~Mostly Mollusk~
Part 3 - Part 4 Here - Part 5
Daily Life (and Language, as it’s not officially included) and Veneration.
The daily life of bugs in and out of Taranoake and Citadell.
---Diet
In seaside settlements, varies based on species, individual and city but tends to consist of other bugs, and plants, including species of seaweed and algae. Frequent travellers like wasps or ants often bring back food from other places as a semi-permanent source. The former will occasionally bring a chunk of stolen honeycomb from a far-off honeybee hive, or a cap of sugar-water (alternately, a cap of dried sugar to mix with strained seawater, though this is not preferred as many non-marine creatures tend to hate the taste of salt.) Larvae and aphids are sometimes used as sweet "kegs" for adult wasps.
An experimental substance has been produced in Citadell for use mostly in battle, made up of digestive enzymes to greatly reduce time spent digesting food, and antibiotics to quicken the rate of wounds closing, to use as a sort of literal "quick-heal".
---Housing
Taranoake
Most terrestrial bugs in the city live in the Fort but some prefer to live elsewhere, such as the ants who have forged small hills of sand nearby the outskirts. Aquatic species make homes in the sand of the bay, or simply lay or float around in the general area without protection.
While there are no rules in the Outpost, Fort Taranoake is generally diurnal. Those citizens who are most active during the night actually sometimes take up residence in the former. As most of the city is asleep at night, the ones who aren't are meant to either be quiet or congregate in areas away from the Fort and Outpost.
Citadell
Unlike in Taranoake, residential areas are scattered throughout the town in rooms along the basins, though certain types of buildings such as these are often localized to one area. The city is noticeably less welcoming to outsiders, having no free place to stay (unless of course you want to camp on the floors of the craters, in which case be ready to wake up early or be washed out to sea by morning). The homes of aquatic citizens are located on the lowest levels, along the permanently-flooded alleyways connecting each basin. The city is naturally dark and peaceful (excluding the scientists, of course), with the dim bioluminescent algae used for food and lighting lining the waterways, so the times most sleep isn’t an issue.
Nocturnal and diurnal residents still get much interaction, as most bugs sleep for only a third to a quarter of the day.
---Games
Bored children and even adults must have something to do, especially those who don't appreciate the violence of Taranoake’s Colosseum, so many games have been developed. The list goes roughly in order of more simple games, often played by children or travellers, to the more advanced.
Tick Tacks
Both bugs get a type of shell and a 3 by 3 grid, with the first to put three in a line being a winner. Normally, different colors of shell will be collected for the two players, however some will simply be marked with notches or paints.
Stick Kick
As the name implies this is simply a game of kicking a piece of driftwood. No objective, only kick
Clammy
A rather idiotic pastime typically engaged in by children who have nothing better to do and no sense of self preservation. This game involves sticking one hand into the mouth of a clam and seeing who can remove their hand before the clam removes it first. A slightly less dangerous alternative is who can annoy a clam the most without getting bitten. Sometimes this is done with horrendous puns, including the common phrases “don’t clam up!” or “don't be so shellfish!” Clams, of course, do not appreciate this game at all.
Victims of this game will often say they lost the limb in a battle of some sort to hide their idiotic childhood. However, due to the fact that many arthropods regenerate parts of their limbs after each molt, it can be obvious just exactly how long ago the injury was sustained...
(One attempt to play tag was made, before it was concluded the game gave an unfair advantage to creatures not bound to land or sea.)
Rainbow Shell
A simple game, yet almost always played by explorer parties. The first person to find a complete rainbow in order of shell colors wins. The same shell can not be used by multiple players. This game may be more difficult for those of us with fewer cones.
Driftshell
A board game played with bits of shell and driftwood dice. An attack or defense would be labeled on the dice, and these would be used to take down an opponent's health (around ten pieces of shimmering shell) or defend against their attacks. Last one to lose all ten health tokens wins. Alternative, more complex versions can be played but this is most agreed upon.
---Economy
Sea glass is used as currency in marine/coastal settlements with differing colors being worth different amounts based on rarity.
