FA+
Shop
924
Views
Views
61
Favorites
Favorites
Category
All / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 545 x 917
File Size 156.6 kB
Report this content
More from Glider
A comprehensive wall of text for people who care about this type of stuff, with the handy dandy appearance of my own Guardian, Cradlesong.
ENJOY FOREVER TEXT. Otherwise, ignore everything.
SOCIAL CULTURE
Guardians are very social creatures among their own kind, and tend to form either small nuclear units or unrelated clans. A large portion of their culture is built around showing off and bragging rights, leading to a very superficial and competitive culture. Most of this is good natured fun, but there are patches of lineaged grudges held between groups as well. Involvement with outside species is not as common outside of Halo Chasing, but they will interact for periods with others out of curiosity.
Halos are of great superficial interest to Guardians, and there is a lot of fuss about the number any given Guardian has. No halo is seen as undesireable, since it takes a bare minimum of effort to achieve the first ring, and those who aren't young offspring tend to be bullied and teased. Three halos is the maximum known amount, and an enormous bragging point; the Guardians resourceful enough to reach this level are highly admired and sought after as mates, and often become popular community figures. Singular halos are a grey area since it is easy to obtain one, but because there is a large gap between it and a double halo, most of these Guardians are considered average and acceptable. Double halos are highly regarded and enviable, but nowhere near the pomp and circumstance as a triple.
HALO RANKS & HALO CHASING
Halo Chasing is the Guardians' primary sport, and the game which earns them the badge of Guardian Angel by others. Halos are obtained by accomplishing "miracles" for a person in poor circumstances, and the amount accomplished is directly related to obtaining extra halos. Since the Guardians are an impish sort, they've taken to using dirty tricks to create these miracles, and have also become experts at hiding their tracks. They will rescue a person from an oncoming vehicle, but only after cutting its brakes in the first place. The drowned will surface and be found, but only after being dragged into the riptide. A contest will miraculously bring someone unknown to fame, but only after eliminating the competition. Guardians love to find ways to benefit themselves, and finding inventive new manners of miracle working is a fun game among themselves. It is said that the earliest Guardians were less selfish and performed miracles with an earnest desire to help, but ages of social evolution has turned them into what they are now.
The miracles themselves count towards halo increases both in number and in type. Class I miracles, massive life saving events and the sort, have a high point count. Class II miracles, while significant but not much of an effect outside of a few people have a moderate point count. Class III miracles, which are minor saves as small as passing a test are worth only a couple points but the easiest type for "level grinding".
It takes only a couple Class III miracles to obtain a first halo, which is why it is so frowned upon to have none. Two halos requires a significant step up in amount, and also requires a variety of miracles performed. Triple halos require an obscenely high point count, and as such are only seen on Guardians that have lived a very very long time.
SALIENT ANATOMY
Guardians themselves are a genderless construct by default. However, they are capable of low level body shifting. The most important reason for this is to easily hide and produce the eyes on their large hands - when not in use, they are able to sink in and close them, leaving only a fleshy slit. This is helpful for day to day activity and protecting their eyes, since they are a crucial anatomical detail. Over the ages, the Guardians have watched many species go about their lives, and as such have begun to enjoy occasional body shifting to mimick the genitals of others. Most do it purely for entertainment since their mating does not require any, and some simply enjoy the appearance. They don't always get it "right" however, and sometimes end up forming some questionable looking imitations. If they so choose on a whim, Guardians are able to pseudo-mate with unrelated species, but it is impossible for them to bear offspring.
The eyes within their hands are important factors for many parts of a Guardian's life. On a basic level, they are used for their miracle working. One eye sees opportunity, essentially acting as a spycam, and alerts the Guardian to a situation where they can get involved. The other eye records the event into a series of archaic data, which is used either for earning new halos or mating ritual. There is no set designation of which eye does which, and is 50/50 on how it ends up. The eye which records is the most precious of the two.
THE CAT'S CRADLE
An ancient landmark in the center of the Guardians' home realm, this location is where halos are awarded and their mating ritual takes place. Two alabaster spires rise high and unseen into the sky, with an ever shifting stained glass aura spanning between them. The shifting lines in this visual phenomenon have earned this holy place the nickname of Cat's Cradle, or just The Cradle. The Cradle is capable of communicating with the Guardians through poorly understood means, and nobody is quite sure how it came into being.
