Motti Lore

These creatures are in tune with nature and magic. They are skilled at identifying, manipulating, and once upon a time, purifying magic in the environment. It is rumored that they are the only species who can purify the corruption in the environment, though it seems like the skill has weakened over the centuries. Due to their innate magical abilities, they often live for centuries with the oldest Motti rumoured to have lived over a thousand years. They're typically a friendly, selfless species and the most common species in Lucerna.

An ancient breed...

Before the Age of Corruption, it is said that there were dozens of subspecies and subtypes of Motti. As time goes on, more and more subspecies are discovered.

Lepidlanvhi created the Motti based off of the butterflies and moths she observed in the natural world.
The little creatures were beautiful, yet fragile. She wanted to create something in their image, wrought with beauty but more sturdy to handle the dangers of the world.

In Lucerna, infusion is a common method of reproduction, not just amongst the anthroids but amongst the beasts as well. Keystones are concentrated spheres of magic that bubble up deep from within the earth, usually from thermal or underground springs. These keystones are what Lepid used to create the first Motti.

Currently discovered Subspecies...

Animotti

Arthramotti

Dyamotti

Fodamotti

Herbamotti

Vermiotti

Life Cycle

Egg → Nymph → Chrysalis → Adult → Wither → Dust

From a Keystone to an Egg, the Infusion Stage

How does the infusion stage work?

An Inert Keystone

Keystones are a key component of life in Lucerna.

For the motti species who have no reproductive organs, they are the only way that Motti can proliferate. The blue and green Inert Keystone is found in springs, near thermal heat vents and in bogs or swamps which may have springs producing fresh water from deep in the earth. They may also be found in aquifers or cave rivers. Rarely they may be found along shorelines as well.

When an inert keystone accepts a bulk of manai essentia in natural or active infusion, the keystone will change colors into yellow and green, and slowly form a tennis-ball shaped pattern. Overtime, the simplified pattern expands to appear like two pairs of hands cupping the center and rapidly expands in size. At this point it becomes a Lepistone and a motti will eventually hatch from the egg in the center. Motti believe that this is their goddess, Lepidlanvhi herself, embracing her creation and bringing them into the world in the safety of her own hands.

An Inactive Lepistone

An Active Lepistone, also known as an Active Keystone

Lepistones will continue to grow larger until they are about the size of a canteloupe. As they grow larger, the exterior hardens and the fingers appear to spread, revealing an Active Keystone in the center which will give off a soft yellow-green glow. This is known as an Active Lepistone.

Lepistones may lay dormant for decades while they continue to absorb a variety of magical essences located in the environment. This is called passive infusion and it may take upwards of fifty years for lepistones to become active lepistones. With passive infusion, the egg will absorb traits from things directly around it's environment, including other anthroids, which will help determine what rarity the motti subspecies becomes once it hatches.

Currently, the process is more often sped up with a modern infusion technique known as active infusion driving the waiting time down drastically. Magical essences are extracted from various elements, fauna or flora, or any other items and instead infused directly into the egg with an altar. The process cannot be reversed, and those essences will directly affect what subspecies the Motti may become when they reach their chrysalis stage, though there is not an exact science to forcing a particular subspecies.

The motti is incubating at this point, continuing to grow larger and larger within the lepistone. Eventually the hand-like appearance will crumble to make way for the activated keystone to form into an oblong, egg-like shape. At this time, the egg continually draws essentia from its surroundings while a nymph continues to grow inside. After some time passes, the shell will crack as a nymph fights its way out of the slimy insides of the egg. It takes roughly a year from the time the infusion reaches the active lepistone phase to complete the incubation in the egg phase.

All motti eggs are yellow-green with a sort of speckling to them and a ring pattern in the middle, regardless of their rarity and will hatch on the day or night of the monthly occurance known as the Starfall.

