#tortog

[ghostopossumlives]

Tortog Ecosystem Part 16: non-native species part 4: assorted other things

Hairy Hand Gnat (S,G,C): It is still not known what planet these seven limbed creatures came from. They mate for life and ferociously protect their chosen territory. They aren't innately dangerous, but can be a threat to Tortog drivers and cyclists when they dive and mob.

Hairy Hand (S,G,C): This is a larger, flightless relative of the flying variety. They behave very similarly, and despite being larger, they are less dangerous because they can't attack drivers.

Leaping Freak (T,G,H): Leaping Freaks are a feralized morph of a decorative species of Zag kept by the Raraks. Leaping Freaks are herbivores that use their sharp teeth to shred leaves from branches. They are very light for their size, reaching about 12 feet long in their feralized morph but still able to run along thick canopies. In its domestic morph, Freaks are called Freyak and can reach 20 feet long and have a much more elegant appearance.

Triangle Weevils (S,G,C), Shiny Eyes (S,G,C): Both of these species come from the planet Hoop. Triangle Weevils dig holes in sand and dirt. Shiny Eyes prefer high trees and have chromed three-lobed compound eyes.

Goonbob (S,G,H*): Goonbobs are actually Minim morphs of Geobs, a sapient eusocial species. Amongst other cargo, crates of Geobs eggs were accidentally taken by Tortog pirates and lost in the ocean during their return to the planet. Some of these eggs hatched into Minims that collected the eggs and hid them o keep them safe. Geobs eggs can survive for centuries before being hatched. Centuries later, Tortogs and Geobs have been cooperating to find the Minims and their egg caches to return to the Geobs.

Mistle (S,M,C), Mistle Weevil (S,M,C), Mistle Freak (S,M,C): Mistle is an invasive vine deliberately spread by the Oooo. It grows quickly and can both photosynthesize or live parasitically off of other flora. It has a symbiotic relationship with Mistle Weevils and Mistle Freaks, which exist virally within each others' genomes allowing Weevils and Freaks to hatch from spontaneous galls in the Mistle, and Mistle plants to grow out of tumors that develop in the Weevils and Freaks.

Baousar Cricket (T,G,C): These are common in Baousar territory, but actually originate from the Menaciths' planet.

Ursoony Gnat (S,G,C): Ursoony Gnats come from the planet of the Leaf Weavers. They are called Ursoony Gnats because they behave similarly to Inland Ursoons, and have wings with which they can clumsily fly short distances. They compete with the large species of Gloweyes, but are pretty evenly matched.

[ghostopossumlives]

Tortog Ecosystem Part 8: Saltwater Worms

All True Worms breath air, having evolved from the Biter Tongues which live in stagnant, deoxygenated water. The superior respiration of Worms has allowed them to return to the ocean and dominate the upper levels of the water column as apex predators.

Blacktip Saltwater Worm / Salthulk: These worms are the dominant predator of the Tortogs' oceans, feeding on Tongues and Gulpers. They are able to reproduce when they are as small as 6 feet long, but continue to grow throughout their life and max out at around 90 feet long. Offspring all begin at planktonic sizes, and the larger a Worm grows, the more eggs and sperm it is able to produce. Most worms fall to predation, and often cannibalism, long before they reach great sizes. When small and similarly sized, Blacktips hunt in schools, which narrow down into pods. If they fail to catch enough food, or if the sizes of the members become too different, cannibalism is inevitable. Once rendered solitary by the elimination of their siblings, Blacktips will not form new pods with worms they didn't hatch alongside of. Despite their voracity, Blacktips rarely go after Tortogs because Tortogs are too big for the young Blacktips that come to the shallows and large Blacktips keep to the open ocean.

Squarehead: Squareheads hunt on reefs, in caves, and in brackish swamps and deltas where they compete with the mighty Delta Worms. They typically range between 6 and 10 feet long, but individuals in isolated lagoons have reached as much as 20 feet long in the absence of competition from Delta and Blacktip hulks. Unlike Delta Worms, Squareheads are much more active predators and prefer to chase down prey rather than relying on ambushes. Their long muscular bodies allow Squareheads to move outside of the water and move between pools and across reefs that breach the surface. Despite being smaller than Delta and Blacktip worms, Squareheads are very aggressive and are likely to go after Tortogs if they feel they have an opportunity. Squareheads under 10 feet usually won't succeed in a fight against a Tortog, but they can still deal significant injuries.

