ELLANORA.

THE PLANET OF GATA.

Within a distant solar system off of the tip of a distant galaxy lies the small planet of Gata, often described as “The Sand Globe” by neighboring inhabited solar systems. Situated within the habitable zone of its star, the blue giant Leos (Lay-os,) Gata is a planet dominated by large, continental deserts which cover the vast majority of its landmass. Other climates, such as grasslands, rainforests, canyons, and small temperate forests also dot the world, but ice is little to nonexistent. The planet’s climate is maintained by its distance from its star and the gravitational pull of its small moons, Tsuna (Su-na,) and Zekiel.This planet is home to the Gatasaurs, an evolved, semi-bipedal species of psuedo-dinosaur. They, like all other currently living species on the planet, have adapted to the dry phase that has been dominating their world for the past twelve million years.Despite its nickname, Gata has carried the resources necessary to sustain life for the past 700 million years. Small oceans cut across and slice major continents in halves, and are particularly dominant near the equator and the south pole of the region. The absolute point of intersection–where the planet’s prime meridian and equator meet–is submerged miles beneath the sea.Gata itself encounters a changing of seasons similar to summer and winter on the temperate zones of Earth. However, these seasons are much different than the ones humans may encounter. Gata is relatively warm year round, and switches between the Dry and Wet seasons as it circles Leos. During the wet season, the desert sand has its territory taken over by growing seas and shorelines. This time of year is typically the best time for travelers from other planets to visit, due to safer weather conditions and more enjoyable temperatures.One particular feature that stands out during the wet season are the species of trees (similar to mangroves,) that dominate around the planet’s shorelines. These trees hibernate during the dry season, relying on the water that was stored during the wet season. They bloom and grow their leaves during wet season, and use the returning seas to their advantage.Dry season, on the other hand, is much more hostile. As the water recedes and rain disappears for a total of 8 months, Gata becomes what it is often known for; a raging sand globe. Sandstorms are not frequent, but they are dangerous, especially as wet season turns to dry season. This is due to the changes in atmospheric pressure as the climate undergoes change—wind, as a result, can become very strong and blow up massive sandstorms. To combat these storms, most species have adapted ways of digging down into the earth for protection, or have developed hard skin and other organs to survive and even thrive in Gata’s hostile desert weather.

THE GATASAUR.

(/gætəˈsɔːrəs/) meaning “gatan lizard” is a species of evolved, semi-bipedal pseudo-dinosaur, deriving from the family Gatasauridae. It is one of the few animals left on its planet of origin that descend from Gatan Theropods.The gatasaur is very intelligent, having the brain capacity, muscles, and acquired dexterity to understand complex ideas and theories, speak and emulate sounds, and manufacture and produce its own food and shelter. It is the dominant species of Gata, from where it earns its’ namesake.This animal’s complex intellect has not only allowed it to produce its own food but also thrive in Gata’s hostile environment during dry season. The gatasaur has mostly resolved to living underground, building dens and homes deep in the desert sand. Some cities and their urban areas are entirely underground, sheltered under large, glass hoods that let the light of Leos pour onto the city towers, but prevent the strong and sometimes brutal sandstorms from damaging homes.This method of living has allowed the gatasaur race to grow in massive populations, though they are far outmatched by the populations of Earth and other diverse planets. Currently, the largest and most advanced establishment on the planet is Gargara City, which is considered to be the ‘capital’ of the world. Gatan technology has slowly gained the recognition of neighboring planets, until it entered into the space race and was welcomed into The Galactic Federation: An alliance of different races that share the same arm of the galaxy or even broader. This group advocates and encourages the study and diversity of different lifeforms, technology to better communities, and an overall peaceful lifestyle.Unfortunately, however, the gatasaurs have had their own fair share of warfare. Civil Wars have broke out several times across the span of history. However, the most notable of these examples is the 100 Years War; A war between two members of the Galactic Federation and predatory races from outside. Here, the Gatan race assisted in defending its allies’ territory, after claims had been made that colonies of the opposing race were establishing territories illegally within it.What resulted was almost a century worth of bloodshed. Ellanora’s father, Zephyr, is one of the veterans of this war.Since the war has ended, the Gatan race has slowly been establishing a more peaceful lifestyle. Currently, the planet’s monarchy has been encouraging funds in the planet’s environment, resources, and defenses. Meanwhile, scientists have been going on expeditions to study life forms from other planets and learn how they may benefit the lifestyles of Gatasaurs and their allies.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION.

