I'm going to dust off an old chestnut and try playing this game again. Last time I tried was a little over a year ago so I'm curious to see how it goes on /qst/.
How to play:
• Open an image of a species in MS Paint, or your editor of choice
• Make one evolutionary change to that species
• Save as .PNG!
• Post your new species in the thread with a description of what evolution you've added and why.
• Adding size increments or names is optional, but would be appreciated.
Notes:
• Unless stated explicitly, no species ever goes extinct. Old species can still evolve, even if they're not on the latest "chain"
• Try to make your evolutions gradual and realistic
• Every 12-24 hours I'll be rolling for a Random World Event.
• Have fun
The Setting:
The planet is similar to Earth around the early Cambrian Era. It's currently mostly covered in oceans. The animals in it are tiny and sightless. The landmasses of the planet are desolate, and not viable for most animal life at this time.
>>1025532
The orange fungi develop bumps all over their surface to make it just a little bit more difficult for other species to eat them
>>1025541
The Bzol, being a bottom feeder, develops small ligaments on its side to help increase the distance it can travel and its ability to avoid predators.
>>1025524
Algae develops fillaments to keep away predatory Mulu
>>1025571
The cerar become a bit longer to increase mobility.
Some algae grow thinner and wider, gaining greater surface area to absorb more sunlight
>>1025582
Sharp barbs begin to form on the mulu's tentacles allowing it to tear chunks off of larger algae
>>1025571
Some cerar grow toughened plates to prevent braf attacks
Some Braf develop a chemical sensitive outer skin that they can use to "sniff" out their prey.
One more shameless self bump before bed
>>1025655
Barbed Mulu have stronger barbs and tendrils for hunting larger prey
>>1025579
Glands form on top of the bumps allowing the fungus to defensively release waste when predators approach it
>>1025634
they become even longer, to become more mobile, they also devlope sharper fangs.
>>1025893
fungi begin to link together using newly devloped hairs on theire sides. makes them harder to eat due to increased size and efficiency of food
>>1026389
the Cerar gain another pair of pincers, used to shovel small dead matter into their mouths.
>>1025728
this sensitive outer skin widens out to form 'flaps' on both sides of the Braf with which it can filter through the sea currents and on which even small particles left behind by the scent of prey can be caught
The algae's "core" takes on a brownish hue and oval shape. That part also becomes slightly harder, unable to take on sunlight. Due to its shape, the algae grows a bit bigger.
~0.3 centimeters?
>>1025591
Some Bzol become more narrow and pointed and develop a behavior of digging under the sea bed to avoid predation
>>1026510
they develop a deposit of high-value nutrition within the core, where it can be stored in a sack of dead tissue, which it can dissolve when stress is put on the organism.
It effectively has a booster to access to feed cell regeneration when damaged.
>>1025655
some barbed mulus develop larger mouths, their whole bodies being not much more than a digestion-sack. they still have their tentacles to tear of chunks of algae, but now they can also swallow groups of them wholesale.
>>1026516
Another Bzol species comes forth, but unlike its brothers who hide under the ground, these have gained horns.
They are not particularly sharp, but they could potentially be used to crack
>>1026571
Some of the barbed mulus develop longer barbed filaments that hook at the end for increased food consumption.
>>1026654
Some of the horned bzol develop stockier appendages. They're slow, but steady. Also, their horns become a bit sharper.
>>1026892
now with the large amount of food input, a dedicated digestion-organ evolves that can at once hold triple the body mass of the mulus.
>>1026516
the Bzol develops a light sensitive spot on the part of its back that's exposed when they dig in to the superficial layer of mud and dust of the sea bed.
>>1026436
The pincers specialize, one sued to deliver killing blows to struggling prey and the other to scoop up detritus and plant matter.
>>1026905
The material used in the horns spreads to cover the entire head, providing protection from the sharp mandibles of the Braf and Cerar. Since this covering is rigid and inflexible, the Bzol also grows small, weak jaws to grab and chew food.
>>1026932
The bzol's appendages harden allowing for more efficient digging
>>1026421
the hairs on the orange fungus mutate, causing some of them to sprout upwards. This allows the fungus to catch and absorb nutrients from the water around it, letting it grow much faster.
