as a defensive tool in order to allow it to observe potential camouflage. The Incognito Impressionist mimics their surroundings, and observes their movements, behaviors, and more. After doing this, they will attempt to shape-shift into their chosen target, a process which can take up to 30 minutes. When they are able to comfortably take on their new form, they will either leave or attempt to assimilate themselves into their newfound group. If the latter happens, they will attempt to lead one member of the group away and attempt to eat them.

Specialized Traits

Section is WIP

Come back later for additional content!

Findings of the Zeitgeist Nightlight

Completion Date: April ‘24

The Zeitgeist Nightlight is a hyper-intelligent species, similar in intellect to that of humans. They live in an entirely 2d world (everything still has senses and perception just in 2 dimensions). One day, through the use of a dimensional manipulation machine, the Zeitgeist Nightlight discovers the human world. They attempt to explore this new world in order to gain knowledge, consume light, and overall be a general nuisance to society.

Table of Contents

Zeitgeist Nightlight Breakdown

Zeitgeist Nightlight Breakdown

Pariah Messiah Breakdown

Pariah Messiah Breakdown

Pearlescent Decrescent Breakdown

Pearlescent Decrescent Breakdown

Pulchrabras

Pulchrabras

Interdimensional Interactions

Interdimensional Interactions

Investigation into the Invasion of Indiana

Investigation into the Invasion of Indiana

Zeitgeist Nightlight

Physical Traits

Descriptions

  • Their body possesses a thick layer of fur. Their fur is extremely concentrated in melanin, making them almost pitch black. This provides full protection from most forms of ionizing radiation, as well as UV Light. However, this material is also very densely packed; due to this trait, it will absorb water very easily. If a Zeitgeist Nightlight were to be exposed to a large body of water, the fur would absorb so much liquid that they would lose buoyancy, proceeding to fall beneath the surface and drown. As a result, a Zeitgeist Nightlight is very hydrophobic. 

  • Their triangular like face is covered in a rubbery, shiny material that is extremely heat-resistant and electricity-resistant. Their face shape allows them to be more aerodynamic, both during flight and during migrations in Pulchrabras. Their triangular face opens up to reveal a panel-like structure inside of the face plates of their mouth. This structure is designed to take in light, similar to how a plant would use light to perform photosynthesis. The exact process in which they absorb light is further explained in the Diet section, but this behavior can last for hours.

  • Due to the color of their fur, this can cause them to overheat relatively easy. This is why they are able to flush their cowls with blood, diverting heat from the rest of their body to that area. In addition to this function, the cowl is primarily used for intimidation and to show off their familial lineage. Each pattern on the cowl is unique per Zeitgeist Nightlight family, or spirit. Along with the color, the wide surface area of the cowl assists in absorbing light. Finally, the cowl is normally as flat as paper. It is not normally visible when viewing a Zeitgeist Nightlight from the side, unless filled with blood.

  • Their tail is used to slither, perch, and constrict. First, they are able to slither along the ground. However, this process is both slow and dirty (literally dirty, as in covered in dirt). As a result, Zeitgeist Nightlights prefer to fly, as it is much faster. Next, they use their tail to perch on ledges, trees, and more. Their tail is able to extend in length, about up to 3 times their height. Their tail is prehensile in nature, allowing the Zeitgeist Nightlight to use it like a third limb. Finally, the tail is able to constrict prey. While constriction is possible when the tail is not extended, the resulting limb can be rather stumpy. When fully extended, one Zeitgeist Nightlight is able to fully surround and constrict larger creatures, such as a Pariah Messiah.

  • Their hand-like wings grant the Zeitgeist Nightlight increased dexterity. Combined with their tail, this allows them to perform various tasks that would require both dexterity and intelligence. Examples include throwing, puzzle solving, and building. The primary purpose of the wings is for flight. Their maximum flight speed is extremely fast, about 150 mph. That’s not them diving either; the speed is constant throughout flight.

  • Glow spots are the geometric patches of skin that form patterns all along the body of Zeitgeist Nightlights. Their primary uses are for communication and bioluminescence. For communication, Zeitgeist Nightlights use a combination of noises and flashing lights to communicate with others. The calls seem to be unintelligible to humans to understand, but the flashing can be translated into Morse Code, but reversed (A=Z, B=Y, etc.). The color of the glow spots depends on their mood: a brighter color equates to a more intense the feeling, while the color determines the overall feeling / mood.

