Random thing I was looking for your input on: where do you think elytra come from? They're only found in the End Cities, and they seem to be suited to player size. In the real world, elytra are the hard shell coverings over a beetle's wings. So I was wondering if they're constructed or if they come from some creature that no longer exists.
Ooooh, interesting. Well, the first thing I'd think about is that you can't farm them and they don't drop. So whatever dropped them, doesn't exist anymore. My second input would be that you can repair elytra with phantom membrane, so it'd be something similar to that. Phantoms have wings as well; so the elytra being the hard shell to cover a creatures wings is the most plausible option.
A few theories come to mind. They could be early phantoms. What if they lived in the end before, but for whatever reason migrated to the overworld, to hunt you while you aren't sleeping? A theory I had a while ago is that phantoms weren't actually real and hallucinations while the player damages themselves. What if they're extinct?
It could be something related to ender dragons. I mean, there's the dragon heads too right? How did they get there? Did someone place them there, perhaps a trophy or rather a ritual for when one has died?
The end islands are spaced out far away, so flight seems the most logical. This one is really making my brain think!
For a long time, we had no basis on why the Enderian ships had only a singular elytra. There was no basis for multiple being on one ship, whether on the crew or in storage. Only one. It seemed illogical, as elytra are the preferred method for all "End busters," or those who go through the End to gather supplies from the remaining structures. The elytra allowed easy gliding over the void and rough terrain, something the End was made of entirely.
Until one of them came in, with the inability to remove the elytra at all.
As it turns out, the elytra were seldom used because consistent wearing leads to the wings becoming permanently attached to your back. We're still studying how and why they do this, but it has been spotted in constant fliers. We recommend taking off your elytra when spending extended periods of time on the ground.
The problem comes in when people started appearing with feathery wings, too intricate to be a parasitic pair of insect limbs.
(image id under cut)
(Image Description: A person, presumably Steve, sitting with their back to the camera and their shirt off. Two iridescent insect wings are attached to their back by purple ligaments, and the person is reaching behind them to feel at the wings. It is labelled figure 1.)
Elytrain is often used to refer to both the elytra itself and the elytra user, this can cause some issue with determining which is being referred to without further context.
Either way, we will be building upon both to help compare and contrast them with avians.
Starting off with the elytra, this is a magical construct leftover from the post End-exodus event, and despite the argued upon time span since this ancient civilization’s vanishment from known history, they are one of the most steadfast and fascinating constructs left of these ancient beings.
The elytra often takes the form of a vaguely insectiod-like form, as though one had simply removed the thorax of a large beetle. However the true construction of these devices is unknown with the recipes being lost long ago. What is known is that they are made of a hard ‘shell’ that unfolds to allow for the extension of magically anchored, falsely-organic wings. On the underbelly of the elytra is the connection area and Core. The connection area is simply the description for the area that settles along the back while the Core is the diamond-like point of connection to the elytra user (any willing being that purposefully attaches the elytra with the intention to make use of them). The Core essentially is what attaches the motion of the wings to the will of the user, binding the elytra to the host’s (or user, either can be used, though some may prefer user to host due to the possibly parasitic context this may give to elytra usage) nervous system via their spinal column.
Now while this may sound extreme, the Core attachment is a surprisingly painless occurrence and has been described as though simply slipping on a backpack. The elytra is made to sit comfortably over the user’s back afterall, the connection area adjusting to the proportions and structure of the user’s back and shoulder area. And while the Core attaches firmly with the connection area settling along to keep grip, it is recommended for new users to get harness and strap attachments to allow for an even firmer fit.
This is usually to help prevent an elytra moving from its settled postion as a result of unconscious shifting/inexperience with the new weight and connection/motion caused by outside forces. The harness merely settles along the base points of the connection area, the user then slipping their arms through the straps and settling this on their shoulder area, clipping the middle buckle along their chest. Often more-experienced users with forgo this procedure and fly unaltered.
Another interesting point of the elytra is their ‘personality’ or the way they adapt to their user to create a unique structure for flight. This often occurs after repeated usage as the elytra takes in the way a user utilizes them. This takes the form of varying wing types (insectiod, avian/bird-like, saurian/dinosaur-like, draconic/bat-like), coloration and patterns (sometimes these wing structures may mimic the look of known species/animals or they may take on completely unique looks), wing form (thinner for quicker flight, broader for gliding and soaring, shorter for more controlled motion, etc.), and so on.
This ‘personality’ reflects their user and can create absolutely stunning wing designs and is often the leading cause of ‘organic fusion.’ Aka the term for when the elytra becomes one with the host. For while the elytra is a construct of magic and genius, the elytra acts organically.
