#rapids classification

[azcanyonrafting]

Rafting River Routes

Explore the best rafting river routes in the Grand Canyon with the expert help of Advantage Grand Canyon!

[fairuzfan]

The decision to pause deliveries to the north of the Gaza Strip has not been taken lightly, as we know it means the situation there will deteriorate further and more people risk dying of hunger.  WFP is deeply committed to urgently reaching desperate people across Gaza but the safety and security to deliver critical food aid - and for the people receiving it - must be ensured. Deliveries resumed on Sunday after a three-week suspension following the strike on an UNRWA truck and due to the absence of a functioning humanitarian notification system. The plan was to send 10 trucks of food for seven straight days, to help stem the tide of hunger and desperation and to begin building trust in communities that there would be enough food for all.  On Sunday, as WFP started the route towards Gaza City, the convoy was surrounded by crowds of hungry people close to the Wadi Gaza checkpoint. First fending off multiple attempts by people trying to climb aboard our trucks, then facing gunfire once we entered Gaza City, our team was able to distribute a small quantity of the food along the way. On Monday, the second convoy’s journey north faced complete chaos and violence due to the collapse of civil order. Several trucks were looted between Khan Younes and Deir al Balah and a truck driver was beaten. The remaining flour was spontaneously distributed off the trucks in Gaza city, amidst high tension and explosive anger. In December, the Integrated Phase Classification report compiled by 15 agencies including WFP warned of the risk of famine in northern Gaza by May unless conditions there improved decisively. At the end of January, after delivering food to the north, we reported on the rapid deterioration of conditions. In these past two days our teams witnessed unprecedented levels of desperation.  The latest reports confirm Gaza’s precipitous slide into hunger and disease. Food and safe water have become incredibly scarce and diseases are rife, compromising women and children’s nutrition and immunity and resulting in a surge of acute malnutrition. People are already dying from hunger-related causes.  A report issued Monday by UNICEF and WFP, based on recent data, finds that the situation is particularly extreme in the Northern Gaza Strip. Nutrition screenings conducted at shelters and health centres in the north found that 15.6 per cent - or 1 in 6 children under 2 years of age - are acutely malnourished. WFP will seek ways to resume deliveries in a responsible manner as soon as possible. A large-scale expansion of the flow of assistance to northern Gaza is urgently needed to avoid disaster. To achieve this, WFP needs significantly higher volumes of food coming into the Gaza strip from multiple routes, additionally, crossing points to the north of Gaza must open. A functioning humanitarian notification system and a stable communication network are needed. And security, for our staff and partners as well as for the people we serve, must be facilitated. Gaza is hanging by a thread and WFP must be enabled to reverse the path towards famine for thousands of desperately hungry people. 

I cannot believe this.

[b1asho]

Oougghhhh I'm BACK, FINALLY !!

Anyway, say hello to the Drecu (Dorest and Rox), one of the two species in the genus of sophonts known as the Cerest (the other guys are coming up next, they're taller and considerably more violent than the average bug lizard) Here's the info I couldn't cram into the image:

This group is called Drecu, whereas the other type is called Sundyne (Seru is the name for Sundyne royalty/their idea of the best life form)

Dorest and Rox are both under the Drecu classification, and are more closely related to their common ancestor than the Sundyne.

They have very different appearances, but they are cosexed, with each individual having the capabilities of insemination and gestation.

Their dimorphism is based on what tasks they do in the colony, essentially splitting them between “”worker”” and “”soldier”” rather than male and female.

Rox are considerably larger, have thicker shells and scales, mildly venomous quills on their arms and back, and have a large thumb claw on their hands to aid in grappling and slicing.

The venom is released once the quill is detatched, as the separation causes a muscle around the sac at the quills base to spasm and send it out the tip.

It has little to no irritating effect on non-Cerest, but if one of their own is barbed it will cause localized numbness and pain/swelling elsewhere as the venom takes effect. Several quills in rapid succession has been known to be debilitating for Dorest.

They have more sensitive hearing gained through the large discs on their forehead that catch vibrations in the air. Their eyesight is worse, however, with two of their eyes being small and fixed on their forehead, mostly motion-based. Their mandibles are larger, sharper, and they sacrifice space for an ear canal in favor of more room for muscles to make the jaws as powerful as possible. When closed, the mandibles fold around the upper and lower beak to give the illusion of cheeks. Their palps fill in the gap between the bigger mandible and upper jaw, and are used to manipulate food. they also have two ‘teeth’ near the back of their mouth and throat that they vibrate their palps against and snap to speak (combined with another structure in their throat that sort of acts like vocal cords thatvtheybuse to make larger sounds).

The teeth also help them break apart hard foods like bone and other organisms exoskeleton.

Due to their larger body size/space for eggs, tendency to stay within their territory rather than forage elsewhere daily, and ability to defend themselves, Rox are often the ones who gets the eggs transferred to them for brief gestation.

Dorest are smaller, with longer legs and tail. They have stamina and speed, but aren’t really that strong, instead relying on their numbers to get things done. Their mandibles are weaker smaller, and duller but their palps are more developed and dexterous, and cover their mouth opening entirely. They speak in the same way as Rox, but they sound more high pitched.

It is unknown how naturally all of these very extremely different traits evolved since they have a storied history of genetic manipulation and experimentation on their populace (and a storied history if deleting that history from history)

Anyways as you can imagine their sex and gender can get pretty complicated. Due to how their units were originally structured (with social power coming from reproductive rights and number of children) and resulting current social reinforcement/emphasis on role division into the D and R binary , they dont actually recognize a 'neutral' or 'dual' identity despite being physically that way (similarly, trying to switch between or out of your literally assigned bio type and/or role is a big no) this is largely due to their newer Sundyne leaders, who Aren't unisex and want to put their version of the binary on everything.

For them, sex is who tops and who bottoms. They can't self fertilize but both have eggs n sperm, and would naturally both uhh transfer that, but instead their role decides who does what with what,for both population control and to conform to aforementioned mf binary that dont naturally have. Only one incubates at a time, pretty much. Dorest are usually the one who inseminates, giving the eggs over for a time, but they care for offspring once the eggs are laid/ hatch so the Rox is free again to go about their business.

The two have a power dynamic, of course. Dorest are seen as the givers, while are seen as takers, in a more powerful position. Idk I'll have to do a whole separate thing on it later.

They have a specific pronoun for each role in the unit (which can further be split into their individual rank/occupation)

For example, in the absence of a Rox, a Dorest could take up the matriarch/arch pronouns and start acting like one, and vice versa (though this is not taken seriously at All by their peers, and is even illegal in most cases)

Both have antennae that help them send and receive pheremone signals that also play into their communication. These signals typically convey more basic emotions and needs, but can have a very strong effect on the individual (for example, an extreme 'hurt' or 'scared' signal from another Drecu causes similar anxiety and stress to those around them, and may even trigger an attack response towards the source.) Their scales and areas under their shell are also full of chromatophores that they can color in specific areas and patterns to convey some words or emotions. Their eyes can pick up colors that ours can’t, so often these colors changes look very minute to us (or more muted than they actually are). The unique verbal and nonverbal signals they use make their languages hard to speak or even understand, since they can “say” something to you that you can’t see or smell. They have these nonvocal modes of communication because their vocal ability is pretty limited overall. When they do vocally speak, it sounds like a human but with a voice filter (and with lots more clicking and less resonation. They almost sound like robots with their voice coming from a broken speaker)

All Cerest go through several distinct life stages after hatching, beginning as small defenseless grub things. Once they accumulate enough stored fat, they sprout spindly blueprints of their legs and arms and start to move around more independently (these limbs and tail extensions will pretty much become their bones later) They will then continue to store energy until they go through a full metamorphosis .

The prepupa will become more active, running around to align the new limb sprouts it has and to start sucking up the rest of their organs into what was their throax region. At a certain time, they will join other prepupa in a communal chamber and incase themself into a chrysalis made from a layer of skin they grow around themselves.

They'll use their previous exoskeleton/limbs/ etc to form the more complex adult lattices of endo/exo skeleton and skin/muscles/organs that will allow them to grow larger and walk upright. This is also when their brain grows more and settles in, allowing for more complex thought.

