BACKSTORY

Formerly a small and vibrant oceanic planet, Aquariatum was catastrophically altered when an asteroid collision evaporated most of the water. Devoid of its population, the planet was left rocky, empty, and untouched for eons before a mysterious group of powerful restorative aliens known as the “tinkerers" decided the planet deserved a second chance at life. With their alien technology, they gathered whatever fossils and remnants of the former living world they could find and began to construct a new, more durable entity to live amongst the unusual terrain. This group of entities is known as the MECKAFiSH.

THE WORLD

Despite its name, NEO-AQUARIATUM is a dry, mostly rocky planet. After an asteroid struck the planet and evaporated most of its water millions of years before, the deep complex oceanic structures made of the planet's rock and soil were all that remained. Some Caves, canyons and trenches that were formally hidden by the water were now left fully exposed. Rather than ocean currents, the planet now faces incredible bouts of wind. Some remnants of plant species still linger on the planet, slowly but surely adapting to the environment by acquiring nutrients by alternative means. In the tinkerer’s quest to restore life that there had once been, MECKAFiSH were designed to inhabit these spaces without hassle.

LOCATIONS

Each MECKAFiSH tends to choose a specific place to consider "home" on NEO-AQUARIATUM! This is where they'll generally feel the most comfortable roaming in their day-to-day. While there's no limit to the places a MECKAFiSH can go, having an environment to be familiar with is always recommended!

THE LANDING ZONE

Where freshly made MECKAFish come from. Once assembled by the mysterious entity known as the Tinkerers, they are released from a pod and into the world almost immediately ready to explore.

THE REEF

The colorful bombastic city area of NEO-Aquariatum! The REEF is distinctly split between two zones:

UPPER REEF -A beautiful and ornate part of the city that spirals high above the planet's 'ground'. MECKAFiSH from this part of the city tend to have more scholarly, stylish, and composed personalities. They love to look good!

LOWER REEF - A LIVELIER and more fast-paced part of the city that spans across the ground level and some few leagues below. MECKAFISH from this part of the city are more likely to have more free spirited, creative, and rambunctious personalities. They love to make themselves heard!

THE CAVES

A less flashy area, but as equally rich with life as the reefs above it. The caves are a deep network of interconnecting tunnels and caverns that span the length NEO-AQUARIATUM. Entering one cave can very easily bring you to the other side of the planet if you aren't careful!
Within the caves are different pockets that contain vastly different communities and subcultures. If it exists, there's a cave down here somewhere where fish gather to talk about it.
For the more contemplative MECKAFiSH who may prefer a cozier and more innocuous lifestyle, the caves are a winning pick!

THE OPEN SEAPLAIN

The flat expanses of land you'll see spanning the planet between reefs. its very windy here! Great for traveling quickly.  Quite accommodating for MECKAFiSH who prefer a more nomadic or adventurous lifestyle.

THE DEEP ABYSS

the planet's lowest region. The bottom of dark trenches that are just a layer of rock above the planet's molten center. shrouded in a dark smog, it's hard to ever get a truly apt picture of what's down here, but the rare MECKAFiSH you may witness take residency in this area are quite… unusual to say the least.

THE DEAD ZONES

Parts on the poles of the planet that are seemingly uninhabited. They're often covered in mountains of scrapped ancient alien technology, as well as a thick layer of dust. Wonder if anyone's out there...

WORLD MAP

A more in depth reference for the positions the above locations in relation to each other.

LORE FAQ

Q: Just what is 'The FiSHBOWL' anyway?

• "The  FiSHBOWL" or "The Bowl" is merely how MECKAFiSH in-universe casually  refer to their planet! Pretty similar to how humans refer to Earth as  'the world' in their day-to-day, NEO-AQUARIATUM is considered the more  technical term that doesn't really get used in casual conversation as  much. 

Q: Do MECKAFiSH age or grow?

• MECKAFiSH  are traditionally designed at their full size upon creation, though  they tend to spend their first few months to a year of their lives  exclusively in their LITE forms as they get accustomed to the world.  It's very culturally commonplace for older models to take in and raise  newer models during this time. MECKAFiSH can have life spans of hundreds  of years. As models age, their internal processors get weaker, so  replacing their current model's physical parts for a smaller/less heavy  material and eventually reverting back into their LITE form indefinitely  during their elderly stages is not uncommon.

Q: Do the type of physical traits a MECKAFiSH has determine where they live?

• Nope!  Just a MECKAFiSH's personality and personal preferences.  Each area is  habitable for any type of fish, and mostly just chops up to where a fish  would feel the most comfortable hanging out. 

Q: Can MECKAFiSH eat?

• They  can, actually! Meckafish Occasionally feed on this mineral dense powder  that accumulates deep within the reserves caves to feel more energized.  It’s naturally very coarse, but culinary specialist meckafish have  found a way to make it into fantastic jelly and mochi-like dishes and  drinks.  Since they’re androids, the experience of eating is more for  enjoyment than actual sustenance!  

Q: Can MECKAFiSH have pets?

• They  can! MECKAFiSH occasionally can find themselves accompanied by small  and squishy, also manufactured creatures called SyntheSlugs. You can  find them living wild just about anywhere in NEO-AQUARIATUM, but are  easily tamable and make fantastic companions. ( Sea Slug-like appearance  aside, There's no design restrictions for these guys! Have fun :D )