In order of worth:
Clear/white - 2
Brown - 3
Green - 4
Amber - 7
Blue - 8
Purple - 10
Black/gray - 12
Yellow/orange - 15
Red - 17
Mixes in between are simply rated based on their alikeness to each color--for example, even on the official color chart as shown here, amber is rated midway between brown and orange. Occasional barters modifying the exact worth based on the color of seaglass, and the value of the goods they’re paying for, do occur relatively often.
---Causes of Death
It wouldn't be a Life section without death! This world can be treacherous, most especially out of the law-bound Cities, so there are a wide variety of ways to die. However, some of the most common are listed below.
Taranoake
-Colosseum
-Dehydration
-Sickness
Citadell
-Old age
Outside the Cities
-Being eaten
-Ironically, starvation
Laws, leaders, and enforcement in the Cities.
---Laws
-Those alive will not be considered as a food source until they have died of their own accord.
-Resources should not be removed from the care of the owner unless permission is given.
-(Taranoake Exclusive) Children are not allowed to participate in the Colosseum.
--Taranoake Leaders
(Citadell has not had any leaders, in its present or past.)
Current
Arbiter Len
Facilitates discussions and resolves conflicts between groups or individuals in the city. Not an official leader exactly, more of an ambassador.
Past
The Nobles
A family of tyrants and fake rulers who dubbed themselves royal, living in the Fort once a grand castle and leaving all its other citizens to rest in crudely made sand-huts, tunnels and Outpost rooms. All were exiled after this true glory was discovered, and were told they would not be harmed within Taranoake--but the moment they left the city limits, they were killed by mobs of angry citizens, as laws don't apply outside the bounds. >:)
One exile did survive however, see “Pard”.
Most bugs use three languages, though some only have the first two: audible language (spoken through mandibles, wing buzzing, and sometimes tymbals, covering of the spiracles, etc.), written language (carved into things, much more complex than the audible language and resembling hieroglyphics) and species language (spoken through pheromones, and is mostly only understood by those of the same species or sometimes related ones).
Additionally, some terrestrial bugs have learned to understand the language of fungi.
A subgrouping of the words in the audible and written languages are universal “basic phrases”: while in audible speech most words or phrases are spoken using one “letter” at a time and may include more complex actions, these are simpler and designed to be recognisable with the most basic information (e.g. holding sounds for longer by putting more space in between each one).
-zt zt zzt (pronounced “ze-ta ze-ta! zehhta”) “Come” or “Come here”. Zs are long while Ts are short.
-tttt tKtt (pronounced “tetetete teKEtete”) “Hello”, can be shortened to “tKtt” for an informal “hi”. Ts are short while the K is long and/or loud.
-t trr rr (pronounced “te te-rrr rrr?”) “Eat”, such as “Where’s food/when we eating?” Rrs are usually vibrations, the longer sound, while Ts are short clicks.
-ktktkk (pronounced “ketekete krr krr”) “Danger” or “Stay back”, such as “danger up ahead” or “I’m dangerous, stay back”. The first two Ks and both Ts are alternating short taps/clicks while the latter Ks are long.
-ttkttt (pronounced “tete-kr-tetete”) “Travel”, “Go” or “Traveller”. The Ts are short but the K might be a bit longer and/or a different sound (such as scraping).
-ztzz (pronounced “ze-te-zehh”) “Yes”. The Zs may be longer than the short T (especially the latter Zs).
-tK (pronounced “te-KA”) “No.” T is short while K is longer and/or louder.
Basic phrases can also be easily converted to written, with each noise having a respective counterpart:
-“Z” is made up of a vertical line, with two dots vertically positioned on the right.
-“T” is made up of a horizontal line with one smaller vertical line positioned beneath each third of the large line.
-”K” is made up of a vertical line with a short horizontal line/dot positioned to the left of its top half.
-”R” is made up of two parallel horizontal lines, the top having a short vertical line connecting to the top side of the right edge.
One dot will be shown above the letter for each time it’s repeated.
