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Messages - Arachoid

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 59
1
Spore: Sporepedia Exchange / Re: Can someone make me a sapient?
« on: June 02, 2009, 07:05:58 pm »
I'm not up to the challenge (looking through my gallery, you can see that I favor less earthly body plans), but I posted your thread on the Sporum for some extra publicity.

http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/0/30027.page#896320

2
Spore: Creation Corner / Re: Kalbin
« on: April 25, 2009, 10:08:14 pm »
Jeez Grox, he's the new guy. Let him get the hang of the things. He raises a valid point that you, nor me, nor him know whether or not it's possible. Like he said, we haven't been to other planets. The only geological example of hydrothermal vents we know of are on earth. Out of the billions of planets in the universe, surely we aren't unique in that aspect. Let him do as he pleases, just do a little research next time, Beast.

3
((lol, What now then guys? I'm posting from my trusty cellphone on account of te fact that I'm grounded, and I'm surprised the thread has devolved into a pie bashing. My phone can't show images, did he post moar MSPaint or something?))

4
Somewhere in the background, a klaxon cried out into the hull of the ship. Vakir awoke with a start at the shrill wails, smelling smoke. But not through his own nostrils. Through his host's.

Damn engine must've choked on something again... I told those swabs to keep outta there! he thought, muttering incoherently as his tentacles wriggled inside his deceased host, stirring its carcass into action. His host's arm reached out and scratched the bony surface of its face as Vakir recovered from the daze of sleep.

"Critical malfunction detected, fires on decks three through seven detected, engine five structural damage detected, plasma vat one destabilization detected, fuel line two..." The computer droned on about various errors it had detected over the intercom.

AI must be on the fritz too... So many credits, gone because of those fools! Captain can't even get a wink o' sleep 'round here, having to babysit the crew all the time!

"Shut up, ya piece o' ****, I'm gettin' to fixin' things!" Vakir yelled at the computer. His host grabbed a plasma cutter in one hand and an old-fashioned wrench in another, dragging them through the door with it and stumbling down the corridor, still half asleep. Vakir should've listened to the computer; the problem was with the engines, but he was going toward the bridge. Not that any of that would matter in, oh, five seconds.

BOOM!

Vakir had never felt such pain in his life. Necrobain are very sensitive to vibration, and three industrial-grade engines and five plasma tanks exploding was enough to kill most Necrobain. But Vakir, seasoned and salted through years of space-travel, was not most Necrobain. The violence of the impact may have shaken him from his host, but he would find a way to survive.

"System failure imminent, dispatching distress signal," spoke the computer, its voice running the gamut of high to low throughout the phrase.

"Of course!" muttered Vakir aloud, to no one in particular. "No host, no crew, no supplies all on a wrecked ship, but at least the distress signal is sent out! Tell me, oh omnipotent one, how long can I expect to wait here, huh? Go on!" No reply. The power flickered, then shutdown. "That'd be why," Vakir sighed, contented to his death.

If only some passerby would discover him. Someone brave enough to set foot in an unknown zone, inhabited by an unknown species - The Necrobain!

5
Spore: Creation Corner / Re: The Necrobain - Peaceful Parasites
« on: April 12, 2009, 07:51:17 pm »


The picture, in MSPaint. I apologize for the crapulence. I could've used GIMP if it recognized my tablet pen as the cursor. Anyway...

The parasite: It has triangular shape, and I changed the design to feature short stubby crab legs. A row of teeth shaped like these (though smaller) is located just behind them, and in the middle is a circular mouth through which come the three tentacles (a female specimen is pictured. Four eyes, two on each side, in a Naucean-like form. The small black area is an ear, like a leopard gecko's 'hole-in-the-head' ears. Coloration is red-ish with black striped across the body, black eyes on red plates (think a buzzard or dinosaur). Legs are red on the outer face, pale inside (like a crab) and tentacles are all red (thought the male's fourth tentacle is black).

