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Dokkaran: Difference between revisions
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Dokkaran internal biology is a maze and is unlike anything previously encountered. Dokkaran ‘skin’ is instead a tough mesh of leaves fused together to give the convincing illusion of skin and is supported by a complex structure of stems that function as a sort of skeletal and circulatory system. It is through this ‘skin’ that Dokkarans are able to absorb sunlight and carry out a limited form of photosynthesis. Since the Dokkaran homeworld has little direct sunlight due to a very thick cloud and magnetosphere, Dokkarans and the other plants on their homeworld carry out the process of photosynthesis by in taking large amounts of nutrients to start the process in the absence of strong sunlight. When Dokkarans come into contact with less obstructed solar light, the feeling is euphoric and after a brief orgasmic reaction, the Dokkarans continue to be relaxed as they take in the sunlight that revitalizes them. Dokkarans also give off a pollen that is light in both particles and smell, so allergic reactions are uncommon among other species though no unheard of. This pollen masks the approach of Dokkaran hunters when they go out in the twilight periods to gather bones and their marrow from deceased animals. | Dokkaran internal biology is a maze and is unlike anything previously encountered. Dokkaran ‘skin’ is instead a tough mesh of leaves fused together to give the convincing illusion of skin and is supported by a complex structure of stems that function as a sort of skeletal and circulatory system. It is through this ‘skin’ that Dokkarans are able to absorb sunlight and carry out a limited form of photosynthesis. Since the Dokkaran homeworld has little direct sunlight due to a very thick cloud and magnetosphere, Dokkarans and the other plants on their homeworld carry out the process of photosynthesis by in taking large amounts of nutrients to start the process in the absence of strong sunlight. When Dokkarans come into contact with less obstructed solar light, the feeling is euphoric and after a brief orgasmic reaction, the Dokkarans continue to be relaxed as they take in the sunlight that revitalizes them. Dokkarans also give off a pollen that is light in both particles and smell, so allergic reactions are uncommon among other species though no unheard of. This pollen masks the approach of Dokkaran hunters when they go out in the twilight periods to gather bones and their marrow from deceased animals. | ||
Dokkaran muscular and skeletal systems consist of unique versions of stem and wood materials respectively. The stems merely provide support for the rest of the body and are not like human muscles as they do not benefit from exercise, nor can they be stretched very far. Dokkaran bone-wood is hard and dense, and while the wood is stronger than a human bone, once it is broken there is no medical way to heal it. In order for the bone-wood to regenerate the Dokkaran must take root in Ceata's soil (Or a similar soil on another planet) and wait several weeks (Months if the wound is serious enough) for the bone-wood to heal. | |||
Dokkaran neurobiology is one of the few things about them to be remotely similar to other humanoids and Dokkarans have a brain, though this brain has structures, cortexes and synapses that extend throughout their body. Dokkarans also have a minimal amount of natural hormones and chemicals running through their brain and in essence are ‘running dry’ on pure neuron energy. This does not limit their emotions in a sense, but these emotions are rarely brought to extremes via hormones or other natural chemicals found in animals, giving the species its trademark harmonious and ‘Zen’ personality. | Dokkaran neurobiology is one of the few things about them to be remotely similar to other humanoids and Dokkarans have a brain, though this brain has structures, cortexes and synapses that extend throughout their body. Dokkarans also have a minimal amount of natural hormones and chemicals running through their brain and in essence are ‘running dry’ on pure neuron energy. This does not limit their emotions in a sense, but these emotions are rarely brought to extremes via hormones or other natural chemicals found in animals, giving the species its trademark harmonious and ‘Zen’ personality. | ||
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Dokkarans do not reproduce sexually, nor do they excrete solid or liquid waste (Save for producing oxygen and sugar) so their genitalia (anatomically identical to a human’s) are purely for ‘recreational activities’. Between fellow Dokkarans though, the ultimate joining of minds through their mental abilities is enough to function as a mating ritual by itself, without physical contact. | Dokkarans do not reproduce sexually, nor do they excrete solid or liquid waste (Save for producing oxygen and sugar) so their genitalia (anatomically identical to a human’s) are purely for ‘recreational activities’. Between fellow Dokkarans though, the ultimate joining of minds through their mental abilities is enough to function as a mating ritual by itself, without physical contact. | ||