This is what is seen with scarring when it is healed and the way the elytra responds to the user’s commands directly from their connection with it as though it were simply another set of limbs. Because of the elytra’s ‘goal’ of being useful, if worn for too long without removal, the elytra may actually fuse to the user’s body. The connection area will become like organic muscular with refined tendons and nerves, the Core will fade into a magically orientated nerve rich section of tissue, and for the most part, it will become one with the user.
This is were we change up our usage of the term elytrain.
Elytrain is also used to refer to a person with magically gained flight capability, or simply, a being that was not made to fly developing the ability to fly through magically gained limbs.
A person will be referred to as an elytrain rather than an elytrain user/elytra user (either term works, it doesn’t matter which as both refer to the same thing) often at the ‘formed’ state of fusion and beyond that to the ‘fused’ state.
The states of an elytra’s attachment being described as follows:
Default- The shell is fully intact with the wings being able to be be drawn in and settled within them. The Core and connection area are removable with ease by the user. There is a defined separation between elytra and user.
Adjusted- The shell may showcase slight shrinkage in size as the wings are drawn in less to reduce energy usage of the Core. However, they are still functional and can draw the wings inside completely. The Core is removable with slight pinching while the connection area may cause slight discomfort when removed. There is still a separation between elytra and user through there can be discomfort depending on how long the elytra precedes through this stage.
Formed- The shell is incredibly reduced and essentially vestigial at this point in time, the wings can not be drawn in. This elytra has been worn non-stop for a significant period of time and as such the connection area has begun to show signs of organic transformation and will need to be cut from the skin and top muscle to be removed. The Core is highly connected with the nervous system and removal at this point could cause numbness in the body/muscle spasms in the back and shoulders. At this stage the wings are essentially a part of the user and the user may start to be called an elytrain over an elytra user.
Fused- The shell is often so reduced that it would take significant effort to find or it may be little more than calloused skin at the base of the wings. The elytra is essentially organic at this point and has fully fused with the muscular and skeletal systems, for while in the ‘formed’ state of x-rayed it would show the wings as being majorly muscular and cartilaginous material, in the ‘fused’ state they have become essentially organic is construct. The Core acts as a magically orientated center for nerve communication while the connection area is essentially extra muscle and skin connection for the wings to the body. The elytra is basically dissolved save for the Core which is deeply intertwined with the spinal column. To try and remove it could be highly dangerous and damaging unless done by a magical specialist. However by the ‘formed’ often this is a purposefully done transition and thus expected result.
Either way, the wings, while a part of the body at the point of one being an elytrain, are noted to not be naturally occurring/manifesting from personal magic/etc. and are an outside force being attached to the body. This is where the primary difference comes to elytrains to avians.
Avians are those winged folk with body’s that were made to eventually be winged unlike the elytrain’s which were a purposeful addition.
As so several differences will be noted between an elytrain and avian. These go as follows:
Avians solely have wing types of the avian or saurian while elytrains can showcase both these wing types as well as insectiod and draconic/bat-like. This is because avians are noted for being very bird or dinosaur like, the word avian being a direct reference to birds.
Avians will showcase structures specifically developed for being of gliding or flying capability. Ex; Strong leg muscles, talons or clawed limbs, larger lungs or air sacs, specialized shoulder bones/structures, tails for balance control or flight maneuverability. Elytrains may develop similar features after the fused state, but will often retain a body structure very similar to the one they had prior to the elytra; the Core allows for flexibility in the demands wings would put on the body by magical influence.
Avians do not rely on a magical source within the body to fly or to help with nervous system controls. Elytrains need the magical output from the Core to assist with regulation and strain on the body and often will need greater maintenance to do so. Avians will need to maintain themselves as necessary for energy production in the body while elytrains need magically sources to help regulate the Core along with the organic need of their body.
Either way, while avians may be officially beings that were naturally going to be winged, elytrains with avian or saurian type wings may also be called as such. And likewise an avian may be called an elytrain despite not gaining their wings from an outside source.
It is much like the conundrum of bison (bovines based in North America and Europe known for their large humps, ‘beards,’ and small-upwards curled horns) being referred to as buffalo (bovines based within Africa and Asia known for large, outstretching horns) and vice versa.
They are similar concepts with notable similarities despite just as note-worthy differences between them.
Either way, both are vastly interesting and diverse groups.
