Designing a Rootling's Anatomy
Embedded Files
The creatures that may inspire a rootling design depend on the method of which it is created. Rootlings formed from a coronation may only use traits from animals within one ecosystem, while those born from temples may have a mix of creatures from across the world.
Players may go wild with their design so long as it represents these 4 features.
- Eye shape & markings
- Earthly animal base
- Earthen gifts rooted in the form
- Lumesse within
Eyes
Rootling's eyes draw them together as a species. They have an elegant, winged shape, and always appear bold and contrasting with the pale eye markings around them. They may be wide and rounded so long as they retain winged points on either end. They are dark because they are not actually eyes at all, but may be thought of as the carvings in a clay lantern. A void that doesn't reflect light, an abyss unless it shines from the fire within.
During the day they usually remain dim, but at night, in dark places, or during moments of an exceptional expenditure of power, they will blaze with the illumination of their lumesse. These carvings do not bear pupils or isises, but their lumesse flame may retreat into their body and shine through their eyes like a jack-o-lantern.
Fur Patterning
Rootlings bear the likeness of earthly animals. Their body coloration should be representative of their stem animals., but the colors and patterns borrowed from these animals can be used anywhere on your rootling's body. For example, striping that may appear on the legs of your stem animal could be drawn onto the tail of your rootling. There is no limit to the amount of combinations you can make. It is also acceptable to choose one animal for the anatomy, and another for the markings.
If your fur patterning doesn't appear across your species, or it doesn't appear at all in nature, it will be considered a "unique marking" and require either a temple birth, or to be gained later with LP as a folktale trait.
If you have designed using fur patterns that are rare or obscure, but DO appear on one of your root species in nature, please provide reference images in the design review.
Runes are the only markings rootlings can have that may glow (excluding naturally bioluminescent anatomy.) These are special markings that can be gained if the rootling performs a coronation, or temple creation. The runic markings will always glow the same color as the lumesse. The lumesse flame(s), eyes, and runes should all match in color. If your rootling performs a coronation it will have the option of forming a rune on its body, and this rune may be fully designed by the player.
If the player is using stem animals with naturally undulating or shifting patterns, these abilities can be applied to their rootling respectfully.
*Rootlings do not have any reproductive anatomy. Nor may they have any features that mimic or resemble genitals. Rootling designs cannot be fallic in nature.
Stem Animals
The "stem animals" are whatever animals a rootling design is based on, or draws elements from. During the rootling's design process the artist may choose as many stem animals as their circumstance allows. The amount of stem animals a design can draw from depends on whether the rootling is being created by a coronation or within a temple, and what level of temple birth is taking place.
Stem animals can be brought together limitlessly in design so long as every eye accurately reflect's the rootling species. You may take any element from the creatures you have chosen and combine them in any way you please. You may also design new elements by combining the features of your stem animals into new traits. The only exceptions to the rule are folk-lore traits which can be aquired from a temple either through a temple birth or an LP exchange at any point within a rootling's life.
Coronation Rootlings
If the rootling is created through a coronation it will heavily resemble the animal of its lower life. The rootling may take on another animal's features from the same ecosystem too! For example, a fox may draw elements from a bird, or a fish my gain the features of an insect. For coronation rootlings the design is only limited to the ecosystem of the player's choice. The player artist may choose two animals from one ecosystem with one of them being the primary animal, and any naturally occuring material from the ecosystem's biome to be their earthen gifts.
Temple-Born Rootlings
If the rootling is born in a temple, then the possibilities become endless. Multiple animals from anywhere across the earth may be combined to form the body of this spirit. With enough magic power invested, more and more creatures may be added, even elements from folk-lore and other mystical tales. Temple-born rootlings with folk-lore traits may present kitsune tails, multiple heads, leviathon-like bodies, and many other possibilities if the magic provides. They may present wings or multiple limbs without a stem animal's provision.
Like-Animal Combinations
Some animals are more popular than others, and it is inevitable that similar or same combinations will be used by different people. Players cannot claim stem animal combinations, but the designs must be respectfully different in some way. Consider using different anatomical properties, different earthen gifts, different hues/tones, and different body sizes. If a player's design submission is too similar to an existing rootling they will be asked to alter it, as we want to protect our artists.
Within the Body
Rootlings are vessels for lumesse. Their bodies are intricately gardened shells for the power within. This magic manifests in a similar form to liquid fire. If a rootling were struck with a human weapon it would bleed this substance in all its brilliance. Sometimes the lumesse glow shines through thin skin that is not furry. This may look like a subtle glow from beneath the flesh. Other times the lumesse can be seen is through their eyes in the dark, or within their throats when their mouths are open. The rootlings' lumesse is what allows them to take on so many unique variations in their forms.
Size & Growth
Rootlings tend to be larger than a normal animal. Even so, they may present their age with growth. If a rootling is created through a coronation, then its build size will typically match that of its previous form. However, rootlings born from a temple are known as "seedlings", and will begin as wee babies. Rootlings do not die of old age, instead, they can continuously grow larger with time. Seedlings may spring up quickly, but growth slows down the larger a rootling gets. The largest a rootling may grow is the size of a mountain, and it requires a lot of magical experience to reach those heights. There is no limit, however, on how small a rootling may begin life as long as it can be seen by the naked eye. Ultimately the rate at which a rootling grows is up to the player. You may choose to increase size depending on the lifetime lumesse count, or you may wait multiple real life years. It should also be noted that a player can choose not to have their rootling grow larger, drawing it the same size for its whole life. This is an optional lore piece that is up to player interpretation within reason. Growth only applies to body enlargement, not metamorphasis or other physical changes.
Humanoid Shapeshift
If a rootling forms an alliance with a human, it may learn to mimic a human's appearance. Rootling's are creatures of spirit, and are more attuned to artistry than anatomical properties. With this sort of a nature rootlings cannot achieve a perfectly human appearance. Rather, the rootling will learn learn to mimic human craft. Their humanoid forms are more akin to intricate coverings, costume, or puppetry rather than flesh Their faces can present similarly to lanterns, masks, or skulls. Their bodies may present as constructed of sticks, fashioned of tattered garments, strung of bones, or molded from clay. It is a blend of human craft, an inspired bipedal form, and the stem animal qualities which bleed in. Rootling's humanoid appearances never look like anthromorphic animals.
You may use many different mediums to design your rootling's humanoid appearance so long as it does not give the impression of a fully formed body. Imagine you are covering a wire or wooden armature with scraps of materials and trinkets you find on your adventures. The materials come together to form the silhouette and suggestion of a creature, but there is no flesh or fur present of the body underneath.
*you may use furs as drapery or as part of garments so long as they do not imply visible body parts
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse