Crystal Shrimp
by hughpierre
Basic Information
Anatomy
A primitive crustacean whose body is divided into head, thorax, and abdomen. Its body is covered with a thin, flexible exoskeleton of pale crystal to which muscles are internally attached.
Ecology and Habitats
Breath Holders say they can find shrimps at rifts on the seafloor or over volcanic springs. These shrimp do not thrive in spite of the scalding temperatures, but because of it.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Hot Fluids
Vents of acidic, gushing and mineral-laden water offer up nutrients to the shrimp. As well as, on any unlucky creatures that wander too close to the scalding water and fall in.Additional Information
Social Structure
This pale shrimp congregates in hordes of thousands around heated sources. They are eyeless creatures who are non-aggressive but active, crawling over each other in large masses.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Crystal shrimp is an expensive breed of shrimp precisely because of the extreme conditions they need. They are a hardy species, requiring terrific force and nut-cracking tools to break the shell. Though it is sold as high status cuisine, some who have had it, without presumption, say that it tastes no different that regular shrimp meat.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
A river that starts cold in the Hananhallpa then cool through the Bastards. Then rushes steaming at the foot of the Fire Mountain over several hot springs.
The river flows 25 feet wide along most of its path and hot for 4 leagues. There are several hot pools larger than the foundations of royal palaces and the occassional waterfalls 20 to 40 feet tall. And all with near boiling temperatuers.
This vast territory, spottily populated, experiences unfathomable tidal shifts every 50 years; marking the times and phase shifts of the distant elder star.
Every titanic wave up heaves animals from the water's depths and churns them onto the shores. They can be occasionally found helter skelter when the new sea is still white and foamy, before settling in the deep pit mines covered over with sea water.
Lifespan
1.5 years
Average Length
1 - 1.5
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Bluish See-Through Shell
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
Related Ethnicities
Entry for Worldbuilding Summer Camp 2022
Answering: "Α species that survives in an unlikely place"
In response to the prompt If an apocalypse were to happen in your world, what creature would survive to come out on top?
"Though it is sold as high status cuisine, some who have had it, without presumption, say that it tastes no different that regular shrimp meat." Glorious, makes me think of things like Caviar in our real world. I've known people whom have eaten even high end caviar and basically are like..."its meh honestly." That little line really got me, I got a chuckle and really brought me in on these shrimp, well done giving it some character that way.
Yes, I have that same experience with trying caviar.