There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Haruspex
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 small, iron-rich world of Haruspex. After initial scans, Haruspex was thought to be a perfect candidate to become a mining world, but the planet’s first explorers realized that Haruspex offered a lot more. We’re here to find out what that is.”
Doog: “Alright folks, I’ve been dropped off in a coastal village on Haruspex. The village is comprised of small, low-tech buildings. I can assume, with some certainty, that the natives are a pre-industrial, agricultural species. I also know that the natives don’t speak Basic, or even Presciant, so I won’t be interacting with them directly. Instead, our guide for this episode will be a third-party interpreter. May I introduce Sinciput, one of the Encyclopedians.”
Sinciput: “Yes. Thank you. I am Sinciput, Scion of Nabu, Scholar of Haruspex, Pharmaceutical Botany Expert, and Grandmaster of Ioclean Chess.”
Doog: “Yeah, thanks for your résumé. That’s sort of why I introduced you; I was hoping to avoid the whole listing of the titles thing. It’s an annoying habit you Encylopedians picked up.”
Sinciput: “One cannot be proud of his achievements? Besides, that list was an abridged version. I thought I was sparing you.”
Doog: “Speaking of abridged, can you give us a quick summary of Haruspex?”
Sinciput: “I’m afraid Haruspex, like most worlds, is too complex to be summarized in a few sentences. I’ve been here five years, and there’s still a whole lot to learn.”
Doog: “Yeah, thanks for your résumé. That’s sort of why I introduced you; I was hoping to avoid the whole listing of the titles thing. It’s an annoying habit you Encylopedians picked up.”
Sinciput: “One cannot be proud of his achievements? Besides, that list was an abridged version. I thought I was sparing you.”
Doog: “Speaking of abridged, can you give us a quick summary of Haruspex?”
Sinciput: “I’m afraid Haruspex, like most worlds, is too complex to be summarized in a few sentences. I’ve been here five years, and there’s still a whole lot to learn.”
Doog: “Well, let’s start with something simple. What’s up with this orangish-red sea?”
Sinciput: “Ah, yes. It is one of Haruspex’s defining features. The planet’s abundant iron is corroded by oxygen and water, forming particles of iron oxide. The water derives its color from the particles.”
Doog: “So…it’s rust water?”
Sinciput: “Precisely.”
Doog: “Gotcha. So, no drinking the sea. Also, I should probably schedule an appointment for a tetanus shot.”
Sinciput: “It would be wise. Lock jaw would not be ideal for an entertainer, such as yourself."
Sinciput: “Ah, yes. It is one of Haruspex’s defining features. The planet’s abundant iron is corroded by oxygen and water, forming particles of iron oxide. The water derives its color from the particles.”
Doog: “So…it’s rust water?”
Sinciput: “Precisely.”
Doog: “Gotcha. So, no drinking the sea. Also, I should probably schedule an appointment for a tetanus shot.”
Sinciput: “It would be wise. Lock jaw would not be ideal for an entertainer, such as yourself."
Doog: “Alright. So, we’ve knocked out some of the planet’s physical characteristics. Now, let’s move on to the Haruspexans…Haruspexians…the natives.”
Sinciput: “Haru, is the preferred term. It’s short and concise.”
Doog: “Ok, tell us about the Haru.”
Sinciput: “The Haru evolved from a semi-aquatic species and came to live on the land. They are the only animals on Haruspex to become fully terrestrial, although there are several plant species that did the same. The Haru came to the land to eat these plants, specifically, the seed cones of the Julapa Tree. Over the millennia, the Haru have learned to farm these trees, allowing for a more stable society. They have now become an agrarian society.”
Doog: “Not quite as short and concise as the name, but I get it. The Haru are farmers.”
Sinciput: “Yes. Isn’t that what I said?”
Sinciput: “Haru, is the preferred term. It’s short and concise.”
Doog: “Ok, tell us about the Haru.”
Sinciput: “The Haru evolved from a semi-aquatic species and came to live on the land. They are the only animals on Haruspex to become fully terrestrial, although there are several plant species that did the same. The Haru came to the land to eat these plants, specifically, the seed cones of the Julapa Tree. Over the millennia, the Haru have learned to farm these trees, allowing for a more stable society. They have now become an agrarian society.”
Doog: “Not quite as short and concise as the name, but I get it. The Haru are farmers.”
Sinciput: “Yes. Isn’t that what I said?”
Sinciput: “Their stable society is now able to live in more permanent structures. They no longer need to live as nomads, in search of food.”
Doog: “Call me a nomad, then. Because I’m always in search of food. Anyway, what can you tell us about these structures?”
Doog: “Call me a nomad, then. Because I’m always in search of food. Anyway, what can you tell us about these structures?”
Sinciput: “Well, there’s not a lot of architectural diversity here. The Haru have found a design that works, and they mostly stick to it. There is one feature to note, though. The ground floors of these structures are all communal. Anyone can enter the ground, or first, floor of any structure. They’re used to store food, drink, water, and communal tools. The second floors are private residences though.”
