These are some sketches I got of Bug, my submission for a Golden Treasure: Hierophant contest run in August 2023 for Draak-Kin characters. Although this artwork is rather (literally) sketchy, it was a character design from nothing and a rush job, and in that context I'm very pleased with how it came out.

Bug did not end up being a winner, but Ludwig said they liked the idea and might try to work some of Bug's themes into other characters, so maybe that'll be fun to see.

Commissioned by me. Sketches are by Antimonycarver on Flight Rising /  antimonycarver.

Below is the writing I included alongside my official contest submission (all written by me).

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Darkness – Ally, safe, Life.
Tunnels – Earth, fast, Life.
Traps – Treasures, mine, many.
Delvers – Other, not Earth.
Delvers – Kin-enemy, Death.
Traps – Make many, Delvers find.
Traps – Destroy Delvers.
Delvers – Always more.
Traps – Always more.
Tired.
Always watch.
Always wait.
Tired.
Cannot rest.
Must not rest.
Circle-Dance – Eternal... Eternal...

Names: Bug (casual Kin-given name); Delverslayer, Weary Warrior (more respectful titles); Infernal Hellborn Spider-Demon (most common Delver-given sobriquet out of many)
Clan: Ruby
Territory: Technically none (no staked claims and no contestants)
Key Points: Extreme cave adaptation, combat pragmatist, virtually no lifelong Draak-Kin contact

Draak-Kin have a noted tendency to be obsessive about one thing. Whether that thing is Survival, Compassion, Wisdom, Order, Territory, or Traps, it is typical for the Draak Mind to develop some kind of fixation to the exclusion of all others.

Sometimes, the fixation extends far beyond the "typical".

It is commonly referred to as "Bug" for its disturbing cave-adapted appearance, difficulty conveying Mind-songs, time spent crawling the Great Below, and movements that are erratic, skittering, and ungraceful. Through its mastery of Earth, its Body has adapted to the underground, at the cost of having a disturbing appearance when above ground. It often tilts its head sideways with its eyes wide, a habit it picked up to maximize its peripheral field of view while lurking on cavern ceilings for countless hours.

From a young age, Bug held its "territory" without contest from other Draak-Kin. The territory's former lord, Bug's Giver-Creator, was slain by a renowned Delver hero. Additionally, the land's overall suitability had degraded over the last dozens of Turnings due to changing weather patterns, Goodbeast emigration, and increasing Delver presence. Most sensible Kin would seek their fortune elsewhere, but Bug decided that its best chance for survival was to fully adapt to the situation it had been given.

From its earliest days, Bug spent every waking moment in a lone guerilla war against the Delvers. When Bug wasn't observing their every move for hours, it was digging new tunnels and traps, meticulously planning for every possible contingency in a Delver confrontation. These Delvers were no Goodbeasts. A dishonorable foe deserved no honorable Hunt.

The first "confrontations" appeared to be tunneling accidents, courtesy of Bug's traps. As Bug grew older, the Delvers realized they were being hunted by a Draak-Kin. The Delvers attempted to fight back with conventional means, but Bug was not a conventional opponent. Through many Turnings of tireless observation, Bug knew the Delvers better than they knew themselves. The harder they tried to fight, the more predictable they became, and the more they were caught by Bug's innumerable traps and ambushes.

Within its own territory, Bug eventually put a complete halt to Delver expansion. To the Delvers, Bug was an incalculable demon that Destroyed many of their warriors, including their greatest champions who had defeated Ruby Kin in other lands. Bug's unfocused gaze and twitchy demeanor masked an unconventionally cunning Mind that had won many victories on behalf of Ruby Kin across Earth.

At the Grand Moot, most Kin present were surprised when Bug stepped forward and asked to be included in Darktooth's journey. In a halting, half-formed Mind-Song, Bug told Darktooth of its story and accomplishments. Although many Ruby Kin present could also claim success against their hated enemy, none could compare to Bug's effectiveness. Some Ruby Kin might not even be standing there if not for Bug posing the higher threat.

Darktooth, in its dispassionate and logical Way, asked Bug for payment. Without hesitation, Bug sang, "All." Its entire Trove. Every trophy it collected from every Delver it had ever Destroyed, which was not an insignificant number. When Bug described the size of its Trove, many Ruby Kin could not believe it possible. But no Kin could ever get away with singing a False Truth to Darktooth.

Darktooth questioned Bug's eagerness. Most other Kin, even those interested in being part of the journey, did not reach their decision or give up their wealth so quickly. Why should Bug want to give up its success for the sake of a risk with no guarantees?

"Tired – Destroy Delvers, always more. Destroy more Delvers, always more," Bug replied in its halting manner. "Fearful. Victories – Treasure. Defeat – Void." 

In so many song-notes, Bug had arrived at the same conclusion that Darktooth had accepted and Many-Times-Burned was attempting to defy. The heavy weariness clinging to Bug's Mind and Essence indicated that it had known this Truth for a very long time, long before the Grand Moot. Though it had continued the Circle-Dance of Destruction for all this time, Bug could smell the Truth while most other Kin were blinded by their own Pride.

"WISDOM, LIKE WATER, TAKES MANY SHAPES AND ADAPTS TO FIT ITS SURROUNDINGS," Darktooth sang to the gathered crowd. "THE DELVERSLAYER WILL JOIN US ON OUR JOURNEY TO NEWHOME."

The gathered crowd recoiled in shock. They had expected that only the most perfect Draak-Kin (or at least relatively normal ones) would be allowed to join Darktooth's exclusive group, but this was a False Truth. New challenges would require diverse talents. An unconventional new Earth would require unconventional new Wisdom.

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Personal note from me: When I saw the contest, my first reaction was "I wanna make a weirdo!"

Over the course of a week, the idea morphed into "weirdo with positive traits" and then "weird due to environmental factors, not necessarily inborn".

I took what we know about Ruby Kin and extremified it a bit. Ruby Kin are known to be fighters of Delvers, so Bug fights Delvers 24/7. Ruby Kin are known to hang out in the Great Below, so Bug hangs out in the Great Below 24/7. I extrapolated on what that might do to a Draak who completely throws itself into that role. It would need an enormous mastery of Earth in order to succeed, and we know that Earth mastery can alter one's Body (enhanced armor, faster healing, hyperimmune, etc.). It would also pick up habits that make sense underground but would not be practiced by above-ground Draak.

Whimsy and logic started coming together. Bug isn't just a random weirdo. It has willingly sacrificed attributes most Draak-Kin take for granted — beauty, grace, flight time — to become the greatest possible defender of Earth and Draak-Kin. That's what Darktooth sees.