Sumine
by Kay
Singular Sumine
Plural Sumines Group Menagerie of Sumines Communication - Body language and animal sounds Size Ranges – Natural animals; Insects around 4 inches Colorations – Natural animals with Rank traits Naming Convention – Any; they will either have a name assigned to and inscribed on them if 'summoned' before or the first summoner names them. |
Singular Sumine
Plural Sumines Group Menagerie of Sumines Description Sumines are not quite like other species that can be found on Teragaia, primarily for the reason that they are not a 'species' in the conventional sense at all! Short for summon figurines, Sumines are magical creations which appear as small figurines, about two inches in length, carved to resemble animals. When the command word is spoken, the figurine transforms into a life-sized version of itself. They can remain in this active form for twelve hours at a time, but can remain in figurine form indefinitely. Compared to other species, Sumines in their active form appear quite mundane and lack a true sentient intelligence, being about as smart as a clever but ordinary animal. The magic that created and empowers them allows for an understanding of speech, typically the language of their owner, and to said owner they are ultimately loyal. (See bonding for more information) Like mundane animals, they can be taught tricks by their owners, though this take some time, and by default know the command 'approach,' 'stay,' 'guard,' and 'flee.' The form a Sumine takes is always that of a mundane animal, never anything magical our fantastical, such as described below: Feline - this includes big and domesticated felines Canine - wolves to domesticated dogs, and foxes Equine - all horse and pony breeds Avian - all things bird Ursine - all species of bears Arachnid/Insectoid - these sometimes come in pairs, two creatures carved onto the same figurine Exotic - this includes creatures that do not fall into the previous categories. ((typically, marine animals aren't crafted, due to difficulties with the logistics of a water-bound creature on land) Sunnies cannot use mindspeech, nor imagery or empathy. Their sole mean of communication are animal noises and body language. A plea to follow could for example come by pulling on clothes, pushing from behind, or moving away only to return or look back like 'are you coming?' Chases Sure to their natures, Sumines cannot reproduce despite having 'genders' and thus do not participate in or hold chases. A skilled enchanter can craft them, however, and some are found in the most unexpected of places. Bonding A Sumine well not form a bond in the typical sense as the term applies to other species. They will form a fierce loyalty to the first being who summons them from figurine form. If a Sumine has never been summoned before, this command word will be the first name spoken that is directed at the Sumine, and it will become both the command word and the Sumine's name forever more. If it had been summoned before and its previous owner is deceased it will reveal its name to the first creature to claim it. By this Sumines are one of the few creatures who are routinely passed on from owner to owner. Some Sumines are even held as family heirlooms, given from generation to generation and have histories that are long and ancient. If one is found and their owner still lives, however, they will respond to no other and seem like little more than magical but inanimate carved stone. Given this, it's more happenstance than any real trick to acquiring one. Unless, of course, you stop in at Asphir's Worldly Wonders, where they are on sale by request for the same price cost of a standard shiny - 5BP/1 coin per star value of the Sumine. Ranks As any creature appearance can show up in any rank, Sumines are categorized by the material they are crafted from. Due to some quirk of their creation, these materials seem to impart a bit of influence upon the Sumine's personality, which by their more animalistic natures tend to be a bit simpler and more straightforward than other species. These materials are also reflected in some way in their active forms, whether a ruby tiger will have red stripes, a pearl horse have pearl hooves, or a brass bird have polished, beaten, and matte brass flight feathers. Their Star counts are also reduced from other species, due to their lesser capacity for intelligence. Composite:-5* The most difficult of all Sumines to craft and enchant, these pseudo-queens are comprised of multiple materials and as such have more functional intelligence and complex personalities than most Sumines, and also tend to be larger in figurine form to compensate for the amount of materials used. Their animal forms carry traces of all component parts and they have all quirks and traits of their figurine making (a Sumine containing both wood and clay would dislike both fire and water). Scrimshaw:-4* Example Material: Bone, Ivory, Antler Scrimshaw figurines can be found in shades of animal bone, ivory, antler, horn, and other such similar base material, most carved, some painted, some even burned into shape. Carved bone Sumines are remarkably more perceptive creatures than most of their kith, though many of them tend to have a slightly morbid bent, be it either humorous or dark. One might not be surprised that scrimshaw Sumines tend to be terrified of potent acids. Precious Metals: - 3* Examples: Gold, Silver, Brass, Copper, Bronze These Sumines tend to be regal and proud, borderline (or sometimes not so borderline) arrogant. Metallic: - 3* Non-precious metals like Tin, steel, iron, adamantine, aluminum, pewter, etc. Metallic Sumines are very rigid and obedient, but tend to get lost without instruction or be unable to adapt to quickly changing situations. Pearl :- 2* Pearls are often viewed as wise and calm, with incredible insight into others characters and a peaceful demeanor, but they can be difficult to rouse to action. Gemstone: -2* Example: Jade, Amethyst, Tiger's Eye, etc The most varied of all Sumines, gemstones have no set personality, though many reflect qualities often believed to be possessed by the gem that they are made of. Plushie:-2* Stuffed animals were not original to the palette of summon figurines prior to the Illogical Field, really, but here you have it, faux fur or sackcloth or velveteen or other fabrics bound up and stuffed with sand or filler or cloth scraps and sewn into the shape of a toy animal until summoned...when the energetic and ADHD creature is unleashed to try to play with All The Things until it is ultimately distracte- was that a duck? Glass:-2* It takes art and skill to craft a summon figurine from glass. Sometimes they're not even figurines proper, but etchings on a vase or something similar. Glass Sumines have a tendency toward skittishness, though as far as Sumines go they're actually pretty smart. Smarter than average, certainly. Although they're absolutely terrified of heights and blunt instruments, as glass tends to shatter. Wood: - 1* Carved of wood, these also includes petrified wood and Sumines of wood-like materials, such as braided cord or woven reeds. They are almost as calm as Pearl Sumines, but tend more towards the lazy or lackadaisical side. Fire makes them nervous, however. Clay: - 1* Crafted of clay, these Sumines are the most malleable of them all, easy to train and very adaptive to change. They tend to be skittish around water, though. Stone:-1* Example Material: Granite, Sandstone, Slate The most primitive of all Sumines, Stones have been around since time immemorial. Their extremely basic nature, however, means they are...not at all smart, but they are immensely stubborn, capable of only one thought at a time and not budging from that one thought EVER. They also have an unfortunate tendency to sink rather than swimming. ((Inspired by the DnD artifact Figurines of Wondrous Power)) |