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 Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:28 pm
WatermelonTransfusion
Verithe's Raevan Quest Thread Hello and welcome to my Raevan quest thread. This is my first time building something like this in Gaia, so please bear with me (and, perhaps, gently guide me?).
I'm not entirely sure what I'm supposed to be putting in here. So, for the most part, I'll be sharing ideas I've had.
Updates:December 18, 2009 - Altered caretaker concept to plain ol' Salvador Cranberry. October 18, 2009 - Created caretaker concept, Dr. Salvador Cranberry. He needs more development. Added ideas to pretty much everything. September 27, 2009 - Added some more fel essence ideas. Anyone have any ideas about what sorts of abilities the Portable Whole would give to a raevan made from it? September 17, 2009 - Added Ever-Growing Amethyst to the fel essence ideas. Removed (or crossed out) both guardian concepts. February 15, 2009 - Dropped Nimbostratic Rust and Tripolar Magnet from the Fel Essence ideas. July 12, 2008 - Dropped the Jack o' Lantern Mushroom from the soul concepts and added Rambutan. June 24, 2008 - Dropping the Merle and Betty guardian concept. Now, I have to write out a stronger profile for the twins. May 6, 2008 - Designated the vampire watermelon and the grey alien as my final choices for the soul. May 4, 2008 - Added the Electrostatic Pollen fel essence and bismuth crystal soul.
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:32 pm
Table of Contents
I....................Introduction
II...........Table of Contents
III....................Soul Ideas
IV.................Fel Essences
V........Guardian Concepts
VI...............Raevan Ideas
VII..................(Reserved)
VIII.................(Reserved)
IX.........................Credits
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:34 pm
Soul Ideas Vampire Watermelon:Wikipedia Vampire pumpkins and watermelons are a folk legend from the Balkans, in southeastern Europe, described by ethnologist Tatomir Vukanović. The story is associated with the Roma people of the region, from whom much of traditional vampire folklore, among other unusual legends, originated. The belief in vampire fruit is similar to the belief that any inanimate object left outside during the night of a full moon will become a vampire. According to tradition, watermelons or any kind of pumpkin kept more than ten days or after Christmas will become a vampire, rolling around on the ground and growling to pester the living. People have little fear of the vampire pumpkins and melons because of the creatures' lack of teeth. One of the main indications that a pumpkin or melon is about to undergo a vampiric transformation (or has just completed one) is said to be the appearance of a drop of blood on its skin. The only known reference in scholarship is Tatomir Vukanović's account of his journeys in Serbia from 1933 to 1948. He wrote several years later in the Journal of the Gypsy Lore Society: The belief in vampires of plant origin occurs among Gs. [Gypsies] who belong to the Mosl. faith in KM [Kosovo-Metohija]. According to them there are only two plants which are regarded as likely to turn into vampires: pumpkins of every kind and water-melons. And the change takes place when they are 'fighting one another.' In Podrima and Prizrenski Podgor they consider this transformation occurs if these vegetables have been kept for more than ten days: then the gathered pumpkins stir all by themselves and make a sound like 'brrrl, brrrl, brrrl!' and begin to shake themselves. It is also believed that sometimes a trace of blood can be seen on the pumpkin, and the Gs. then say it has become a vampire. These pumpkins and melons go round the houses, stables, and rooms at night, all by themselves, and do harm to people. But it is thought that they cannot do great damage to folk, so people are not very afraid of this kind of vampire. Among the Mosl. Gs. in the village of Pirani (also in Podrima) it is believed that if pumpkins are kept after Christmas they turn into vampires, while the Lešani Gs. think that this phenomenon occurs if a pumpkin used as a syphon, when ripe and dry, stays unopened for three years. Vampires of vegetable origin are believed to have the same shape and appearance as the original plant. ... The Gs. in KM. destroy pumpkins and melons which have become vampires ... by plunging them into a pot of boiling water, which is then poured away, the vegetables being afterwards scrubbed by a broom and then thrown away, and the broom burned. The majority of Vukanović's article discusses human vampires; vampiric agricultural tools are also mentioned. Though modern readers may be skeptical that such beliefs ever existed, the superstitions of Gypsy culture are well documented. The Journal of the Gypsy Lore Society has many articles that are collections of Gypsy tales, presumably oral history. However others are horror stories that allegedly include the direct involvement of the source (e.g., the fatal consequences of disrespecting the dead). In this context, vampire pumpkins and watermelons are not necessarily any more implausible than other superstitious beliefs. Vampire watermelon notes: This is the soul I'm most interested in. I was, somewhat, lamenting over the low representation of plants among the raevans when I came across the Wikipedia article for these things. Grey Alien:Currently, the most popular form people believe extraterrestrials take. Basically, they look like short, bald, gray men with solid black eyes. I was thoroughly pleased with this idea, but I like the vampire watermelon infinitely more. (More information forthcoming)Bleeding Heart Plant (Dicentra spectabilis):The flowers of the Bleeding Heart plant look like dripping pink hearts (or white, depending on the variety). I'm considering this one for the Leopard's Spots Essence. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Backup soul ideas:
(These are other ideas which have piqued my interest, but I'm quite certain that I'll be aiming for either the vampire watermelon or grey alien. If you feel like using one of the souls below, please feel free and let me know! ^_^) Shaving Bush Tree: (Pictures can be found here.) I just think it looks interesting. Bonsai Princess Earrings ( Dichrostachys Cinerea): (Pictures can be found here.) Just the thought of accidentally capturing the soul of a bonsai tree is amusing enough. Making the tree as elegant and interesting as this one is even better! Rambutan: A reddish (or yellowish) lychee-like fruit. Its peel is covered in hair-like spines. Bismuth Crystals:The most interesting form bismuth can take is the bizarre crystal form. I really like the form of this semi-metallic crystal and the multitude of colors is fascinating as well. However, this form is extremely rare, naturally. Since we're working in the world of fiction, finding a rare (but existant) mineral shouldn't be a problem. Jack O'Lantern Mushroom (Omphalotus olearius):
The Jack O'Lantern Mushroom is an orange, bioluminescent fungus. I mostly chose it because it is a fungus and the glowing made for an interesting quirk.
- Maybe I'll end up adding a different fungus, maybe I won't. Did you know that slime mold isn't a fungus? It's actually related, somewhat, to the amoeba! The more you know!
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:35 pm
Fel Essences Electrostatic Pollen:Electrostatic Pollen This pollen, at first glance, appears as a fine, yellow powder. However, if you listen closely you can hear an occasional pop or crackle of energy. In just a little bit of shade, you might even be able to see the pollen spark. Something to flare up your allergies and give you an electric shock! I'm really liking this concept, at the moment. ~~~~~~ Portable Hole:Portable Hole It is unknown where it originated from, whether it was a hole in the ground, a hole in a tree or some other hole. But it is most definitely a hole. The odd thing about this hole is that it can be picked up, handled and placed somewhere else. Much like what is often seen in the corniest of cartoons: a hole which can be picked up and moved to a new location. A hole is a void; a lack of matter. That may be a bit over-simplified, but how can one pick up what is, by definition, nothing? The portable hole defies logic. I was considering that, perhaps, a Raevan created from this essence would feed off of empty spaces. This could, possibly, manifest in random clutter filling a room he/she would feed in. ~~~~~~ Whithering Raisin:Whithering Raisin A raisin sits inside the vial. At a glance, it looks like a normal raisin. However, if one were to touch the vial, they might notice that the air around it feels unnaturally dry. The idea is that the raisin was, originally, a normal grape. After the great Storm, the grape slowly dried up. However, after it dried up, so did the rest of the vine and, slowly, all plant life in the area dehydrated as well. The raisin, it seems, is absorbing all of the moisture in the vicinity. The whithering raisin might be an excellent match for the vampire watermelon....but I'm not sure I want to match up two different plants. If I were to change the raisin to some sort of feather or something, but keeping its ability, I might be more inclined to match it with the watermelon. I've decided I don't care as much about this issue as I thought I did. The whithering raisin is an excellent match for the vampire watermelon. ~~~~~~ Leopard's SpotsLeopard's Spots There is a saying: "A leopard can't change it's spots." While this is generally used as a metaphor for a person's inability to change for the better, the Fel Essence in this vial is a collection of quite literal leopard spots which are, very distinctly, lacking a leopard. In addition, the spots have retained the leopard's hunting instinct and, if allowed to run free, would harass antelopes endlessly. I've had this idea rattling in my head for quite a while. I couldn't really think of anything useful to do with it until I had the idea that it should retain the leopards predatory nature. In a sense, the spots retain everything about a leopard except the body. Perhaps that's how the storm created it; removing everything physical about this one leopard, save it's spots. Or, perhaps, the leopard was simply removed from its spots and predatory nature, allowing it to live a blissfully vegan and spotless life until it died millenia ago, leaving it's spots to live on. Perhaps, even, the Leopard's Spots fel essence must be hunted down and captured, in addition to capturing the soul. ~~~~~~ Ultraviolet HaloUltraviolet Halo The halo inside this bottle glows faintly with purple light. Staying within the light cast by the halo for too long may cause sunburn. Typically, a halo is the crown of light circling the head of an angelic, divine or holy being. Not only does this halo wander free from any such being, but the light it is made of is not the correct frequency. This halo is made of