The Starfall is a natural cosmic occurrence that happens on a night with a full moon, where meteors fall all through the night and following day. It is unknown why the eggs seemingly decide to hatch on the Starfall, but motti believe it is Lepidlanvhi throwing souls down from the heavens to give the nymphs inside the last push of inspiration they need to begin life. It is seen as a great blessing to be born during the day of Starfall.

A Motti egg

An Inert Keystone infused with Manai Essentia becomes a Lepistone which then becomes an Active Lepistone or Active Keystone, which then finally becomes an Motti Egg.

Accurate size comparisons

Inert keystones are extremely small, around the size of marbles or pebbles. They are always blue-green in color.

Lepistones are about the size of an orange and are yellow and green, though they may have sprinkles of blue or orange mixed into them.

Active Lepistones are about the size of cantaloupes and have a bright yellow-green egg in the middle.

Motti Eggs are about the same size as active lepistones and are always bright yellow-green with a single ring pattern in the middle. The speckling may be lighter or darker than the egg, but is always present. The egg also retains a very soft glow.

In extremely rare cases there may be one or two rings displayed on the egg patterning. If that is the case there may be multiple nymphs within the egg. There has never been a case where more than three nymphs have hatched from a single egg, however.

The Nymph Stage

Scott as a nymph, 2 years old

A nymph is the collective term for a motti who has not yet undergone their chrysalis stage, but also refers to the youngest stage of a motti's development. There are three parts to a nymph's development stage;

the nymph, ages 0-5 years

the mothling, ages 6-15 years

the pup, ages 16-25

No matter what, at some point between the ages of 16-25 all motti will instinctually begin building their chrysalis so they can transform into adults by age 26.

Physical Descriptions

On the day of hatching, all nymphs are a mix of yellow, green or white in color. They will develop markings and patterns over the next year that mirror the colors of their environments to help them stay camouflaged. They may only have colors like black, brown, grey, white, natural reds, green or yellow for their fur. All nymphs are covered in short fur which may grow to varying lengths as they age and it can be styled freely. Though the markings may change subtly from their hatching day throughout nymphood, it is important to remember that no potions, magical vials or spells work on nymphs at all.

Mothlings and Pups may temporarily dye their fur with natural, non-magical pigments, if their caretakers and guardians provide it for them.

Nymph antenna are always one color of blue and have no gradients or designs on them.

A nymph's eyes may only be either blue or black and may never be heterochromatic.

Nymphs only ever have either prick, button or drop ears. At any time, these ear types may stand erect or flop over. They cannot change their ears as they grow through nymphood.

Example of nymph ears, from left to right:
prick, half-button, button and drop

Nymphs also naturally have two sets of arms and have a little chunky nub tail with a hidden spinneret at the tip. They have no other types of tails and the nubs do not touch the ground. They may be bare or have long fur though. The spinnerets remain useless until nymphs are between 16-25 years of age.

They have a microfiber/velvet sort of texture to their bodies that help them stick to non-slick surfaces. They can often be seen clinging to their caretakers, guardians or "nymph towers" which are elaborate, often wooden, structures that are built for nymphs to crawl and sleep on.

Nymphs under five years old will crawl on their bellies to move around, using their second, lower set of arms to help them get around until their legs are strong enough to bear their weight.

Caretaker Tog with a few nymphs

Caretaker Fencer with a few nymphs

The different Stages of a Nymph

from left to right; Scott as a -
nymph → mothling → pup

Types of Nymphs

It seems that nymphs only ever display four different types of antenna which directly correlate to the rarity of their subspecies after their chrysalis stage

The Puffball Nymph

Puffball are the most common antenna seen in nymphs, especially in smaller towns or rural areas as caretakers are limited to what type of essentias they can infuse their lepistones with.

Puffball nymphs may chrysalis into Animotti, Arthramotti, Fodamotti, Herbamotti or Vermiotti.

The Velvet Nymph

Velvet Nub antenna are uncommon in nymphs, especially with passive infusions as they require a delicate balance of specific essentias to create. Like Puffball Nymphs, they are mostly found in smaller towns and rural areas.

