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Post by Insano-Man on Sept 18, 2018 22:53:49 GMT -5
This topic is a child of the Redworlders article directory.DON'T I KNOW YOU?Of the species on and over Set, there are few that strike such a close resemblance to mankind as the redworlders. The two are so similar in appearance that both humans and redworlders have mistaken eachother for their own species at every turn. Proportions, build, genders, sexual characteristics, facial structure, even core skeletal traits and organ functionality - it is easier to fill a list with things that the redworlders do not share with humanity than it would be to define similarities. The redworlders are tall relative to humans, coming in at an average of 6'5" (1.9m) in males and 6'2" (1.8m) in females. Particularly noteworthy is the significant rift between orbital populations and redworlders born on Set's surface. The two feature wildly different averages, with men in orbit reaching up to a full 7' (2.1m) in height and women coming in at 6'6" (1.9m) on average. On the ground, their height more closely aligns with humanity, at 6'2" (1.8m) in men and 6' (1.8m) in women. Family members often share close matches in height, depending on factors during childhood. SECTIONS- Eye Bioluminescence- Coloration & Family Resemblance- Hair, Hands, & Feet
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Post by Insano-Man on Sept 18, 2018 22:54:03 GMT -5
EYE BIOLUMINESCENCE
Of the most striking distinctions is the strong bioluminescence of redworlder eyes. A single point of light is present in the pupil of both eyes, with a soft glow covering up surrounding features such as the iris. For most, this single trait is the most identifying characteristic of their species - even for the redworlders themselves. The strength, shape, and symmetry of a redworlder's glow are all subtle hints to identify specific individuals. In addition, the glow is often strong enough to be seen at a considerable distance for most redworlders. This enables most redworlders to see and identify eachother even in dark nights or heavy fog.
Further still, redworlder eyes emit low levels of ultraviolet light, which are often unique to each person. While redworlders cannot resolve ultraviolet frequencies into visual information, their eyes are able to sense the emissions. In combination with gauging glow profile, this enables redworlders to identify eachother with impressive accuracy at long distance based on no more than eye contact. Resultantly, diseases of the eye are often crippling. Relatedly, many ailments signal the body to modulate the eyes' glow, potentially alerting others to illness or injury.
Though redworlder eyes afford them the ability to identify eachother in dark environments, they are no more able to see in dark environments than humans. Their vision is no more precise than humans and they cannot see beyond the visible spectrum of light. Likewise, redworlder eyes do not give off enough visible light to illuminate anything beyond their brows. To their advantage, redworlders are better able to adjust between areas of light and dark, and are less sensitive to bright lights than humans.
The source of redworlder eye bioluminescence is the "Romad gland", an organ named for Kazo'Romad nes'ara Unity in 987 OSC. In a quirk of biological convenience, the Romad gland is situated inside the common blind spot redworlders share with humans. Similarly, the gland is held in place by the optic nerve, causing it to rotate with the eye. Its functions include the secretion and storage of "romadin", a bioluminescent chemical found exclusively in redworlders. In addition, the Romad gland is also responsible for the detection of ultraviolet light.
The size of the gland is responsible for the intensity of an individual's glow. Damage to it is often permanent, and consequently results in reduced or eliminated eye glow. This further results in a reduced ability to detect ultraviolet light, which may inhibit the individual's ability to identify other redworlders. While the gland is not a vital component of redworlder vision, injuries that penetrate deep enough to damage it often result in substantial damage to the rest of the eye. Some forms of disease or congenital disorders, however, may result in the gland failing to develop properly. Some injuries or defects may instead disfigure the gland and lead to its secretions leaking out across the eye, resulting in a more intense, diffused glow.
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Post by Insano-Man on Sept 18, 2018 22:54:15 GMT -5
COLORATION & FAMILY RESEMBLANCE
The role that redworlder eyes play in their identity is vital for two primary reasons. The first and foremost is their facial structure; even to other redworlders, most individuals have nearly-identical faces. Identifying a person based on their face alone is a difficult task even for close relatives. The second is their relatively limited variation in overall body profile. While differences between unrelated individuals are noticeable, family members are often so close in appearance that little much can be discerned beyond gender or age.
Redworlder skin is mostly colorless. Individuals are often white, occasionally grey, and infrequently translucent. Family members often share the exact same skin tone right down to individual imperfections. Redworlder eyes are, in most cases, pure white, and often closely follow after the individual's skin shade. Black eyes are uncommon, but hardly rare, and most often occur in grey-skinned individuals. Redworlder blood and underlying tissues are virtually identical to their human counterparts. Of minor note is the more crimson hue of redworlder blood, which is typically difficult to discern under most conditions.
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Post by Insano-Man on Sept 18, 2018 22:54:31 GMT -5
HAIR, HANDS, & FEET
For a time, it was believed that the redworlders were entirely hairless. In spite of this, hair has slowly become more and more common since their arrival at Set. This is primarily seen in planetary populations; in orbit, no more than a tenth grow hair, most of them women. On Set, roughly a third of all redworlders are able to grow hair, again strongly favoring females. Of note is that redworlder hair is universally long, jet black, and limited to their scalps and brows. Stark white hair is a rare trait mostly associated with translucent skin. Redworlder hair does not provide any significant insulation, so its functional purpose - and the trigger behind its gradual return - remains unknown.
While redworlder hands are structurally similar to human hands, a prominent difference is their total count of three fingers, thumb included, on each hand. Their feet are much the same, with three digits per foot, separated between two long toes and a shorter third toe. While these differences are noteworthy, redworlder extremities are proportioned almost exactly alike to that of human extremities. This enables them to freely use human clothes, tools, and other equipment without difficulty.
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