    The secondary purpose of a glow spot is for Bioluminescence. Due to the lack of light within Pulchrabras, Zeitgeist Nightlights have developed a way to create their own artificial light within their own body. Their light-based diet allows them to transfer some of the energy from their food into pure light, sending it out through the glow spots. The light itself doesn’t change color / wavelength, but instead the glow spots’ material changes in both hue and transparency to display various colors of light.

Senses

Descriptions

  • Zeitgeist Nightlights have 4 eyes, 1 on each of their face plates. They have a dysconjugate gaze, similar to a chameleon. This means that they are able to rotate their eyes with a high degree of freedom. In addition to this, they are able to transition between monocular vision (seeing with one eye) , binocular vision (seeing with two eyes together), to what I call “quadcular vision“ (seeing with all four eyes together). As a result of these traits, Zeitgeist Nightlights have some of the keenest eyesight in Pulchrabras. 

  • Zeitgeist Nightlights have 2 small hearing holes under their fur, right in between the base of the face and the skull. Due to the location of the holes, there is fur that covers them slightly. This results in them having a dampened sense of hearing. Due to this, Zeitgeist Nightlights tend to rely on their eyesight or sense of smell. 

  • A Zeitgeist Nightlight’s sense of taste is connected through the probiscis at the end of their tail. They don’t have a tongue, but they do possess taste receptors lining the inside of their digestive tract (about the same number on a dog’s tongue, about 1,700). They have the ability to identify sweet, sour, salty, and bitter, but not spicy. Zeitgeist Nightlights prefer sweet and salty foods in particular. They typically rely on their sense of smell in order to identify flavors more accurately. 

  • The fur all around their body is covered in a heat-resistant, oily mucus. This is used to repel Miasma, water, and other liquids that could potentially soak into their body. A side effect of this is that their skin is highly sensitive to the touch. This allows a Zeitgeist Nightlight to sense changes in airflow, as well as direct themselves through Currents. 

  • Zeitgeist Nightlights have an excellent sense of smell. This is due to a combination of the orientation of their smelling orifice and the gaps in the face plates. The smelling orifice is located at the front of their skull, covered by 4 face plates that fold open to absorb light. When closed, the face plates act as a funnel for air during flight, resulting in excellent sense of smell. 

  • Zeitgeist Nightlights are able to slither with their extendable tail, as well as fly with their hand-like wings. Each tendril on the wing is controlled similar to a finger (flexion, extension, etc.). With this level of dexterity they are able to use tools, grip onto objects, and manipulate the world around them more efficiently. In addition to this, Zeitgeist Nightlights are able to slither along the ground with their tail, moving in a wave like motion called lateral undulation, or serpentine movement. 

Diet

Primary Food Source
(Organic Material)

This creature is a mixotroph, meaning that they rely on organic compounds for a source of carbon, but they have the ability to use light or inorganic compounds as a source of energy.

Secondary Food Source
(Light)

Descriptions

  • Their primary diet persists of organic material, so pretty much anything that can be absorbed via a probiscis (ex: Mosquito, Hawk Moth, Tapir). This can be done with either their prehensile tongue, or their extendable tail. They hunt smaller prey by chasing them down. Once they catch their prey, they will constrict them with their long tail, and proceed to drink them like a Capri Sun. 

  • If they choose to consume light, they unfurl their mouths to reveal a panel-like structure. They use these panels to absorb light like a solar panel. In addition to this, the majority of their body is a material similar to vantablack, allowing them to further absorb light. In order to most effectively consume light, they spread out their wings, flood their cowl with blood, lengthen their body, and bask in the light. This process can last from minutes to up to several hours, depending on various factors such as amount of light, location, and distance from said light source. 

    The secondary purpose of a glow spot is for Bioluminescence. Due to the lack of light within Pulchrabras, Zeitgeist Nightlights have developed a way to create their own artificial light within their own body. Their light-based diet allows them to transfer some of the energy from their food into pure light, sending it out through the glow spots. The light itself doesn’t change color / wavelength, but instead the glow spots’ material changes in both hue and transparency to display various colors of light.

