I'm specifically about this group on FA and not the one on DA.

When I opened for the two types last week, on DA about 10+ people had new Volatikai to show.

On here? None. It was actually quite surprising.

Are people just waiting for them to open up as a whole again?

I just wanna make sure that people check this page as well so that I don't slow down with updates. I AM doing a lot more on DA than here simply because I can change the page and whatnot unlike here. But I still wanna keep this one active if I can!

From now until February 14th you can draw your Volatikai with the theme of Valentine's Day! So as long as a Volatikai is present and you submit before then, I'll share the piece at the end of the day on Valentine's Day!

Here's some words to help you figure something out:

-pink
-red
-white
-hearts
-chocolate
-Valentine's cards/gifts
-general romance
-romantic dinner
-being sensual/sexual
-cupid
-roses
-candles
-stuffed animals
-being single and not caring
-being upset with being single (vent if you need)
-being with someone and not caring about the day


Make sure I see the piece, and then on V Day I'll post a journal with all the pieces. I may or may not join. It depends on if I have time, but I'd really like to!

I'll try to do these themed events from time to time just to get the community a little more together~

Note: there is no "winner" or anything like that. This is not a contest!

Oh and I'll post a journal to my main journal with the "entries" as well!

They will be open for a week, so they will close on January 7th at 8pm MN time.


In a note TO THE GROUP, fill this out:

Name:
Volatikai type:
Picture: (MUST BE TO YOUR GALLERY)
​Type of critique?: (high or light) (high is for big and small details. Light is just for large details)


Aquatic types: http://volatikai.weebly.com/aquatic-volatikai.html

New-World types: http://volatikai.weebly.com/new-wor.....volatikai.html

The other types will be available on their breeding season. APRIL 27TH - MAY 2ND.

Please have it as at least a full body colored. I don't want to see wips! It takes up too much time. When I ask for changes to be made don't feel like you have to fix them within the 7 days, though, but make sure you do fix them in time so I can actually add them to the page!


New to my species? Here's the site from the front page: http://volatikai.weebly.com/

This isn't something you guys have to follow but this is something that will be canon for the world.

For a while I was trying to figure out on why the government would allow Volatikai to have relationships with humans but not have offspring, and then I thought of something kinda "evil". Maybe not entirely, but I like this idea. xD

If a Volatikai is to be in a relationship with a human, it is by law that they be neutered/spayed even if they don't plan to mate. It is a felony not to have this done when they have been together for more than a month. This is only done to Volatikai because the gov't is biased and cares more about humans.
I don't know yet if they wouldn't care if it's same sex relationships. Maybe not, unless they wanted to be more evil.

I'll still figure out the fines and/or prison time that can happen from breaking this law.

BUT YEAH if this is something interesting for you, feel free to put it into your own story.

On January first I'll open up Volatikai again for a couple of days, but it will only be for the Aquatic and New-World types. The rest will be closed until their mating season.

Aquatic: http://volatikai.weebly.com/aquatic-volatikai.html

New-World: http://volatikai.weebly.com/new-wor.....volatikai.html

The only thing I wasn't able to visibly clarify yet is how the tail on New-World's work.

There's only basic info right now, but it's enough for people to make one.

So please don't show me them until the first! I may have them open for a week for these types.

Updates:

I am going through the "building a Volatikai" page on the Volatikai site and putting down notes for what must change, and so far that's going well. I wanna get that underway! The stuff specific to each species will wait until my senior project... maybe... I still don't even know if I'll be working on my species for it. :c

For the updates, I plan to show ear emotion, updated mouth, updated colors, update on how large the ears are compared to the head, maybe a simplification of the wings (instead of each type being slightly different) and much more.
I also need to fix a lot of mistakes. Also updated the inner ears but trying to see if I like them enough. It won't be a huge difference. xD

---

New Creature:

I have designed a new creature for the world. Here's a preview: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dcqq99oxw.....33.32.jpg?dl=0
I have called it a "Mustcanis"... cuz it's kind of a mix between a small dog and a weasel (so used some of their scientific name for it. ahah). It also was inspired by the Thylacine. I have info to the side but I won't share that until I can get on my computer and add color and clean it up. They are VICIOUS little things, though. XD

---

Events:

Sometime I'd like to start setting up events for you guys. So far I can just think of themed events for you to draw your Volatikai doing, and then at the end of the month or however long I'd show off all the pieces done!
If you have other ideas, feel free to share!
Maybe the first event will be for Valentine's day. hoho. If a bunch of you like that idea I'll set it up soon so you have time to draw something. XD I'd wanna join it as well!

