Toads from the Other Side

Original worldbuilding / speculative biology blog for @toadsong!

[angelnumber130]

[marcitlali]

the way men think eating meat feeds into their masculinity is so fucking funny like miss thing you didn’t wrestle that shit with your bare hands you took your dumpy ass to costco in your wife’s pt cruiser you might as well be a drag queen at this point

[weedass]

this bitch is sequencing dna in the tags

[riftsong]

follow up question can I kiss sacred spaces

Yes but it's most likely going to be on the back of the hand princess-style. There's not a lot going on up in the facial region, and he's pretty chaste.

[riftsong]

can sacred spaces "light" themself on command or does someone/something have to do it for them

On command! It's both voluntary and involuntary. It sometimes happens in response to extreme emotions- which is pretty rare for Sacred. He's usually a pretty friendly, easygoing guy.

He can also do it on command for some extra flare, but again... still rare for the same reason. He'd much rather sit and talk about the weather than do fancy light shows.

The most often it comes out is when he's with Party, in the few times they actually... well, party together.

The fire isn't real or true fire. It's just an abstraction of light. It doesn't burn with any heat more than perhaps a hot puff of air at most. If you stuck your hand it in, it would feel like warm feathers trailing over your skin.

[riftsong]

which of these worlds is your favorite (if you have a favorite that is)

Damn, there's no way I could pick a favorite- obviously I love them all. They're all my babies, ykno?

Though... SFTB- specifically Crew X- I've had for the longest, and have put the most work into. They have a special place in my heart. If I could pick any of y worlds to have a show or movie, it would be that one, ha.

[riftsong]

Francine, being raised by humans, learned to emulate their facial expressions... the best she can, of course.

[riftsong]

A sad beastie

[riftsong]

Some doodles of Partygoer (ft Sacred Spaces ofc. They're besties)

[riftsong]

Some of the concept doodles for Sacred Spaces

[riftsong]

The Patron Saint of Sacred Spaces is a being of a species that goes by many names, but are most commonly called Patrons or Angels. They are the guardian of the feeling of having a small hideaway that is sacred in a special way only to you.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ALIAS: SACRED SPACES, SACRED, Space, Sac (pronounced "Sack"), Wick SPECIES: Patron Angel PRONOUNS: He/him + It/it's + They/them PERSONALITY: SACRED is a very inquisitive, enthusiastic being who values kindness and connection with others. They enjoy conversation and jokes, but if they other party isn't interested, are also content simply existing in the same place as another being. Slight mischievous streak, but nothing truly harmful.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ SACRED SPACES in specific is the manifestation of the feeling of safety and appreciation for a small, hidden space that in a strange way has become sacred and holy only to you for what it provides. Specifically, they were born from the mind of a child in the deep south of the United States, who escaped church to hide away in the attic- and ended up finding the small space full of stolen candles to be more holy to them than the grounds they came from. They manifest to those who have that moment of awe and realization, often enjoying sitting and trading words and conversation with those who are willing to listen. They especially enjoy comforting children, and do their best to help steer them in the right direction.

[riftsong]

The Patron Saint of Partygoers is a being of a species that goes by many names, but are most commonly called Patrons or Angels. They are the guardian of the feeling of otherworldliness or liminal space created in the throngs of a party, watching over those who slip into this domain.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ALIAS: PARTYGOER, Party, PG SPECIES: Patron Angel PRONOUNS: Any PERSONALITY: PARTYGOER is a very quiet creature despite their rather flamboyant appearance... but that doesn't make them any less friendly or outgoing once you do get them talking. She prefers actions and images over words, often taking the form of a dancing creature, beckoning those who slip into her domain to dance as he watches over them instead of engaging in conversation.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ PARTYGOER in specific is the manifestation of the strange, almost otherworldly feeling that can manifest during a party, amongst the flashing lights and pounding music, the swirling in your head and your eyes that lets your inhibitions slip away, or your heart pound out of your chest. They appear then, often beckoning those who can see them to dance as they watch over them, often preferring to remain almost hallucination-like. They are benevolent, and do their best to help watch over those who aren't in their right mind and prevent them from being used or making stupid decisions, or to soothe any anxieties and help you enjoy the feeling of becoming one with the crowd and music.

