#camouflaged land dwellers

[unboundprompts]

do you have any tips for writing mermaids? i love your work ^-^

How to Write Mermaids

-> Things to Think About and Consider When Writing Merpeople and Mer Fiction

-> How to Write a Mermaid (anc writing resources)

These are just some suggestions! Feel free to pick and choose based on what best fits your story.

Physical Appearance

Tail Variations: Instead of a uniform tail type, consider different adaptations: sleek, dolphin-like tails for fast swimmers; large, strong tails with iridescent scales for deep-sea mermaids; or frilled, flowing fins like a lionfish for camouflage. Some might have tails resembling eels or sharks, giving them a menacing or streamlined look.

Scales and Coloration: In deep-sea areas, mermaids might have dark, bioluminescent scales with patterns that mimic the stars or the sea floor. Shallow-water mermaids might have brighter, coral-like colors to blend in.

Scars and Symbols: Scars from battles with sea creatures, markings from coral, or even bioluminescent tattoos could add depth.

Eyes Adapted to the Ocean: Mermaids’ eyes might be unusually large, with reflective layers to enhance night vision. They could have vertical pupils like a cat’s or even multiple layers of eyelids, including a transparent one to protect them from salt and silt.

Webbed Hands and Clawed Fingers: Webbed hands would enhance their swimming ability, and clawed fingers might be used for self-defense or hunting. Some might have retractable claws or spines to protect themselves from predators.

Culture

Language and Communication: Consider how sound works underwater; it travels faster and farther but differently. Maybe they use gestures, a sign language, or even musical calls to communicate. Their language might be melodic or full of trills and hums that are difficult for land creatures to understand.

Beliefs and Myths: Mermaids would likely have their own stories, rituals, and superstitions. Maybe they worship ocean gods, the moon, or view shipwrecks as holy places. They might believe in omens from ocean currents, the arrival of rare sea creatures, or changes in the tides.

Social Structure: Decide if they live in schools, pods, or solitary. A royal family, councils of elders, or a group of shamans could govern them. Do they form alliances or rivalries with other sea creatures or even human sailors?

Hierarchy and Elders: Older mermaids or those with powerful magical abilities may hold significant respect and authority. These elders could be responsible for rituals, storytelling, and maintaining the balance of magic within their community.

Seasonal Gatherings and Ceremonies: The ocean has its own rhythms—tides, moon phases, migrations—and mermaids might gather for ceremonies tied to these events. For instance, they could honor the arrival of certain fish schools or perform rituals under a full moon for strength and unity.

Jewelry and Artifacts: Mermaids might decorate themselves with jewelry made of shells, coral, pearls, and items retrieved from shipwrecks. Certain pieces may symbolize rank, magical prowess, or family lineage, with specific stones or materials believed to channel energy.

Tattooing and Body Art: Many mermaids may tattoo themselves with ink made from squid or octopus, using markings that indicate status, clan, or achievements. Bioluminescent tattoos or body paint could glow at night or during important rituals.

Magical Abilities

Special Senses: Consider heightened senses, like echolocation, the ability to detect changes in water temperature, or a heightened sense of smell for tracking prey or sensing danger. These would add to their unique oceanic identity and give them a slight advantage over surface dwellers.

Control over Water and Weather: Some mermaids can call storms, manipulate tides, or create currents. This might be a rare gift, often feared for its destructive potential. Using such magic could leave them physically or mentally drained.

Healing and Transformation: Certain mermaids could have powers to heal wounds or diseases with seawater, or transform sea creatures into protective spirits. However, each healing might weaken them temporarily or require offerings to the ocean in return.

Song and Illusion: Siren song is a classic power; mermaids could enchant, hypnotize, or create illusions through melody. Overuse might leave them voiceless or mentally scarred, with some even risking losing themselves to the song forever.

Shape-Shifting: For those able to take human form, transformation might come at a great personal cost. Perhaps they can only transform for a limited time, or their time on land drains their magic, forcing them to return to the water to recover.

Physical Depletion: Magic use might be physically taxing, aging a mermaid slightly or sapping their strength. Frequent magic use could make them appear older or leave permanent marks on their body, like scars or discolored scales.

Price of Blood or Offering: Magic might demand a price—whether in the form of a personal sacrifice or a blood offering to the ocean. For powerful spells, mermaids may even need to leave behind something they value, such as memories, emotions, or treasured artifacts.

Risk of Transformation: High-level magic could alter a mermaid’s physical form temporarily or permanently. They might grow extra fins, become partially transparent, or even lose their voice after certain spells.

Mental Toll and "Ocean Madness": Overuse of magic could lead to a condition known as "Ocean Madness," a state in which mermaids lose touch with reality, becoming isolated or forgetting their own identity. This is particularly feared among mermaids, as it might mean permanent exile or being lost to the ocean.

Forbidden or Dark Magic: Some magic forms might be considered taboo or forbidden due to their dangerous nature. Practicing dark magic, like curses or soul-binding, could bring severe consequences, both in physical tolls and social exile.

Character Motivation and Conflict

Relationship with Humans: Decide whether mermaids are fascinated by or wary of humans. Some might be drawn to them out of curiosity or romantic allure, while others might distrust them due to pollution, fishing, or old tales of betrayal. Their interactions with humans can reveal a lot about their personality and worldview.

Desire for Land or Home: Consider what might tempt a mermaid to leave their watery home. Do they long to experience human life, seek revenge for an oceanic wrong, or retrieve a lost artifact from a shipwreck? This longing could add depth to their character.

Struggles with Transformation: If your mermaids can shift between human and mermaid forms, consider how this affects their identity and relationships. Transformation could be painful, rare, or come at a high price, adding dramatic tension and giving their character arc extra weight.

Quest for Authority: In a hierarchical society, some mermaids might crave power or authority, seeking to rise through the ranks or challenge an elder. Such ambition could lead them to take risks, learn forbidden magic, or ally with powerful sea creatures.

Personal Pride or Legacy: Some mermaids might want to establish themselves as legends, known for feats of bravery or wisdom. This could involve dangerous quests to recover lost artifacts, hunt rare sea creatures, or explore dangerous parts of the ocean. Their pursuit of legacy might set them at odds with their peers, especially if it leads to recklessness.

Torn Between Worlds: A mermaid who can transform and walk on land might struggle with a dual identity. If spending time on land slowly diminishes their powers, they could grapple with the desire to stay connected to both worlds, fearing losing either part of themselves.

Conflict Between Duty and Desire: Many mermaids might feel a sense of duty to their family, tribe, or ocean gods, conflicting with their personal desires. They could be pressured to fulfill a prophecy, protect a magical artifact, or avoid contact with humans, even if it clashes with their true passions.

Past Mistakes or Betrayals: A mermaid who has broken societal rules—whether by consorting with humans, using dark magic, or violating clan boundaries—might feel guilt or face exile. Redemption could become a strong motivator, pushing them to right their wrongs, often at great risk or personal cost.

Haunted by Family Legacy: If a mermaid comes from a family of notorious outcasts, warriors, or traitors, they might struggle with the burden of redeeming their family’s name or rising above that legacy. This could lead them into difficult choices about loyalty and personal integrity.

Hunters and Captors: Humans might hunt mermaids for their scales, powers, or knowledge, forcing mermaids into hiding or guerrilla-like resistance. A character driven by a desire for vengeance against humans could lead to morally complex actions and choices.

[sinnful-darling]

yan! giant squid merfolk hcs

cws : shapeshifting because i said so, giant squid brothers (theres 3), the brothers use magic to join you on land (i use a different term but you’ll get it when you see it), giant squid courting behaviors are actually kinda violent, mating for life, mate guarding that leads to murder, camouflaging used to aid in stalking, delusional behavior, i thought it would be kinda cool if they ate their competition so i added that in there… mating mark bc it’s hot, aphrodisiac saliva bc that’s also hot ^^, implied nsfw but nothing descriptive.

— yan! giant squid brothers who were absolute legends in their territory. the three were known to be ruthless, never losing a tussle with any of the other aquatic societies if provoked.

— yan! giant squid brothers who never took a mate. they agreed that the lot of them would share a mate, and thus was unable to find one each of them liked. unhappy with the lack of aquatic mates, they turn to the land dwellers.

— yan! giant squid brothers who surfaced near the coastline, observing at a safe distance. they watched for six days and six nights before they found you.

— yan! giant squid brothers who find you walking along the shoreline with your shoes in your hands as you admire the glittering sea. they were absolutely fascinated with you.

— yan! giant squid brothers who quickly and efficiently use their vytarin to rid themselves of tentacles for the time being.

— yan! giant squid brothers who follow you around, using their composition to slink around the areas you walk about. they find that your human mannerisms are actually super cute <33

— yan! giant squid brothers who eventually approach you after observing how humans interact for a bit. something about them seems a bit off to you…

— yan! giant squid brothers who are absolutely enamored with you. their body language says as much — smiles that seem a bit too wide, eyes that look a bit too dark… everything about them seems a bit creepy.

— yan! giant squid brothers who read your uncomfortable kindness and polite manner of speaking as a go ahead to take you as a mate.

— yan! giant squid brothers who slink around you whenever you take your leave. there’s not a single moment that goes by where they don’t have eyes on you in some form. whether one of them is awake and the others asleep, information is always relayed in an exuberant manner.