LHASLDJJKDHA I CAN'T BELIEVE I CAME ACROSS THIS.

I was watching random disturbing videos when I saw one on birthmarks. Curious, I clicked on it, thinking I'd see giant darkened shapes on people.
INSTEAD 3 OF THE ONES SHOWN WERE FURRED. Before I show, I understand that these things were NOT good for the people who had these birthmarks because of being ridiculed and made fun of and whatnot. As such they even had the things removed.
HOWEVER, this helps me visualize how my own species is realistically, and can show others how patchy the fur can be.

First one: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dJTRZbIWaOU/hqdefault.jpg
This is a great example of how the fur can be placed on a Volatikai. The fur can be random and not uniform or symmetrical.

On the face: https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/.....wJh9qdBNBlwzzA
another good example.

NOW, if you want to watch the video, it's here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd-2IUM2UFI
I hate the electronic voice over, but the video is still interesting.
There ARE a few disturbing images in the video so view with caution. I just really like this stuff. xD

I've made comment of this a few times and said so to a few people, but I don't think I made an actual journal about it.

My species has been steadily growing in popularity, and with that comes more and more stress. If it comes to hundreds of people interested in them, I just won't be able to keep up. It will be unneeded stress.

Right now they are closed because I still don't have all the info out for them. There's so much confusing info going on that of course people are making a bunch of mistakes. I don't have a clear guide to go off of yet and so much needs to be updated, it's nuts!

But when I DO get all of the info done and on the site, I plan to make them "completely open".

What does that mean?

That means you won't even have to get an approval from me. Of course you're still free to get my crit if you want, but it won't be required.

On the site the rules will just change to "heavy suggestions" to let people know what I feel is best.

The "fan made" page will be converted to "Volatikai that are correct" because I am guessing there will be a bunch of people who will fuck up the species even when it will be all clear out, because they feel they have the right to do whatever they want with them. >.> Truthfully you CAN, but if you change anatomy they will not be a Volatikai anymore and I'll have a negative view on you if you continue to call the character a Volatikai.
I also expect someone to take the concept of Volatikai and just twist it and make their own lore or stuff for them, even when there's already a backstory to them.
I expect a lot of negative things, honestly. But when something like a species becomes popular enough, you just can't control it anymore.

What I have been doing is slowly becoming okay with all of these thoughts, so I can just shrug it off when it happens. My main thing is I want people to know that /I/ am the creator of the species. I'll mainly just wanna focus on my own characters and their stories, and continue working on the species as a whole.

BUT ANYWAYS, yeah, this is what I plan to have happen.

-selfish moment-
You guys are lucky that I love my species so much that I wanna keep them growing. xD This is one thing I'll take some pride in, since I see SO many "adoptable" artists that have species that don't have much back story to them or the creators rarely ever draw out their own characters of that species. >3> It makes me sad, but it then also makes me feel "unique" in a way since fans of them can see them change and grow and see how they can be through my own characters. It makes me feel good to make others happy with my own creation. @3@
-selfish moment over-

There is no estimated time for when this will all happen, however. There is a LOT left to do and not enough time. They will still open on their mating seasons as well as hopefully the end of this month, BUT STILL HAVE TO FINISH SOME THINGS. BAH;

SO PLEASE DON'T THINK THEY ARE "COMPLETELY OPEN" /NOW/. This is just a heads up journal!


And lastly, a huge thank you to everyone who enjoys my species and has even made the characters they created a large part of their gallery. ;w; That makes me so damn happy you have no idea. AHHHH.

I've had this in mind for a while but sometime soon I will change the inner ears of Volatikai so they are a little more detailed. Some parts of them will look closer to how our own ears are. This doesn't mean the ear shape as a whole is changing! I just haven't liked how simple their inner ears are.

Though, you can still draw them simple. I just wanted to make this known for those who will want to make them detailed to how they are.

Hmm maybe I'll sketch them out today since I am bored right now. xD

I can't take on commissions, but I CAN make a few more Volatikai to sell. I'm going to need money for Christmas and to pay off a few bills/help out my dad and this is the best way to go about it.

Right now I am thinking once I'll try a "OTA" (offer to adopt) where you just choose how much you want to give and could be more than money. I just wanna see how it goes.
Otherwise I may make them flat prices.

I am also going to try full bodies, non-chibi.

NOW, if you are someone who has been wanting to get one from me, mention the types that are most interesting to you! I'll have it in consideration while designing some.

