Aguarian Breath-Eater
A small, squishy, living breathing aid....
Despite the deceptively ominous name, breath-eaters are actually quite nifty little organisms, their most common application only being discovered recently with slowly increasing tourism to Planet Aguar. They are difficult to spot in shallow water or close to the surface, but in deeper water, dark caves, or underneath coral shelves, their signature glow gives them away. The Kikua themselves have no use for them, but mammalian or monotreme species such as Humans, Thangiens, or Thunthen actively search for one nearby before venturing deeper under the surface of Aguar's vast global ocean. Unlike most similar organisms found on the Oldworld, breath-eaters are not known to be hazardous and for such simple-minded creatures is actually perfectly willing to be handled and used as a makeshift breathing device.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Breath-eaters vary from palm-sized to plate-sized with a transparent bell-shaped fleshy cap and numerous thin trailing tentacles. They are invertebrates with their internal organs visible through their cap.
Biological Traits
The translucent flesh itself is primarily colorless, but the glow produced from within its cap can range from white to a deep blue. Other color variations have not been observed and it is unknown whether different sources of food such as iron or phosphorous would yield different colors. Various patterns and speckles have been observed but again seem to only mirror colors emanated from within the cap.
Genetics and Reproduction
Breeding habits have yet to be observed on Aguar but it is hypothesized they reproduce similarly to varieties found on the Oldworld, either purely asexually or by deploying "spawning clouds" where two partners contribute genetic material. Theoretically potential offspring can vary from a handful to several dozen.
Growth Rate & Stages
Juvenile breath-eaters average from thumb-sized to cup-sized with the older specimens reaching several inches in diameter, about as big as a mixing bowl.
Ecology and Habitats
Breath-eaters can be found practically anywhere on Planet Aguar but unless tidal activity carries them to shallow coves, they generally avoid areas close to the surface.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Primarily drift-feeders, they consume the bulk of their diet through their skirt of tentacles, mostly plankton and detritus. They seem to act as ocean-born "Roombas" cleaning up messes found in Aguar's vast oceans.
Biological Cycle
Exploration of Planet Aguar is so new, scientific endeavors have yet to be undertaken in earnest, so larger specimens have yet to be studied to see how they age or respond in captivity. It is not known if they have natural predators that eat the largest specimens or if they simply cease functioning after a period of time and are consumed by ocean-borne scavengers.
Behaviour
They seem to be solitary but have been observed converging in areas with increased activity from other large organisms.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Breath-eaters got their official name only recently from tentative trade and exploration by the Thunthen. After suffering a black eye against the Fendahu of Feinlor, the Thunthen took a meeker approach in regards to the Kikua, who demonstrated the breath-eaters ability to adhere the lower edges of their caps to another organisms' respiratory appendages (eyes, nose, trunk etc.) and feed upon exhalations while producing breathable oxygen. Smaller specimens were found to be usable as breathing aids while larger specimens could be used as full-face protective gear for deeper diving. The flesh was found to be tasteless and spongy and not at all suitable for eating, but its curious ability to produce a steady supply of oxygen in exchange for carbon-dioxide was deemed quite valuable.
Spoiler Warning: Unpublished Content!
The Far Star TravellerIt seemed as if they swam for hours and Ander fretted that the creatures might grow bored and swim away, leaving them helpless, but they stayed fastened to their faces thankfully. Several others seemed to linger nearby as if following the two explorers. He thought he could spot strands of bulbous kelp and coral spires in the distance but he new better than to stray from the trail Bak followed. Bak paused abruptly and veered to the side, motioning for Ander to follow. Ander gripped Goldwing's hilt but Bak shook his head frantically, signalling something approached that they could not fight. Ander noticed just then that the other creatures had flitted away, leaving just the light from himself and Bak.
Ander relented, knowing if he lost grip of Gage's precious gift he might never find it again in these deep waters. Only faint trickles of sunlight reached this far down in the murk. Bak waved at Ander again and scurried behind a rocky formation. Ander prepared to follow but curiosity got the better of him and he paused momentarily when he spotted something moving in the distance, a mass blacker than shadow. He seemed transfixed by the sight, frozen by some primordial awe of the unknown.
It emerged from the distant dark, a maw larger than the bow of an aircraft carrier, a beak the size of a cliff. Ander's eyes popped wide open and he knew for certain the little creature fastened to his face feasted heartily upon his screams as he frantically kicked to the side to avoid the oncoming leviathan. The water thrummed from its bellow and Ander held out his hands, bracing his palms against its upper jaw and pushing away, narrowly avoiding having his legs caught in its maw. He tucked his arms and legs close and tumbled along its crusted hide as it surged past. The wake of its sweeping tail sent him spinning and he caught only the faintest shadow of its departure. Thankfully it seemed too large to expend energy turning around just for a morsel like him. Bak grabbed him by the arm and dragged Ander towards the surface. Ander worried his ears might pop from the sudden surfacing, but the little creature did its damn best to keep his breath stable.