Whitehead: Whiteheads are the smallest of the marine worms, and are only found in the South Sea (aka Ice Sea). They have very slow metabolisms and can hold their breath for days when the surface of the sea freezes during the winter. They max out at 10 feet long, but are able to survive in waters much too cold for Blacktips and Squareheads. Attacks on Tortogs are exceedingly rare, but not unheard of, and of the few that have been recorded are rarely lethal.

Gulper: These large worms live in the open ocean and ram feed on swarms of tongues and plankton. Most Gulpers will preferentially go after swarms of juvenile Blacktips when encountered, to prevent them from growing bigger. There are many different species of Gulper, which can range from 10 to 70 feet long.

Shovel Puffer: Shovel Puffers are related to the Gulpers, but like closer to shore above weedy sand and silt. They use their downward facing mouth to eat seaweed and dig up mouthfuls of bob and grub filled sand and silt. There are many species of Shovel Puffer, and these species range from 6 to 20 feet long. Species and individuals also vary widely in temperament, with some being skittish, others aggressive and territorial, and still others docile or even playful with familiar Tortogs. Some Tortog communities even keep and train domestic Shovel Puffers in their harbors to clear weeds out and alert to disturbances such as dangerous Squareheads or thieves or saboteurs coming under the boats. Some even are trained to pull small barges.

Big Toothed Gulper: These gulpers are distinguished by their massive upper teeth, which they use to fight for territory and defend against salthulks.

[ghostopossumlives]

Map of the Nebula preview:

Later I'll make more detailed maps of the main regions.

The Nebula is, of course, a nebula. It is also an Irregular Galaxy.. The outside consists of a bigger, wispier cloud of gas and dust. Inside is a denser knot of dust and stars. It has no black holes. FTL engines use stars (technically it can use any massive object, but stars are what they have) to accelerate, and have a limited range. Travel requires ships to hop from star to star, kind of like using gold rails for mine carts in Minecraft. This results in hard edges to the navigable map, as well as choke points such as the Bildir and TMU systems.

The Nebula is wispy and three dimensional, so it is easier to map territory with the simplified geometric map.

[ghostopossumlives]

Tortog Ecosystem Part 9: Greater Gnats

The Great Gnats are distinguished from the Lesser Gnats and Fleas by their superior respiratory system, typically greater intelligence, and vibration sensing nasal and joint hairs.

Branch Shaker, Bush Shaker, Skededo: The Branch Shaker is the largest of the Shaker Gnats, standing up to 2 1/2 feet tall, with a 5 foot wingspan and powerful legs and claws. The Branch Shaker hunts for large gnats, and small worms and lemurs from up in the trees. Shaker Gnats get their name from the unique behavior of holding onto a branch of a tree or bush, or a reed, and bobbing their body to shake it and make noise and motion. This is used to stake out territory and show off their fitness to potential mates, predators, and competitors, but also shakes seeds, flowers, and weevils onto the ground which attracts better prey for them to hunt later. The Skededo is a small Shaker Gnat that is well liked by Tortogs for hunting annoying Skeeto Gnats. They shake reeds to stir up resting Skeetos to eat, but can be a nuisance to radio listeners when they mistake a house antenna for a shakeable reed and wiggle it.

Lake Sailor Gnat: Sailor Gnats are closely related to the Shakers, but do not engage in the shaking behavior. They have large bodies and stout wings with which they can fly, but prefer to use as sails to blow them along the surface of lakes and ponds. They bob into the water for weeds, bobs, and tongues.

Reed Stalker, Gobedo, Nutgnat, Bark Tweezer: The Reed Stalker is the largest of all the Greater Gnats, and is one of the diverse Pick Gnats, whose beak is angled sharply downward. The Reed Stalkers usually reach about 4 feet tall with a 7 foot wingspan, but there have been individuals recorded as tall as 6 feet. Reed Stalkers can fly, and their territory can often overlap with Branch Shakers. Reed Stalkers are clumsier than Branch Shakers, but larger and stronger, and Branch Shakers often attack Reed Stalkers and target their wings to cut them off. If there aren't large land predators in the area such as Ursoons, the wingless Reed Stalkers usually are still able to thrive, seamlessly shifting to their new niche as land predator. Pick Gnats fill many niches in the Tortog Ecosystem. Gobedos pull small grubs out of the soil. Nutgnats crush and eat nuts and seeds. Bark Tweezers pluck grubs out of tree bark.