Doog: That’s good to know. If things go bad this season, I might have to come live here in one of these communal first floors.”
Sinciput: “I don’t think it works that way, but it would be an interesting experiment. It would help with my studies.”
Doog: That’s good to know. If things go bad this season, I might have to come live here in one of these communal first floors.”
Sinciput: “I don’t think it works that way, but it would be an interesting experiment. It would help with my studies.”
Doog: “If I did stay here, I’d need to bring my own food. Seed cones and sea snails don’t sound all that great.”
Sinciput: “Seed cones are a bit tart, but they’re not too bad. And, you won’t have to worry about eating sea snails, even the Haru don’t do that.”
Doog: “Really? The Haru have been pulling snails out of the sea since I got here. I just assumed they ate them.”
Sinciput: “Oh, no. The Haru are fully vegetarian. The snails, called Prophet Conches, are collected for a religious ceremony.”
Doog: “Ah. Got it.”
Sinciput: “For the sake of knowledge, I have tasted one, though. Let’s just say that they taste like chicken…marinated in rust sauce.”
Doog: “I’ll pass.”
Sinciput: “Seed cones are a bit tart, but they’re not too bad. And, you won’t have to worry about eating sea snails, even the Haru don’t do that.”
Doog: “Really? The Haru have been pulling snails out of the sea since I got here. I just assumed they ate them.”
Sinciput: “Oh, no. The Haru are fully vegetarian. The snails, called Prophet Conches, are collected for a religious ceremony.”
Doog: “Ah. Got it.”
Sinciput: “For the sake of knowledge, I have tasted one, though. Let’s just say that they taste like chicken…marinated in rust sauce.”
Doog: “I’ll pass.”
Doog: “What do conches have to do with religion? And, why are they called Prophets?”
Sinciput: “One of the central tenets of Haruspex culture is divination. They believe events can be foretold by examining the entrails of this conch. Every week, several Prophet Conches are sacrificed and examined to determine future events, like rain, famine, and health.”
Doog: “That sounds crazy. How would someone ever predict the future using snail guts?”
Sinciput: “You know what’s even more crazy? Somehow, it seems to work.”
Doog: “No way.”
Sinciput: “I was critical of the results, myself. But, their track record is strong. Somehow, the Haru are divining future events with high accuracy using conch intestines.”
Doog: “I think you might have eaten too many snails.”
Sinciput: “You don’t have to believe, but I have the data to back it up. I’d place their accuracy at about eighty percent. Let’s check out the temple behind us. You can see for yourself.”
Sinciput: “One of the central tenets of Haruspex culture is divination. They believe events can be foretold by examining the entrails of this conch. Every week, several Prophet Conches are sacrificed and examined to determine future events, like rain, famine, and health.”
Doog: “That sounds crazy. How would someone ever predict the future using snail guts?”
Sinciput: “You know what’s even more crazy? Somehow, it seems to work.”
Doog: “No way.”
Sinciput: “I was critical of the results, myself. But, their track record is strong. Somehow, the Haru are divining future events with high accuracy using conch intestines.”
Doog: “I think you might have eaten too many snails.”
Sinciput: “You don’t have to believe, but I have the data to back it up. I’d place their accuracy at about eighty percent. Let’s check out the temple behind us. You can see for yourself.”
Sinciput: “Every village has a temple similar to this. It is used solely for divination. While the temple itself has been rebuilt several times, the temple’s foundation has been dated to be two thousand years old. The Haru have been practicing this form of divination for centuries. It is said that they even foretold the arrival of the LIU. That hasn’t been verified though.”
Doog: “How does it work?”
Doog: “How does it work?”
Sinciput: “The village’s priest takes his place on the divination altar. The altar is inscribed with ancient Haru runes.”
Sinciput: “The priest then takes a Prophet Conch and places it in the center of the altar. A ceremonial cut is made, and then…”
Sinciput: “…the conch’s entrails are dropped onto the altar. The way they fall on these runes allows the priest to predict future events.”
Doog: “I smell something fishy going on…no, really. Those snail guts smell really fishy.”
Doog: “I smell something fishy going on…no, really. Those snail guts smell really fishy.”
Priest: “Mugiz er consula. Mugiz era hugo rey er consula. Diga er, quin era fuela? Consula er te. Consula er misimo arqua.”
Sinciput: “The guts tell him that there will be no rain again this week.”
Doog: “Is this some type of parlor trick? How would this ever work?”
Sinciput: “Well, I have some theories about that, and they all revolve around another plant on Haruspex. Follow me.”
Sinciput: “The guts tell him that there will be no rain again this week.”
Doog: “Is this some type of parlor trick? How would this ever work?”
Sinciput: “Well, I have some theories about that, and they all revolve around another plant on Haruspex. Follow me.”
Sinciput: “As I mentioned before, the Haru have developed many agricultural practices. We’ve seen all the Julapa Trees spread about the village, but you also may have notice these other plants. They’re called Arculent Flowers.”
