#sneeper

[spindle-and-nima]

Bunnies are actually quite active in their sleep

[chainsawworld]

ok yeah yeah call me sniper instead now lol

[jayrockin]

Do humans do anything that is completely foreign to the aliens in your setting? I was looking into how weird it is for humans to have all the cognitive functions to understand music and was wondering any you had that in your universe or something that humans don't get that your aliens do.

This is tricky to answer since Runaway to the Stars doesn’t have a huuuge focus on alien psychology, my process for designing the aliens had them wind up more as exaggerated ends of human behavior than something I’d consider truly out there. This is a story conceit, because I wanted to write about friendships between humans and aliens and the greater the gaps there are in psychology, the less room there is for emotional connection and understanding.

That being said, the big Thing for humans in RttS is that they’re the bio-horror aliens. Their strong self-image fuels a penchant for self-modification that goes well beyond function, altering themselves and others often just for aesthetic purposes. Tying into this is their “cute reflex,” where animals and organisms very unlike humans can make them feel parental and protective. This is a kind of anthropomorphism, and the projection of human self-identity onto other organisms means they get swept up into the bio-mod frenzy too-- hence the existence of designer GMO pets and GMHs with animal characteristics.

The other aliens don’t really do this. Avians also have strong self image, but their stunted medical technology and delicate physiology means that their self expression is usually limited to clothing. They have a minor “cute reflex” too, but avian pets are usually more bred as aesthetic house fixtures than beloved surrogate children. It’s all tropical fish tanks and slow pretty reptiles, less shelter-rescue mutt dogs.

Bug ferrets don’t do self identity, they do group identity! They also have strong parental instincts, but their “cute reflex” doesn’t extend past their own species. They’re not big anthropomorphisizers-- when ferrets make fursonas, it's more like a catgirl than a bipedal cat, if that makes any sense.

Centaurs don’t have a strong cute reflex even for their own babies. Larva and very young imago are basically non-persons until they begin to talk, and historically most of the litters would die before getting there. They are more likely to see non-centaur animals as food resources than fellows.They’re also less likely to assert their individuality through appearance; preferring action, jobs, clan roles, and deeds as expression.

Scuds like to alter their environment more than they like to alter themselves. Unlike any of the other species, they have no need to make themselves stand out from a crowd for mate-finding purposes... which actually takes a LOT of pressure off of fretting about your personal aesthetic! They have no reason to make themselves attractive to others! A scud will decorate themself for festivities or to express group allegiance, but they usually don’t see the point outside of that. They also don’t have strong parental instincts because babies just sort of Happen to them, and like centaurs a lot of a clutch can die before even learning speech. They do have a cute reflex but it’s more of fleeting interest, their scud-thropomorphism is more like “oh look at this interesting little person!!“ than an urge to protect and nurture. Basically scuds prefer to go to the zoo than keep family pets.

[lynxgriffin]

I've seen some stuff about your dnd campaign. It seems really interesting especially with the modern fantasy deal going on. Could you describe the premise/current goings on of it?

It’s actually completed now, it was a lot of fun! It was loosely based on the movie Annihilation, except instead of “it was aliens, maybe” it’s “it was fairies” and there were shenanigans dealing with the Summer and Winter fae courts getting involved in the present-day human world, both in terms of lofty benevolence and in terms of active aggression. You could get more complete info from @dreadbeasts since she was the DM!

[jayrockin]

Hi! I'm loving your stuff but I am a little confused. I want to read about these species that you are making and I see mentions of comics but I can't find any links to them. Where can I find them so I can enjoy your work more!

Most of my comics, standalone and serial, are currently on my Patreon. There are some scattered ones on tumblr here (from as far back as high school. Yikes!) but currently the majority of my original content is worldbuilding posts. I did also briefly start a webcomic for an older story concept before realizing the project was too sprawling, labor-intensive, and in need of major rewrites for me to feel comfortable continuing at the moment.

I recommend starting with my tags page if you’re feeling lost and intimidated facing like, Christ, 8+ years of worldbuilding content I’ve posted at this point??

[riotiro-art]

Illustration for halloween

[clioandhobbes]

[lightart-ralwil]

Kurze Runde #steinhude #steinhudermeer #steinhudeammeer #s47 #yachtclubostenmeer #yco #sneeper #eboot #propaella #ralwil #2018 (hier: Steinhuder Meer)