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 Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 1:50 am
Hello and welcome to Nel's hunt for the elusive Secretary Bird.
Here you can find all the plans she has for the development of the captured DNA's future along with the caretaker
she hopes to provide the creature with.
Please note that the Hraapea image is simply a vague image of what is imagined.
As I chose to quest for a semi-custom, I know that my little boy won't turn out exactly as I imagined.
But that's the fun of it!
Luca's information appearance-wise it just what my ideal outcome would be with some details that I find suitable for the bird.
However, the artist's eye is better than my own, so I trust your judgment before mine.
[ A P P R O V E D ]
- s t a t u s -
completed
- w a n t i n g -
semi custom
- a s k i n g -
any artist
- p r i c i n g -
two million
- f u n d i n g -
one million
- d o n a t i n g -
Plummy Lovelace - 150k <3
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 2:09 am
Name:
Secretary Bird
Scientific Name:
Sagittarius Serpentarius
Distinctive Features:
● Strong black muscular legs.
● Long black feathers on head.
● Large wing span with black tips.
● Eyes rimmed in orange/yellow.
● Long tail feathers.
Colours:
● Black.
● White.
● Gray.
● Orange.
● Yellow
● Red.
Reference Pictures:
● [x]
● [x]
● [x]
● [x]
● [x]
● [x]
● [x]
Behaviour:
Secretary Birds prefer to stay on the ground, only climbing to air when the necessity arises. They carry themselves well upon such long legs, walking large distances each day. Their strong legs are also used to catch prey. Their main source of food are snakes, along with other reptiles and amphibians. They also consume small mammals and young game birds. Secretary Birds are very territorial. Once they have found a mate they will claim - and defend - an area between 50 and 500 kilometres.
Reproduction:
Secretary Birds are monogamous, picking one mate for the duration of their life. An impressive courtship displayed when the time comes. High-flying acrobatics are made; They fly high, dive down and soar up again. Another method is darting through tall grasses with their wings held above their backs while making croaking sounds. Once a mate has been found, they claim a territory in which they hunt. Depending on the amount of food there will determine its size.
Nests are generally made in large acacia trees which are abundant in their Sub-Saharan Africa surroundings. They flatten the tops of the tree to form a platform in which they build a large nest. Secretary Birds are one of the few birds which roost in their night all year round - they generally return to roost around sunset. The large nest houses both birds and will house two to three eggs once the summer rains have arrived. They can breed at any time of the year, but it is dependant on the availability of food. During the summer rains there is often abundant food.
Young Secretary Birds grow quickly, able to consume large prey as early as a few weeks. Only for the first while will the parents provide partially digested food to the chicks. After about 8 to 9 weeks the chicks will learn to fly and use their legs. Their growth depends on the amount of food,
Sources:
● [x]
● [x]
● [x]
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 2:11 am
  
Name:
Luca
Means:
Shine
Gender:
Male
Eye Colour:
A brown-orange with flecks of bright yellow.
Hair Colour:
Short silvery-white with strange long strands of black.
Details:
● Necklace with a single white and black feather.
● Pair of yellow-orange glasses with orange-tinted lenses.
● Shirt: Gray outside, black inside.
Crystal:
Moonstone/Onyx/Diamond
Stats:
HP: 12
CP: 9
ENG: 9
Personality:
Luca is a deceiving person. Being quite the smooth-talker he can manage to slip out of (and into) many situations. Often times he appears to be a quiet boy studying off in the corner, but what lies beneath that mask of passivity is something far more mischievous. To those unaware, he could pass by as the kind boy of the Alto Inn. However, those who have mustered the courage to speak to him have learned of his quirks.
He is definitely a flirt. If he encounters a pretty face, he'll instantly fake his way through a conversation. For him, relationships are casual. Friendships are for convenience. But there is another side to him. While Luca can be classed as a jerk, he may be charmed. In few cases, a friendship he decides to create may become a true connection. Only then will his true personality shine through.
Luca can be a compassionate and kind person once his mask has been shattered. In this state he is much more reasonable and could even be classified as an easy-going person. While still a little rough on the edges, he does struggle with expressing himself. The arrogant cover he uses is mostly a protection of sorts. It provides a solid shell that hides his emotions and prevents his own feelings from being damaged. Thus he is rather resentful when someone cracks his mask.
