Arthrosauria: False Paradise (Chapter 3)
Planetary common name: Langmaan’s Folly.
Issues Reported by CRF Saraswati and CSF Bellerophon:
SRC system repair is still in progress, awaiting next available repair detachment. Replacement for COW4 Frances Anzures has yet to be located, but backup files of critical software were found in his quarters during cleaning before it was reassigned. Investigation into Anzures’s connections will be immediately undertaken, but the issue as to why he had them is not of the concern of this document.
A recent breach in one of the botanical wings of CRFV Hermes has triggered a shipwide lockdown until enforcement and purgation troops can clear affected areas. Current standing orders are as follows: Contact with those from this wing that have not been quarantined is to be reported immediately to the nearest officer of rank or supervisor. Discovery of those hiding contact or exposure from this breach will be punished harshly. This is an issue of fleetwide safety, not a time for selfish choices.
Status Updates:
The assistance of combat vessels from the CHSF Gullinbursti in mitigating stellar bodies from impacting mining operations has been profound, allowing for the collection of the crystals needed for active camouflage systems utilized by the drones. These research swarms have been given the designation of A.P.H.I.Ds (Autonomous Photographic and Haptic Information Distributors) due to their role of “sucking up the tree sap of information and producing sweet dew drops of data” as quoted by Researcher intern Mr. Alexander Breathnach.
Engineering and fabrication crews have begun massive efforts into creation of new items and machinery to aid in both planetary research of Langmaan’s Folly and exotic elements occasionally discharged from the surface of Muspelheim by intense storms and Volcanic Ghosts, a new phenomena observed on the gas giant. These appear to be inverted Tornado type formations of incredibly dense gasses that compress lighter, hotter groupings of compounds. As this ghost forms, more and more of the “Ecto-magma” gathers beneath this dense cloud. The gasses that make up the shell and the “ecto-magma” do not mix under any circumstances outside of eruptions, which force them together.
Eventually, this magma begins to rise as the thicker layers of the shell are ripped away by increasing wind speeds generated by the nature of the gas giant and the incredible thermal energy of the magma. Eventually, this eruption rapidly sends matter and energy towards the dark side of LF, washing the planet with thermal energy as well as infusing the atmosphere with various trace elements and molecular compounds. One such product of these eruptions are the critical crystals needed for research efforts, forming on asteroids that drift through the volcanic cloud.
Current production of survey drones has been rapidly accelerated due to the stabilization of mining operations, allowing advancements in research around surveillance, characteristics of the planet, and the establishment of additional hubs for the allocation and storage of information. Several species have had enough behavioral data collected already to begin creation of simulated variants for R&A purposes. Synthesis of biological matter is still strictly controlled and only approved for high-grade projects. Further consumption of illegally created alien biological matter by any crew member regardless of rank will be harshly punished.
Transcription Start:
Research Fleet Saraswati Lead Science vessel Thoth beginning report.
One of the most shocking aspects of Langmaan’s Folly is the seemingly identical forms of plant life discovered on each hemisphere. Much like plants found on old Earth, networks of xylem and phloem run through the stems and leaves, while chlorophyll soaks up UV rays to begin photosynthesis. However, these plants are designed to propagate as quickly and as widely as possible, utilizing several different methods for reproduction and competition. The most common types of plants found are Fescue sedges, shrubvines and Flower Trees. Most of the planet is flatlands, with scattered mountains, which are theorized to have been volcanoes that formed from the incredibly slow-moving tectonic plates of LF passing over a geologic hotspot, which would often have millennia to eject the contents of their intrusions slowly. This results in single, circle mounds of rock interspaced with various geological features. As the plates moved, lava cooled in wider and wider layers, forming gently sloped hills, tall plateaus, and steep cliffs where rock has broken down, some have waterfalls where springs were covered by molten rock, eventually wearing through to the surface.