The mating ritual takes place in front of the gatelike window. If desiring offpsring, two Guardians must approach the gate together. Each must entirely remove their recording eye from their hand and place them on a platform while reciting an ancient prayer asking for a child. The Cradle will consume the offering and consider the combined data overlaid on a complex (if fickle and unpredictable) astrological map. If it deems the couple worthy, they will be presented with a child from the gate. If they are unlucky, they receive no such blessing. In either situation, it is considered a huge sacrifice to attempt this ritual, because it involves physically erasing all of that eye's kept records permanently. This means that all progress towards another halo is lost, and must be restarted. The eye will regenerate as a blank slate after each outcome.
While halos bear no meaning beyond accomplishment, they are of such high status to the superficial Guardians that it is often deemed not worth the risk of trying until you already have 2 halos. Since it is not entirely necessary to increase population in this manner either, the act is more of a status symbol of luxury or sacrifice in the name of passion. The belief is that the higher the record count, the more likely the ritual will be a success, but in reality the Cradle is a mystery in how it calculates its decisions. Some single halo couples are able to produce offspring, while a triple halo may not be.
THE LIFE & DEATH CYCLE
While the Cradle may be consulted for combined offspring, it is the less common creation method for Guardians. More commonly, the Cradle will randomly spawn a new Guardian without warning. Some generations it is very active, and others it will rarely bring forth a new one. New Guardians will often be adopted into a group to be raised. Children from a successful mating ritual are kept closely guarded by their parents and considered especially precious.
Guardians "age" very slowly, and can live for vast periods of time. A Guardian is considered to be matured once their claws and spines have fully grown in. The concept of age means relatively little to the Guardians, and nuclear units will be fiercely protective of each other despite the length of time lived. A triple halo is the closest estimate of an elder, simply due to the amount of time required to achieve one. Height is an indicator of age only roughly, since a Guardian may stop growing in height before their spines have grown in.
They do not expire in a given time frame, but they may be weakened in fights with each other. Ultimately, the choice to pass is up to the Guardian. Some prefer to live very long, while others tire of their existence earlier on. The Cradle is at least merciful in this aspect, and allows its children to decide their own fate, welcoming them back through the gate which they emerged if they so choose. Dying is not seen as shameful or sorrowful to the Guardians, and they celebrate the act of passing for their brethren with fondness for the soon to be deceased.
Guardians are a closed species © me.
They are not limited however, and will be released in groupings whenever I feel like it.
ENJOY FOREVER TEXT. Otherwise, ignore everything.
SOCIAL CULTURE
Guardians are very social creatures among their own kind, and tend to form either small nuclear units or unrelated clans. A large portion of their culture is built around showing off and bragging rights, leading to a very superficial and competitive culture. Most of this is good natured fun, but there are patches of lineaged grudges held between groups as well. Involvement with outside species is not as common outside of Halo Chasing, but they will interact for periods with others out of curiosity.
Halos are of great superficial interest to Guardians, and there is a lot of fuss about the number any given Guardian has. No halo is seen as undesireable, since it takes a bare minimum of effort to achieve the first ring, and those who aren't young offspring tend to be bullied and teased. Three halos is the maximum known amount, and an enormous bragging point; the Guardians resourceful enough to reach this level are highly admired and sought after as mates, and often become popular community figures. Singular halos are a grey area since it is easy to obtain one, but because there is a large gap between it and a double halo, most of these Guardians are considered average and acceptable. Double halos are highly regarded and enviable, but nowhere near the pomp and circumstance as a triple.
HALO RANKS & HALO CHASING
Halo Chasing is the Guardians' primary sport, and the game which earns them the badge of Guardian Angel by others. Halos are obtained by accomplishing "miracles" for a person in poor circumstances, and the amount accomplished is directly related to obtaining extra halos. Since the Guardians are an impish sort, they've taken to using dirty tricks to create these miracles, and have also become experts at hiding their tracks. They will rescue a person from an oncoming vehicle, but only after cutting its brakes in the first place. The drowned will surface and be found, but only after being dragged into the riptide. A contest will miraculously bring someone unknown to fame, but only after eliminating the competition. Guardians love to find ways to benefit themselves, and finding inventive new manners of miracle working is a fun game among themselves. It is said that the earliest Guardians were less selfish and performed miracles with an earnest desire to help, but ages of social evolution has turned them into what they are now.
The miracles themselves count towards halo increases both in number and in type. Class I miracles, massive life saving events and the sort, have a high point count. Class II miracles, while significant but not much of an effect outside of a few people have a moderate point count. Class III miracles, which are minor saves as small as passing a test are worth only a couple points but the easiest type for "level grinding".