Hooker: Hooker Gnats are tall thin Pick Gnats that can reach 3 feet tall and have evolved to specialize in extracting grubs from mud and rotting logs, but also have a symbiotic relationship with Delta Worms. Delta Worms will beach themselves outside of the water to allow Hooker Gnats to walk around their bodies and pull out the Delta Skeeto maggots that infest their flesh. Seeing a solitary Hooker Gnat foraging is normal, but if an area has large groupings of Hooker Gnats, or you rarely see the Hooker Gnats in an area foraging, it is a clear sign that there are Delta Worms present and you should be careful.

Night Gnat: These Pick Gnats are nocturnal and live in the cooler northern lands. They have evolved large, reflective eyes and fluffy hairs to keep themselves warm during winter.

Cold Watat: The Cold Watat is a flightless Greater Gnat that lives at high altitudes in the mountains and is covered in dense hair to stay warm. The Cold Watat is most closely related to the Night Gnats.

Hatchet Gnat: The Hatchet Gnats are Pick Gnats that have a prominent bladed nasal structure that helps them thermoregulate in the hot equatorial regions in which they live. Their nose is also used for fighting over territory and mates. They are aggressive and known to attack other species that trespass in their territory, including Tortogs. They usually range between 6 inches and 1 1/2 feet tall. They aren't a danger to Tortogs as much as a nuisance because of Tortogs' tough skin and powerful healing abilities, but could be very dangerous to less robust beings due to their aggression and sharp nose blade. Hatchet Gnats have a tendency to become lodged in tree trunks after missing the target of their attacks. Some compassionate Tortogs dislodge them and let them go, but this doesn't make the Hatchet Gnat any friendlier after being freed. Tortogs will sometimes use the word "Hatchet Gnat" to refer to a person that is hostile to receiving help, or a situation that just seems to get worse the more people try to improve it.

Hot Watat: The Hot Watat isn't very closely related to the Cold Watat despite its name, and is actually a flightless Hatchet Gnat. It is much less aggressive than other Hatchet Gnats, and is one of the few complex creatures able to survive in the hot Subtropical desert of the West Horn. It has no natural predators because it is the largest creature in its native environment despite being only 1 foot tall. It feeds on grubs and bacteria colonies it digs up from under the baked dirt.

[ghostopossumlives]

Tortog Ecosystem Part 7: Freshwater Worms

The Freshwater Worms are omnivorous creatures that evolved from the Biter Tongues. They range from fully aquatic, to semiaquatic, to mostly terrestrial, but all require damp environments to live.

Deltahulk /Delta Worm: These bulky freshwater worms brackish waters and fetid swamps and can reach 30 feet long. They have tough hides, powerful immune systems, and can shrug off terrible injuries. They are usually solitary and territorial, but mate in large gatherings that can form rather unpredictably. They are capable of hauling themselves out of the water, but are slow and clumsy when they do.

Widemouth: An omnivore like all freshwater worms, the Widemouth is probably the most carnivorous. It uses its wide flat body and oversized mouth to hunt in rivers. They typically reach 10 feet long, but don't pose much of a threat to Tortogs because they prefer prey that can be swallowed whole.

Clawsucker: Clawsuckers are small worms that live in ponds and rivers and eat detritus and algae. They get their name from their tendency to suck on fingers and toes that dangle in the water, sometimes swallowing the digits so deeply that they get stuck and have to be pulled off manually by the Tortog.

Rodedo: The Rodedo uses its long muscular body to burrow through mud, silt, and detritus both on land and underwater. It uses its sharp teeth and internal grinding plates to tear apart vegetation, especially knotted root systems. A Rodedo is about a foot wide when fully mature and doesn't get much wider, but continues to grow longer for quite a while after reaching adulthood, usually maxing out at twelve feet long.