So in question form, "what type(s) are most interesting to you? Can be any of the types, even Northern and Old World."

...if I'll be able to use my species for the senior project.

I registered for classes the other day and am for SURE taking my senior project next semester. Because of that, I'll simply wait until that class starts before I figure out if they (my species) should be on an actual hiatus or not. It's before the next official opening anyways so it should work out. So I'll know in about 2 months. Classes start again around January 15th.

I still plan to open them in a month or so when I have more info down about the two new types, however! That's not changing, though there is no actual day planned. I just gave myself a rough estimate. xD

I am excite~

I haven't gotten an answer from the people about my species being for the senior project yet, but I am letting myself work on both Aquatic types and New World types in the mean time (which are both types people will be able to make).

Right now I'm talking to a friend who I haven't had a pairing with yet and figured I'll make a New World type, which gives me the push to actually work on them as a whole. xD So far I ONLY have the ears figured out. LOL;;
I think I might have it so their wings are very aerodynamic instead of broad. HMMM.

Suggestions are welcome for differences, but keep in mind I may not use your suggestion.

As in longer than when their next official opening is. I still would like to open up in a month for Aquatic ones, and it might only be of them, but I don't know yet.

I stressed out a bunch this last opening because of not having the "building a Volatikai" page up to date (and that it has a lot of incorrect info). If I open while that info is still incorrect, more and more new people will design them wrong and that's not their fault;;

A little bit ago I sent an email to my school to see who I can talk to about my senior project. I want to ask someone if I'll be able to work on my species for the project, and I need to know sooner rather than later. I don't want to have to wait a year before I can actually start a senior project and just be told that I can't. That will make me VERY upset.

So this is what will happen:
When I can talk to someone, I'll ask if I'll be able to work on my species for the project.
If yes: that means Volatikai WILL have to be on hold until then, including openings, because I really want to fix stuff up before even more people make them incorrectly...
If no: I can start working on the pages again whenever I can.

I like both options, honestly, but I'd prefer to work on it for my senior project (even if it will be SO hard to wait that long).

I'm so sorry I'm all over the place with this... ;-; I'm sure this is very frustrating.

So the next journal I post for here will hopefully be with the answer.

I'll just say now that either way I wanna work on the Aquatic types really soon even if I'm allowed to work on the species as a whole for the project. That way I don't go crazy with not being able to do anything, and some people can be happy. xD;;

Minor as in drawing them once kind of thing, where they are a parent or sibling or someone else you don't plan to draw again.

You'll still need to get the okay for them. They just simply won't go onto the site.
They'll only go onto the site if you plan to draw them more than once!

With Volatikai you design that have plans to be drawn more than once but have only been drawn once so far, that's fine if they are on the site. Especially if it takes months or never where you draw them again. The point is just the intention.

I hope this makes sense!

I've had a problem on Pierce for the longest time, but I finally figured out what to do.

This is his current ref: http://shorty-antics-27.deviantart......2015-515521388

Besides his tail needing a redo, his second chest never made sense to me with the black area, especially when it then extends down his middle. I have a rule with the species that there shouldn't be any colored skin besides the main skin color... but right now that's what it is on Pierce. I didn't want to simply remove it, either.

But then I finally figured out what it can be: FUR.

So that's what that will be from now on. Anyone who went off of Pierce with his design in that area, know that yours will have to be as fur as well.

Now I just need time to fix Pierce's ref. His wings are too small as well. bleh.

I won't be able to look at the notes for a few more days (because damn, I'm super busy right now. x-x) but just know this is the final day!
And also remember I may open them again in a month or so when I get more figured out for the Aquatic types.

ALSO, PLEASE REMEMBER TO FILL OUT THE FORM. Several of you either haven't actually noted me or have not filled out the form. I posted it to the opening journal as well as the site, which is here: http://volatikai.weebly.com/

But yeah, please don't expect a response for the next few days;; I have to do my junior review tomorrow so I am mentally getting prepared for that. x-x Then have to get caught up again in school work.

I just have to say a few notes.

First off, I noticed I forgot to add the undersides of the tails to the site. :c I'm sorry about that, but it's now fixed.

Second, I'm noticing an influx of wingless Volatikai where they aren't desert or half human. There would have to be a really good reason why they are wingless and it can't be because of a mutation. I just don't want to start seeing the majority of my species to be wingless because people don't want to draw the wings.
Please, if you don't want wings on your Volatikai, have them either as a full Desert, half Desert, or half human. Arctic's have a little leeway because of them being more civilized, so I do see it being at least uncommon for them to have them surgically removed. I just don't want to see this happen too much;; Does that make sense? Wings are a huge part of the species. D: It's okay if wings are hard to draw, I don't really critique on them unless something large is missing.