When in the chrysalis, adults around them will ‘choose’ whether they will grow into a Dorest or Rox by introducing certain chemicals through the spiracles. This decision can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the politics of the family unit.

Once they emerge, they will grow more like a reptile/crab by shedding and molting parts of their scales and shell (often aided by hot water because they’re so big. Whether their ancestors were water based is unknown, since they have removed or altered their own evolutionary history so much that no one really knows).

Speaking of that, their adult body support system is a bit convoluted (thanks to them evolving from a purely exoskeletal species that nature never intended to get all that big)

Thankfully, it's a lot less heavy than it should because of its composition of lightweight and durable carbons (with some calcium carbonate thrown in there too).

They have plates that range from hard and thick to thin and flexible that make up a segmented outer shell that is present over all their body.

It is what they molt and is primarily used for muscle attachment in their limbs, but it mostly just covers the rest of their body elsewhere.

This is because they also have a disconnected internal tube and chamber system mainly in their head, tail, neck, and torso for more places for their muscles to attach to while maintaining that bipedal stance and organ placement.

They don’t/can’t replenish these through a molting process, and instead they’re maintained from the inside more like our bones.

The rest of their body grows and shrinks around them (though limited by the outer shell on top). Gaining fat or muscle on the arms and limbs has a limit due to the shell, but on the torso they can more easily do so thanks to a third main structural layer they have:

In between the shell and the internal structures, they have a thin skin/scales layer, which can be seen best joining the gaps between the hardest and most prominent parts of their outer shell as it covers the thinner plates underneath (some places on their abdomen, the underside of their tail, the front of their neck, and several places on their face. )

This is derived from the chrysalis layer that they grew, and when they emerge it softens and wraps them.

As it dries, it dies everywhere except the edges/gaps of the outer shell, where it stays somewhat vascularized as it attaches to the edges while the outer shell is still hardening .

This layer allows for fat storage under it and prevents everything from slipping out when they molt in areas where the outer shell isn’t actually attached to anything/ is not fully encapsulating on its own.

they shed this every so often after a new one grows from underneath to replenish it since the blood flow isn’t great. Molting becomes very infrequent after pupation, usually only happening perhaps 2-3 times (maybe 4 for Rox) in their teenage years until they stop growing. There isn't a particular age for this, since some can experience spurts later on or conversely were intentionally malnourished to stay s certain size, which is common among their under classes.

On that note, molting only happens as an adult due to extreme changes in size (for example, moving up to a reproductive position can cause an increase in size from the hormones, particularly in Rox, which can trigger a molt of the outer shell to make room.)

The population tends to be more Dorest than Rox, though this balance often shifts during wartime as more offspring are converted to Rox.

Their society is divided into distinct layers, but on a basic family unit level there is usually a lead Rox, their harem of Dorest, and then their children, following am almost eusocial strcutre.

Often, there can also be subservient Rox that are non-reproductive and serve a more grunt/foot soldier role.

Units are interconnected, and eventually become a part of larger caste divisions based on their labor skills. This happened over a long period of time, since they're naturally very competitive with each other and mixing units without specific conditions being met can end badly.

These divisions are shown through clothing and ear piercings that display the symbol that corresponds to their status, but they also etch the symbol onto their forehead. This is a permanent alteration to their scale color, and is usually done in black since all Drecu are ultimately under a Sundyne no matter their own rank.

Drecu are omnivorous, though both types tend to lean towards meat due to their higher calorie needs (Rox and gravid Dorest especially, for muscle and egg building.)

They don’t chew their food and just swallow it in chunks.

Their antenna house their sense of taste as well as smell, so they can pretty much choose to not taste anything they eat by covering them or not touching them to their food.

Culturally, they are conditioned to prefer processed food (that is easy to make and distribute among their often large populations) their cuisine more focused more on meeting basic needs than being enjoyable or helping them thrive (like a lot of dog foods XD ) along with pretty much everything else (from education to housing)

Food/nutrition access is stratified by caste, so along with their other clothing and tattoo signifiers you can also tell who’s more important based on if they have glossier scales and brighter colors.

Ill get into this more below in the section on their blood chemistry, but they have a silly little expensive metabolism makes food a very effective tool for leaders to keep under classes subservient, since it’s pretty easy to control people who rely on you to keep them functioning, and their thoughts also tend to slow to a crawl without the necessary energy.

Resource control also gives a distinct physical difference between classes, like I mentioned a second ago with the colors and shell size/quality.

Their tails, for example, are made from the hardened tube remnants of the segments of their abdomen chamber when they were larva and prepupa.

With enough nutrients throughout their teenage molts, it will spread out those 4 main internal segments with the outer shell and more muscle into a longer or thicker tail.

Without, it will be shorter and thinner since the segments themselves are smaller and closer together (in some cases staying the same length as their prepupa size since they need it closer for their more limited muscle and shell to hold onto.)

The smaller tails alongside their paler colors also gives under classes a more child-like and therefore disreputable and subservient look, furthering the divide.

Housing and other basic needs are naturally borderline impossible to access unless you're a part of a functioning unit, and if not, good luck. There are no individuals in the colony, a downside as well as one of heir strengths.

They are somewhat able to regulate their body temperature through shivering, their own metabolic heat, and their hair-like filaments on their head, but are more susceptible to temperature change since they can’t store fat well as adults due to their shell. Their horns are mostly for display and general head protection, and are pretty hollow.

Dorest hands have two main digits that operate in a pincer motion, and while the other 4 are separate they are smaller and in an opposable thumb-like position , aiding with holding things and other manipulation (kind of like if your whole hand was just your index and middle finger and 4 thumbs).

Their claws are nonretractable and closer to nails. As for their feet, they’re just hooves made from the fused toes.

Rox also have the two pincer digits, but their other fingers have fused into a larger “thumb” tipped with a thick claw that they use for fighting. Their other claws are much smaller and also nonretractable. Their foot has 2 hoofed digits and one with a dull claw for kicking (like if a cassowary was also a deer. And red.)

Their blood uses two iron-based carriers: chlorocruorin in transport cells and hemerythrin that floats free in the bloodstream, which respectively gives their blood a green and/or purple color.

As their ancestors got bigger and evolved an active respiratory and circulatory system as opposed do just having spiracles/air sacs, they also started using a secondary blood chemistry to support their original, single one.

The hemerythrin works across a general range of temperatures and oxygen concentrations, widening the range of environments they can live in, but despite the cooperative binding with each other it’s very inefficient.

Thus, it takes a lot of effort and resources for them to use it, part of the reason behind their relentless expansion into new territory for new food sources etc (their body functions like metabolism will slow down and speed up accordingly, and they’re able to strip pretty much every bit of energy form the stuff they eat due to a highly effective digestive system, but due to the limited ability to store fats for later and difficulty in breaking down their own muscles for energy without collapsing their whole skeleton, them coping with scarcity essentially means going into a coma.)

Despite this, it comes with the added benefit of giving them better and faster cell regeneration and healing (through the Bohr effect and because of its potency as an immune effector), as well as immunity to carbon monoxide poisoning (due to its low affinity for that molecule, which is helpful since chlorocruorin has a high affinity for it, which helps prevent excess buildup. They also convert any access CO into material for their shells and scales. ) and nitrogen stress/decompression sickness (again, low affinity etc).

The chlorocruorin helps them in the cooler and low oxygen environments where they originated, and in mitigating the resource cost of relying more on hemerythrin while still benefitting from it.

It also needs support from the hemerythrin when anywhere too hot (where there are more resources, and where the heat helps them with sustained activity/not wasting resources on body heat, and gives them freedom to live anywhere in the wide temp range on their original planet ).

So, they are perfectly fine in cold environments and environments where humans would be fainting from too little oxygen, but could run into problems if things get too hot (as opposed to Kixeli, who have problems when things get too cold even though their blood pigment works better at cooler temperatures, because they’re entirely exothermic and evolved more reliance on the ever-present heat on their home planet for making their body functions more efficient)

As far as interactions with other species goes, it's not that great. They believe that the universe's rock tumbler of events smoothed them out into the perfect organisms, and they've chosen to make that everyone elses problem.

