Worldbuild Summary | Sci-Fi Planet of Barpadai
- Casey Hudson
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Hi. I’m Casey Hudson, and I’m worlbuilding terrain for my Drifting Amalgams universe. Here’s how I’m visualizing a sci-fi planet from adapted leopard and bat habitats.
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Real Science for Worldbuilding Terrain
I’ve begun worldbuilding terrain for my Drifting Amalgams universe, and one of my fictional species is similar to Mexican free-tailed bats.
So I’m drawing ideas from the real-world habitats of Mexican free-tailed bats.
The cave-based colonies of these bats house millions. And because of their insect diet, they prefer roosts near water. Plus, the insect-attracting water is good for a quick drink.
I’m thinking of the Mexican free-tailed bat like an evolutionary baseline. So, I’m designing an extensive cave system that could have accommodated my fictional culture’s populous ancestors.
I’m also creating stretches of long-grass plains that will be used for insect farming. As another evolutionary nod to this culture’s diet, much of the planet’s water is running water found in a series of connected rivers and streams that are formed from mountain runoff.
Both bat-friendly and complementary to the rest of the planet’s terrain, I’ve created the perfect environment for this species to meet their leopard-based neighbors.
Inspiration for Worldbuilding Terrain
I’m worldbuilding terrain for my Drifting Amalgams universe, and I’m finding that there’s more to terrain than just mountains and plains.
Land masses are important, but so are the landform processes that shape that terrain.
For my sci-fi worldbuilding, having a planet with an extensive mountain range means thinking about tectonic plates and land shifts.
For the sake of narrative color and vivid plotlines, I like to think through how characters experience plate shifting and tectonics on the planet’s surface.
Are there earthquakes …or, maybe, volcanoes? How often do these activities occur?
Whether terrain is just part of the setting or a focal point of a story, the logic behind my worldbuilding choices can create a more intriguing and complex narrative.
More Real Science for Worldbuilding Terrain
I’m worldbuilding terrain for my Drifting Amalgams universe, and I’ve started by looking at terrains here on Earth.
Since my pentapardi species are based loosely on leopards, I want to include leopard habitats in my planet build. Thankfully, leopard habitats are pretty diverse–including rainforests, grasslands, and deserts. Plus, as ambush predators, leopards prefer hunting grounds with ample hiding places. Specifically: places with thick vegetation as well as caves, and rocky terrain.
To align my planet of Barpadai with leopard habitats, I’m creating several large mountain ranges. But I’m making the mountains shorter than the ones on Earth to account for my fictional planet’s gravity of 1.4g. I’m also complementing the mountain ranges with long-grass plains.
With that, I have a quick and dirty terrain to begin an evolutionary baseline.
Mapping out Features from Worlddbuilding Terrain Ideas
Mountains and caves are a primary feature of the planet, which is showcased by a peninsular mountain range with a system of caves throughout them.
There are several smaller mountain ranges, dotting the continents–including a few that butt up against the ocean. Some have cliffs, ridges, and shear drops, while others have a more gradual decline to the water.
To ensure that the pentapardi’s primal instinct as ambush hunter is honored, I’ll complement many of the mountain ranges with stretches of long-grass plains.
And to accommodate mountain runoff, I’ll create a series of connected rivers and streams that run through the grasslands. In line with the idea that only one of the dominant species depends heavily on freshwater, larger bodies of fresh water will not be present.
The perfect planet for adapted leopards and bats.
Until next time, keep creating.