ultraviolet light and just enough violet light to be visible. Ultraviolet waves cause mutations in skin cells, commonly referred to as a "sunburn". Too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation puts a person at risk for cancer. A raevan with this essence, in addition to having powers related to ultraviolet radiation, would likely have subtle personality traits and have a good alignment. Abandoned Concepts:(Up for grabs, if you want 'em!) Tripolar Magnet:Tripolar Magnet The typical magnet has two poles, north and south. This unique piece of magnetic rock has a third pole...east? I was trying to think of some elements that haven't been used for fel essences, yet. Magnetic fields seemed like a good idea. Out of the souls I currently have under consideration, I think it fits the Grey Alien best. ~~~~~~ Audible Chartreuse:Audible Chartreuse The light waves reflected from this pigment can be heard as well as seen. When placed near colors that look nice with it, the sound is a sweet melody. When placed near colors that visually clash with the pigment, the sound is discordant. This was an attempt at making a fel essence based off a color and could easily be changed to be any color. A similar idea was "Visible Ultraviolet". ~~~~~~ Milkmead:Milkmead The vial is filled with fresh goat's milk. However, the milk is slightly sweet and alcoholic. It might be best to refrigerate it before it turns into sweet, alcoholic cheese. When I thought of this one, I was trying to think of elements of nature that are often forgotten. Milk, honey and alcohol all came to mind. So, I took mead (an alcohol made with honey) and mixed it with milk. The story I thought of to explain why the fel essence is still fresh is that it is inherited from mother goat to daughter goat via the milk and lies dormant inside the daughter goat until it has a daughter goat of its own. Then it transfers itself again. The fel essence was intercepted by Kyou in order to use in the making of a raevan. I'm not entirely sure what sorts of powers this essence could grant...drunkenness, maybe? Perhaps the raevan can only consume milk and alcohol. The raevan would be a drunkard! D: ~~~~~~ Egg of PossiblitiesEgg of Possibilities Inside the jar rests what appears to be a normal quail's egg. Indeed, this egg has actually been laid by a quail. However, that quail hatched from an egg laid by a salmon and that salmon from an egg laid by a platypus and so on. No one really knows what will actually hatch from this egg, but one thing is for certain: the inherited Fel Essence that is the Egg of Possibilities makes it highly unlikely that there is a quail inside. This is slightly following the same concept as the Milkmead idea in that the Fel Essence is inherited and then "lost" by the mother. If ever discovered by biologists, the animal that would lay the next Egg of Possibilities would probably be under intense scientific study. Perhaps that's just how Kyou came to hear of the quail that hatched from a salmon egg. ~~~~~~ Spiral Laser:Spiral Laser When you shake up the vial to disturb the dust inside (which was placed so the actual fel essence would be visible), you can make out a coil-shaped beam of light. Allowing for the waves in its beams, light only moves in a straight line unless warped by heat or gravity. Usually, most light waves move in multiple different directions. A laser is a beam of light where all of the light waves have the same frequency and are completely parallel. This laser beam, while also having the unique attribute of being able to be caught and sustained in a vial, is coiled for no conceivable reason. The idea is less that this is a laser and more that this is light following an unnatural pattern. It's just that the laser structure best illustrates the unnatural pattern. Since we're already talking about light behaving contrary to nature, I figured that its also acting as a laser (also an unnatural pattern) would be okay. Since lasers can come in any single wavelength of light, this fel essence can come in any color. The main concept behind this was having a raevan who can shoot laser eye beams. ~~~~~~ Nimbostratic Rust:Nimbostratic Rust While rust typically forms as an oxidation of iron, this rust was found growing on the edge of a cloud. I have to admit, I'm not entirely sure what could be done with this one. However, I was looking for a way to make rust a fel essence and this seemed like a very good possibility. ~~~~~~ Bornite Quill:Bornite Quill This iridescent porcupine quill is made from oxidized bornite ore. The porcupine that carried this quill on its back must have been very proud, for it has lovely colors. But the quill is now all that is left of the animal. Bornite (also called peacock ore or peacock copper) is a copper ore that tarnishes green, blue and purple, giving it an iridescent appearance. While bornite is certainly unique, it would never appear as a porcupine's quill. Powers granted by this essence would likely be needle or quill-related. ~~~~~~ Shadow-Refracting Prism:Shadow-Refracting Prism At first glance, the object in the vial looks like nothing more than an natural smokey-quartz crystal. However, when a shadow falls across the crystal at a certain angle, what looks like an anti-rainbow appears. Basically, this is what it claims to be. A prism that refracts shadow instead of light. What I had in mind for the resulting "anti-rainbow" was basically a dark version of a rainbow or a rainbow as it would be seen in a photo negative.