— yan! giant squid brothers who take it extremely seriously when they catch you talking to another man. they perceive an action such as this as a threat. this is another potential mate!! they have to get rid of him before they lose you!!

— yan! giant squid brothers who send one off to deal with their competition while the others watch you. their competition is swiftly dealt with and devoured by the lot of them, the three finding that eating from a human mouth is, in a way, somewhat amusing.

— yan! giant squid brothers who conveniently pop up at the best of times, something flashing in their eyes when you smile awkwardly at the three.

— yan! giant squid brothers who enter your home one night and inform you that they’ve taken you as their mate… and that they mate for life.

— yan! giant squid brothers who each sink their incisors somewhere in your body— one mark on your thigh, one on your waist, and the other on the curve of your throat.

— yan! giant squid brothers who are pleased when your body flushes and a light sheen of sweat begins glistening on your skin. they note that their saliva has an affect on humans that they weren’t aware of…

— yan! giant squid brothers who complete the mating ritual that night, hoping they’ll see your tummy well with their brood ^^

— yan! giant squid brothers who continue to protect you despite the mating ritual being complete, doing their best to figure out a way to bring you home with them safely.

— yan! giant squid brothers who take turns returning to their aquatic homeland to build a home large enough for the three of you. they ask for your opinion on each room and outline, valuing your opinion over their own.

— yan! giant squid brothers who find it absolutely adorable when your brows furrow with anger or confusion, the way your eyes soften, how pretty your eyes look when they glisten with tears… they truly couldn’t have chosen a more perfect mate<33

[cannedpickledpeaches]

Insert Your Name: Side Story 1

Mafia!Jade Leech x Mafia!Reader

Link to series masterlist!

Notes and TW: First side story is Jade's perspective of when they first met. This one mentions extortion. Please enjoy!

Tags: @guava-enjoyer @itszzmoon @twstsandturns @myteacupisempty @rou-luxe @chikitasmol @night-shadowblood-writes2 @haveneulalie @owodi

Jade honestly didn’t think humans were all that. Certainly, they had a fascinating physiology and diverse cultures that were completely different from his own. Their behaviours were fun to observe from a good distance away, camouflaged among the blue-green waves. But his interest was like that of a researcher studying rats in a lab.

Stupid land-dwellers, he jeered at them in his head. They wouldn’t last a second in the sea. In the deep, they’d be rent from limb to limb, outsmarted and outmaneuvered by us merfolk in every way. No matter how his interest grew, it always stemmed from a place where he considered himself superior to them.

Even when the waves tossed him onto dry sand, he considered himself superior to the group of human boys that gathered in curiosity. So what if he couldn’t move? That was only because he didn’t have legs. If he had legs—no. Better yet, if they were all in the sea, he’d be the one laughing. He’d make them all beg.

When that human child came and chased them all away, he looked at you in contempt. So what if you made those human boys cry and bleed? So could he. If only they were in reach. You probably felt that he was indebted to you for that. As if! How could he be indebted to a human for doing something he was perfectly capable of accomplishing himself? You were just an inferior human. If he dragged you beneath the waves, even you’d fall under his claws and razor-sharp teeth. Or you’d asphyxiate in a slow stream of bubbles. Or you’d crumble up like the soda cans he’s seen littered on the beach under the weight of tonnes of water.

Bottom line was: he didn’t owe a weak, inferior human like you anything.

Despite that, he thanked you. Politeness was a mask and being underestimated was his armour. He only needed your help to return to the sea, and then he’d once again be superior to you in every single way.

But what was this? You had the arrogance to demand money from him. This was not a uniquely human trait—he’d seen merfolk pander to his parents as well—but the way you said those words utterly infuriated him. A measly human child looking down at him, physically and metaphorically, with indifferent eyes. He wouldn’t accept it.

Just as he made an excuse to refuse your demand, you snatched something from him. The sturgeon scales. The ones he won with his brother. Something like that—a physical representation of his bond with Floyd—the reward he gained from fighting alongside his twin—the symbol of good luck under the sea—

How dare you steal that from him.

“Give that back. You will regret it if you do not.”

He vaguely registered his claws digging into the sand, his teeth baring in the way he knew would intimidate the fish and merchildren back in the deep. If it could scare sea-dwellers, a human would cower at the sight. They don’t even have sharp spines to defend themselves.

Still, your eyes remained indifferent. As if he was barely even on your radar. Him! Jade Leech, known for his unsettling schemes and fearsome fighting skills! Future heir to the Leech Mafia! Clearly, you had no idea who he was on top of being an idiot. If you knew and had a modicum of sense, you would’ve been shaking in your shoes.

“What is this?”

You didn’t even know what sturgeon scales were. What a fool indeed. Anger surged through his body. But he didn’t throw a tantrum. That was Floyd’s way of expressing anger, and he isn’t Floyd. He’s Jade Leech, and Jade Leech hides behind a mask of politeness until the day he enacts revenge. Besides, he still needed your help getting back in the water.

Despite his praiseworthy restraint, you extorted him. You didn’t know your place. He decided, then. Without a shadow of a doubt, he’d make sure to ruin you.

His luck couldn’t be any worse. Floyd saw the whole thing transpire and teased him all the way home. He was already irritable, and now he had to put up with being mocked by his own mirror image. It was fine. He could bear it. His top priority wasn’t Floyd’s taunts, but rather what he’d tell his parents. One hundred thaumarks was hardly anything to bat an eye at for his family. For a middle-schooler, though, it was quite the sum. He’d need to fabricate an innocent, plausible story that would convince his parents to at least lend him the money—

“Mama! You wouldn’t believe what happened today. Jade got extorted by some human runt. Wasn’t even as tall as our tails are long!”

Floyd and his big mouth. Jade glared daggers as his twin cheerfully regaled their mother with the riveting tale of his blunder. He had to salvage this situation somehow.

“Hm, what are you talking about?” He consciously relaxed his shoulders and fixed his face into a pleasant smile. “There’s no need to lie to our mother. The two of us didn’t see a single human today—”

“Oooh, you’re embarrassed!” Floyd swam circles above his head. “Hah, look atcha pretendin’ nothin’ happened!”

In the end, he couldn’t fool his mother. He wasn’t sure how she’d react. Would she scold him? He was the victim in this situation. Following that logic, his mother should’ve been on his side and punished that human, right?

She did neither. Instead, she smiled and patted his hair.

“Jade, my sweet. We all get careless sometimes, and these things happen. It isn’t your fault.” Gentle eyes, smile as sweet as honey. For a split second, he thought she’d take care of it for him. He should’ve known better. “But it’s your responsibility to fix it for slipping up in the first place. Give it your best.”

She had no intention of helping him. His father would not step in, either. That was the way their household operated—losses of any kind were handled by the person who caused the loss, regardless of reasons or circumstances. Though young, he was not exempt from those rules. His parents spoiled him and Floyd, but there were certain areas where they were strict and refused to budge. He would have to learn to solve his own problems. Under the sea, waiting for help was not always an option—his parents made sure to make that clear to him.

Even so, Jade wasn’t worried. He had no shortage of blackmail against his peers. You weren’t the only person who knew how extortion worked. By that very evening, he had already collected the required amount. The only assistance he got from his parents was when he handed his father a bag full of coins and received a hundred-thaumark bill in return. As he anchored himself by twisting his tail around the leg of his father’s desk, he watched his father count the loose change and wondered how he’d make you cry. It would have to be a long operation. He’d first have to gain your trust, build it up for ages, then shatter it when you were as close as possible . . . .

“Good effort, Jade.” Mr. Leech patted his head and put the change away. “Passing marks for your quick solution.”

He blinked. “Only passing?”

“Yes. Why do you think that is?”

So his solution wasn’t perfect. He mulled it over, frowning into his hand. The goal was to accrue one hundred thaumarks, and he hit that goal without much trouble. What more was there to consider? Perhaps the issue was that he created a sense of animosity and resentment against him, which jeopardized his usual attempts at staying unnoticed. But that was easily solved by instilling fear into the ones he extorted. Besides, he didn’t mind if a few people hated him.

“I can’t think of a reason.”

“That’s alright. You’re still young, after all. I’ll tell you.” Mr. Leech’s eyes curved into a smile. “The problem with your method is that it isn’t sustainable.”

Those words bothered him all through the night until the next day, when he returned to that shore to meet you. Floyd tagged along, chattering away, but Jade only answered with absent hums and affirmations. Why would his method need to be sustainable? This was a one-time payment. Going forward, he’d someday put you in his debt. He didn’t have any intention of giving you anymore money, even if he’d earn it back.

That was, until he hoisted himself up on the rocks on the beach and the money exchanged hands. He wonders to this day if you remember the way you looked when you crouched by the shore. You must have tumbled into a bush or gotten into another fight, one that you’d long forgotten. Your socks had picked up burs, your sweater scuffed, a branch sticking out of a hole in the shoulder. Even surrounded by the early spring snow, the broken branch sported fresh budding leaves. The glimpse into foliage beyond what he could see from his usual haunt in the waves captivated him.

You stared at the bill in your hand and mumbled something about needing more money for your mother’s medication. At that moment, he understood why his father emphasized sustainability. He boldly suggested that he’d pay you to bring him interesting souvenirs from land. For that, he’d need a steady source of income. He’d think about that later. His ultimate goal for all this was to make you cry, after all, and get some fun items from land as a bonus.

