So back in December I made this (who is a different version of this) which I wasn't really satisfied with. However, the concept of (bio)mecha still stayed on my mind. Thanks @seadragonroyalty and @dieselpoweredwyven for fueling my interests! And special thanks to my best friend Frionivalis from Discord for helping out with several parts of the design and lore!
The CyberX Borealis Rexa and the ancient one with snowflake-shaped crown are not the same dragon, but they might be related in some way. They're both biological monsters altered by magic, piloted by humans, and fight against other monsters. The CyberX had more extreme modifications done to him and many mechanical-magitech elements implanted. However, like his namesake, the CyberX version is able to use Aether energy to form magical ice and cast spells in similar manner.
Some lore dump below! I'll add him to Artfight (last minute addition lol) and eventually Toyhouse with more complete details.
When CyberX Borealis Rexa was discovered, he came with sealed jaw plate and highly violent disposition. After successfully capturing him, a cockpit and several inhibitors were installed. His consciousness was fully suppressed, but he would return when the inhibitor takes damage. The difficulty in handling him caused the original researchers to considering termination, but SDS intervened and acquired him. Here, CyberX Borealis Rexa met his pilot he eventually trusts.
However, SDS did not disable all of the inhibitors placed upon him. Even in limited state, Borealis Rexa is still a powerful war machine. SDS tasks him to fight against the wild monsters appearing from CyberDream-a mysterious area created by overlapping physical world and cyberspace together. Only in dire situations would the pilot be advised to turn off some inhibitors. SDS theorized that if the final inhibitor is switched off, Borealis Rexa will be able to create a vast frozen landscape, just like the ancient dragon who once tried to destroy the world by freezing it all.
About the design, the tubes were suggested by Frionivalis as a replacement for the mane. Their function is to help optimize Aether energy flow so Borealis Rexa can use energy weapons and cast spells easier. The original creator and researchers prioritized functionality and kept adding more until they become somewhat messy. Borealis Rexa occasionally tear them off, causing frequent changes in arrangement. He also didn't feel like he really need them because he can use magic just fine without. Over time, he tolerates them more because the optimization does help him able to fight longer or use stronger attacks.
Oh also, he can switch between bipedal and quadrupedal anytime with his internal hip and leg bone modifications. Unlike the ancient Borealis Rexa, he doesn't need to use magical transformation to switch between the two stances. As result of that, he doesn't have Scythewing form, but he can replicate it with energy nodes on his wings.
Here's something I've wanted to do for a while. This is the original version of Borealis Rexa before I got the mecha idea. I decided to keep both as two separate stories.
Additional lore below
The king of ice and snow who ruled vast desolate ice plains had no one to sing his name. His domain is devoid of evil hearts, but also of good souls. From horizon to horizon, frozen landscape stretched with no end. Everything trapped in time, encased by ice.
But fate was relentless. Time in solitude and his savage nature ate away at his heart. The frozen domain expanded when Borealis Rexa lost sight of his goal. Everything else must be frozen. All things must be stopped. There can be no evil if there is nothing at all.
A divine spear ended his reign. His body and soul turned into a crystal, a husk of his former self. Perhaps one day, a pure soul would be able to bond and become one with him.
Somewhere distant in time and space, a whirring roar echoed. A beast to be crowned the same title was built.
The story takes place in a world named Nolshyra. Here, the society consists of 3 races that coexist. Culture and infrastructures are all based around the existence of the 3.
Koutoki Midoriko is used as sample model for comparison. She is canonically Andranis.
The three races have different origins.
Akka descended from apes and didn't originally possess magic. They were especially intelligent. Their imagination and crafting skills are what allow them to become one of the dominant races. The Akka have the least variety of the three, but there are variants such as elf, dwarf, and so on.
Dragonkind were descendants of children of deities, and over time they took on even more varied forms than the deities. However, all children remain compatible and share common characteristics. Something that works on a dragon will work on 99% of dragons.
Andranis were created by Noal, the creator deity of Nolshyra. Following the violent war between Akka and Dragonkind that almost wiped both out. Noal intervened and created the Andranis to be a bridge between the two. As a result, Andranis have wide range of abilities, but not outstanding in any. Andranis comes in multiple variants; some may have horns, others may have scale patches, and some may have exceptionally long hair.
Singular and Plural forms
An Akka / Akkas
An Andranis / Andranises
A dragon / Dragons
Some more details below ↓ (categories mentioned in the pic) ↓
Body plan and limbs: Akka and Andranis have fixed bipedal human(oid) forms. Otherwise they wouldn't be what they are. Dragonkind on the other hand can have various body shapes. They can be bipedal, quadrupedal, insectoid, serpentine, etc. They can have any number of limbs from none to far too many.
