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The ground beneath us is composed of many layers of soil referred to as ‘horizons’. Each horizon has its own distinct composition of soil, sand, clay and mineral deposits. By understanding these levels, we are given a clearer image, or reference point with which to design the various habitats of the subterranean insects.
Much of the activity in the underground takes place within the first two horizons.
1. Horizon ‘O’ (Humus): This is the top organic layer, made up of much leaf litter, and debris. many insects feed on decaying organic matter, they may be seen here scavenging. Veritably feeding on trash.
2. Horizon ‘A’ (Topsoil): Much root growth is exhibited here, and seeds are germinating. The humus is now mixed with mineral particles. The roots may prvide for ample living areas, and may offer dwellings for the higher members of insect colonies. Furthermore, the increase in mineral deposits would provide adequate sustenance for the various fungal gardens cultivated by the insects.
3-6. Horizons ‘E,B,C,R’: As the horizons progress deeper and deeper beneath the surface of the earth. The surrounding land transforms from soil, to sand and silt, to clay, to bedrock eventually. It becomes gradually less and less habitable to the point that nothing can survive…or can it??
Insect-O-Fact #17: Firumina and Bio-luminescence
on October 13, 2011 at 12:01 AMPosted In: Blog, Insect-O-Facts
Bio-luminescence is quite common in many diffent types of insects, fish and fungi. For the purposes of the Underground we stuck to insect and fungus based bio-luminescence obviously. We as humans have studied bio-luminescence for as long as we have known about it. In ancient times fungus based light was refered to as foxfire and was indeed quite mystical to them. The oldest recorded documentation of foxfire was written by Aristotle in 382 B.C. His notes make a reference to a light that, unlike fire, was cold to the touch.
Many species of fungus glow with a bluish green glow and are well known to the ants, with them cultivating fungal farms specifically for the sale and use of torches or lamps. Coryn is lit by the strategic placement of fungus species such as Panellus Stipticus.
Bio-luminescence was discovered early in Coryn’s history and spread out from there through trade. The ants of Coryn use the term Firumina to describle a multitude of items that use this mysterious energy.
The fact that Termites are sensitive to solar radiation makes the “cold light” produced very attractive to the Union as well. Terseon engineers have extracted the chemicals produced by bio-luminescent insects such as the firefly to produce their own “firumina”. The Underground would be a much darker place without it.
The mindset of most spiders is to build a defensive structure such as a web and wait for prey to come to you. When prey comes at you in force of numbers, a static defense such as that of a web structure is little help and the prey can easily outmatch said predator. Arachnid engineers needed a way to counter the massed infantry tactics of the static formations of Coryn and the swarming tactics and tremendous numbers of the Termite Union. The answer was the instant calamity caused by the Pulex Pulse Cannon.
The mechanism behind this innovative weapon is quite simple and easy to deploy against a charging army. The Pulse cannon consists of a large tube as the barrel connected to a straightforward firing pin that irritates the ammunition into action. The ammunition consists of starved, disease ridden, and really pissed off fleas. Once the trigger is engaged the pin creates just enough force to make the hungry flea leap out of it’s holding pen with incredulous speed and force.
The flea smashes through enemy lines creating confusion and then naturally begins to tear apart any bug in it’s vicinity in a ravenous feeding frenzy that creates even more chaos. The only drawback to this incredible piece of weapons engineering is that the rabid fleas tend to destroy everything in their paths including friendly forces. This is a truly frightening weapon of last resort regardless of who’s side you’re on.
Starting tonight at 12:01 you can get a digital copy of The Underground #1 Harvest Chapter 1 plus supplemental material for the low price of $1.50. Come see how the Underground reboot began!