Velvet Nymphs may chrysalis into Fungimotti

The Feather Nymph

Feather Plume Nymphs, more commonly called "Feather Nymphs," are extremely rare to form with passive infusion. They are primarily made through active infusions. They are not found in small towns or rural areas and require a high level infusion altar to be successful.

In addition to that, they require a stable environment with plentiful essentia, as they require a lot to make it to adulthood.

Feather nymphs may chrysalis into Dyamotti and ...?

The Angel Nymph

The rarest of the nymphs, typically only seen within noble or royal lodges or in academic settings, the Angel Nymphs are never formed through passive infusions and are only achieved by precise, controlled, active infusions from high level infusion altars. These nymphs are extremely resilient, despite their lack of magic, and are said to be blessed by Lepidlanvhi herself, though require a lot of essentia to grow.
Angel Nymphs are the only nymphs whose antenna grow as large as their heads, and in the pups phase, their antenna may grow as large as their necks.

Angel nymphs may chrysalis into ...?

The Dangers of Harvesting Nymph Antenna

Nymphs are very sensitive to essentia in the environment. Everyday they will absorb a specific amount of essentia around them to continue to grow through nymphood. A nymph's antenna are the beacons which allow them to absorb and retain essentia. For this reason, nymph antenna are extremely potent and a direct indicator of their health. While their antenna are potent in essentia, it is taboo in motti culture to trim or harvest nymph antenna. Unlike the regular trimming of adult antenna, it is agonizing to remove antenna from a nymph and extremely detrimental to their health. Removing a nymph's antenna more than three times throughout their nymphood is a good way to ensure that they do not make it out of their Chrysalis.

Their antenna are direct visual representations of how healthy the nymphs are and how well they're growing. The more vibrant blue their antenna, the healthier the nymph. If the antenna grey or lessen in saturation, it is a good sign that the nymph is unwell. If their antenna are removed or damaged, it will take several seasons for the little nub to grow back to its proper version, though this will make them extremely lethargic, hungry, weak and susceptible to illness and corruption while the antenna regrow. This may also stunt growth and make them chrysalis in the later half of the 25 year window. There are rare instances where nymph antenna get injured by accident or in some manner that causes the death of the nymph. They are extremely fragile parts of a young motti.

Accompanying the damage or removal of the antenna is an obvious physical ailment where they lose the ability to use their second set of arms. The bottom set of arms will drop limply by their side and the nymph will gain rings of darker colors around their abdomens and nub tails. If they enter their chrysalis stage while sick or weakened, they may not come out of it. It's very important that as they reach the chrysalis stage that their bodies are vibrant colors and that their antenna is saturated and healthy.

Restrictions and Magic

Culturally, nymphs are the most highly protected individuals. They are not allowed in any dangerous jobs, not taught any purification methods and are not typically allowed to engage in battles or go on extensive travels unless absolutely necessary. With no magic to use, they are extremely vulnerable beings in a magic heavy world.

Even attempting to use any kind of magic on nymphs is extremely dangerous. Attempting to use morph vials, spells, enchantments or even healing magic on nymph can cause an illness called Hyperess, which is an overdose of absorbing essentia. When a nymph suffers from hyperess, their antenna will literally explode with a deafening thundering sound and they will bleed profusely from the injury. The symptoms that follow are lethargy, fever, chills, and excessive coughing. The chances of a nymph surviving this type of injury is extremely low, and even if they survive through nymphood, they typically end up dying in their chrysalis.

Since even healing magic and vials cannot be used, when nymphs are injured or sick, they must use more ancient methods like salves, medicines and teas to overcome their illnesses and injuries. This is often why they are protected so fiercely.