That goes into something else as well.
I think I'll add a part to the form that says "what level of critique?"
So you'd either say "high critique" or "light critique".

I know several people who want to stay as close to the species as possible and want anything fixed that needs to be, so they'd choose "high critique" where I'll even point out the small things.
"Light critique" would just be me pointing out large things that may be off, but small things I won't bother with. (I may still point out many things, however, if lots of things are off)
Why I want to allow this is because sometimes I even forget parts on my own species. xD Or keep doing something wrong (LIKE QUILL'S DAMN EARS. GOSH DANG WHY CAN'T I GET THEM AT A NORMAL SIZE? THEY ARE EITHER HUUUUGE OR TOO SMALL OH MY GOSH).

I think I'll put the form on the main page and the site so it's easier with being seen. It must be filled out in the note and not in the title of the note!


ALSO if I have already accepted your Volatikai but you want a high critique, just title the note as such and link to your character. I'll then go into detail about them. xD;;


And a final thing: when you show me a picture of your Volatikai, please allow downloads and/or have the picture large so I can see their face. Many times people show me their Volatikai and I can barely see the details on their face because it's so small.

Finally open!

Please send a note to the group with this info for each new character:

Name: (it's okay if they aren't named yet, but know they will be put as "UNNAMED")
Volatikai type: (just say what they are so I can more easily place them in the right area)
Picture: (submit the piece to your gallery! Not stash or drop box! Just know you MIGHT need to do updates)

((((PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DO THE FORM AND NOT PUT THE INFO IN THE TITLE OF THE NOTE!))))

If you do something wrong, I’ll ask for you to fix it before I continue.

A few pointers if you’re still designing a Volatikai:
-the image of your Volatikai should be at LEAST a full body front with color. Time is limited so I won't be able to look at your Volatikai at each step (like sketch, ink, then finally color.)
-if it's traditional it must be a clear, non blurry image. For fixes I may ask for, leave yourself a note for future images you do of your character. I know it can be a lot harder to edit a traditional piece. But for digital do your best to fix major problems before I can accept!
-you may show me as many new characters as you like
-please read over the rules again if you feel like you forgot about something

One main thing to know: I may not get to everyone while they are open. That's okay! You just have to make sure you get the initial post in before they close. Then I may respond after they close, and doing your fixes will be fine as well. I'll still be allowing them. I will only decline ones outright if the form is posted outside of the mating season times.
Just don’t expect me to respond to notes RIGHT away because I still have class stuff to do and homework and sdjfgsdlkjfbslkjfbs.

About Aquatic Volatikai: they aren’t allowed at this moment, but I plan in a month or so to open up Volatikai again once I do figure them out enough for people to make them. I feel bad I can’t allow them right now. :c

Feel free to ask any questions! I removed the rule that you can only ask Volatikai-related things on the group itself. I don't mind if you ask my main pages anymore.
But actual submissions must be to the group itself.


Specifically for FA: once your Volatikai is accepted, post a link on the group shout and I'll fave the piece at some point.

I meant to do this earlier, but better late than not. XD

When tomorrow gets here, please wait until I post the journal before you start showing me your new characters! Important info will be said for you to follow so it goes over smoothly.

I may open them again in a month or so when I have the Aquatic types better figured out so that people can make their Aquatic Volatikai if they wanted to. They just can't open tomorrow. Still figuring some stuff out. xD;

Several days ago I made several updates to the site. The main thing was changing up how I'll put the info for each sub type. Aquatic Volatikai has the most info.

HOWEVER, I have decided I will not update the site for a while. I have a good feeling I'll be able to work more on my species for my senior project, so I want to leave a lot of stuff for me to do. Maybe I'll do little things here and there if I figure out more stuff (but would keep it as a list)... but if it really works out, I want to leave it all for the senior project. Problem is, it may be a year before I even GET to doing the senior project. Right now I don't know where I stand as a student since I'm a transfer student, but I do know I am a junior. I just dunno how soon I'll be a senior. I am supposed to graduate December 2016. I'd so love to do the senior project next semester. ;-; WEHHH.

If it does work out and when it comes up, that means Volatikai info will be coming out quickly and more polished. My final goal for it is to make my species into a book! I'd love that so much.

