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--- jalan [2010/06/15 20:59] – created unci
+++ jalan [2010/06/15 21:38] – unci
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 ==== Geology ====
 Numerous areas have volcanic activity, some of the continents consist of several tectonic plates with the edge going straight through the landscape. The rocks are more colourful than on earth (white, black, yellow, red, green, blue and combinations thereof), and a good number of crystals and precious stones can be found. There are some natural sources of helium.
+===== Biology and population =====
+==== Native species ====
+The lands and oceans are populated by native species that closely resemble mammals, reptiles, birds and insects occupying most of the planet's regions, but no one species has reached a clear domination over the others. Many species have developed to a point where they learned to communicate with other species and develop an ethical system of living together.
+A number of winged mammals and reptiles have evolved (flight is easier thanks to the lower gravity). The native furries on Wildplanet developed naturally from the wild fauna rather than being descendants from genetically engineered creatures. //(OOC: If you can come up with more species or would like to play a native Jalan species, you are welcome to do that, please contact unci.)// A few examples of species will follow.
+=== Flavian ===
+A large group of flying mammals native of Wildplanet. They have some similarities to terran fruit bats, but sleep horizontally, not in a hanging position, and walk on their hind legs when on the ground. The fingers on their wings can be used like hands when not flying; in flight, they can hold things with their hindpaws. The females carry their cubs in a pouch like marsupials. One distinctive feature are their bushy tails, which are used for steering when flying. Flavians exist in a variety of fur patterns and sizes, from a wing span of 20 cm up to 1.5 m. They live mostly in the forested areas, and are active partly in the day, partly by night.
+=== Aquitine ===
+Mammals of Wildplanet living mostly in or near rivers, occupying a similar ecological niche as terran otters do. They have a streamlined body shape, four legs, can use their webbed forepaws as hands, and have a prominent tailfin similar to a dolphin's tail. The fur, similar to an otter's, varies between shades of brown and dark blue. Aquitines exist in sizes of 40 cm (nose to tail) up to 1.80 m. They live at most riversides of the planet.
+=== Ifsh ===
+Similar to Terran fish, and coming in a comparable variety, living in the oceans, lakes and rivers of Jalan. No species of ifsh is known to have a higher intelligence, though there are rumours of a separate community hiding from the surface in the deep oceans. Many species of ifsh are known to be a delicacy by natives and recoms alike.
+=== Predators ===
+Some big and small predators live on the planet and hunt for their living, using only their teeth and claws, even though they have tools for other purposes. This leads to certain measures of protection of the herbivores, who keep together in groups, but there is no "war" between hunters and prey, and there are many contacts between species even though some are the food of the others. Due to the ethical codex that everyone born on this planet or immigrated follows, no tools will ever be used as weapons against anyone, not even to defend yourself or to hunt for food. (See below.)
+==== Immigrant species ====
+A few furries from other parts of the universe have found their way into this part of the galaxy, and settled down on Wildplanet. Some of them form communities of their own, others have integrated into communities of native furries.
+=== Kirru ===
+Tree-living creatures with fur colours between green and grey, partly with white accents. Body size of about 1.5 m when standing up. The kirrus remind of morphic squirrels with their bushy tails and tufted ears. Their forepaws and hindpaws are five-fingered, with two opposable fingers (like thumbs) and three middle fingers. They have prominent whiskers on their muzzles and above the eyes, and live mostly vegetarian, though their teeth allow a pretty universal diet. Their reproduction is similar to mammals, they raise two or three cubs who are considered adult at the age of ten years, and their typical lifespan is about sixty years.
+Kirrus live in tree houses in the forested areas of Jalan, usually without ladders to the ground as they are good at climbing the trees without such. They usually form small village communities of about 20 to 30 members with an egalitarian organization. Kirrus are well-known to be very open to other species, always eager to communicate with them and find more lifeforms, so there are a lot of bio-scientists among the kirrus. The kirrus of Jalan usually wear loose clothing made of tree fibres, leaving paws and tail free; in summer it is common and accepted among them to go naked, especially for young cubs.
