THPIAOBA

Here is my girlfriend's blog !!!!!!

Here is the phylogenetic tree (or cladogram) for the slimes. We actually finished this a while ago, but I held off on posting it because we were still debating the exact taxonomy and where the Tarr slimes should actually sit.

Basically, we've decided that the Tarr isn't a separate species, but more like a prion-based condition that triggers extreme aggression and massive physical mutations. This physiological collapse is usually (but not always) triggered by a dysfunctional lateral gene transfer between different species. Essentially, the genetic incompatibility leads to a proteopathic chain reaction—the proteins begin to misfold, destabilizing the slime's entire cellular integrity and turning it into a Tarr.

We briefly considered a oncogenic (cancer-based) origin for the Tarr, but we quickly discarded that hypothesis. Since slimes are unicellular organisms, they lack the complex cell-cycle regulation and tissue organization required for malignancy as we define it. A prion-based model is far more consistent with their rapid, infectious transformation.

Moving on to morphology, Cade made this drawing illustrating four distinct variations of "ear-like" protrusions. While these lineages form a polyphyletic group—as not all slimes share these specific traits—their sensory structures offer a great look into how different clades have adapted.

Tabby Lineage (Top Left): The Tabby slimes and their close relatives have developed these structures as a type of antenna capped with specialized vibratory membranes. These act as external tympanums, capturing acoustic vibrations from the environment. What’s really cool is how they process this: the data is interpreted by a localized cluster of specialized nuclei at the base of the structure, allowing for rapid response without waiting for a "central" signal.

Cotton Lineage (Top Right): The Cotton slimes represent a much more basal group. Their structures are more akin to primitive antennas, but their lower sensory filaments are significantly more developed. This explains the "whisker-like" protrusions seen across this entire clade, which likely serve as their primary tactile and chemical sensors.

Phosphor Lineage (Bottom): Evolution took a different path with the Phosphor slimes, leading to a fascinating physiological shift. Their antennas have specialized into electroreceptors, allowing them to detect the bioelectric fields of other organisms in the dark. Much like bats, their "ears" are thicker and more robust because their survival depends almost entirely on this electro-spatial awareness. Internally, this is powered by a high concentration of mitochondria and specialized ion channels that maintain a constant electrical gradient.

Next, I wanted to share this detailed look at the cellular anatomy of a slime. Cade and I have been working on mapping out how these complex, multinucleate organisms function on a microscopic level. I’m not going to dive too deep into the specifics just yet, as I’m planning a dedicated post to break down the entire physiological map in the future. However, for those of you who have been following my previous entries, you can probably already identify several of the specialized organelles present here just by looking at the diagram. :>

Finally, here's the new map I’ve been working on for the Far, Far Range. It’s loosely based on the old layouts, but it moves significantly away from the in-game maps to better represent realistic ecosystems and geographical zones. Visualizing these habitats helps contextualize why specific organelles and biological traits evolved the way they did. That being said, please don't ask about the plants or why they look like a Skittles factory exploded; we haven't gotten that far yet, but we're working on it!!!!!!

Their evolutionary success is reflected both in their diversity—with over a hundred described species—and in their size, with Petroancathis trochos representing the largest known member of the family. Unlike other soft-bodied slimes, rock slimes have developed a defensive strategy based on biomineralization. They possess surface structures functionally equivalent to osteoderms, formed from deposits of carbonates, silicates, and metallic crystals precipitated within a hardened cytoplasmic matrix. In a relaxed state, these structures remain partially retracted and concentrated around the abdominal region.

When the organism detects a threat, it can fully retract its locomotory pseudopods and oral region, reorganizing its highly specialized internal cytoskeleton to redistribute the osteoderms along the dorsal surface. This produces a rigid, spined covering that functions as a continuous armor, drastically reducing susceptibility to mechanical damage. In certain contexts, this same defensive configuration may be used actively: the slime adopts a compact morphology and rolls down gentle slopes, facilitating evasion or passive displacement.

The characteristic blue coloration of rock slimes results from the presence of metallic pigment complexes integrated within their cytoplasm and mineralized deposits. These pigments, functional analogues to metalloproteins and metal-chelating chromatophores, serve a dual purpose. On one hand, they help regulate excess metal ions absorbed from the soil during feeding; on the other, they reflect and scatter a portion of incoming solar radiation, reducing overheating in open environments. The exact shade of blue varies among species depending on local mineral availability and the relative concentration of these pigment complexes.