Migration

The Zeitgeist Nightlight typically migrate in groups as small as 3, to groups made up of several spirits. The total number of Zeitgeist Nightlights can be in the several dozens. They will migrate in spirits towards areas with significant amounts of light. This particular form of migration is primarily used for finding food. However, there is another form of migration that is commonly used only in the world of Pulchrabras, known as Transmission. 

Transmission

  • Transmission is the process of moving from one sector to their opposing sector. This allows the residents of Pulchrabras to traverse through the world more efficiently. The only requirement in order to Transmit is to be able to go at a fast enough speed to “phase” through the borders in between layers. Granted, this isn’t much of a problem since the inhabitants are able to move at near-light speed while inside of the Currents. The Currents act as a sort of slipstream, allowing the user to gain speed exponentially while inside them. This is due to the nature of how light and darkness works. Light attracts darkness and vice versa, acting upon each other with forces similar to Magnetism. 

  • This trait allows a resident of Pulchrabras to “swim” through the Miasma. The only 2 requirements is that if you have enough light in your system, and if you are fast enough to withstand the process (i.e. not get vaporized on contact). The number is approximately 450 miles per hour, or √93,228,0003, which is called the Transmission Barrier. Crossing the Transmission Barrier concentrates the light within a Zeitgeist Nightlight’s body to the point where it is able to attract more light, causing it to shoot off in the direction they’re facing, following the nearest Current (think of the Light Speed Dash from the Sonic Series). The speed of Transmission is correspondent to the percentage of light within the person’s body. For example, Zeitgeist Nightlights have 80% light in their body, so 80% speed of light (about 536,640,000 mph). 

Society

Descriptions

  • Zeitgeist Nightlights are extremely intelligent, filling a similar niche to humans. They are not as intelligent as humans (If humans were a 10 and Great Apes were a 7, Zeitgeist Nightlights would be a 9), but are still able to form culture, as well as a society. This class-based society is focused mainly on the need to pool together as many resources as possible. Due to this, if you have a significant contribution to society (intelligence, strength, resources, etc.), you will be able to have a niche. 

  • Zeitgeist Nightlights are typically nomadic, moving from place to place and making nests as they go. In this context, nests are less like a home base to store eggs and more like a campsite. They will typically stay in nests for the duration they’re in the area. The nests are neatly sorted into different sections, which includes sections for eggs, sleep, eating, and recreation. Nests are typically very large, enough to comfortably fit several spirits of Zeitgeist Nightlights. 

  • The term ‘spirit’ in this context is used to describe separate families of Zeitgeist Nightlights. Each spirit is made up of a family composed of 2-6 adults and many children. The older members will teach the younger members as much as they can before they spread their wings and fly to make their own spirits (typically about 12 years). Each spirit has its own personal emblem, which is represented in the cowl.

Societal Class System

Mating

Descriptions

  • Mating for Zeitgeist Nightlights is less of an experience and more of a task. As a result of this, they typically mate in formations called breeding circles. Breeding circles have been designed to be as efficient as possible. When mating, pairs gather, mix their “genetic material” and incubate it in a specialized egg made out of a durable material. This egg is filled with a combination of “genetic material” and Miasma, which is filled and left to incubate. 

  • Breeding circles have as few as 2 members and as many as 12. All of the resulting DNA goes into a single egg, which hatches into potentially dozens of babies. The number of babies depends on the pairings participating, which incentivizes genetic diversity. These pairings are Heterosexual (produces 2 babies per pairing), Homosexual (1 Baby per), and Polyamorous (50% chance of 4 babies per pairing). When the egg hatches, potentially dozens of babies will come out. 

  • Before hatching, there are multiple signs that show what number of and gender the babies will be. Firstly, the brighter the glow and the color of the egg, the more babies will hatch. Secondly, the color of the egg will determine the gender. Red means that the gender of all the babies will be the majority gender (ex: F<M, All Male, and vice versa). Green means that there will be an equal amount of both genders of babies. Blue means that there will be a random number of each gender of baby. Finally, black means that the egg is infertile. 

Height Chart

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