I'll be so sad if I'm not allowed to do this, though, and that I'll need some other kind of project to do. :c


Anyways, just a few days until they open again! Wooo! I'm excite to see your guy's new designs~

The 27th of this month is coming up quickly! Then as a reminder they will close again on the 2nd of November.

I will say now how you should be showing your new character here so you can get prepared. I will then say it again when they do finally open up again!

Name: (it's okay if they aren't named yet, but know they will be put as "UNNAMED")
Volatikai type: (just say what they are so I can more easily place them in the right area)
Picture: (submit the piece to your gallery! Not stash or drop box! Just know you MIGHT need to do updates)

A few pointers:
-the image of your Volatikai should be at LEAST a full body front with color. Time is limited so I won't be able to look at your Volatikai at each step (like sketch, ink, then finally color.)
-if it's traditional it must be a clear, non blurry image. For fixes I may ask for, leave yourself a note for future images you do of your character. I know it can be a lot harder to edit a traditional piece. But for digital do your best to fix major problems before I can accept!
-you may show me as many new characters as you like, but I suggest having each new one as a new comment or note
-please read over the rules again if you feel like you forgot about something

One main thing to know: I may not get to everyone while they are open. That's okay! You just have to make sure you get the initial post in before they close. Then I may respond after they close, and doing your fixes will be fine as well. I'll still be allowing them. I will only decline ones outright if the form is posted outside of the mating season times.

Feel free to ask any questions! I removed the rule that you can only ask Volatikai-related things on the blogs itself. I don't mind if you ask my main pages anymore.

REMINDER AGAIN: THEY AREN'T OPEN JUST YET SO DON'T FILL OUT THE FORM ANYWHERE AND POST IT YET! This is just to give you an idea of how it will look!

I figured out a way to make this a lot easier for everyone.

Instead of numbers, I only have links to those who have already made a Volatikai. I also organized them based on type.

Seen here: http://volatikai.weebly.com/fan-mad.....volatikai.html

This was my goal from the start: just to keep track of the ones people made. The numbers aren't really needed.

There were a couple links that didn't go anywhere anymore, so if you do not see your character on the page, please let me know!

Also, if your character is named but is listed under a "UNNAMED" spot, let me know for that as well!

I am hoping having it set up like this that people can better figure out what type they want... cuz maybe you don't want a type that people already made a lot of! It also shows you the names, so possibly helps you figure out a name better (since some of the Volatikai have the same name). Of course, there's nothing against your character having the same name as another. Sometimes it can't be helped.

Soon I'll update my page here to get rid of the number requirement as well as updating on how to own a Volatikai. I took 2 hours updating the page so I need to relax again. XD;

Reminder: The opening is coming soon! Just don't show me any new ones right now. In a few days I'll have another journal up explaining how it will work again.

Do you like it best when there's a page for all of them together, or would it be helpful if I show how to make each type under their specific page instead? Or maybe do both where there can be a page to show the differences all together, but also having these visuals on their specific pages?

I'm trying to figure out what would be best. I feel I'd be able to give a lot more info if how to design each type was also under their own page. I already need to redo the whole "build a Volatikai" page anyways.

Or maybe you have other suggestions?

I'm currently designing a disease that is specific for Volatikai. Non-were Volatikai usually do well against diseases, but this specific one can get to them as well.
It will be like AIDS in the sense that they can get it through sexual contact and bodily fluids and that it's not airborne. But it's a much faster killer and it primarily attacks the cells in the lungs. Because of this, they most likely die because of drowning from fluids forming inside of their lungs.

I'm still figuring out more about it, but this is something I won't want help on, so please no suggestions. I will be researching a bunch about different viruses and different bacterial infections to see which works more.

I'm having this as a thing because one of my own characters will die because of it. Muahahaha. I like being evil. <w>

Once I have more info figured out, I will put this information under the world section on my site.

Weebly as a whole has updated and made it easier to edit things, so I went ahead and fixed a few things.

First was dividing up the open Volatikai and the closed Volatikai types. However, is the wording confusing? Having a tab saying "open", do you then think that means you can post them right away despite what I said on the "front" page? I just wanna know if I should change the wording.
I also did add pages for Old-World, New-World and Aquatic Volatikai types, but of course no info yet for them. New-World I still have to figure out anyways.
Then on the "build a Volatikai" page I made a note at the top saying how everything will need to be updated. You still can design Volatikai (though no showing until they are open later this month), but just know you may need to change things as I update them.

I most likely won't have anything done for Aquatic types before they open up again, so you won't be able to show me your designs for them. :c

Also, I am hoping within the next day I can give the new people their numbers.