[riftsong]

Pettralius is an alien from my Crew X setting, and a member of the main crew. They specialize in weapons and weapon repair.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

NAME: Pettralius Kix Vaxhavastion ALIASES: Pett, Petty, the scary one SPECIES: Usually called "XB Runners", "Frillhorses", or "Frillnecks" by those who don't speak the native tongue. PRONOUNS: Any

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ HISTORY Pettralius is an alien hailing from a small planet dubbed "XB-8570" in the general database, with the true name unable to be typed in human letters. They were raised to a rather fancy family in the Eastern part of the Xgyro continent, and was close childhood friends with Sol, another sapient species from the same planet. Sol's species are closely related- often still called "Frillnecks" by other species since they don't bother to distinguish the two species, or if there's an effort made, "Long Frillnecks" or "Frillsnakes". Despite the fact that those who aren't familiar with their species might not make the distinction, on-planet, there is heavy bias against Frillsnakes by their cousins. Both Sol and Pett were interested in advanced technological subjects, but Sol ended up being denied into the same program as Pett on account of this bias. Fed up with it, they both decided to pool funds and try to seek education off-planet. That is where they accidentally ran into a human, osimian, fishbird, and faenae who ended up roping them into accidetnally escaping with a harbored fugitive; and until they can figure it out, they remain on the run with the rest of the crew.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ PERSONALITY Pett, despite their often cute and googly-eyed appearance, is a serious, take-no-bullshit kind of person. She often comes off as rough or abrasive, not afraid to speak her mind and make her opinion known. She's quick with her wit and quick with her tongue and guns alike, and isn't afraid to use them. Unlike some other members of the crew, she's perfectly fine with defending herself with weapons as opposed to words- though maybe it's just because it's her specialty. Though technically lacking the full degree due to the current drama, Pett is a masterful weapons and mechanical technician, who had hoped to work on a ship like this one day- though perhaps not quite in this situation. You can usually find her tinkering away at the weapons system onboard the ship, her own personal collection of guns and other such devices, and other various machines onboard the ship. However, despite his often mean-appearing demeanor, he's not truly mean on the inside- he truly does care about others, even if he has difficulty showing it. Just because he's only visibly soft with Sol doesn't mean he doesn't have little ways of showing affection to the rest of his crew. If you find yourself getting a custom-built taser thrust into your hands on account of "you need SOMETHING to to keep yourself from dying, as tough as it might be for you."... that's not an insult, that's a declaration of friendship.

[riftsong]

Sol is an alien from my Crew X setting, and a member of the main crew. They specialize coding and computer repair.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ NAME: Sol A-Vixsha ALIASES: Sol, Sun, Sunny SPECIES: Usually called "XB Crawlers", "Frillsnakes", or "Frillnecks" by those who don't speak the native tongue. PRONOUNS: They/them and He/Him

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ HISTORY Sol is an alien hailing from a small planet dubbed "XB-8570" in the general database, with the true name unable to be typed in human letters. They were raised to a well off faily in the Eastern part of the Xgyro continent, and was close childhood friends with Pettralius, another sapient species from the same planet. Pett's species are closely related- often still called "Frillnecks" by other species since they don't bother to distinguish the two species, or if there's an effort made, "Short Frillnecks" or "Frillhorses". Despite the fact that those who aren't familiar with their species might not make the distinction, on-planet, there is heavy bias against Frillsnakes by their cousins. Both Sol and Pett were interested in advanced technological subjects, but Sol ended up being denied into the same program as Pett on account of this bias. Fed up with it, they both decided to pool funds and try to seek education off-planet. That is where they accidentally ran into a human, osimian, fishbird, and faenae who ended up roping them into accidetnally escaping with a harbored fugitive; and until they can figure it out, they remain on the run with the rest of the crew.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ PERSONALITY Sol is what many people would call a "gentle giant". They're well-meaning and kind, always thinking about those that they care about. They don't talk much, and when they do, it's generally slow and carefully spoken. However, they're no pushover. While he tries to be civil at the beginning of any conversation, if pushed enough, Sol isn't afraid to speak their mind and give you a good telling-off. Still, even more rarely does he escalate to physical violence... normally, at his size, a good threat display is enough to send the other packing. Unless, of course, one of their friends is truly threatened. Though kind to everyone, Sol is most protective of their friends- often called the "mom" of the group. Being the largest of the crew, they take it as their responsibility to make sure everyone is safe and cared for... sometimes even letting some of the smaller crew members on for a ride.

