Kydians continued

Modern Kydian diets typically consist of farm raised insects, along with a few other proteins and carbohydrates that can be processed into edible foodstuffs. Eating tends to be a very communal activity in Kydian societies, with meals among families and other close groups often taken in a circle, with antennae nearly touching.

Once the most basic technological concepts were discovered, innovation and re-engineering became a staple of Kydian cultures. The Atlatl, the bow, the screw pump, the crossbow, the telescope, the lightning rod, and the first flying machine were all developed within a thousand years of each other. When the mathematics of scientific research evolved far enough to place it out of reach for the common Kydian, this trend became less prevalent, though tinkering with mechanics remains a popular pastime.

Wars between the various empires, kingdoms, and nations of the planet Kydia were cyclical, each faction hoping that the new technological advantages they had achieved would give them an edge, allowing them to conquer their neighbors. This cycle of war, peace, and rebellion continued for centuries into the modern era, until the horrors of modern warfare, the parallel development of several cataclysmic weapons, and the integration of all nations in a global communications network wore down the Kydian people's willingness to wage war.However, it wasn't until their first contact with a hostile alien species that the various Kydian states reformed themselves into a single republic.

Species showcase #1: Kydians

The planet Kydia is a low gravity terrestrial world. It’s continental plates are concentrated in one central land mass. This single continent is dominated by several species of tall, narrow-trunked trees, which grow out in a diverse pattern of narrow branches. This loose, twisted network form canopies well above the ground, creating interlocking layers that serve as the host for an incredibly complex series of ecosystems. This airborne labyrinth of tree branches was the original home of the sentient species that came to call themselves “Kydians.”

Kydians are short, thin creatures with physiques optimized for climbing, swinging, and leaping through their native forest environment. Their lightweight frame, powerful arms, handlike feet, and prehensile tail allow them to soar through their native forests, chasing the insects that compose the majority of Kydian diets. Their long, swept back ears can pull and rotate, allowing them to find the origin of a sound and amplify it. The antennae concealed in these long ears transmit and receive radio waves, allowing instant and soundless communication regarding sources of danger and coordination of movements among a pack.

Like all life on the planet Kydia, Kydians are hermaphroditic, each Kydian both giving and receiving reproductive fluids during intercourse, and both participants (or in some cases, all participants) becoming pregnant. coupling is the typical rule, but some cultures have and still do mate in larger groups.In nearly all cultures, family bonds are respected significantly.

In Kydian culture post interstellar travel, communication is as much verbal as antennae based. Technical information more easily passed using verbal communication, while emotional awareness, deep connections, and stirring personal appeals are much clearer and seem more sincere when transmitted.

Continued later.

A new segment called...

alright, it's obvious I don't feel comfortable enough with my random thoughts or rants to just start posting them here, but I need something to post every few days regardless. As a result, tomorrow I'll begin "a new segment" as the news shows call it, called "Species Showcase."

Basically, twice a week more or less I'll write up in brilliant detail a description of the appearance, physiology, society, culture, evolution, and so on regarding an alien species I have concocted.

This is work I need to do regardless, to look back on my old inspirations and rework them, cataloging and solidifying the one's I plan to use.

Tomorrow I will begin with the species I've created the most detail on so far: The Kydians. I hope to achieve a similar level of detail with each preceeding post.

More Webcomics

Gunnerkrigg Court An incredibly charming and still powerfully dramatic and intriguing little world, with a unique art style, and a talent for integrating mythology into a modern story.




































Order of the Stick
A mostly humorous comic featuring the characters in a tabletop role playing game.











































Goblins
Another tabletop roleplaying webcomic which parodies and subverts many conventions of the genre, and honestly does pretty well at examining what the games are all about.

Alright, it's time to come clean.

The last two blog posts I kept more or less meaningless because I was still getting a feel for how open I was willing to be about things to you guys.

You see, throughout my college career I've realized that several of my interests are not exactly... popular in a college setting.

First of all, as you're all aware, I am a science fiction writer. As such, I am aware of the "Sci-fi Ghetto" that such works tend to fall into in the minds of many educated people. Science fiction is considered "genre" and "formulaic", and are not often considered among "serious literature," but relegated to "petty entertainment."

I don't accept this concept of what I write, and certainly won't give up science fiction because some people have a problem with it. At the same time, this perception has made me self-conscious. I have become defensive about science fiction, but paranoid about other interests that might mark me in the minds of my professors and fellow students as a childish person who doesn't take what I do seriously enough.

I am a tabletop role-player. I used to play "Dungeons & Dragons," but between the changes made to the game, and in my own growth as a gamer, I've somewhat left it behind. I've since gotten more involved with Legend of the Five Rings, a roleplaying game set in a fantastic amalgam of anchient china and feudal japan, and Shadowrun, a cyberpunk fantasy set in 2070 with megacorporations, shamans, mafias, trolls, cyborgs, and dragons. (related to but much better than the video game by the same name.)

I'm not going to hide or lie about spending a significant portion of my time and effort coming up with pasts, motivations, strategies, and personalities for imaginary samurai, mercenaries, and other assorted overblown character types. To a degree this is simple entertainment, but in it's most primal form, it's storytelling, and I enjoy it for the same reason I enjoy writing.

Some people might think less of me for my hobbies, but if they do, it's their loss.

Webcomics

There are some good webcomics out there. True, there are also some bad ones, considering the ease of getting published, but time usually sorts the failures from the gems. I've included some of my favorites here, along with examples of their
Dominic Deegan: Seer for hireAn epic fantasy story with an incredibly detailed and unique world, powerful character development, and an ability to keep a lighthearted feel through the dark and dramatic moments.
Schlock Mercenary
A series of science fiction stories involving a group of space mercenaries as they go about screwing up galactic politics and having to deal with the consequences.

Pictures for Sad Children
Distilled cynicism that still manages to be incredibly funny.

Some things I'm interested in

tvtropes.org a database of tropes, idioms, devices, and storytelling techniques observed not only on television, but in all other medias as well. Incredibly addictive.

The Nostalgia Critic He remembers it so you don't have to! He examines old, bad movies, tears them apart, and often suggests how they could have been improved.

I'm a Marvel, and I'm a D.C. A hilarious video series based on the movements of the comic industry.