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Description

SEATOPIAN

Attributes: The Seatopians are a highly derived human species that has evolved in isolation within the living island of Mu. Many thousands of years of biological integration with the enormous anomalocarid’s unique ecology has developed them into a sleek, aquatic race superficially similar to legendary mermaids. The once-vestigial coccyx has re-evolved into a powerful fluked tail, with which a Seatopian can propel themselves at great speed in short bursts. The hindlimbs have been modified into sturdy flippers used for steering in water. Though primarily suited for aquatic movement, they can still propel their bodies over land by undulating their tails and clawed flippers, similar to seals.

All Seatopians possess striking, bright red hair. Unlike human hair, the filaments are composed of living tissue, and support a rich network of blood vessels. Though Seatopians are still primarily air breathers, their unique hair is able to draw oxygen directly from the water to supplement their often-long periods of submersion. The strands also support symbiotic bacterial colonies that remove certain toxins from their bodies which also allows them to absorb nutrients directly from the waters of Mu’s limbic currents. Proper grooming and maintenance of their hair is therefore an important daily ritual.

Due to their dark native environment, they possess large eyes that are particularly sensitive to bioluminescent and infrared light sources produced by many other creatures of Mu’s internal caverns. Surface light levels can be overwhelming to them at first, but they can be trained to tolerate it through use of shaded contacts, or temporary morphological enhancements. They’re sensitivity to infrared light gives them an advantage over other creatures, which usually cannot detect red light within the depths. They also have very acute hearing, able to detect and pinpoint hypersonic noises underwater, though like their vision it is much poorer in air.

Seatopians have much lower metabolisms than their more human ancestors. When diving for extended periods they can slow their heartrates down to just seven beats per minute. They only need a full meal every couple weeks, though they may be able to last several months without eating. Their diet is strictly carnivorous, mostly consisting of native lymphish, hemonites, triblites, larval Ganime, and Kamoebasaur eggs. Of these, they usually target older or weaker individuals to help promote healthy populations of these vital components of Mu’s ecology. Between their slow metabolisms and advanced medical practices, Seatopians themselves can live up to several hundred years.

Uniquely among mammals, Seatopians reproduce entirely via a form of parthenogenesis. The process is still under study, but seems to involve stimulated genetic duplication and mutation after meiosis via certain enzymes and cell-like microbes found throughout Mu’s ecology. These biological agents are most concentrated in certain fungal or sponge-like growths in specific areas of Mu’s limbic and circulatory systems, which the Seatopians occasionally harvest for ceremonial consumption. Most other lifeforms of Mu share similar reproductive trends.

History: By this point, it is well-known that and ancient human civilization rose to global dominance during what is regarded nowadays as the paleolithic age. What these earliest of people were like remains a mystery, but the extent of their technical and geographic influence is becoming more studied by both FATHOM and many other archaeological and paleontological communities. What is most definitely known is that a series of great civil wars following their attempted control of certain kaiju lead their society to collapse, which only a few scattered bands of refugees surviving to start anew as Homo sapiens.

According to the Seatopians’ records, the living land of Mu was of particular interest to the elder civilization. Their original base of operations upon the superorganism was established at some point soon before the fall, and was likely intended as a research station. As the great wars erupted, Mu retreated beneath the waves, trapping the Seatopian forefathers within itself. They managed to survive within their subdermal bases and Mu’s own internal steam caverns, over time becoming more and more influenced by Mu’s integrational ecology.

Their records also tell of a volatile intermediate phase in which they were initially horrified at what was becoming of them. This culminated in an attempt to subdue the mighty Manda, only to result in their defeat and near-extinction. But (at least according to their legend’s interpretation), Mu to pity on them, and so Manda spared them so they might yet prove themselves as worthy members of its’ world. Since then, they have embraced their new evolution, and continue to strive for the betterment of their beloved new home.

Technology: The Seatopians dwell within their original base of operations as well as many expanded respiratory air pockets within Mu’s body. They retain usage of several artifacts of their parent paleolithic society, as the base was furnished with many of the most advanced scientific equipment of that time. The base itself has been modified to suit their new morphologies over time, and seems to be composed of interlocking modular vessels, altogether similar in scale to a small town. Without access to largescale manufacturing repairs that would’ve been provided to them in the past, some of their more specialized or energy-expensive equipment has been gradually broken down over time. Indeed, much of their infrastructure has undergone numerous retrofits, repairs, and disassemblings.

