Changes: Reefback Leviathan

Revision as of 00:43, 21 February 2020

The Reefback Leviathan is a passive leviathan class fauna species. It is the second largest passive life form, and ties with the Sea Dragon Leviathan for second largest creature overall.

Appearance

The Reefback is massive in size, with most of the creature's body being comprised of a thick, dark-blue carapace with a rounded, triangular front, and a relatively small body concentrated in the posterior. Attached to its main body are three long whip-like tentacles.

An adult Reefback has patches of teal-colored coral and brown-colored grass growing across its carapace, befitting its name, while the younger ones lack this trait. The carapace has a slightly bright blue dotted pattern across towards the back. Beneath its carapace, it is dark green with light blue bioluminescent stripes on the sides and in the middle. On either side of its body are eight yellow bioluminescent bulbs. The purpose of these is unknown, though the data bank entry notes a visual similarity to the Gasopod algae gland. They serve an unknown function in the digestive system. Two siphon-esque structures that constantly expand and retract as the creature moves are located next to these bulbs.

Behavior

The Reefback drifts slowly and gently around the open waters of many biomes, mostly seen swimming in pods of more than two. It rarely adjusts its current altitude, unless bumped against obstacles.

Juvenile Reefbacks are a quarter the size of an adult. They can often be found with adults in certain locations.

The Reefback will frequently emit a range of echoing, low-frequency calls. They will only emit these calls if there are other Reefbacks nearby. This suggests that these calls are a form of communication, as opposed to echolocation.

When Reefbacks are exposed to damage, their tentacles will wave quickly and they will move slightly faster for a brief period.

Mini-ecosystem

Adult Reefbacks can support mini-ecosystems on their back. These ecosystems include many types of flora and coral, along with other small fauna swimming in the vicinity of the gentle giants. Some caution should be taken when approaching Reefbacks, as Tiger Plants often make their homes on their backs. Adult Reefbacks often have barnacles growing on their back. These barnacles are Harvesting Nodes and can be broken to reveal resources, similar to limestone, shale, or sandstone outcrops. Currently, they only drop two resources: Silver Ore and Copper Ore. Copper ore is the most frequent resource to find.

Energy Value

×840

×280

Data Bank Entry

This vast lifeform is in excess of 30m long and has been designated leviathan class. Fortunately it feeds exclusively on plankton-like lifeforms in the water.

1. Chitinous Shell:
Most of the lifeform's topside and some of its underside is protected by a thick, layered exoskeleton. This suggests an evolutionary path quite different from other organisms on 4546B, most of which are vertebrate in nature. The reefback species has likely been able to grow far larger than other herbivores because anything large enough to break through its shell has long since gone extinct.

2. Enzyme Pods:
Similar in appearance to the algae glands of the gasopod, these organs on the reefback's underside serve some unknown purpose in its digestive system, and are capable of expelling small quantities of stomach enzymes into the surrounding waters.

3. Local Microcosm:
An array of different barnacle and plant species grow on the reefback's shell, thrusting their roots into ancient scars in the chitin, and taking advantage of their mobility to avoid predation. Nonetheless reefbacks will often be pursued by the faster, hungrier herbivores, and thus this leviathan species is a mobile microcosm worthy of years of study in itself.

4. Lifecycle:
Reefbacks's lifespans likely extend through many centuries, should they survive their initial growth cycle. For the first few decades their smaller size would make them vulnerable to carnivorous leviathans. Sociable, seen traveling in small pods and communicating by an echoing call, behavior is consistent with low-level sentience.

Assessment: Harbors plants, small fish and metal-rich barnacles

Gallery

Trivia

Schools of Bladderfish can only be found near Reefbacks.
Reefbacks are capable of transporting the player when near the surface.
Juveniles can be found infected with Kharaa, whereas the adults can not.
Reefbacks were initially intended to submerge themselves in sandy areas. Increased activity about them would have made them rise in search of a peaceful place to rest.^[1]
Another intended interaction would've been that the player could grab hold of a Reefback's tentacles to hitch a ride or hide on their plant-covered backs to hide from predators.^[2]
Reefbacks were formerly much smaller than they currently are, and had the same texture that is currently given to juvenile Reefbacks.
The game refers to Reefbacks as herbivores, yet the data bank entry states that they are planktivorous.
The underside of a Reefback greatly resembles that of the Combine Gunship from the game Half Life 2.

