Calipedes

Welcome to the wonderful world of Calipedes! Calipedes (or Critters) are a semi-open species! Though they have a very silly and whimsical appearance, the world of Calipedes isn't all it seems, holding some horror elements... These are completely optional to engage with, though! We have a detailed and ever-expanding lore which you may choose to participate in if you please or can ignore altogether. The world of Calipedes has several subspecies, pet and predatory species, and even custom flora!We have roleplay channels, artists making adopts, raffles for in-game currency and characters, and more just waiting to be explored. Horror takes inspiration from The Backrooms and more!

Requirements to Join

Though there are other rules pertaining to Calipedes, the base requirements are as follows.

If this sounds good to you, check out our full rules (linked via button above) and then hop in the discord server!

• Discord!

If this link doesn't work, DM Soleiilune on Discord for an invite!

Trait Directory & Info

What is a trait?

Traits are the features that can be modified on your critter! They come in a variety of rarities, indicated by their stamp color/pattern.

How do traits work?

Each Critter starts with set traits determined by the level of MYO used to create them. An MYO allows infinite (barring redundancies like two ear types) traits of its own rarity and lower to be placed on a Calipede at creation. For example: a Rare MYO allows a Calipede to be made with Rare, Uncommon, and Common traits.To remove or replace an existing trait, you must buy the design paintbrush from Tinker's Shop + have a trait item ready to replace it (with an exception for Arcanic traits)! Grim's Scalpel can be used to create asymmetrical traits, such as one webbed wing and one feathered wing.Trait items are stamps, usually purchasable with in-game currency (earned for participation, via raffles, etc!) or USD.Arcanic traits are earned through progression with the Arcanic quests.

• Head
• Body
• Tail
• Seasonal
• Arcanic Traits
• Illness and Injury

Head Traits

Arcanic Upgrades

Body Traits

Tail Traits

Seasonal Upgrades

Injury and Illness

Rules and Guides

Character Creation Guide

When submitting a critter for approval, either via MYO, adopt, etc, you must submit the character to toyhouse under the account you're registering with us. The image uploaded must be a full body, feral or anthro, with all anatomy criteria met. No clothes or accessories are allowed (minus any mobility aids, provided they don't interfere with the visibility of the ref.)You must put the following in the description of the toyhouse page. It needs to be in this order and cannot be within a larger code (for ease of staff reading; if you'd like to implement a larger code, feel free to put required info in a tab!)Character name:
Pronouns:
ID: (leave blank, you'll get this at approval!)
Magic type (Adult characters only, delete for Nymphs!)
Traits: Follow the format [trait name] ([rarity])!Then post the toyhouse link to the approval channel and wait for staff review! You may only bump these after 48 hours.

Currency Guide!

Caps are our USD-equivalent currency! Many adopts and most shops will take Caps as a form of currency with a ratio of 2 caps to 1 US Dollar. They can be earned through quests, raffles, monthly prompts, etc and can be used at the shops and exchanged between users! Though they're not the easiest to get (to encourage participation with the species), Caps can be earned in a variety of ways, so make sure to explore your options!Ways to earn Caps include:

The World of Calipedes

Overview

The past?

The story of the Calipedes begins on the International Space Station with a cluster of tardigrades. There the creatures rest, deep in cryptobiosis, oblivious to all around them. Down, miles and miles below them, tensions rose. Humans began to fight. They started by shouting, mere disagreements popping up between leaders across the Earth. Then, as though they'd all been waiting for a reason to stoop to violence, a world war broke loose. It escalated quickly, with nuclear warfare being released on populations. Oblivious to the rapid extinction of humans, the tardigrades continued onward.Slowly, the power to the ISS faltered, then the air flow, then the simulated gravity. The century that followed saw the slow decay of the station, parts loosening and breaking in disuse until the ISS came crashing down to earth. Deep in a now abandoned continent, a chunk of metal that happened to house the colony of tardigrades crashed unceremoniously to the ground. Nearby, a jagged chasm sliced further into the earth than any eye could possibly see. Like an x-shaped wound, the chasm was pitch-black even where light should reach and emitted a glowing miasma. The Arcane drifting from the chasm and lingering radiation from the soil came together, transforming them at a biological level. The beings that emerged from the ground were no longer microscopic, but instead furred, animalistic, conscious things with teeth, eyes, paws, ears, and tails.
They knew they existed in a way only humans ever had.And so, like the humans that destroyed the ground beneath them so long ago, they named themselves. And they were called Calipedes.

