I think I found a way that will at least make it a little more like the DA group.

If you have a Volatikai that you have posted, tell me and I will watch you with this group! Then when you post new pieces I can fave them! Though do know I will be looking them over and will give a light critique if things should be changed/edited. For heavy crits you'd still have to note the group instead.

I won't watch you until you have at least one finished Volatikai character piece in your gallery. I don't want to watch people who say they will draw them in the future but then never do.

So please link me to a Volatikai piece you have done and I will watch you with this account! :3

It's hard to keep this page updated to date because it has been so silent here.

Only one person noted me showing me their Volatikai, in which they also use DA so I almost don't wanna count them on here.

I have a feeling it's pretty dead here because of all the things happening on FA, like when it was down for several days and people lost their passwords and so on.

So I may only check here once every few days or once a week to see if anyone has messaged the account. There have been plenty of updates on the site as well, but it's also hard to keep updating here about it when it doesn't feel like it is worth it.

I think I just wish FA journals had a viewer count, cuz then I could see how many people actually even look at the journals.

If more people start noting the group to show me new Volatikai, I'll then be more inclined to stay up to date here, but for now everything up to date will be on the DA Volatikai group: http://volatikai.deviantart.com/

I wish FA didn't scare away so many people so often. geh.

I am trying to think of a way to help people develop their Volatikai more, and why not make it into a challenge? It's completely for fun, so there's no deadline or anything like that!

How this will go is I'll have a list of things to draw your Volatikai doing. These things would pertain to the species and/or personality of the character, so it wouldn't be random silly challenges.

For example, these are some ideas I have in mind:

-draw your Volatikai in their home environment
-draw them as a child
-draw them eating their favorite food

and so on. I would put explanations with them as well.

But what kinds of things would you like to see in the challenge? They may or may not make it in, so we shall see!

I am also thinking of awarding people who do the entire challenge (and not in a rushing way). May offer sketches of their characters or something, but I'm still thinking about it!

Just wanted to let it be known I figured out a way to do clothes for Volatikai that should work well~ At least for covering up. I really didn't like the loincloth idea. XD

I'm currently working on homework where I am including Quill and Sol, so you'll get to see a glimpse of the clothes~

Then later on I can work on a full body of Sol to show his!

I'm excited about this, since these kinds of clothes can be styled to anyone's specific interests, kind of like kimono, but they won't look like kimono at all. xD


On DA I said this:

I am sharing this here cuz I feel proud of this. xD

It always seems like inspiration doesn't hit me until it's random and then it hits me FULL FORCE.

For right now I'll only give a small teaser
http://sta.sh/0lcn73al0sk


This is homework I am doing for my Advanced Illustration class. We are supposed to show a "place" with people interacting and whatnot. She said we should do something that can be put into our portfolio, and this felt perfect! And my professor is all for me using my own characters! She really liked my idea, so I am even more happy~
BUT ANYWAYS back to the clothing. Here you can see a little glimpse of what it will look like, though minus details. The major part of it is like a poncho, but has some other parts attached to it.

I want to actually do some nice refined sketches or inks of Quill and Sol in theirs, full body and showing it off. I'm excited about the individuality of these pieces of clothing, too. They'll be a lot like kimono in that way, each having their own unique visual design. People can go CRAZY with the designs! Hehehee I am hoping maybe in the next two days I can get it out! Cuz I need my babies to be able to wear something when they go out in public. They can't always be naked! xD

Ahhh I am happy. <3

Now that Volatikai are officially open, so is the contest!

It’s a very simple contest: Design a new Volatikai

This contest will see who can follow the rules/design page as best they can! Those who get everything correct will have a high chance of me drawing their Volatikai for them!
Since it’s a contest, there will be 3 “winners”.

First place: Gets a fully detailed painting from me of their new character
Second place: Gets a full body picture of their new character
Third place: Gets a refined, flat colored sketch of their new character

I’m still thinking if I’ll give any cash prizes. That all depends if I can even make any money.

