I’ve gone off the deep end, these hedgehogs are consuming my mind
Here’s a merhog because apparently that’s a tag on ao3 and I had to see what was there, found a fic by Burningstars98 called The Tales of Windmill Coast. I read both fics within like 3 days and now I want to try my hand at drawing the designs they put on the @windmillcoastau tumblr :)
Plug for my merfolk/tsuchil AU that also has its own tumblr and fic over on AO3!
Set on a tiny island, Sonic and Shadow are two former schoolmates who get themselves turned into Tsuchil (short for 'tsunami children') and must now deal with the effects of this change, trying to determine the cause and also learning more about the cultures of the depths. (Silver is a natural-born tsuchil that befriends them)
Coralus: Coralus Tsuchil are a tropical species, best suited for warmer, shallower waters. They are identified by their pair of semi-translucent fins on their tails, as well as a third fin in the center that varies in length between individuals. They are known for being one of the most aggressive and territorial tribes, fighting anyone and anything that they deem is a threat to them. Their best method of defense is in their aggressive manner and possessing sharp claws and teeth for biting and slashing at attackers. (Sonic is turned into a Coralus)
Nightlight: Nightlight Tsuchil are a deeper water tribe that inhabits deep trenches and sea-caves. They are identified by their large, crescent-shaped flukes and bio-luminescent markings, which give them their name and vary between individuals. They use these flashing markings to communicate emotion and intention over long distances in the darkness of their homes, and while not particularly aggressive towards intruders, they wouldn’t be considered friendly either. Their tribe has recently had good seasons of food and thus there has been a boom of pups being born, which leaves them pushing on the territories of the Coraluses to the south. They are also most capable of emitting sonic vocalizations to hunt, and are able to communicate with other “Non-handed” sea creatures. (Shadow is turned into a Nightlight)
Paddletail: Paddletail Tsuchil are an adaptable tribe of tsuchil, their territories branching out from the tropical waters around the equator to the cooler waters of the north and south oceans. They are known by their large, whale-like flukes, and for being exceptional healers, maintaining relatively good relations between the other tribes by providing their medicinal studies and elixirs as trade. Many Paddletail are a part of a group called The Separate, whose job is to act as healers for other tribes, but are restricted from engaging in those tribe’s culture and are sworn to a vow of chastity.
Estuary: The Estuary Tribe is unique from the others, in that the majority of them do not resemble hedgehogs at all. It is said that while the other tribes were made up by hedgehog ancestors, the Estuaries were made up of... everyone else. This being said, the Estuaries do not have designated territories, instead migrating about the seas in groups of their own, but rarely going far out to see. Their name comes from the fact that they typically take spouses from the land, like an Estuary is a place where fresh and saltwater meet. Such unions between land and sea rarely stay together, and most Estuary mothers make up colonies where all of them care for each others’ pups, while the males are relatively solitary in the oceans. They, like the Nightlights, have sonic vocalizations, but use it more for communication than for hunting.
Northern Speckled: Northern Speckled Tsuchil thrive in the cold oceans around the north pole, their territory covering most of those oceans. They are known for being scholars and teachers, the Northern Collective being the largest collection of Tsuchil literature and history stored in the oceans. They are one of the most friendly tribes, allowing just about anyone into their territory as long as they’re not there to cause trouble. They make their homes in sea caves and ice tunnels all throughout the area, and struggle to survive long out of their icy domain. They can be differentiated from Southern Speckled Tsuchil by their spots being lighter than the rest of their coat, while the Southern Speckleds’ spots are darker. They are occasionally mistaken for seals whenever they surface along the ice, though they are in close trading with the seals of the area.
Southern Speckled: Southern Speckled Tsuchil have their territory covering the region of the South Pole, and much like their northern cousins, are pretty friendly towards visitors. Differentiated by their darker spots, the Southern Speckled are expert hunters of fish and also carvers. The jewelry and adornments made by their hands are exquisite, but it is a bit of a mystery where they get their stone from, seeing as most of the south pole is sealed in thick walls of ice. It is also common for them to speak in riddles, which can make trading with them a little difficult if you are not familiar with it.