On the side, Luca can be found often reading books. Scarlett taught him all she could about the art of reading - her own schooling was a little lacking. However, he often picks up books and while he may not understand all of it, he still enjoys the act of reading. In his time alone Luca will devour many books, reading with intense focus. He could even be called a bookworm of sorts.
Likes:
Girls, being snarky, the outdoors, books.
Dislikes:
Boys, nosy people, being cooped up inside.
Roleplay Example:
Luca licked the stray grain of rice off his lip, relishing the final taste of his dinner. The teenage boy pushed away from the worn table and gave his 'mother' a smirk. "A tad dry." A scowling face brought a silent joy to the boy as he let his bowl and fork clatter into the sink. Orange eyes followed Luca as he left the dining room, chores unfinished. Pierced ears caught the remnants of an exasperated sigh seconds before the door shut behind him. He paused. Silvery hair fell before his eyes, creating a curtain over his hung head. Damn. Guilt spread through him like a disease, telling him what he had done was wrong. Grudgingly he stalked back into the room and begun to clear the table, attacking the messes with an old cloth
From the corner of his eye he spied a rather impressed Scarlett leaning against a wall. "I see you found your manners, Luca." She said, almost taunting. Luca gripped the cloth; she had tricked him. "Yeah." It was his turn to sigh, determined to finish the task he had started. A bony hand worked at the spills and remnants of dinner with the cloth while the other piled up plates. Luca resented such tedious work, passionately doing whatever he could to avoid it. Today, is an exception, he told himself in a convincing tone. "Thank you." A whisper of cloth passed him, carrying the message to his ears as the crimson-haired woman left to tend to hotel clients.
A small smile tugged his lips upwards. That woman had raised him, even if he was odd. It was certain that Scarlett was aware he was different, but she treated him as she would any person. Of course, times came when she had to take him through Nuan, a difficult task at best. Concealing his long-feathered wings and strange strands of hair required an incredible effort. All the same, she worked tirelessly to give him the life any natural boy would have. There was a specific warmth - almost a glow - she carried. It crept through the crevices in his imperfect mask, breaking it in places, making him show compassion.
But it did not take long for him to glue the pieces back together. Once the task of the dining room was gone, the permanent smirk returned and bright yellow eyes turned into a dark condescending gaze. His emotional armor had regained its health, with full resistance to strangers. Although at times it frustrated him that Scarlett was able to get him to show embarrassing feelings, it was a relief. Brief, yes, but the sensation of letting go all angers was truly refreshing.
Pending History:
Once Scarlett had stumbled upon the small Alchemist's store on one of her evening walks, Luca and her's histories became conjoined. A mere child when the woman had been asked to return, he still remembers the shock and look of absolute confusion he saw on her face. This is what had hurt him so and caused the tough outer shell of his facade to form. The initial trauma remained in the young boy's mind throughout his life. At first it had hindered his relationship with Scarlett, but once he understood why she had made such a face, he instantly opened to her. Yet still the thought lingers, holding a place in his mind.
Making a home of the Alto Inn was easy for the boy, adapting to the homey environment gave him a warmth he had never found in the Alchemist's home. Growing up Luca knew he was different. At first it was just his hair lacking pigments that set him aside - nonetheless Scarlett soothed his worries. But once he took note of the wings that sprouted from his back he was well aware he was not the same. This tender age was difficult for one so young as his guardian, but together they thrived.
As his differences grew, Luca found himself drawn towards the comfort of books. Escaping his crazed reality and slipping into a world where all is right and adventurous gave him a relief he had never felt before. Along with books he discovered a place of calm in the outdoors. At night Scarlett would give him permission to slip out of town - obviously covering his differences - and run into the greens of the forest. She never feared for his safety, knowing wildlife would likely not linger too near a creature such as him.
Ageing, the love Scarlett had for him only grew. Although he put up her nonsensical teasing, both shared a close bond. The only 'mother' he would ever have, the one who didn't even give birth to him. While both he and she were unaware of the exact process that allowed Luca to come into being, they knew something was not the same. Few times have they had a conversation about the topic - the subject itself being rather touchy due to initial reactions surfacing negative emotions. Now they share a mutual silence about it, classifying the topic as taboo. Together they live at the Alto Inn, each a room to their own and run the place as a team - Luca often doing all the tasks that require memory and true responsibility.