They still utilize the uniquely constructed “computing crystals” in much of their data storage and computational instruments. Refined masonry, clockwork mechanics, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals are also widely used in general construction, artistry, and medication. They make use of Mu’s biogeothermal power as well as concentrated steam from the superorganism’s respiratory system as sustained energy sources.

Much of their more mundane tools and instruments have been replaced by specially bred organisms. Cone snails have become spears/poison dart guns of various models, squids have become hieroglyphic messengers, starfish and sea cucumbers have become furniture/cleaners, etc… Indeed, biochemistry in among their most advanced fields, allowing them a degree of morphological manipulation far ahead of current human studies. The most extensive operations involve microsurgical and chemical alterations to their own bodies, granting a variety of temporary abilities.

Culture: The Seatopian Kingdom, by way of its’ environmental pressures, is a tightly-knit and conservative one. Numbering no more and several hundred strong at any given time, every member of the species is expected to perform the duties of their roles and contribute to their and Mu’s livelihood.

Their society is divided into several primarily family-based guilds, each specializing in a particular profession. Some examples include animal breeders, defenders, nurses, engineers, intelligence agents, and priestesses. Though differentiated, no guilds are seen as more or less important than others (with the possible exception of the priesthood), as they all provide necessary functions. And, as stated before, though Seatopians are usually born into and trained within their respective guilds, it is possible for members to cross into other guilds provided they display the associated acceptable skills. Altogether, they work to ensure their own and Mu’s survival. Each guild often decorates their hair with elaborate and specially breed shells to signify their age and/or level of experience.

Among the guilds, the priesthood is the smallest and most distinguished, as they are tasked with interpreting the will of Mu, communing with Manda, and honoring other seagoing kaiju such as Ebirah, Gezora, Titanosaurus, etc... The most experienced and typically eldest member of this group is considered the wisest of the Seatopians, and many others may seek her council in general operations and spiritual matters. She is therefore designated as the Queen of her kind for convenience in human terms.

The Seatopians are a deeply spiritual people who believe all life flows through a rhythm of birth, consumption, fission, and reabsorption. As their lives are naturally long, reproduction is a comparatively rare event for them. It is, however, a highly celebrated occasion, as children as seen as precious new streams in the ever expanding and evolving river of life. Indeed, much of their produce is reserved for the support and development of their children as they are raised to be productive members of their society. Death, though still solemn, is also greatly respected as a crucial remerging of streams. A Seatopian “funeral” involves the deceased being offered to the cavern-dwelling Sumians, giving them vital strength to battle parasitic Gamine in exchange for allowing them to share the caves.

Human Relations: For a period of several thousand years, the Seatopians were completely separated from the surface world as they underwent their evolutionary metamorphosis. According to their records, the land of Mu has risen at least two other times between its’ current surfacing. The first, which occurred shortly after they accepted their new lives, allowed them to explore much of the surface via the oceans. They gathered their parent civilization was gone, and surviving groups of humans were just beginning to reestablish agriculture. Comparative data suggests this may have been sometime during the Neolithic age. The second resurfacing may have occurred around 6000 BC.

By this time, Seatopians had developed the biological augmentive operations that would allow them to temporarily assume human forms. From here on, they kept watch over the upper world’s development through observational agents. Travel to and from Mu was aided by submersible craft or biosuits. Though they affirmed to operate in secret, occasional sightings were unavoidable. Indeed, some mythographers have suggested such sightings of these elusive people and/or their craft may, in part, be responsible for such tales as mermaids and USOs (Unidentified Submerged Objects).

Currently, with the existence of kaiju and their home well-known, the Seatopians are acknowledged as a sovereign nation by most countries. They have made it clear that they are willing to help the world understand the monstrous threats it faces (albeit from a distance), though they are more than capable of defending themselves should they feel threatened. Most notably, a new guild adapted to serve as a terrestrial defense force is now stationed upon Mu. These powerful warriors, as well as the experienced observational agents, are the primary means Seatopians use to interact with humans.

They are still mostly wary, but willing to cooperate with FATHOM in regards to scientific exchanges regarding the kaiju. Potential trade deals from other nations have been offered, but consideration is mostly pending. Younger generations seem more curious and willing to help humans in exchange for further exploration of the surface world.