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:38 pm
Guardian Concepts Name: Salvador "Sal" Cranberry
Age: 68
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Anglo-Saxon
Species: Human
Hair: Gray
Eyes: Gray
Height: 5'8"
Build: A bit pudgy, a bit flabby.
Occupation: Retired cook. Gets veteran's checks as well as retirement pay.
Family: None living (nothing tragic, he's just old...though he is lonely).
Likes: Gardening, hunting, cooking, basic carpentry (making crappy-looking birdhouses and chairs), classical music
Dislikes: Cats, chipmunks, squirrels, young kids and their crazy deviations from what is "normal"and "right"
Personality: At worst, Sal tends to be gruff, irritable and unapproachable. At best, socially awkward. He's a bit of a loner and throws himself completely into whatever project he is working on in order to not feel so alone. Usually, that project is his garden. He tends to soften up around people his age or particularly sensible-looking younger folk (with a hint more leniency toward women). If you look younger than him and you would prefer a pleasant conversation, it may be better to call him Mr. Cranberry until he tells you otherwise.
Residence: Sal lives in a small house in an older suburb of [GAIALAND]. The house is over one hundred years old, but doesn't look interesting enough for people to care about that. It has three levels, plus an extensive basement. There is a front porch and a back deck. The back yard has been primarily converted into an expansive vegetable garden, with a little bit of space for his hunting dog to run and for a few flower pots. There is no front yard to speak of. Just enough room for a flower bed before the sidewalk takes over. There is no driveway, so Sal has to park on the street.
Unique Features and Abilities: Not really anything to speak of here. Just old and curmudgeony.
Pet: The only other creature Sal tends to keep around is his pet dog, Dunce. It's short for "Dunstan", his late wife's choice for a name. Sal always thought "Dunce" fit the dog better. The dog was always a little bit stupid. Dunce is a beagle. Dunce is old.
History: After high school, Sal joined the army during the war. While never seeing battle, he still receives benefits as a war veteran.
After returning home he got married. He owned a diner with his wife, Betty, for several years before they sold it and he went to work as a cook for a mental institution.
They never had children.
Sal always had an extensive vegetable and herb garden that took up what most Americans would consider as a back yard on the smaller side of average. What was left was devoted to a few of Betty's flowers and their pet hunting dog.
In their mid-fifties, both Sal and Betty, both chronic smokers, chose to quit the habit. Three years ago, it was discovered that Betty had lung cancer. She died the following year. Since then, Sal has been using his hobbies to avoid his loneliness.