Pre-Chrysalis Pups

As a nymph reaches 16 years old, the spinneret on their tails become active and start producing a yellow green silk. This silk is highly concentrated with essentia and is the key component in building a chrysalis. Nymphs may naturally produce a little silk each week to get used to it's elasticity and temperment as a preparation for when they are eventually ready to make the transition. Most nymphs make little balls or thread spools or simply donate it to their caretakers or to temples. Some save their silk to assist them with their chrysalis when they're ready.

When the time comes and a pup is ready to settle down, an instinctual urge arises for them to find a safe place. If there are multiple pups in a lodge, as there often are, one pup's initiation to build a chrysalis may start a chain where multiple pups begin to build their own as well. For this reason, many temples and lodges have built that safe, protected space and called them Chrysalis Gardens. These areas are highly protected and sacred, ensuring that no matter what is happening on the outside, they will be able to transform safely within these gardens. Building in a Chrysalis Garden often guarantees the safety of a nymph should they still be stuck in them during the Red Month, or the Blood Moon. If no temple is present, then they will build in the Chrysalis Gardens of the local lodge or in the house of their guardians. Building a chrysalis in the wild will likely result in dire consequences, as the time it takes a nymph to transform can vary greatly. Should a nymph not be fully formed by the time the annual Blood Moon takes place, the chrysalis will be attacked by the monsters spawned from it and be destroyed.

Chrysalis are also susceptible to black market poachers as they contain enormous amounts of essentia, despite it being highly forbidden to extract the essentia or tamper with chrysalis at all. Destruction of a chrysalis is one of the sure fire ways to spawn and spread corruption.

Pups will give off a soft yellow glow as they get closer to their chrysalis stage and all the silk they provide during this time will glow as well. Once they begin building it, they are compelled to do hardly anything else. They enter a sort of inspired flow state where all that matters is building this cocoon. During this time, Caretakers, Guardians or Bishops will provide the nymphs with plentiful food and beverages as most nymphs don't sleep much in the creation of their chrysalis. The time to build one varies between nymphs, but typically it doesn't take more than three days to finish.

The chrysalis itself will glow brightly if the pup is healthy, or have a very faint glow if the pup isn't. If a pup enters their chrysalis while unwell or in a weakened state, there is a high chance they will not emerge.

The Chrysalis Stage

example of a healthy chrysalis

The chrysalis stage is the most vulnerable and important stage of a motti's life. Between the ages of 16-25 a pup will spontaneously, subconsciously decide that it is time when their bodies are the strongest. The process of building the chyrsalis can vary depending on the health of the pup. It's normal for the building of a chrysalis to take about three days to a week and they can vary greatly in shape.

The silk chrysalis hardens and shrinks slightly to provide a tight seal. Inside the nymph then liquifies into all the essentia they've absorbed in their 16-25 years and over a varying period of three months to a year, an adult motti will form. Their bodies are not fully formed within at first, as the transformation from nymph into one of their correlating subspecies begins. The soup of essentia inside the chrysalis interacts with each other and triggers a reaction where the body rebuilds itself.

If a chrysalis is glowing yellow or green, it is healthy and the transformation is under way. If the chrysalis changes colors to white or black at any point in the process, the transformation has failed and the nymph is withering. At this point there is no way to save the life inside. A chrysalis withering is considered dangerous, with the dust having the potential to spawn or spread the corruption if collected in the wrong way. At this point motti will call Bishops of the Guiding Light to come and safely remove the dust for them.

As the transformation nears completion, there is a faint scratching that can be heard from within the chrysalis. Often it's the tossing and turning of a motti as their bodies complete formation. The silk chrysalis have been weakening for sometime at this point, resembling a hard cardboard type texture as the fibers become more relaxed. At some point, a nymph will begin pushing through the fibers in a drowsy state.

There are differing opinions on whether or not caretakers or guardians should intervene to help at this point. Some argue that it's healthier for the new adults to push through on their own, and others have speculated that assisting shows that they are still safe and loved. There is no wrong answer, and is up to the preferences dictated by the nymph before hand.