Just found a cool looking rock and need to tell your friend immediately? Why not ask your local mushroom to send the message for you! Almost every grounded mushroom around you is connected to the mycelium network running through town and beyond, so all you have to do is tell them the message and where to send it (oh, and also learn an entire language). Just make sure you can trust your messenger--mushrooms can be quite the pranksters, and I’m sure you don’t want your message being sent to the wrong person or “accidentally”, ahem, “mistranslated” to tell the recipient how much you hate them.
Without speaking or writing, there are still a myriad of ways invertebrates communicate.
In insects and many other arthropods, antennae make up a large part of body language. Held straight up in the air the bug could be considered surprised or alert, and one holding them straight frontally usually conveys anger, frustration or boredom (depending how far above the eyes they’re held, and the position of the mandibles). More relaxed positions (of varying degrees) like the resting arch of ant antennae signify positive and neutral emotions, like calmness or enthusiasm.
Traditions and lore regarding the Gods.
---Ven
Associated with the dead and living, Ven is a god of verdant groves and seeping blood, the patron god of Taranoake. While they don't inherently demand death as a part of their worship, they consider the Colosseum enough sacrifice.
They are said to look plant-like while still retaining arthropod aspects, having six legs like an insect but with four claws on each end. This may or may not be an accurate depiction as only those close to death through battle have claimed to see them--those and, interestingly enough, travellers who have not learned of Ven’s nature and have seen them as a distant mirage near the settlement’s gates.
Only those on the brink of death, who cannot return, have seen them under their mask, and even bugs who have seen Ven before are unable to dream of the god unless they are visited intentionally.
Those who are not from the City still pay respects to the deity, as is custom.
---The Kindle of Souls
A celebration of life and death, of those who made it and those lost along the way, The Kindle of Souls is this town's way of honoring the dead and their god Ven, encouraging them to guide the souls of the dead to whatever lies in wait.
The festival is an ancient and time honored tradition, and has many accompanying customs including the hanging of green banners painted with yellow through blue all throughout town, the displaying of lights on the tree that has come to be known as The Guardian of the Dead, the traditional food of the red lantern jellyfish that tend to wash ashore around the time of the festival, and the painting of stripes on one’s face to resemble the aspen-God Pando. Overall, the celebration is not as gloomy as one might expect a festival of death to be, but instead more a time for stories and rememberance of those passed.
---Pando
This twisted -- and rather creepy-looking -- tree-god is actually quite benevolent despite their appearance, and is known as the Deputy or Second-Hand of Ven. As the entity formed from such fierce belief in the tree known as The Guardian of The Dead, Pando guides and cares for the spirits of the deceased and has also taken on this epithet. Don’t forget to thank your local tree, because the message will surely travel back to Pando, through the complex system of roots and mycelium this wisdom god uses to spread and obtain knowledge.
---Beforgers
Those who were claimed to have built Taranoake and Citadell long before any inhabited them. Also called The Ones Cloaked In Shadow, rumored by old clams to be dark titans with their heads scraping the clouds. The mite-crabs were some of the only to witness them, though it's said the mole crabs know more and refuse to share.
---God of the Path
See “Bidibi”.
---Hearth
A welcoming god to all wanderers, floating freely amongst the other jellyfish.
---Tydin
Ever noticed how the ocean is at different places at different times? Well, you can thank this giant sea god for that! Rumor has it that Tydin has been stuck in an eternal state of sleep since… well, only Gods know for sure. Most assume since the beginning of time, but none can back this claim up. Tydin’s breaths and snores create the changes in the tide named after them. No one has actually laid eyes on this ocean god and therefore their appearance remains mystery (though they're depicted as a sea slug), but their existence is generally agreed upon, as no one has a better answer.
---Ne'Mon
Ne'Mon is the god of knowledge and archivists, the patron god of the quiet Citadell. The lower half of their true form resembles that of a jellyfish, with uncountable tendrils used as arms for unending research. However, while Ven more or less follows mortal anatomy Ne'Mon is largely cryptid, with floating appendages and a face resembling a golden bell.