The standard host is portrayed (poorly) to the right. I'll try to make a photo mockup soon.
-It stands upright, like a Qiraji Prophet from WoW. While very thin, the torso widens into the shoulders like the undead male model.
-The head looks like a cow skull pointed down, and is coated in osteoderms, giving the appearance of an actual skull (there is no bottom jaw, as the dead do not need to eat).
-The four eyes are arranged similarly to the parasite, and look just like them. 
-The spikes across the back are forward-facing (think Godzilla from the 1998 Hollywood movie).
-The back of the thing looks like the spine is uncovered, much like a xenomorph.
-You can see the outlines of ribs all down the creature, like an emaciated snake.
-They have four arms. The upper arms, mounted on the shoulders as you'd expect, are like the Fungal Giants' from WoW. The lower pair are like a T-Rex, though somewhat bigger (they're used for fine manipulations, like writing).
-They have two legs, which are shaped like the legs of the Faceless Ones from WoW.
-Coloration is sickly pale throughout, mottled with subtle grey spots.

NOTE: The triangle on top of the host's head is where the parasite normally attaches, but it is much smaller in comparison.

For those of you who don't recognize the WoW references, Wowwikie (www.wowwiki.com) is an excellent resource.

From your favorite (?) dead parasites, happy Easter.

EDIT: Spore mockup complete. Refer to the description for notes, and ignore the legs. The coloration is mostly right, but the veins should be more line-like. I ran out of complexity (and description room) before I could make ribs. As said in the notes, I couldn't ass eyes. Just think Naucean/Alieneye for them.
http://www.spore.com/sporepedia#qry=sast-500317811405

See proper legs here: http://www.wowwiki.com/Image:Volazj.jpg

EDIT 2: Also note that this would be a very awkward pose for them. The upper arms typically hang limp.

6
Spore: Creation Corner / Re: The Necrobain - Peaceful Parasites
« on: April 10, 2009, 08:15:24 pm »
A metallic host is unlikely to work without maybe some sort of specially designed life-support system. As described in the summary, they need their hosts to have a respiratory system, and, well, robots don't.

About what happens to the host post-attachment, it all depends on several factors such as state of necrosis and decay, and the host's original structure. A few common changes are calcifications on the limbs in the form of jagged spikes, pustulent nodules across the site of attachment (these are actually filled with the Necrobain's stomach acid, and circulate through the host's neglected bloodstream to aid digestion; the pustules form in order to force congealed blood to flow again through sheer pressure), and what look like snakes crawling beneath the skin (the controller tentacles). Males also typically force their fighting tentacle through the host's mouth, hanging low near the ground.

And yes, they mass produce a custom-engineered host species, which are then slaughtered en masse to feed the population. This takes place in large "farms" where the hosts are treated well and then humanely euthanized through a painless poison that destroys the pain receptors and then shuts down the heart.

Necrobain hosts must have at least a partially preserved respiratory system, but only enough so that it works well enough to keep the parasite alive; all other organs are moot. Also, Necrobain prefer hosts that can move and lift and whatnot, for obvious reasons, but anything with a respiratory system can keep them alive, dead or not.

7
Spore: Creation Corner / The Necrobain - Peaceful Parasites
« on: April 10, 2009, 10:59:48 am »
Ahhh the Necrobain, a species ancient in form but (relatively) recent in intelligence! Having just recently claimed a small portion of space as their own, the Necrobain would like to make themselves known.

Biology
The Necrobain are a race of small skittering parasites; their natural forms possess eight spidercrab-like legs, a lobster-like tail and a thin fin shaped body with three round eyes. It's tough to describe, I know; I have a picture but the scanner is busted. If anyone wants to take a crack at drawing them, I could post some MS Paint mockups.

The normal Necrobain only lives about 72 hours. That is, without a host. You see, the Necrobain, being parasites, need a host body to survive having no way to carry out chemical exchange naturally. The major difference between the Necrobain and normal parasites, however, is that their host most be dead! While able to "hitch a ride" on the respiratory systems of living beings, they cannot overpower the mind. They have thus adapted to "reanimate" necrotic flesh through a series of nervous tentacles dispensed through their natural mouth.