The present?

Calipedes are social creatures that have by and large settled in Rifthaven, a city centered around the Rift.By the time the Calipedes crashed, the dust had settled and the planet had changed. With it, The Rift opened, bringing the arcane into the world. The tangles of magic and remnants of the weapons used to destroy the world transformed the things on its surface, making it completely unrecognizable. While some things were restored to new life, the radiation was also held dormant by the Arcana in the air.The Calipedes settled in a city around that chasm, which came to be known as The Rift. The Rift stretches widely in each cardinal direction, a deep and nondescript gouge in the earth. Nothing thrown down it returns or makes a sound. Light shone into it does not reflect any sort of cavern walls, instead dying as if at the surface of a black hole. The Rift gives off a purple glow, despite its ability to eat light around it. It is the source of all magic, however, so they've made their home around the thing. Bridges stretch across the chasm, connecting the land that's quartered. A densely-packed city sits close to the center of the Rift, where most Calipedes live. Sparser suburbs and farmland spread out from the city, though. The bounds of Rifthaven are defined by a magically-enforced energy field that keeps most dangers outside.

The Arcane

What is Arcane magic?

The arcane exists as a form of magic. It came from The Rift, which serves as the epicenter of the arcane. Calipedes can willingly harness the arcane in spells, but they're also biologically predisposed to it; the 10 conduits on the body (6 on the flank, 2 on the head, 2 on the tail) hold the arcana a Calipede can use. These both harness and protect the Calipede; without these anchors, the magic would overwhelm their body and create instability, possibly damaging or even killing the Calipede.There are 4 base arcanic types that a Calipede can be born with:Core arcana focuses on the earth. Magic in this discipline is largely used defensively (harnessing the properties of stone and metal as armor) and for the fortification of structures. The most notable spells cast by Core magic users include finding precious minerals, producing large spikes of earth, and producing metal. Critters who work with the core arcana are seen as down-to-earth and rugged.Sea arcana focuses on water. The magic used here manipulates ice and liquid water and this discipline focuses largely on exploration skills- long journeys are aided by knowing there will always be a reliable source of water, after all! Critters with this focus also tend to explore underwater ruins, thrive in the swamps, and do well in jobs where water flow is important (infrastructure planning, farming, etc). Many of their most important spells include calling water from the earth or sky, turning water to ice in combat, and making themselves temporarily able to breathe underwater. These critters are stereotyped as being go-with-the-flow, adventurous, and creative.Sky arcana focuses on the manipulation of wind, weather, and air. Their most important spellwork tends to include creating storms during drought periods (with the help of Sea magi), the manipulation of lightning, and making themselves temporarily able to fly. Their magic is almost entirely offensive in battle. Sky magi are seen as fierce, easily-provoked, and powerful. They usually work in positions that see a lot of conflict, such as guarding or patrolling.Surface arcana involves the manipulation of plants and animals. These magi can foster the growth of plants, communicate long distances through root systems, and have intense empathy with animals. It's a useful trait to have in agriculture and exploration, where understanding the natural world around you can be life or death. Surface magi are seen as pushovers, calm, and empathetic.But there are more types of magic to be discovered...

Calipedes

Anatomy

Calipedes are very biologically flexible creatures, capable of switching between walking on their hind legs or all fours at will. Their DNA is very malleable and built to adapt to their environment, so a Calipede's adaptations and appearance will change drastically during their lifetime. All Calipedes share in a few basic traits, however. These include conduits, a storage system on the outside of the body that allows a Calipede to harness the arcane. Without conduits, arcanic energy would store itself in the Calipede's body, an amount of energy which isn't sustainable and would quickly destroy the Calipede's internal organs. There are 6 conduits on the core body, symmetrically distributed around the spine, placed on the flank or back. Then there is a Stinger conduit located at or near the tip of the tail, (which can be split into multiple individual conduits, by default it is two on a standard Calipede) and two antennae on the head. While these can be placed and shaped in different ways depending on the individual, they are critical to the Calipede way of life.Calipedes are relatively small, standing at the shoulder at about 4-4.5' on average when on all fours, 5-7' on hind legs.

