Triumvirate

Art-centric ask-blog, maintained by the artist "Nanuka". Who respectfully reserves the right to decline any messages that do not fit with the overall direction of the addressed character(s). This page will be dedicated to three very different worlds. • [Project Pilot] The 1920’s fantasy realm of Sonar: the aspiring cartographer and bi-plane pilot. Alongside her new friend, Iris. • [Spirit Wings] The prehistoric universe of Abydos: proud tribal Guardian who’s family & home have been compromised. • [Nahnewkuh] Nothing other than the artist herself, Nanu. When asking, please make sure to specify WHO you're directing it too. Thanks! Anonymous welcome. :)

[nahnewkuh]

Is this thing on hiatus or dead?

Well “dead” seems so awfully negative! Though hiatus is also wrong. The characters here have changed so much, that it would nearly be starting completely over from scratch. And I’m not sure I have the time for that these days! :( Sincerely appreciate the support, though. ♥ Didn’t have very many questions left, but they were mostly based on Sonar and she’s now drifting alone, without a story or world.

I’ll do a vote on my art Twitter (https://twitter.com/nanuARTs) to see if there’s any outlying interest in reviving these girls. I’d need to make new references! -v-

[nahnewkuh]

Are you dead? Or still alive?

ALIVE. Though, all 3 characters in this askblog have undergone some rather “drastic” changes in the past year. Debating if I should do an overhaul to the layout and reintroduce them or just allow everything to become archived. TBD!

[nahnewkuh]

To clarify!

I'm being intentionally vague with these replies, as to present further opportunities to ask more questions! Also trying not to derail from the base of the asks, so the reply doesn't get muddy with too much information or lack there of drawings vs text (and the flip-side).

Also. Anon makes me sad & intrigued! I'd like to know who it's been; don't be afraid and I surely would never judge. It'd be neat to keep tabs on incoming questions from different users.

[nahnewkuh]

Abydos, I have a question about Ranowah and you. In contrast to you Ranowah has a big snout. Is it some kind of secondary sexual characteristic or is he from an other tribe?

Ranowah’s an entirely different species! Havn’t narrowed down specifics, but some general crocodillian for now. Ran specifically is a very old, grumpy, smelly, traveling shaman. Hardly makes any noise but varied grunts and spell chants, though you could likely hear him coming from miles merely from all the clambering bottles, bones, bags, runes, paper, jewelry and trinkets. Haha.

Abydos encountered him when she was the rebellious youngin’ that snuck out at night. Been a long decade of friendship & history.

[nahnewkuh]

So, are you ever going to answer that reproduction question I ask a while back or is it just too much of a hassle in balancing between NSFW and SFW?

If you don’t mind a strictly text answer, cause the reality is that it would end up being unnecessary sexual diagrams (I don’t consider it to be relevant to Sonar’s story and much more simple to explain for Abydos, because it’s not prominent in the story-telling).

As for Sonar being mammalian with partial avian characteristics…she’s by all accounts a “mutt”. Fennec father and Osprey mother, conceived and born in live mammalian fashion; likely the 9mo gestation period like humanoids etc. Within Iris’ universe, where she is currently “cameo’ing”, the fact of the matter makes her socially unacceptable; mix breeds are considered lower class, not pure.

Within Abydos’ world, only reptiles have evolved to humanoid anthro forms. While they give live mammalian birth, they have small ‘clutches’ of essentially premature babies- that the entire village makes an effort to care for. Which is why reproduction is a privilege, not a right (also why most of the working class females, especially Guardians, are banned from sexual relations to avoid distraction and maintain economic stability). In means of reproductive organs- they’re primarily reptilian actually. Males have retractable penis (only one for majority of bipedal species) that is hidden unless aroused. Females do not breastfeed, thus have small and/or non-existent mammaries as well. The pregnancy gestation period is roughly 6mo (spanning usually October to March since breeding season is mid-fall). Cross-specie breeding is tremendously dangerous on both a molecular level (deformities, sterility) and potential social exile …or execution!

[nahnewkuh]

Sonar, Iris, does one of you two speak a foreign language?

This one’s a wee bit complicated…cause in Sonar’s *original* headcanon, she lived in a variable universe of 1920’s Earth (not to the point, but generally just an anthrotized world) and was rather fluent in the most common worldly languages. Though, within Iris’ story I’m only aware there is a “common tongue” or “trade language” that most everyone/species speaks, but is read as what we perceive as English! So I’m not sure if Sonar’s experiences carry over yet.

[nahnewkuh]

(tripling up to get back in the game and lessen the blow)

Starting off! Indeed I did start a CharaHub account recently, seen (here). But I suppose I don't understand how it would imply me no longer using Tumblr? Hah. It's just a delightfully resourceful place to store all my beloved brainchildren; drawings, information and subfolders to allocate everyone.

It is humourous to me that by the time I got around to replying about my hair style, it has changed! Lol. The sidecut, which I figure was implied at the time, was without any reason other than it was REALLY EASY to take care of. Now it's a mish-mash of 3-4 styles but I don't plan to change her or the reference.

Choosing to refrain from any conflict of opinion for this last one. =P

[nahnewkuh]

All is well.

Good morning! I'm still here. 😊

Have not yet given up...as a matter of fact I've been inspired to write a little more drabbles lately, as well as some new drawn replies. I've held back a bit due to personal quality control (wanting to keep everything clean, digital, coloured) but I hope to give pen doodles at work a whirl as soon as I have a chance?