The land bridge that connected the Eastern and Western dynasties was formed from oceanic volcanic activity. Several centuries of increased lava flow from Rainer's Peak located on the small island of Safe Harbor built up enough material to connect the two land masses. Further seismic activity shows that undersea volcanic activity will continue for a long time, effectively connecting the two continents permanently. The way volcanoes “erupt” and the speed of the tectonic plates on LF are the reasons that most of the land is flat, and why mountain ranges are so bizarre. The most popular hypothesis is that the continents themselves are massive Tumulus created by extinct ancient super volcanoes erupting constantly over millions of years. Due to this bizarre geological process, there simply hasn’t been much room for orogeny events, nor much interaction between the two landmasses outside of the Land-bridge. The pattern and timescale taken for the mountain ranges form can reliably map the speed of movement for plate tectonics.
Since the Land-bridge is so recent as well as the only physical connection between the two continents, the question of how identical plant species planet wide is possible. The Albumen Expanse is simple too wide, and other bodies of water such as The Route or The Great North Sea are too cold or have currents that prevent washing up on the shore of the third largest landmass, an isolated island yet to be explored. Furthermore, migration by fauna is too recent for some of the groves discovered to have been established through conventional means. Colonization was the main issue that the flora had to overcome, which has forced several fascinating adaptations to develop.
One of the most common ways these plants reproduce is by ballooning, where hundreds of thousands of tiny seeds are blown into the sky by storm winds. These seeds have long, thin threads attached to them, allowing them to take flight. Shorter range dispersal is achieved through fruiting bodies and other specialized seed forms. Most of these larger seeds possess a thin, paper-like sail to catch strong winds, travelling for kilometers before either impacting a surface or simply falling from the sky. The smaller seeds will often drift until the thread breaks, or the wind dies down while the larger sailing seeds are at the mercy of aerodynamics and gravity. Once the seed hits the ground, germination begins almost immediately. This is a rapid process (for a plant), where over a period of 2 local days the seed will grow a small root, burrow into the ground, and send taproots.
At the very end of Twilight, when the first rays of Elysium peek above the horizon, the flora of LF does not falter. Fescue Sedges, the dominant group of plant life on LF, shed the waxy seals covering the seed pockets that ring the central mound. Billions of thread linked seeds billow across the sky, delaying the light of Xhie for up to a further 2 days in the densest dispersal regions. Millions of these seeds tangle amongst themselves, plummeting rapidly into currently colonized areas, water bodies, or bare rock surfaces. Grainvores from the land, water, and sky descend upon the fallen pods, gorging themselves to prepare for the duties of Elysium. As fescue sedges do not contain toxic compounds or wage war with their root systems, they fight in the cradle. Whichever species spread more seeds wins, as theirs remain in the Sky Weave for the longest. Shrubvines, Flower trees, and other less widespread plants follow shortly after with their own strategies to deal with the legion of grass seeds desperately trying to establish a presence.
The grasslands are dotted with very large mounds of fused grass blades, creating a substance of similar strength to flower tree wood. These mounds are the reproductive structures of the Fescue Sedges, and the only shelter available during windstorms most common during thermal changes brought on by the changes from Elysium to Tartarus and vice versa. Before the mounds can disperse the curtain of seeds and their silk tethers, they must be pollinated. Every stalk of grass that leads to the entrances to the mounds possess touch sensitive pollen packets, which explode and coat whatever approached with sticky pollen. Inside the mound are small alcoves for bumblebat scouts to crawl into, enticed by sweet nectar. These pods are not picky though, and anything that finds its way inside will serve the purpose the grass intends for it. Once they enter, the alcove closes behind the new occupant. This leads to distressed thrashing inside the pocket, covering every available surface with the adhered pollen. In this way the plant is able to fertilize itself and boost seed development without extra drain on current stockpiles.
If these seeds find purchase and nutrients, then huge swaths of land will soon grow these grasses, drawing in the grazers to help fertilize the area. Shrubvines tend to utilize the ballooning method much like grasses, but also rely on normal pollination to fertilize themselves. Bumblebats, a group of eusocial pterosaurs, are responsible for pollination to a number of plant species, making them an essential part of the ecosystem planet wide. They also provide injections of nutrients when older, less intelligent, weak, or just unlucky bumblebats die in or around the plants. Their actions ensure that the Sky Weave takes place on time and to such a massive degree. Prairies and flatlands are not the only environments present on LF, as sunlit open fields give way to deep, dark forests.