Doog: “These huge things are flowers?”
Sinciput: “Yes. They are the reproductive organs of the Arculent Plant. They’re big and shaped like this, to help catch windblown pollen. Haruspex doesn’t have any natural pollinators, like insects or birds, so the plant life here is entirely dependent on wind.”
Doog: “So, what does this have to do with telling the future?”
Sinciput: “I’m getting there. The Arculent flower captures pollen and directs it down the plant’s pistil. The pistil produces a sticky liquid to capture said pollen. The Haru collect this sticky liquid. They call this liquid, Evoco.”
Doog: “Not to interrupt again, but did that Haru priest mention anything about when your story is going to be over? Or could he not see that far into the future?”
Sinciput: “Patience, Doog. I coming to the point now.”
Sinciput: “Yes. They are the reproductive organs of the Arculent Plant. They’re big and shaped like this, to help catch windblown pollen. Haruspex doesn’t have any natural pollinators, like insects or birds, so the plant life here is entirely dependent on wind.”
Doog: “So, what does this have to do with telling the future?”
Sinciput: “I’m getting there. The Arculent flower captures pollen and directs it down the plant’s pistil. The pistil produces a sticky liquid to capture said pollen. The Haru collect this sticky liquid. They call this liquid, Evoco.”
Doog: “Not to interrupt again, but did that Haru priest mention anything about when your story is going to be over? Or could he not see that far into the future?”
Sinciput: “Patience, Doog. I coming to the point now.”
Sinciput: “The Haru cook the Evoco down into a fine powder. This powder is then mixed with boiling water to make a type of coffee drink. Here’s the important part; the Evoco contains ultra-high levels of nootropics.”
Doog: “New what?”
Sinciput: “Nootropics, or cognitive enhancing drugs.”
Doog: “Like smart pills?”
Sinciput: “Well, not pills, but yes. Nootropics enhance memory, perception, concentration, and even intelligence.”
Doog: “So, the Haru aren’t making blind predictions. They’re making highly educated guesses while revved up on the Evoco Coffee.”
Sinciput: “That is my theory. The Haru can accurately predict future events because they are observing various indicators while their mind is enhanced. They can better perceive weather patterns or detect variations in other members’ health.”
Doog: “I bet the LIU is all over this.”
Sinciput: “Yes. Various nootropics have been in use for decades, but this new, natural nootropic might be the best one yet. At the conclusion of my studies, the LIU would like to farm Arculent plants commercially. I’m essentially here to see if this will be feasible.”
Doog: “Will it?”
Sinciput: “Probably, but at great cost to Haru culture. Things will change swiftly for them.”
Doog: “New what?”
Sinciput: “Nootropics, or cognitive enhancing drugs.”
Doog: “Like smart pills?”
Sinciput: “Well, not pills, but yes. Nootropics enhance memory, perception, concentration, and even intelligence.”
Doog: “So, the Haru aren’t making blind predictions. They’re making highly educated guesses while revved up on the Evoco Coffee.”
Sinciput: “That is my theory. The Haru can accurately predict future events because they are observing various indicators while their mind is enhanced. They can better perceive weather patterns or detect variations in other members’ health.”
Doog: “I bet the LIU is all over this.”
Sinciput: “Yes. Various nootropics have been in use for decades, but this new, natural nootropic might be the best one yet. At the conclusion of my studies, the LIU would like to farm Arculent plants commercially. I’m essentially here to see if this will be feasible.”
Doog: “Will it?”
Sinciput: “Probably, but at great cost to Haru culture. Things will change swiftly for them.”
Doog: “In summation, Haruspex is a fascinating locality. Rust-laden draughts of air, from the planet’s vermilion, iron-oxide seas, invoke memories of my childhood. A chemical reminder of days long past. Days exploring shuttered factories on Cunabula. The rhythmic, rustling of the nearby trees mimics the repetitive factory machinery, adding to my recollection. In fact, I can seemingly hear every branch creaking in a precise order, almost like a propagating wave of acoustic reminiscence…”
Sinciput: “Did you drink some Evoco Coffee?!”
Doog: “I may have dabbled.”
Sinciput: “I think you might have overdone it. You’re not making any sense. Maybe you should just wrap this up quickly.”
Doog: “It would be repugnant of me to deny my wisdom to my viewers…uh…wait…I’m getting sleepy. See ya.”
Note: “Synthesized versions of the nootropic are already in small scale production for live testing. The Evoco synthetic is being tested under the name, Booster Seat.”
Sinciput: “Did you drink some Evoco Coffee?!”
Doog: “I may have dabbled.”
Sinciput: “I think you might have overdone it. You’re not making any sense. Maybe you should just wrap this up quickly.”
Doog: “It would be repugnant of me to deny my wisdom to my viewers…uh…wait…I’m getting sleepy. See ya.”
Note: “Synthesized versions of the nootropic are already in small scale production for live testing. The Evoco synthetic is being tested under the name, Booster Seat.”