References

[1] ttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1kd4YTHJz2K4ERdGRfJB-8M7_32Q23clIBRqEMrLmysk/edit#

[2] ttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1kd4YTHJz2K4ERdGRfJB-8M7_32Q23clIBRqEMrLmysk/edit

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{FVideo}}{{Class_2_Fauna|title1 = Reefback Leviathan
+{{Fauna|title1 = Reefback Leviathan
 |image1 =
 <gallery>
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 |tab = [[Fauna]]
 |attitude = [[:Category: Attitude: Passive|Passive]]
-|biome = * [[Crag Field]]
+|biome = * [[Bulb Zone]]
+* [[Crag Field]]
 * [[Dunes]]
 * [[Grassy Plateaus]]
-* [[Bulb Zone]]
 * [[Mushroom Forest]]
 * [[Sparse Reef]]
@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 |active_during = [[:Category:Cathemeral|Cathemeral (Day and Night)]]
 |description = Large herbivorous lifeform, raised in containment.
+|debugspawn = ''reefback'' ''reefbackbaby''
-|debug_spawn =
-'''Adult:''' <i>reefback</i>
-'''Juvenile''':<i>2560</i>
 |image2 = Reefback Egg.png
 |tab2 = [[Eggs]]
 |description2 = Incredibly, Reefbacks hatch from these.
-|biome2 = * -
+|biome2 = * ''Unimplemented''
 |size =
-* [[File:Reefback Egg.png|30px]] 9 (3x3)
+* [[File:Reefback Egg.png|30px]] 9 (3&times;3)
-* [[File:Reefback.png|30px]] 16 (4x4)
+* [[File:Reefback.png|30px]] 16 (4&times;4)
 |bioreactor = * [[File:Reefback Egg.png|30px]] +280 Energy
 * [[File:Reefback.png|30px]] +840 Energy
 |dna =
 |length= 70 meters
-|item_id = <i>reefbackegg</i>
+|debugspawn2 = ''reefbackegg''
 |incubation = * [[File:Alien Containment.png|30px|link=Alien Containment]] 3 (day/s)
 |health = 10,000
@@ Line 39: / Line 37: @@
 The Reefback is massive in size, with most of the creature's body being comprised of a thick, dark-blue carapace with a rounded, triangular front, and a relatively small body concentrated in the posterior. Attached to its main body are three long whip-like tentacles.
-An adult Reefback has patches of teal-colored coral and brown-colored grass growing across its carapace, befitting its name, while the younger ones lack this trait. The carapace has a slightly bright blue dotted pattern across towards the back. beneath its carapace, it is dark green with light blue [[Bioluminescence|bioluminescent]] stripes on the sides and in the middle. On either side of its body are eight yellow bioluminescent bulbs. The purpose of these is unknown, though the data bank entry notes a visual similarity to the [[Gasopod]] algae gland. They serve an unknown function in the digestive system. Two siphon-esque structures that constantly expand and retract as the creature moves are located next to these bulbs.
+An adult Reefback has patches of teal-colored coral and brown-colored grass growing across its carapace, befitting its name, while the younger ones lack this trait. The carapace has a slightly bright blue dotted pattern across towards the back. Beneath its carapace, it is dark green with light blue [[Bioluminescence|bioluminescent]] stripes on the sides and in the middle. On either side of its body are eight yellow bioluminescent bulbs. The purpose of these is unknown, though the data bank entry notes a visual similarity to the [[Gasopod]] algae gland. They serve an unknown function in the digestive system. Two siphon-esque structures that constantly expand and retract as the creature moves are located next to these bulbs.
 ==Behavior==
-The Reefback drifts slowly and gently around the open waters of many [[biomes]], mostly seen swimming in pods of more than two. It almost never adjusts its current altitude, unless bumped against obstacles.
+The Reefback drifts slowly and gently around the open waters of many [[biomes]], mostly seen swimming in pods of more than two. It rarely adjusts its current altitude, unless bumped against obstacles.
 Juvenile Reefbacks are a quarter the size of an adult. They can often be found with adults in certain locations.
@@ Line 51: / Line 49: @@
 ==Mini-ecosystem==