Flower Trees are massive, incredible structures that spread over vast tracts of land, which are almost exclusively dominated by specialized structures produced from subterranean roots. These Devil’s gardens are constantly under watch by the main trunk, ready to strike at any invaders that seek their soil and sunlight. Towering above anything else on the planet are hardy and strong canopies that provide food and shelter for almost every single animal that finds itself nearby. In return, the plant demands the aid of these creatures to further its own ends. Huge, brightly colored flowers draw in the smallest omnivores to the largest of Herbivores, as the scent of the flowers signifies the availability of nutritious fruit. The fruits themselves are richly sweet but contain parasitic seeds. These seeds can only begin to germinate once inside the host and attach themselves to the intestines and esophagus so that they can leech nutrients from the blood stream of whatever animal consumed the fruits. This also allows the flower trees to invest less resources in the seed itself, enticing greater numbers of seed dispersal agents to partake in the bounty offered.
Normally, the seeds are surrounded by a tough, waxy cuticle that protects them from the teeth of herbivores and must be digested before the seed can take root. These seeds send roots after a set amount of time, allowing for immediate colonization upon being deposited. In cases where the cuticle is damaged, there are reports of flower tree seeds rooting in the mouth. These roots differ from the attachment and absorption roots as they are meant for potentially hard, rocky soil and not flesh or organs. Once the tap root forms, it can puncture vessels and arteries, which often results in the death of the host. Too many seeds rooted in the throat or mouth will absorb the blood directed to the brain via the carotid arteries, or block the throat to prevent respiration and feeding or drinking.
Carnivores and scavengers are not spared by the seeds either, as if they consume organs infected with the parasitic seeds, the animal will find itself similarly afflicted. Arachnotyrannids run a greater risk from infestation as the lessened blood flow can affect the muscles in their jaws, resulting in weaker bites. These intrusions almost always lead to decreased cognitive function and a slow death. Once the seeds have absorbed enough from their hosts a thinner secondary cuticle forms to protect against harsh sunlight, the absorption roots atrophy, and the seed is passed through with stool. For a relatively low biological effort, Flower trees can dominate their ecosystems.
Spores are the other method flower trees use to spread, using the myriad seeds of the Fescue Sedges and shrubvines to their benefit. When a flower tree detects a shrubvine and the UV light from Xhie, they will cause galls that have formed on higher branches to burst, spraying local flora with a cloud of spores. These spores cover the seeds of whatever is nearby, hitching a ride on the Jetstream during the Sky Weave. These spores are akin to pathogens, as once the shrubvine seed germinates, the spores enter the seed and begin to modify its genetic code. It takes several infected seeds landing in close proximity to reform an adult Flower Tree, as they will seek out and intertwine with each other to establish a twirled trunk. Twirling Trees are some of the strongest forms of the flower tree that begot it, as larger clusters contain more beneficial mutations stolen from their hosts.
This is a risky strategy, as too many infected seeds will cause catastrophic mutation cascades as each unit contributes its own cocktail of adaptations. Too few seeds will result in a failed clone, and the death of that flower tree strain. It is currently believed that this method of spore dispersal is to blame for the global presence of Flower Trees. Mass spore bursts are however incredibly rare, as it requires a significant amount of energy and resources. They are most often seen on trees that make up the forest edge, where the proximity to the weave provides a greater chance of success and is therefore worthwhile, or those very nearly overrun by shrubvines.
Establishment of a few adult trees is not enough to secure the safety of the grove however. While they can spread fast and over a short period, other flower trees of different and identical species will engage in brutal microscopic conflicts that can decide the fate of an entire genetic line of Flower Trees. The chemical warfare between different species and their root armies is subtle and mostly unseen, but is occurring 24/7, all around the globe. Even during the night, Flower Trees that store surplus reserves will hammer at the gates of weaker plants, hoping to leech the very life from their trunks. This is why flower trees rely so heavily on animal dispersal for short ranges. Wind dispersed seeds may be too scattered to establish a fortress grove, and spore releases are for the privileged or desperate. Animals can bypass the light sensitive flower patches and sentinel roots that surround the trunk, as they are useful for reproduction and soil revitalization.
