The Pentekonterus (REDUX)

[droctagonapus]

The solar system's mass? Hmm... well, there was a nearby supernova in the system's infancy.... actually, several, enough to send most material into interstellar space. Plus, the Pentekonteus don't breathe the oxygen. They breathe the argon and xenon, but they do obtain nitrogen from eating herbivores which get it from plants. very few creatures on Kuuruk actually breathe oxygen, and all of those are very small. Kaivik just happened to form in a region with a lot of argon and xenon, whereas other areas might not have so much. Also, I wonder what Kuuruk's sky might look like during a thunderstorm. Hope this explains everything.

[Clarke]

May 18, 2010 22:04:45 GMT droctagonapus said:

Plus, the Pentekonteus don't breathe the oxygen. They breathe the argon and xenon, but they do obtain nitrogen from eating herbivores which get it from plants. very few creatures on Kuuruk actually breathe oxygen, and all of those are very small.

Humans don't get their nitrogen from the atmosphere, either, they get it from plants which get it from bacteria.

So what's their metabolism like?

[droctagonapus]

Please elaborate so I can give a good answer.

[Clarke]

Well you said that they didn't breath oxygen, which is the basis for all multicellular heterotrophs on earth. Heck, even anaerobes require oxygen compounds for metabolism, and oxygen is just as common(if not more) than nitrogen in organic compounds. It would also mean drastically left water on the surface. You also mentioned that they breathed argon and xenon, and since those are both inert gases I was wondering what they used those for.

[droctagonapus]

... wait right here while I read up on chemistry, then do some serious retconning.

[thatweirdguy]

From your RP, I'm going to guess there are other nations/countries/whatever on their homeworld.

[Martyk]

The thing is Octagonapus, while it is often interesting to try to make your creatures radically different than life here on Earth, it is important to keep in mind that sometimes things are like that for a reason.

Of course, it is nice to see you're trying new things. Perhaps you can try looking at some WorldBuilder projects or theoretical alien life discussions and see what sort of things they've come up with.

But yeah, I really don't think the Xenon and Argon would work, not just because those gasses are very rare, but because they don't do anything. That's the magic of the noble gasses.

For your consideration, here's how breathing works in humans. PErhaps you can try modifying this somewhat:
C6H(12)O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + H2O + Energy

Science!

[droctagonapus]

Hmmm... I'm looking at sulfur and phosphorus as possible oxygen/nitrogen replacements.
What do you think?

[Clarke]

That wouldn't work out that well, and if you organism did use those it wouldn't look remotely like what a Pent looks like. I'd just go with a regular metabolism, anything else would produce a drastically different form.

[Martyk]

Another problem with that is that those are solids. You would need some sort of gaseous compound of them.

[droctagonapus]

I'll just go with the normal metabolism, then. Now, to deal with what I said earlier...
IMMA FIRIN MAH RETCON LAIZA BEIMU!!!
*Retcons*
Sorry for that, but I have to make it dramatic.

[droctagonapus]

Ok, then time for another update.

THE NATION OF EMBERS (Nirbalu)

GOVERNMENT

In Nirbalu, the High Priest of the Flame is the leader of the theocracy. Presiding over all matters is the Grand Temple, a unique building built entirely from baked clay. It has many kilns, furnaces, and is kept at a constant 98 Degrees Farenheight. Below that are other priests and their temples, and then everyone else.

ECONOMY

Nirbalu's economy is state-controlled, to an extent. But, it's not that different from Kabalu's in practice, so let's instead focus on taxes. In Nirbalu, everyone pays taxes, whether they be in food, money, or labor. Paladins, which also fight in wars, are sent to collect the taxes every 6 months. If one does not pay, the penalty ranges from exile to death.

HISTORY

Nirbalu was founded around 1,700 A.E., and began its war with Kabalu when it attacked a peaceful village on the central grasslands. They have warred ever since.


RELIGION

In Nirbalu, the state religion is that of Nirikreku, or The Great Ember. They believe that all rose from the cosmic embers at the begnning of time and have been this way ever since, constantly serving the Ember. Of course, this is madness.