Another unique feature about Dokkarans is their as yet unknown natural life-span. Dokkarans show little sign of aging, and the only Dokkarans that have ever died expired from disease or conflict, not natural causes. Considering the longevity capabilities of many other complex plant life, it is possible that Dokkarans are either actually immortal (They will never die naturally) or effectively immortal (They have a vastly elongated lifespan compared to other humanoids that might make them extremely long lived). As Dokkarans are not affected by the same diseases, viral or otherwise, that animals are, the best chance a Dokkaran has of dying prematurely is through conflict or some sort of accident. Dokkarans are also much lighter than other humanoids and are perhaps not the best physical fighters. Although they have a higher average strength than other humanoids, there is little variation to it and since Dokkaran's cannot exercise normally like other species (At least, they receive no enhancing effects from it) their physical strength cannot be improved. Dokkarans (Like most plants) also heal much more slowly than animals, and while on Caeta they can take root in the soil to absorb healing nutrients, this is not always possible even on other planets (Which may lack the right moisture or minerals), so for most Dokkarans, a simple paper cut might take weeks to fully heal. Dokkaran 'blood' is instead a sort of murky white water full of sugars produced by Dokkarans to energize their systems. Loss of this blood in a localized area is usually not life threatening lest the flow is not restored within a few hours lest necrosis set in. The widespread loss of this fluid however, would lead to the shut down of bodily functions without energy to sustain them, and the Dokkaran would wither and die. | Another unique feature about Dokkarans is their as yet unknown natural life-span. Dokkarans show little sign of aging, and the only Dokkarans that have ever died expired from disease or conflict, not natural causes. Considering the longevity capabilities of many other complex plant life, it is possible that Dokkarans are either actually immortal (They will never die naturally) or effectively immortal (They have a vastly elongated lifespan compared to other humanoids that might make them extremely long lived). As Dokkarans are not affected by the same diseases, viral or otherwise, that animals are, the best chance a Dokkaran has of dying prematurely is through conflict or some sort of accident. Dokkarans are also much lighter than other humanoids and are perhaps not the best physical fighters. Although they have a higher average strength than other humanoids, there is little variation to it and since Dokkaran's cannot exercise normally like other species (At least, they receive no enhancing effects from it) their physical strength cannot be improved. Dokkarans (Like most plants) also heal much more slowly than animals, and while on Caeta they can take root in the soil to absorb healing nutrients, this is not always possible even on other planets (Which may lack the right moisture or minerals), so for most Dokkarans, a simple paper cut might take weeks to fully heal. Dokkaran 'blood' is instead a sort of murky white water full of sugars produced by Dokkarans to energize their systems. Loss of this blood in a localized area is usually not life threatening lest the flow is not restored within a few hours lest necrosis set in. The widespread loss of this fluid however, would lead to the shut down of bodily functions without energy to sustain them, and the Dokkaran would wither and die. It has been noted that the more time a Dokkaran spends off Ceata, the weaker they become. This effect is often muted and was not noticed until Lieutenant Dellan of the USS Churchill began to shut down physically (By this point in her life she had been away from Ceata for more than 7 years). While it is not known if this condition could prove fatal, it does present a unique limitation to the amount of time a Dokkaran can spend away from their world and their people. | ||
Dokkaran sleep patterns are highly irregular compared to other species and reflect their botanical nature. Vespertine plants, Dokkarans ‘bloom’ in the evening when most of the animals on Caeta retreat back into their dens and are vulnerable to hunting parties. Dokkarans are most active in this period of the day, performing the majority of their tasks, though they are not truly Vespertine and are also active in the hours before and after dawn. In regards to actual sleep, this process is even more complicated. Dokkarans are plants and naturally respond to changes in the seasons, therefor in the Summer, they will sleep for two, 2 hour intervals surrounding solar and lunar maximums, one at high noon and one at midnight. In the Winter they will sleep for six hour periods, 3 hours before, and 3 hours after noon and midnight. In the Spring and Fall, Dokkarans sleep anywhere in between though they are generally quite active in the Spring. Dokkarans are also naturally sensitive to temperatures and while they are much more tolerant to shifts in the temperature than most plants, they do like like the extreme cold or the extreme heat (the latter of which is usually fatal). | Dokkaran sleep patterns are highly irregular compared to other species and reflect their botanical nature. Vespertine plants, Dokkarans ‘bloom’ in the evening when most of the animals on Caeta retreat back into their dens and are vulnerable to hunting parties. Dokkarans are most active in this period of the day, performing the majority of their tasks, though they are not truly Vespertine and are also active in the hours before and after dawn. In regards to actual sleep, this process is even more complicated. Dokkarans are plants and naturally respond to changes in the seasons, therefor in the Summer, they will sleep for two, 2 hour intervals surrounding solar and lunar maximums, one at high noon and one at midnight. In the Winter they will sleep for six hour periods, 3 hours before, and 3 hours after noon and midnight. In the Spring and Fall, Dokkarans sleep anywhere in between though they are generally quite active in the Spring. Dokkarans are also naturally sensitive to temperatures and while they are much more tolerant to shifts in the temperature than most plants, they do like like the extreme cold or the extreme heat (the latter of which is usually fatal). | ||