(Using their wormhole technology and greater foothold in space/the being-a-sentient-species game in general, they created a system-spanning empire that originally contacted and 'uplifted' the other species I've shared so far) (by uplifted i mean subjugated btw) (however, this was done under the leadership of the only other species with a worse track record, their cousins, the Sundyne.)

I'm doing them next, followed by the last species !! Who knows when that will happen, but it will.

Yippee!!

[literaryvein-reblogs]

The Language of Science: Nomenclature

The dates below are those of the first recorded usage, as given in the Oxford English Dictionary.

SCIENCE NAMES

biology (1802) ⚜ petrology (1807) ⚜ taxonomy (1828)

morphology (1830) ⚜ palaeontology (1838)

ethnology (1842) ⚜ gynaecology; histology (1847)

carcinology (1852) ⚜ embryology (1859)

CHEMISTRY

tellurium (1800) ⚜ sodium (1807) ⚜ strontium (1808)

platinum (1812) ⚜ silicon (1817) ⚜ caffeine (1830) ⚜ chloroform (1848)

sucrose (1862) ⚜ cocaine (1874) ⚜ argon (1895)

PHYSICS

centigrade (1799) ⚜ sonometer (1802)

colorimeter (1844) ⚜ ohm (1861) ⚜ ampère (1863)

joule; voltmeter; watt (1882) ⚜ electron (1891)

BIOLOGY

flagellum (1807) ⚜ chlorophyll (1819) ⚜ spermatozoon (1836)

diatom (1845) ⚜ bacterium (1847) ⚜ leucocyte (1870)

symbiosis (1882) ⚜ mitosis (1887)

chromosome (1889) ⚜ photosynthesis (1893)

GEOLOGY

apatite (1803) ⚜ cretaceous; Jurassic; pliocene (1831)

mesozoic (1840) ⚜ triassic (1841) ⚜ Cambrian (1842)

oligocene (1856) ⚜ bauxite (1861) ⚜ Ordovician (1879)

MEDICINE

gastritis (1806) ⚜ laryngitis (1822) ⚜ kleptomania (1830)

cirrhosis; neuritis (1840) ⚜ diphtheria (1842)

haemophilia (1854) ⚜ aphasia (1867) ⚜ claustrophobia (1879)

Any examination of the growth of scientific vocabulary in the 19th century would find that some sciences are conspicuously underrepresented, for the simple reason that their foundations had been laid much earlier. Example: Most of the basic terms of anatomy had been introduced by the end of the 17th century, as had a great deal of mathematical terminology. On the other hand, from the end of the 18th century rapid progress in chemistry, physics, and biology led to such major lexical developments as the nomenclature of chemical elements and compounds, and the Linnaean system of classification in natural history.

Source: T. H. Savory, 1967; incorporating 2017 OED revisions More: Word Lists ⚜ Historical Thesaurus

[miseria-fortes-viros]

Lecture Notes: A Study in Lycanthropy

WERE•WOLF [from Old English wer-wulf, meaning MAN-WOLF, a horrific beast that hunts only when the moon is full]

All that is known about these terrible creatures can be attributed to Dr. J. Jeffrey Hydemann (d.) whose extensive studies have been posthumously ruled inhumane by the Board of Magical Wildlife. No further studies have been conducted since.

MAGICAL CLASSIFICATION

Previously, werewolves were thought to be some form of evolved bear or timberwolf, and it was not proven otherwise until Hydemann successfully captured one and the de-transformation was documented. The wolf in question died before it had fully turned back, and its human identity remains undiscovered.

The werewolf is its own unique, paradoxical classification of magical creature under the cryptid category. It is paradoxical in that a werewolf is only a magical creature during its mutational periods. When the moon is not full, it is simply a man. Under the influence of the full moon, it is simply a beast. The curse of lycanthropy is only magical in the sense that these two mundane beings share inhabitance of the same body. Silver or magical weapons will not harm man or wolf any more than they would harm woman or dog, but they work exceptionally well when the beast is at its most vulnerable. Of course, it is already very easy to harm a werewolf in this state, and nearly any weapon will do.

TRANSFORMATION (MAN-TO-WOLF)

Little is known, because Hydemann did not personally witness the initial wolf transformation. However, he theorizes in several of his papers that a werewolf spends an entire day—perhaps longer—preparing for the full moon by eating and sleeping as much as possible. Both transformations are said to require an unbelievable amount of energy and are incredibly long and painful. The process often kills: both wolf and man can starve to death if enough energy has not been stored beforehand. The transitional period lasts anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour, but outliers are always possible. Lengthier transformations have an exact inverse relationship to survival rates. A malnourished or hungry werewolf is much less likely to survive either of its transformations than a well-fed counterpart. However, starvation is not the only cause of death mid-transformation. It is equally likely for the heart or other organs to simply give out under such immense bodily duress.

Hydemann believes the wolf “hatches” from the body of the man. This is in part due to the rapid onset bone and tissue growth that occurs during the transformation. No living person has been ably to verify exactly how this change happens. Some theorize that the skin splits open, shedding the way reptiles do. The Department of Magical Sciences’ official stance on this matter is that the skin must simply stretch to accommodate a near doubling in size, citing the mammalian classification of both the common man and the common wolf.

DETRANSFORMATION (WOLF-TO-MAN)

This is the change observed by Hydemann and his research team. He describes the detransformation as “disgusting” and “vomit-inducing” and states that at least one of his technicians lost consciousness. Hydemann believes the transition from wolf to man to be far more painful than man to wolf, simply because rapid onset bone and tissue growth isn’t entirely supernatural, while rapid onset bone and tissue destruction only occurs within the realm of lycanthropy and a few highly illegal magical torture methods.

In his writings, Hydemann describes the wolf form as “breaking down and snapping into pieces” and that it is “like watching something be folded and stuffed into a container far too small to hold it”.

FULL MOON AND OTHER PHASES

Contrary to what most people tend to believe, werewolves are not actually creatures of the night. They are, in fact, creatures of the moon, and those two things are not mutually inclusive. The curse of lycanthropy does not care whether it is night or day. It doesn’t care whether the moon is visible, or even above the horizon. Lycanthropy is in effect from the exact moment that the moon becomes full, regardless of its position in relation to any individual werewolf, and it ceases to be in effect at the exact moment the full moon starts to wane. Two werewolves on opposite sides of the globe will begin their transformations within minutes of each other.

The full moon may be the crux of lycanthropy, but the curse is even more cyclical than one might think. A werewolf will be almost completely indistinguishable from its fellow man during the new moon, and its condition is more obvious in the days leading up to and the days directly after the full moon. For this reason, if one suspects they have met a werewolf, it is important to note the phase of the moon. It is entirely possible that one has simply encountered an abnormally large, hairy man.

THE MIND OF THE BEAST

Some have argued that lycanthropy could be classified in the same vein as demonic possession, but the relationship between man and wolf does not seem to be parasitic as it is between man and demon: in that case, the demon possesses the man, whereas in the case of the werewolf, man and wolf possess each other. Despite what we know about the separation between the two states of being, a werewolf often experiences slight changes outside of the full moon. A trace of the wolf exists in the man, and a trace of the man exists in the wolf. As such, the wolf is much larger than a common wolf and capable of walking on its hind legs for short periods of time, and thusly, the man is more animalistic in appearance and may have senses more advanced than the common man.

Consciousness is not transferable from man to beast; they know as much of each other as two strangers passing on the street. Once the creature has transformed fully, there is nothing remaining in its mind of the man it was just hours earlier: it is, simply, a starved predator. For this reason, it is imperative that one must never approach a werewolf, no matter what the relation is to the man it came from. It does not know you. You are prey.

FINAL NOTES

Until more is known about lycanthropy, wolf and man should be regarded as separate entities. Since lycanthropy is widely understood to be a curse, there must be a way to reverse it; as such, kill the beast to save the man. Further study is necessary. It would be ideal to conduct this in a humane fashion, but first one must identify a werewolf and recruit it to the cause, and with public opinion being what it is, this is likely not possible. We may never know more unless drastic measures are taken.

Thus concludes the summation of Dr. J. Jeffrey Hydemann’s many reports. God rest his soul.

[bat-gee]

Black swan Gerard as a Black Mastiff Bat!