And of course, everyone gets to keep their newly designed Volatikai!

Also, there may be a runner up if someone designed a Volatikai that looks awesome to me but may have some mistakes. >.>


For this contest, this is what I want to see:

1. Must be at least a full body, flat colored character. More is fine, but shading shouldn’t be on them!
2. Must be a clean scan or a non-blurry image if it’s traditional.
3. Must say what type they are.
4. Has to be a full Volatikai, so no humankai or volatiman allowed. Mutts are allowed, however!
5. May not have deformed body parts or being albino/other colors that aren’t the norm.
6. Must be a brand new character. No old ones.
7. Must credit the group or me when posted.
8. Post them to the comments under this journal.


2 entries per person, so if you have more characters than that, you’ll have to choose between them!


This contest will end December 15th.

FINALLY it is the day of birth!

-giggle-

But seriously, I am so happy this day has finally come! Now I get to see all the new characters people make and hopefully my species can spread!
I AM prepared for the stress it may bring (with trolls, thieves, people claiming the species as their own, those making a “Volatikai” that isn’t a Volatikai and refuse to change it, and just general rule breakers) but it’s worth it with how much fun is to come!
It made me very happy before when I opened them up for a short time to see people make their own, and the stories that went with them. (I know, I said I don’t read stories but when they are under people’s pictures I can’t help but peek at them).


The site has been updated to where the building page has links to almost all of the images to larger images in stash. I have yet to do this for the individual pages, but that will come in time!

I am still sorry not everything is finished (like the world page and individual pages), but my main thing was getting the building page done.


NOW, the group page has been updated as well showing some small steps to follow. One of the bigger ones is to only note the group when it deals with Volatikai you want to show me. That way the notes don’t poof when I look at them, and they don’t “yell” at me on my main page to respond. It could take me a little bit to do so. I am fine if people ask questions on my main page, but anything that deals with visuals should go to the group.

I also updated a little bit of the world page showing a glimpse of how technology is. Still a lot more for me to write but I need to finish the new world map first. >C

Link to the site if needed: http://volatikai.weebly.com/

Also when you submit, I'd love to see! Especially if you want it to be faved to the group. And specific pieces I'd ask if I can submit them to the group as well, but they have to be of at least medium quality to me and has everything pretty much right.


But yeah, have fun! :D

I made a journal on my main account (on DA) about this because I wanted to see what people thought, and I have come to this conclusion.

Back when I still had the species open, I allowed people to be commissioned to design a Volatikai. But after time went on, I became more and more uncomfortable with it.

So, I will now have it a rule that people cannot be commissioned to design a Volatikai. You can still be commissioned to draw an existing Volatikai, but I want to leave the design-for-profit for me or those I choose can do this. They are my species, so I need some regulation on them.

You can, still, have someone design one for FREE, though.

Why I have it this way is because I slowly felt that people were going to others instead of me to get a Volatikai made (for profit). It feels strange that others are making money off of designing a character of my species, when that should be me doing that.

I’m already allowing them to be an open species, so with this kind of thing I want to have control over.

So these are the things you can and can’t do:

You can’t:
-pay someone else to design a Volatikai
-make/design Volatikai to sell

You can:
-open commissions and have already designed Volatikai drawn in commissions
-design Volatikai for free or trade
-make YCH with already designed Volatikai


Q: Aren’t commissions and designing the same thing? You get money out of it.
A: No, at least not to me. A commission is where you have an artist draw an already existing character to see how they interpret them. Designing is when you tell an artist how to design a character, thus you are paying for services and for a new character. Designing requires the person to know how my species works/looks so they can design the character right. Since they are my species, I feel uncomfortable with people designing them and selling them. They are my species after all.

Because of what is said above, I may find a few people who I WILL be okay with letting design Volatikai for others for profit. But they’d have to be very specific, where I trust them and they draw my species right. So, most likely just certain friends.

I hope this clears that up.


I updated the FAQ and rules page with this new information.

Question: On the site, do you save the images shown for better reference? Or just look on the site only without saving?