Description

SEATOPIAN

Attributes: The Seatopians are a highly derived human species that has evolved in isolation within the living island of Mu. Many thousands of years of biological integration with the enormous anomalocarid’s unique ecology has developed them into a sleek, aquatic race superficially similar to legendary mermaids. The once-vestigial coccyx has re-evolved into a powerful fluked tail, with which a Seatopian can propel themselves at great speed in short bursts. The hindlimbs have been modified into sturdy flippers used for steering in water. Though primarily suited for aquatic movement, they can still propel their bodies over land by undulating their tails and clawed flippers, similar to seals.

All Seatopians possess striking, bright red hair. Unlike human hair, the filaments are composed of living tissue, and support a rich network of blood vessels. Though Seatopians are still primarily air breathers, their unique hair is able to draw oxygen directly from the water to supplement their often-long periods of submersion. The strands also support symbiotic bacterial colonies that remove certain toxins from their bodies which also allows them to absorb nutrients directly from the waters of Mu’s limbic currents. Proper grooming and maintenance of their hair is therefore an important daily ritual.

Due to their dark native environment, they possess large eyes that are particularly sensitive to bioluminescent and infrared light sources produced by many other creatures of Mu’s internal caverns. Surface light levels can be overwhelming to them at first, but they can be trained to tolerate it through use of shaded contacts, or temporary morphological enhancements. They’re sensitivity to infrared light gives them an advantage over other creatures, which usually cannot detect red light within the depths. They also have very acute hearing, able to detect and pinpoint hypersonic noises underwater, though like their vision it is much poorer in air.

Seatopians have much lower metabolisms than their more human ancestors. When diving for extended periods they can slow their heartrates down to just seven beats per minute. They only need a full meal every couple weeks, though they may be able to last several months without eating. Their diet is strictly carnivorous, mostly consisting of native lymphish, hemonites, triblites, larval Ganime, and Kamoebasaur eggs. Of these, they usually target older or weaker individuals to help promote healthy populations of these vital components of Mu’s ecology. Between their slow metabolisms and advanced medical practices, Seatopians themselves can live up to several hundred years.

Uniquely among mammals, Seatopians reproduce entirely via a form of parthenogenesis. The process is still under study, but seems to involve stimulated genetic duplication and mutation after meiosis via certain enzymes and cell-like microbes found throughout Mu’s ecology. These biological agents are most concentrated in certain fungal or sponge-like growths in specific areas of Mu’s limbic and circulatory systems, which the Seatopians occasionally harvest for ceremonial consumption. Most other lifeforms of Mu share similar reproductive trends.

History: By this point, it is well-known that and ancient human civilization rose to global dominance during what is regarded nowadays as the paleolithic age. What these earliest of people were like remains a mystery, but the extent of their technical and geographic influence is becoming more studied by both FATHOM and many other archaeological and paleontological communities. What is most definitely known is that a series of great civil wars following their attempted control of certain kaiju lead their society to collapse, which only a few scattered bands of refugees surviving to start anew as Homo sapiens.

According to the Seatopians’ records, the living land of Mu was of particular interest to the elder civilization. Their original base of operations upon the superorganism was established at some point soon before the fall, and was likely intended as a research station. As the great wars erupted, Mu retreated beneath the waves, trapping the Seatopian forefathers within itself. They managed to survive within their subdermal bases and Mu’s own internal steam caverns, over time becoming more and more influenced by Mu’s integrational ecology.

Their records also tell of a volatile intermediate phase in which they were initially horrified at what was becoming of them. This culminated in an attempt to subdue the mighty Manda, only to result in their defeat and near-extinction. But (at least according to their legend’s interpretation), Mu to pity on them, and so Manda spared them so they might yet prove themselves as worthy members of its’ world. Since then, they have embraced their new evolution, and continue to strive for the betterment of their beloved new home.

Technology: The Seatopians dwell within their original base of operations as well as many expanded respiratory air pockets within Mu’s body. They retain usage of several artifacts of their parent paleolithic society, as the base was furnished with many of the most advanced scientific equipment of that time. The base itself has been modified to suit their new morphologies over time, and seems to be composed of interlocking modular vessels, altogether similar in scale to a small town. Without access to largescale manufacturing repairs that would’ve been provided to them in the past, some of their more specialized or energy-expensive equipment has been gradually broken down over time. Indeed, much of their infrastructure has undergone numerous retrofits, repairs, and disassemblings.