[ID: a graphic and an animation of a Joe Hills skin. They have brown hair with green dyed underside, a golden olive branch and a poppy in their hair, a dark blue cape over their “at” shirt, a golden scarf, a blue and green bracelet, black with gold boots, leg bag and a golden belt. Their limbs are blackened at the ends. On their back are gilded bug wings and around them are four floating hands. They are rotating in the animation. End ID]
Finished another Joe skin! This time it’s the Watcher design by @sundewa! I made the elytras in addition to the skin as well, and as per usual, all files can be found under cut!
^ the elytra and the skin! the animation uses an edit with no semi-transparent parts (glasses) because Mineimator is glitchy wih transparency like that.
UAGSHDHFK ITS SO FUNNY U SHOULD MENTION TOOTHLESS FROM HTTYD BECAUSE WHEN I WAS DESIGNING A CONCEPT FOR SAGE’S WINGS (which im still in the process of making) HE WAS MY FIRST REFERENCE :’’’) I LOVE NIGHT FURIES
but also to answer some of those previous elytra questions because they have been on my mind . i’ll sort of just be quoting them audvdhfj ive been thinking about them all day
“What if the elytra (after having been fully fused, I guess, but early users apply too) runs out of durability?”
— okay so pre-fusing the elytra is sort of. brittle. not fully but like regular durability you get in normal minecraft; it wears down after a while and this is because of a couple factors
1.) still adjusting to the host, hasn’t gotten the proper intake of blood and nutrients in its wings to fully sustain itself for the while yet so it’s trying to run off what it currently has (which tends to be very little resulting in them damaging over time if not fixed)
2.) it doesn’t wear down post fusion because the mutations and genes mixing in with the host lets it sort of stabilize by itself and become a part of the host entirely; once the “magical” properties of it are slowly simmering and is replaced with blood, skin, bacteria, etc (on that note the tendrils inside the host’s shoulder blades etc also sort of melt and become new veins/paths for blood circulation to take) (dont ask me how that works uhhh magic and minecraft stuff idk)
“Are the wings something you yourself can feel once they’ve fused with you, or is it more like… a neurological thing, where the elytra just know what you’re thinking?”
— OKAY when the tendrils slip in you’ll feel some generous amount of discomfort but pulling them out hurts more than letting them sink in
— new elytra users need a small bit of time to adjust to the wings and get a grasp on how they feel. its sort of different for everyone but at first it feels like a very strange version of pins and needles- you can move the wings around but it feels weird.
— although yeah the parasitic-ish parts of the elytra kind of do. connect with your brain (DIY lobotomy /j) in order to both A.) get the brain to move the wings around and B.) to do all the increased reaction time and instincts shabang (these stay permanently after fusion)
“Could you feel them as an extension to your body? If they get hurt, would you be able to feel it as if it were your arm or something, or would it be numb?”
- new elytra users get a numb sort of sensation when the elytra gets damaged via an arrow or something
- older (fused) elytra users get the similar sensation to the webbing of your fingers being sliced or punctured (owie)
- also at first they do feel like weird body extensions before eventually adjusting and them becoming literal body parts aisnfwidhfjfk
“If you run out of durability on fused elytras, is that something you could ever fix?”
— yes actually!! healing potions + usually phantom membrane is an efficient way of patching up deep wounds— depending on the type of wing it might just require a lot of healing potions and bandages, but eh its different for every user
— although if a massive chunk of those wings is like torn off then oooh. ouchie thats like having ur arm torn off. yeah that probably wont heal
^ — however . you can get fixes where they attach like a leather-like wing and hollow light silver(?) rods onto where the bones end to make a makeshift wing repair (leather is typically dyeable and able to be decorated)
bonita drawing ik . but you get the idea !!!!
“Would you be able to get a new pair if you hadn’t been fused yet?”
— YEAH
— if you get the new pair from another person who used it previously the process of the wings shifting to suit you better will take a while longer and vice versa
“Would you have to try to cut off your old elytra to replace it if you *were* fused?”
— yes
— not a pleasant experience but if you hate ur wings so bad then yes you could probably slice them off (i wonder what you would do with them afterwards?? Whats to do with sliced human-sized wings? … wall decoration?? Could you cook and eat them maybe?)
“could you potentially *pick* how your elytra form to look on you?”
— kkkkkkind of? the elytra by default looks like a weird mix of dragon and beetle wings all in one. good flight but also not infinitely durable like mentioned
— the shape of the wings, however, changes to fit the user from what the elytra can gather from their brain
(for example, Sage’s wings are based off night furies and peregrine falcons — fast speedy creatures due to Sage’s own history of enjoying fast speeds/being thrown or spun around and also from the lack of any fear of heights/falling)
(in fact actually enjoying those things) (yk how some kids ask to be thrown into lakes because they enjoy the sensation. yeah thats her)
“Like, if you tried to repair your elytra using a combination of some standard repair materials (phantom membranes, occasionally scales) as well as some other thing (like parrot feathers, for instance), could you possibly get the elytra to take on a form you’d prefer?”