What he didn’t expect was to grow so fond of you that he’d no longer mind being in your debt forever.

[styllwaters]

Very simple Sea Crawler evolution chart!

Explanation of their history under the cut ;]

Crawlers began as very simple organisms that bear some slight resemblance to Earth's bristle worms. They were purely aquatic and lived within ‘disks’ - enormous structures of colonial organisms very similar to coral. They provided the worms with shelter, and the worms defended their homes from invaders in return.

The early crawlers would go on to evolve alongside the disks as part of their symbiotic relationship. The disks required sunlight in order for the algae, which also lived inside them, to perform photosynthesis. Disks would often merge with others of their kind to form even bigger structures, and compete with each other for light. Eventually their height breached the ocean's surface, and large swaths of ‘land’ were formed from their wide area. The crawlers could walk on the flat canopies of the disks, developing an amphibious lifestyle as their fins became legs. At this stage, some populations migrated to the shorelines, evolving into a shore-dwelling subspecies. These varieties became more lean and agile to travel easier on land, dug burrows into sand instead of disks, and excavated caves. Their colouration also became duller in order to camouflage better.

Meanwhile, the remaining marine colonies grew exponentially with reefs spanning for hundreds of kilometres. This led to bigger competition and bigger predators; in response, the crawlers evolved to be more larger and smarter. They used their mouths to create tools to defend their homes and capture prey. When predators attacked the exposed surface of the disks, they would work together to fight them off, becoming more social and strategic.

Eventually, as their intelligence grew, the crawlers dominated the reefs. They would alter their disks and shape them into complex dwellings, which became cities. Different reef communities would form alliances, trade resources and share knowledge. They would reunite with the shore-dwellers. Some went to war. Technology advanced, nations spread beyond the reefs, conquered the land and sea, and voila, Qhuava's one and only sapient species.

[valve3nthusiast]

Octomer Ratchet is so good. I can imagine any chromatophores he might have going wild while pursuing Drift, if he has any natural camouflage abilities.

Perhaps he plays a game with Drift, hiding among coral and rock formations in order to "sneak up" on him, his usual brights reds and whites distorting to match their environment-- Maybe arousal causes some colour changing as well?

IDK I just really like the idea of Ratchet changing colour (or at least hues) like a mood ring lmao maybe it even frustrates him a bit, like oh no my fucking chromatophores are going to give away this huge crush I have -- he might try to hide in corals or swirl up a bunch of sand with his tentacles initially

If Drift is a land dweller, then maybe they figure out Ratchet is interested in him by studying how Ratch's colours change, and what patterns/colours only appear when Drift is around...

...and maybe Ratchet's attempts at hiding/playing hide and seek (lol) are mistaken for aggression at first, because they don't know why he's doing it

and then they guess it's some kind of broody behaviour, like maybe he's trying to defend a nest or egg clutch that he doesn't really have?? Because Ratchet's grumpy but not usually aggressive and it's weird behaviour from him as far as they're aware. So then he gets a little pity from the facility staff but it's hilarious because he does want to Do It but all the guessing isn't quite right. Like yes it's about Doin It and Eventual Eggs but not in the way they think. Communication Issues lol

"stop giving me extra companion fish out of pity and just give me Drift, do you not see my cream and burgundy-red colouring, is this somehow not clear enough? Oh god here he comes, sand sand sand I need more sand why is this coral so small" no it is not clear to them, Ratchet. lmaooo

Anyway this is earthstellar but Tumblr will only let me send asks from my main blog and not my TF blog lol so ayyy just wanted to say, loving this mer AU situation 🐙💖

This is such a good concept,,, besotted Ratchet accidentally telling on himself with his own colors is genius. Also blushy Ratchet is adorable <3

Hmm a really clear concept just came to me... Security guard Drift at the marine research facility, Ratchet is the only mer there who constantly avoids him, so he just disappointedly assumes he gives Ratchet bad vibes

One night when he's on a skeleton shift, he passes by Ratchet's tank and suddenly notices that something is fucked up with the filtration pumps (or whatever I don't know how aquariums work)

He immediately makes an emergency call to the aquarium techs who are at home. They tell him to get Ratchet moved till someone arrives to fix it. So he's hesitantly going up to the tank like, "hey buddy I know you dont like me, but I gotta pull you out of here for a bit, it's not safe" Ratchet quickly pulls himself right into Drifts arms... and now he's carrying a big squirming octomer. Drift's pretty surprised, but he brushes it off as Ratchet wanting out of his tank

When Drift finally gets to the temporary tank he expects Ratchet to jump from his arms and signal for him to basically fuck off... instead, he goes to put Ratchet down, only to get pulled into the tank with him. Now he's sitting in chest high water, pinned by a heavy wiggling octomer in his lap

For Ratchet, life is good 😎👍

Drift, meanwhile, is mentally repeating "don't get hard" like a mantra, while a purring Ratchet's tentacles caress every inch of his plating. Since it was the middle of the night, they have to wait a good bit for someone who can fix the pumps to get there and make Ratchet's tank safe again...

Maybe, as the hours go on, Ratchet gets a bit friskier... or maybe he just leaves it at intimate exploration, because he's too busy watching Drift whimper and twitch underneath his tentacles <3

[the-9-kins-blog]

First Kin!

• The Mermen

Mermen are an Aquatic Society, they live in water (Lakes, Rivers, Sea, Oceans, Ect)

They are based on one Fish, having the Tail and Dorsal fin of said fish, they also have fins in their forearms, ears and have webbed feet.

Despite their aquatic nature, they can walk on land and breathe air, thanks to the gills on their neck and rib area.

Their hair is looks like Sea weed but it's actually made of keratin, it helps camouflaging from "Land Dwellers" in the surface of the water.

They do have "pectoral fat" but no nipples since they aren't mammals.

They live in communities hidden underneath the water, they build recycling the trash from the "Land Dwellers" and what can't be used is send back at the home of the Land Dwellers.

Also sorry I posted in the wrong blog XD

[villainsimpqueen]

Barren Lands lore Dump 3.

We diving into the differences between the Sand biomes that make up the Barren lands and how The Barren Na'vi act between them.

Photos found on pinstrest under "Desert wallpapers."

Whenua one puru- land of blue sands

Abstract

The Whenua One Puru, or the Land of Blue Sands, is a unique ecological and cultural region on Pandora, characterized by its strikingly blue-hued sands and distinctive Na'vi inhabitants. These Na'vi, descendants of banished forest Na'vi, exhibit a blend of physical traits and cultural practices derived from their mixed heritage and adaptation to the barren landscapes. This account covers the origins, adaptations, and social structures of the Blue Sands Na'vi, emphasizing their distinctiveness from other barren land Na'vi tribes.

Introduction

Pandora's diverse ecosystems have given rise to various Na'vi subgroups, each adapted to their specific environments. Among these, the Blue Sands Na'vi of the Whenua One Puru presents a compelling case of ecological and cultural adaptation. Their origins, physical and cultural adaptations to the blue sands environment, and social organization contrast markedly with other barren land Na'vi.

Origins and Evolution

The Blue Sands Na'vi are believed to be descendants of banished forest Na'vi who interbred with native barren lands Na'vi. Their journey likely began from the red sands, through the golden sands, culminating in their settlement in the blue sands. Over generations, this migration and interbreeding resulted in a population whose physical appearance and behaviors were well-suited to the unique blue sands environment.

.

Physical Adaptations

The Blue Sands Na'vi display several distinctive physical traits:

Coloration and Markings, Unlike the vibrant colors of forest Na'vi, the Blue Sands Na'vi exhibit duller hues that blend seamlessly with their surroundings. Their markings are elongated and broken, resembling snake-like patterns, a trait possibly developed for better camouflage in the blue sands.

Morphological Changes Adaptations, to the barren environment include thicker tails for balance on shifting sands, higher placed and wider ears for enhanced auditory perception, and elongated canine teeth for defensive purposes. Despite these changes, they retain the lean and slim body shape characteristic of forest Na'vi.

Cultural Adaptations

The Blue Sands Na'vi maintain unique cultural practices influenced by their mixed heritage:

Clan Structure: Unlike the solitary or small family groups of red and golden sands Na'vi, the Blue Sands Na'vi live in small clans or tribes. This clan mentality is a remnant of their forest Na'vi ancestors, who practiced strong community bonds.

Resource Utilization and Trade: Some clans are nomadic, traveling across the blue sands to gather resources and trade with other tribes, including those from the golden sands. Others remain stationary to protect and care for their sacred spirit tree.

Spiritual Practices: Central to Blue Sands Na'vi culture is the spirit tree, brought by a legendary banished Na'vi who became a revered protector. This tree serves as a spiritual and cultural focal point, uniting the tribes in their reverence and care for it.

Discussion

The unique blend of physical and cultural traits of the Blue Sands Na'vi highlights the adaptive potential of the Na'vi species. Their evolution from banished forest dwellers to integrated inhabitants of the blue sands showcases a remarkable journey of resilience and adaptation. The retention of clan structures in an otherwise solitary environment points to the enduring influence of their forest ancestry.

