It's not obvious in Navka due to the icy climate, but as eluinn are "children of the forest", plants and flowers react to the Volodymyrr (Lazuli, Kyrie and Noah as well even though they are mixed blood). Flowers and certain smaller vines tend to turn toward them. Especially when they're in good moods (ex. when Mikhail laughs or when Lazuli sings).
But the one detail I like more about this phenomenon is that if they're in particularly bad moods, or are filled with rage or hatred, the flowers will turn to face away from them. Kinda like you're ready to murder someone and all the plants in the room are just "Oh shit? I didn't see anything."
The main branches of Yggdrasil are both part of the larger tree and also their own independent entities. Powered by a “Hugr”, a sort of sacrifice. Beings that are fused with Yggdrasil that then uses their life and soul to maintain its current connection to the realm.
The previous Hugr, Alexandre, was Marinette’s husband and Dmitri’s grandfather. However, due to Simon/Araveis taking his soul, Dmitri had been forcibly taken in to act as the new Hugr.
Now there is a saying about this process “What the Forest takes, it gives back in full.” Because while the sacrifice is essentially killed and absorbed, they appear to live on as dyrad-like creatures. However, this is just said to help comfort those who’ve lost someone to it.
Now, it’s a bit more complicated than that. I mean, sure, you sort of get your loved one back, however, they did die to get there. And horribly at that. The body is torn apart as the wood absorbs what life there is. And the soul is broken down and put together again, fused with aspects of the tree’s existing consciousness. The general personality and motives are there, but there is also a connection to the realm’s will (a desire to protect the realm and tree is ingrained on a subconscious level). Meaning that you technically didn’t get your loved one back. At least not fully. Maybe 95%.
Pros:
Ageless and partially immortal. To kill them, you’d need to destroy the soul within the main tree.
Easy access to information. All the branches of Yggdrasil across all realms can share information through their root systems. It’s slower the farther they have to travel though.
Can essentially teleport via their lesser branches.
Powerful magic. Mostly green. However, sometimes that can fuse with the magic they had while they were alive as well.
Now that he isn’t a demon, Dmitri never has to worry about going feral anymore.
Cons:
They cannot stray farther than 100 meters of their trees. They can get around this by planting various lesser branches, but the limitations are obvious.
They will feel everything that happens to their trees. So if one of Dmitree’s trees were to be set on fire . . . Yeah.
Loss of sense of taste. They can technically eat, but will taste nothing. Can still taste honey though.
Slaves to the will of Yggdrasil. If it’s in danger, the main tree can use up its branches to save itself.
As time goes on, their memories of their previous life begins to fade. Though the feelings remain the same.
Due to gaining power from Yggdrasil, their souls are often targeted for consumption as sources of power.
Useless Other:
Affected by the seasons. Becomes sluggish and sleepy in Winter. Horny in Spring.
Eyes also change color with the seasons. Not entirely, but there will be a certain tint or gradient applied to them. Pink in Spring. Green in Summer. Orange/gold in Fall. Silver in Winter.
The side of the branch tree decides the size of the Dmitree. Tiny tree means pocket Dmitree.
They don’t need to eat food to survive. Can feed off of magic or through photosynthesis.
Tends to attract faeries and other mythical creatures to it.
Dmitri's first impulse when seeing a monster outside of Navka is to hunt it. So if there are any protected species .... maybe let him know as soon as you can.
Useless Headcanon of the Day: Ideal Christmas Dates
Mikhail: dinner out (he’d rather spoile you rather than make you cook), maybe go see a show or something if you wanted to see something, then spending the night at a hotel or somewhere so you can then feed him
Dmitri: ice skating on a frozen pond or lake, then baking something together (despite him not being great about it), then sharing it and some hot chocolate
Lazuli: night time walk in the snow (even better if they can see Christmas lights), then watching the Nightmare Before Christmas together under a blanket
Useless Headcanon of the Day: Meeting the “Parents”
Dmitri’s an orphan, so he’d introduce you to his grandmother, Marinette. She’s a sweetheart though, so as long as you’re good to her Dmitri, you’ll be fine.
Mikhail would rather you not meet his family . . . If you ever meet Dominic, it was probably by accident. He’s also very easy to win over, so long as you don’t abuse cows. May gift you cattle.
In Lazuli’s case, it’s Noah’s approval you’ll have to win.
Class, Alignment, Wisdom, Inspiration (Lazuli and Dmitri)
@bricxbrac
Class: What is your muse’s dream job? What attempts have they made to pursue this kind of career, if any?
Dmitri: “I’d like to work with animals if that’s okay. Maybe work at a petting zoo or something? Or on a farm? Something simple like that, I guess. I haven’t exactly done anything for that though. I mean, I get to help Angie on her farm, but I can’t really let my family down by quitting my current job. Especially since it pays well. There are so many people I need to buy muffins for.”
Lazuli: “Hm . . . a dream job? . . . There was a time I thought about working in music. I actually wanted to be a singer like my mom. Join a group like Sound Horizon. Or maybe be one of those pro dancers on Strictly or some sort of teacher . . . It’s silly, isn’t it? I . . . I’ve given up on thoughts like that long ago though.”
Alignment: Where does your muse lie on the alignment system? In general, do they tend to follow what they believe is right, or live up to the expectations of others?
Dmitri is a neutral good (no surprises there). And though he does get swayed by people’s expectations, he is rather resolute in his beliefs.
Lazuli is chaotic good, and for the most part she acts upon her values. Many assume she is the sort to do whatever she wants, and in most cases, they’d be right. Especially since in the end of the day, she will at least try to do what she believes to be right. However, she is also very susceptible to the expectations, real and perceived, of certain people, particularly her mother.
Wisdom: What steps, if any, does your muse go through before making an important decision? What criteria, if any, does a choice have to fulfill to be the ‘correct’ one?
Both Dmitri and Lazuli are pretty impulsive. At least when it’s a decision that affects others. If it helps someone they care about, they don’t think about it and just charge in. With the obvious ‘correct’ choice being the one that benefits loved ones most.
With Lazuli though, any decisions made for purely her sake require more thought. And she does tend to overthink things quite a lot when it comes to that. Whether she deserves it. How will it affect others. And more times than not, she does tend to put others before her own desires. As to her, the only correct choices are the ones where her loved ones are happiest.
Inspiration: What do you most enjoy about writing your muse? Any particular character traits or arcs that you enjoy playing out?
For Dmitri, I love how simple he is. He may be confused and naive, but any storylines that involve him are very straightforward. He’s sweet and silly and if he wants something, and realizes it, he can be hesitant but he ultimately wants to go for it.
As for Lazuli . . . she’s difficult. Complicated. And that can be as fun as it is frustrating. Wait, no, it’s more infuriating than anything. I mean, I do like how chaotic she is, and how she’ll use that to cover up her feelings. But more than anything, I want more soft moments with her. More honest, vulnerable moments where she can open up and stuff? But she won’t let me . . . *shakes fist at Lazuli*