I miss creating in a 2D world. I've spent *all* of my free time on tactile projects with or for my new car -which has been a blast! But I miss the creative connection between friends and fans that is only nurtured with artwork.

When I can, who would you like to see first; Sonar or Abydos?

[nahnewkuh]

Nanu, are you (un)dead or did you become a MGRR junkie?

There was a dry spell at work that allowed me to begin some MGRR cosplay (also play the game), then hours peaked again, and I’ve been role-playing & doing MG related projects with a bunch of friends inbetween. I suppose on hiatus here for the time being! Drawing a ton, just not the trio at the moment.

[nahnewkuh]

Nanu, how many questions do you have at the moment? Do you need more or are they so many, that you could play "Titanic" or "Sink the Bismarck"?

I’ve got 13 (that’s including answering this one) questions! Which is quite the jump from only 4 the last time I update for the anniversary. I got myself Metal Gear Rising for my birthday, and have kind of been sucked into the blackhole that is robot butts and great music, ever since (about 3 weeks).

[nahnewkuh]

Triumvirate turned 1 today!

Wooo! Actually, it was yesterday (July 10th) but I did a double at work and didn't get a chance to draw anything or celebrate. Unfortunately I'm skedaddling back off to the woes of job-dom, so I have to keep this short.

I AM SO HAPPY WITH HOW THESE CHARACTERS HAVE CHANGED IN THE PAST YEAR! Seriously. Abydos finally looks how I've always imagined her these past 10yrs. I feel Nanu more accurately (well, by any means) represents myself as well as enjoying drawing her for a change. Sonar has made progress but still needs work. All-in-all, very happy, very proud. n_n

I couldn't have done it without the asks and support. ♥

[nahnewkuh]

(To Sonar) Iris, what kind of job did you have before you met Sonar?

((via Iris’ owner))

"Well I was born in a land I've never heard of, to a mother I never knew brought back to my father’s plantation as an infant where I grew to be a young boy then left in the care of my older Uncle when my father "was killed in his majesty’s service" around seven. at 15 my uncle passed away due to an illness and my land was removed from me by a greedy baron through stewardship and manipulation as I was too young to inherit the plantation. So I lived on the streets and old caves for a few months before I met the elderly lighthouse keeper and befrended him, I was allowed to stay after a while and the lighthouse keeper died of old age I over took the lighthouse at 16 and manned it till ‘present’ 19yrs."

((This character is no where near finalized, so this and the background is rough. As well as being on a time limit before work today. Sorry!))

[highnunh]

For the purpose of character-building, feel free to send an ask regarding anything you would like to know about my character.

[nahnewkuh]

I'm down to 4 questions left, that are mostly concerning Abydos.

[nahnewkuh]

What about a little role reversal? Sonar lives/acts like Abydos and Abydos lives/acts like Sonar.

This one has been sitting around for awhile simply because I didn’t want to like it too much. Even when I drew this tonight, I chose tones over full colour to stay detached. <:D

I’m choosing to describe instead of speak as the characters, to keep it less to read. But the trade off wouldn’t be too jarring on their personalities. Sonar would likely still retain her cartography and magpie syndrome quirks (though in the Spirit Wings universe, only reptiles have evolved into humanoid forms). And Abydos would be more ruthless in means of bounty hunting and business trading deals. Aby definitely wouldn’t meld well with flying or owning a plane, as well as Sonar using magic is absurdly improbable.

Very fun to do something different, surely. But I don’t want this to become a solidified AU by any means. LOL.

[nahnewkuh]

Happy Birthday, Nanu.

Well it’s not officially anymore, but I did draw this before midnight! hah. It was the first part of a birthday Livestream I did this evening, which you can see the recording of over here!

Thanks. ♥

[nahnewkuh]

Nanu. I have two technical questions about Abydos´ clothes. I noticed, that you used the clothes of African tribes, but did you plan some kind of "fan service". Close to the tail isn´t much. The second thing is the bra. Isn´t it more usefull, if the strings are on the front instead of the back?

Intentional fan service, actually no! Her previous design had a corset and large breasts and even then there was no intent than femininity. The actual fact that there are people who find Aby attractive, regardless, is actually really flattering and makes me happy! But I didn’t design her FOR THAT REASON.

As mentioned a few times previously (especially on her reference): the clothing is entirely rank related and ornamental. Her species has no genuine use for clothing, aside from what would be considered “decency”. Hence only covering reproductive organs [which I still have an ask concerning that subject; I have no forgotten!]. As for Abydos herself, the top doesn’t serve as a bra…because there’s nothing to support (the strings on the back were merely to add a break in design)! Haha. The underwear is very small to prevent chafing while still functionally covering as needed. :)

Her clothing, and all those of the creatures that live in the Savannah biome of this world- are all inspired by Zulu African design! Which if you Google, you may see more (nsfw) examples of influence~

[nahnewkuh]

Nanu, you created/create a manga?

Not, exactly. (I’m guessing you follow my art Twitter! hah) It was one of my biggest aspirations as a young teenager, to write/make a manga. Due to motivational problems from lack of experience and skill, I essentially just stopped investing effort. Never gave up entirely, cause I still love the characters I made but it’s definitely still far beyond my free-time or abilities.

The background image here is a conglomeration of work I did for a summer project involving my original story - back in 2009.