— this is sort of tricky to answer because like. the elytra chooses what form of wings suits you best.
— mutations, though? Like having the elytra change from the dragon-beetle-ish look to having feathers and bright colours? That’s still achievable!! Theres even the possibility to mix and match different biological materials from the desired creatures however if you add in too many the elytra might like. kill you by accident or something (im talking more than like 5 or 7) (usually people opt to have only one or two main repair materials) (3 is teetering on the edge slightly i imagine because of like. neurological effects with all the mutations both physically behaviourally and mentally etc etc)
this also kind of raises the question of “how do you get bug wings” and i’ll be honest w u i have no idea. I imagine there’d be *some* strange way to achieve it? go ham many methods for elytra repairing
( mini rant of sage vv)
(Her way of flying is very similar to toothless in the first two movies. shes sleek and elegant in that cat-like fashion but she also does dive bombs and spins and rolls and is overall extremely confident, nigh cocky with how she flies. a lot of control too!! ,,,, most of the time has definitely crash landed several times) (not to mention speed,,,,, in certain situations when she picks up enough velocity you can hear a whistle coming from the air being sliced by her wings . no idea how to explain but you get the idea)
ALSO THE PHANON TAG IS ALR !! she/her pronouns for me but idrc if you use they/them ajdbfjk
Apologies for the late response, I wanted to make some quick doodles for this at the least!!! It's so fascinating to me! A sidenote before I forget-- what do you think about rocket-propelled elytra flight? Would that be possible at all, or do we pretend canon isn't there for it? It's very silly to think of, but I don't think it'd be very safe, lol.
Here's a rough gif of how I think it might work! (emphasis on might). The 'elytra' (used to refer to the parasite in this sense) feels like a bug to me... like a palm-sized ladybug, sort of. Just the right size to fit on the small of your back pretty easily. Once you set it there, it'll like... pinch/hurt a bit as it sets in its initial veins & whatnot to connect to you, but it just chills there otherwise. I feel like for pre-fused elytras, trying to take one off would feel kinda like a tick? Gross, but hey
I also use "elytra" in the literal sense-- the hard, chitinous sheaths that cover bug wings-- here, so I could draw it in my head. I think that wouldn't be very comfortable to sit back on, to be honest, if you were in a high-backed chair or something. Anyways, like bug wings they'd unfold and the blood that goes through them would fill them up to full size like you said! It'd likely happen in a matter of seconds for long-time users, but take up to a couple minutes for first-timers.
I've also got a couple post-fusion drawings here, under the cut bc it's kinda veiny and a little gross, so if you're averted to that thing, look away!
Again, bonita drawing, but just to get it out of my head. The main "body" of the elytra would start to stretch down your back to get further up along your spine, where all the good veins are! Eventually, the body of it would be more vestigial than anything, because it no longer needs it to look for a host (do you think elytras in end cities would be able to wander freely before fusing to someone? Kinda funny to think of someone just getting like. hit in the face by a stray elytra buzzing around).
I do have this as bug in my head, because my brain loves making sense of things, so it's struggling to figure out how other wing types would work. I know it's magical, so whatever goes, but hmm... maybe the customization just comes after fusing, when the elytra doesn't need to expend the extra energy on needing to find a new host, and can instead divert it to making different, sturdier wings...?
I like the makeshift wing repair with lightweight metals or leather and whatnot, it'd be neat to explore that! Just like toothless :). Color & style customization, too! Do you think anybody gets wing jewelry or piercings just to show off? Like irl vultures with wing tags?
"(i wonder what you would do with them afterwards?? Whats to do with sliced human-sized wings? … wall decoration?? Could you cook and eat them maybe?)" -- I mean, if we're in a world with human-sized wings, there's most likely a market for them! I wouldn't be surprised if long-term elytra users were hunted for sport if they had a particularly unique wing type... Wall decoration, for sure, I think hunters would enjoy them! Also good for food in dire situations, as human meat is probably a lot more gamey than any other available source. Feathers or membranes would also be valued for use in repairing of other elytras, in clothing, ceremonial stuff, etc. Kinda neat!
Tell Sage I love her and her flying skills are unmatched. She's crashed before? Didn't see it. She rules
If any of this is coherent, congrats! If not, poke me so I can explain it! Most of my posts will be one long rant and not really read over again for mistakes or anything so godspeed, buddy! Overall I like your thoughts on the matter you rule!!!! Gives my brain more things to rotate :)