I ask because I noticed that if I right click on one of the small images and click "view image", the full size image shows instead of the tiny image (which I am very happy about!)

But I need to know if people may only look at the images on the site but don't save them for personal use. If enough people only look at the site to see the images, I'll have the smaller ones link to my stash on DA to show the larger sizes.

But if barely anyone only looked at the site then I won't do that and just put notices on the site that you can "view the image" at a much larger size with right clicking.

Had ideas last night for this specific thing so updated the site with this info:

Bonding
Bonding in Sola is very similar to getting married in our world. It involves getting a ring for your lover and to ask them if they'll become forever mates with you. They'd then be on the same ring finger as well, or could be made into an earring, but it's most common with the hand instead. There may or may not be ceremonies, though ceremonies can be very similar to weddings. The whole idea was created by humans, but any humanoid can be a part of it.

Rings
Where bonding rings differ from wedding rings is that they are shown plain and "empty". If the partner accepts the want to bond, they will then schedule a time to see a gem specialist to have their rings designed to be matching and have a specific gem attached showing their kind of love. This way it's easier to see who is bonded to whom. The specialist is the one that talks to the couple to see what their gem stone will be.
The different gem stones are: Amethyst, Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and Diamond. For a higher price they can be made to be "flawless", but this isn't a need. There is also a custom option, which is also more expensive if the pair decide on a gem that's not on the list and isn't chosen by the specialist.
There usually are markings carved into the blank spaces on the rings as well, making them more unique.

The rings are made out of a dark colored rock to better show off the gem(s).

Gems are either all around the ring or there's one large stone attached. It's more popular to have them embedded all around the ring.
Rings with more than one gem are considered "impure" and looked down upon by most societies, as it could mean there's more than just two people in the same relationship.

Gem meanings:
Amethyst - Strong Love
Garnet - Special Love
Ruby - Warm Love
Sapphire - Calm Love
Emerald - Rich Love
Diamond - Pure Love

Prices
Plain rings are cheap, only being $20 to get.
Gem prices are all the same besides the custom ones. They are rather expensive as well, so to some it could be seen as a cash grab.
To get a ring fitted with a single, large gem it would be $5,000.
To get a ring with several smaller gems, it would be $2,000 per gem added.
Getting the ring carved with specific, delicate designs it would be an extra $1,000.
Custom gems range from $500-$10,000 depending on the type, with the same extra price for carvings.

Pre-made rings are considered in poor taste and not "real love", since they didn't go through the process of seeing which gem fit them most. They are at least way cheaper at being around $500.

Ceremonies
Traditional ceremonies deal with the pairing bringing their family and friends together for a large feast and celebration. The couple may give a small speech, but it is not needed. However, ceremonies can be done however the couple wants, either with their whole family, select people, or just themselves. There is no need for someone to make it official (outside of religion), as they have made it official themselves.
There also doesn't have to be a ceremony at all. Just the show of love and having the rings completed is all that's needed.

In Religion
Several religions take bonding very seriously and only feel that once a straight couple is bonded is when they can actually procreate. If they are not bonded it can be seen as a sin. There is usually a person who does in fact make it official for them, and is required in these strict families.



Fun fact: the gems are based off of the Skyrim gems that you can get in game, as well as the "flawless" title of some of them. The initial idea sprang up because of needing to get 3 flawless amethysts for an Argonian, and it was built from there. This is a special homage to Skyrim, so that it's not confused with Steven Universe' characters.

Right now all that's on here are Volatikai that I've sold. I ended up deleting all of the old "building" Volatikai parts because they are incorrect and I don't want people getting confused.

Should I post art that deals with my Volatikai characters (like if it shows something specific to the species)?
Should I post other people's Volatikai submissions (with permission/credit, and the only thing is the character would have to be 90% correct and not a messy piece)
Should I post stuff from the site here?
Should it only be adopts I sell?
Something else?

On DA it's easy since groups are set up specifically for people submitting pieces. I just dunno what to do for here!