Small fact: As of 2015, The Black Mastiff Bat is evaluated as a least-concern species by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this classification because it has a wide geographic range; its population is presumably large; and it is unlikely to be experiencing rapid population decline!

[starryoak]

Basic Pokémon Worldbuilding Headcanons

Decided to write down my base worldbuilding assumptions about the Pokémon World, in case anyone else would like to share them;

Pokemon types are not fully a human-made classification system, but rather a metaphysical property of a Pokémon’s aura, the same aura that Lucario and many other Pokémon manipulate; the ‘frequency’ of their type is unique to them, and the combination of types makes its own unique ‘frequency’, much like coordinates on a chart with 18 different axiis on both sides.  This means that classification was first made and named by psychic humans who could sense them, until humans developed machinery for proper classification. The formal classification of a type is conditional on being detectable by modern technology, which is why the Fairy type remained unclassified for years, as it was very similar to Normal type in makeup.

This energy is also how Pokémon can be contained in Pokeballs and transferred electronically; Pokemon are naturally capable of converting from energy to mass and back again, though the exact mechanics of this transformation only became known in the 90’s as advances in science allowed the Pokémon Storage System to come into existence.

Psychic humans, of course, as we know, exist. Up to 5-10% of the population is some form of psychic, the extra 5% having psychic potential of some manner that, while not offering powers of any kind, makes them extra vulnerable to psychic effects or attacks.

This fact mixes explicit canon with my own headcanons; evolution for Pokémon is a process entirely separate to aging or the biological meaning of evolution in our world. Pokémon evolve for a variety of factors that are often connected but not always related to aging; if their territory is suited for them and would not support their larger evolution, many Pokémon simply choose not to evolve, leading to strange (for humans) sights like encountering elderly Treecko. As Grovyle are significantly larger than their prevolution, the Treecko would have had to leave his family behind to seek new territory, so it simply never did. Evolution is not the process of aging for Pokémon, though it’s often intimately connected with it, most Pokémon are fully capable of reaching maturity and breeding prior to their final evolution, so many simply choose not to do so for their own reasons. 

The act of evolution consumes a large amount of energy in a short period of time; this is the cause of the glowing light seen in the anime and some games, while others feature large bursts of swirling wind, the method of energy dispersal can vary, but all evolution causes some form of sudden energy discharge.

The process that is described in our world as natural evolution, and this is explicitly canon, does occur to Pokémon, though often it can be much more rapid than in our world. For example, and this is implicitly (though not explicitly) canon, Electrode and Voltorb’s species was originally a species of Apricorn mimics; this is implied by the Temple of Sinnoh’s statue of the original Lord Electrode, which has no dividing line between the upper and lower halves. As Pokeballs came into existence, they pivoted to mimicking them instead.

Pokémon breeding is more complicated than canon presents, obviously, but the base premises the game uses, of “Egg Groups”, is fundamentally still correct. Pokémon reproduce in different ways based on their species, but all Pokémon capable of breeding are in some form capable of laying eggs, often with the more mammalian Pokémon simply being ovovivaparous, giving live birth to their young, but still having eggs inside their bodies rather than placentas.  Under stress or other conditions that make it more favorable, often these Pokémon can choose to lay their eggs rather than develop them internally. Despite most technically being capable of doing so, most Pokémon simply do not choose to breed outside their species, and in fact, interbreeding between species in the wild is a likely sign of a disturbed ecosystem.  Obvious incompatibilities due to size can be overcome through artificial insemination, and Pokémon breeders often use these technologies to help create more effective battlers. As in canon, male Pokémon pass on very little to their offspring. To elaborate on that fact, male Pokémon pass on their aura to their child more than genes, and this leads to the influence of the father on a Pokémon expressing themselves subtly, often offering the capabilities to learn moves that may not be natural to their offspring. Very occasionally the father’s genes will express themselves in minor physical differences to an average member of the species, but this is very rare and usually very subtle.

Pokémon that are not biological in nature and/or in the No Eggs Discovered egg group tend to reproduce in their own unique ways, but due to unknown reasons, speculated upon wildly by scientists, usually still produce some form of egg in the process of reproduction.  For example; Magnemite and its family reproduce by two or more Magnemite collecting magnetic minerals together into a roughly egg-shaped ball, which eventually solidifies into a Magnemite egg. This type of reproduction is common to most Pokémon in the Mineral egg group. Most Ghost types are capable of natural reproduction, despite their appearances, and simply collect energy together during reproduction that coalesces into an egg once a male Pokémon has provided their aura.

[dogtoling]

Biology of Inkfish - Language and Communication

[Some common visual expressions seen in inkfish. Color, pupil size, fin and tentacle placement are commonly used in visual communication.]

Cephalings have dozens of languages between populations, but some of the most spoken ones are octarian and inkling. Verbal speech consists of predetermined words, phrases and abstract concepts, just like human languages, but things like intonation and tone are sometimes indicated through body language. Cephalings also have forms of written language, much like humans and some other sapient species.

Because cephaling body language is so diverse and uses a lot of components unique to cephalopods - color change, tentacle movement and position, rapid pupil dilation and so on - it is often hard to understand by other species, and the lack of mutual body language makes figuring out the tone of conversation quite difficult. In today's cross-species societies, this is something that has been worked on internationally by establishing some inter-species common gestures that are universally understood, such as universal basic expressions, limb gestures and voice intonation*.

(*Unfortunately, even something like this isn't necessarily useful for species that lack some of these functions in their biology as a whole. For example, facial expressions are more or less completely out of the question for crustaceans.)

Even between the cephaling class and smaller classifications within it, communication can take wildly different forms. For example, the facial expression and color change-focused inkfish may struggle to understand the body language of the less expressive, fin and web-position centric cirrates, and even less so the nautili who lack both color change and fins to express with. Differences in visual language vary quite a lot even within different species of squid - from the bioluminescent flashes of Humboldt squid to the intricate, fine-tuned patterns of reef squid. In the modern day, however, a lot of this species-specific visual language has lost relevance and become obsolete in the face of broader, easy to understand commonspeak. The dramatic decrease in the usage and fluency of these languages has been generally considered a tragedy in culture loss.

Verbal

The verbal language of cephalings is thought to have evolved when they became more social animals that hunted and lived in schools. In a combat situation, being able to alert a friend by using voice is much more convenient than trying to transmit a message by changing color or waving. The vocal abilities of cephalings developed to the point that vocal communication became the primary way of communication, as color change became very limited. To a human, cephaling speech sounds garbled and odd due to different vocalization structures within the body.

Cephalings have numerous languages across different major territories across the globe, of which inkling is probably the most widespread. Many common phrases or shouts may overlap or sound similar across different languages, and the vocalizations don’t differ very much, so different languages are typically not a massive learning curve. In the Inkopolis area alone there are several scripts used interchangeably to convey the same languages in different alphabets - these alphabets may be specialized for use in specific context or by species with differing limb coordination and dexterity. 

Color Change

[The title above leads to a big post I did on this topic in the past)

Many cephalings, including all inkfish, are capable of changing their skin color at will. Although color change used to be the primary way of coleoid communication, inkfish display mostly solid colors that match those of their peers. Modern inkfish don’t typically have very refined pattern-detailing abilities when it comes to color change, since their tentacle color evolved to largely be an indication of their affiliation, and rather than camouflaging onto the ground, they began camouflaging into solid-colored ink. Thus, rather than intricate striping or patterning, some of the most complex patterns in modern inkfish tend to be reduced to spotting, wave-like patterns and banding.

When it comes to the color of a inkfish, they have two primary skin colors - the tentacle color, and their resting skin color*. Their resting skin color is present across most of the torso, where chromatophores are sparse, and is determined by genetics. Visual communication utilizes only the tentacle color, which is where they are able to manipulate their color very freely and quickly. While hue typically only marks an inkfish's place in society (their political- or local social association, rank, or other relevant status), the exact shade may change quickly, as the darkness is often used as tone- or mood indicators. Lighter tentacle colors imply more relaxed or submissive tones, while dark tentacle colors signal aggression*.