Life Cycle

A Calipede begins its life within an egg, though that term is used... lightly, to say the least. On account of the effects of both nuclear radiation and the effects of the arcane on the body, Calipedes lack functioning reproductive organs! Instead, any two Calipedes will find a reasonably sized (think watermelon) hollow object and use magic to fertilize it. The object is filled with a Reproductive Elixir and both parents place biological matter (usually blood) into the solution. The egg is then fertilized and is closed, where it will need to be kept warm for 4 months before it can hatch. The elixir naturally thins the exterior of whatever object formed the "shell" of the egg (making it increasingly fragile throughout incubation) so that the nymph may emerge without fear of suffocation.Nymphs are born fragile, with closed eyes and small, folded ears, alongside having 4 legs and 2 tail stingers, but no flank conduits. Additionally, their antennae are curled atop their head. They spend the next few months developing, growing into their limbs and opening their eyes and ears. They also will experience some changes during this time, though mutations are generally mild in nature and not very impressive.When they are ready, Nymphs will go through a metamorphosis. Ceremonially, it's traditional that friends and family help them build a cocoon to nest in for their metamorphosis. This is a dome woven from various materials about twice the size of its eventual inhabitant. At the time of metamorphosis, a nymph will crawl inside and begin to transform, a period of time during which they will go "dormant" for a period of a week, emerging with their adult traits at the end. This process can only happen when a critter truly feels safe, as the process of metamorphosis is very delicate and involves their body being defenseless for a long period of time. Traditions regarding this time vary between different families, but often it's traditional for gifts to be left for the emerging critter (often those used in home-making, as the transition to adulthood means they're now likely to live on their own) and for them to be talked to through the dome.An adult Calipede emerges from their cocoon with unfurled antennae, the ability to use arcane magic, and sometimes a new set of limbs. Their bodies are more developed and they've sprouted 6 flank conduits as well. An adult Calipede will go into the world, find an occupation, and find their own place in Rifthaven and the wider world. Calipedes do not noticeably age after the point of metamorphosis, remaining fit and young indefinitely.

Illness and Injuries

Calipedes are very durable due to their innate magic. They can withstand extreme conditions and injury without succumbing. Whether it be holding their breath for long periods of time, surviving extreme amounts of blood loss or traumatic injury, or subzero temperatures, Calipedes are capable of enduring much. While not invincible, Calipedes don't die of "natural causes"/aging, as their natural regeneration will keep their bodies in a state of healthy adulthood indefinitely. Extreme trauma can also do a critter in, but it takes a lot to kill one. This doesn't mean extreme injury doesn't happen, however. Though they may survive, magic can't always repair a mangled or destroyed body part, especially if it's biologically complex. Eyes and limbs especially have a hard time regenerating once lost, usually impossible to repair. The same goes with severe head trauma and spinal damage, both of which are very complex and difficult to repair smoothly or without inadvertently worsening. Sickness and infection do happen, but are less severe than in other species.The most frequent cause of death for a Calipede is the removal of one or more of their conduits from the body. Without their conduits, a Calipede not only has impacted access to and control of their magic (including their natural healing abilities), but are also prone to being overwhelmed by the arcane.

Traits

Though the standard traits of a Calipede are very simple, Rifthaven reveals that many critters do not follow this reputation remotely. Instead, critters with horns, wings, many tails, short fur, and strange features can be seen roaming the streets of Rifthaven. Why is this?Traits are a natural part of the Calipede life cycle! They're a part of what makes a Calipede so adaptable: the ability to change their traits to fit their environment as seen fit. This can take many forms, and many Calipedes have traits for all sorts of reasons. For some, it was a choice, for some the change symbolizes an internal metamorphosis made physical, and some traits may be spurred by trauma as a survival response. Often the traits are just acquired by a change in lifestyle, as an adaptation to a new environment. Traits stem from all sorts of places depending on the critter and circumstance. Some reasons are deeper than others, and some are completely inexplicable.

Character Creation Lore

Stuck on building a backstory or lore for your Calipede? Here's our guide!

