FA+
Shop
Gremlins and Spooks
14 years ago
Background on the Gremlins and Spooks
I will be posting ref sheets of the general species specs when I'm able.
The gremlins will consist of critters like badgers, bobcats, raccoons, skunks, and other small mammals of the sort. Avians and possibly even a draconic critter.
Spooks on the other hand, are much larger. Foxes, coyotes, and wolves are in that mix, but all distinctively featured with the gremlin features:
1. Elongated ears that often sweep back but can be pricked, snapping forward and up to locate a sound that has caught their attention.
2. Skull faces, pupils are found in some, absent in others
3. Feathering on the backs of the legs (most prominently on the back legs)
4. Feet are a bit large on the gremlin, but proportional on the spook
5. Natural coloring
6. Glowing skulls and pupils are often found.
History:
Gremlins themselves are found throughout history, causing famous crashes, malfunctions, and breakdowns. Aviation pilots often blamed mechanical and electrical troubles on mysterious little critters that wormed their way into the mechanism of their equipment, tearing away at wiring and cogs. Often leaks, missing or broken screws and bolts, and sparking wires were left in the gremlins wake. Even today, vehicles, technology, and every day household appliances have their trips and stumbles. Shoes disappearing and never a matching pair of socks to be found. Messy room? Or perhaps a curious little gremlin is up to no good...
::: Past:::
Many travelers have often found themselves going in circles, following a faint light ahead. Their compass and maps long lost, slipping through a hole in their pack. Food running short, water long gone... The weary and exhausted explorer can go no further and collapses to the ground as the light fades into the distance...
:::Flash forward to today:::
A flash of a tail, a compass gone missing. Rustling in the bushes followed by that camp light you just had a moment ago vanishing into thin air. Perhaps a younger sibling has snatched it away, or perhaps... it's something more... A Spook is the prankster of a larger sort. Harmless fun to them, but certainly an irritation to you.Tent collapse in the middle of the night? You sure it was the wind? The Spook has been weaving it's way though history right along side the gremlins, even if it hasn't been making history. Some of the smaller tricksters, like foxes and coyotes, will get into garbage cans, tents, packs, and even the mechanical workings of vehicles. Flammable things and explosives may even draw in the more adventurous Spook, causing landslides, avalanches, explosions, and other natural disasters if the right materials (a.i. dynamite, etc.) are found. If such items are located, a Spook will steal it, carrying what it can in it's powerful jaws far away before poking and prodding it with curious paws and teeth...
Larger wolf-like ones, however, will have you wandering deeper into the woods, following a mysterious glow. They mean no harm, just a little game of Hide-and-Seek... and your "It".
Spooks often travel alone while Gremlins will travel in Troops of 2 or more. A lone Gremlin is uncommon, but not unheard of.
:::Habitat and behavior:::
Spooks can be found in wooded areas such as forests, mountains, old houses, abandoned warehouses, ghost towns, docks, and other places. Old mine shafts, cabins, and campgrounds are common for them as well. The 4th of July will often draw them out as they surly enjoy things exploding. Keep an eye on your supply though, Spooks often love contributing to the event. Just be careful, for their heart lusts for a bigger boom...
Gremlins though, are found in more rural locations. Farms can fall victim to a Troop of these critters as well, but one common place for them is a scrap yard. Older vehicles that have been placed under a cover or left in a field are often swarmed too. A single Troop can leave a vehicle useless within a single winter so if you have a certain hot rod you are wishing to restore, you may want to visit it often to ward off any eager gremlin paws, or else it may never lever leave that spot on it's own...
Spooks and Gremlins are harmless to humans. Very rarely seen, as they are extremely elusive. If caught though, a Spook or Gremlin can be quite playful and loving when tamed. Whether playing games, performing tricks, or just snuggling on a cold night, these critters will quickly find themselves right at home in your family and in your heart. Keep a watchful eye on them though when starting out, as their curiosity will often get them in to trouble. They are very timid at first but once you gain their trust, they become fiercely loyal to you for as long as they live.