Ankle Biter: Ankle Biters are clumsy swimmers that bumble around the water, navigating by smell, and bites into whatever ends up near its mouth until it finds something adequately edible. They prefer murky waters, and have a reputation of chomping into the feet and legs of unsuspecting Tortogs. They typically range between 2 to 4 feet long.

Damdiver: These small worms are quick and enjoy nibbling at algae and freshwater barnacles. They prefer staying near vertical walls or tree trunks, or like their name suggests: the walls of dams.

Sneek: These worms can exit the water for extended periods of time, and use their long body to clumsily climb up roots and bushes to prey on fleas, gnats, and lemur eggs.

Gutter Stink, Spiny Gutter Stink: These small worms hide in damp litter and feed on rotting vegetation. Most species produce a foul smell and taste to discourage predators. The Spiny Stinks have spines with painful neurotoxic venom similar to that of the Giant Stinging Leafties.

Giant Whitebelly Stinkump, Black Stinkump: The largest species of Stinkump is the Whitebelly at up to five feet long, and the Black Stinkump has the strongest smelling musk. Large Stinkumps eat both rotten and living vegetation, and anything that comes close enough to their mouth. They have sharp blade-like teeth, and powerful grinding plates in their guts to break down leaves, wood, sinew, and bones.

[ghostopossumlives]

Chimes, Skinks, and Orovoro. The three species of the TMU (3 Moons Union).

More on them later.

[ghostopossumlives]

Tortog Afflictions. Tortogs are very strong , and able to heal from brutal wounds quickly, but there are still many ways their bodies can give them trouble.

Bodyhaunting

Being Bodyhaunted is a condition in which a Tortog's Assumptive Neurology misfires or goes haywire. It may be temporary or chronic, depending on the trigger. Because Tortogs are both Bipedal, and can regenerate limbs, their nervous system has evolved the natural ability to adjust to having missing parts and still keep balance. However, infection, stress, chemical stimulants, or a genetic predisposition may cause problems in this neurology, making the Tortog experience hallucinatory bodyparts/sensations, obstacles/objects, or presences, as well as proprioceptive hallucinations that make them feel as though their body is in a different location or position than reality. Most cases are mild, recognizable, temporary, and go away with a good rest. However, severe cases may result in "Flying Attacks" during which the Tortog experiences a disabling feeling that their body is spinning and/or flying around uncontrollably. A Bodyhaunted Tortog may alternatively feel like a body part is the wrong shape (Pseudomalgeneration) or not their own (Ghost Hand Syndrome), potentially leading to unnecessary self-mutilation. Historically this condition was blamed on ghosts pestering the victim and trying to pull out their spirit so that they could be possessed. Mild Bodyhauntings were treated with protective charms. This was partially/indirectly effective because the jangly charms would bounce around the affected limb and provide "realer" feelings about position and location, which would override the phantom sensations within the nervous system. Flying Attacks were especially blamed on the ghost known as "Swamptog", a flying trickster ghost. To keep him away from his "victim", the Tortog would be kept indoors and weighed down with layers of blankets and logs, and fed heavy foods until the attacks stopped happening. The modern treatment for Bodyhaunting is rest and healthy eating, and depressant medicines for severe cases.