Gatasaurs are adapted for living life in sandy planets. They have large feet to avoid sinking into the sand, and their scales typically vary from a dark beige or coffee color to a light sandy color or even golden brown. Some specimens have red or dark brown points on their bodies, and stripes, spots, and dorsal stripes are all common markings. Typically, males stand between 7'5 and 8 feet tall, while females have greater variation in height, from 6'4 to 7'10 feet in height.Gatasaurs are known to have one of the longest lifespans of any Gatan species that still lives today. The average gatasaur can live up to a max estimated lifespan of 200 years. (The human equivalent to this age is 100.) Like their ancestors, Gatasaurs are warm-blooded, but lay eggs. A single pair is usually monogamous. Females tend to lay up to two eggs in a three month long gestation period. The egg does not typically hatch until 8 months of incubation.A common misconception about the gatasaur’s appearance is the “ears” on the top of its head. Like the ears of a Great Horned Owl, these are actually large feathers. These feathers are constructed with a special web-like structure, to trap and prevent sand from blowing into the ears of a Gatasaur. The feathery manes of a gatasaur typically flash vibrant colors for both males and females. Males typically have feathers that range from royal blue to a rich violet, and sometimes orange and red. Females tend to have more violet, pink, and magenta manes, as well as light blue and even turquoise manes. In prehistoric times, these manes were used for show and to attract a mate.Another particular feature about Gatasaurs is the sweat they perspire. These animals have sweat glands on the underside of their jaw, under their arms, and around their thighs. This particular substance is slick, and acts like sunscreen due to its reflective surface. while also protecting the scales from getting sand caught between them. A strange result by proxy of this adaptation is the Gatasaur's ability to swim or move through liquidated sand.Unfortunately, these adaptations have a downside. Because of their adaptations to extremely hot conditions, Gatasaurs do very poorly in cold, snowy weather. It doesn’t take long for this animal to succumb to hypothermia in the cold, and thus must wear the proper gear to keep warm or seek shelter as soon as possible.Gatasaurs are also semi-bipedal. While they walk on two legs for 98% of all activities, they have developed posture similar to a kangaroo, with legs that have not changed from their ancestors. Thus, the gatasaur has a medium-length, sturdy tail to keep the animal bottom heavy. It is unknown if the species will ever become fully upright and eventually lose the tail.A Gatasaur’s tail is among its strongest physical weapons, next to its kicks. On the other hand, the species has a particularly weak bite force. Skulls are light and narrow built, but teeth are sharp with very few teeth for grinding other foods in the very back of the bottom and top jaws. Gatasaurs are indeed omnivorous, though their diet mostly consists of eggs, fish, and an small prey. Vegetables and plants are not primarily eaten, but are consumed for their water content during dry season.