---The Blighted One
Referred to by those of Taranoake only in epithet for fear of invoking their wrath, the deity called Truth of Pestilence or Dreaded God, among other names, is the god of illness and therefore considered by mortals to be the sacred enemy of Ven. Feared more than death itself, for what good are you if you will only spread your darkness?
(Their true name is Ganellak, though only the other Gods are confident and powerful enough to use it lightly.)
---Lemar
The creator and inventor of the Anchors carried by Bidibi, this god was born as a mortal mite crab. But instead of opting for a life of violence in the Colosseum, they dedicated their life to anchoring the gods to this mortal plane, in a time when everyone was just becoming aware of The Drift. Ven granted them godship immediately after all the gods were successfully pulled back to the world.
---The Drift
A period of time in history when the gods began to involuntarily drift away from the mortal plane, causing strange events such as a still, waveless ocean, travelers mysteriously disappearing, and even a pause to death.
Some believe a second wave of The Drift may be coming in the near future, or is perhaps upon us now.
playing stray again for the first time in eight months and upon reaching midtown I naturally went to trip the peacemaker as many times as I could before I got bored of it but uh?? it isn't getting back up???
Part 5 - Part 6A Here - Part 6B (Reblog) - Part 6C (Double Reblog) - Part 7
Gallery.
Apparently this will have Several Parts Then
siblings siblings siblings siblings
(bonus: reversing the filter that un-reddified Hornet and Kabbu made Ghost and Hollow's masks look like those small pastel rainbow marshmallows so)
[Start ID. A drawing of the Pale King, Lurien, his Butler, Monomon, Quirrel, Hornet and Herrah on two couches by a fire, clockwise. On opposite ends of one couch Herrah and Monomon gesture vaguely as they talk to each other, the former with a joyful expression. Between them, Quirrel looks to the side at Hornet, who is playing with tinsel, its silvery other end wrapped around Herrah's horns. Further from the camera, Lurien listens to his butler, who's standing by the armrest. The Pale King leans against Lurien and the two are cloaked in a fluffy blanket. The drawing has a red tone, appearing to take place in a room of the eastern City of Tears, and is intended to feel like a fond memory. End ID]
From: @peridots-pixiwolf
To: @eggobuggo
Tell me an inside joke between you and a friend, without context.
[Start ID. A digital drawing of the Artificer from Rain World. They're in midair, black smoke curling around them after two explosive leaps, tossing a spear at one of the two Scavengers on the faraway ground and readying a grenade with their other hand. She's snarling with her mouth wide open, exhaling short puffs of smoke, its throat glows. Scars litter its body, shrapnel and burns and nicks from spears, hands darkened from throwing bombs. The background is solid-color, dull red, but there's a ladder and scattered spears and rubbish in the distance The drawing is completely taken up by a first-level karma symbol, which casts a bright, gold light upon the parts of the image it overlays. End ID.]
started Arti's campaign on April 25 and was immediately enamored > ended Arti's campaign on May 5 and decided to finish this up about it
how you can help palestine
*i regularly update this post with any new info i find so please always reblog the original post*
palestine children's relief fund
palestine red crescent society
help bring down israel's weapon trade - palaction
save palestine - islamic relief canada
click to donate - arab.org
send medical supplies to gaza - palestinian american medical association
NOTE: journalists based in gaza are saying that donations are not going to help atm. what will help is a demand for ceasefire. so please contact your local MPs every single day demanding as such. palestine need a ceasefire right now, not money (i will update when monetary help is needed)
if you want to donate, do this instead:
help buy e-sims for people in gaza (PLEASE HELP CONNECT GAZANS TO THE WORLD. if you would like to stay updated, please follow @/Mirna_elhelbawi on twitter)
donate to get food packages to gaza - care for gaza
verified and endorsed by people in gaza themselves
support palestinians: buy a keffiyeh from the last and only factory in palestine - hirbawi
petition to investigate war crimes committed by israeli military
demand ceasefire - amnesty.org
open call for immediate ceasefire
american government call for immediate ceasefire
american government to stop funding israeli military
ceasefire and increase humanitarian assistance - oxfam au
petition to get canva to address their pro-israel stance
invoke the genocide convention to call for ceasefire in gaza - world beyond war*
location specific petitions
gaza call for ceasefire - oxfam (UK)
end israeli occupation - parliament uk (UK)
email your MP - medical aid for palestine (UK)
stop fuelling genocide - action network (USA)
@ biden: call for ceasefire now - move on (USA)*
ceasefirenow.com - jewishvoiceofpeace (USA)
call congress and demand a ceasefire - uscpr (USA - they provide a script of what you should say, so don't worry about it)
note: you can call everyday. they tally the number of calls per issue. so more calls = higher chance for them to take action. p.s. you mainly go to voicemail so don’t worry about phone call anxiety. fight through it just this once please.
