There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Dokkalfar
The Ludgonian Industrial Union's galaxy contains billions of stars and billions of planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU Galaxy, TV2 has started a new program called LIU Atlas. Follow our host, Terrance McDoogal, as he takes you on a tour across the LIU and some of its more obscure worlds.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Doog: “Welcome to another episode of LIU Atlas. I’m your host, Terrance “Doog” McDoogal. Today, we’re visiting the volcanic moon, Dokkalfar. Dokkalfar orbits the gas giant, Svartalfar, which orbits the Mid-Rim star, Ljosalfar. People, like me, who can’t pronounce such challenging names, call this place, the Ember Moon. It’s a fitting name. The moon looks like an ember floating in the shadow of its parent planet. The Ember Moon is home to a strange race of beings that have a high heat tolerance. They live dangerously close the planet’s large lava flows. I’m a little nervous visiting this place, but it must be done. Let’s head on down.”
Doog: “Alright, I’ve been dropped off in the moon’s largest city, Pruna. Pruna is built in the middle of a lava flow. There are canals of fiery magma flowing through the city. Everything looks so dangerous.”
Doog: “I know the natives have a high heat-tolerance, but this guy is crazy. He’s dangling his legs over the lava like it’s just a little stream or river!”
Chet: “That’s because the lava is like water to the Dokkal. Well, sort of. They don’t swim in the lava, given is high viscosity, but they can tolerate its heat. I’m Chet, by the way. I’m your guide for Dokkalfar.”
Doog: “Nice to see another human here, Chet. These crazy lava guys have me worried.”
Chet: “The Dokkal are not crazy. They are an ancient race with a well-developed culture and economy. I’ve grown to admire them.”
Doog: “Maybe crazy wasn’t the right word. Their actions seem dangerous though. Why build so close to the lava? Aren’t there safer places on the Ember Moon?”
Doog: “Nice to see another human here, Chet. These crazy lava guys have me worried.”
Chet: “The Dokkal are not crazy. They are an ancient race with a well-developed culture and economy. I’ve grown to admire them.”
Doog: “Maybe crazy wasn’t the right word. Their actions seem dangerous though. Why build so close to the lava? Aren’t there safer places on the Ember Moon?”
Chet: “It might be difficult for an outsider to understand, but the Dokkal use these lava flows like other races use rivers. The flows are a source of food, transportation, and energy.”
Doog: “They are super hot, though.”
Chet: “Yes, but the Dokkal evolved around these flows. They have thicker skin and bones. They even developed horns that act as heat sinks.”
Doog: “If the heat doesn’t bother then biologically, then I guess these lava flows would be similar to a normal river.”
Chet: “Indeed.”
Doog: “They are super hot, though.”
Chet: “Yes, but the Dokkal evolved around these flows. They have thicker skin and bones. They even developed horns that act as heat sinks.”
Doog: “If the heat doesn’t bother then biologically, then I guess these lava flows would be similar to a normal river.”
Chet: “Indeed.”
Chet: “Like normal rivers, the lava flows must be regulated to prevent flooding. You can see several floodgates built throughout Pruna. These gates open and close to control lava levels.”
Doog: “Sort of like, lava dams.”
Chet: “Not really. Technically, they do dam the lava during higher flow, but they are mostly open. The gates are not as permanent as an actual dam.”
Doog: “So, they don’t generate power, like dams?”
Chet: “They don’t generate power with gravity turbines, like traditional dams, but they do generate power. Heat transferred from the gate is used to turn steam engines. It generates power and keeps the gates from melting. This system has turned Dokkalfar into an energy exporter.”
Doog: “That’s their economy? Energy production?”
Chet: “It’s just a small part of it. To see more, we’re going to need to catch a ride.”
Doog: “Sort of like, lava dams.”
Chet: “Not really. Technically, they do dam the lava during higher flow, but they are mostly open. The gates are not as permanent as an actual dam.”
Doog: “So, they don’t generate power, like dams?”