[riftsong]

Nash is a human from my Crew X setting, and a member of the main crew.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ NAME: Nash Fletcher-Davis ALIASES: N/A SPECIES: Human PRONOUNS: She/her and they/them

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ HISTORY Nash is a human hailing from a small, artificial planet dubbed "AX-4443" in the general database, though it's more commonly known as Prospire. The locals often call it "the onion" or the "scrapyard" due to the lower gravity and artificial core allowing the planet to be composed of several inhabitable 'layers'. Due to it's proximity to a nearby human-colonized planet and the oxygenated atmosphere, it's mainly populated by working-class humans and a variety of other oxygen breathing species. Born into a mid-lower class family on-planet, it's almost all she's known. She lived with two roommates, working part time mechanic for the buses and other vehicles that populate layer two, and part-time delivery person for when the vehicles are down, or to get to another layer. It was on one of her deliveries that she accidentally ran into an osimian, fishbird, and two frillnecks who ended up roping them into accidentally escaping with a harbored faenae fugitive; and until they can figure it out, they remain on the run with the rest of the crew.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ PERSONALITY Nash can, in summary be described as "Chill, but..." by most who know her. She's a good person who's very adaptable and go with the flow, has a level head, and quick thinking. Overall, she's generally pretty sensible... except for her adventurous streak. Despite being rational, she has a habit of seeking out danger and thrills, and loves anything that gives her a decent rush of adrenaline. These two features combined make her the perfect person to go to if you need help of any kind, and she rarely will turn it down, even if the task is dangerous. She cares about people, and is willing to put herself at risk for them, even if she doesn't know them. Firmly believes in everyone deserving a chance.

[riftsong]

Cecil is an alien from my Crew X setting, and a member of the main crew. They specialize in negotiations and medical knowledge.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ NAME: Cecil ALIASES: Cee, Cici SPECIES: Osimian, "Sea lemur" PRONOUNS: She/her

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ HISTORY Cecil was raised in a large troop on her home planet known in the universal database as "DI-3857", though it's called "Osi" by it's inhabitants. However, instead of staying with the family as she was expected, she decided to leave planet to pursue an extensive training opportunity to help fun her medical degree; though she promised to come back afterwards. However, that is where she accidentally ran into a human, two frillnecks, a fishbird, and a faenae who ended up roping them into accidentally escaping with a harbored fugitive; and until they can figure it out, she remains on the run with the rest of the crew.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ PERSONALITY She's very homesick and sweet but also a bit of a troublemaker. Likes to ride around on everyone else's shoulders. Hates being too small to do things.

[riftsong]

Say hello to Francine, a human-raised Feildrunner.