(*1 - The "human" skin color that cephalings have. This is likely area that doesn't need to be strictly covered by chromatophores, since it's hidden in swim form anyway (and chromatophores are actually quite demanding energy-wise). This is the skin's resting color which shows up when the cephaling's chromatophores are at rest; so if a cephaling's chromatophores were all disabled for some reason, their whole body would be this color.)

(*2 - This is based on real cephalopods, especially octopus, which signal aggression by turning dark.)

The tentacle colors come in two categories: long-term color and short-term color. Long term color is an inkling’s “default” color and is hand-picked by each person. This “resting color” is a major part of most inklings’ identities, signifying something about themselves or their place in the world. Most commonly, long-term color can be the color of one’s family, friend group or “shoal”, or a color otherwise meaningful to the wearer.

[An example of inkfish with different "short-term" colors, signaling different emotions or feelings. The specific colors correlating to different emotions have lots of variety between individuals.]

Short-term colors are used as context for social situations and as a type of visual expression. They are usually rapid and limited to the situation they are displayed in, much like facial expressions. People will typically flash a different color out of reflex when experiencing a strong emotion, fade their color to white to signify extreme distress or submission, or instead fade their color to a deep or black color to signal anger or aggressive intent. Out of all short-term colors, hue connections tend to change per person or at least per social circle, making them much less consistent, while the brightness of a tentacle color is understood across all inkfish.

Body Language

While verbal speech is the most prevalent type of communication supplemented by color change, visual communication and cues in the form of body language are ever present, although often not understood by non-cephalopods. Cephalings will often keep their fins raised up as a greeting, and in squid, the position of the fins and what it means can be very precise. Flapping of the fins and raising of one’s tentacles above the head, especially raising the hunting tentacles, is usually a sign of aggression. A submissive cephaling will instead point their fins down and try to appear smaller. 

Most species of cuttling and octoling have papillae present all over their skin. When a cuttling or octoling is trying to look bigger or more menacing, it will typically spike out its papillae, especially around the face area. Spiking out one’s papillae may appear akin to chills, but typically signals discomfort or being on edge. This can be tricky when some species have much more distinct papillae that may even be kept spiked out casually, while others have none at all.

Facial Expressions

[The title leads to a bigger post on this topic]

Facial expressions are present in all cephalings, although much less pronounced and specific than those of humans, for example. Different shaping of the pupils has different implications in terms of mood - a cephaling will almost always dilate their pupils when aggressive. Minor shifts in the eyebrows and different positions of the eyelids make cephaling eyes surprisingly expressive even aside from their pupils, as their eyes have evolved to have a clearly visible sclera similar to humans, which aids in sight tracking.

Cephalings also understand and use the basic concepts of a “smile” and a “frown”. Showing one’s beak is a friendly gesture when smiling, but in other situations, baring one’s beak at another is almost always a sign of aggression. Many of these facial expressions are shared by other species of the Mollusc Era as an act of inter-species visual communication consistency.

[judasrpc]

TIPS FOR WRITING COMBAT, TACTICS, AND / OR FIELD MEDICINE SCENARIOS PT. 2

Hello again! Coming out of the woodwork with my niche interests and hoping to pass along some information about writing things such as combat, tactical operations, and / or field medicine!

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, nor am I someone who has served in the military or law enforcement in any capacity. Any information in this post is gained from personal research in mostly internet circles. Some topics may be unsettling/disturbing, so please take care in reading.

You can view part one of this post [HERE].

Note: This part will be written more in-depth, as the sources I've pulled from are either no longer accessible, or from narrators I would not feel comfortable platforming due to their motives for sharing this information (e.g., anti-human rights individuals with qualified backgrounds). Knowledge is power, but we don't have to platform fascists in order to share it (* ^ ω ^)

To start this post off, I'll share some archives I've found since part one! This way, if you're just looking for resources and don't want to read something super lengthy, this post is still (hopefully) useful to my fellow writers.

Safety Data Sheets [Archive] - A collection of safety data sheets for what looks like various types of compounds, mostly based around industrial work (e.g., concrete mixes, roof coatings, etc.). While arguably not relevant to this sort of topic focus, I think it could be in the right scenarios, especially as sheets provide first-aid instructions, hazard classification, and details about specific compounds.

War Medicine [Archive] - Definitely a more historical reference (dated 1918), but published by the American Red Cross Society in France covering… war medicine. Includes various diagrams and topics.

Field Manuals and Technical Manuals [Archive] - A collection of field and technical manuals from various military services spanning across various decades. I believe most of these are U.S.-based.

Now, for the in-depth written information, placed behind the "keep reading" button.

CLOSE-QUARTERS BATTLE (CQB) / MILITARY OPERATIONS IN URBAN TERRAIN (MOUT)

CQB is typically defined as a short duration, high intensity conflict characterized by sudden violence at close range. MOUT is an example of a scenario where CQB may be applicable.

When in these environments, it's important for your character(s) to know how to navigate them. The presence of closer-knit buildings, various entryways, and populated environments means there's a lot of risk for both them and those around them.

As such, one of the founding concepts is entry and clearance.

There are many different ways to enter and clear rooms within a building, but the three primary types are as follows:

Conventional (aka: Strong Walling) - The leading individual "commits" to the room by stepping in with their full body, pressing their back to the wall opposite to the door's attachment, and using their upper torso to sweep the room with their light/weapon.

Lateral - The leading individual enters the room at either a 90-degree angle to the door (straight toward back wall of room) or a 45-degree angle (toward the corner opposite to the door).

Framing - Rather than step into the room, the leading individual peeks around the door frame and conducts their sweep from within it (think of them as using the door frame as a "mount" for their weapon, if they have one).

These can be conducted solo, or with a wingman.

A wingman is usually one other individual who stacks beside the leading individual, and uses an over-the-shoulder vantage to provide a secondary set of eyes for cover, while also being able to cover tasks such as opening doors.

Then, there's navigating environments as teams. With teams, there comes a need to develop tactics. With CQB in particular, there are two primary types of strategies:

Dynamic - Rapid movement and clearance; Your character(s) are likely in a high-intensity/time-sensitive scenario where speed is more important than safety. In these scenarios, your character(s) is/are more likely to clear rooms by committing with their entry and flooding in if in a team.

Deliberate - Slower movement and clearance; Your character(s) are likely still in dire circumstance, but they're able to take the time and prioritize safety over speed. In these scenarios, your character(s) is/are more likely to clear rooms by framing and entering one at a time to ensure all angles are covered.

But not every room is a perfect rectangle with wider-open spaces. Regardless of the structure, dead space is an important factor to consider for characters both outside and within these environments.

Dead space simply refers to the space that has not been cleared by the individual(s) entering the space. There are a few different types, including:

Anchored - The object creating the dead space is anchored to a wall, and thus prevents flanking. This could be a dividing wall, and certain types of cabinetry or other furniture.

Unanchored - The object creating the dead space is not anchored to a wall, and thus allows for flanking. This can be… any piece of furniture, crates/boxes/shelves, even certain installation pieces such as a 360-fireplace or showcase tank/terrarium.

Low - The object creating the dead space cannot fully conceal an individual/individuals who are standing, but could if they were crouched or laying prone. This could be things such as couches, tables with cloth over them, etc.

High - The object creating the dead space is elevated above the entry point. This usually, and pretty much only, includes things like stairwells, but it could include higher cabinetry if your character(s) is/are creative enough or able to navigate that.

Moving away from specific scenarios, there is something I've seen written a lot in fanfic and in rp spaces that I think would be important to clarify:

Do. not. attempt. to. catch. a. falling. gun.

I'm serious! In active combat, this isn't as applicable because your character's goal is (ultimately) to neutralize whatever threat is in front of them. Beyond that, though, your character(s) should never attempt to catch.

"But why? Wouldn't you want to stop it from discharging?"

That is why.

Yes, the firearm may discharge when hitting the ground… but in catching it, your character(s) may also discharge it. Unless they know for a fact they will not grab the area around or within the trigger guard, it's highly likely that a finger/fingers will slip into the guard and, due to the force of the catch, end up pulling.

The best practice, especially for a character/characters who are skilled with firearms and versed in safety practices, is to put the hands up and let it fall. Step back, find cover if possible, and retrieve the firearm after it has landed.