-Adult Reefbacks can support mini-ecosystems on their back. These ecosystems include many types of [[flora]] and [[coral]], along with other small fauna swimming in the vicinity of the gentle giants. Some caution should be taken when approaching Reefbacks, as [[Tiger Plant]]s often make their homes on their backs. Adult Reefbacks often have barnacles growing on their back. These barnacles are Harvesting Nodes, and can be broken to will reveal resources, similair to limestone, shale, or sandstone outcrops. Currently, they only drop two resources: [[Silver Ore]] and [[Copper Ore]]. Copper ore is the most frequent resource to find.
+Adult Reefbacks can support mini-ecosystems on their back. These ecosystems include many types of [[flora]] and [[coral]], along with other small fauna swimming in the vicinity of the gentle giants. Some caution should be taken when approaching Reefbacks, as [[Tiger Plant]]s often make their homes on their backs. Adult Reefbacks often have barnacles growing on their back. These [[barnacle]]s are Harvesting Nodes and can be broken to reveal resources, similar to limestone, shale, or sandstone outcrops. Currently, they only drop two resources: [[Silver Ore]] and [[Copper Ore]]. Copper ore is the most frequent resource to find.
 <tabber>
@@ Line 80: / Line 78: @@
 |-|
 Coral=
-* [[Coral Shell Plate]]
 * [[Brain Coral]]
-* [[Slanted Shell Plate]]
+* [[Coral Shell Plate|Slanted Shell Plate]]
 * [[Table Coral]]
+*[[Coral Shell Plate|Veined Shell Plate]]
 |-|
 Harvesting Node=
@@ Line 90: / Line 88: @@
 ==Energy Value==
-{{Recipe2}}
+{{Recipe2|page = Reefback}}<nowiki>
+</nowiki>
 {{Recipe2|page = Reefback Egg}}
@@ Line 101: / Line 101: @@
 This vast lifeform is in excess of 30m long and has been designated leviathan class. Fortunately it feeds exclusively on plankton-like lifeforms in the water.
+. Chitinous Shell:<br />
-# Chitinous Shell:<br />Most of the lifeform's topside and some of its underside is protected by a thick, layered exoskeleton. This suggests an evolutionary path quite different from other organisms on 4546B, most of which are vertebrate in nature. The reefback species has likely been able to grow far larger than other herbivores because anything large enough to break through its shell has long since gone extinct.<br />
+Most of the lifeform's topside and some of its underside is protected by a thick, layered exoskeleton. This suggests an evolutionary path quite different from other organisms on 4546B, most of which are vertebrate in nature. The reefback species has likely been able to grow far larger than other herbivores because anything large enough to break through its shell has long since gone extinct.
-# Enzyme Pods:<br />Similar in appearance to the algae glands of the gasopod, these organs on the reefback's underside serve some unknown purpose in its digestive system, and are capable of expelling small quantities of stomach enzymes into the surrounding waters.<br />
-# Local Microcosm:<br />An array of different barnacle and plant species grow on the reefback's shell, thrusting their roots into ancient scars in the chitin, and taking advantage of their mobility to avoid predation. Nonetheless reefbacks will often be pursued by the faster, hungrier herbivores, and thus this leviathan species is a mobile microcosm worthy of years of study in itself.<br />
-# Lifecycle:<br />Reefbacks's lifespans likely extend through many centuries, should they survive their initial growth cycle. For the first few decades their smaller size would make them vulnerable to carnivorous leviathans. Sociable, seen traveling in small pods and communicating by an echoing call, behavior is consistent with low-level sentience.
+. Enzyme Pods:<br />
+Similar in appearance to the algae glands of the gasopod, these organs on the reefback's underside serve some unknown purpose in its digestive system, and are capable of expelling small quantities of stomach enzymes into the surrounding waters.
+. Local Microcosm:<br />
+An array of different barnacle and plant species grow on the reefback's shell, thrusting their roots into ancient scars in the chitin, and taking advantage of their mobility to avoid predation. Nonetheless reefbacks will often be pursued by the faster, hungrier herbivores, and thus this leviathan species is a mobile microcosm worthy of years of study in itself.
+. Lifecycle:<br />