There are just three Necrobain organs; the brain, stomach, and controller. The brain, obviously, does the thinking. It is located behind the eyes and above the mouth. The stomach is directly attached to the mouth, digesting and then dispersing nutrients throughout the Necrobain. The controller is a special organ in the tail, which is essentially a coil of nervous tentacles. These go through a small opening in the stomach and out through the mouth so as to burrow into the host and take control. Males have four tentacles, females three (the extra tentacles is for sparring, and is capable of delivering powerful electric jolts capable of dislodging a rival from his host; females lack this capability).

The host's necrotic flesh is slowly digested from the inside out by the Necrobain, and so must occasionally be replaced. This is a natural process thought to encourage genetic variation, as the Necrobain pass on bits of their hosts' DNA during mating. Mating is accomplished by the female releasing eggs into a special cavity in the tail, which inhales a small cloud of sperm ejected in a gaseous form by the male. The female lays her eggs inside the host, and then attaches herself to a new host; this allows both parent and child to eat.

In summary:
-Cannot live more than 72 hours without a host, living or otherwise.
-Can only control dead hosts; the living can support the Necrobain, but not controlled. Attaching to a living being is painful for both.
-Cannot attach to plants or plant-like beings; needs a respiratory system in host.
-Hosts are slowly digested over time.
-Males can send powerful jolts of electricity through a whip-like tentacle.

Society
There was once a time where Necrobain society consisted of many forms of undead "life" but developments in genetic engineering have produced a two caste system; the Citizenry, normal Necrobain who are given a standard form (explained below) and the Leaders, given a special form made for their extravagant lifestyle.

Due to cultural taboo, however, Leaders are rarely seen by other species. Each Necrobain-ruled world has one elected dictator Leader, and they may never leave. Leaders may be impeached at any time through a majority vote by the populace, and any Leader impeached is immediately put to death. Leaders serve an everlasting term, only ending with impeachment.

8
Storytelling and Roleplaying / Working on a fantasy setting, need advice...
« on: February 27, 2009, 08:37:08 pm »
Well, okay... Here's my spur of the moment idea that I'd like to develop. The setting interests me and seems like a good place for a game or story.

It's a terran, earth-like world with your basic fantasy staples such as dragons, mid evil humans and magic. The difference here is, whereas in most settings only a select few have the patience and wisdom to harness magic and becomes wizards (or witchs or warlocks or whatever), in this setting everyone has some magical ability.

Thousands of years before any stories/games would be set, there was a great and prosperous kingdom, Arcanikaz (working title). As you may have guessed, the inhabitants wielded Arcane magic, a very special school of magic that will be explained in more detail if y'all want. But you see, Arcanikaz had a problem; it was becoming less of a nation and more of a city as horrible urban sprawl set in (think Zul'Drak from warcraft).

As the great city began spreading further and further from its center, the focal point of all magic and the source of the population's arcane powers, the more far-flung citizens noticed bizarre changes in their magic. They were losing their mastery of the arcane, and began to develop the ability to warp the surrounding elements.

However, the so-called pureblood center dwellers, those that still practiced the arcane (and were also the wealthiest of citizens) did not take kindly to this, and enslaved these "lesser" peoples. Civil war broke out within Arcanikaz, and while the huge city was reduced to ruins, the various peoples fled far from each other, losing contact for hundreds of years, and eventually forgetting that the others had ever existed.

A few hundred years before the game/story/whatever is set, these scattered tribes have regrown into prosperous nations. While technologically primitive (think Vikings-era), they have mastered their respective fields of magic and, for the most part, have rediscovered each other. They now get along (again, for the most part) and trade flows freely. Everyone wins!

During the time period of the game/story... The great nations are at war! It has been discovered that someone has poisoned the Great World Tree, whose roots hold the very planet together; if it dies, the planet will collapse. Everyone is quick to accuse one nation or another of doing this deed, and they all hate each other. But now, military movement has begun. Rumors circulating throughout the world tell of a great artifact located in the (now lost) ruins of Arcanikaz that can cure the tree... And bring power to the wielder.

