Monstazoa - Classification

Archetypes

Classification of Monstazoa is split into twelve groups, all representing a different kingdom of creatures.

Once, a very long time ago, the lines between evolutionary families were clear. But the great wounding of the world has caused these lines to blur and form new, fantastic, and unprecedented ecological configurations over millions of years. The separation between these kingdoms is determined not by ancestry, but by collections of traits associated with the general idea of each type of animal-- the originals of which have been lost to time-- hence, the "Archetype" was coined.

Two species that are of the same Archetype may not be closely related at all, while two species of different Archetypes may be close cousins. Species may also display more than one Archetype if it is unable to be cleanly categorized into a single group.

Mammalian
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Common Attributes:
[Warm-Blooded] [Social]

Reptilian
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Common Attributes:
[Cold-Blooded]

Avian
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Common Attributes:
[Social] [Language-User]

Piscan
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Common Attributes:
[Water-Breathing] [Antifreeze]

Insectoid
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Common Attributes:

Vermiform
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Common Attributes:
[Crushproof]

Plantlike
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Common Attributes:
[

Fungal
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Microbial
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Paranormal
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Synthetic
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Abstract
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Roles

Monstazoa are defined by their lifestyles just as much as their appearances. Zoa display many complex interactions with each other based on thier roles in the ecosystem. Two kinds of Zoa that appear very similar may have very different ways of living, feeding, and socializing with other creatures.

In a battle setting, Monstazoa of different Roles may interact with each other in interesting and unexpected ways.

Hunter
The predators of the ecosystem, characterized by their behaviors of killing prey for food. Zoa in this category are typically strong and fast, and may lend their skills well to attacking positions in battle.

Forager
The grazers of the ecosystem, searching for plants and other fresh, edible parts of the landscape to eat. Foragers often occupy the middle of the food chain and are vulnerable to Hunters.

Scavenger
The consumers of leftovers. The resourceful scavenger makes easy use of the parts of prey that are inedible to other Zoa. Many species in this group have specialized skills and mutualistic relationships with Hunters.

Creator
Zoa in this group are characterized by their ability to convert energy, like sunlight or electricity, into food. They are often at the bottom of the food chain and provide crucial roles as food sources for other species.

Parasite
The Zoa in this group uses other species of Zoa as its habitat, living partially or fully inside their bodies in order to take a portion of their energy for themselves. Parasites are often highly specialized to a single other species.

Landscaper
Zoa in this group do not feed on food at all, but abiotic materials. Their diets of rock, metals, and even gasses alter the landscape over time and change the chemical composition of the environment, affecting the kinds of plants that can grow and the types of Zoa that can live there.

Helper
Helps other life forms propogate while taking a small cut for themselves. This category includes the pollinators, the fertilizers, and the generally altruistic. They often have mutualistic relationships with Creator species.

Pet
The livestock and companions of the world. Zoa in this group are often tamed or domesticated, and depend on the care of another species to thrive. Many species have seen significant evolutionary changes through these mutualistic relationships.

Baby
This role is characterized by the lack of survival tactics entirely. Babies cannot eat by themselves and must be cared for until they are old enough to live on their own. Typically only species in their first growth stage are babies.

Generalist
The rarest of all roles, Zoa in this category are capable of occupying multiple roles at once.