A resident of the planet Gata, Ellanora was born to Chienne and Zephyr, the latter of which was a veteran of the 100 Years War. An only child growing up on the outskirts of Gargara City, Ellanora lived with her family on her mother's slowly eroding family farm. Despite teetering on the precipice between the middle and lower class, it was a modest household.The difficulty of growing up stemmed from her relationship with her father. Zephyr was plagued by trauma from the war and his experiences ultimately lead him to grow fearful of traversing outside Gata's atmosphere. Seeking to ensure that his offspring would be capable and able to defend themselves, Zephyr plunged his only daughter into training and practicing combat techniques from an early age. Of these techniques, primitive practice, and the way of the sword, were primarely used.Unfortunately, her father's insistence on making her train developed resentment in her. Ellanora's interests rested in other places. She grew particularly fond of animals, and preferred assisting her mother on the ranch over practicing under her father's instruction. Often times, the young gatasaur would flee from the farm grounds to spend time with a childhood friend, Gear. The young baathalion frequently visited Gata with his father Bengt, who was an old friend and brother-in-arms to Zephyr.The fact that her closest companion had travelled between the stars at such a young age enthralled her. Ellanora began to sneak out of the house at night, if only to stare at the starry night sky. She would eventually dream about visiting other worlds.Unfortunately, her ideas for her future heavily conflicted with what Zephyr wanted for his daughter. He only wanted her to be safe, and hoped that he could shield her from the outside world. Thusly, when the now-teenaged Ellanora began to express her wish to pursue cosmozoology for a future career, her father quarreled with her frequently.Fueled by raging emotion and teenage harmones, Ellanora's confrontations with her father only served to divide them further. Chienne, who had previously refused to get involved with them, finally began to intervene when her daughter showed obvious resentment. She tried to console Zephyr, and open up his eyes to the reality of it all: their daughter was growing up, and he couldn't keep her cooped up forever. "Frankly, thats going against all those years you've spent training her."Gear would also interject when he could manage, acting as Ellanora's impulse control the few times he visited Gargara City. The baathalion kept an eye on her, ensuring that the gatasaur didn't do anything stupid whenever she barged out of the home in a fit of rage. But sadly, he could not always be there. Gear was a traveller, with a busy home and a busy life, and a bright future ahead of him.One night, Ellanora slipped out of her home after a particularly loud quarrel between her and her father —again, about her future. She had her father's swords with her; the gatasaur had stolen them behind her father's back and fully intended to have them melted for money somewhere.In a society where drinking laws are a little more loose and a teenager can slip into a bar by just looking old enough, it was easy for her to sneak into a bar and drink her frustrations away. Soon enough she was in a drunken stupor, and as she stumbled out onto the street, a pair of gatasaurs a male and a female, and equally as tipsy, took notice of her.Damn, they didn't see what was coming.It was obvious those two were asking for a fight, hooting and roaring out to her in their stupor. They came up to her sides, peskily prodding at the scabbards tied to her belt. They requested a fight, and a fight was what they got. Numbed by the alcohol, Ellanora reached for one of the swords and tore—right straight across the side of one of the male's hands. Then with her own claws and teeth, she ripped, she snarled, she roared and punched and kicked. Everything went by like a haze; there was some shouting, blood, and more shouting, but by the end of it the two other gatasaurs were rasping for breath, scratched up and scrambling down the other side of the street.Ellanora was also cut up, but the alcohol and the adrenaline numbed the pain. She went limping back home, forgetting about melting her father's swords. As she stepped into the door, her father stood there, waiting for her, and unusually wide awake for the hour."What in Amagros' name were you doing? Where were you? We needed you!" She didn't understand what he meant at first. On Zephyr's face was a mixture of seething rage and pure distressed agony, and she didn't find out why until he shoved her along and showed her to her mother. Chienne was unconscious and bedridden, looking weak and dull. Ellanora would later learn that she had had a stroke while her daughter was absent.There was nothing that could have been done to save her. Chienne was dead the next morning, just as the alcohol had begun to clear from Ellanora's head. That night marked the worst night in her life. But sometimes, you have to fall to the very bottom to get back up again.Now one member short, the remnants of that tiny family stood shattered for the next few days. Ellanora and Zephyr hardly spoke to each other: One was grieving over the loss of his mate, and the other regretting everything about that night. It would be a week before the two of them spoke, and then, a glimmer of recovery showed in their eyes.Their grief over the loss of a loved one would, miraculously, help to rekindle their bond. The father and daughter only had each other to seek comfort from. It was Zephyr who reached out first. His mate's consoling gripped his heart harder than ever before now that she was gone, and he made an effort to try and heed those words.Ellanora, on the other hand, lingered on the events that traversed the night her mother had died; particularly, how she had managed to fight off two fully-grown adults even in her drunken stupor. She had her father's wild blood, but more importantly, her training under her belt, and she kept thinking of what might have happened had he not passed on the lessons he gave her. She gave back the swords she stole. Then, she promised that she would do anything and everything to keep herself and others safe -- not just for her sake, but for his as well.In return, Zephyr finally allowed her pursue the life she dreamed of.Two years later, Ellanora finally entered university to study as a zoologist. Getting the money wasn’t easy. In order to support themselves, both her and her father eventually had to sacrifice most of their farm and their livestock for the money. The only animal that was kept was Ginny, an old mount who went under her father’s care.However, through hard work and perserverance, Ellanora managed to graduate with a good GPA and a bright future ahead of her. After completing her degree, she joined the Galactic Federation's Galactic Travel Training Garrison, in order to prepare for what would be several future trips to worlds and planets unknown. Joining alongside her was Gear, whom, having been inspired by his many trips to Gata during his childhood, had pursued the world of science as a cosmoecologist. He had also minored in Spaceship Mechanics.Their interests renewed their childhood bond, and the two have been working as a team since. Many have compared their relationship to unrelated siblings, throwing banter around like monkeys. They graduated from the garrison two years later, and joined the Galactic Federation as novice apprentices to experienced scientists.It has been twenty years after graduating from the Garrison, and Ellanora has been working as a fully-fledged cosmozoologist. She has gone on three two year-long trips to other planets, studying life in the field as a scientist under the Galactic Federation. Eventually her career helped her scrape up just enough money to buy back the ranch she grew up upon, and a dorm in the seaside city of Mikaela, where she is often roommates with Gear.Ellanora remains devoted to her career and her future. However, she has upheld her word to her father; she trains every morning when circumstances allow, if only to stay in shape, and keeps her mother in her heart. Zephyr, on the other hand, has decided to join a monastery in the heart of Gargara, hopeful it will help him finally find peace after his years in the war.Ginny, the old mount her family previously owned, now resides in a neighboring ranch nearby where Ellanora grew up. He’s quite happy there, and his old owners like to visit him sometimes.