Now the nations are tearing at each other's throats, trying to cure the world tree but too bigoted to do so in a timely manor. To make matters worse, their powers are changing in new and unpredictable ways, branching out into more specialized fields within each element.

Critique?

9
Everything Else / Help me out with a school project?
« on: February 09, 2009, 06:58:25 pm »
'Aight, I've been tasked with the awesome responsibility of creating a made-up beast from different pictures in Image Editing class.

Problem is, I can't find too many pictures. I'm going for flat out ridiculously beastly awesome pwnage here.

Some examples of my high standards of beastosity include (but are not limited to):




I don't know how to resize them, but I don't know if I would; they're raw pwnage is exhilarating.

Halp me? Gewd. Happy hunting.

10
Spore: General / Re: Info and Screenshots of Galactic Adventures!
« on: February 08, 2009, 07:25:38 pm »
I say NO! to all limits.
Unfortunately, I don't think we're far enough into the Civ stage to have deveoped into the 'Infinite-ghz processing' research tree yet...

Winnar!

11
Spore: Creation Corner / Re: Back in Black (and Blue) - The Korul
« on: February 08, 2009, 11:09:46 am »
Updated! We can haz picture and some basic info. More on the way, as I said!

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Spore: Creation Corner / Back in Black (and Blue) - The Korul
« on: February 07, 2009, 08:28:56 pm »
Presenting a creation I love so much it actually thawed my frozen interest in RP... The Korul!!
(Anybody know how to resize that image? When they say TinyPic, they aren't kidding!)

These tripodal formics originate from the ice world of Koroth (roughly translated as Korul Home in the native language). It is there they evolved in glacial caverns toward the world's northern pole, slowly making their way south as civilization expanded.

Standing roughly seven feet tall and weighing several hundred pounds, the Korul have a very slow, deliberate style of movement. This is reflected psychologically; Korul are very calculating, thoughtful and cautious. Generous and kind, the Korul are always willing to lend a hand to their friends, but anyone who ever does anything negative to Korul is wanted throughout the entire empire. Simple as that. The Korul either love you or hate you; there is no middle ground.

Korul are completely blind, despite having four vestigial eyes. However, they have other senses to compensate; a lateral line-like system allows them to detect electrical muscle pulses in other organisms, and a sort of 'thermal sense' that allows them to naturally seek out heated areas. Their hearing is sharp and their sense of smell isn't terrible, but taste simply never evolved. The limbs are completely devoid of any sense of touch, while the spines across the back are very sensitive.

Most of the Korul's organs come in set of four to five, with their brain being spread evenly throughout the torso. This decentralized, redundant nature is meant to ensure resiliency. One may wonder how the Korul can calorically afford to keep so many organs alive in an environ so sparse in food. The answer? They don't! One organ is kept alive at a time, while the others are essentially necrotic! The backup organs are thawed and activated whenever the previous organ is rendered useless. This process takes days, however, leaving the Korul doubled over in pain and completely defenseless for the duration of the transition.

More on the way.

13
Spore: General / Re: Unable to access cheat panel!!
« on: February 07, 2009, 08:14:28 pm »
No, I have no mods. I had to reinstall in order to add Creepy and Cute, and it hasn't worked since then.

I am also unable to upload a certain creature. It was built entirely from scratch, so I don't think stealing is a problem. I've tried renaming, resaving, deleting the old, everything! And I can upload other creatures as well. This is a creature I'd really like to play with, not to mention the one to become my "trademark" beastie. Any ideas?

14
Spore: General / Unable to access cheat panel!!
« on: February 07, 2009, 06:35:58 pm »
I can't access the cheat panel anymore! I have a new creature, Smisk, and I really wanna just go ahead an play space with it in preparation for Galactic Adventures (anybody know when it's coming out?), so I figured I'd just shift+ctrl+c and use evoadvantage then play to space.

Anybody know a way to fix this? A more efficient way to jump directly to space? And what's the code to set your consequence traits again?

TIA

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lol Someone still remembers my little brainchild. Have fun taking it out of cryo!  :)

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