Dendrosis

Togtor Castle Trees grow fast, and will try to grow anywhere. A Tortog's immune system is usually able to keep Castle Tree spores out and destroy any that get in, but when it struggles or fails, that is called Dendrosis. Usually Dendrosis only occurs as an itchy, temporary rash that subsides as the immune system destroys it, though it can last longer and be more of a problem if it gets into a wound where it might trigger a Malgeneration. Bad cases can trigger Fibulism before subsiding, but in the absolute worst scenarios it results in full Immunodeficient Dendrosis, or Tree Possession. Tree Possession happened more often in the distant past, though even then it wasn't common, just conspicuous when it did happen. When it happens in the modern day, it's in rural, underserved areas with very poor medical infrastructure. When the Tortog body completely fails to fight back against Castle Tree spores, the spores germinate into trees and bore roots throughout the body and sprout flowering branches. This puts significant stress on all of the Tortog's bodily systems, predisposing the Tortog to things like Bodyhauntings, Malgeneration, and Fibulism. Tree Possessed Tortogs are constantly exhausted and spend much of their time asleep, however, the stress leaves them constantly on edge and prone to hallucinations and psychosis, and are easily startled into explosions of paranoid aggression. Tree Possessed Tortogs were historically believed to be dead bodies possessed by Tree affiliated Ghosts. The trees don't actually control the Tortog in any way, but cultural expectations predispose Tree Possessed Tortogs' psychosis to match the mythology. It was/is rare for Dendrosis to reach this level of infestation in a Tortog who lives in a healthy community with attentive neighbors and access to basic medicine, so it usually only happened to hermits or bandits. Therefore, Tree Possessed Tortogs were usually killed for being dangerous undead and no cure or treatment was found until much later in Tortog history. Modern medicine can reverse Tree Possession with forced hospitalization and several weeks or months of treatment with steroids and antidendrotics. Dendrosis is a very easy affliction to prevent with basic hygiene and health practices, but very difficult to undo if left completely unchecked to its final stages. It's debated whether or not this situation really earns Castle Trees the label of "Parasitic Plant" because it only happens in severely immunocompromised Ursoonoids. It doesn't have any unique adaptations for parasitizing Ursoonoids. Castle Trees just try to grow anywhere, and Ursoonoids just happen to be tough enough to not die with trees growing in them.

Skeetbobs

I decided not to illustrate this one. Skeetbobs are technically a species of Togtor Gnat, though they barely look it. Their bodies are reduced in an extreme manner akin to Earth's barnacles. Despite being closely related to the anatomically complex Skeeto gnats, the Skeetbob has a flat disc for a body with a barbed proboscis in the middle, a small hole on top, and no other outside features. Under a microscope, it is roughly the shape of a thumbtack. These parasites float aimlessly through the water until they are eventually swallowed by a Rodedo or any other species of swamp worm, where they pin their proboscis into the lining of the intestine and start draining blood and converting it into eggs, which are expelled with the swamp worm's excrement. This barely affects the worm, because the Skeetbob is so small. The problem is much worse for Ursoons, Goons, and Tortogs because of the hypernutrious blood serum that enables Ursoonoid's fast healing. If an Ursoon, Goon, or Tortog's digestive system fails to break down ingested Skeetbobs, the nutrients and energy in the Ursoonoid blood serum allows the Skeetbob to produce significantly more eggs than normal, and the labyrinthine Ursoonoid digestive tract leaves enough time for the eggs to hatch and implant like their mother. This leads to painful bloating, gas, explosive diarrhea, malnutrition, and bloodloss. Skeetbobs can be treated with acid strengthening medicines if caught early, but if that doesn't work it may require a colonectomy. A milder condition may occur if a Tortog gets Skeetbobs in a wound, in which case it may cause the wound to weep puss and likely Malgenerate. This is still gross, but is easier to treat than intestinal Skeetbobs, only requiring the afflicted flesh to be carved off. Skeetbobs are usually found in stagnant freshwater without nearby Castle Trees (Castle Trees secrete allelopathic enzymes that destroy competitor plants, but also kill Skeetbobs), especially where there is sewage and/or swamp worm/Ursoonoid corpses. Cooking or pickling meat destroys any Skeetbobs that might be in it.

Potter's Disease

Fibulism, despite being called "Potter's Disease" is a symptom rather than a disease of its own. It can result from environmental and/or genetic conditions, and causes the scutes and teeth to either fall off or never develop. This impacts life significantly because it makes the Tortog more vulnerable, and because of the structure of the Tortog mouth, means they lose the function of their lower jaw.

Fibulism may result from: Genetic defect, malnutrition, severe allergic reaction, prolonged stress, radiation poisoning, heavy metal poisoning, inbreeding, or severe viral, fungal, or bacterial infection.

Potters have to grind their food by hand with a mortar and pestle, or food processor. They also have to wear protective gear for their head and torso, and boots and gloves for their lack of claws.

Fibulism got its name from the historical "Potter Towns", which adopted and housed Tortogs with the condition. They typically focused on harvesting and spinning clay because that was easier for them than farming, mining, or lumber. Modern Tortogs with Fibulism stay with their original communities, though there are specialist schools and organizations for helping them navigate the unique struggles they face.