If the transformation is successful, the white yarn-like substance will wither to varying shades of green and take on a straw-like texture. The fully fledged adult will push through them when they are ready, though at this stage it is safe to remove the green straw to assist them.

If the transformation is unsuccessful and the nymph passes, the white glowing yarn will dim and wither to a black straw. Over the course of a few days to a few weeks, the black straw will continue to crumble, eventually crackling into black dust. To interact with the chrysalis that has turned black is considered bad luck and those who do may temporarily be cursed by Unluckies. It is only safe to clean up the failed chrysalis once it crumbles into black dust, losing its shape. For this reason, many refuse to touch the black dust or go near failed chrysalis pods. Shrine Keepers or clerics of the Guiding Light may clean up the remains without becoming cursed.

Upon exiting the chrysalis, sometimes the markings will be similar to the ones they had as nymphs, but it is more likely they will become an adult who looks completely different, with drastically differing colors. They will gain ears and tails specified by their subspecies and even their bodies will change, with most subspecies shedding their second pair of arms.

Motti are unique from other Lucernan species in that when they emerge from their chrysalis, they never have any sort of birth defects or abnormal morphs for their subspecies. They will always emerge with their subspecies standard bodies.

It is normal for the new adult to be a little disoriented and overwhelmed with all the changes their bodies have undergone. All the essentia that they accumulated as nymphs has built the framework for their future magic. With new abilities and magical prowess, many are eager to test out their abilities.

Adult Stage

Scott in his Adult Stage

Once entering the Adult stage, Motti will grow very slowly over time, capping out of growing around 50 years of age. Most Motti will fall between 80-150cm as adults. Some subspecies of motti are shorter or larger than the average range as well.

Adult motti can vary wildly with the use of morph vials and slight transformative abilities. Using spells like somadyemorph and modify self allow them to really tailor their appearances.

Wither Stage

This is the winding down stage of a Motti's natural life. At this stage, Motti's typically hunch over and have arched necks. Their ears begin to droop and their antenna no longer regrow, and instead turn white and begin to wither.

This stage can last decades as the Motti's health and magical abilities naturally decline. Once the antenna wither to coarse nubs, reminiscent of their nymph antenna, they can no longer perform magic and within the span of a few years, will continue to wither at a faster pace.

Their fur becomes pale, coarse and fragile, breaking off and quickly deteriorating into dust resembling their sui colors.

Starting at the extremeties, they begin to crack and wither, with their fur losing it's vibrancy and turning grey/white.

When the final day comes, the Motti will remain still and motionless, taking in slow breaths as their bodies begin to crumble. The time it takes the body to crumble typically ranges from a few hours to a few weeks, but never lasts more than a month naturally. At this point, the motti is lost in their memories, essentially dreaming while their bodies break down until their final breath.

During the crumbling phase, they often don't feel much pain, despite the unsettling crackling and crumbling spreading across their bodies.

Scott in his early Withering Stage

Dust Stage

Scott in the Dust Stage

As the Motti draws its final breath, the body becomes fragile as the last of the magical energy disperses into the environment. The body is a shell of dust which is a faded color of their sui colors, which easily crumbles when disturbed by the wind or other sources. Many Motti will take small amounts of the dust of their loved ones and infuse it into jewelry or wind chimes which are hung in shrines or in homes.

Dust Chimes are sacred and respected, and if one finds they want to let their loved ones go, they may leave the chimes at a Shrine to be cared for by clerics. It is not uncommon to use the dust of a loved one to reinfuse new keystones.

There are many ways that honor those who have passed. It is also natural to gather the dust and spread it on or around places the former Motti loved. Despite the dust retaining some magical potency, it is taboo to use Motti dust for any type of enchanting or infusion outside of very specific rituals.

That is the natural life cycle of a motti, but what happens if one is gravely injured?

