Nysa - Planet of Nymphs
Nysa is a hot planet, orbiting a large, bright blue sun. The climate varies from tropical at the equator, to semi-arid and arid further from. Water is somewhat less abundant here, with shallow salty oceans and fewer rivers than on Earth; seeps, shallow lakes and bores are more common. Many of the animals get most of their moisture from their food.
Plants here use orange and yellow pigments to photosynthesize, and grow fibrous tufts instead of leaves. Most growth resembles autumn-coloured furry ferns, woolly Christmas trees, carpets of swaying yolk-coloured hair, or semi-spherical bouffant-shaped puffs. A lot of plants generally get by on less water than on Earth, and most are adapted to store water for lean times.
The main kind of large animals on Nysa are often called Nymphs or Space-centipedes, due to their arthropod-like appearance. Their bodies are segmented and plated with armour made of chitin-like proteins, despite being vaguely like arthropods, they do have internal skeletons. Possessing spiracle-like breathing orifices, which lead into branching lungs and air-pockets, their blood is iron-based but only roughly similar to Earth-animals. Nymph jaws, faces and eyes have more in common with vertebrates than arthropods, with birdlike chitinous beaks, and eyes that possess lenses and pupils. Olfaction is achieved with feathery, moth-like antennae. Nymphs lay large clutches of eggs that hatch into small, independent young, indeed many of the roles of smaller animals are taken by the young of larger species. One commonality with earthly arthropods is that Nymphs hear with organs near the joints of their legs, usually behind the knee.
Invertebrates here are generally small and segmented, most are primitive relations to the nymphs themselves, varying from armoured worms wriggling in the soil, to creatures that vaguely resemble actual centipedes. The smaller kinds have no internal skeleton, as this only evolved as the nymph’s ancestors became larger and larger. Somewhat fittingly for a planet dominated by giant invertebrates, it is creatures with a primitive notochord that are on the periphery here. Oceans, rivers and lakes wriggle with guppy to pilchard-sized pseudo-vertebrates that appear somewhat like the earliest chordates of Earth’s Cambrian. Some soil-dwelling pseudo-chordates feed on worms and have primitive lungs, a few kinds have come to resemble small snakes approximately and live above ground. As to why giant invertebrate descendants got the upper hand here, it is possible that chordates emerged a good deal later than they had on Earth.
Nysa is a harsh world that would almost better suit a space opera, where fearful bug-like creatures are a real threat to survival. Explorers perhaps thought its romantic classical name would soften it.
Nysa is a hot planet, orbiting a large, bright blue sun. The climate varies from tropical at the equator, to semi-arid and arid further from. Water is somewhat less abundant here, with shallow salty oceans and fewer rivers than on Earth; seeps, shallow lakes and bores are more common. Many of the animals get most of their moisture from their food.
Plants here use orange and yellow pigments to photosynthesize, and grow fibrous tufts instead of leaves. Most growth resembles autumn-coloured furry ferns, woolly Christmas trees, carpets of swaying yolk-coloured hair, or semi-spherical bouffant-shaped puffs. A lot of plants generally get by on less water than on Earth, and most are adapted to store water for lean times.
The main kind of large animals on Nysa are often called Nymphs or Space-centipedes, due to their arthropod-like appearance. Their bodies are segmented and plated with armour made of chitin-like proteins, despite being vaguely like arthropods, they do have internal skeletons. Possessing spiracle-like breathing orifices, which lead into branching lungs and air-pockets, their blood is iron-based but only roughly similar to Earth-animals. Nymph jaws, faces and eyes have more in common with vertebrates than arthropods, with birdlike chitinous beaks, and eyes that possess lenses and pupils. Olfaction is achieved with feathery, moth-like antennae. Nymphs lay large clutches of eggs that hatch into small, independent young, indeed many of the roles of smaller animals are taken by the young of larger species. One commonality with earthly arthropods is that Nymphs hear with organs near the joints of their legs, usually behind the knee.
Invertebrates here are generally small and segmented, most are primitive relations to the nymphs themselves, varying from armoured worms wriggling in the soil, to creatures that vaguely resemble actual centipedes. The smaller kinds have no internal skeleton, as this only evolved as the nymph’s ancestors became larger and larger. Somewhat fittingly for a planet dominated by giant invertebrates, it is creatures with a primitive notochord that are on the periphery here. Oceans, rivers and lakes wriggle with guppy to pilchard-sized pseudo-vertebrates that appear somewhat like the earliest chordates of Earth’s Cambrian. Some soil-dwelling pseudo-chordates feed on worms and have primitive lungs, a few kinds have come to resemble small snakes approximately and live above ground. As to why giant invertebrate descendants got the upper hand here, it is possible that chordates emerged a good deal later than they had on Earth.
Nysa is a harsh world that would almost better suit a space opera, where fearful bug-like creatures are a real threat to survival. Explorers perhaps thought its romantic classical name would soften it.