A Nymph might have been hatched in Rifthaven, and what they're up to can be up to you! Maybe they have loving parents and a nice home in the capitol, or were abandoned/orphaned and live in The Sanctuary! Perhaps they've run away from home and are working pity jobs out in the rural areas, or have been caught messing with the borders multiple times now. Nymphs don't come out of nowhere, who are your Nymph's parents? Maybe they were part of the Guard's Guild and killed on a mission, or they went (or were dragged) into the Rift and never returned. Maybe they're present and loving (or not!), in which case you can either make them unofficial NPCs (unable to be counted for Tabs) or made official through an MYO! Nymphs are as capable as adults of having interests and complicated relationships with those around them, so feel free to explore that! You are also always welcome to headcanon a relationship between your Calipede and an NPC!Adults can similarly have been born and raised in Rifthaven to some capacity. They can also be Riftborne, however. The Riftborne are critters that came out of the depths of the Rift, often with memories of past lives. Officially, this is considered to be a symptom of Riftsickness, delusions caused by the Arcana well... but who knows whether the officials in charge of such documentation tell the truth or not. Regardless, many Riftborne critters remember past lives, and not necessarily those that ended in death. For many Riftborne, their previous lives ended in being dragged into an infinite darkness, only to awaken in a new place, crawling out of the rift and into the capital of Rifthaven. They don't remember their time between lives, either.[Riftborne Critter lore can be pretty expansive and isn't heavily monitored by staff! You can create a detailed web of interconnected lives, or leave it pretty simple. You can also make a Calipede who's been a Calipede before, having been reincarnated days or even years after their previous death/disapearance. The only limit here is that CBCs cannot have "past lives" that are their literal Character Source (ie: Bakugo CBC is Riftborne and was previously living as Literally Bakugo from MHA), for the sake of not breaking intellectual property rights. They can be inspired, however, 100%.]Regardless of being born-n-bred in Rifthaven or having crawled out from the eldritch hole that the Calipedes find shelter around, all Critters come from somewhere, have people who care about them, and are doing things with their lives. Explore some ideas for occupation, hobbies, and life goals or traumatic backstory! Roleplay with other members and participate in quests! There's plenty of ways to build a backstory for your Calipede, and you can always ask the server for advice for a jumping-off point!

Beastiary

Guilds and Organizations

Guilds describe a network of Calipedes that serve a variety of purposes around Rifthaven. There are often many critters in each as a sort of alternative to the standard job options.
While the first guild is open to all critters, we will have some later that require special invitation...More will open after Adventurer's Guild has test run some features for a bit!

Guild Mechanics

Each month, the Job Board will post 1 Quest for each guild. These will be higher effort, higher reward quests. Each critter can only be registered to 1 Guild. A given critter must be an adult in order to qualify for a guild membership.
Despite having a "bounty", each quest can be completed by any amount of guild members (and by the same user, granted they have multiple critters in the guild). It is not first-come-first-serve.For a given quest, you will complete the assigned work (2 characters on a complex background, 1k words, etc) and submit it to the quest thread. Regardless of how you roll following this, you will receive the bounty for the prompt.
Then, we will roll a d100. The higher you roll, the better rewards you get. Your rolls can be boosted by:
The presence of a pet adds 5 per pet to your roll. These must be registered (created via MYO or as an adopt) pets.
Arcanic magic being used (and depicted) adds damage depending on the Critter's skill level, not the spell used at present. A Novice Arcanist will have 1d6 added to their total, an Expert will have 1d8, and a Master will have 1d10.All rolls will be done using a dice bot in-server.

Guilds

All information regarding party size and guild culture is for gauging which guild suits a character best, given their personality and skills! The flavor text has no mechanical bearing, however.

The Adventurer's Guild [OPEN]

The "Odds-n-ends" guild of Rifthaven, the Adventurer's guild works equally on private and public contract. Sometimes they fulfill jobs for the people of Rifthaven, sometimes they're on orders from the City. Regardless, they're pretty much always jobs that require critters to leave the bounds of the city and its safe zone, exploring the ruins beyond. This guild is good for those with a deep sense of wanderlust, those who need to explore and find new things, and those with a nonexistent sense of self-preservation. The Adventurer's guild members tend to see themselves as some sort of big family, and it's very rare for a critter to be sent alone; most job fulfillments see parties of 4-8 being sent out.To join, users are prompted to draw their critter in attire appropriate for an adventure! This is a pretty loose prompt and can consist of just about anything, depending on what "preparedness" means to your critter! The guild isn't very strict, and certainly isn't one to turn away eager help...

The Riftjumper's Guild [Closed]

Dedicated to gaining knowledge and understanding of the Rift, this guild specializes in sending teams into the horrifying pit that quarters the city. The job is dangerous but always exciting. It's similarly enticing to those with little sense of self-preservation and less waiting for them at home. It's also a great option for the scientifically minded, as research and notable findings within the rift serve as a great entry point to deeper scientific discovery... and the attention of those in power. The Riftjumper's Guild tends to be more friendly to those who prefer their own solitude, as explorations and jobs are usually only attended by groups of 1-3 Critters.