Their success is not driven by extreme specialization, but by a broad and flexible digestive system supported by a wide, low-specificity enzymatic repertoire. Pink slimes are capable of processing soft plant matter, complex organic detritus, carrion derived from native slime biomass, and other slimes of smaller size, adjusting their metabolism according to local resource availability. In drier environments they rely more heavily on concentrated organic residues and decomposing biomass, while in humid regions they preferentially consume abundant fruits, tuber-like structures, and sugar-rich plant tissues.

The characteristic pink coloration of the group results from the accumulation of carotenoid and pteridine pigments, produced both endogenously and by microbial endosymbionts residing within the cytoplasmic matrix. These pigments serve antioxidant and photoprotective roles, reducing cellular damage caused by solar radiation and oxidative stress. Coloration varies widely between species and individuals, ranging from pale bubblegum pink to deep magenta or purplish hues, depending on diet, age, and pigment concentration. In some species, the outer gelatinous layer also exhibits highly reflective properties.

Due to their physiological stability, small size, and relatively passive behavior, pink slimes have become one of the most commonly utilized species in plort production, as well as a frequent companion organism among ranchers. Their resilience to handling and low environmental requirements have established them as a key species in both economic and domestic contexts, solidifying their role as a basal yet ecologically dominant slime lineage.

Unlike more derived slimes, puddle slimes lack true pseudopodia, do not possess the complex horizontal gene transfer systems characteristic of later clades, and are unable to form composite individuals or “largos.” As a result, their reproductive strategy is considerably simpler, relying primarily on assisted cellular fission and the release of environmentally resistant reproductive cysts.

They are distributed almost globally, with at least 73 described species, inhabiting freshwater, brackish environments, and even temporary pools. All species share a distinctive ventral structure: a continuous basal foot, homologous to the muscular foot of terrestrial gastropods, which in this lineage has been extensively modified into a system of internal gas sacs. These sacs can be inflated and deflated in a controlled manner, allowing the organism to regulate buoyancy, propel itself through short bursts of motion, or remain suspended at shallow depths.

Most species are relatively small, rarely exceeding 10 cm in diameter, and exhibit a comparatively slow metabolism. Their diet is typically based on filter feeding, capturing suspended organic particles, microorganisms, and detritus from the surrounding water. However, some species have evolved more specialized strategies, including the consumption of floating vegetation, aquatic carrion, or small organisms that accidentally enter the water. In more extreme cases, certain puddle slimes display partially autotrophic metabolisms, supported by photosynthetic or chemosynthetic endosymbionts.

As far as either of us can remember, it was this strange seedworld idea where the Far, Far Range wasn’t just a cute alien wilderness, but something closer to an industrialized ranch-planet. Chickens everywhere. Cows. Livestock infrastructure. And just… these soft, slug-like organisms peacefully existing alongside all of it.

Those were the slimes.

Back then, Cade had two competing explanations for them. One was that they were native organisms with an internal, spring-like support structure and a muscular “foot,” a bit like oversized gastropods. The other was that they were the distant descendants of mollusks introduced during terraforming that then went completely off the rails evolution-wise.

The project eventually got abandoned because, well… in-game slimes casually break the laws of physics whenever they feel like it. But this time we’re approaching it differently. Same cozy, videogame-adjacent vibes — but with a harder sci-bio angle. The Far, Far Range as a planet with a genuinely alien biosphere, and slimes as macroscopic, unicellular, multinucleated organisms that can reproduce through lateral gene transfer.

They’d still be soft and squishy and very friend-shaped, but not just formless goo. Their bodies wouldn’t be freely malleable at all — having many nuclei actually allows for surprisingly complex and structured morphologies. And yeah, we’re even letting them exploit certain quantum-scale atomic effects for very specific biological functions… just at a huge energetic cost, because nature never gives you cool things for free.

Anyway. That’s the current brainrot ⊹ ࣪ ˖

Stick around over the next few hours or days. We’ll probably be posting cute drawings, little diagrams, and very overexplained thoughts about fictional slimes that absolutely did not need this much biological attention…