The condition is often curable in the modern day, but some Tortogs have more complicated causes of their Fibulism and instead use prosthetics. Usually these are designed to be indistinguishable from natural scutes, but some Fibulist Tortogs opt for pretty colors, being unashamed of their condition.

Malgeneration

Tortogs can heal exceptionally quickly, and regrow lost limbs in weeks or days. However, this doesn't always work perfectly. Injured Tortogs, especially if malnourished, suffering from an infection, or if the injury resulted from fire, acid, or radiation, are at risk of Malgeneration.

Hand-Foot Malgeneration: When a foot incorrectly regenerates as a hand, or vice versa.

Hypergeneration: The body regenerates more of a body part than what was actually missing. Such as an entire hand growing out of the stub of a severed finger, or a second eye growing in an occupied socket.

Fractal Malgeneration: When a body part repeatedly starts regrowing before it completes, causing a curling branch to form.

Macrogeneration: When a missing body part grows back far larger than it is supposed to be.

Heterotax Malgeneration: When a missing body part regrows in the wrong location.

Fused Malgeneration: When digits grow back stuck together.

Microgeneration: When a missing body part grows back much smaller than it is supposed to be, or stops regenerating prematurely.

Knot Malgeneration: When a body part regenerates in such a way that the bones push through the flesh around them, creating new injuries that also try to regenerate.

Despite how it looks to other species, Malgeneration is usually more inconvenient than painful. Because of their healing ability, Tortogs experience pain differently from other species. Mechanical damage to the skin and limbs is more of an "awareness". Only damage from chemicals or fire, and damage to the vital organs cause Tortogs to feel serious pain.

Most Malgeneration can be resolved with a clean amputation higher/deeper than the misbehaving wound.

Historically/spiritually, Malgeneration has been blamed on infestation/possession by ghosts, particularly by "Beast Ghosts" associated with plants (Beast Ghosts are ghosts that refuse to return their essence to the universe because of their antisociality and materialism. They didn't act like People in life, so in death they become Un-People-like and gain attributes of plants or animals.) This was treated with "Physical Exorcism", which conveniently included the effective treatment: amputation.

In niche cases, amputation is ineffective and the Malgenerating body part consistently regrows in the same wrong way. This is treated by repeating the amputation, binding the wound in antigenerative medicine, and capping it with a prosthetic limb.

[ghostopossumlives]

Tortog-Fomor Conflict era Tortog HG•R Fusion Missile Ship:

During the Tortog-Fomor Conflicts, the Tortogs fielded this style of Missile Ship for the fight. It carried 1,212 fusion missiles: 3 on each of its four Hunter boats, and 400 in each of its three silo sections. It had 34 coilguns for point defense. A unique feature of the vessels were the four Hg•R radiators that regulated its fusion reactor, FTL engine, and 40 needlehead thrusters.

Hg•R Al³-Hg⁴Fe²-O⁸Ra² Metal Salt-Acid Cycle Radiators were significantly more efficient than the panel radiators used prior and afterwards, but proved to be impractically high maintenance and unsafe. Neglected maintenance could cause catastrophic meltdowns, but even normal use would eventually lead to radiation fatigue in the casing of the cycler that would leak HgRa² into the engineering sections of the ship. Luckily, the Hg•R Fusion Missile Ship was able to be retired early, after the Tortog-Fomor Conflict resolved faster than anticipated. Unfortunately, many Tortogs spacers developed Mercury-Diradium poisoning, leading to regeneration disorders, cryptopsychosis, and related illnesses. Desertion-to-piracy rates of Tortog ships for the next fifty years were found to be significantly higher in vessels with any amount of crew who had spent any amount of time serving on a ship or structure with Hg•R radiators.

The later Tortog Modular Space Frame would mostly feature time-tested technologies and redundant internal barriers as a reaction to the dangerous rollout of the Hg•R Fusion Missile Ships, and would see a service life of multiple centuries as a result. The Tortog Modular Space Frame also updated from fusion missiles to Fomor style railguns. Cumbersome panel radiator books and dangerous Hg•R radiators were avoided by using Flow-Extraction Needlehead thrusters that divert their excess heat into their exhaust through geometric changes.