The Restoration Project [Closed]

The Restoration Project critters have dedicated their work to making discoveries about the civilization before them, learning about the history of the natural world and beginning to attempt its recovery. These are historians whose life goal is the acquisition of understanding who lived before them and what happened to their world. Their missions are a bit on the tamer side, involving parties being sent to the cities and towns in search of new information, but encouraging researchers to shy away from fights and danger. Exploration parties are usually well-funded by the city itself and often include upwards of 10 critters.

Rifthaven

City Overview

The name Rifthaven refers to the entire Calipede state: city and outskirts. Rifthaven is protected by a magical forcefield called Atheri's Wall, a massive magic border that repels living things from passing through. It stands at an impressive 200 ft tall, making it impossible to pass through for most creatures that might seek out Calipedes as prey. Any flying hostiles are handled by various guilds, who either guard the wall itself or seek out predatory creatures who've made their home too close to Rifthaven for comfort. Checkpoints (places of passage through the wall) exist at the furthest ordinal points of the border. Critters may move freely in and out of the wall through these. From one end to the other, the perfectly circular border has a diameter of roughly 26 miles.The outskirts of Rifthaven are known as the Farmflats, and their use is somewhat implied by that. The production districts lay here, with most of the land being dedicated to farms and ranches responsible for much of the food and textiles material within Rifthaven. Some small suburbs exist out here, too, with small neighborhoods being built around 1-2 larger farms. Folks from the Farmflats respect the value of loyalty, hard work, and community.The Capital of Rifthaven sits within a deepset crater about 200 feet deep and 8 miles wide. The walls, which aren't terribly steep, are home to most of the inner city housing. Residences are stacked high and close together, with informal pathways born from frequent use instead of proper city planning. Houses are added where they can as new Calipedes show up to occupy them, and many travel via ramshackle paths between roofs instead of the ground.The inner capital is home to the industrial district and shops closer to the housing area, with the Rift itself being surrounded by government buildings such as the Sanctuary and the labs. The Rift stretches through most of this lower area, with short (non-magical) walls preventing Critters from slipping into the deep wound in the earth. Stretching a few miles in length and some hundreds of feet in width at its widest, occasional bridges pass over the Rift. Given the brick wall that protects the inhabitants of Rifthaven from its namesake, passage over one of these such bridges is one of the only ways Critters generally manage a good look at the Rift.The population of Rifthaven is estimated at roughly 120,000 Critters, including those under the care of the Sanctuary.

Political Structure

Rifthaven's political structure is democratic! Every year they vote for a new leader, the Keeper of Rifthaven. These votes are held depending on a set of physical and mental trials, as not only is the Keeper expected to make the political decisions, but also to be the front of any military assembly. They make all executive decisions for the city and oversee operations within Rifthaven's borders.Second in influence to the Keeper are the head scientist, healer, arcanist, society leads, and producer's union. These critters influence decisions made in the city by speaking to their specialty and insights. As well, any critter can attend a meeting of the council and speak their voice (during given speaking times) to get involved!

Political Structure

Rifthaven as a city is incredibly ramshackle. Its buildings take inspiration from tudor designs, but the buildings are closely assembled and there's no true planning behind the city's assembly. Homes are build awkwardly with bricks and whatever materials are available. The city is densely packed and only easily traversed by someone who has lived there a long time; often the easiest route through the city is by shortcuts over rooftops and through alleyways. The city is overrun with plant life, as well. Utterly verdant, all matter of plants thrive on the roofs, in the patios, and growing on the walls of Rifthaven's buildings.