+See also: [[kirru|Kirru]]
+=== Irbis ===
+A big cat of the high mountains, originating on Earth. Genetic experiments of the kirrus lead to a bipedal subspecies of the snow leopard which only exists on Wildplanet. The two varieties share the same living space, the mountain areas of Wildplanet.
+See also: [[irbis|Irbis]]
+=== Bharal ===
+Mountain ungulate living in herds of more than 80 individuals. For more info see here for example. Bharals share their living space with the native
+mountain species of Jalan, such as flavians and aquitines.
+==== Living space and energy ====
+Fossile energies have never been used. Some cultures however have created glass, and use solar energy to make warm water and to cook. In winter, wood is used for heating, which is not a problem as the trees grow back faster than the low density population uses the wood. Wood is also used as the main building material for cabins in the cooler regions, where some species have formed villages of up to a hundred individuals.
+In rocky regions, caverns are frequent, and used very commonly as a living space. But there are some cultures of nomads who would never settle down, and who sleep under the stars whenever the weather permits it.
+==== Spirituality ====
+=== The planet as a higher being ===
+Though Jalan is populated by a great variety of different species, they mostly have a spiritual basis in common. Jalan spirituality is based on the belief that the planet is an individual, living being that everyone depends on. Many of the astronomical objects, such as the planet's moons and the other planets and stars of the system, have special meanings to the inhabitants of Jalan, and their holidays mostly revolve around astronomical events.
+To remain in touch with their planet, Jalan inhabitants would never cover their paws, hooves or other appendages, even in cold areas. (Even those who grew up on Jalan and later moved to other planets have often kept up that habit.)
+=== The weapon taboo ===
+One rule is common among the whole population of Jalan: They will never use a weapon against anyone else, even insignificant animals. It is expected of visitors to come to the planet unarmed; bringing a weapon is seem as an act of aggression. That does, by the way, not mean that blades are forbidden, as long as they are only used as tools.
+=== The basic equality of all life ===
+The Jalanese have a strong sense of equality. That means that societies typically don't have a fixed hierarchical structure, though they may follow the most experienced if that is necessary. Large territorial powers, states or countries are unknown, the typical unit of organization are tribes of a size where everyone still knows all others. It is considered very important to communicate with other species around you, but the most common communities exist between members of the same or similar species, often extended families. Changing to other communities is very easy, and due to the high genetic compatibility of most animals, many cross-breeds have formed.
+The sense of equality extends over boundaries of species. Everyone follows is to regard all other animals with the same respect - whether or not they talk with you. No animal would ever kill or harm another without a good reason (such as hunger or self-defence). There is no real borderline between "animals" and "people".
+==== Transportation ====
+Roads suitable for vehicles don't exist - no wheeled vehicles have ever been invented. Many small trails connect the lands, trails not built but formed of thousands of paws which use them regularly. The waterways are frequently used by boats.
+The most advanced means of transport is the helium balloon, which has been developed by some cultures with access to silk and natural helium sources. These cultures have a highly developed science of wind directions and weather, they serve as a link between the cultures, bringing news, giving weather forecast etc.
+===== Map of Jalan =====
+{{:wildplanetmap.jpg|}}
+Each room is represented by a 3*3 pixel area on this map.
+The rulers show the x and y coordinates of the rooms.
+Rooms with furry settlements are marked in red. The "landing place", where you can land with your spaceship or enter with **@tel #3087**, is marked in pink.
+To jump to a specific place, use **@tport <x> <y>** once you are on the planet.
+To get around, you can use the compass directions (ne, e, se, s, sw, w, nw, n). To jump five rooms ahead, you can use double compass directions (nene, ee, sese, ss, swsw, ww, nwnw, nn). To see your surroundings, type **map**.