The process remains similar. Regardless of what stage of life a motti is in, when they are injured the color may drain from the fur as the magical essence within the body attempts to repair the problem. If the injury is too great or the motti has lost too much blood, then within a matter of minutes, the antenna will wither down to nubs. If this happens, there is no saving them. The passing may happen between a few hours to a few weeks, but much like the natural withering stage, it will happen within a month even with magical healing and intervention.

A stark difference for Motti in comparison to other anthroids is they can lose their limbs and tails without bleeding out. While it is considered a grave injury, a Motti can pluck their antenna and rub it into their freshly severed injury and effectively cauterize the wound. There are still chances for the afflicted area to become infected if medical treatment isn't sought, but more often than not, the motti can and will survive these types of injuries, even growing back their limbs if it is a physical injury and not a magical one.

Anatomy

Antenna

The antenna identify the subspecies of Motti. While the antenna may shed naturally or be trimmed, they must be visible on all motti in some way.

Things like hats, headbands, hoods and other clothing or accessories are able to be worn, but the antenna should not be covered up. The antenna are very sensitive, fragile and a point of pride for the motti, and hiding them is very unnatural. A motti's antenna are a direct reflection of their health, magical prowess and strength.

At any point in time the antenna may be longer or shorter than their reference image. It may be as short as you'd like as long as they are visible. The antenna may also be mis-matched sizes, as occasionally breaks do happen.

Most antenna are somewhat prehensile and very expressive, though they typically cannot pick up anything heavier than a feather. For Herbamotti, if the antenna are branches, they may give a bit but they are firm and are not prehensile or expressive.

There are examples in the individual subspecies sections about the unique properties of the antenna. Be sure to pay attention to them when creating your characters!

Eyes

Keep in mind Heterochromatic eyes are only allowed on Dyamotti. Other subspecies cannot achieve heterochromatic eyes at all, even through potion or magical means.

When it comes to all subspecies (except Dyads) their eyes must match in color and style. The shape of the pupils is naturally rounded or thin slits, but can be stylized to be any shape. This is not a morph and is contributed to style. As long as both pupils match shapes, for example, both are star shaped or both are heart shaped, then that's fine.

You cannot have one slitted eye and one heart shaped eye, for example. They must match. Dyads are exempt from this rule.

You can have one "blind" eye that is a paler version of the same eye color, however, or always have one eye closed. If you have an injured or removed eye, you will need a Cura Vial to heal the injury.

A motti's irises in their eyes will match the color of their tongue, innards, scars, and their magic. The irises may only be one color (except Dyads). This is an indicator, and cannot be changed through potion or magical means.

Dyads may have mixed colors on their tongues, innards, scars and their magic. The colors must match the irises of their eyes, not the sclera. The sclera don't affect the tongue, innards or magic color. The mix must be an equal 50/50 but may be depicted uniquely. For example the right side could be one color, and the left another, or the innards could have a marbled or striped texure etc etc.

Ears and Tails

Aside from antenna, each subspecies will have identifying ears and tails, though these may be altered through magic or potions. By default, Motti ears may be erect or floppy and do not need magic or potions to switch between the two styles.

Face Shape

Motti snouts are small and rounded, tapering from the bridge between the eyes at a slight downward slant. It is unnatural for the snout to turn upwards or be sharp and pointed. It's also unnatural for the shape of the face to be pointed or oblong.

Typically the snouts will be short, though there is room for stylization to be a little longer. Face shapes outside of the default are considered Caputmorphs. Even though the Caputmorph may change the shape of the face, it cannot change the nose from the diamond, pointed shape. It also cannot make the nose leathery like a dog's nose.

The nose is always a sort of diamond shape, and there are always a pair of nostrils present. It's very similar to a rabbit's nose with an extra pair of nostrils.

The examples depicted here are not viable for a default face shape for motti and would be considered a Caputmorph, which is a mutation affecting the face shape.

The Caputmorph doesn't change the shape or type of nose and only affects the shape of the face to be more oblong.