Jobs and Roles

Rifthaven operates under a vaguely communistic structure; everyone has to pull their weight to the best of their ability, but everyone is cared for, too. Anyone without somewhere to go (especially abandoned or orphaned nymphs) has a home in the Sanctuary, a massive compound formed out of an abandoned bunker (since expanded into a complex tunnel system). The Sanctuary has caregivers responsible for all sorts of maintenance within the Sanctuary; production of food, distribution of goods, child-rearing, etc. These critters are highly trusted because resources within Rifthaven - especially old-world materials they can't recreate yet - are very limited.Farmers and ranchers are very highly valued within Rifthaven. Other jobs include arcanists (those who focus on the development of magic), scientists, scavengers, and riftrunners. You also see a wide variety of standard jobs such as welders, carpenters, etc.Scavengers specialize in leaving the city's boundary and exploring outside, usually in search of resources. They deal with dangerous creatures the whole way through, as well as crumbling architecture and the dangers of the wasteland. This is the only way that Calipedes have access to many resources, however, so it's a very necessary job.Riftrunners do very much the same job as Scavengers, but instead they're entrusted with keeping those inside the rift inside, occasionally venturing into the rift themselves.

Holidays and Tradition

Harvest Fest & Hallow's Eve

October is the season of the harvest! It's a very busy time as everyone helps the farmers to prepare their crops for a big feast on Hallow's Eve! The Harvest fest involves music, dances, family activities, and all manners of getting the community involved. It's a warm time of year where the community comes together to celebrate the changing seasons and prepare for winter. On Hallow's Eve itself, all critters (especially nymphs!) are encouraged to dress up in silly costumes. It's only a fun tradition, there's no real reason for it, surely...

Hearthmoon

Hearthmoon happens in late December - early January, celebrating the community of Rifthaven through the hardest seasons of the year, and the struggles that come with that. Hearthmoon is two weeks of festivities that focus on spending time with loved ones, giving back to the community, and helping each other. It also is a time of displaying bravery; as resources run thin, brave volunteers must venture into the wastelands - ever more dangerous in the cold - and bring resources back for the city.Hearthmoon is also a time for celebrating the dead, as the death of the plants and silence of life that accompanies a harsh winter seems to bring spirits closer to home. Necromancer Arcanists often perform large displays where ghosts are made visible as apparitions to speak with their loved ones. During this time, sensitive critters may even look for unaccompanied souls - those who died so long ago they have no remaining connections, orphans, and those who were alone in life - and seek to help put them to rest. Whilst seeing the ghost of a loved one is a cherished moment, it's equally as celebrated when a ghost no longer appears, signaling that the dead one has moved on into whatever speculative afterlife awaits.

The Wild Hunt

Though spring brings new births and a time of flourishing for those within Rifthaven, the same is true for its enemies... a militia is formed of willing critters to go outside of Rifthaven's borders and systematically thin the populations of predators that might otherwise threaten to overwhelm the energy barrier around Rifthaven. The Wild Hunt is a long journey around the outskirts of the barrier, killing any potential threats whilst also searching for any potential resources unearthed by the winter.Within the bounds of Rifthaven, those waiting for the Hunt to return prepare a feast and gifts for the hunters, as well as helping healers to prepare for any injuries. There is a big celebration when the Hunt returns, signaling the beginning of a new year.

Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice is a night of festivities! The Carnival comes to town and the longest day of summer is spent playing games, having fun, and enjoying the warmth. Many critters try to stay up the whole night long celebrating, carrying their festivities to dawn. Akin to the old-world tradition of fairs, the carnival sports performers, entertainment, and ill-conceived food!Summer also brings a celebration of the differences between critters. A brief festival is held in the center of the city, showcasing the diversity Rifthaven holds so dear to its heart. This usually occurs a little earlier in the summer than Solstice.

Curses

Curses are medical afflictions gained through contact with a cursed individual. They’re like an arcanic disease, affecting the body’s connection to the arcane and changing their body involuntarily. Each Curse has 3 “Safe” stages, with each progression of the curse’s effect chipping away further and further at a critter’s mind and sense of self.At stage one of a curse, a Calipede experiences unusual urges and mild symptoms. They usually aren’t in severe pain or unduly agitated and are fully of their own mind, though an affected critter may behave oddly, experiencing harmless but strange new behaviors.At stage two, the progression of the curse leads to more discomfort in one’s own body and the urges get harder to resist. These are not yet compulsions, but take mental effort to work against. The symptoms may be causing erratic behavior and levels of pain.At stage three, a Calipede becomes increasingly agitated, likely to lash out. Strong force of will dictates whether or not they become violent, giving in to the intense urges. Curses at this stage can be nearly unbearable, with significant pain and bodily discomfort. They also experience brain fog, leading to bouts of amnesia and confusion.After stage three, a Calipede’s curse cannot be returned from. The mind gives in and the body follows shortly, with the calipede transforming into something completely alien. They become almost completely unrecognizable. They attack with little discretion.Mechanically, curses change the Arcanic color temporarily, with it reverting back to its original color when cured. The Arcanic color change affects all conduits (tail, sides, antennae) and scars, which should become a lighter or darker shade of the new color. While cursed, each stage progresses on a bi-monthly basis; you optionally move from stage 1 to stage 2, two months after you got stage 1. The progression of curses moves through art and writing prompts. How far you take the lore implications is up to you, but note that for the time being, Grimoire has yet to discover how to cure these afflictions.

