Help:Building a Species
From Basilicus
Basilicus
Worldbuilding
on a Galactic Scale
About Basilicus | Main Building Guide | Basilicus Prime Galaxy
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[edit] Possibilities
Basilicus is setting up guidelines for nearly everything. The main thing to remember is that Basilicus is a fictional setting- and just about anything is possible, if it is explained properly. The only appropriate opposition to any work on Basilicus is that it was someone else's idea. Remember that these 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 a species
A single, distinctive class of living creatures, with features that distinguish it from other living creatures. This does not limit the creator to only multi-cell entities; single-celled entities would also fall into this category.
In the broader sense, a species that most people will create; is any entity that can be said to do something intentionally, or can be reasoned with. Now if you're not sure whether or not the entity you are creating of is a species, try deciding if it can be classified in one of these two categories: sentient or primal; if it isn't one of those or somewhere in-between, it probably isn't a species.
[edit] Common Features of a Species
[edit] Community
Species will inhabit a specific area/region. Species mostly act as a group, although some species live solitary lives and only come together for mating. 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 will have to choose whether the species will be sentient, primal or somewhere in between.
[edit] Sentient
A sentient species will have some, all or more of these qualities: desire, free-will, consciousness, intelligence, insight, creativity. Sentient species will progress from using simple tools to more advanced tools. (Do not confuse the word advanced tools with high-tech. A well crafted fishing spear is an advance form of a simply sharpened stick.)
[edit] Primal
A primal species, on the other hand, acts entirely or almost entirely on instinct. In general, primal species don't think about their acts, it is just ingrained into them over centuries of evolution. Primal species will use the natural weapons that they have: claws, pincers, teeth, horns. Some may progress to use very simple tools; a crab will use a rock to crack open the shell of a clam, so it can get its pincers inside of it.
[edit] Describing your species
As a general rule, you will want to list most, if not all of the items located under Statistics. This will give your creation more life, than just a name. If you are have problems, look at someone else's article. You can get a general idea of how to start your own. Try the page about the Kelosians.
[edit] Statistics
[edit] Common Attribution
This is the name that most of the species calls itself, but not necessarily the species' scientific name.
[edit] Categorical Attribution
This attribution is the scientific name of your species. Think of this as the species' "real" name. Now most will stop at species, but there is a whole scientific classification scheme to this. It follows this order (high to low)- Domain: Kingdom: Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Genus: Species: Subspecies. The farther you move up the ladder, the more complex and diverse your species will become. But this can be a daunting task, which will take days if not weeks to work through. We would suggest that you start with just the Species name and once you become comfortable with creating species, you can start to move up the ladder.
When assigning these names, they don't have to be Latin; in fact, it probably shouldn't be. You will want to keep these names in line with what your species own language is. If this species is primal, then a sentient species may have named them.
[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. A species can evolve in a different star system than move to another, over time the original star system that they evolved in can be lost to history.
[edit] Evolutionary Planet
This is the planet that your species evolved on. If it didn't evolve, skip this line and make sure you describe how the species came into being. A species can evolve on a different planet than move to another, over time the original planets that they evolved on can be lost to history.
[edit] Star Systems of Prominence
List all the star systems your species has a major presence in. If it is a sentient species, it will probably live in cities in these systems. If it is a primal species that has been transplanted to these systems, it may not live in cities
[edit] Population Data
List the total known populations of this species.
[edit] Civilization Class
What level has the species progressed to. Primal species will not have a civilization class to speak of.
[edit] Social & Political Structure(s)
If the species is sentient (thus considered as a civilization), describe the political structure of this civilization (Are they divided int nations(how many ?), clans, factions, empires, etc.) Are there particular (major, characteristic) internal conflicts that should be known to fully understand this civilization ? What kind of societies or political systems are present (cast based society, kingdom, democracy, anarchy, theocracy, dictatorship, etc.)? Don't forget to talk about territories, boundaries, etc. You can also precisely describe any political or social institution (a world court, a ministry...), when important for your story.
[edit] Species Information
[edit] Overview
This is a snapshot of your species. This section will contain general information about then.
[edit] Evolutionary Analysis
This section will contain detailed information about how the species evolved, explaining its evolutionary history.
[edit] Biological Analysis
This section will contain detailed information about their physical characteristics, sight, hearing, food ,reproduction and so on.
[edit] Ecological Analysis
This section will contain detailed information about how the environment has affected them or how the environment on other planets has affected them. This will have affects on their Biological Analysis.
[edit] Sociological Analysis
This section will contain detailed information about the social makeup of the species. How they view different issues in society, outsiders, war, politics and so on.
Species Information tabs can be added or broken down into more catagorys as needed. So do not worry if you do not have all of the information at this time.