So. Are you ready to capture and tame a Spook or a Gremlin?
I will be posting ref sheets of the general species specs when I'm able.
The gremlins will consist of critters like badgers, bobcats, raccoons, skunks, and other small mammals of the sort. Avians and possibly even a draconic critter.
Spooks on the other hand, are much larger. Foxes, coyotes, and wolves are in that mix, but all distinctively featured with the gremlin features:
1. Elongated ears that often sweep back but can be pricked, snapping forward and up to locate a sound that has caught their attention.
2. Skull faces, pupils are found in some, absent in others
3. Feathering on the backs of the legs (most prominently on the back legs)
4. Feet are a bit large on the gremlin, but proportional on the spook
5. Natural coloring
6. Glowing skulls and pupils are often found.
History:
Gremlins themselves are found throughout history, causing famous crashes, malfunctions, and breakdowns. Aviation pilots often blamed mechanical and electrical troubles on mysterious little critters that wormed their way into the mechanism of their equipment, tearing away at wiring and cogs. Often leaks, missing or broken screws and bolts, and sparking wires were left in the gremlins wake. Even today, vehicles, technology, and every day household appliances have their trips and stumbles. Shoes disappearing and never a matching pair of socks to be found. Messy room? Or perhaps a curious little gremlin is up to no good...
::: Past:::
Many travelers have often found themselves going in circles, following a faint light ahead. Their compass and maps long lost, slipping through a hole in their pack. Food running short, water long gone... The weary and exhausted explorer can go no further and collapses to the ground as the light fades into the distance...
:::Flash forward to today:::
A flash of a tail, a compass gone missing. Rustling in the bushes followed by that camp light you just had a moment ago vanishing into thin air. Perhaps a younger sibling has snatched it away, or perhaps... it's something more... A Spook is the prankster of a larger sort. Harmless fun to them, but certainly an irritation to you.Tent collapse in the middle of the night? You sure it was the wind? The Spook has been weaving it's way though history right along side the gremlins, even if it hasn't been making history. Some of the smaller tricksters, like foxes and coyotes, will get into garbage cans, tents, packs, and even the mechanical workings of vehicles. Flammable things and explosives may even draw in the more adventurous Spook, causing landslides, avalanches, explosions, and other natural disasters if the right materials (a.i. dynamite, etc.) are found. If such items are located, a Spook will steal it, carrying what it can in it's powerful jaws far away before poking and prodding it with curious paws and teeth...
Larger wolf-like ones, however, will have you wandering deeper into the woods, following a mysterious glow. They mean no harm, just a little game of Hide-and-Seek... and your "It".
Spooks often travel alone while Gremlins will travel in Troops of 2 or more. A lone Gremlin is uncommon, but not unheard of.
:::Habitat and behavior:::
Spooks can be found in wooded areas such as forests, mountains, old houses, abandoned warehouses, ghost towns, docks, and other places. Old mine shafts, cabins, and campgrounds are common for them as well. The 4th of July will often draw them out as they surly enjoy things exploding. Keep an eye on your supply though, Spooks often love contributing to the event. Just be careful, for their heart lusts for a bigger boom...
Gremlins though, are found in more rural locations. Farms can fall victim to a Troop of these critters as well, but one common place for them is a scrap yard. Older vehicles that have been placed under a cover or left in a field are often swarmed too. A single Troop can leave a vehicle useless within a single winter so if you have a certain hot rod you are wishing to restore, you may want to visit it often to ward off any eager gremlin paws, or else it may never lever leave that spot on it's own...
Spooks and Gremlins are harmless to humans. Very rarely seen, as they are extremely elusive. If caught though, a Spook or Gremlin can be quite playful and loving when tamed. Whether playing games, performing tricks, or just snuggling on a cold night, these critters will quickly find themselves right at home in your family and in your heart. Keep a watchful eye on them though when starting out, as their curiosity will often get them in to trouble. They are very timid at first but once you gain their trust, they become fiercely loyal to you for as long as they live.
So. Are you ready to capture and tame a Spook or a Gremlin?
I will credit you and link you to the final design :3