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 2:26 am
  Name:
Scarlett Altero
Age:
24
Hometown:
City of Aerr
Current Residence:
Town of Nuan
Occupation:
Innkeeper
Scarlett runs the Alto Inn in the small town of Nuan. The Inn is a small building located on the west side of the town close to the tram. Nearby is the richer cobblestone area of Nuan, however, the Alto Inn is still on dirt-paved roads. The building itself is rather rundown, definitely one of the older houses in the town. Over the years, Scarlett has upgraded it with what little money she earns, turning the Inn into one of the best in town. Not much profit comes in from the small business, but the place provides her with a warmth. She befriends most of those who stay and is often familiar with some of the faces. The money she earns goes mostly to the Inn and supplies for it, leaving little extra for leisure use.
Personality:
Scarlett is usually an easygoing and kind person to those she meets. Constantly cracking jokes, she can come off as a bit of a joker. She faces everyone with a bright smile and tries to be as warm as possible to those she meets. Her personal issues are often shut up, hiding in a corner until she is left alone. The problem with this is that they funnel into her temper.
Being the crimson-haired girl that she is, she owns a fiery temper. Once crossed, Scarlett will hold a grudge. Even those who thought they were close will be given the silent treatment. Attempts to soothe her will only rile her up further, making the person in question be even more hated. However, there are a few who can cool her anger, Luca being one of them. This small group of people can escape the worst of her grudges, though she will get angry at them from time to time.
Otherwise, responsibility is not her strong point. She is a very forgetful girl - which makes running the Alto Inn difficult at times. One moment she will be focused on one thing, the next it has been forgotten. Due to this, she often shows up later (or never) to appointments and has problems with the names of those she meets.
Scarlett can also be quite the tease. Both in the case of males and with her friends. Once a man has caught her eye, she will head over to flirt without caring about appearances. Still, her methods are not the same as Luca. She genuinely looks for relationships, hoping one will eventually blossom into something long-term. With her friends - and family even, she takes teasing to another level. Her favourite toy is Luca. She will tease him endlessly about small matters, and even use her ability to break his uncaring mask against him. All the same, it just means she truly cares for him. Even if it's a rather odd way of showing it.
History:
Scarlett was actually born as a citizen of Levintol, raised in the city of Aerr by her lower-class family. They were a family of eight. She was the oldest of the children and with them lived her grandparents in addition to her parents. She had three younger siblings: a brother and two sisters. Her family ran a rather meager hotel in the Housing District, using it as both a home for their family and as a source of income. However, due to it's small size they never earned much money. Often times their business would be stolen away by the fancier locations with larger, comfier rooms. The moment she finished her basic schooling Scarlett was told to begin working for the family. She had other siblings that were still growing and needed taking care of. She had tried to run a small shop in the Marketing District, bartering for goods with whatever scraps of clothing the clients of the hotel left behind. Fortunately, her grandmother was once a skilled tailor before her hands grew too unsteady to do fine work. Basic sewing was all they required for the lesser quality fabrics they vended.
After time, their business wound down. Grandmother Altero soon passed away and had not left enough skills with the children of the family to continue the shop. In the last few months of the shop's life they sold off whatever wasn't necessary in the hotel and traded it for goods such as blankets and food to supply the inn. At last it was over, the family had just enough to survive for the next while. But still, Scarlett's life at the Altero Hotel wasn't over.
Less and less people came to the hotel over the years. They were drawn to the newer, cleaner rooms of the upper-class hotels. Even those with little would spend their years worth of money on the smallest of rooms for simply the experience. This angered Scarlett's mother. Tressa Altero -mother of the children- was a very selfish and greedy woman. She trained her daughters how to draw in the drunk men of the taverns to the hotel in order to convince them to spend their money. Loews, her father, on the other hand was a kinder, but older man. He saw his daughters as wastes of food, favoring his only son with everything he could. The entire hotel would go to her brother, so Scarlett saw little of him and her father throughout her life.