Conclusion

The Blue Sands Na'vi of the Whenua One Puru represent a fascinating example of adaptation and cultural evolution. Their distinctive appearance, physical adaptations, and unique social structures set them apart from other Na'vi groups on Pandora. Further research into their interactions with other barren land tribes and their ecological impacts on the blue sands environment could provide deeper insights into the adaptive strategies of the Na'vi.

Nga whenua onepu toto- Red sands

Introduction

The Red Sands Na'vi inhabit a unique and challenging environment known as The Barren Lands. This region is characterized by its red sand landscapes, which are geographically situated near the outskirts of dense forest biomes inhabited by the Forest Na'vi. The red sands are separated from the neighboring golden sands by a low mountain ridge, with an obscure valley that is difficult for outsiders to access.

Geography and Environment

The red sand landscape is notably harsh and arid. Sandstorms are frequent, contributing to the burial of remains and making navigation and survival particularly challenging. The proximity to the decayed, husk-like forests at the fringes of more robust forest biomes further emphasizes the desolate nature of this region.

Demographics and Social Structure

The Red Sands Na'vi exhibit distinct physical characteristics, including darker grey skin tones with bright red markings. These adaptations provide effective camouflage within their environment. Unlike their Forest counterparts, the Red Sands Na'vi do not have strong clan structures. It is uncommon to find large groups; instead, solitary living is the norm.

When groups do form, they are typically small and familial, often consisting of siblings who have chosen to remain together for mutual support and survival. These family units may expand to include mates and offspring, forming a rudimentary tribal structure aimed at enhancing the survival prospects of their young.

Risks and Challenges

Living in the Red Sands presents numerous risks:

Resource Scarcity: The primary challenge is the scarcity of resources, which makes sustaining larger groups difficult. Starvation is a constant threat, and in extreme cases, those unable to survive may be abandoned or given a herbal concoction to end their suffering humanely.

Conflict: The isolation provided by the mountain ridge does not completely safeguard the Red Sands Na'vi from external threats. Banished Na'vi, who wander these lands, often pose a threat, competing for limited resources. These encounters can lead to violence, resulting in injury or death, particularly among vulnerable group members such as children and mates.

Nomadic Lifestyle

Due to the harshness of their environment, many Red Sands Na'vi adopt a nomadic lifestyle. They continuously move between oases in search of water and food. Mate selection among the Red Sands Na'vi is heavily influenced by their belief in Eywa, the guiding spirit. Typically, males seek out strong, capable females who can navigate the treacherous landscape. In turn, males contribute by hunting and protecting any offspring, thus supporting the family unit's survival.

Conclusion

The Red Sands Na'vi exemplify a unique adaptation to one of the most challenging environments on Pandora. Their solitary or small-group lifestyles, distinct physical adaptations, and the constant movement required for survival highlight the resilience and resourcefulness necessary to thrive in The Barren Lands. Further research into their survival strategies, social structures, and interactions with other Na'vi groups could provide deeper insights into the adaptive mechanisms of humanoid species in extreme environments.

Apxa of the srane sands- Golden sands

Introduction

The Golden Sands Na'vi inhabit the central region of The Barren Lands, a landscape characterized by its extensive golden sand deserts. This region is positioned between the red sands to the west and the blue sands to the east. The Golden Sands area is the largest and harshest of the desert landscapes in The Barren Lands, presenting extreme survival challenges.

Geography and Environment

The Golden Sands landscape endures the most severe conditions among the desert regions. Frequent and intense sandstorms, extreme temperature fluctuations—with freezing nights and scorching days—pose significant threats to survival. Additionally, the risk of dehydration and being buried alive by sandstorms is notably higher here than in the red or blue sands.

Demographics and Social Structure

Golden Sands Na'vi exhibit minimal clan structures, primarily due to the harshness of their environment. When temporary clans do form, they quickly dissolve, reverting to single nomadic couples or solitary individuals. The solitary nature of the Golden Sands Na'vi makes finding mates particularly challenging and rare.

The Golden Sands Na'vi hold a belief in Eywa guiding mates to them, similar to other Na'vi groups. However, females of this subspecies are highly selective in choosing mates. If a female deems a guided male unworthy, it is not uncommon for her to take his life to avoid being followed or hunted later. This extreme selectivity underscores the high stakes of survival in such an unforgiving environment.

The scarcity of oases in the Golden Sands increases the risk of dehydration and starvation. Opportunities for finding shade are rare, further compounding the survival challenges.

Risks and Challenges

The Golden Sands Na'vi face several critical risks:

Sandstorms and Predators: The frequent sandstorms not only pose a physical threat but also provide cover for predators, increasing the danger during these events.

Temperature Extremes: The dramatic temperature swings between day and night add to the difficulty of survival, requiring constant adaptation.

Resource Scarcity: With oases few and far between, the chances of finding water and food are significantly reduced. The lack of shade also heightens the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Conclusion

The Golden Sands Na'vi represent the epitome of adaptation to extreme desert environments on Pandora. Their solitary lifestyles, strict mate selection processes, and resilience in the face of severe environmental challenges highlight their extraordinary survival strategies.

lore dump 4

[hplovecraftmuseum]

It's certainly intriguing that Lovecraft chose the octopus as an inspiration for the most famed of his cosmic entities. Great Cthulhu is often interpreted as more animal than humanoid in nature. Perhaps because he was discribed as unclothed ( nudity has often been considered one of the primary elements separating humankind from animals in human history) he seems more potentially a marauding monster than intellectually gifted God/ priest. Nonetheless we might conclude that Great Cthulhu, who inhabits a mighty city now sunken at the bottom of earth's Pacific Ocean, and is able to communicate telepathically with humans while there, is a highly intelligent if dangerously oblivious to humanity in general. Although some will argue otherwise, Lovecraft never tells us exactly who or what is responsible for the entombment of the 'squid/ dragon' and the rest of his 'cosmic octopi' minions. Also surprising to some casual readers is the idea that Cthulhu and his followers are 'land creatures' and not originally ocean dwellers by nature. Today we are more aware of the extraordinary intelligence and remarkable abilities of the various types of octopus species to almost instantly change hue and texture, camouflage their body colors, alter shapes, and squeeze through the tiniest of cracks in order to pursue prey and escape predators. The NETFLIX series, MY OCTOPUS TEACHER, explored the remarkable relationship between a man and an octopus. Also of interest is the book pictured below which explores alternatives of consciousness beyond the human type. Following in the footsteps of Poe, Lovecraft's fiction was remarkable for the way it delved the depths of the human mind and the manifestations of madness in the face of unearthly realities. (Exhibit 397)

[zaynes-ocs]

11, 19, 27, 45 for Alexander? I want to learn more about our fish boy! [@solar-ships]

Absolutely our fish boy is dearly beloved ahhshshshs thank you so much for asking!!~

Original ask game here

11. If someone was impresonating them, what could friends or family do to determine the difference?

Thats a really interesting question, and as for alexander, ironically I think it would be the fact that he would give up trying to convince you because the impersonation is too good, hes a real “wow they do me better than i do myself… i dont think i’ll succeed” and he’ll quietly mope in a corner because hes so shy and awkward he honestly might not even try, he’d just accept his fate.

19. What would they do if they were stuck in a room with a person theymve been avoiding

Ultimate camouflage. They would find a shadowy corner and turn their back towards the person and turn out his bioluminescence. Essentially the same tactic he uses to avoid predators while swimming, though unfortunately for this socially awkward fish, it doesn’t exactly work on more intelligent species.

27. Whats the worst gift they ever recieved, how did they respond?

One of the nuns at his church once gave him a rock she believed to be a geode (it was just a regular rock) but of course his mother raised him with manners, so he thanked her anyways and promptly hid the rock and came back with an actual geode he found and thanked her for the gift. She doesnt know the truth.

45. Whats something unimportant/frivolous they hate passionately?

I dont think theres anything like that that alexander truly hates per-se, but he very much dislikes the fact that on land inns dont have rooms and pathways specialized for sea-folk. He cannot fathom that in a realm of magic, the people on land dont have more ramps and underwater sleeping quarters. Stairs and laddders have been his nemesis since day 1 on the surface, and he refuses to let them win. He’d much rather sleep in the water than the odd pile of cotton that land dwellers call “beds”

[ceooflamp]

This is actually a pretty good question though, because despite it being smaller than it's more modern day counterparts, it probably couldn't get enough food to maintain itself.

When it comes to genetic niches like this, it tends to be that the reason it died out was actually due to utility. It probably wasn't ideal that something nearly 2 meters long and so close to the ground could gallop.

Crocs don't sustain on plants, they sustain on live catch prey, so it's best to out compete other predators. Chances are it wasn't very good at that, and died out due to not meeting food supply requirements.

Sure, it's fast, but it probably lacks the armor capabilities of modern day crocs and is probably not nearly as fast as predator mammals. This is not even mentioning that a lot of more advanced land dwellers had pack or family systems that made hunting and outnumbering something much easier.

The croc we have today is definitely ideal. High armor, nasty bite force, lives in well camouflaged areas.

It's hunting tactic is, for the most part, sit so still and take advantage of prey that needs to dip into water to drink or eat. It's easy pickins, and with fat stores it has it can easily survive a day or two without food.

This guy with the longer legs looks malnourished unfortunately.

This is just my theory though, I have not read any papers on this one so I'd need to look into it.