Faunal Examples -
Two-prong Centilope (Antillocaris agilis)
Centilopes are the deer and antelope equivalents of Nysa, being agile, fast-running herbivores. The twinprong species is a browser of scrubland and open forest, snipping off tufts of plant growth with its powerful beak. Rutting male centilopes snap their jaws loudly and lock jaws in competition for mates. Most centilope species live in herds of 10 to 20, which make a communal nest which is defended by sentries until the young hatch.
Centilopes are the deer and antelope equivalents of Nysa, being agile, fast-running herbivores. The twinprong species is a browser of scrubland and open forest, snipping off tufts of plant growth with its powerful beak. Rutting male centilopes snap their jaws loudly and lock jaws in competition for mates. Most centilope species live in herds of 10 to 20, which make a communal nest which is defended by sentries until the young hatch.
Marauder Nymph (Arthroraptor prolongotelson)
Marauder nymphs are one of the largest predators of Nysa, powerful mantis-like predators that kill medium and large-sized prey by flipping it over and ripping the soft underbelly with jaws and claws. At 3.5 meters long, they are imposing to behold, they are able to hunt in pairs or singly. Mostly silent, they communicate among themselves by swiping their long telson and twitching their scenting antenna. Only the very largest herbivore species are immune to marauder attack.
Marauder nymphs are one of the largest predators of Nysa, powerful mantis-like predators that kill medium and large-sized prey by flipping it over and ripping the soft underbelly with jaws and claws. At 3.5 meters long, they are imposing to behold, they are able to hunt in pairs or singly. Mostly silent, they communicate among themselves by swiping their long telson and twitching their scenting antenna. Only the very largest herbivore species are immune to marauder attack.
Thorn-tailed Dinocentipede (Stegoscolopendra gigas)
This low-slung herbivore is the land-largest animal on Nysa, a 15-meter long behemoth which is well protected from predators by virtue of its size, and its defensive spiked tail. Scientists often refer to this creature as “a centipede trying to be a dinosaur” and this appellation is appropriate. Mainly solitary browsers of low intelligence, they trundle along from one thicket of growth to another, cropping large mouthfuls which are crudely ground up by ridged chitinous plates behind the beak. The thorn-tail lays a very large number of eggs in a dug-out trench which it backfills, it neither guards its nest nor nurtures its young. The eyesight and smell is keen, and they can swivel their eyes independently on stalks to scan for danger.
This low-slung herbivore is the land-largest animal on Nysa, a 15-meter long behemoth which is well protected from predators by virtue of its size, and its defensive spiked tail. Scientists often refer to this creature as “a centipede trying to be a dinosaur” and this appellation is appropriate. Mainly solitary browsers of low intelligence, they trundle along from one thicket of growth to another, cropping large mouthfuls which are crudely ground up by ridged chitinous plates behind the beak. The thorn-tail lays a very large number of eggs in a dug-out trench which it backfills, it neither guards its nest nor nurtures its young. The eyesight and smell is keen, and they can swivel their eyes independently on stalks to scan for danger.
Con-rit/Cetacean Scolopendra (Scolopendracetus longus)
The Con-rit can reach up to 17 meters long, and is able to swim swiftly and powerfully in pursuit of its prey. It feeds mainly on the protochordate “fish” and smaller kinds of marine nymph, both of which are ubiquitous in the equatorial seas where it lives. Con-rit propel themselves by beating their many paddle-like limbs in a rippling notion, and can provide a burst of speed by thrusting with the paddle-like tail. Being deaf, they communicate in the breeding season via pheromones and bubble-curtains.
The Con-rit can reach up to 17 meters long, and is able to swim swiftly and powerfully in pursuit of its prey. It feeds mainly on the protochordate “fish” and smaller kinds of marine nymph, both of which are ubiquitous in the equatorial seas where it lives. Con-rit propel themselves by beating their many paddle-like limbs in a rippling notion, and can provide a burst of speed by thrusting with the paddle-like tail. Being deaf, they communicate in the breeding season via pheromones and bubble-curtains.
Shrimpcat (Felicaris trisegmenta)
One of the smaller land-dwelling true nymphs, the Shrimpcat is a fast-running, leaping predator about 40 centimeters tall, that hunts the little juveniles of larger nymph species. They can employ a variety of hunting strategies, being capable of a leaping ambush or a sprint, depending on the kind of prey. Shrimpcat eggs are large and hatch into well-developed young, males guard the nest until the babies hatch.
One of the smaller land-dwelling true nymphs, the Shrimpcat is a fast-running, leaping predator about 40 centimeters tall, that hunts the little juveniles of larger nymph species. They can employ a variety of hunting strategies, being capable of a leaping ambush or a sprint, depending on the kind of prey. Shrimpcat eggs are large and hatch into well-developed young, males guard the nest until the babies hatch.