Help:Building a Species
From Basilicus
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[edit] Anything is possible
Although Basilicus has (or should have) guidelines for nearly everything, the main thing to remember is that Basilicus is a fictional setting - anything goes, if it is explained properly. The only appropriate opposition to any work on Basilicus is that it was someone else's idea. In reading these guidelines, remember that they are only guidelines, and you are free to create a creature made of purely empty space if you can explain how it works.
[edit] Definition of species
A single, distinct class of living creature with features that distinguish it from others. [1]
In the broadest sense, a species is anything that can be said to do something intentionally, or be reasoned with. If you're not sure whether what you're thinking of is a species, try deciding whether it's sentient or primal; if it isn't one of those or somewhere in-between, it probably isn't a species.
[edit] Common features of all species
[edit] Community
Usually, species inhabit some specific area and act as a group. While a species can consist of one individual, whether that individual really needs a species page is questionable.
[edit] Sentient vs. Primal
When building a species, you must choose whether the species will be sentient, primal or somewhere in between. A sentient species is a species that, like humans in real life, has the ability to think, reason and create. A primal species, on the other hand, acts entirely or almost entirely on instinct. Primal creatures act before they think, or don't think at all. In general, a sentient species will have technology that improves over time, while a primal species will have only its natural weapons.
[edit] Describing your species
As a general rule, look at someone else's article and copy the basic format. Try the page about the Kelosians.
[edit] Statistics
[edit] Common Attribution
Pick a name for your species. This is the name most people call them by, but not necessarily the species' scientific name.
[edit] Categorical Attribution
Pick a scientific name for your species. This doesn't have to be Latin; in fact, it probably shouldn't be. Think of this as the species' "real" name.
[edit] Evolutionary Star System
This is the star system your species evolved in. If it didn't evolve, skip this line and make sure you describe how the species came into being.
[edit] Star Systems of Prominence
List all the star systems your species have major cities in.
[edit] Overview and Analysis
Describe your species, describe their history, describe every little detail about their culture. Divide this section into smaller sections if possible.
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