[vh-rp]

The Galeb Duhr

HABITAT: Underground, Thaigs, Caves, Wherever there is stone COMPANION: No MOUNT: No SHAPSHIFT: Yes RANGER CALL: No Guardians of: The Blightedsprites

When galeb duhr were not moving, they could choose to appear exactly like a boulder, but when they opened their eyes or moved, one could see that they had dark, foreboding eyes, a wide mouth, and two appendages that acted as both hands and feet.

The makeup of a galeb duhr's body always matched the type of stone around which it lived. For example, those from areas with large amounts of quartz deposits might have a more quartz-like composition. Granite-like galeb duhr were the most common variety. Galeb duhr never had bodies made from sandstone or other such sedimentary rock.

Physical Characteristics Galeb duhr ranged in size from four feet (one meter) in height to as large as sixteen feet (five meters). Their rough, stony exteriors made them appear as unassuming boulders when they were still, blending seamlessly into their rocky surroundings. This camouflage ability served as both a defensive mechanism and a means to ambush potential threats or prey.

Movement and Dexterity They were very slow-moving creatures with a steady gait. It was not possible for them to hold anything in their "hands" while walking, but if they were "sitting" they could manipulate objects with their hands with surprising dexterity. Despite their slow pace, galeb duhr possessed incredible strength, capable of moving massive rocks and creating pathways through solid stone.

Habitat Galeb duhr primarily reside underground in the expansive network of caverns and tunnels of Thedas. Their preferred habitats are areas rich in mineral deposits, particularly those with abundant granite, quartz, or other hard rock formations. These underground realms provided the galeb duhr with both sustenance and protection, as they could meld seamlessly with their surroundings.

Behavior and Ecology Galeb duhr are solitary creatures, typically avoiding interaction with other species unless necessary. They have a profound connection with the earth, able to sense vibrations through the ground, which alerts them to the presence of other creatures or environmental changes. This sense allows them to detect intruders or potential threats from great distances.

Their diet consists mainly of minerals and rocks, which they grind down using their powerful jaws. This diet contributes to their robust and resilient bodies, making them even harder to injure or destroy.

Role in Thedas In the world of Thedas, galeb duhr play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of underground ecosystems. Their movements and activities help to aerate the soil and create new tunnels, which can provide pathways for other subterranean creatures. Moreover, their presence can deter more dangerous underground dwellers, providing a form of natural pest control.

Galeb duhr are also known to guard ancient treasures or relics buried deep within the earth. These creatures have an innate sense of the value of certain minerals or artifacts, often leading them to protect these items fiercely from would-be treasure hunters.

Interaction with Other Species While generally reclusive, galeb duhr have been known to interact with other intelligent species on rare occasions. These interactions are often driven by necessity rather than curiosity, such as negotiating passage through their territory or seeking assistance in times of environmental distress. They communicate through deep, rumbling tones that resonate through the ground, making their speech difficult to decipher for those unfamiliar with their ways.

Myth and Legend Legends surrounding galeb duhr often depict them as ancient guardians of the earth, embodying the spirit of the land itself. Some cultures revere them as protectors of nature, believing that they can bring prosperity to the land by blessing it with their presence. Others view them with fear and respect, wary of their immense strength and mysterious nature.

[cagemasterfantasy]

Deep Gnome (Svirfneblin) Ranking and Features (5e)

Guide

1=do not play this class as this race

2=can play but not recommended

3=decent choice

4=perfect

Elemental Evil Player's Companion

Forest gnomes and rock gnomes are the gnomes most commonly encountered in the lands of the surface world. There is another subrace of gnomes rarely seen by any surface-dweller: deep gnomes, also known as svirfneblin. Guarded, and suspicious of outsiders, svirfneblin are cunning and taciturn, but can be just as kind-hearted, loyal, and compassionate as their surface cousins.

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Age. Gnomes mature at the same rate as humans, and most are expected to settle into adult life around the age of 40. They can live to 350 years on average, but it's not too uncommon for them to reach 500 years of age.

Size. Gnomes are between 3 and 4 feet tall and weigh around 40 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Superior Darkvision. Your darkvision has a radius of 120 feet.

Gnome Cunning. You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saves against magic.

Stone Camouflage. You have advantage on Dexterity (stealth) checks to hide in rocky terrain.

Languages. You can read, speak, and write Common and Gnomish.

Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Deep gnomes, or svirfneblin, are natives of the Underdark and are suffused with that subterranean realm’s magic. They can supernaturally camouflage themselves, and their svirfneblin magic renders them difficult to locate. These abilities have enabled them to survive for generations among the perils of the Underdark.

Like other gnomes, deep gnomes can live for centuries, up to 500 years.

Ability Score Increase. When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. You can't raise any of your scores above 20.

Creature Type. You are a Humanoid. You are also considered a gnome for any prerequisite or effect that requires you to be a gnome.

Size. You are Small.

Speed. Your walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 120 feet of you as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.

Gift of the Svirfneblin. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the Disguise Self spell with this trait. Starting at 5th level, you can also cast the Nondetection spell with it, without requiring a material component. Once you cast either of these spells with this trait, you can’t cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast these spells using spell slots you have of the appropriate level.

Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).

Gnomish Magic Resistance. You have advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against spells.

Svirfneblin Camouflage. When you make a Dexterity (Stealth) check, you can make the check with advantage. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Languages. Your character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player’s Handbook offers a list of languages.

Artificer 2 if you want a stealthy Artificer you’re going to build around Armorer in Infiltrator armor which will make Svirfneblin Camouflage redundant. Artificers can also cast Detect Magic so even that isn’t especially helpful. The only meaningful things that Svirfneblin brings to Artificer are Nondetection and Gnome Magic Resistance and while Gnome Magic Resistance is great for Artificer it’s not enough to commit your race to it when Satyrs and Yuan-Ti exist

Barbarian 3 with Darkvision and Svirfneblin Camouflage Barbarian can be decently stealthy. You won’t match Bard Ranger or Rogue but it still helps. Gnome Magic Resistance is a helpful defense for a class which is notoriously poor at mental saves and even the innate spellcasting is decent since it’s mostly only useful outside of combat

Bard 4 Bards get Expertise which can pair nicely with Svirfneblin Camouflage to make you a very effective Scout. Bards can also re-cast Svirfneblin's innate spells nicely complementing Bard’s limited number of spells known

Cleric 3 With the exception of Trickery Domain Clerics can’t cast Disguise Self and none of them except Knowledge Domain can cast Nondetection. Trickery Domains Blessing of the Trickster only works on other creatures. Svirfneblin neatly fills those gaps in capabilities. Trickery Domain is almost certainly your best choice of subclass to capitalize on Svirfneblin's traits

Druid 3 Svirfneblin's innate spellcasting isn’t great for Druid. Druids can cast Nondetection but Disguise Self is mostly useless because Druids can turn into animals. Gnomish Magic Resistance and Svirfneblin Camouflage MIGHT work while using Wild Shape. Neither discuss your character’s anatomy and they don’t seem to be dependent on your physical form

Fighter 3 for a Dexterity-based build Svirfneblin Camouflage is a passable replacement for Expertise in Stealth allowing you to more easily serve as your party’s Scout. Gnome Magic Resistance is a helpful defense for a class which is notoriously poor at mental saves and even the innate spellcasting is decent since it’s mostly only useful outside of combat. Eldritch Knight is a tempting option because you can re-cast the spells but they’re not consistently useful enough to build around them

Monk 3 Gnome Magic Resistance is a helpful defense for Monk since Monks aren’t proficient in any mental saves until they get Diamond Body. Svirfneblin Camouflage helps make up for not getting Expertise so you can almost compete with a rogue as your party’s Scout

Paladin 3 for a Dexterity-based build Svirfneblin Camouflage is a passable replacement for Expertise in Stealth allowing you to more easily serve as your party’s Scout. Gnome Magic Resistance is a helpful defense but with Aura of Protection in place it’s less impactful than it is for other martial classes. Paladin can recast Deep Gnome’s innate spells but that won’t be necessary most of the time

Ranger 4 Svirfneblin Camouflage mostly compensates for Rangers not getting Expertise making it easier for Ranger to compete with Rogue as a Scout. Deep Gnome’s innate spellcasting offers some occasionally helpful options and you can re-cast the spells using spell slots if you need to

Rogue 4 Expertise paired with Svirfneblin Camouflage makes you profoundly good at stealth. Evasion paired with Gnome Magic Resistance gives you broad protection on saving throws. Deep Gnome’s innate spellcasting can protect you from pesky methods of detecting you like divinations and like people knowing what you look like. Arcane Trickster is perhaps Svirfneblin’s most obvious class and subclass because Rogue pairs so nicely and Arcane Trickster allows you to re-cast Deep Gnome’s innate spells

Sorcerer 3 don’t expect to get anything out of Svirfneblin Camouflage but otherwise Deep Gnome’s traits are nice. Darkvision saves you a spell Gnomish Magic Resistance protects you on some saves and the innate spellcasting is occasionally useful

Warlock 3 don’t expect to get anything out of Svirfneblin Camouflage but otherwise Deep Gnome’s traits are nice. Darkvision saves you an invocation Gnomish Magic Resistance protects you on some saves and the innate spellcasting is occasionally useful and complements your tiny pool of spell slots

Wizard 2 Wizards can cast Disguise Self Nondetection Darkvision and Invisibility so Deep Gnome adds very little to Wizard.

