Hi, I've been struggling with some logistics for a part of my story. The characters are traveling to a country with a whole bunch of metal infused into the dirt. It was turned into this by the dwarves in this ancient war. Using ancient magic, the people there connected themselves to the metal (for those curious, you can only link to an element once, you can only link to one element, and it has a high fatality rate) I've thought a lot about how this would work and I feel like I've considered everything, but it feels too easy which means I must've missed something. Here's what I've got so far: Infrastructure-Houses are made from the metal in the ground. I haven't quite determined how homes in small towns/villages keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer, maybe some type insulation. But, in cities it would be basically the same system the Earthbenders had in Avatar the Last Airbender. Massive highway-like structures that can be used to transport things all around the city. Only, the buildings would be located under the highways for shade in the summer. The castle wouldn't get such a luxury though, hence where I feel stuck. Agriculture-The land is mostly infertile, except for these patches where the people managed to yank out enough metal to allow crops to grow. Crops would have to be imported from the more fertile countries. Though, they could potentially import dirt to use in their greenhouses. I'm not sure how good an idea that is though, I mean nutrients are finite. I'll need a farming expert's help on that front. As for the animals. In recent years, the technique used to link the people to specific elements was rediscovered. Using this technique, researchers from the land that controls plant life have altered certain animals to be able to photosynthesize. They don't need food, just water. It seems that they have a harder time getting said results with omnivores and carnivores just die if they attempt to get those specific results from them so the researchers stuck with the herbivores. Recently, aurochs, which are these huge cows, have also been introduced but there aren't enough aurochs who can photosynthesize so they can't be used for meat just yet. I feel like I've got the issue of food sort of under control, but something about it feels too easy. Also, how would animals that were altered to photosynthesize taste? I feel like they'd taste like fruits and vegetables. They already resemble plants, they aren't plants but they have those characteristics. Fruit flavored milk sounds gross, but maybe it can taste delicious? Water-The elemental alteration means that those who control metal can consume more metal than most other humans, but it's still not great in huge amounts. Therefore, they can pull metal out of their drinking water. Earth elementals who live here can use their powers to pull minerals out of seawater then they can purify it. I'm ok with this one being easy. Something I haven't put much thought into is the land itself. Would the dirt be hot in the summer and cold in the winter? How hot? How cold? How does rain not rust the metal? Maybe it can be an arid dessert? Desert? Or maybe the dwarves did something to make it not rust? I dunno, I feel like I've got it all figured out, but I feel like it's all too easy. Though, then again, the theme is letting go so maybe being easy is the point.
There are quite a bit of metal infused lands in the world. Prince Edward Island in Canada has a very very high concentration of iron in the soil: PEI dirt and sand is red due to the high iron-oxidize content, in other words, rust in the soil. (red soil is also found in Michigan, Texas, India, and some African countries) Laterite- a soil type rich in iron and aluminum and is commonly considered to have formed in hot and wet tropical areas. You might want to look into places like those to see how communities and plant and animal life thrive The answer to this question pretty much answers your farming question: How would iron and alkaline-rich soil affect plant life?
Nutrients can be added back to the soil by allowing plants to decompose on it, and spreading manure. The pH of soil can be adjusted by adding calcium carbonate or sulphur. You'd also have to keep it from being contaminated by other substances that leech into the soil from the metals, on a large enough scale to support enough crops for the population.
This caught my eye. I'm wondering how this was accomplished? Were they able to get chloroplasts to function inside the animal cells? The process of photosynthesis takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. this would require a significant change to their respiration. How would this be accomplished?
Darn it, hadn't thought about that. You're right, this is a complete alteration of the animal's biology. I'm guessing they wouldn't need lungs anymore, instead they would absorb carbon dioxide through their pores and expel oxygen. Technically the cells would have to be altered to be more plant-like. I also haven't considered the other organs and reproduction... maybe they would be more plant than animal. Which means their meat would taste like fruits or vegetables... I should probably do more research on this before anything else.
I found a recent article about a scientific breakthrough - engineering animal cells so that they photosynthesize. But it is an enormous leap from having a clump of cells photosynthesizing to an entire animal organism, what with all its various organ systems. https://www.earth.com/news/animal-cells-capable-of-photosynthesis-created-for-the-first-time/
I've seen a story where (some) humans photosynthesise. The way they explained it was... they didn't explain it.
The giant clam doesn't photosynthesise. But they host a symbiotic algae that does, and the algae produces nutrients which the clam can then use.