Caputmorph wouldn't allow the nose to be leathery like a dog's nose, or allow the nose to change shape like a Honduran white bat's nose.

Hair & Fur Styling

Hair may grow anywhere on the head in any shape, form or style. Fur on the body can grow at any length as well and be straight, curly or wavy. Changing hairstyles are free actions, though you cannot freely change from fur to wool to scales unless you are an Animotti.

Styling the body fur and shaving or trimming so that their fur makes shapes and designs is very common in motti culture. All motti have a thick mane on their necks, but most shave or shape it to be unique to themselves. Body fur styling is as important to motti as hair styling. Changing the hair and fur styling is a free action, though changing the body colors requires potions.

A Somadyemorph Vial will allow a one time change to your character's colors.

External Anatomy (General Body)

While some subspecies may deviate from the general body type, the adults are bipedal with larger hands. They have long necks usually depicting a crook in some way and large digitigrade legs. Body types can fluctuate to show weight gain or loss, strength or emaciation. Feel free to experiment as long as the general body type is present.
While Motti have noses with spiracules also located above the nostrils, they have additional spiracules located alongside the arteries in the neck, their collarbone, and three rows alongside each side of their ribcage. Spiracules are not found anywhere else on the body. They are typically hidden by fur, but may be visible on furless, scaled or short furred Motti.
When it comes to height, Motti have been recorded to be between 80-150cms. In extreme cases, some subtypes have been recorded to be as short as 60cm, or as tall as 200cm.
They also have prehensile feet which have three "toes" and a thumb and resemble their hands. Pawpads may or may not be present and can be any shape or colors and may be on the palms and/or fingertips. Typically their hands and feet will feel similar to microfiber towels, allowing them to climb well and easily hold onto things. Nymphs can often be seen "sticking" to their caretakers effortlessly in this way since their torso, arms and legs have this texture. The velcro like texture is not present on the torso of adult Motti.

Examples pending...

Internal Anatomy

In terms of internal anatomy, Motti have a similar build to insect anatomy, including a Foregut and Midgut, though the Hindgut is where Motti differ. Rather than a typical Hindgut, there is a spade shaped organ that converts consumed matter into magical essence. Motti are primarily built up of a variety of essences dependant on their subspecies.
In addition to this, Motti have a unique feature where their irises, tongue and innards match colors. The color of a motti's iris also indicate the color of its magic. These cannot be changed through potion or magical means and must always match. Even if the eye color is changed through potion means, the color of the tongue, innards and magic will change with it. Their blood is a muted yellow-green color and is very sticky.

Diet

The diet of a Motti can be of nearly anything that provides energy and sustenance. While they can eat things like rocks, charcoal, and gemstones, it's not recommended as it offers little in the way of nutrition. Primarily Motti favor an omnivorous diet and thoroughly enjoy a wide variety of dishes.
It is highly taboo for Motti to eat other Motti or parts of them like their antenna.

Reproduction

Like many other anthroids on Lucerna, Motti reproduce through infusion, as they do not have reproductive organs. This means they do not experience emotions like ecstasy or lust and don't have that sort of "mating" drive. They can and often express admiration and love though.

Magic

Innate Magic

During the Age of Corruption, the gods realized the world would succumb to ruin if the anthroids didn't have the ability to combat the corruption in some way. Lepidlanvhi, gave the Motti the ability to purify corruption in the environment.

Motti may do this passively just by being near corrupted areas, though actively purifying exponentially speeds up the process. Their antenna will naturally filter the corruption from natural essences. When a Motti's antenna are tainted with corruption, they will turn a dark purple, often with flickering gold and white sparkles which will slowly purify the corruption. The larger a Motti's antenna, the more efficiently they're able to purify it.

If a Motti absorbs too much corruption, their antenna will shed to prevent the Motti from becoming tainted.