Skin type: Andranis typically have smooth skin with hair just like Akka, but occasionally some variants may have scale patches on limbs, tail, or wings. Some may also have feathered crests but these are rarer. Dragonkind can have any type of skin, including rough bony armor. A dragon typically has either scales or feathers covering skin, but it's possible for both types to appear on same individual.
Fingers and thumbs: Five fingers with one being a thumb is the Akka's defining trait and their most powerful tool. The structure of their hands gives them unparallel dexterity and precision. The Andranis having 2 less fingers but still having a thumb gives them reduced dexterity. They have harder time gripping and crafting items, but is still mostly doable with training. On the other hand, Dragonkind lacks thumbs and while they may be able to have as many fingers, they are not able to use tools in the same manner.
Note that the number of digits (fingers / toes) is consistent across limbs with the exception of some types of dragons. Andranis have 3 digits on their hands, feet, and wings. The elbow extension on the wing limb is not a finger.
Tail part: Dragonkind have variety of tail shapes and tips. They may also have spines, manes, fins, or ridges along their back down to tail and connecting to the tail tip object. Andranis lacks this feature and only have a tail tip. Both races' tail tip comes in many shapes and colors. Lacking a tail tip object can be observed in some Dragonkind tribes but is a rare deformity in Andranis.
Crystal: The crystals of Dragonkind serve an important function in processing ambient Aether energy to magical powers. They are often located on chest or forehead, but other locations are possible as well. These crystals connect directly to "nexus" (another name "magiceptor"), an organ that controls and manifests magic. If these crystals are removed or damaged, their ability to use magic will be severely hindered but they may be able to survive. The Andranis have this crystal and nexus as well, but they are located within the chest cavity along with their heart. While this makes them less powerful than Dragonkind, it also eliminates an external weak spot.
The crystals vary in shapes and colors between individuals. Even biological twins may not have exactly the same crystal shape or color.
Prismaria, also known by her title as the Midnight Rainbow is an unusual thief who always perform spectacles as part of her heist. She is also known for having chaotic and unpredictable spells, even ones that seemingly breaks the rules of that type of magic.
The secret is that it is an illusion. Prismaria is actually four girls (ref here) pretending to be one thief.
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Whew! This took really a long time to finish. I died so many times with pretty much every bit of her design. But I'm really happy with how it all came out in the end, especially the rainbow cape.
The inspiration is a bit obvious now that I think about it lol
Additional lore below
Magic and Spectacle
During a heist, the girls deploy various tricks and setup to draw attention. Most of them include colorful displays and stars as primary theme. The girls refrain from using their personal elemental magic. Instead, they use Star spells which is accessible to 1/3 of the population. Each sister specializes in different tactics.
Midoriko: coordination, assisting, and Stardust spells - magical dust that interrupt other spells.
Akako: strategy, misdirection, and Starlight spells - lights that distorts visuals.
Aoko: speed, fights (if necessary), and Starfall spells - fast falling projectiles that knocks things backwards/off balance.
Momoko: interruption and Starshape spells - conjuring multipurpose solid objects/barriers
The four rotates in and out during heists based on situation. Sometimes all four may be hidden around the same place and cast their respective Star spells on spotlighted sister's signals.
Disguise (sort of)
As an Andranis, Prismaria's tail has more attention than her face since they tend to be more easily distinguishable. By using magical tools, the sisters are able to use illusions to reshape and recolor their tail to anything they needed. Mimicking known staff's tails allow them to infiltrate facilities and occasionally impersonate them for a short time. The same tool can also be used to allow the sisters to not reveal their own tail combinations during heists.
However, their best disguise is each other. The sisters are quadruplets and look almost identical with only small differences. The illusion tool allows the sisters to disguise and switch places easily. This can be done as either harmless pranks or part of the heist plan.
Note: The tool makes intangible illusions. The actual shape and touch of the tail remain the same.
Target
Prismaria primarily targets gemstones but occasionally goes for other items that have gems embedded. The targets are usually vanity items, especially those that are displayed in galleries.
There exists a class of gemstone called "Drachenseele". These gems are left behind after deaths or were forcefully removed from the source dragon or Andranis. Normally, they are used for funeral and memorial rites. However, there are illegal operations to disguise Drachenseele as normal gems.
There are many theories and rumors regarding Prismaria's motives. Some claim it's financial gain, others think it's publicity stunt, a few think it is all for stupid thrill, and there are also those who believes the gems were returned to the rightful families.
