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Hi guys, I hope you've been well!!

I thought I'd like to share some of what I've been working on for the upcoming species guides, so in the meantime, expect a handful of bonus lore posts like this in the future on my gallery - the descriptions in these posts are subject to change as they're implemented on the website, so make sure to take a look once each species guide is released in the coming months!

I've had this piece in progress for quite a long time now (the drawing on the left is from early 2018, I can see the difference!!) and wanted to polish it up and write up some info about the lore of Nebulon's Terran forms. All of my closed species have a humanlike variant, usually only possible through special artifacts called Kinstones, but Nebulon (and to a lesser extent Sylori) have alternate forms as a natural ability to allow them to visit and explore the terrestrial pearls of the Aetherion.

I hope you guys enjoy!!

The Nebulon: Masters of the Aether

Terran Forms

Nebulon are beings of ancient wisdom and power. By the nature of their eons-long lifespans, they develop ways to hone their aether into a precise art form and a means by which they can function and communicate in the aether's many societies. In their natural forms, these massive creatures are built to withstand the aether's many elements and hazards, but their size and serpentine shape does not always lend itself well to social purposes. For this reason, Nebulon come equipped with an innate understanding of shapecraft that allows them to walk the pearls and communicate with Cosmopolitans and other creatures of the aether. Most Nebulon gain this ability as they mature into the Aetheria life-stage and set out on their first journeys.

These forms - called Terran forms - resemble humanoid variants of their birth form, or Origin form. Nebulon are capable of two Terran form variants.

The Dracane (dra-cahn-ay) form is large, powerful, and often intimidating to smaller-statured Cosmpolitans such as Manu (humans) and Zephyr. They average around 9ft (3m) in height without including their imposing metal horns. This form preserves most of the Nebulon's natural features, including all their major body fins, tail, skin coloration, and digit count. Their hide is leathery and flexible, and their elongated, sinewy frames belie significant strength. Their voices possess an echo similar to the sound of their natural telepathy. This form's eyes always resemble the natural Nebulon's eyes, which are most often pupil-less. The Dracane form is easier to shift into for young Nebulon and allows for greater aetherial power and physical strength, but their appearance and size isn't always the best for diplomatic communications. In addition, their microstars retain their natural levels of intense heat, making this form a bit dangerous in certain spaces.

Meanwhile, the Mane (mahn-ay) form is a more fine-tuned and carefully constructed shape designed to allow ease of communication. While usually still taller than most Manu (6-7ft), they are nearer in size and shape to humans and similar creatures. Their eyes, if normally pupil-less, can shift to more closely resemble Manu eyes. Their voices sound more natural, their skin is softer and more humanlike, and they have five digits on each appendage. Their faces always have humanlike skin tones, which can extend to any amount of the lower body and replace the natural body coloration in those areas. The Mane form usually lacks a tail and body fins, but not always - they can sometimes have one or the other, usually if they're inexperienced with mastering this form. In addition, the microstar's heat is lessened to a non-hazardous level, but at the cost of most of the Nebulon's power. They cannot create aethergates or release bursts of aether to defend themselves, so Nebulon who prefer this form often choose to take up martial training.

Transforming into and out of Terran form takes a significant amount of effort for a Nebulon, especially those in the younger life-stages. It can take over a day to fully transform and requires a large amount of aether, either stored in the microstar or in a large supply of aether crystals. Taking up a Terran form is a significant choice if a Nebulon wishes to visit the pearls, and they often choose to stay in these forms for long periods of time.

Note: Some older Nebulon designs reflect aspects of both forms. This is possible, but less common than Dracane or Mane forms and tends to be a result of the Nebulon's own experimentation. These are now considered legacy forms and are unique to the designs that possess those forms.

Nebulon are a closed species belonging to me, al-kem-y !

Join our Discord! discord.gg/93zg2gw

Description

Hi guys, I hope you've been well!!

I thought I'd like to share some of what I've been working on for the upcoming species guides, so in the meantime, expect a handful of bonus lore posts like this in the future on my gallery - the descriptions in these posts are subject to change as they're implemented on the website, so make sure to take a look once each species guide is released in the coming months!

I've had this piece in progress for quite a long time now (the drawing on the left is from early 2018, I can see the difference!!) and wanted to polish it up and write up some info about the lore of Nebulon's Terran forms. All of my closed species have a humanlike variant, usually only possible through special artifacts called Kinstones, but Nebulon (and to a lesser extent Sylori) have alternate forms as a natural ability to allow them to visit and explore the terrestrial pearls of the Aetherion.

I hope you guys enjoy!!

The Nebulon: Masters of the Aether

Terran Forms

Nebulon are beings of ancient wisdom and power. By the nature of their eons-long lifespans, they develop ways to hone their aether into a precise art form and a means by which they can function and communicate in the aether's many societies. In their natural forms, these massive creatures are built to withstand the aether's many elements and hazards, but their size and serpentine shape does not always lend itself well to social purposes. For this reason, Nebulon come equipped with an innate understanding of shapecraft that allows them to walk the pearls and communicate with Cosmopolitans and other creatures of the aether. Most Nebulon gain this ability as they mature into the Aetheria life-stage and set out on their first journeys.

These forms - called Terran forms - resemble humanoid variants of their birth form, or Origin form. Nebulon are capable of two Terran form variants.

The Dracane (dra-cahn-ay) form is large, powerful, and often intimidating to smaller-statured Cosmpolitans such as Manu (humans) and Zephyr. They average around 9ft (3m) in height without including their imposing metal horns. This form preserves most of the Nebulon's natural features, including all their major body fins, tail, skin coloration, and digit count. Their hide is leathery and flexible, and their elongated, sinewy frames belie significant strength. Their voices possess an echo similar to the sound of their natural telepathy. This form's eyes always resemble the natural Nebulon's eyes, which are most often pupil-less. The Dracane form is easier to shift into for young Nebulon and allows for greater aetherial power and physical strength, but their appearance and size isn't always the best for diplomatic communications. In addition, their microstars retain their natural levels of intense heat, making this form a bit dangerous in certain spaces.

Meanwhile, the Mane (mahn-ay) form is a more fine-tuned and carefully constructed shape designed to allow ease of communication. While usually still taller than most Manu (6-7ft), they are nearer in size and shape to humans and similar creatures. Their eyes, if normally pupil-less, can shift to more closely resemble Manu eyes. Their voices sound more natural, their skin is softer and more humanlike, and they have five digits on each appendage. Their faces always have humanlike skin tones, which can extend to any amount of the lower body and replace the natural body coloration in those areas. The Mane form usually lacks a tail and body fins, but not always - they can sometimes have one or the other, usually if they're inexperienced with mastering this form. In addition, the microstar's heat is lessened to a non-hazardous level, but at the cost of most of the Nebulon's power. They cannot create aethergates or release bursts of aether to defend themselves, so Nebulon who prefer this form often choose to take up martial training.

Transforming into and out of Terran form takes a significant amount of effort for a Nebulon, especially those in the younger life-stages. It can take over a day to fully transform and requires a large amount of aether, either stored in the microstar or in a large supply of aether crystals. Taking up a Terran form is a significant choice if a Nebulon wishes to visit the pearls, and they often choose to stay in these forms for long periods of time.

Note: Some older Nebulon designs reflect aspects of both forms. This is possible, but less common than Dracane or Mane forms and tends to be a result of the Nebulon's own experimentation. These are now considered legacy forms and are unique to the designs that possess those forms.

Nebulon are a closed species belonging to me, al-kem-y !

Join our Discord! discord.gg/93zg2gw