At last when her family told her that they could not manage her living in the hotel anymore was she free to leave. It was at the age of twenty that she left. The first thing she did was run to the nearby towns. She had tried to live in Korr, working as a bartender in the local tavern. Yet, the pungent smell of fish gave her endless headaches, and the grand expanse of the ocean struck fear into her heart when the storms passed through. After a short year, she moved to Nuan.
It was in the small, protected town of Nuan that she thrived. Her only knowledge was how to run a hotel so she purchased a lot of her own and began the Alto Inn. For three years she has run her small business, able to live happily and warmly in her town away from family. While she does miss the warmth of the Altero Hotel - and of course the bond she shared with her family - Nuan is now her home.
It is here that she plans to live for the rest of her life, enjoying the close-knit sensation the small town gives her. Scarlett raised Luca in the Alto Inn, each to their own room. Both treat the inn as any would their home, except with additional guests who stay for long periods of time.
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:56 am
Any comments from those amazing people that choose to critique shall be quote here c;
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:57 am
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 5:07 am
*loves the art*
I do have one small question though.... wouldn't this be classed as a full custom since you want specific details for the child? Not a semi? You have put the value of a full custom down in the first post but have written Semi - I am sure its just a mistake or that you changed your mind or something *did that over and over again in her avocet feather design* XD
=D Beyond that... I can't really help, *isn't staff* looks good to me though XD
Oh and..... pretty but wierd birdy XD, I have never even heard of it before but it sure makes for an interesting design. *nodnod*
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:39 am
Ah, thank you! I had fun creating the characters xD
Yes, it was a bit of confusion. I do most worst at around 2-4 AM so I mess up a few things. I thought what I wanted was a Full Custom, but then I actually read it in depth and realized a Semi-custom would suit it better. ( Plus, I doubt I'll reach 5 mil anytime soon xD; )
Alright, thank you so much all the same!
-giggles- Yep. I was looking for character inspiration and I saw this bird. Went crazy with its odd look -luffles on it- He's my badass birdy.
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:47 am
Ah fair enough then =D
*snuggles*
But for a semi custom you get no say on what the child will look like, I am sure the colourist won't object to a list of 'likes and dislikes' though and possible suggestions you just have to accept that you may not get it I guess XD
When I won my semi custom (a Crane feather called Rishima) I gave Platepuss a list of things I liked and a list of one thing I didn't like XD. She didn't object to that.
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 7:08 pm
-nods- I read as much. I'm just hoping that what I described will somehow... influence? But yes, I understand he will not turn out the same as I imagined him. I guess that's the fun of a semi-custom C;
Ah, that makes sense! And I must say, congratulations on winning that custom~ Thanks for the tips x3
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Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 4:28 pm
-cuts the ribbon-
And I'm done!
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Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 4:47 pm
Wow...just...wow. BTW...this is TOTALLY accepted. @_____@
I have no real critiques...you've obviously thought long and hard about this and gotten the pretty images and even given us an idea for the hraapea itself. @___@
I love pretty much everything about this hehe. I have no real critique...and I feel bad about that. xD I love the guardian's history heheh as well as her personality. :3 She doesn't seem like a mary-sue to me...which is good. biggrin Ummm...
Haha, I love the RP example with Luca! <3 He's so perrrty. :3 I would definitely like to know a bit more about the bird...but that's about it. @___@ Like, not just looks wise, If that's possible. :3 Like, personalities of the birds...stuff like that. Often found on Wikipedia. xD
Buuuut as far as I am concerned, this is an amazing thread. :3 Great work! <333
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YourDirtyLaundry Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 7:00 pm
Glad you like it! I worked my bum off on it xD
Oh gosh I have. I've got the perfect Luca all ready in my head, can't wait until custom slots open! He's going to be my fun character. I'm sick of roleplaying good little boys. But he's a softie at heart.
Ehehehehe, thanks! I found my original guardian to be too.. flat. I don't know. Then I created Scarlett and fell in love with her ;D
-nods- I had fun writing that! It helped me figure out their personalities since it's hard to truly decide how a character will act without writing it out.
As for bird information, I can definitely do that! In a couple hours I'll have it all ready~ Though I'll use sources aside from Wikipedia, can't trust that completely.
Thanks again!
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Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 4:36 pm
Bird information has been updated 8D
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YourDirtyLaundry Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 1:01 pm
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