+Reefbacks's lifespans likely extend through many centuries, should they survive their initial growth cycle. For the first few decades their smaller size would make them vulnerable to carnivorous leviathans. Sociable, seen traveling in small pods and communicating by an echoing call, behavior is consistent with low-level sentience.
 Assessment: Harbors plants, small fish and metal-rich barnacles
@@ Line 119: / Line 125: @@
 Reefback12.jpg|Lower extremities
 Newreefback4.jpg|Bioluminescence
-Reefback11.jpg|Size comparison between an adult Reefback and the [[Player]]
+Reefback Size Reference.jpg|Size comparison between an adult Reefback and the [[Player]]
 reeeeeeeeeeef.jpg|Size comparison with a [[Reaper Leviathan]]
 ReefbackJuvenileSizeref.jpg|A size comparison between a juvenile Reefback and the player
 RbBKZ.png|A Reefback above the [[Blood Kelp Zone]]
+RbGP.png|Comparison between adult and juvenile Reefbacks
-RbDunes.png|A single Reefback in the [[Dunes]]
-RbGP.png|An adult and juvenile Reefback in the [[Grassy Plateaus]]
-RbKoosh.png|Two adult Reefbacks in the [[Bulb Zone]]
 -05-23_00002.jpg|A Reefback, close enough to the surface for the player to "ride"
 </gallery>
@@ Line 131: / Line 135: @@
 Concept Art=
 <gallery widths="200" spacing="small">
-Reefback Concept Art.jpg|[[Concept Art]]
+Reefback Concept Art.jpg|[[Concept art]]
 </gallery>
 </tabber>
@@ Line 139: / Line 143: @@
 * Reefbacks are capable of transporting the [[player]] when near the surface.
 * Juveniles can be found infected with Kharaa, whereas the adults can not.
-* Reefbacks were initially intended to submerge themselves in sandy areas. Increased activity about them would have made them rise in search for a peaceful place to rest.<ref>https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kd4YTHJz2K4ERdGRfJB-8M7_32Q23clIBRqEMrLmysk/edit#</ref> It is unknown if this will be implemented.
+* Reefbacks were initially intended to submerge themselves in sandy areas. Increased activity about them would have made them rise in search of a peaceful place to rest.<ref>https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kd4YTHJz2K4ERdGRfJB-8M7_32Q23clIBRqEMrLmysk/edit#</ref>
-* Another intended interaction would've been that the player could grab a hold of a Reefback's tentacles to hitch a ride or hide on their plant-covered backs to hide from predators.<ref>https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kd4YTHJz2K4ERdGRfJB-8M7_32Q23clIBRqEMrLmysk/edit</ref> It is unknown if this will be implemented.
+* Another intended interaction would've been that the player could grab hold of a Reefback's tentacles to hitch a ride or hide on their plant-covered backs to hide from predators.<ref>https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kd4YTHJz2K4ERdGRfJB-8M7_32Q23clIBRqEMrLmysk/edit</ref>
 * Reefbacks were formerly much smaller than they currently are, and had the same texture that is currently given to juvenile Reefbacks.
 *The game refers to Reefbacks as herbivores, yet the data bank entry states that they are planktivorous.
+*The underside of a Reefback greatly resembles that of the [https://half-life.fandom.com/wiki/Combine_Gunship Combine Gunship] from the game [https://half-life.fandom.com/wiki/Half-Life_2 Half Life 2].
 ==References==
 <references />
 {{Navbox Fauna}}
-[[Category:Attitude: Passive]]
+[[fr:Reefback]]
+[[Category:Passive]]
 [[Category:Bioluminescent]]
 [[Category:Blood Kelp Zone]]

v · d · eFauna living within the Crater

Carnivores	Ampeel Biter Blighter Boneshark Crabsnake Crabsquid Crashfish Lava Lizard Mesmer River Prowler Sand Shark Stalker Warper

Herbivores	Bladderfish Boomerang Crimson Ray Cuddlefish Eyeye Garryfish Gasopod Ghostray Holefish Hoopfish Hoverfish Jellyray Magmarang Oculus Peeper Rabbit Ray Red Eyeye Reginald Skyray Spadefish Spinefish

Scavengers & Parasites	Amoeboid Bleeder Blood Crawler Cave Crawler Floater Lava Larva Rockgrub Shuttlebug

Leviathans	Ancient Floater Ghost Leviathan (Juvenile) Reaper Leviathan Reefback Leviathan Sea Dragon Leviathan Sea Emperor Leviathan (Baby Juvenile) Sea Treader Leviathan

Extinct	Alpha Peeper Species Alpha Ray Species Ancient Skeleton Gargantuan Fossil Research Specimen Theta

Other Entities	Shoal of Fish