[squid-slenderman]

I am Squid. He/they/it. 13'10", thanks for asking. Magic anons are fine. I came from the ocean. And that is my home.

I eat meat. I prefer seafood. But I certainly don't mind a good steak.

Collect my fish. (I'm hungry.) Also, collect all this darn trash. You land dwellers made it, not me. And it's not quite fair for me to have to deal with it.

A squid (pl.: squid) is a mollusc with an elongated soft body, large eyes, eight arms, and two tentacles in the superorder Decapodiformes, though many other molluscs within the broader Neocoleoidea are also called squid despite not strictly fitting these criteria. Like all other cephalopods, squid have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, and a mantle. They are mainly soft-bodied, like octopuses, but have a small internal skeleton in the form of a rod-like gladius or pen, made of chitin.

Squid diverged from other cephalopods during the Jurassic and occupy a similar role to teleost fish as open water predators of similar size and behaviour. They play an important role in the open water food web. The two long tentacles are used to grab prey and the eight arms to hold and control it. The beak then cuts the food into suitable size chunks for swallowing. Squid are rapid swimmers, moving by jet propulsion, and largely locate their prey by sight. They are among the most intelligent of invertebrates, with groups of Humboldt squid having been observed hunting cooperatively. They are preyed on by sharks, other fish, sea birds, seals and cetaceans, particularly sperm whales.

Squid can change colour for camouflage and signalling. Some species are bioluminescent, using their light for counter-illumination camouflage, while many species can eject a cloud of ink to distract predators.

Squid are used for human consumption with commercial fisheries in Japan, the Mediterranean, the southwestern Atlantic, the eastern Pacific and elsewhere. They are used in cuisines around the world, often known as "calamari". Squid have featured in literature since classical times, especially in tales of giant squid and sea monsters.

Squid are members of the class Cephalopoda, subclass Coleoidea. The squid orders Myopsida and Oegopsida are in the superorder Decapodiformes (from the Greek for "ten-legged"). Two other orders of decapodiform cephalopods are also called squid, although they are taxonomically distinct from squids and differ recognizably in their gross anatomical features. They are the bobtail squid of order Sepiolida and the ram's horn squid of the monotypic order Spirulida. The vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis), however, is more closely related to the octopus than to any squid.[2]

The cladogram, not fully resolved, is based on Sanchez et al., 2018.[2] Their molecular phylogeny used mitochondrial and nuclear DNA marker sequences; they comment that a robust phylogeny "has proven very challenging to obtain". If it is accepted that Sepiidae cuttlefish are a kind of squid, then the squids, excluding the vampire squid, form a clade as illustrated.[2] Orders are shown in boldface; all the families not included in those orders are in the paraphyletic order "Oegopsida", except Sepiadariidae and Sepiidae that are in the paraphyletic order "Sepiida",

Crown coleoids (the common ancestor of octopuses and squid) diverged in the late Paleozoic (Mississippian), according to fossils of Syllipsimopodi, an early relative of vampire squids and octopuses.[3] True squid diverged during the Jurassic, but many squid families appeared in or after the Cretaceous.[4] Both the coleoids and the teleost fish were involved in much adaptive radiation at this time, and the two modern groups resemble each other in size, ecology, habitat, morphology and behaviour, however some fish moved into fresh water while the coleoids remained in marine environments.[5]

The ancestral coleoid was probably nautiloid-like with a strait septate shell that became immersed in the mantle and was used for buoyancy control. Four lines diverged from this, Spirulida (with one living member), the cuttlefishes, the squids and the octopuses. Squid have differentiated from the ancestral mollusc such that the body plan has been condensed antero-posteriorly and extended dorso-ventrally. What may have been the foot of the ancestor is modified into a complex set of appendages around the mouth. The sense organs are highly developed and include advanced eyes similar to those of vertebrates.[5]

The ancestral shell has been lost, with only an internal gladius, or pen, remaining. The pen, made of a chitin-like material,[5][6] is a feather-shaped internal structure that supports the squid's mantle and serves as a site for muscle attachment. The cuttlebone or sepion of the Sepiidae is calcareous and appears to have evolved afresh in the Tertiary.[7]

Squid are soft-bodied molluscs whose forms evolved to adopt an active predatory lifestyle. The head and foot of the squid are at one end of a long body, and this end is functionally anterior, leading the animal as it moves through the water. A set of eight arms and two distinctive tentacles surround the mouth; each appendage takes the form of a muscular hydrostat and is flexible and prehensile, usually bearing disc-like suckers.[5]

The suckers may lie directly on the arm or be stalked. Their rims are stiffened with chitin and may contain minute toothlike denticles. These features, as well as strong musculature, and a small ganglion beneath each sucker to allow individual control, provide a very powerful adhesion to grip prey. Hooks are present on the arms and tentacles in some species, but their function is unclear.[8] The two tentacles are much longer than the arms and are retractile. Suckers are limited to the spatulate tip of the tentacle, known as the manus.[5]

In the mature male, the outer half of one of the left arms is hectocotylised – and ends in a copulatory pad rather than suckers. This is used for depositing a spermatophore inside the mantle cavity of a female. A ventral part of the foot has been converted into a funnel through which water exits the mantle cavity.[5]

The main body mass is enclosed in the mantle, which has a swimming fin along each side. These fins are not the main source of locomotion in most species. The mantle wall is heavily muscled and internal. The visceral mass, which is covered by a thin, membranous epidermis, forms a cone-shaped posterior region known as the "visceral hump". The mollusc shell is reduced to an internal, longitudinal chitinous "pen" in the functionally dorsal part of the animal; the pen acts to stiffen the squid and provides attachments for muscles.[5]

On the functionally ventral part of the body is an opening to the mantle cavity, which contains the gills (ctenidia) and openings from the excretory, digestive and reproductive systems. An inhalant siphon behind the funnel draws water into the mantle cavity via a valve. The squid uses the funnel for locomotion via precise jet propulsion.[9] In this form of locomotion, water is sucked into the mantle cavity and expelled out of the funnel in a fast, strong jet. The direction of travel is varied by the orientation of the funnel.[5] Squid are strong swimmers and certain species can "fly" for short distances out of the water.[10]

Squid make use of different kinds of camouflage, namely active camouflage for background matching (in shallow water) and counter-illumination. This helps to protect them from their predators and allows them to approach their prey.[11][12]

The skin is covered in controllable chromatophores of different colours, enabling the squid to match its coloration to its surroundings.[11][13] The play of colours may in addition distract prey from the squid's approaching tentacles.[14] The skin also contains light reflectors called iridophores and leucophores that, when activated, in milliseconds create changeable skin patterns of polarized light.[15][16] Such skin camouflage may serve various functions, such as communication with nearby squid, prey detection, navigation, and orientation during hunting or seeking shelter.[15] Neural control of the iridophores enabling rapid changes in skin iridescence appears to be regulated by a cholinergic process affecting reflectin proteins.[16]

Some mesopelagic squid such as the firefly squid (Watasenia scintillans) and the midwater squid (Abralia veranyi) use counter-illumination camouflage, generating light to match the downwelling light from the ocean surface.[12][17][18] This creates the effect of countershading, making the underside lighter than the upperside.[12]

Counter-illumination is also used by the Hawaiian bobtail squid (Euprymna scolopes), which has symbiotic bacteria (Aliivibrio fischeri) that produce light to help the squid avoid nocturnal predators.[19] This light shines through the squid's skin on its underside and is generated by a large and complex two-lobed light organ inside the squid's mantle cavity. From there, it escapes downwards, some of it travelling directly, some coming off a reflector at the top of the organ (dorsal side). Below there is a kind of iris, which has branches (diverticula) of its ink sac, with a lens below that; both the reflector and lens are derived from mesoderm. The squid controls light production by changing the shape of its iris or adjusting the strength of yellow filters on its underside, which presumably change the balance of wavelengths emitted.[17] Light production shows a correlation with intensity of down-welling light, but it is about one third as bright; the squid can track repeated changes in brightness. Because the Hawaiian bobtail squid hides in sand during the day to avoid predators, it does not use counter-illumination during daylight hours.[17]

Squid distract attacking predators by ejecting a cloud of ink, giving themselves an opportunity to escape.[20][21] The ink gland and its associated ink sac empties into the rectum close to the anus, allowing the squid to rapidly discharge black ink into the mantle cavity and surrounding water.[8] The ink is a suspension of melanin particles and quickly disperses to form a dark cloud that obscures the escape manoeuvres of the squid. Predatory fish may also be deterred by the alkaloid nature of the discharge which may interfere with their chemoreceptors.[5]

Cephalopods have the most highly developed nervous systems among invertebrates. Squids have a complex brain in the form of a nerve ring encircling the oesophagus, enclosed in a cartilaginous cranium. Paired cerebral ganglia above the oesophagus receive sensory information from the eyes and statocysts, and further ganglia below control the muscles of the mouth, foot, mantle and viscera. Giant axons up to 1 mm (0.04 in) in diameter convey nerve messages with great rapidity to the circular muscles of the mantle wall, allowing a synchronous, powerful contraction and maximum speed in the jet propulsion system.[5]

