- yamabiko (山彦) :
- 1) a mountain god, spirit, and yōkai in japanese folklore, often resembling a cross between a dog and a monkey
2) the phenomenon of a delayed echo in mountains and valleys, thought to be the spirits answering
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rules :
- by adopting a yamabiko, you're agreeing to the following terms.
• do not claim this species as your own creation. yamabiko were created by my brother and I.
• yamabiko are a closed species, meaning you cannot make your own. you can only adopt pre-made designs.
• you may adopt a maximum of three yamabiko. this number may be raised over time :)
• yamabiko cannot breed as of right now. fake/'illegal' children may not be created.
• be kind to fellow yamabiko community members! no trash-talking, hate, or bullying will be tolerated here.
• do not ask to be yamabiko staff. if I ever decide to hire in the future, I will open applications.
• this is an lgbtqa+-friendly species. don't like it, don't adopt a yamabiko.
• I (palla) have the right to ban any person from this species who breaks these rules/terms.
• I (palla) have the right to confiscate and readopt a yamabiko from any user who breaks these rules/terms.
yamabiko are meant to be a stress-free species for me during my illnesses. they were created because I had to resign from my artist positions for other species due to time restraints I couldn't keep up with; however, I didn't want to give up closed species entirely since designing is something I really enjoy. that's why they're all easy-to-judge competitions and I'm the only staff member, putting adopts up at my own pace. I'd appreciate it if you could respect that! please don't cause me any extra stress as it makes my illnesses worse and could legitimately send me to the emergency room again. thanks guys!
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what are yamabiko? :
- yamabiko are rare creatures nicknamed after the spirits in japanese folklore. due to the slow ways they move and the properties of their fur, they are perfect habitats for plants to grow on, similar to algae growing on sloths. these plants camouflage the yamabiko, making them hard to spot from a distance. they also have spiral horns similar to those seen on antelopes. it is currently unknown how this mutation came about, what animals they evolved from, or what animals they are related to. yamabiko are currently protected animals and may not be hunted; their fur is worthless anyway due to the plant growth and soil that clings to it, but their horns are valuable and sought after by collectors. it is believed, but not scientifically proven, that all yamabiko are biologically genderless/agender.
yamabiko remained undiscovered in the wild until extreme habitat loss and urbanization brought them closer to humans in 2032, when they were first discovered in japan and soon after that the rest of the world. it is rumored that they are blessed, godly creatures with magic powers sent from the heavens, sacred protectors of flora and fauna that punish those who destroy the environment. anyone who sees one will either receive a blessing of their own or fall victim to a deadly curse depending on their own personality alignment and intentions. yamabiko are known to return actions: be kind and they'll be kind, be harmful and they'll be harmful. they aren't bad to others unless those people are bad to them first. many smaller villages pray to the yamabiko, leaving out offerings of food and clean water at religious temples in the hope that the spirits will protect them and their harvests. it is currently unknown if yamabiko actually need to eat or drink or if these offerings are taken by the local wildlife instead.
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traits :
- required - spiral horns, plant growth on upper side (type often depends on the biome they live in)
common - minor magic (conjure stars/sparkles, heal wounds, etc), insect companions
uncommon - ear edits, non-living objects on back (rocks, logs, dead branches, feathers, bones, gems, etc), heterochromia
rare - animal companions, permanently closed eyes, blindness
legendary - powerful magic (mind control, control weather, etc)
illegal - non-plant body mods (hair, tails, wings, extra limbs, etc), non-natural items/decor (jewelry, fabrics, etc)
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how to adopt :
- all competitions to adopt a yamabiko are raffles. simply fill out the provided form on a yamabiko's page and post it there, then I will randomly roll a winner after the end date. yamabiko are meant to be a stress-free species for me during my illnesses, so unfortunately right now no other adoption methods are available and there will be no regular creation/design schedule. yamabiko may be posted multiple times a day or once a month depending on how ill I feel that day and how bored I get while home sick. my apologies for any hassle this may cause!
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