Trait and Anatomy Guide

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Crystali can possess a number of different traits, each one having a wide range of visual representation. Below are simple guides to help paint a general picture of what each subspecies can look like.

  • Common Crystali cannot have any innate traits. They can, however, be afflicted with forbidden traits.
  • Mystic Crystali must have all innate traits, and can have fancy traits.
  • Draconic Crystali must have all innate traits, but they can be significantly modified due to their dragon genetics. They can also have Fancy and Primal traits.

The sections below serve to outline these traits in more detail.

Essence

All Crystali, including Common Crystali, have essence that they are born with. This essence shows in their crystals, eyes, channels, mist, and other places if applicable. It is a visual representation of the type of magic they were born with, and by default, it is uniform in appearance throughout these features.

Innate essence is always single-toned. subtle gradients that 'feel' uniform are common and allowed for aesthetics.

Note: Black and White essence is restricted to Light and Dark element Crystali only. Very light and very dark colors that are nearly black/white are ok.

Innate Traits

  • Horns
    Innate horns are present on the head in close vicinity to their eyes or ears. (the back half of the head) They are symmetrical, and they are about half the length of their skulls. Horns can have any finish to them, from polished and smooth to jagged and natural. They can either be a single pair, or spread out in that area. Innate horns should not have excessive coverage.

    Innate horns can be a little chipped or damaged. This is most commonly seen with older individuals. Excessive damage to them is deadly, so completely broken horns cannot exist on their own.
  • Tail Crystals + Mist
    Innate tails encompass the source crystal on their lower backs, as well as the mist they emit. The tail crystal may be located anywhere in the general tailbone area and can be a single cluster or a spread within the area. Like the horns, the tail crystals should not have excessive coverage and cannot be damaged beyond a few imperfections.
  • Magic Channels
    Magic channels are the runic markings all Mystic Crystali possess. As an innate trait, they are always a variety of finer patterns. Coverage varies a lot, from only a few small markings to being entirely covered in patterns. The markings do not always have to be 'neon'. They can be darker, or pretty close to the color of their fur if desired. Cast channels can be asymmetrical.

    Much like the crystals, cast channels glow. How brightly they appear depends on the individual as well as their emotional state.

Fancy

  • Chroma
    Essence with more than one color, or that otherwise goes outside of the regular essence guidelines.
  • Unusual Horns
    Centered horns, giant horns, asymmetrical horns, etc. This trait also encompasses things like tusks and any crystal growths on the font of the face, outside of the innate zone of growth.
  • Auric Limbs
    Crystal(s) capable of summoning phantom limbs. These limbs can be arms, wings, tails or even things like frills or ghostly-looking horns. Whether or not they are always present or need to be summoned is different from individual to individual. The source of these limbs can be one crystal, or a cluster of them.

    As the name suggests, these limbs are manifestations made of an individual's Aura. The color must be consistent with their Cast channels and Crystals, and any additional traits related to this.
  • Crystal Drift
    Floating Crystals. Crystal drift always happens near other crystals, which serve as anchors. They do not move from their anchor point, trying to do so is the same as trying to snap their horns. This can affect any part of their body, but it most commonly affects their main horns.

    Crystal drift can look like slices or shattered horns, but this is something an individual is born with and not the result of breaking.
  • Additional Growths
    Additional Crystal growths outside of their innate locations.
  • Auric Dissonance
    Mist and Crystals being different colors. Encompasses any color mismatch between their crystals, eyes, magic channels and mist.

Forbidden

Forbidden traits encompass the scars and markings left over from misuse of magic. Crystali are not born with these traits, and they are permanent once contracted. These can apply to all subspecies of Crystali.

The color of these markings can vary. They can either be the same as their natural aura, or influenced by whatever inflicted them.

  • Shattered Channels
    Shattered channels refer to magic channels that have a jagged, torn or broken appearance to them. This type of damage severely impacts the level of control one has on their magic.

    Shattered channels can affect all of one's magic channels, or only some.
  • Magic Burns
    Magic burns usually manifest as fairly large and irregular blotches. They are most commonly seen on hands, but they can show up in other places too.
  • Mutation
    Erratic bony growth. Mutation is not the same as regular crystal growths, and usually has a distressing appearance to it. This mutation can be very painful as it sometimes restricts movement.

Primal

Visual guides for Primal traits are not available, as they are intended to be very loose. Dragons are the most powerful creatures in Nophra, so their genetics have vast effects on a Crystali's appearance.

  • Dual Elements
    Being born with affinity towards two elements. Visual representations of this trait vary from subtle to extremely obvious.
  • Orphan sources
    Multiple sources of mist.
  • Draconic
    Unusual anatomy of any kind, influenced by a dragon parent.