exobiotica

exobiotica.com A journey to other worlds.

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Triganteon Diversity

With over 2,000 species across the planet, triganteons are some of the most prolific and successful groups of megafauna on Veteris. Three strong legs keep the main body aloft, while their anterior pedipalps have evolved according to each species’ unique diet and feeding method. Having a mouth high above the ground presents a problem when such a tall creature needs to drink, but triganteon legs are surprisingly flexible, with considerable compression ability. While their top-heavy body plan limits the largest species to open plains and sparse forests, many can be found in more treacherous terrain.

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A quick diagram of the Niveus, featured in a previous work.

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Swamp Dwellers Ballpoint pen and Photoshop

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Low Forest Triganteon

One of the low forest’s most fearsome predators, the Venator Triganteon hunts its prey using the rather inelegant method of running it down and stabbing it. The air on Veteris is dense, but the Triganteon’s aerodynamic carapace and powerful legs still allow it to attain impressive speeds. A large variety of other creatures here employ their own unique strategies to harness energy from the sun while resisting being covered by the ubiquitous tube carpet below.

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A Storm Over the Spongeplains

The harsh conditions in this mountain valley have led to the proliferation of extremely tough inhabitants. Spreading like a wrinkled sheet of velvet is the Golden Mazemuffin. A matrix of colonial organisms and soil particulates, this autotrophic structure forms the floor of the region known as the Spongeplain. Not only does its upper surface support the great weight of the larger inhabitants here, but its deep crevices reach several meters below, creating a complex labyrinth for a unique subterranean habitat. It is into this hidden realm that the heavily armored Stabbitha lowers its proboscis to hunt. Releasing pheromones that resemble the smell of food, unwitting prey creatures are lured within reach and quickly hauled upwards into the predator’s sharp mouthparts. A relatively sedentary creature, the Stabbitha relies on flexible dorsal plating for protection. However the best defense is offense, and additionally it employs some highly-effective weaponry to deter would-be aggressors. Rising from its shell are semi-autonomous appendages equipped with sensory receptors, eyes, and a rudimentary respiratory system. Each one is independently capable of targeting and jabbing an approaching threat with its sharp anterior spear. These structures are radically different than the creature’s main body, and are likely the result of an ultra-symbiotic convergence of two separate species in the distant past. Currently they are concerned with the approach of the Spongeplain’s largest creature—a 15 foot tall giant known as a Triganteon. Traveling in pairs or small groups, Triganteon patrol these lands looking for easy prey. They will have to continue their search, as the Stabbitha can pierce even the thick hides of these enormous tripeds. With legs built like giant hydraulic springs, Triganteon have an astounding running speed, and can leap distances of 40 meters. Posterior gill-like structures dissipate heat, especially in midday when Triganteon often stand in full sun to absorb energy through their photosynthetic dorsal surfaces. A flock of orange Flame Pescaudas is oblivious to the ensuing standoff. Flying from one rim of the valley to the other, they need to swiftly return to their rocky roosts before the onset of the approaching storm.

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Life on the Seafloor

Some habitats are very consistent from planet to planet across the universe. The bottoms of deep oceans generally experience similar conditions—extremely high water pressure, zero sunlight, and a constant rain of organic debris known as marine snow. Thus, organisms on the deep sea floor of Veteris developed common traits in parallel to their counterparts on Earth. The darkness eliminates the need for most pigments, so most creatures are rather drab. In order to grab bits of food from the water column, many utilize grasping appendages covered in sticky setae. For every scrap of nourishment that can be found here, there is a creature that has evolved to exploit it. Far from being a desolate wasteland, this seemingly inhospitable environment is full of bizarre, perfectly-adapted inhabitants.

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The climate in this region is usually hot and dry, punctuated by sporadic torrential downpours. After such events, the ground flourishes with a dense interconnected web of growth taking advantage of the temporary hydration. Once all the water dissipates, the soil is left to crack in the heat of the day. During these times Ponderosus are on the move, searching for the last remaining vernal pools. They used the times of plenty to fill up on nutrients, but now during a drought they switch primarily to photosynthesis to meet their energy needs. The smaller, dish-faced Lanx are not so lucky. Embedded in the ground unable to move, they must simply go dormant if the rains do not arrive soon enough. For now they point their open frills at the sun and gather energy while they still can. A Stealthspring prowls the scene looking for unfortunate small creatures who may not be faring well in the heat. Their predominant walking style requires a different gait for front and back sets of legs, but if needed their whole body becomes a giant spring, allowing them to burst forward for great distances. In an environment where major features like the ponderosus can move, it can be difficult to navigate from day to day, so the stealthspring must be ready to take flight at any time, should danger come calling.

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A common site in these dry rocky areas is the Velumignus. Their immobile bases send tendrils deep underground in search of water, while the photosynthetic flattened upper portions can swivel to accommodate for light and wind direction. Reaching a height of over fifteen feet, these silent sun-catchers often serve as way-finding posts to creatures journeying through the High Desert.

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In my orange phase.

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Desert creature

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As Above, So Below

Throughout most of the year, the nighttime skies of planet Veteris are illuminated by a vast, brilliant nebula. Tiny photosynthetic organisms multiply during the daylight hours, and after sunset the surface waters become a thick soup of predators ascending from the deep to feed on them. Any creature seen from below will be silhouetted against the glow of the sky above. To prevent becoming easy targets for predation, many blend in by producing their own light. In their swarming multitudes, these billions of incandescent swimmers create biological nebulae beneath the waves. Massive filter feeders like the ghostly white Niveus have no need for such camouflage. Their immense size and surprising speed are enough to keep them safe as they cruise these starry seas.

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More strange megafauna.

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In the waters of a lowland swamp, a dramatic scene unfolds in miniature. The skeletal remains of a long-deceased creature have been colonized by a gelatinous, rather fluffy organism known as Rugosa. Covering any available real estate like a crumpled, spreading blanket, this filter feeder removes organic particulates from the surrounding water. Swamps with high levels of Rugosa growth maintain a more transparent water column, hosting more autotrophs and greater biodiversity. Firmly attached to this ensconced matrix is the decaying husk of a once mobile Flame Diversoma. Its last dying act was to serve as a shelter for its numerous offspring, which are now developed enough to disperse en masse. The coordinated timing of this exodus is critical, for a slow diffusion of these larvae would make them easy prey for the surrounding cadre of predators, who have gathered in anticipation of this event. The most successful hunter thus far is the Spotted Spearmouth, which relies on its harpoon-like proboscis to stab the passing swimmers and drag them into its maw. A vast swarm of semi-transparent Swamp Pearls paddles along slowly, unaware of the violence unfolding nearby. Having little in the way of visual sensors or situational awareness, their lives are consumed by chasing the flow of nutrients and favorable conditions in this tangled aquatic realm.

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A Giant Forest Walker

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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.

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You are one of my biggest inspirations for creature design. Your aliens are beautiful and unique, and when I look at your art it feels like I’m actually there! Your art is beautiful

Thank you so much! I’m honored to be an inspiration for you.

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Creatures of the Open Ocean

A few species profiles out of the many inhabitants of the oceans of Veteris.