Chet: “They don’t generate power with gravity turbines, like traditional dams, but they do generate power. Heat transferred from the gate is used to turn steam engines. It generates power and keeps the gates from melting. This system has turned Dokkalfar into an energy exporter.”
Doog: “That’s their economy? Energy production?”
Chet: “It’s just a small part of it. To see more, we’re going to need to catch a ride.”
Doog: “Please tell me we are not riding on one of these minecarts I’ve seen zooming around.”
Chet: “There’s no better way to get around on Dokkalfar.”
Doog: “Great…”
Chet: “There’s no better way to get around on Dokkalfar.”
Doog: “Great…”
Chet: “We won’t be taking an individual cart. It’s public transportation for us.”
Doog: “Is it safe?”
Chet: “It’s safer than driving a car through a lava filled city, but probably less safe than flying.”
Doog: “Medium safe. I can handle that.”
Doog: “Is it safe?”
Chet: “It’s safer than driving a car through a lava filled city, but probably less safe than flying.”
Doog: “Medium safe. I can handle that.”
Doog: “Holy smokes! My stomach dropped on that one!”
Chet: “Yeah, it’s a lot like a rollercoaster, isn’t it!”
Doog: “Yeah, it’s not too bad. Dare I say, fun.”
Chet: “Enjoy it now. The way back is much slower and boring.”
Doog: “What do you mean?”
Chet: “We’ve mostly been going down. When we return later, we’ll be heading up. It’s a lot slower and not as fun.”
Doog: “This is sort of like the opposite of a coaster. Fun first, long lines and climb later.”
Chet: “More or less.”
Chet: “Yeah, it’s a lot like a rollercoaster, isn’t it!”
Doog: “Yeah, it’s not too bad. Dare I say, fun.”
Chet: “Enjoy it now. The way back is much slower and boring.”
Doog: “What do you mean?”
Chet: “We’ve mostly been going down. When we return later, we’ll be heading up. It’s a lot slower and not as fun.”
Doog: “This is sort of like the opposite of a coaster. Fun first, long lines and climb later.”
Chet: “More or less.”
Doog: “Is this some sort of mine?”
Chet: “Partially. The chambers under the city have vast mineral wealth. The Dokkal export some of their surplus, but the chambers serve a larger purpose for the Dokkal. It’s where they get their food.”
Doog: “Food? Down here? I don’t see any plants or animals.”
Chet: “Partially. The chambers under the city have vast mineral wealth. The Dokkal export some of their surplus, but the chambers serve a larger purpose for the Dokkal. It’s where they get their food.”
Doog: “Food? Down here? I don’t see any plants or animals.”
Chet: “The Dokkal are chemotrophic geophages. They get energy from eating various minerals.”
Doog: “They eat rocks?”
Chet: “Yes, but only certain rocks; mostly crystalline halide minerals.”
Doog: “I guess I won’t be stopping for food on the Ember Moon…well, unless they found some type of super tasty rock. Do the Dokkal have anything worth trying?”
Chet: “They seem to favor Fluorite, but I’m guessing you won’t find it near as tasty.”
Doog: “Yeah, might be rough on the teeth.”
Doog: “They eat rocks?”
Chet: “Yes, but only certain rocks; mostly crystalline halide minerals.”
Doog: “I guess I won’t be stopping for food on the Ember Moon…well, unless they found some type of super tasty rock. Do the Dokkal have anything worth trying?”
Chet: “They seem to favor Fluorite, but I’m guessing you won’t find it near as tasty.”
Doog: “Yeah, might be rough on the teeth.”
Doog: “We’ve emerged from the mines, after a much less fun minecart ride, and it appears we are in some type of landscaping store. There’s crates of rocks all over.”
Chet: “It’s a food market.”
Doog: “Oh, I forgot about the eating rocks thing.”
Chet: “It’s a food market.”
Doog: “Oh, I forgot about the eating rocks thing.”
Chet: “Food markets, like this, are common near mine exits, but that’s not what we’re here for. We’re here to see the artisanal district.”
Doog: “The what?”