Bak broke the surface first, his creature popping off and dropping back into the water. Ander emerged sputtering in protest and caught his creature in his palm before it could plonk below the waves. He held it just below the surface just in case, since the behemoth's passing seemed to have frightened off their little entourage of other creatures. "I didn't expect we'd run into a drinocicanth this close to the surface!" Bak marveled.
"I've only ever read of monsters such of that in books, old wives' tales! What in Sam Hill was that!?
"Drinocicanth. They're actually filter feeders, but don't exactly discriminate what goes down their gullet. Usually they prowl much deeper! I doubt I would have made a pleasant meal going down," Bak tapped the rim of his spiked shell. "But I was more worried for you."
"I appreciate the save. I'm not sure I would've made a good Jonah myself. Maybe that's why we haven't found our contacts yet, because that thing was lurking in the area. I suppose we're going to need to find replacements. I imagine this little fellow's gorged well from my screams of terror."
"They'll be back soon enough, either that or our contact will find us. They really are quite nifty little things. Their ability to defecate oxygen is truly miraculous to those without gills," Bak commented absently. Ander's eyes popped wide open and he glanced down slowly at the creature in his palm. He held it up briefly before tilting his palm to the side and letting it plop down into the water and swim away. As much as he appreciated all it had done to keep him alive while swimming...the thought that he'd been inhaling its..."leavings"...all this time quite frankly unsettled him.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
On a planet mostly covered by water, breath-eaters can be found mostly everywhere. Their pressure tolerance is unknown, so it is unclear whether they can be found in deeper regions. Highest frequency of sightings are around coral reefs and seamounts.
Average Intelligence
They seem to be relatively simple with no interest in puzzle-solving or the "mirror test". Visitors to Aguar ascribe intelligence to them based on how readily available they seem to make themselves, but it seems they only arrive out of necessity.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Possessing no visible eyes or ears, breath-eaters are able to navigate through pneumatic propulsion and detect subtle bio-electric discharges from other nearby organisms and faint displacement in water. They seem to recognize the presence of larger organisms and will flock to the general vicinity seemingly in hope of being procured and used.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
It is suspected that the breath-eater's signature bioluminescence isn't exactly an innate trait but rather produced by plankton cultured inside its cap that provide crucial nutrients, and it actively seeks out sources of carbon-dioxide to nurture these plankton colonies.
Planet Aguar by Mardrena
Ander watched as Bak dipped below the surface and poked the tip of his snoot through the water, emitting a plume of vapor before exhaling deeply and diving again. Ander glanced about, unsure what to do other than float there waving his arms. Bak hadn't brought along any breathing equipment nor provided Ander with anything. He frowned when he felt something tug his leg and took a deep breath before submerging himself. He blinked several times to adjust and spotted Bak close by holding something pinched delicately in his claws. Ander glanced about, startled to see the water teeming with small jellyfish-like creatures that glowed faint blue. Bak held out the creature in his hand and waited for Ander to gingerly take it. It did not sting or squirm frantically to escape but seemed to float idly in his grip. Ander raised an eyebrow and glanced at Bak, who stabbed a claw tip at his muzzle before reaching out and grabbing a larger bell-shaped creature. Ander made a face, grimacing awkwardly: he couldn't possibly mean to eat it? Bak drew a clawtip around his mouth and demonstrated by holding the large creature he held close to his snoot. The creature's skirt gently pressed against the skin, forming a seal and covering both Bak's nostrils.
Lifespan
Indeterminate
Aguarian Breath-Eater by Mardrena
Ander glanced down at the creature and opened his hand. Instead of trying to escape, it seemed to float over his palm expectantly. Bubbles drifted from his nostrils as he sighed in dismay, wasting precious air he'd need if they planned to continue their expedition. He reluctantly raised the creature to his face, dreading some awful sensation. To his surprise, the glowing flesh clamped onto his skin gently and he found he could breathe safely. He blinked in astonishment but relaxed. Bak nodded and turned around, diving further into the deep, the glow of the creature giving away his position. He lashed his tail like a propeller, keeping his arms and legs tucked together. Ander hadn't dove this deep before and could only kick his legs and lash his arms to keep up. At least the creature's glow kept his surroundings visible. He paused briefly and flinched: the damn thing seemed to be going out of its way to tickle his moustache...
All artwork used is self-made and belongs to me unless otherwise stated, such as kitbashes and commissions. Age of Defiance does not and will not use or feature RW/YST original artwork out of consideration for the OAS creators
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