>>1026910
Some mulu develop a piercing appendage to directly feed on the nutrient rich core of >>1026567
>>1026446
The Braf's sense organs grow to become partially attached to its mandibles, allowing it to flap them with more force and swim faster. They also become smoother and thinner to better fit their role.
>>1026567
The algae core develops into a separate organ. Now, instead of growing the core within the algae, the core grows smaller, bubble-like algae cells around itself, forming a foam. This helps protect it from Mulu, as well as increasing its size and thus access to light
>>1027071
love these connecting mutations
>>1027000
The Cerar's head swells to help increase the strength of its new organs. It can now use its pincers to reliably put down most prey in one or two hits, and can tear off larges chunks of algae and flesh with its mandibles.
>>1027027
The Bzol turns a sandy color to blend in better while hiding under the sand. They now spend a good majority of their time at least partially buried, and have few predators.
>>1026905
Some bzol grow larger horns to better fend off would be predators
>>1027203
These Bzol, now Bzull, grow stronger legs to allow them to hit predators harder. The front legs are shorter and stockier, and are used to forcefully ram the horns into any threats. The back sets of legs elongate and are used to move faster.
>>1027079
Additional sensor organs form along the side of the Braf allowing it to better identify different prey species
>>1027330
oh damn that looks badass
Rolled 2 (1d6)
Oops, thought I'd be home sooner to check in on this. Long work day.
Random Global Event Roll:
1 - Gazillion Year Global Warming (12 hours)
2 - Gazillion Year Ice Age (12 hours)
3 - Global Algae Bloom (until other organism adapt to compansate)
4 - Space Radiation Wave (instant mass death and bizarre mutations)
5 - Viral Epidemic (mass death over time with fungi and algae thriving)
6 - Interplanetary Contamination (Entirely new organism line)
>>1027977
diggity dang
>>1027101
The algae cores grow long tendrils allowing the core to connect and share nutrients. connected algae colonies form large nets and are more difficult to feed on.
Global Ice Age (12 hours)
A period of long-term reduction in the temperature of planet's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental and polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers.
While the variety of life will still continue, the number of individual organisms will dwindle. Creatures must adapt to harsh environmental conditions, scarce food, and the decreased volume of the ocean.
>>1028022
In the cooling seas algae colonies freeze and float to the surface allowing them to capture light even during colder seasons
HERE COMES EXTINCTION MAN, DECLARING THE FREEZING DEATH OF MANY SPECIES!
Bzol: ~25% of Bzol die.
Bzols were quite lucky, being able to hide under the ground and harvest corpses or organize surprise attacks.
Bzull: ~33% of Bzull die. They are bulky and slow, and most of their main prey seem to be vanishing, luckiely they can also survive on other matter and defend themselves.
Blue Mulu: ~80% of Mulu die.
Due to one of their larger food sources growing bubbles and disappearing something far, far up, they have to resort to hunting the other creatures. Bzol / Bzulls and Red Braf are however well guarded, and Blue Mulus give off some resistance. Orange Fungi don't give too much nutrients, but they are the last option. Also plankton but that's shit's frozen as fuck
Braf: 40% of Braf die.
Much of their prey is dying, and therefore their population is also dwindling. Luckiely, they have sensors to snoop up prey, so it isn't all bad.
Cerar: ~30% of Cerar die.
They are in a similiar position to Bzulls, but they are more mobile.
Algae: ~10% die.
Those who died were still older evolutions who quickly succubed to cold and desperate predators. The rest thrives, somewhere else.
Fungi: 60% die.
All omnivors are looking for a decent alternative to Algae, and Fungi it is. Most who are still surviving have merged themselves into large fortresses or are hiding in creeks.
EXTINCTION STATUS:
Unfortunately, no species has yet gone extinct. Except really older versions, but who cares about them.
Brafs have gained the ability to turn nutrients into protective layers around themselves (fat), which protects them from the cold and acts as a storage for food.