Chet: “The artisanal district. The Dokkal are great craftsmen. They make numerous handmade products. Their work is greatly valued across the galaxy.”
Doog: “The what?”
Chet: “The artisanal district. The Dokkal are great craftsmen. They make numerous handmade products. Their work is greatly valued across the galaxy.”
Chet: “We just need to cross the lava flow.”
Doog: “Are you out of your mind! I’m not walking across that.”
Chet: “I guess the tour ends here, then.”
Doog: “Sigh…alright, here I come. Please don’t die. Please don’t die. Balance, do not fail me.”
Doog: “Are you out of your mind! I’m not walking across that.”
Chet: “I guess the tour ends here, then.”
Doog: “Sigh…alright, here I come. Please don’t die. Please don’t die. Balance, do not fail me.”
Chet: “The Dokkal are skilled blacksmiths. Using the lava flows as a forge, they make several metal products.”
Doog: “Did I risk my life to see some swords? Who buys swords these days?”
Chet: “This is just one example. They make other things from artwork to armor.”
Doog: “Did I risk my life to see some swords? Who buys swords these days?”
Chet: “This is just one example. They make other things from artwork to armor.”
Chet: “They also use the flow to heat and blow glass. They make some of the galaxy’s finest vases, pitchers, glasses, and stained glass.”
Doog: “Do they make quality bongs? Asking for a friend…”
Chet: “I’m not sure. I doubt the Dokkal would have an use for one, given their differing biology.”
Doog: “Do they make quality bongs? Asking for a friend…”
Chet: “I’m not sure. I doubt the Dokkal would have an use for one, given their differing biology.”
Chet: “The Dokkal are also experts at stonework. As we have traversed the city, I’m sure you’ve seen examples of this. Quality stonework is important to the Dokkal. Their buildings must stand up to the heat.”
Doog: “If I find a crafted bong, I can get my stonework going too.”
Chet: “It appears I’ve lost you to this bong fantasy.”
Doog: “If I find a crafted bong, I can get my stonework going too.”
Chet: “It appears I’ve lost you to this bong fantasy.”
Doog: “No, I’m totally zoned in. Look, more crafts ahead. Crafts for days.”
Chet: “I sense your sarcasm, so I guess I’ll shorten it up. The Dokkal are also accomplished painters and tailors. They make great earthenware too.”
Chet: “I sense your sarcasm, so I guess I’ll shorten it up. The Dokkal are also accomplished painters and tailors. They make great earthenware too.”
Chet: “Most of the products crafted here are sold in Pruna’s market district. To make it easier for outsiders, the market district is far from the lava flow. That’s our next destination. Before you ask, if there’s a bong on this planet, it’s probably there.”
Doog: “Do they accept checks?”
Doog: “Do they accept checks?”
Chet: “As promised, here’s the market district. I spend a lot of time here searching for goods for my clients. That is my primary occupation, although I believe I’ve done well as tour guide too.”
Doog: “I didn’t die in a lava flow, so I think you’ve done great. Thanks for the tour.”
Chet: “No problem. Good luck on your search.”
Doog: “I didn’t die in a lava flow, so I think you’ve done great. Thanks for the tour.”
Chet: “No problem. Good luck on your search.”
Doog: “Well folks, that’s the Ember Moon, aka Dokkalfar. The residents here have evolved to be extremely heat resistant, allowing them to use the moon’s lava flows the same way other civilizations use rivers. The flows make the Dokkal an economic powerhouse. They export energy, minerals, gases, and lots of finely crafted objects. Speaking of which, I might just do a little shopping before I go. See ya!”
Note: Doog searched the market for three hours, but found nothing. The Dokkal use Atacamite for its intoxicating effects, but it is ingested, not smoked. Doog tried Atacamite, but all he experienced was a chipped tooth.
Note: Doog searched the market for three hours, but found nothing. The Dokkal use Atacamite for its intoxicating effects, but it is ingested, not smoked. Doog tried Atacamite, but all he experienced was a chipped tooth.