The defeat of a Flower Tree’s foe results in one thing, the modification of the closest root to the offending force into an organic spear. Though this process takes weeks to months depending on proximity, relative size, and the length of the war. A full-grown Flower Tree will not need a particularly complex spear to absorb a sapling but will require a much longer time to prepare a root for breaching another adult tree. This war also means that the true height of a flower tree is unknown, as they do not seem to stop growing. Only the strongest join the canopy, or spread so far that they become the canopy. The best sunning spots, however, have the worst competition, keeping the trees somewhat in check.
If one tree earns a pyrrhic victory, local shrubvines may decide to throw their hat in the ring. These plants are the closest thing to an active predatory plant currently discovered. They earned both their name and their reputation from the methods shrubvines use to spread themselves. Normally packed below the canopy, shrubvines spread long, thin roots through the soil, hoping to come into contact with a weakened tree. These vines are covered in small, venomous barbed hairs that both help the vine adhere to whatever surface its on, and defend itself from predation by large herbivores during Tartarus. These toxins weaken and disrupt the flower tree’s ability to detect the creeping vines slowly spreading towards the main body. A healthy Flower Tree, even saplings, contain potent herbicides and toxins, making a counterattack lethal to the shrubvine. Vines that fail in their hunt will be reused as fertilizer for the Garden. Trees that have used their stores of poison in a brutal war, fighting a sickness, or warding off parasites such as homicide worms however will not be able to prevent a shrubvine predation event.
When Shrubvines do find a weakened tree, they will adhere themselves to the trunk, and pump toxins into the epidermis of the woody structure to weaken it for drilling. The vines then begin to burrow into the trunk with vine-like stems, shooting up the base at a nearly visible pace as it breaks down and diverts resources taken from inside the trunk. It does this to fuel its own growth, and to weaken its prey as much as possible. All that is left of the victim will be a tower of densely packed greenery. Over time the trees decompose from shrubvine absorption and fall to the forest floor, sending extra showers of ready to germinate seeds across the Devil’s Garden and into the Sky Weave. If the shrubvine is unlucky, it will have returned a clone of its prey to life, which will one day reclaim what it had lost and conquer new lands as well.
Afterwards, the shrubvines root themselves into the dirt once more, spreading out in search for other prey. While the fortress and garden are occupied, the shrubvines put all their energy into absorption and propagation rending the hairs covering the plant inert. The leaves, flowers, fruits, and roots are all free of toxins, and are evidently quite appetizing. One would think that stealing the fluids of a highly toxic plant would render the shrubvines similarly toxic, but it seems that the shrubvines take whatever toxins are left and convert them into usable compounds. The plants simply grow too fast to put any time into toxin production and cannot afford to waste anything that could be useful.
– End of Third report from CRF Sawarsarti
Additional Comments: To Be Stricken From Record after authorized archival.
Obviously, the dangers of these plants cannot be overstated until countermeasures are devised to protect researchers from the toxins of the plant life found. The breach on Hermes is an incredible failure of the crew to ensure all safety measures were taken, in any other circumstances than these. Every measure was taken, but a bursting gall produced shrapnel sharp enough to puncture protective suits and wash spores into the wounds. They also entered the air system, bypassing current filtration methods. New filters have been created using research gleaned on the spores before the rupture event, with the installation of these systems put under the guise of maintenance.
Any spores detected from exhalation will trigger an immediate quarantine of the quarters or sector they are present in. Further damages were recorded from the saps of several species of flower tree melting through non-teflon treated surfaces and completely dissolving other samples as they mixed. A shrubvine specimen sensed these sap samples through still unknown means, and began to grow at a very limited pace from its preserved culture. One vine brushed against a stumbling researcher, resulting in almost instant convulsions and seizure of the cardiac system. Fire sanitation systems were activated, lost crew cataloged, and replacements requisitioned. Data resulting from these accidental experiments on the effects of these toxins in the human body have been catalogued for weapons and industrial applications.