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:41 pm
Raevan Ideas I'm not entirely certain which essence I want to match with which soul, so this post is mostly going to be filled with random combination ideas, primarily focusing on personality. I'm more on a quest for a semi-custom than a full one, so any extra details I add are simply my own musings. Vampire Watermelon+Withering Raisin Name: Bellis Guardian(s): Sal Gender: Male Fel Essence: Withering Raisin Soul: Vampire Watermelon Personality: Bellis generally keeps to himself, but he isn't entirely quiet about it. He complains easily when he doesn't get something he wants...or if he just wants something and doesn't feel like asking in the traditional fashion. He holds grudges easily and rarely feels loyal to anyone. However, he holds a strong interest for classical music. Alignment: Neutral Evil **Notes: I feel that the Vampire Watermelon and the Withering Raisin are a good match since the fel essence is somewhat vampiric in nature.** Vampire Watermelon + Electrostatic Pollen Name: Thisbe Guardian(s): Sal Gender: Female Fel Essence: Electrostatic Pollen (really, I'm not as tied down to any particular essence with this idea. I just wanted to throw in an essence that wasn't the withering raisin.) Soul: Vampire Watermelon Personality: Thisbe carries herself in a stately manner...or, at least, she thinks she does. In actuality, she's a bit of a klutz. She has a tendency to be a little bossy and selfish, but still tends to care about those close to her. Alignment: Neutral (or Lawful) Neutral (or Good) Grey Alien + Portable Hole Name: Xeno Guardian: Sal Gender: Male Fel Essence: Portable Hole Soul: Grey Alien Personality: Generally, Xeno is amiable. He wants everyone to get along. Sometimes, he might try to help two people patch up their differences but, more likely than not, he'll run and hide if a fight breaks out. He enjoys gadgetry. Some clear nights, he likes to be alone and watch the stars. Perhaps, he feels a deep connection to something out there. But he doesn't really know what that something is. I'm still trying to figure out what, exactly, the powers granted by the portable hole should be. Becoming a portal through solid walls and such, maybe? That's a lot.... Hmmm..... Alignment: Neutral Good (with leanings toward Lawful Good) Bleeding Heart + Leopard's Spots Name: Jocasta Guardian: Sal Gender: Female Fel Essence: Leopard's Spots Soul: Bleeding Heart Personality: Jocasta is very protective of Sal and easily gets jealous of people who spend time with him. During such instances, she may fabricate problems or cause a scene to attract the his attentions. As a world traveler, Jocasta views herself as intellectually superior to pretty much everyone...until she comes across someone who has experienced just as much, if not more, of the world than she has. In which case, she tends to get flustered and quiet. Alignment: Jocasta is somewhere between Lawful Neutral and Neutral Evil. Bismuth Crystal + Leopard's Spots Name: Peppo Guardian: Sal Gender: Male Fel Essence: Leopard's Spots Soul: Bismuth Crystal Personality: Peppo acts fairly mellow in the presence of strangers, but tends to be fairly active and excitable (even a little rough) around the people he's comfortable with. Even so, he enjoys meeting new people. Alignment: Neutral Good
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:42 pm
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:52 pm
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:53 pm
Credits Lab 305 and Raevans all belong to Kyoupiruchi. Guardian artwork in the previous posts of this thread was created by me.
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Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:13 pm
Alright, I think I'm happy with this, for now. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:26 am
Hah! I just thought of a funny situation which might occur with a raevan made with the Portable Hole essence:
Guardian: What are you chewing on?
Raevan: Nothing...
Guardian: Spit it out! We've barely enough space to sit in this house, as it is!
Okay, so maybe it was more funny in my head....
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:26 pm
I really like your Portable Hole. It has that contradiction that makes an essence an essence. And you said it perfectly, a person can't hold a hole or move it. And it does make for an unusual sort of Raevan, a cartoony one. I like it.
Souls, although the vampire watermelon was interesting, I think I like your Bismuth Crystal the best. It's just so beautiful and I can see Kyou having lots of fun with all the colors. But the Bleeding Heart is also a fave of mine. Beautiful, but a different beauty from the crystal. Almost dark like although I know you said it was pink or white.
No matter where you go with this quest, I'm sure you'll find something that's exactly what you are looking for. You've got lots of ideas and that's good in this stage. Keep things open if you're not looking for a specific kind of Raevan. Good luck!
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Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:21 pm
Thank you very much! ^^
I had been making lists of essences for some time before I put this quest thread together. I was trying to get ideas for things that might be different. Every time I started a new list, I made sure to add the Portable Hole. Eventually, I figured out that it seemed to be my favorite. If I manage to acquire a semi-custom or somesuch, I'll probably use it.
I really like the bismuth crystal, too...but I think I'm really sold on the vampire watermelon. Also, I have more characterization elements in mind for the vampire watermelon and grey alien than I do for the bismuth crystal or bleeding hearts.
*taps fingers together, ponderously*
Perhaps we can convince someone else to quest for them....
I do think it would be best to completely drop the Jack o' Lantern Mushroom idea, though. Aside from being a fungus, the only thing that drew me to it was the bioluminescence. Since Independent Bioluminescence is now an official essence, it doesn't retain that unique charm. I might replace it with a different fungus....but I still don't think it will make it to my final decision of a soul.
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Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:18 am
Updated! Dropped Nimbostratic Rust and Tripolar Magnet from the Fel Essence ideas. I just couldn't think of anything I wanted to do with the Nimbostratic Rust and I'm less fond of the Tripolar Magnet than I once was.
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Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:41 pm
Edited the "Xeno" Raevan concept to use the Portable Hole instead of the Tripolar Magnet. I need to think of what can be done with the Portable Hole, though. Any ideas?
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