I have a count down on the DA Volatikai page for when they finally open: http://volatikai.deviantart.com/

I think that will be a lot more fun to watch as the days tick down instead of me randomly opening them.

They will officially open for good a month from now!

Why a month? Because I want to try to get as much extra stuff I can onto the site.

The remainder of what needs to be added to the building page is really close to being done, but I still have to make some edits and add info. Then I need to work more on the individual pages!

Tails are nearly done, and I just have to add words to them. Feet will be very easy to do. :3 (also colors are done)

GUYS I AM EXCITE. I also plan to open up the contest the very day they open up. More details with that when they open~ ;D

A little while ago I made a poll on deviantart asking to see who was going to stay close to canon as possible and who were going to do au's. What I didn't realize were there were some au stuff people may want to do that I wouldn't be comfortable with as of right now.

So I made a new journal on DA and this is what I said:

AU = "alternate universe," so non-canon.

I made a poll not too long ago to see if people were going to stay to canon or not. What I didn't keep in mind were the different ways people could interpret being "AU" or not, because there are some AU stuff I won't allow.

The AU stuff I do not allow: changing of Volatikai anatomy/how they work or changing up their lore/the world.

I will feel uncomfortable if people make up their own world for Volatikai since they already have their own world.

What I AM fine with, however, is if you take a character or a few and put them into your own world so they interact with your other characters. I just don't want the species as a whole put into another world, if that makes sense. I'm also fine if your world is an au where it's in the same literal universe as the Volatikai planet (Sola). It's just the world itself I don't want tampered with. Ya know? The lore behind my species is very important to me.

I know I don't have much up on the site explaining the different things, but a basic understanding would be just thinking of our own world. No magic, lots of the same animals (and this I am not picky on at all), lots of cities and towns and villages similar, similar religions.
Certain things I'm still thinking about is if I'll let people make up their own small towns and whatnot, but right now I am on the fence with that. I still have to figure out a lot of the world to begin with. Most likely in the future I'll be fine with it, but it may not allow them to control big parts of the world.


Note: my feelings about things here could end up changing in the future, but as of right now for the world this is how I feel about it.
I however never want people to change up Volatikai anatomy because then they aren't a Volatikai anymore. They have to stay true to their species! (besides genitals and nipples. Those can be omitted)

I'm sorry I've been a little slow with updating here. :c I think when FA was attacked it just took me a while to log in again and then I forgot to update here since I've been updating my DA group like crazy.

Anyways! I am getting ever so closer to officially opening them up for good~

Here is what I have done so far: http://volatikai.weebly.com/buildin.....atikai-20.html

So now I just have colors, hand and feet and tails to finish. Genitals and children I don't have to do to open them up, but they will be done in time as well!

Finally back into my account here!

Anyways, info stuff:

When Volatikai are finished I want to set up a contest!

It will be a way to spread my species some more, and see how well people can pay attention to the "building a Volatikai" info page.

The prizes will most likely be small, but you get a character out of it anyways.

So it will be a "design a Volatikai" contest. No already made ones will be allowed.

I'm still figuring it out in my head, but it will primarily look at how well you get the anatomy right.

I may also have a few categories, like "most original", "best art", "best wings", and so on. This is up to being changed.

I'm trying hard to have them finished before the summer is up, but it's really hard with doing commissions, internship, and some other personal art I wanna do. ;c

But hopefully this is something else to look forward to with them opening as well!

Dang I'm cranking this out!
But wow there will be so much info on this page. AHH. If I need to I'll split up the page into two parts if it takes too long to load for people when everything is done.

The page: http://volatikai.weebly.com/buildin.....atikai-20.html

Going in order seems to be working for me, at least when it comes to finishing things. I have other things already sketched out~

Do note that some of the eye colors have changed for Volatikai.

Now that class is ending tomorrow, I'll have more time to work on my species. This morning I had some extra inspiration so I was able to get these out!

http://volatikai.weebly.com/buildin.....atikai-20.html

If anything is confusing, please let me know! I wanna make these as easy to follow as possible.