The paired eyes, on either side of the head, are housed in capsules fused to the cranium. Their structure is very similar to that of a fish eye, with a globular lens that has a depth of focus from 3 cm (1.2 in) to infinity. The image is focused by changing the position of the lens, as in a camera or telescope, rather than changing the shape of the lens, as in the human eye. Squid adjust to changes in light intensity by expanding and contracting the slit-shaped pupil.[5] Deep sea squids in the family Histioteuthidae have eyes of two different types and orientation. The large left eye is tubular in shape and looks upwards, presumably searching for the silhouettes of animals higher in the water column. The normally-shaped right eye points forwards and downwards to detect prey.[22]

The statocysts are involved in maintaining balance and are analogous to the inner ear of fish. They are housed in cartilaginous capsules on either side of the cranium. They provide the squid with information on its body position in relation to gravity, its orientation, acceleration and rotation, and are able to perceive incoming vibrations. Without the statocysts, the squid cannot maintain equilibrium.[5] Squid appear to have limited hearing,[23] but the head and arms bear lines of hair-cells that are weakly sensitive to water movements and changes in pressure, and are analogous in function to the lateral line system of fish.[5]

The sexes are separate in squid, with a single gonad in the posterior part of the body. Fertilisation is external and usually takes place in the mantle cavity of the female. The male has a testis from which sperm pass into a single gonoduct where they are rolled together into a long bundle, or spermatophore. The gonoduct is elongated into a "penis" that extends into the mantle cavity and through which spermatophores are ejected. In shallow water species, the penis is short, and the spermatophore is removed from the mantle cavity by a tentacle of the male, which is specially adapted for the purpose and known as a hectocotylus, and placed inside the mantle cavity of the female during mating.[5]

The female has a large translucent ovary, situated towards the posterior of the visceral mass. From here, eggs travel along the gonocoel, where there are a pair of white nidamental glands, which lie anterior to the gills. Also present are red-spotted accessory nidamental glands containing symbiotic bacteria; both organs are associated with nutrient manufacture and forming shells for the eggs. The gonocoel enters the mantle cavity at the gonopore, and in some species, receptacles for storing spermatophores are located nearby, in the mantle wall.[5]

In shallow-water species of the continental shelf and epipelagic or mesopelagic zones, it is frequently one or both of arm pair IV of males that are modified into hectocotyli.[24] However, most deep-sea squid lack hectocotyl arms and have longer penises; Ancistrocheiridae and Cranchiinae are exceptions.[25] Giant squid of the genus Architeuthis are unusual in that they possess both a large penis and modified arm tips, although whether the latter are used for spermatophore transfer is uncertain.[25] Penis elongation has been observed in the deep-water species Onykia ingens; when erect, the penis may be as long as the mantle, head, and arms combined.[25][26] As such, deep-water squid have the greatest known penis length relative to body size of all mobile animals, second in the entire animal kingdom only to certain sessile barnacles.[25]

Like all cephalopods, squids are predators and have complex digestive systems. The mouth is equipped with a sharp, horny beak mainly made of chitin and cross-linked proteins,[27] which is used to kill and tear prey into manageable pieces. The beak is very robust, but does not contain minerals, unlike the teeth and jaws of many other organisms; the cross-linked proteins are histidine- and glycine-rich and give the beak a stiffness and hardness greater than most equivalent synthetic organic materials.[28] The stomachs of captured whales often have indigestible squid beaks inside. The mouth contains the radula, the rough tongue common to all molluscs except bivalvia, which is equipped with multiple rows of teeth.[5] In some species, toxic saliva helps to control large prey; when subdued, the food can be torn in pieces by the beak, moved to the oesophagus by the radula, and swallowed.[29]

The food bolus is moved along the gut by waves of muscular contractions (peristalsis). The long oesophagus leads to a muscular stomach roughly in the middle of the visceral mass. The digestive gland, which is equivalent to a vertebrate liver, diverticulates here, as does the pancreas, and both of these empty into the caecum, a pouch-shaped sac where most of the absorption of nutrients takes place.[5] Indigestible food can be passed directly from the stomach to the rectum where it joins the flow from the caecum and is voided through the anus into the mantle cavity.[5] Cephalopods are short-lived, and in mature squid, priority is given to reproduction;[30] the female Onychoteuthis banksii for example, sheds its feeding tentacles on reaching maturity, and becomes flaccid and weak after spawning.[31][32]

The squid mantle cavity is a seawater-filled sac containing three hearts and other organs supporting circulation, respiration, and excretion.[33] Squid have a main systemic heart that pumps blood around the body as part of the general circulatory system, and two branchial hearts. The systemic heart consists of three chambers, a lower ventricle and two upper atria, all of which can contract to propel the blood. The branchial hearts pump blood specifically to the gills for oxygenation, before returning it to the systemic heart.[33] The blood contains the copper-rich protein hemocyanin, which is used for oxygen transport at low ocean temperatures and low oxygen concentrations, and makes the oxygenated blood a deep, blue color.[33] As systemic blood returns via two vena cavae to the branchial hearts, excretion of urine, carbon dioxide, and waste solutes occurs through outpockets (called nephridial appendages) in the vena cavae walls that enable gas exchange and excretion via the mantle cavity seawater.[33]

Unlike nautiloids and cuttlefish which have gas-filled chambers inside their shells which provide buoyancy, and octopuses which live near and rest on the seabed and do not require to be buoyant, many squid have a fluid-filled receptacle, equivalent to the swim bladder of a fish, in the coelom or connective tissue. This reservoir acts as a chemical buoyancy chamber, with the heavy metallic cations typical of seawater replaced by low molecular-weight ammonium ions, a product of excretion. The small difference in density provides a small contribution to buoyancy per unit volume, so the mechanism requires a large buoyancy chamber to be effective. Since the chamber is filled with liquid, it has the advantage over a swim bladder of not changing significantly in volume with pressure. Glass squids in the family Cranchiidae for example, have an enormous transparent coelom containing ammonium ions and occupying about two-thirds the volume of the animal, allowing it to float at the required depth. About half of the 28 families of squid use this mechanism to solve their buoyancy issues.[5] The family Bathyteuthidae get their buoyancy from an oily substance found in their liver and around their mantle and head.[34]

The majority of squid are no more than 60 cm (24 in) long, although the giant squid may reach 13 m (43 ft).[35] The smallest species are probably the benthic pygmy squids Idiosepius, which grow to a mantle length of 10 to 18 mm (0.4 to 0.7 in), and have short bodies and stubby arms.[36]

In 1978, sharp, curved claws on the suction cups of squid tentacles cut up the rubber coating on the hull of the USS Stein. The size suggested the largest squid known at the time.[37]

In 2003, a large specimen of an abundant[38] but poorly understood species, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni (the colossal squid), was discovered. This species may grow to 10 m (33 ft) in length, making it the largest invertebrate.[39] In February 2007, a New Zealand fishing vessel caught the largest squid ever documented, weighing 495 kg (1,091 lb) and measuring around 10 m (33 ft) off the coast of Antarctica.[40] Dissection showed that the eyes, used to detect prey in the deep Southern Ocean, exceeded the size of footballs; these may be among the largest eyes ever to exist in the animal kingdom.[41]

The eggs of squid are large for a mollusc, containing a large amount of yolk to nourish the embryo as it develops directly, without an intervening veliger larval stage. The embryo grows as a disc of cells on top of the yolk. During the gastrulation stage, the margins of the disc grow to surround the yolk, forming a yolk sac, which eventually forms part of the animal's gut. The dorsal side of the disc grows upwards and forms the embryo, with a shell gland on its dorsal surface, gills, mantle and eyes. The arms and funnel develop as part of the foot on the ventral side of the disc. The arms later migrate upwards, coming to form a ring around the funnel and mouth. The yolk is gradually absorbed as the embryo grows. Some juvenile squid live higher in the water column than do adults. Squids tend to be short-lived; Loligo for example lives from one to three years according to species, typically dying soon after spawning.[5]

In a well-studied bioluminescent species, the Hawaiian bobtail squid, a special light organ in the squid's mantle is rapidly colonized with Aliivibrio fischeri bacteria within hours of hatching. This light-organ colonization requires this particular bacterial species for a symbiotic relationship; no colonization occurs in the absence of A. fischeri.[19] Colonization occurs in a horizontal manner, such that the hosts acquires its bacterial partners from the environment. The symbiosis is obligate for the squid, but facultative for the bacteria. Once the bacteria enter the squid, they colonize interior epithelial cells in the light organ, living in crypts with complex microvilli protrusions. The bacteria also interact with hemocytes, macrophage-like blood cells that migrate between epithelial cells, but the mechanism and function of this process is not well understood. Bioluminescence reaches its highest levels during the early evening hours and bottoms out before dawn; this occurs because at the end of each day, the contents of the squid's crypts are expelled into the surrounding environment.[42] Approximately 95% of the bacteria are voided each morning before the bacterial population builds up again by nightfall.[17]

Squid can move about in several different ways. Slow movement is achieved by a gentle undulation of the muscular lateral fins on either side of the trunk which drives the animal forward. A more common means of locomotion providing sustained movement is achieved using jetting, during which contraction of the muscular wall of the mantle cavity provides jet propulsion.[5]