>>1028032
ait tien nigre
>>1028688
DELET THIS
>>1027108
it gets even LOOOOOOONGER. it also devlops several sets of primitive legs, allowing it to grab things and move faster across the floor. it also devlops serated fangs to avoid prey escaping it grasp
>>1028685
A species of endothermic worms begin using the Braf as hosts, taking root in their fairly unprotected smell organs. As a byproduct of these parasite's metabolism, they produce excess heat; the Braf take advantage of this to exchange a little extra energy for the ability to easily survive chilly temperatures.
>>1028220
Foam Algae begin fermenting alcohol within their bubbles. This allows them to freeze their outer layer for strength while keeping the interior liquid. It also changes their color and makes them less palatable to potential threats.
>>1028678
extinction man, take me by the hand...
>>1029264
the Cerar devlops venom in it body. gaining poisoinouse fangs, allowing it to rule the role of apex predator due to its new incredibly efficient hunting method. it also devlopes a fatty epidermis, causing its body to devlop a pale colour as thick fat replaces its touch carapace
>>1029332
as a side note, its now able to store more nutrients due to the fat deposits under its skin
>>1027071
The Mulu harden and strengthen their proboscis, making it almost beak-like. They now find it much easier to crush through the frozen outer layers of foam algae to reach the nutrient rich core. Their tentacles are now mostly used to anchor them in place while eating, and are less useful for swimming.
>>1027219
Bzull start to use there horns to regulate their heat. The heated horns are capable of melting small chunks of ice so the bzull can feed on food scraps trapped in the ice.
>>1027007
The original Bzol is facing heavy predation due to food shortages. To compensate, the "horns" grow to encompass most of the body aside from the legs, which can be curled underneath for protection. The jaws fuse and become wider but thinner, making it easier to scrape fungus off of rocks.
>>1027060
The fungus need some way to cope with the massive pressure placed on them by the Cerar and Bzol. They gain the ability to photosynthesize, letting them grow and spread much faster. They also grow membranes between their hairs to catch extra light.
99% of the new Cerars fucking die because they are unable to get enough nutrients to sustain their new systems
Try again
The fearsome brafs obtain a few small, slightly up-down movable teeth. It could sometimes help with taking apart tough prey.
Also, on average, the Braf is slightly larger than it was before. 1.45 centimeters is the norm now.
>>1030686
thats kind of mean dude. These adaptations would be totally fine if they were over one or two more posts, and none of them are too crazy or implausible. Anon could have spaced them out better but I think let them stay. Maybe just leave the Cerar alone for a day or so to let everything else catch up?
>>1030813
He did like 6 advancements in the period of 2 posts which were closely posted
>>1030768
They grow tails. Being able to tell where prey is doesn't help if you can't catch it, after all, and the Braf begin to regain the role of apex predator; although they can't directly attack Cerar due to their poison, the Braf's powerful pincers allow it to crack open armored prey, and it's teeth help it digest food faster and more efficiently. They begin to outcompete the Cerar in the role of predator, forcing them to become more omnivorous.
>>1029639
The Bzol differentiate their legs. The back pair is used for swimming away from threats and the help move, similar to a crab hind legs. The front set elongates into a set of antenna, the closest thing to sensory appendages the Bzol has.
The Bzull take on a slightly more distinct colour, and their anatomy reforms for an all-around better body.
>>1030908
The Bzull grows a hard beak made of the same material as its horns. This allows it the crush food into a pulp and digest it much more efficiently. This process is also helped by the Bzull's ability to heat up the beak, breaking down food and helping kill off possibly harmful bacteria.
An earlier strain of fungus starts doing chemosynthesis, losing most of it's pigmentation in the process. They migrate deeper and deeper into the abyss, not because it gives them better access to nutrients but because they are handily outcompeted in areas with sunlight by green fungus.
>>1027121
the sand bzol grow a "beard" around their mouths made of semi-prehensile tendrils. This lets them pick out food from the sand easier, as well as letting them dig faster.
>>1031762
Err, uhh, umm..
.. they die?
fuck, i'm firing myself
>>1030813
yeah I should have probably cooled down. I just got impatient and had to many ideas I vanted to add on, I'll live it be for a couple days. I see no ones touching the fungus
>>1032141
its nutrients storing ridges become better suited to storing chemicals, allowing it to contain more food. this also greatens its incentive to join up
>>1030995
Bzull develop sticky cups on their feet allowing them to walk along the underside of ice as well as on rocky surfaces without difficulty.