Holy shit I've been brainstorming like crazy. @_@ Yep this new type is going to be canon.
There are several things that make them different from other types, but there is one main difference that hasn't happened with any of the other types. Now I'm just looking for that answer! If you get it you win!

The idea I dropped was allowing any kind of pattern/look to this type. But I thought hard about it and since they are now canon, that can't be a thing. Sorry! But this main idea I have I'm sure a lot of you will like. >w> Still has to do with general looks! Something not seen in the sketch.

Here is the sketch again: http://sta.sh/0tgjmrz0pod

http://sta.sh/0tgjmrz0pod

This doesn't actually reveal much on what's new about them besides some small things, but I thought I'd tease you guys some more. ;P

Go ahead and make guesses on what I'll be doing with these guys! There's actually two big things I am doing.

Then this weekend I'll try to work on him! I am super excite to show you guys!

If you guess right on both things I'll allow you to make a new Volatikai before they are finished (though of course have to get approval by me! Which will be a heavy critique on your design just as a heads up.)

Whoever gets it right first I will message you privately about it just so they can still stay as a surprise for everyone else.




I think from time to time I'll do these guessing games or other things so people have a chance to make a Volatikai while they are still closed (that way I am not overrun by pictures and just can help the individual)

Sorry, no hints! I feel like if I did it would make it too easy.

I went to lay down for a nap and my brain just came up with a new Volatikai type.

But for now, I won't say what it is. ;P I will say it's a very special Volatikai type, but will be open for people to make when they are all designed.

For now I am trying to think of a name for this type.

I'd be surprised if any of you could guess what this type is. Or the purpose of it. Haha

Some people might not be happy with it. Who knows! But I'm sure other people will be very happy.

I'll just say, for this type I am not putting it on the "how to build a Volatikai" page. It will have it's own page on how to make it.

Like I said, it be special~

I put a lot of thought into this.

I am a skeptical atheist, so even though I don't believe in a God or ghosts or anything paranormal, I actually wish they were real. For me it makes the most sense that nothing happens after we die, but I figured I don't have to do that for my own made up world.

So I am letting happen what I wish I could believe in.

There is no heaven and there is no hell, but there are ghosts/spirits.

Each one is different. They can either stay on land, or if they want to "rest" they disappear forever. They cannot physically move anything and can't be seen by the living, but they can be felt slightly (like that feeling you get that someone's watching you) and with temperature. Only humans and Volatikai can be ghosts.

Hostile ghosts give off cold while those who mean no harm give off warmth. There may be a way to communicate with them (like the Quija board) but that would be about it. No direct talking.

So loved ones would tend to stick around those they love who are still alive. They might be able to do some other things to help out their loved ones but it may be very subtle. I just want it so it's not clear to the actual alive characters that there's spirits around. Maybe those alive can get good feelings or bad feelings depending on the spirit.

Most ghosts and spirits tend to "die" either right away after actual death or after a while because they have no need to stay around the living. That's when they'll then be in forever slumber.

A male with a were form would have two ghosts/spirits. Each decide how long they last.

Since I have made it known, I'll use Pierce as an example. When he dies, he'll be hostile at first because of how he died. Over time he'll calm down and stick around his loved ones, watching over them (though can't be around everyone at once. He has to choose.)
His were form, on the other hand, will die but choose not to stick to the "earth" and just be gone forever.

Now I'm still figuring out more on what can happen, like if their personalities are still exactly the same while as ghosts and if they either look like how they died (at that age) or if they can shift ages just for the looks. Still have a lot to figure out!

I'm trying a different approach to showing information, so for the ear views on Volatikai I did this: http://sta.sh/027sezp6hqe1

It's not done, since I wanna ink everything, but if the notes I put are helpful I'll do this for every one of them, instead of having info under the picture.

Also as a note, just know that the ones that look very similar like the Northern and Southerns looking close to Tropical and Western or even Mountain I won't be picky on their looks. It's just if you want to make them as close as possible! With the others I'd expect they have the specific things listed, however. Like for Plains they should have the fur in the ears!