Current Known Curses

Moonbound Curse
Magic spreads artificial adrenaline through the critter’s endocrine system and makes the body consume more energy than usual, often requiring a high protein diet to keep up with increased caloric demand. Cursed calipedes often experience intense craving that can result in violent urges. Extended periods of fasting like sleep drastically increase violent impulses and behavior.
Arcanic Anemia
Increased blood loss results in a type of anemia. Cursed critters struggle to stay warm and often feel faint. Victims also experience extreme hunger and desire for the blood of others in response to their own deficit.

• learn more about cursed traits!

Locations

Beyond the wall...

Sporeglow Valley
Bordering the outskirts of Rifthaven, Sporeglow Valley is home to huge, oversized mushrooms and various forms of mega- flora and fauna. It's relatively safe, as the small size of Calipedes compared to everything else makes them infrequent targets of predation. Several medicinal herbs are gathered here, and cultivation efforts have been made to move some of the mushrooms into Rifthaven as safe and ethical food sources.Dryrot Plains
The Dryrot Plains is a war-ravaged plain. The sun beats down on travelers and little defense is offered from flying predators or unpleasant weather. A massive river runs through the plain, etching the path most travelers follow. Some quintessential herbs can be found here, as well as several species of grazing animal. Though it's not a pleasant biome, it's home to the most intact Human cities and relics, and is often the only option when seeking Human items Calipedes are unable to produce.Darkwood
The Darkwood is a thick forest with a nearly impenetrable canopy. Its inhabitants are largely light sensitive, so travelers making their way through the wood need to do so by darkness; else they risk unwanted attention.The Marsh
The Marsh is what it sounds like; a big, wet plain that's rather inconvenient to traverse by foot. Within it lurks many ocean-dwellers, alongside dangerous plants. It's an inhospitable place that travelers loathe being assigned to attend.Silverblood Lake
Silverblood Lake was named such for the fact that it's made up of an iron-rich substance not unlike blood. Traveling to Silverblood Lake, though unpleasant, is necessary when dealing with Curses, as the blood-like substance is essential to several tested treatments.Leviathan Range
The Leviathan Range is a towering mountain range that sections off Calipedes from whatever lay to the West. They're inhospitable and dangerous to travel; very few exploration parties have made it through unharmed. Whatever's past them, they're currently deemed unworthy of the risk it poses to attempt crossing.Desert
The land here is arid and devoid of water, consisting at first of dry, arid desert land to sandy hills. What lives there is fierce and hostile towards intruders.

The Rift...

The Rift is a dark wound in the ground that emits a purple glowing haze. It is the birthplace of the Arcane and the source of all Calipedes' powers.Entering The Rift transports you into a new world. Each is its own liminal space, a half-baked dimension that lacks the solid quality of home. Riftjumpers are skilled professionals who've become accustomed to entering The Rift.Each world of the Rift is relatively small, no larger than Rifthaven itself and usually very much smaller than that. These dimensions are small, limited, and hold access to several materials that Calipedes themselves cannot yet produce, especially technologically speaking. The worlds are not spacially similar or close, and though there is a growing collection of documented worlds they do not appear in any set order. To leave a world, one must pass through some sort of threshold; whether it be a trapdoor, a full door, or a window; it must be an understood method of entering one space and leaving another. Not every door or similar instance will be the exit, however. These exits are called "Effective Portals" and are 2-way; returning through a previously entered portal will take you back to its source World. In the common Worlds, explorers have left instructions and pathways. To exit the Rift altogether, one must find "Rift Rips"; fissures in the World with similar properties to the Calipedes' Rift. These return the Calipede back to their own world.Not everyone is so lucky as to be thrown into their own world, however. Riftborn Critters are those who appear to have spawned within the Rift, or entered it by mistake. They may remember having lived a life before the Rift, but they've exited into the Calipede world, one not their own.