Welcome to Gaia! ::

As far as the combo's go, Jaar put it pretty well for the most part.
If you are going for a straight-up combo, don't expect to be able to dictate what animal is going to contribute to what part. For the most part, unless there is a VERY specific reason, the labs make combination creatures as undirected, and testing the various ways the DNA mingles. Much like the island as a whole is an experiment in introducing Animal DNA into humans, the combos would be a further experiment in complicating that with more than one species data.

For the most part, undirected combos are limited to about 3 species.

The extra serums generally have to have a good in-character reason for being added, which is why even though they have a price tag, they are "by approval." These, in-character, at least, are some of the only things that can be added in game later. While you can't totally change someone's animal mid transformation, an extra serum might plausibly be introduced ((Though since the art is done in advance, if you want your character to "get" something, you'll have to discuss it with the GM's ahead of time to say "I will want them to get this later, becuase X")).

The 'mythicals' are actually the exception to combo rule. Becasue Sabin is there In-character, his own pet project is to recreate mythical creatures through the use of the serums. He got in BIG trouble by trying to do it on normal animals because he was "wasting" serums, but doing it to incoming subjects is perfectly legit~! So there's a good enough excuse for anyone questing for a "mythical". BUT - keep in mind that the opportunities that allow a mythical creature can be rare. So it is a good idea to have a backup serum. Like others have said, the focus of your quest character should be the human character, not necessarily the serum. That also goes for if someone else gets the animal first.

Ultimately, we don't allow directed combinations that don't go for a specific goal (like mythicals, etc) that the labs wouldn't have a reason in creating. They don't know about your personal aestetic likes, and likely wouldn't tailor-make a creature that happens to match with how you want to design your character or fursona. Directed combinations are more expensive, generally involve more animals, and higher-up permission to make (sabin/Moreau/Aubrey).

Also, a lot of people have a tendency in their quest threads in describing out the full transformation. I don't mind if you want to do that for fun, but keep in mind that the progression is ultimately up to the artist - this is one of the perks, IMO, of being a staff artist, is being able to look at the design of the human, look at the animal, and then have fun with the change. because of the clause in the fact that serums react differently to different people, or that each serum is a bit different - the changes can go very differently between different subjects.

As I posted on page 16176 in the main thread, regarding characters "based on your real-life self":

Really, the problem a lot of people have when designing a character after themself is that they give the character all of the good and fun stuff, without recognizing their own character flaws and otherwise negative quirks. To make a character like yourself, you need to portray yourself as you really are, not just the parts you like or are more socially acceptable. Basically, you have to look at yourself as objectively as possible, all the while having your own (very subjective) insights into your thoughts and actions.

As I said, this thread IS more about getting people to do their own thinking-- but that thinking is still necessary. A lot of the things mentioned have been helpful for people who have successfully quested (IE, now have their characters on the Island).

And I did see your post before you edited, so perhaps this suggestion will bear some relevance.

As with I. I think there should be both a islander list and a questers list. Just state throughly (Bolded with red color) That these are not permanant or official and you can use the consepts as long as you dont have a clone character.

This would be extreamly helpful to any questers who want a original character... like me. 3nodding

If there was an islander AND a quester thread, I think just about all of the bases would be overlapped. It would be incredibly difficult to find something completely "original" if we included all of the hundreds of concepts.

Actually, a squid or a toad would both be perfectly acceptable. But thank you. XD

And welcome to Gaia and IoDM. whee

At the same time though, Islanders, please don't wig out on a newbie-quester when they make the mistake of having something too close to an islander. There are a looooot of islanders, and a lot of people probably just don't have the time to read through the journal of each one in addition to reading through all of the quests.

So if they trespass, try seding them a nice PM asking them to change something rather than saying, "You concept stealing c**t," or something along those lines in the thread. If they refuse or throw a tantrum, then feel free to bring out the guns.

But at least give civility a chance. It's intimidating for some people - especially those who have never quested in a 'major' breedables shop before - to come and quest in a community as big as this.