It takes only a couple Class III miracles to obtain a first halo, which is why it is so frowned upon to have none. Two halos requires a significant step up in amount, and also requires a variety of miracles performed. Triple halos require an obscenely high point count, and as such are only seen on Guardians that have lived a very very long time.
SALIENT ANATOMY
Guardians themselves are a genderless construct by default. However, they are capable of low level body shifting. The most important reason for this is to easily hide and produce the eyes on their large hands - when not in use, they are able to sink in and close them, leaving only a fleshy slit. This is helpful for day to day activity and protecting their eyes, since they are a crucial anatomical detail. Over the ages, the Guardians have watched many species go about their lives, and as such have begun to enjoy occasional body shifting to mimick the genitals of others. Most do it purely for entertainment since their mating does not require any, and some simply enjoy the appearance. They don't always get it "right" however, and sometimes end up forming some questionable looking imitations. If they so choose on a whim, Guardians are able to pseudo-mate with unrelated species, but it is impossible for them to bear offspring.
The eyes within their hands are important factors for many parts of a Guardian's life. On a basic level, they are used for their miracle working. One eye sees opportunity, essentially acting as a spycam, and alerts the Guardian to a situation where they can get involved. The other eye records the event into a series of archaic data, which is used either for earning new halos or mating ritual. There is no set designation of which eye does which, and is 50/50 on how it ends up. The eye which records is the most precious of the two.
THE CAT'S CRADLE
An ancient landmark in the center of the Guardians' home realm, this location is where halos are awarded and their mating ritual takes place. Two alabaster spires rise high and unseen into the sky, with an ever shifting stained glass aura spanning between them. The shifting lines in this visual phenomenon have earned this holy place the nickname of Cat's Cradle, or just The Cradle. The Cradle is capable of communicating with the Guardians through poorly understood means, and nobody is quite sure how it came into being.
The mating ritual takes place in front of the gatelike window. If desiring offpsring, two Guardians must approach the gate together. Each must entirely remove their recording eye from their hand and place them on a platform while reciting an ancient prayer asking for a child. The Cradle will consume the offering and consider the combined data overlaid on a complex (if fickle and unpredictable) astrological map. If it deems the couple worthy, they will be presented with a child from the gate. If they are unlucky, they receive no such blessing. In either situation, it is considered a huge sacrifice to attempt this ritual, because it involves physically erasing all of that eye's kept records permanently. This means that all progress towards another halo is lost, and must be restarted. The eye will regenerate as a blank slate after each outcome.
While halos bear no meaning beyond accomplishment, they are of such high status to the superficial Guardians that it is often deemed not worth the risk of trying until you already have 2 halos. Since it is not entirely necessary to increase population in this manner either, the act is more of a status symbol of luxury or sacrifice in the name of passion. The belief is that the higher the record count, the more likely the ritual will be a success, but in reality the Cradle is a mystery in how it calculates its decisions. Some single halo couples are able to produce offspring, while a triple halo may not be.
THE LIFE & DEATH CYCLE
While the Cradle may be consulted for combined offspring, it is the less common creation method for Guardians. More commonly, the Cradle will randomly spawn a new Guardian without warning. Some generations it is very active, and others it will rarely bring forth a new one. New Guardians will often be adopted into a group to be raised. Children from a successful mating ritual are kept closely guarded by their parents and considered especially precious.
Guardians "age" very slowly, and can live for vast periods of time. A Guardian is considered to be matured once their claws and spines have fully grown in. The concept of age means relatively little to the Guardians, and nuclear units will be fiercely protective of each other despite the length of time lived. A triple halo is the closest estimate of an elder, simply due to the amount of time required to achieve one. Height is an indicator of age only roughly, since a Guardian may stop growing in height before their spines have grown in.
They do not expire in a given time frame, but they may be weakened in fights with each other. Ultimately, the choice to pass is up to the Guardian. Some prefer to live very long, while others tire of their existence earlier on. The Cradle is at least merciful in this aspect, and allows its children to decide their own fate, welcoming them back through the gate which they emerged if they so choose. Dying is not seen as shameful or sorrowful to the Guardians, and they celebrate the act of passing for their brethren with fondness for the soon to be deceased.
Guardians are a closed species © me.
They are not limited however, and will be released in groupings whenever I feel like it.
Category All / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 545 x 917px
File Size 156.6 kB
Within their own species, they experience a standard array of emotions! Things like jealousy are more common when compared to humans, but not considered a negative thing among themselves. They experience shame, happiness, affection, sadness, etc. However, they experience it differently sometimes because it would be related to their own cultural outlines.