Name: Francine Dawson Aliases: Fran, Ms. Dawson, Sunny, Beastie Species: "Fieldrunner" to humans, "begoh" is closest translation from native tongue Pronouns: She/her Orientation: Pansexual Height: 5′3" At shoulder, around 5'7" at top of head in neutral position Age: ~29 [ ages near same rate as humans ] Family & Relations: - Angie Dawson - mother - Darrel Dawson - Father - Maxwell Dawson - Older sibling - "Danny" Romero - Childhood friend, ??? Occupation: Farmhand and "cowboy" on her family's farm. History: Unsure of her true origins, Fran ended up in a Earthen orphanage, and was deemed eligible to be adopted by humans due to the extreme resemblance in physiology and personality between Fieldrunners and humans, as well as taking into account the stress (and cost) of interplanetary shipment on a small child. She ended up being adopted by the Dawson family, who had lost one of a pair of twins in complications during birth some number of years ago, and "saw something of him in her". She was raised lovingly by her family in an extremely rural town. There were few other children her age in town, and all of which were human. She became close friends with another child, Danny, who was equally a misfit but on other ways. She spent most of her formulative years helping out on her family's farm, practicing a few hobbies, and spending time with her best friend. They were nearly inseparable, despite the clash in personality on occasion- while Fran was polite and rule abiding, Danny was brash and mischievous, and often convinced Fran to 'live a little'... for both better and worse. Overall, they brought out the best in each other. Until one day, when they were both around seventeen- Danny left town without saying a word. Fran was broken for a while. But slowly, things returned to normal. Boring, polite, law abiding normal. For years, she simply finished school, worked, took some online classes, did everything right. Life was good. It was boring. People came and went. The town fell into a bit of a recession- but it was fine. People were here to help. Life would be good like it always was. Boring. Until the day Fran gets in between an attempted assassination on a helpful businessman from a surprisingly familiar face. Personality: As stated, Fran is a bit of a goody two shoes. She likes to do things by the rules more often than not. She enjoys doing things right, and for the good of others. She's often described as "gentle"- and she can be, with delicate matters. However, she's not a pushover by any means. Stubborn and strong willed, she has a surprisingly fierce streak in her- in another life, perhaps, it might have been kindled into something rebellious, or even nefarious- but a good upbringing left her just a comfortable amount of rowdy with a truly good heart. Likes: Pie of any kind, chasing rabbits, large open plains, stargazing, peppermint, beets, flannel, roasting things on sticks Dislikes: Cramped spaces, vodka, banana, high counters and tables, people touching her tail, people making comments about her nostrils looking 'nsfw', when people are awkward about shaking hands Fun facts: I wanna be a cooowwboooy baaabey

[riftsong]

Arlen is an alien from my Crew X setting, and a member of the main crew. He's a business major in training, though he's not quite sure that what he wants to do with his life.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ NAME: Arlen of Myah ALIASES: N/A SPECIES: Usually called "Rockhoppers" or "Fishbirds" by those who don't speak the native tongue. PRONOUNS: He/Him

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ HISTORY Arlen is an alien hailing from a large, oceanic planet known as "RC-1854" in the general database, though those more familiar with it call it "Rock". He was born into an extremely wealthy and well known family, and is currently their only child. Because of this, he was "encouraged" to be as successful as his parents, who put him into only the best education with plans on him becoming a successful business owner and to one day take over his parent's empire, which consisted of several clothing and electronics brands. Though his parents were not abusive, they refused to take no for an answer ("Because we love you and want to see you succeed!"), and he ended up being too much of a pushover to say no when they sent him on a business trip with one of their shareholders to a small, artificial planet to observe deal-making in action. That is where he accidentally ran into a human, osimian, faenae and two frillnecks who ended up roping them into accidentally escaping with a harbored fugitive; and until they can figure it out, he remains on the run with the rest of the crew, providing most of their funds out of his own generous allowance.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ PERSONALITY As it turned out, being raised by parents who didn't take no for an answer and expected only the best puts a strain on any child that last until adulthood, leaving Arlen a good deal anxious, and a large deal dependent on others. Many would describe him as a pushover, who prefers to keep his mouth shut than attempt to defend himself- mostly because he really doesn't know how. In fact, he just doesn't know a lot of things about general, "normal" things, as he was raised mostly sheltered in higher-class sectors. That isn't to say he's stupid, however. Though anxious, he knows his way around social situations well, able to stuff down his fear when he puts on his 'rich boy' mask, smooth talking his way through social situations and numbers with a grace most people would be envious of... though afterwards he often collapses into a shaky mess. Perhaps, if he hadn't been raised so strictly, he might have been a rebellious, independent, even sassy rockhopper, as there are rarely times when it will slip out- and maybe one day he might still. But for now, he remains rather timid and eager to please.