I suppose that is better than bad science, with scientific inaccuracies, and oversimplifications that don't make sense. But there is always going to be the reader for whom if it doesn't make sense, or flies in the face of scientific knowledge, that spoils the story for them. One example is Jurassic Park. Scientists would need the entire complete genome to reproduce dinosaurs, and we currently don't have any dinosaur DNA at all. (The oldest DNA we have is from a mammoth.) And the dinosaurs in the movie were from the Cretaceous period, not the Jurassic. And, the way dinosaurs actually look is different than the scaly monsters shown in the film.
So basically if it comes up in the story then try to explain it but if I don't find a good place for it then don't worry too much?
I would say, pretty much. Unless the mechanics of the photosynthesis are important to the story - for example, they need to eat a certain plant to successfully photosynthesise, and they don't have access to any. Even then. You can always use the "a wizard did it" explanation - I'm not being facetious, it's actually fairly easy to make that kind of explanation sound non-ironic and add to the story. For example, in the story I saw it in, humans were genetically altered to become able to do it due to limited food resources on their colony ship. That's more or less an "a wizard did it" explanation.
By the way - the efficiency of photosynthesis depends on surface area, so would they have to spend most of their time naked?
Photosynthesis would not necessarily have to happen in the entire body. That's not the case for plants. They don't photosynthesize "all over" but only in the leaves. So maybe these mammals that are bio-engineered to photosynthesize have some special organs grafted onto them.
Yes, but it still relies on surface area, hence the flatness and size of the leaf compared to, say, the stem). The organ would have to be sufficiently large in size to pick up enough light (and the skin is the largest organ). But since we're ignoring regular biology anyway, there's no reason not to say a smaller organ could do it. It affords the opportunity to add some interesting customs or background to these people (like, why do they have a law that hats are forbidden, or something like that).
https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/rpg-with-reimagined-elements-rather-than-fire-water-earth-etc.706926/ I visited a game shop today and browsed their RPG section. They had one specific book that was set in a metal type of universe (along with other elements) but the book was like $80 (!!!!) and it wasn't really something I was looking for so I just glanced at it and moved on. If you want, I can go back in a couple of days and take another look at it - I tried to google for the book but all I got was what's in the link at the top. Google Fu, not my skill. Is this something you are still looking for? EDIT: AI gave me this: Here's a breakdown of potential elements for a metal-based RPG: Setting and Atmosphere: The Metal World: The landscape could be a vast, metallic wasteland, a shattered world rebuilt from the remains of an old civilization, or a world where metal is the dominant element, from buildings to flora and fauna. Environmental Hazards: The game could feature dangers related to the metallic environment, such as toxic fumes, magnetic fields, and the risk of structural collapse. Resource Scarcity: Metal would be a valuable resource, leading to conflict and competition among different factions. Unique Ecosystem: The metal world could have its own flora and fauna, perhaps mutated by the environment or adapted to survive in it. Technology and Engineering: The game could explore the role of technology and engineering in shaping the society and influencing its culture. Gameplay Mechanics: Character Classes: Character classes could reflect different aspects of the metal world, such as: Metalworkers: Skilled at crafting, repairing, and modifying metal objects. Mechanics: Experts in understanding and operating machinery and vehicles. Scravers: Individuals who scavenge for metal and resources. Technopods: Individuals who are either partially or completely metal. Skills and Abilities: Skills could be designed to reflect the metal environment, such as: Metalworking: Skills related to forging, welding, and metal fabrication. Mechanics: Skills related to repairing and maintaining machinery. Scavenging: Skills related to finding and identifying valuable resources. Combat: Combat in a metal world could involve a variety of weapons, including: Melee Weapons: Axes, swords, and hammers crafted from metal. Ranged Weapons: Guns, cannons, and perhaps even energy weapons powered by metal. Vehicular Combat: Using vehicles for combat and transport. Story and Factions: Faction Dynamics: The game could feature various factions with different goals, ideologies, and power structures, such as: Metal Guilds: Powerful organizations that control the metal trade and production. Mechanic Clans: Communities of mechanics who are experts in operating and maintaining machines. Scrapper Groups: Individuals who scavenge for metal and resources in the wasteland. Technopods: A society of individuals who are either partially or completely metal. Story Themes: The game could explore themes of resource scarcity, environmental hazards, and the impact of technology on society. Examples: Dungeons & Dragons: Could be adapted with a new setting that emphasizes metalworking, resource management, and environmental hazards. Call of Cthulhu: Could be used to create a post-apocalyptic setting where metal is a scarce and valuable resource. Pathfinder: Could be adapted to feature character classes and skills that are relevant to a metal world. By incorporating these elements, a tabletop RPG set in a land made of metal could provide a unique and engaging experience for players.