australia call on israel to stop attacking palestinians - apan (AUS)
immediate ceasefire and increase in humanitarian aid in gaza - actionaid (AUS)*
[EN5622] call for ceasefire and end to occupation - parliament of australia (AUS)*
closes 13 dec @ 8.59pm AEST
[EN5628] retract governmental support to israel and demand ceasefire - parliament of australia (AUS)*
closes 13 dec @ 8.59pm AEST
sign to send letter to MP for ceasefire - nccm (CANADA)
ceasefire now! - ijv (CANADA)
ceasefire and allow aid to enter gaza - oxfam (CANADA)
canada house of commons petition 4649 (CANADA)
closes 23 Nov @ 3.20pm EDT
house of commons petition 4661 (CANADA)
closes 9 dec @ 11.03am EDT
cessez-le-feu et un couloir humanitaire - le mouvement (FRANCE)
write to your député - assemblée nationale (FRANCE)
skydda civilbefolkningen i gaza! - mittskifte (SWEDEN)
singaporeans call for immediate ceasefire (SIN)
contact your elected reps and demand a ceasefire (GERMANY)
write to the EU demanding a ceasefire (EUROPE)
template of letters you can send (EU)
guide on how to contact your MPs in EU
multiple actions you can take to help palestine - plant een olifbloom (NETHERLANDS)
includes: links for donations, emails to MP, emails to media, links to petitions and demonstrations
den haag, maak nú werk van vrede in israël/Palestina - the right forum (NETHERLANDS)
māori call for palestine - ourActionStation (NZ)*
friends of al-aqsa
❥ UK-specific
urge your MP to speak up for palestine
hands off al-aqsa
stop administrative detention
petition for UK to stop arming israel
❥ International
boycott puma — email them to end their partnership with israel
boycott coca-cola
palestine action
join the resistance
islamic relief canada
urge your MP to rally for ceasefire
decolonise palestine
poster campaign to raise awareness on the war crimes being committed against palestinians | (very very important please share + read the sources provided)
text/call campaign for people living in USA
text CEASEFIRE @ 51905 to call for a ceasefire
text RESIST @ 50409 to send a letter to your representatives to pass HR3103–a bill that prohibits tax dollars from going to israel
download 5Calls app to contact members of your congress | (more info)
fax campaign for people in the USA
go on this website to send 5 free faxes per day
here’s a link to a pre-written fax copy you can download to send (the first link on the linktree)
here’s a video that explains how to fax your senator (it’s very easy and all you need is a valid email address)
BDS movement
get involved in boycotting companies associated with israel
please let me know if you have any more links. i will add them in. and please reblog the original post!!
PALESTINIAN LITERATURE READING LIST
*newly added to post
Jul 14: Nak-ouan for @irlkaijugroupie
Heya, I'm Peridots, your average digital artist/entomology enthusiast—they/it/he or any pronouns, please! Haven't actually posted much art in quite a while, so be prepared for occasional Bug Facts and other such randomness. Spam likes and such are all appreciated here! Terfs, zionists and the like can turn 180° for free, however! Profile art by original-character-chaos—oooooh looks like someone sent me perfectly pfp-shaped gift art of my sona a little too close to april fools!
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