Before the Battle of the Wrathful Moon, there used to be a great importance placed upon all Motti to become Purifiers. Since their innate ability is to clear corruption from the environment, they were highly sought after all over the world of Lucerna. Though the Age of Corruption separated many settlements and destroyed 70% of the world's population, many Motti are still hard at work to re-establish trade routes and make the world a safer place.

Though such a task comes with great danger.

In Cypress Springs, where we start our journey. Baron Akistro has kept this knowledge of purification hidden from the younger generations, with only the 250+ aged motti of the town retaining the knowledge of how to purify the environment.

Corruption

While Motti can form passively anywhere there are keystone springs, the passive infusion will be stalled if there is corruption in the area. Keystones naturally absorb any essences in their environment, including corrupted essences. If a keystone absorbs too much corruption, it will become corrupted itself and harden into a shiny, black marble. These are extremely rare and extremely powerful catalysts often used in dark magic.

Forbidden Magic

It is widely known that necrotic magic of any degree is not possible for motti to learn. Even expressing an interest in such dark magics is taboo in motti culture, and in some places may be an arrestable offense.

Corruption

What happens to a motti if they become Corrupted?

For those Lucernans blessed to live such long lives, there are few fates that measure equal against the magical necrosis and slow death that takes you once corruption settles in. With no known way to purify the corruption in a living vessel without killing them, hope fades quickly as reality takes hold.

Once infected, the first sign arrives quick. Patches of dark, muted purple smears the parts of the body where contact or injury first occurred. A sickly stain once present seals their fate. Unable to be washed off and even in an act of desperation, removing the infected limb will not save them. Within the first few hours the changes continue, turning the sclera of their eyes black and their soul colors shift more and more into an intense purple.

If they own a Ferrowick, its flame extinguishes and cannot be relit by their owner or anyone else. The Ferrowick will begin to slowly turn back into a wax brick over the next few days.

Into the following day the Motti’s antenna will become brittle, withering and breaking off and becoming a short nub. The antenna remains in this suppressed state and won’t grow any further.

By the third day the motti’s ability to use any magic has deteriorated completely, including any innate magic or perks. Animotti who become corrupted are stuck with the ears and tails they were displaying at the time when they first became corrupted. By this day their ferrowick has fully returned to its original wax brick form.

After a week has passed, the motti’s colors have noticeably faded and become more desaturated in comparison to their former design. Any applied morphs will lose their effects and they will begin to revert back into the default version of their subspecies standard look. A gradient of purple or black begins to creep up the fingers and toes mimicking frost bite, the gradient will continue to creep towards their core over a long period of time. Once a Motti is completely covered in corruption, their body crumbles into dust.

Once under the corruption’s effects, potions, salves or boosters also provide no relief or effect. Only high level healers or clerics can offer treatment and tend to the wounds of those who are suffering. Even with the support, wounds take significantly longer to heal and may be life threatening where they may not have been if healthy. If a limb is lost while corrupted, it will not grow back, not even for Arthramotti.

Once corrupted, they can no longer pass through the divine barrier. Should they attempt to do so, the barrier will rapidly purify the corruption in their bodies. This process is too straining on the soul, body and mind; causing the body to rapidly turn to dust and scatter on impact. It is possible a Motti may live up to 10 years or so once corrupted. However some Motti choose to purposefully touch the divine barrier and end their lives early. Many guards residing in Cypress Springs who become corrupted choose this path when returning from battle rather than wasting away for years without their magic. This has been titled the Departure Ceremony and is unique to Cypress Springs.

The corruption is always a death sentence, but some motti make the choice to keep fighting until their end, living a simple, short life without magic. It is possible to perform mundane day to day actions while corrupted, but the physical body is more susceptible to injuries, illness and allergies. What may have never affected a motti before may be fatal when they are corrupted. Herbas, for example, are immune to poisons when healthy, but once corrupted those same poisons will kill them. It is a learning curve that has dire consequences and more often than not, despite choosing to carry on, they often meet their fate sooner due to other causes quickening the process.

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