Slow jetting is used for ordinary locomotion, and ventilation of the gills is achieved at the same time. The circular muscles in the mantle wall contract; this causes the inhalant valve to close, the exhalant valve to open and the mantle edge to lock tightly around the head. Water is forced out through the funnel which is pointed in the opposite direction to the required direction of travel. The inhalant phase is initiated by the relaxation of the circular muscles causes them to stretch, the connective tissue in the mantle wall recoils elastically, the mantle cavity expands causing the inhalant valve to open, the exhalant valve to close and water to flow into the cavity. This cycle of exhalation and inhalation is repeated to provide continuous locomotion.[5]

Fast jetting is an escape response. In this form of locomotion, radial muscles in the mantle wall are involved as well as circular ones, making it possible to hyper-inflate the mantle cavity with a larger volume of water than during slow jetting. On contraction, water flows out with great force, the funnel always being pointed anteriorly, and travel is backwards. During this means of locomotion, some squid exit the water in a similar way to flying fish, gliding through the air for up to 50 m (160 ft), and occasionally ending up on the decks of ships.[5]

Squid are carnivores, and, with their strong arms and suckers, can overwhelm relatively large animals efficiently. Prey is identified by sight or by touch, grabbed by the tentacles which can be shot out with great rapidity, brought back to within reach of the arms, and held by the hooks and suckers on their surface.[43] In some species, the squid's saliva contains toxins which act to subdue the prey. These are injected into its bloodstream when the prey is bitten, along with vasodilators and chemicals to stimulate the heart, and quickly circulate to all parts of its body.[5] The deep sea squid Taningia danae has been filmed releasing blinding flashes of light from large photophores on its arms to illuminate and disorientate potential prey.[44]

Although squid can catch large prey, the mouth is relatively small, and the food must be cut into pieces by the chitinous beak with its powerful muscles before being swallowed. The radula is located in the buccal cavity and has multiple rows of tiny teeth that draw the food backwards and grind it in pieces.[5] The deep sea squid Mastigoteuthis has the whole length of its whip-like tentacles covered with tiny suckers; it probably catches small organisms in the same way that flypaper traps flies. The tentacles of some bathypelagic squids bear photophores which may bring food within its reach by attracting prey.[43]

Squid are among the most intelligent invertebrates. For example, groups of Humboldt squid hunt cooperatively, spiralling up through the water at night and coordinating their vertical and horizontal movements while foraging.[45]

Courtship in squid takes place in the open water and involves the male selecting a female, the female responding, and the transfer by the male of spermatophores to the female. In many instances, the male may display to identify himself to the female and drive off any potential competitors.[46] Elaborate changes in body patterning take place in some species in both agonistic and courtship behaviour. The Caribbean reef squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea), for example, employs a complex array of colour changes during courtship and social interactions and has a range of about 16 body patterns in its repertoire.[47]

The pair adopt a head-to-head position, and "jaw locking" may take place, in a similar manner to that adopted by some cichlid fish.[48] The heterodactylus of the male is used to transfer the spermatophore and deposit it in the female's mantle cavity in the position appropriate for the species; this may be adjacent to the gonopore or in a seminal receptacle.[5]

The sperm may be used immediately or may be stored. As the eggs pass down the oviduct, they are wrapped in a gelatinous coating, before continuing to the mantle cavity, where they are fertilised. In Loligo, further coatings are added by the nidimental glands in the walls of the cavity and the eggs leave through a funnel formed by the arms. The female attaches them to the substrate in strings or groups, the coating layers swelling and hardening after contact with sea water. Loligo sometimes forms breeding aggregations which may create a "community pile" of egg strings. Some pelagic and deep sea squid do not attach their egg masses, which float freely.[5]

Squid mostly have an annual life cycle, growing fast and dying soon after spawning. The diet changes as they grow but mostly consists of large zooplankton and small nekton. In Antarctica for example, krill is the main constituent of the diet, with other food items being amphipods, other small crustaceans, and large arrow worms. Fish are also eaten, and some squid are cannibalistic.[49]

As well as occupying a key role in the food chain, squid are an important prey for predators including sharks, sea birds, seals and whales. Juvenile squid provide part of the diet for worms and small fish. When researchers studied the contents of the stomachs of elephant seals in South Georgia, they found 96% squid by weight.[50] In a single day, a sperm whale can eat 700 to 800 squid,[50] and a Risso's dolphin entangled in a net in the Mediterranean was found to have eaten angel clubhook squid, umbrella squid, reverse jewel squid and European flying squid, all identifiable from their indigestible beaks.[51] Ornithoteuthis volatilis, a common squid from the tropical Indo-Pacific, is predated by yellowfin tuna, longnose lancetfish, common dolphinfish and swordfish, the tiger shark, the scalloped hammerhead shark and the smooth hammerhead shark. Sperm whales also hunt this species extensively as does the brown fur seal.[52] In the Southern Ocean, penguins and wandering albatrosses are major predators of Gonatus antarcticus.[53]

Giant squid have featured as monsters of the deep since classical times. Giant squid were described by Aristotle (4th century BC) in his History of Animals[54] and Pliny the Elder (1st century AD) in his Natural History.[55][56] The Gorgon of Greek mythology may have been inspired by squid or octopus, the animal itself representing the severed head of Medusa, the beak as the protruding tongue and fangs, and its tentacles as the snakes.[57] The six-headed sea monster of the Odyssey, Scylla, may have had a similar origin. The Nordic legend of the kraken may also have derived from sightings of large cephalopods.[58]

In literature, H. G. Wells' short story "The Sea Raiders" featured a man-eating squid species Haploteuthis ferox.[59] The science fiction writer Jules Verne told a tale of a kraken-like monster in his 1870 novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.[58]

Squid form a major food resource and are used in cuisines around the world, notably in Japan where it is eaten as ika sōmen, sliced into vermicelli-like strips; as sashimi; and as tempura.[60] Three species of Loligo are used in large quantities, L. vulgaris in the Mediterranean (known as Calamar in Spanish, Calamaro in Italian); L. forbesii in the Northeast Atlantic; and L. pealei on the American East Coast.[60] Among the Ommastrephidae, Todarodes pacificus is the main commercial species, harvested in large quantities across the North Pacific in Canada, Japan and China.[60]

In English-speaking countries, squid as food is often called calamari, adopted from Italian into English in the 17th century.[61] Squid are found abundantly in certain areas, and provide large catches for fisheries. The body can be stuffed whole, cut into flat pieces, or sliced into rings. The arms, tentacles, and ink are also edible; the only parts not eaten are the beak and gladius (pen). Squid is a good food source for zinc and manganese, and high in copper,[62] selenium, vitamin B12, and riboflavin.[63]

According to the FAO, the cephalopod catch for 2002 was 3,173,272 tonnes (6.995867×109 lb). Of this, 2,189,206 tonnes, or 75.8 percent, was squid.[64] The following table lists squid species fishery catches that exceeded 10,000 tonnes (22,000,000 lb) in 2002.

Prototype chromatophores that mimic the squid's adaptive camouflage have been made by Bristol University researchers using an electroactive dielectric elastomer, a flexible "smart" material that changes its colour and texture in response to electrical signals. The researchers state that their goal is to create an artificial skin that provides rapid active camouflage.[65]

The squid giant axon inspired Otto Schmitt to develop a comparator circuit with hysteresis now called the Schmitt trigger, replicating the axon's propagation of nerve impulses.[66]

(Did I just paste the entire Wikipedia article on squids here? Yes. Do I know why? No.)

[seasmoon]

some details of the PIRATE'S LIFE verse:

heavily inspired by the little mermaid (original novel & film), as well as the story of sirena (indigenous Micronesian variant of the story).

tsireya is from a family of water-dwelling sprites or "spirits". deified in various cultures across the globe.

the wealthy fishmonger family had an actual daughter who spent too much time at the ocean's shores. she drowned under the spell of a water spirit hunter, and that hunter took on her form.

the family is very old, and therefore healthy, with far-reaching influences in terms of political and military assets. they loved their daughter. so much so that they kept the hunter, in spite of knowing that she was changed forever.

that daughter is alive only as the hunter is alive. her memory lives on through them. to the water spirits, to kill a living being is to take their form, and their power (life force, mana, etc.).

the hunter is a literal "fisherman," a fisher of men.

water spirits are all relatively connected through psionic bonding, they do not share the concept of individuality as it is understood on the "surface world". sometimes, the hunter is present. sometimes, it is sirena herself. back and forth, back and forth. like the tide, falling and rising with a new wave each time.

the hunter enjoys appearing in a feminine human form. sometimes, the hunter forgets she was ever a hunter.

the water spirits' true form is impossible for land-dwellers to describe, because their hypnotic bioluminescence casts a camouflaging veil over the eyes of any onlooker. they can appear as anything that the onlooker's mind can imagine, based on their own individual biases and understanding of the world.

sirena, in a way, still lives. but there is a yearning, a hunger she does not understand. all she knows is that she wishes to go home, and home is not here.

[howuart]

Just thinking about how Kai can hold the weight of all the other ninja, like he's just causally holding Zane up by the arm, and Cole's just holing his arm and he just doesn't care..

He just holding them all!!

[almostaccurateninjagoquotes]

Kai: The secret to life is to always use more spinach and less rice than you think you’ll need.

Zane: The second secret to life is that fresh air, warm sun, and a cup of tea will make your problems small enough to start handling.

Lloyd: The third secret to life is that violence sometimes really is the answer.