They still utilize the uniquely constructed “computing crystals” in much of their data storage and computational instruments. Refined masonry, clockwork mechanics, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals are also widely used in general construction, artistry, and medication. They make use of Mu’s biogeothermal power as well as concentrated steam from the superorganism’s respiratory system as sustained energy sources.

Much of their more mundane tools and instruments have been replaced by specially bred organisms. Cone snails have become spears/poison dart guns of various models, squids have become hieroglyphic messengers, starfish and sea cucumbers have become furniture/cleaners, etc… Indeed, biochemistry in among their most advanced fields, allowing them a degree of morphological manipulation far ahead of current human studies. The most extensive operations involve microsurgical and chemical alterations to their own bodies, granting a variety of temporary abilities.

Culture: The Seatopian Kingdom, by way of its’ environmental pressures, is a tightly-knit and conservative one. Numbering no more and several hundred strong at any given time, every member of the species is expected to perform the duties of their roles and contribute to their and Mu’s livelihood.

Their society is divided into several primarily family-based guilds, each specializing in a particular profession. Some examples include animal breeders, defenders, nurses, engineers, intelligence agents, and priestesses. Though differentiated, no guilds are seen as more or less important than others (with the possible exception of the priesthood), as they all provide necessary functions. And, as stated before, though Seatopians are usually born into and trained within their respective guilds, it is possible for members to cross into other guilds provided they display the associated acceptable skills. Altogether, they work to ensure their own and Mu’s survival. Each guild often decorates their hair with elaborate and specially breed shells to signify their age and/or level of experience.

Among the guilds, the priesthood is the smallest and most distinguished, as they are tasked with interpreting the will of Mu, communing with Manda, and honoring other seagoing kaiju such as Ebirah, Gezora, Titanosaurus, etc... The most experienced and typically eldest member of this group is considered the wisest of the Seatopians, and many others may seek her council in general operations and spiritual matters. She is therefore designated as the Queen of her kind for convenience in human terms.

The Seatopians are a deeply spiritual people who believe all life flows through a rhythm of birth, consumption, fission, and reabsorption. As their lives are naturally long, reproduction is a comparatively rare event for them. It is, however, a highly celebrated occasion, as children as seen as precious new streams in the ever expanding and evolving river of life. Indeed, much of their produce is reserved for the support and development of their children as they are raised to be productive members of their society. Death, though still solemn, is also greatly respected as a crucial remerging of streams. A Seatopian “funeral” involves the deceased being offered to the cavern-dwelling Sumians, giving them vital strength to battle parasitic Gamine in exchange for allowing them to share the caves.

Human Relations: For a period of several thousand years, the Seatopians were completely separated from the surface world as they underwent their evolutionary metamorphosis. According to their records, the land of Mu has risen at least two other times between its’ current surfacing. The first, which occurred shortly after they accepted their new lives, allowed them to explore much of the surface via the oceans. They gathered their parent civilization was gone, and surviving groups of humans were just beginning to reestablish agriculture. Comparative data suggests this may have been sometime during the Neolithic age. The second resurfacing may have occurred around 6000 BC.

By this time, Seatopians had developed the biological augmentive operations that would allow them to temporarily assume human forms. From here on, they kept watch over the upper world’s development through observational agents. Travel to and from Mu was aided by submersible craft or biosuits. Though they affirmed to operate in secret, occasional sightings were unavoidable. Indeed, some mythographers have suggested such sightings of these elusive people and/or their craft may, in part, be responsible for such tales as mermaids and USOs (Unidentified Submerged Objects).

Currently, with the existence of kaiju and their home well-known, the Seatopians are acknowledged as a sovereign nation by most countries. They have made it clear that they are willing to help the world understand the monstrous threats it faces (albeit from a distance), though they are more than capable of defending themselves should they feel threatened. Most notably, a new guild adapted to serve as a terrestrial defense force is now stationed upon Mu. These powerful warriors, as well as the experienced observational agents, are the primary means Seatopians use to interact with humans.

They are still mostly wary, but willing to cooperate with FATHOM in regards to scientific exchanges regarding the kaiju. Potential trade deals from other nations have been offered, but consideration is mostly pending. Younger generations seem more curious and willing to help humans in exchange for further exploration of the surface world.