>>1032798
I think it's usually assumed that there are a few "background" organisms that keep the ecosystem running and bridge gaps in the food web but are too generic or boring to focus on. Also, things like parasites and diseases are usually hard to come up with evos for so they get glossed over.
>>1032828
The horns of the bzull fuse into a large, flat, bony plate on their foreheads. This is used to melt tunnels through the ice, giving them an alternative form of protection now that they now longer have horns. Now that they have easier access to the surface of the ocean, the Bzull find that they can use their heated beaks the melt through the outer ice shell of the foam algae to reach the core, putting them in competition with the Mulu.
>>1025640
Flat algae develop into parasites, sucking on to the skin of other organisms and leaching nutrients from them. They lose most of their pigmentation, as they no longer perform photosynthesis.
>>1029359
The Mulu turn two of their tentacles in to fins, while the third migrates in to their beak and becomes a long, prehensile tongue. They can swim faster, and have an easier time breaking apart Algae Foam.
>>1025633
Some grow more tree fillament, making it harder to be eaten and digested.
>>1025633
Other develope a membrane which get them better drifting abilities in the ocean to travel faster on flow streams.
>>1033472
The Wooly Algae begins hosting a subspecies of the same parasite as the Braf, taking advantage of the insulation offered by their branching hairs. They also start using these filaments for photosynthesis, balancing out the cost of keeping the worm fed.
>>1033524
Over time the symbiosis is better for the algea if it developed a poucje for the worm.
This increase the partnership and less damage to the algae.
>>1025524
Some algae develope more cells to get bigger and to protect the main cell
>>1025524
Some evolve in a longated form
>>1025640
to protect themself, some flat algae that sink to the ground, bury a small depot in the earth.
>>1025640
Some develope hard tissue to mke it harder to b eaten.
...you know you can evolve other things too, right?
>>1033650
This subspecies grows roots to take in nutrients from the soil and help anchor themselves in place. Now called root algae
>>1033598
The clalgae (cluster algae) begin to use the inner and outer cells for different functions. The smaller external cells are used to take in nutrients and sunlight, while the center is used for storage and processing.
>>1033624
the Lalgae increase greatly in size, although it stays unicellular.
>>1033653
The Rock Algae becomes entirely composed of a stone-like tissue. It also grows simple roots to anchor itself, blending in with loose gravel on the seafloor. Together, these adaptations mean it has no real danger of being eaten; however, the rocky covering lowers the efficiency of photosynthesis and takes much more energy to grow, and the gravel is low in nutrients. Rock algae mature and spread very slowly, but are basically immovable once established in a location.
>>1027060
fungus now secrete enzymes that digest rock and root algae
>>1033024
Some develope tendril they can grow into their prey and getting better nutrition.
>>1033024
Others grow tendrils to catch prey while floating in the water.
>>1033707
I could, but im the one that regularly pushes some plants in evo quests.
They should be the backbone food for the other races.
>>1025633
Some start to clumb together. this protects them more against being eaten.
>>1033940
fungus is now covered in sticky secretions and is able to trap creatures. Struggling also cause the proteins fibres that make up the trap constrict and cover prey even more
Has god left us? Aren't we overdue for a global event?
>>1038264
Was there already a global event?
And the thread is kinda less populated?
>>1028678
Oh didnt saw that event.
So which species are still living?
I just evolved algea i found from before the event.
>>1032290
Being in the deep, most concentrate near hot smokers or other geological spots. The ones with better pores in their texture can digest the chemicals.
Overtime along the nutrition storing ridges develope canals through which chemical heavy water is filtered.
>>1026516
Some of these burrowing bzol develop a strong tail.
This tails allows them to gain a quick burst of speed, either to escape predators which have detected them or to aid their burrowing.
The small ligaments remain their primary mode of locomotion.
>>1044784
No problem.
It loks like evo quest are dead on /qst/
>>1044784
That's just the malaise speaking. I think things just slowed down because everything became good at their role and nothing was pushing change