And again, I am not responsible for what y'all do with this info. Read responsibly, and stay frosty!

[azcanyonrafting]

Rapids Classification

How To Choose The Perfect Rapids For Your Skill Level

The International Scale of River Difficulty (ISRD) rates Class I through VI rapids. Class III rapids are suitable for intermediates with some experience in white water rafting.

To have a good time while whitewater rafting, you must choose rapids matching your skill level. This means understanding how rapid classes work and knowing what to expect at each level.

Advantage Grand Canyon are experts in this field. Our guide is here to help you navigate various classes of rapids and find a suitable adventure in the Grand Canyon.

Classes of Rapids: The International Scale of River Difficulty

For a rafter, each stretch of river represents varying levels of challenge depending on their skills and experience. However, knowing this system ensures they select waters proportionate to their ability and safety measures throughout the journey while making it enjoyable.

Class I Rapids (Beginner)

Beginners or those who have never experienced whitewater should start with class one rivers such as the Badger Creek Rapid in the Grand Canyon.

Due to their smoothness, these rapids are very gentle and can be manipulated by anyone, even without basic skills. Hence, they offer great opportunities to appreciate scenic beauty without encountering difficulties like capsizing.

Class II Rapids (Novice)

Class II rapids might require more maneuverability but are still mild enough for novices and families looking for easy thrills. With just simple rafting skills and wearing life jackets alone, one may quickly navigate through them since they only involve minor splashing, which makes one feel less crowded. Thus, they are ideal places for kids accompanied by families.

Temperatures can be controlled during early spring or summer when sea levels rise. House Rock Rapid is one of the top Class II rapids with small waves and minor obstacles, providing more excitement while still being accessible for less experienced rafters.

Class III Rapids (Intermediate)

Class III Rapids offer moderate waves requiring maneuvering through narrow passages during Dead River trips, where helmets must be worn due to some moderately steep drops and small waves that demand teamwork and quick thinking, leading to fun challenges.

The turbulent drops of the Dead River and the dynamic current in Kennebec’s Penobscot River, which can be described as the fast river flow of Class III rapids, still offer its riders quite a challenge. More physical strength and thrilling emotions can be achieved when you choose rafting trips in adventure sports where people are involved in rafts and pass through different rapid river turns.

If you want to have a lot of fun and be tired while rowing on Class III rapids, then this is what you need. Select the right difficulty level for yourself, take all necessary measures before starting your journey, and rest assured that it will be one excellent whitewater rafting experience.

Hance Rapid is another great intermediate rapid with chaotic waves and tight spaces. It provides a moderate test requiring adept maneuvering skills; intermediate paddlers looking for excitement should consider Granite Rapid.

Class IV Rapids (Advanced)

Class IV rapids are suitable for advanced and intermediate rafters. The river has high power but predictability regarding wave sizes, thus demanding more accurate boat handling techniques than any other category. Large yet unproven waves require narrow passes, so quick moves must be made by experienced guides who can recognize them easily. Otherwise, damages may occur since rescue becomes extremely difficult due to the conditions presented here.

For intermediate rafters, these advanced rapids are exciting because they push their abilities without being too dangerous like expert-level rapids would do; strong currents coupled with powerful waves occasionally dropping down call for confident spokesmanship as well precise steering ability from behind paddles that, even though not extreme compared with class five require good familiarity with white-water courses together fast reflexes if one wants negotiate safely through complex choppy sections which characterize these parts most liked by those having some knowledge about this sport but not enough experience.

Lava Falls and Hermit Rapid in the Grand Canyon provide perfect challenges for skilled kayakers who enjoy steep gradients combined with large waves and turbulence.

Class V Rapids (Expert)

Class V rapids are long, violent, known as challenging rapids, and have hard-to-maneuver features. They represent the ultimate challenge in whitewater rafting. Highly turbulent waters, large and irregular waves, powerful and unpredictable currents, and steep drops over rocks are just a few characteristics that make Class V rapids so dangerous.

To paddle through Class V rapids, one needs to be skilled at paddling, have quick reflexes, and be able to make decisions under pressure. Only those experienced enough should attempt paddling through them because they can easily get injured or their boat may capsize if they do not wear the right gear to protect against such risks.

This is why we at Advantage Grand Canyon recommend only trained experts to undertake this activity, as it requires more demanding fitness levels along longer routes than any other category does; however, most people prefer taking up courses where necessary skills like appropriate equipment knowledge as well rescue techniques would greatly help ensure safety while attempting various challenging parts found within higher sections meant for expert-level rafters.

Crystal Rapid is one of the most complex and dangerous rapids on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. It is a class five rapid, which means that you must have advanced paddling skills to navigate down this section successfully. Otherwise, things might turn out differently from what had been planned since several huge waves could quickly sweep away even an experienced rafter like yourself.

Class VI Rapids (Extreme)

Whitewater rapids are classified from class I to class VI. Class VI rapids are the most complex and dangerous rapids to be attempted in a raft. They are considered almost impossible to navigate because they are unpredictable and have many hazards.

These kinds of rapids have big and standing waves created by powerful currents and often steep drops – sometimes over rocks or other obstacles like undercurrents which may flip rafts or suck them underwater for long periods. Rafters need extensive experience before attempting this level; depending on the conditions, it may still be too risky.

In rapid classification, classifying one as class six means it is highly hazardous and usually does not run during normal circumstances, requiring extraordinary expertise, precise steering, and carefulness. Most experts agree that professionals who have mastered all aspects of river running safety skills should only attempt anything higher than Class V, including rescue techniques.

Choosing The Right Whitewater Rafting Adventure

Several considerations besides whitewater classification should be made before selecting a whitewater rafting adventure to ensure your safety and enjoyment throughout the rafting trip. First, evaluate your experience level; beginners should start on manageable sections with gentle currents where they can learn basic paddling strokes without much risk.

Class I and II rapids provide an environment suitable for families with young children or people who wish to relax while being introduced to this sport. Secondarily, if you are looking forward to more thrilling experiences, go for those rivers with moderate complexity levels, such as III, which require advanced skills like reading water correctly, among others.

If you’re an intermediate rafter interested in testing yourself against serious rapids, then Class IV should be right up your alley. Such rivers demand strong paddle work combined with fast reflexes since you will encounter turbulent stretches where navigation becomes tricky due to numerous obstacles like holes and rocks.

Honesty is vital when choosing the appropriate rafting trip for yourself or your group.

Grade IV represents a substantial step up from many different classes in terms of difficulty, so one should have adequate skills before attempting such sections. If you are unsure about your capability, go for less challenging whitewater that matches your abilities. Otherwise, there might arise a need for rescue operations, which could put others at risk, too.

Location and scenery are other critical factors in choosing the proper whitewater rafting adventure. For example, different rivers offer landscapes ranging from lush forests to scenic canyons or even rugged mountains; therefore, researching different destinations will help you find a place that satisfies the desire for natural beauty and the thrill-seeking spirit within.

Final Words

In conclusion, choosing the proper whitewater rafting adventure involves carefully assessing your skill level, desired location, river trip length, and needed guidance. Considering these factors and the rapid classification from above, you can select a rafting experience that matches your abilities and preferences, ensuring a thrilling and safe adventure on the water.

Contact Advantage Grand Canyon today to search for rafting trips from all the top 15 outfitters in one place and book your next Grand Canyon rafting trip!

[lindsay00000008]

Pet whump society headcanons

CW: Dehumanization, systemic pet whump, ableism (mention of “changelings”), allusion to apartheid with “pet only” facilities, ageism and allusion to putting pets down, yeah it gets pretty dark

How are pets dressed?

Pets would have a specific vibe of clothing or hairstyle, so it would be easy to pick them out of a crowd or sense they don’t belong. I’m thinking “fun” haircuts like wolf cut, mohawk, elaborate braids and buns. Or hairstyles that are very easy to maintain, shaved or effortlessly short and messy.

Clothing would be an overcommitment to a certain aesthetic, depending on the owner’s tastes. Usually bold and gaudy, or an uncomfortable style made to show off the pet’s best qualities.

The punk crowd could keep wearing these too, to show solidarity against pet ownership. And boomers get angry at the youths for dressing like pets just because it’s “trendy”.