A parent would feel guilty if they let their child be harmed in some way, because children are difficult to have in their culture. They would be less guilty about stealing a miracle from another, since their nature is competitive.
They wouldn't have any guilt about interfering with other species, because they consider others like game pieces. They wouldn't understand the point in feeling guilty if they accidentally (or purposely) killed someone not of their species, because their own kind doesn't experience that sort of physical weakness - to them it's just a short straw drawn by a lesser creation, it's not the Guardian's fault that the species is "flawed".
Of course, there will always be the ones who have a more radical way of thinking from the vast majority, but they're harder to find and more likely to be shunned.
A parent would feel guilty if they let their child be harmed in some way, because children are difficult to have in their culture. They would be less guilty about stealing a miracle from another, since their nature is competitive.
They wouldn't have any guilt about interfering with other species, because they consider others like game pieces. They wouldn't understand the point in feeling guilty if they accidentally (or purposely) killed someone not of their species, because their own kind doesn't experience that sort of physical weakness - to them it's just a short straw drawn by a lesser creation, it's not the Guardian's fault that the species is "flawed".
Of course, there will always be the ones who have a more radical way of thinking from the vast majority, but they're harder to find and more likely to be shunned.
Goodness! I didn't expect a reply so fast :o
As I was reading your original post I could just imagine their little groups hanging out, or a couple that got a child even though they only have 1 halo.
So when they sac their eye to (hopefully) get a child, it erases all the data, but they still have their halo's right? What if they did something really awful (Poisoned a group & then cured them) and then immediately sac'd their eye to the cradle to get rid of the 'evidence'... >.> I guess it wouldn't really matter too much, as they don't feel too bad about messing with 'flawed' species haha.
Thanks for all your extra info! I really love reading lore/details of species.
As I was reading your original post I could just imagine their little groups hanging out, or a couple that got a child even though they only have 1 halo.
So when they sac their eye to (hopefully) get a child, it erases all the data, but they still have their halo's right? What if they did something really awful (Poisoned a group & then cured them) and then immediately sac'd their eye to the cradle to get rid of the 'evidence'... >.> I guess it wouldn't really matter too much, as they don't feel too bad about messing with 'flawed' species haha.
Thanks for all your extra info! I really love reading lore/details of species.
GET REDY 4 MORE LIGHTNIN' INFO.
They will still maintain their halos, the erasure simply removes all "points" stockpiled up to that point. So if they had 2 halos and were building for a third, they would have to start all over from the points of a single halo to reach it. They view it as less of a loss if you already have 2-3 halos because
A) they already have multiple, so their social status is high. still a loss for a double, but image is everything.
B) a triple halo has nothing to lose unless they believe there might be a higher rank
The Cradle, as far as is known, simply tallies up miracles but casts no emotive judgement, since its morals (if it has any) are probably just as species-centric as its children. A Guardian most likely would not even see a need for evidence disposal anyway, since it would stem from a guilt they do not tend to carry. It would also be a loss for the Guardian to remove the eye anyway without desire for child, since they'd just be setting themselves back with no guarantee the Cradle would even do anything with the eye solo.
They will still maintain their halos, the erasure simply removes all "points" stockpiled up to that point. So if they had 2 halos and were building for a third, they would have to start all over from the points of a single halo to reach it. They view it as less of a loss if you already have 2-3 halos because
A) they already have multiple, so their social status is high. still a loss for a double, but image is everything.
B) a triple halo has nothing to lose unless they believe there might be a higher rank
The Cradle, as far as is known, simply tallies up miracles but casts no emotive judgement, since its morals (if it has any) are probably just as species-centric as its children. A Guardian most likely would not even see a need for evidence disposal anyway, since it would stem from a guilt they do not tend to carry. It would also be a loss for the Guardian to remove the eye anyway without desire for child, since they'd just be setting themselves back with no guarantee the Cradle would even do anything with the eye solo.
ohhh my goodness these are so cool
I hope to buy one some day, they are always sold by the time I check fa ;o;
that little area around their chest, is that like a separation? like is their top half separated from their bottom half and float above it? (well it's not exactly in half, but that's beside the point)
I hope to buy one some day, they are always sold by the time I check fa ;o;
that little area around their chest, is that like a separation? like is their top half separated from their bottom half and float above it? (well it's not exactly in half, but that's beside the point)
Comments