Coronations

A coronation is a very special moment. It is the time at which an animal becomes a rootling.

Create a Rootling

There are two ways in which a rootling can come into existence. The first way is by a coronation. A coronation takes place when a rootling crowns a regular animal with a portion of their stored lumesse. When an animal is crowned with lumesse it gains all the identifying features of a rootling. (See the beginner's guide for more information on what these are.) You can think of coronations as elevating a normal animal into a mystical being.

Requirements

Coronations do not require a MYO (make your own) slot to perform. In order for an animal to be crowned it should have successfully completed a coronation trial. Once the trial is complete, a rootling will be allowed to crown this animal.

First time players do not need to spend LP to create their starter rootling, but another player's rootling must be available to perform the coronation. This means you and another player should both be agreeing to use their rootling as your rootling's parent.

Players may also use an Elden Root to perform their rootling's coronation if desired.

The coronation trial is an art prompt that serves as a right of passage to becoming a rootling. It is a noble action that has proven your animal worthy of being crowned with the sacred magic of the Elden Roots.

Cost

Crowing a first time player's rootling is always free.

Any additional coronations draw -200 LP of the parent rootling

A coronation should always be recorded on your rootling's LP tracker

Lore

Every rootling is filled with the ancient lumesse that has been passed down to them from the beginning of time by the Elden Roots. By living on earth and experiencing life, the magic within each rootling is enabled to grow. When a rootling performs a coronation it is crowning an ordinary animal with a portion of its LP. The magic fills up this new creature, alters its physical appearance, grants it earthen gifts, and morphs into a new creation. The new rootling must choose a color for its own lumesse and begin life again as a nature guardian.

note: this color can include shades such as white or black.

Whatever animal the rootling was in its past will continue to define its form as a rootling, being its primary stem animal. However, it may also draw in the features of another animal in its same ecosystem. If this secondary species is added it may be incorporated into the design by way of anatomy, coloration, and body patterning. Rootlings formed through coronations always have the option of being designed with two animals!

The Action

A rootling's coronation will vary in elegance depending on who is performing it. The coronation itself is essentially a transfer of lumesse from a mystical being to a deserving animal, but the way that transfer occurs is up to the player.

As the artist you will be encouraged to portray the way your rootling's coronation takes place. If your rootling is being crowned by someone else's rootling, then you should discuss with that player how their rootling feels about coronations, and how their rootling might behave in this ritual. If the crowning is being done by one of your own rootlings then you should consider this for yourself. What is a coronation to your rootling? Is it of significant importance, or is it just another stepping stone in life?

The crowning can be as intricate and elegant as a dance, or as simple and modest as a tap on the head. Perhaps your rootling wishes to address the earth, sky, or sea before adding another nature guardian to the midst. One rootling may choose to gather up lumesse into a humble flame to bestow upon the creature of choice. If the rootling has an affinity for a certain elemental power, then it may use that power to adorn its crowning. Coronations are up to player interpretation. They can be different each time, or they can be specific ritual that is part of your rootling's identity.

Even still, a coronation can consist of however many creatures the players' choose. This can be a private event, or it can be made into a large celebration with many rootlings and animals gathering to behold such a fantastic sight. Perhaps the rootlings and animals took great care to prepare that corner of their habitat for the coronation to take place, or maybe the rootling and animal to-be-crowned selected the spot that called to them in the moment. Player's are encouraged to use coronations to develop their rootling's character and story.

Runes

When a rootling performs a coronation it may gain a runic marking on its form. Runes are special, delicate, glowing marks that shine the same color as the rootling's lumesse. They are a symbol of magic, experience, and creation. It is up to the player whether they would like to display runes on their rootling, but a coronation grants them the ability if they so please.

Story & Meaning

​ The Rootlings ARPG is designed to encourage deep story development of its characters. This trial is meant to be a tool for kickstarting a rootling's individual lore, and to help find its character's voice and personality. What kinds of fears could it have to face? What kinds of inner conflict might it have to overcome?

The trial art should depict the rootling in its basic animal form before it has been crowned. It should illustrate a scene inspired by one of the prompts below. Only one trial artwork is required for a coronation submission, but you may use as many images or words as you desire to tell your story. If multiple images are created to tell this story, they score an additional +5 LP per artwork. These bonuses may be claimed by every rootling who appears in the scene.

When choosing your prompt it is important to consider both the animal performing the trial, and the rootling offering the coronation.

A completed trial should portray storytelling either visually or verbally. You may combine multiple prompt words, or use multiple illustrations to complete a trial if you desire to deliver a message that cannot be clearly portrayed in a single piece. Written coronation trials should reach a minimum of 800 words in length. Illustrated submissions must include a scenic background. 3D artwork must include props to suggest the scene. 

You may create additional pieces of coronation trial artwork at any point if you wish to add depth and detail to your story later in the game.

The Coronation Trial

In this world, everything has meaning. What have you done to obtain such a magical existence?

In order for an animal to be crowned with lumesse magic and become a rootling it must complete a trial. These trials present as art prompts, and can be written, illustrated, animated, or crafted as the artist's inspiration chooses.

Coronation Trial Prompts

Claim + 20 LP per completed trial

Sacrifice

What has your rootling done to put another life before its own? What has it given up to help another soul? Does it view itself as greater than, equal to, or less than other creatures?

Might

Show us a significant portrayal of your rootling's strength. Is it more powerful than other animals of its kind? Is it the runt of its litter who has risen above all expectations? Portray how your rootling is strong- be it mentally or physically.

Bravery

What are your rootling's deepest fears? Is it willing to overcome these fears- can it overcome them? Just how far can this bravery reach? Will it have to retrieve a treasure from an ocean trench? Will it have to pass through a maze of treacherous caves?​

Chivalry

Some animals are raised from birth to become rootlings, honoring centuries of tradition and the expectations of family, clan, village, or human benefactors. How do they respond to the weight of this responsibility? How do those around them train them to prepare for their coronation? Do they become a rootling out of a sense of duty or of honor? Do they have family who are rootlings? Who do they leave behind as mundane animals?

Mercy

Your rootling has persevered through a hard life, one of suffering, pain, and heartache. Someone has chosen to reward them for their perseverance with healing and immortality. What trials has your rootling gone through in life? How do they respond to their new body and powers? How do they feel about their second chance?

Martyr

Whether by nature, wrong, choice, or fate, your rootling was mortally wounded or cornered, and snatched from the jaws of death for a kinder existence as a spirit. Why were they in this situation? Why did their crowning rootling choose to interfere? Is this a new lease on life, or do they feel they should’ve died?

Redemption

Your rootling has done something deeply wrong, causing irreparable damage to another being or the earth. Their coronation is one of redemption and second chance, not choice. What did they do and how did the crowning rootling witness it? Do they regret what they have done? How do they feel about becoming something new? How do they heal the hurt— or make it worse out of revenge for their old lost life?

Purpose

An animal has served a very purposeful life. Perhaps one of leadership, one of great service, or one which has shepherded others. Does a rootling choose to preserve this animal's skill and heart through the crowning of lumesse? This may be requested by the people or animals who have a deep appreciation for the animal that they want to be crowned.

Friendship

This creature has been a great friend to others. It has been kind to everyone around it, and has a hospitable heart. Its loving personality has been noticed and highly valued by a rootling who has chosen to crown it. Portray your rootling showing this friendship to others. How does it look for your character? What is this rootling's love language?