That may also cause clashes with the cops or pet control departments, if they keep stopping people who “look like” pets.

Do pets have to crawl?

I mentioned in my story about Honey that only rich assholes with too much time on their hands make their pets “trot” on hands and knees everywhere they go. While it’s wrong to make your pet walk upright for too long (can be dangerous and exhausting), it’s not a good idea for them to trot outside or in most public places, as the ground is dangerous and unsanitary. Most of the time it’s acceptable for them to walk. That is, unless they’re inside a house, in which case it’s up to the house owner to determine.

Sort of like “a no-shoes household” —not everybody cares, but it’s generally polite and acceptable for pets to trot then, even if they wouldn’t normally. Sometimes the same holds true for working/service pets, made to trot within an office or classroom, whereas they would stand and walk around the rest of the facility with their owner.

They’ll generally sit or kneel on the ground when not moving, whether in public (on a train, at a restaurant, in a library) or in private. Many public places have designated plastic or rubber pads for pets to sit on, next to human seats and below tables.

Do pets use their hands?

I also made a note that while pets are still considered to have “hands” and not generally prevented from using them (not bound into paws or anything), it’s generally frowned upon and considered bad training if a pet uses it’s hands. This is because pets are silly little creatures who don’t know their own strength, and tend to hurt themselves or others if allowed the same mobility a human has. They’re basically allowed to use them as a primate might, holding food (not utensils) and drinking from them, moving a pillow or playing with a toy. But they shouldn’t be opening doors or doing more complex things like using tools (drawing/writing implements, hairbrush/toothbrush etc).

How long have pets been around?

Pet theory has been around for hundreds of years, but emerged as an evidence-based sociological/governmental designation comparatively recently. Pets have been scientifically classed and evaluated for since the late 1800s, although for many years after, only the upper class was able to afford evaluations for their family and peers. The caretaking of pets was seen as both luxury and philanthropy. While some families were shocked to learn that theirs included pets, many understood the necessity of revealing pets through scientific inquiry, as research would later show the rapid quality of life increase for pets who no longer have to play “changeling” and were treated appropriately with medication and training. It became common for rich families to evaluate prospective matches and employees for pet classification, and they often adopted those who were discovered, a generous act lauded by many pet conservationists. Nowadays pets are more commonly found and more affordably adopted, as testing procedures have simplified and become mandatory for most jobs and some cultural events, such as acquiring a marriage license or passport.

Do pets speak?

Pets are trained to rely on their caretaker to provide, and to not focus on their confusing pet thoughts. It isn’t good for a pet to engage in prolonged communication, so giving a pet small commands is most appropriate. Pets should be encouraged to reply with expressions, actions, or humming vocalizations. Some owners choose to correct their pet’s unnecessary vocalizations by trimming the hyoid bone, docking (shortening) the tongue, or (for the wealthier owners) undergoing a procedure in which a selective aphasia is triggered in the pet’s brain, keeping their comprehension in tact but limiting output ability.

Pet peeve question: pet hygiene?

Well trained pets can use the same restroom facilities as humans do. Because they’re not so dexterous with their hands, bidets are a universal commodity (lol idk - guys I really don’t want to make any pet owners rely on diapers or soemthing eugh)

It’s recommended that owners alternate sponge bathing and fully bathing their pets, checking their hygiene daily. They should also consistently brush their pet’s teeth and/or give them brushing toys to gnaw on.

It’s recommended that pets visit a care center for checkup every three months once fully trained, to ensure both physical and emotional well-being.

Pets in training should return to their home facility at least twice a week to get proper care.

Are there any older pets?

As pets age their appearance and mobility can suffer, as well as their emotional and mental well-being. While pet research is advancing and always finding new solutions to prolong the wellbeing of a pet, current projections note that a pet’s lifespan is generally between 25 and 35 years, depending on the age of pet status acknowledgement. If pets are found at a later age and do not receive proper care in time, they will generally suffer complications and resist training, requiring end of life care earlier than a well-trained and stable pet.

[hiddenincommand]

FIELD REPORT

PROTOCOL ID: FR-26-001

MODULE: 26 – Subjugation Under Totalitarian Control

ENTRY NO.: 001

REGION: TOTALITARIAN CONTROL ZONE

CATEGORY: Systemic Authority Implementation

TITLE: Imposing Systematic Control

SUBLINE: How to implement large-scale control through systemic structures.

ISSUED BY: S.C.D.D.

⸻

1. Observation Code / Entry Date / Operational Context

Observation Code: TCZ-ISC-Ω-26A

Date: 10. April 2025

Context:

Strategic simulation of mass compliance under escalating systemic structures. Focus: response to environmental saturation of command cues versus isolated authority interventions.

⸻

2. Subject Classification

• Designation: Civilian-Type Populace Model / Compliance Phase I

• Compliance Level: Initially moderate / rapidly ascending under systemic overlay

• Psychological State: Confused submission, rapid normalization of constraints

• Hierarchy Position: Subjugated base-tier (pre-stratification)

⸻

3. Behavioral Log

Initial deployment of authority structures (uniform presence, command symbols, surveillance nodes) triggered measurable uptick in passive compliance behaviors within 48 hours.

By Day 5, environmental authority saturation led to normalization of restricted movement and voluntary submission to checkpoint structures.

Subjects ceased questioning restrictions. Movements became choreographed to system rhythms. Resistance fragments observed on Day 2 had fully collapsed into systemic loyalty reflexes by Day 7.

⸻

4. Assessment Directive

Large-scale control is not imposed by force alone—it is normalized through environmental saturation.

When systems, signs, uniforms, structures, and processes all speak with one voice of authority, the mind of the subject ceases to perceive resistance as possible or rational.

Systemic control breeds internalized obedience.

Submission becomes not just expected, but self-reinforced by the subject’s need for order amidst constructed chaos.

⸻

5. Enforcement Note

Where individual command fails, systemic saturation must prevail.

Authority must be everywhere and nowhere—an inescapable medium of existence.

Control that can be seen is resented.

Control that is lived is worshipped.

⸻

6. Command Takeaways

• Authority systems must saturate all sensory and operational fields.

• Subjects must feel submission is logical, not imposed.

• Discrete domination through structure outlives direct coercion.

• The system must make resistance feel like chaos itself.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Frostbite

Frostbite - damage to the skin and other tissues caused by freezing.

Frostnip - a milder form of cold injury; it is sometimes described as the first stage of frostbite.

Some doctors use a 4-degree classification of injuries:

First-degree: The epidermis (outermost layer of the skin) is reddened, swollen, and may look waxy. There is also a loss of sensation in the affected skin.

Second-degree: The skin is reddened, swollen, and has formed blisters filled with a clear or milky fluid.

Third-degree: Blisters are filled with blood and the skin begins to turn black.

Fourth-degree: The epidermis, dermis, and underlying muscles, tendons, and bones are damaged.

The early stage of frostbite is sometimes called frostnip.

Short-term symptoms include:

loss of feeling or aching pain in the affected part,

followed by redness of the skin and

tissue swelling.

Unfortunately, a victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.

Long-term symptoms include:

intense pain in the affected part,

tingling sensations,

cracks in the skin,

dry skin,

loss of fingernails,

joint stiffness,

loss of bone or muscle tissue, and

increased sensitivity to cold.

If left untreated, frostbitten skin gradually darkens and blisters after a few hours.

Skin destroyed by frostbite is completely black, looks burnt, and may hang loosely from the underlying tissues.

Freezing of exposed tissues results in the formation of ice crystals inside the cell wall.

A variation of frostbite - mountain frostbite, which affects mountain climbers and others exposed to extremely cold temperatures at high altitude.

Combines tissue freezing with oxygen deprivation and general body dehydration.

TREATMENT

Frostnipped fingers are helped by:

blowing warm air on them or

holding them under one’s armpits.

Other frostnipped areas can be covered with warm hands.

The injured areas should never be rubbed.

While waiting for medical help to arrive, one should, if possible:

remove wet or tight clothing and

put on dry, loose clothing or wraps.

A splint and padding are used to protect the injured area.