Your thoughts are very much appreciated!

In the mean time I am going to work on the expressions of the ears~

I just suddenly had the idea that some groups of people in their world would have myths about Volatikai. Or even specific sub types.

There WILL be different religions in the world as well, based off of ones in our own world. Because of that, it's very easy to come up with myths about various things. They can be simple or be very in depth.

I'm currently thinking up a new character (human, and he'd actually end up being with Quill later on) and he'll have had learned myths about Volatikai that he'd heavily believe in. One very simple one could be that "Volatikai are demons from hell that live on the planet trying to steal the souls of the good." Super simple. Then other ones that could be based on eye color or were forms or how they act in general since they are vastly different from humans when it comes to certain things (like behavior while in the wild).

Feel free to make up your own myths and tell me as well!

I made this all known on my DA group. I forgot to ask for the input of people here, but what I did get on DA made the most sense to me.

Please read this journal: http://volatikai.deviantart.com/jou.....hile-589112428

I have also done a bunch of updates to the group to make things more clear. LOTS of things will be changing down the road, and I'm sure every one of you will be happy with these choices! Besides the wait that needs to happen...

As a reminder, the Valentine's event is still going on! You have until the morning of February 14th to show me your Volatikai love art! And then I'll share it all!

You NEED to follow the rules in order for me to look at your new Volatikai!

All types except Northern and Old World are allowed to be made.

Steps:
1. Read over the rules listed at the site: http://volatikai.weebly.com/

2. Read over the FAQ listed on the site as well

3. Draw (digital or traditional. Please no 3D work!) your chosen volatikai! That's also listed to the left. <b><u>Make sure it's a full body, colored, non-blurry picture! I will not accept ones that aren't this anymore.</u></b>

4. Post to your gallery, but be warned that you may have to change some things. (please do not use dropbox/stash to show final images. Just submit to the site!)

Fill out this form in a note:

Name:
Volatikai type:
Picture:
​Type of critique?: (high or light)

Light crit: I just mention if any large things are off.
High crit: I look at your Volatikai all over and crit every small and large part of them.

EXTRA INFO:
A new note has to be made for each new Volatikai. Please don't put them all in the same note!

They close on February 6th at 11:59pm MN time.


Now, since today is my birthday I might not look at any of the notes today. I might not do any critiquing until after they close, too. Who knows. So please don't freak out if I don't say anything until after they close! That doesn't mean they aren't accepted. XD (some people freaked out last time so had to clarify)

Ones you have bought from me I am perfectly fine if you sell them again, but has to be at the price you bought them for!
Please do not sell Volatikai where you didn't buy them from me.

Anyways, I hadn't thought about this before, but someone is selling a Volatikai I made (which is perfectly fine!) but they missed a few things that should be said if you're selling or trading a Volatikai.

1. Give my full username. There have been a few other cases where people don't add the numbers to my username, and that's not good! On DA that would just link to a really old account of mine that's not even in use. On FA it would go nowhere. The numbers are a must! Even better is if you made it into an icon so people see where it links to.
So please don't put me as shorty-antics. It must be shorty-antics-27. Yes, needs the dashes as well.

2. Link to my Volatikai website and/or the groups on DA or FA. Reason for this is because someone who doesn't know my species might take them from you and then butcher them and changing up their anatomy. You need to make it clear they are a part of an actual species where their anatomy is a specific way!

3. If art you've gotten of them has wrong body parts, please point it out to the new people (or even those you commission). Again, people will get confused and think they are a certain way when they are not that way.
For example: they are NOT digigrade! They are plantigrade! I've seen this a few times now where their legs suddenly look like dog legs or something. Noooo they should be like human legs/feet but with paws added for the toes! The ankle is not elongated!


All of this is just to make sure new people understand how my species are.


Extra news: I may add a gallery to the site of Volatikai with correct parts and whatnot so people have a better understanding on how they are. I curse myself each day that things are not updated yet. :c