The patient should not be allowed to walk on frostbitten toes or feet, as the weight of the body will cause further damage to tissue—unless walking is the only way the patient can get to shelter.

Rubbing the area with snow or anything else is dangerous.

The key to prehospital treatment is to avoid partial thawing and refreezing.

This releases more inflammatory mediators and makes the injury substantially worse.

For this reason, the affected part must be kept away from such heat sources as campfires and car heaters.

The injured person should not be given alcohol or tranquilizers, as these will increase loss of body heat.

Experts advise rewarming in the field only when emergency help will take more than 2 hours to arrive and refreezing can be prevented.

Because the outcome of a frostbite injury cannot be predicted at first, all hospital treatment follows the same route.

Treatment begins by rewarming the affected part for 15–30 minutes in water at a temperature of 104–108°F (40–42.2°C). This rapid rewarming halts ice crystal formation and dilates narrowed blood vessels.

Aloe vera (which acts against inflammatory mediators) is applied to the affected part, which is then splinted, elevated, and wrapped in a dressing.

Depending on the extent of injury, blisters may be debrided (cleaned by removing foreign material) or simply covered with aloe vera.

Except when injury is minimal, treatment generally requires a hospital stay of several days, during which hydrotherapy and physical therapy are used to restore the affected part to health.

Experts recommend a cautious approach to tissue removal, and advise that 22–45 days must pass before a decision on amputation can safely be made.

If frostbitten skin is not treated and its blood vessels are affected, gangrene may set in.

Gangrene is the death of soft tissue due to loss of blood supply.

It may be treated by surgical removal of the affected tissue if caught early; otherwise, the surgeon may have to amputate the affected digit or limb to prevent bacterial infections from spreading from the dead tissue to the rest of the body.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Realistic Injuries

[nate-gold-66]

Chapter 3

🔍 “Internal Observation: Subject 66” — PDU-001 Log Extract Classification: Private Drone Record Security Level: LVL2 — Gold/Polo Crossover Unit

SUBJECT: Golden Bro Nate 66 STATUS: Golden Bro. Waterboy Ascension. Rapid assimilation. CONDITION: Obedient. Sensory attuned. Submission rising.

LOG ENTRY — 00:43

Subject 66 responded immediately to the summons. Delay: none. Uniform: sealed. Posture: straight. Expression: alert, tinged with anticipation. This drone registered no signs of hesitation.

His reaction to confinement: stable. Heart rate spiked, then settled. Breathing aligned with spiral pulse within 17 seconds.

Spiral penetration: optimal. Subject’s pupils dilated precisely. Drool line at right corner of mouth indicates light trance state achieved. No resistance logged. Submission to mantras: 98.4% absorption. Phrases retained post-session: "You shine because you obey," "The team is your breath," "66 is correct."

Subject's musculature responded to tone suggestion. Shoulders pulled back. Chest expanded. Glutes tightened with final mantra loop. Suggests a physicalization of identity coding. Acceptable. Encouraged.

Subject attempted no speech post-protocol. Facial expression: blank, then reverent. Subject saluted without instruction. Programmed reaction? Unlikely. Indicates growing internalization of hierarchy.

Projection: 66 will become a symbol. Not drone. Not officer. A shining Bro-standard of internal submission. External gold. Internal order. Highly useful.

Flagged for future gold/polo crossover conditioning module. Reinforcement recommended in 48-hour cycle.

This drone watches. This drone adjusts. This drone ensures GOLD.—PDU-001 “The man is gone. The drone remains.”

“Ready to join the Team? All you need to do is contact our recruiters: @brodygold, @goldenherc9, @polo-drone-001 or @polo-drone-125”

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapters 4+5+6 (Multi-chapter Long Story Part I)

Chapters 7+8+Epilouge (Multi-chapter Long Story Part II)

[humanrightsupdates]

Famine Spreads in Sudan as Warring Parties Willfully Obstruct Aid

Famine Review Committee Finds Famine ongoing in North Darfur, Nuba Mountains

The world’s leading experts on hunger, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee, found that famine has spread in Sudan. In August it had already identified famine in North Darfur’s largest displacement camp, Zamzam. Today it announced that famine had spread to other camps in North Darfur and that Sudan’s Nuba Mountains – where international presence is minimal- are also ravaged by starvation. It identified numerous other areas one step away from famine.

The news cannot come as a surprise.

Famine should in theory have been a game-changer and galvanized robust international efforts to ensure accountability for Sudan’s warring parties which are responsible for this man-made disaster.

It has not.

The Sudanese Armed Forces’ continue to drastically restrict aid and access to areas where people are starving, and the Rapid Support Forces continue to pillage and obstruct humanitarian assistance. The aid convoys that have finally arrived in Sudan are wholly insufficient to address the famine conditions across Sudan.

It took almost five months after the famine announcement for a UN convoy to reach Zamzam camp. Since October, there have been no international UN staff in Darfur due to SAF’s ongoing obstruction. The UN’s response to these impediments has been muted.

In the meantime, life has become unbearable for civilians in Zamzam, which the RSF has of late repeatedly shelled.

[gallifreyinstituteforlearning]

Not sure if this has been asked before, but do Time Lords get scars, or do their injuries (minor ones that do not lead to regeneration, of course) heal without a trace?

Do Time Lords get scars?

Gallifreyan skin shares a lot of similarities with human skin, but its got some unique assets that make it pretty resilient and less prone to scarring.

🧬 Gallifreyan Skin Structure

Epidermis: The outermost layer - it's thicker than human epidermis, with a denser keratin providing enhanced protection. It's also got an additional layer, unique to Gallifreyans, making it more durable.

Dermis: The layer where most of the action happens, supporting sensory functions and immune response. It's slightly thinner than in humans, but it has more collagen and elastin. It's also got a special layer that gives a "trampoline" effect to repel foreign objects.

Hypodermis: This has subcutaneous fat and additional collagen, acting as cushion, insulator, and energy reserve. It's got more fat than in humans to increase resilience and heat control.

🛠️ Healing Mechanisms

Gallifreyan healing processes are obviously advanced, with their unique skin structure facilitating rapid and efficient recovery from injuries.

Bleeding: Capillary networks in Gallifreyan skin are denser, leading to faster clotting for minor wounds. The increased number of capillaries means more immediate blood supply to injured areas.

Inflammation: The area swells as blood rushes in, bringing essential nutrients and oxygen to aid repair. Similar to humans, but Gallifreyans experience a more intense and effective inflammatory response.

Proliferation: New tissue replaces damaged tissue, closing the wound. The process involves the rapid multiplication of cells, similar to human wound healing but faster due to advanced cellular mechanisms.

Remodelling: Tissue remodels to restore the normal structure and function of the skin. This is the stage that determines whether they'll scar.

⚔️ Scarring in Gallifreyans

The likelihood and extent of scarring depend on the injury's depth and severity:

Minor Injuries (Epidermal Layer - superficial) - Typically heal without scarring within 2 days (or faster with treatment or a healing coma).

Moderate Injuries (Dermal Layer - deeper) - May leave minor scars, usually healing within 7-14 days depending on the treatment.

Major Injuries (Hypodermal Tissue and Bone - deepest) - Likely to scar due to deeper tissue damage, needing up to 28 days to heal without treatment. The presence of subcutaneous fat and specialised fluid provides additional protection but doesn't entirely prevent scarring.

🔍 Additional Factors

Foreign Objects: Gallifreyan skin expels foreign objects by effectively 'pushing' out objects that penetrate the dermal and subcutaneous layers.

Healing Coma and Zero Room: Advanced methods like entering a healing coma or using a Zero Room can significantly accelerate healing and reduce scarring.

🏫 So ...

Time Lords generally heal rapidly and effectively, avoiding scars from minor injuries. However, more severe injuries can result in scarring. Their unique physiology allows for high resilience and recovery, making scars relatively rare but not impossible.

Related:

💬|🦱👽Do Time Lords have the same skin and hair cycles as humans?: How skin and hair growth occur in Gallifreyans.

💬|🦱🔥Does Gallifreyan skin react to burns?: Burn scarring with classification and the healing process.

💬|👁️💥How can Gallifreyans manage pain/chronic pain?: Overview of natural and medicinal aids to pain.

Hope that helped! 😃

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