Nestbound! (Or, Kaz and Rae's bugs come out to play!)

[raequiem]

Nestbound

Once upon a time, Kazerad asked a question. "What if someone actually played the game PROPERLY for once?"

And he answered that question, in comic form.

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These polite little bugs intrigued the intrepid Raequiem. She wondered, who are these kids? What's their world like?

She started out by naming and titling the characters we'd met so far.


Sked (scarletChronologist) the Heir of Time,


Ikti (emptyLexicon) the Seer of Void,


Taza (fireflyRomantic) the Knight of Heart,


Kesh (lightningEngineer) the Mage of Life, and


Atri (reticentFreelancer) the Thief of Space.

And then, because there was a neglected bug/parent pair in the ectobiology panel of the comic, she created...


Shie (Shee-ay) (covertSomnambulist) the Witch of Mind.




She then came up with as many aspects of insectoid society as she could, from puberty to social organization:

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Bugs are, well, bipedal insectoids. They have four limbs, one head, two uniquely-colored eyes, and two antennae. Their heads, bodies, arms and legs are partially covered in a dark blue exoskeleton. The upper arms and legs are exposed, and black in color, as are their feet. An adult's upper limbs are bifurcated, presumably to allow better muscle function and lower overall body mass to enable flight. Adults have two elliptical wings on their backs, and markings on their chest in the same color as their eyes and roughly the same shape as their antennae. Males tend to have straighter antennae, while females tend to have more curved or bent antennae, but this is not a rule. There are bent-horned males and straight-horned females, although they are rare. The insectoid eye is compound, and does not blink, but both genders have a small ridge around the eye socket to protect the eye. In females this is more prominent, and black in color, resembling human eyelashes.

Baby bugs, or nymphs, come from eggs. These eggs are formed when two mature bugs mate. The parents incubate the egg together until it hatches, when they fight to determine who will raise the child. The losing parent usually leaves to search for a new mate, but occasionally they are killed in the battle.

The nymph stage of life lasts for ten seasons, or about sixteen Earth years. At that time the nymph spins a cocoon, and in half a season emerges with a stronger exoskeleton and wings, as an adult bug. The new adult then goes in search of a mate.

Bugs do not build homes as we think of them. The life of an adult bug is mostly nomadic, unless they are raising a nymph. Adults with nymphs often congregate in areas with the natural resources necessary to raise their children. They build nests designed to last until the nymph's metamorphosis, and be dismantled after. Considering their lack of building expertise and permanence, it's rather surprising that this species was chosen to play Scarb.

And bios for the characters we know so far:

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Sked, the Awkward One - Sked is the John/Karkat "hero" of the group. He has the best relationship with his parent, in this case his father, and was the first to enter the Medium. But he's also just a bit naive - he thinks in a very straightforward way, and it confuses him when others are more roundabout. His element is water, and his dreamself is on Prospit. One of his prototypings is with his own cast-off exoskeleton, creating Shkedsprite. His land is the Land of Snow and Bells, and the one seen in the original comics.

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The Land of Snow and Bells has, well, snow and bells. The consorts' architechture mostly consists of green blocks with belltowers (copper bells? Would account for greenish color...). Sked uses the bells to alchemize a time-travel device strongly reminiscent of a traditional alarm clock.

Ikti, the Smart One - If Ikti were human, she'd look remarkably like Velma from Scooby-Doo. As it is, she's the most intelligent of the group, and that often sets her apart, in both good and bad ways. Her notes are the most organized, and she's the first to wake up, after Shie. But she often feels lonely, like no one understands her. She has a crush on Sked - something about his simplicity draws her to him. Her element is earth, and her dreamself is on Prospit. Her land is The Land of Dunes and Abyss (LoDaA).

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A land of floating sand dunes in a space-like void where sand is always cascading into nothingness. Gravity works somewhat randomly here, so I can see Ikti carefully mapping out the slight changes in gravity to allow them to traverse it safely without anyone getting lost or hurt. As a Seer, Ikti's concentration and alertness are key.

Taza, the Cute One - Taza is the most sympathetic and emotional of the group. He keeps most up-to-date with the Shipping Chart, although he sometimes refuses to share the couples he ships. He's best friends with Kesh and ambiguously gay. His element is Fire, and his dreamself is on Derse. His land is the Land of Cliffs and Hearth (LoCaH).

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A mountainous area filled with chimneys and fireplaces, some are even connected to the cabins of his consorts. It is an odd mix of chilling heights and warm comfort which makes exploring somewhat awkward and lengthy. As a Knight, Taza is challenged with this to test his adventurous spirit while giving him plenty of warmth as he is just a warm guy (Who is also the Fire guy).

Kesh, the Reckless One - Kesh is the most likely candidate to jump off a cliff or taunt an ogre, just because he can. He's more intelligent than he often gives himself credit for, and was the first to get really creative with his alchemizations. He's a bit hyperactive and often wonders aloud why his friends are "afraid of fun". His element is thunder, and his dreamself is on Derse. One of his prototypings is with a shark, creating Sharksprite. His land is the Land of Emeralds and Polarity (LoEaP).

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A world of storms and crystalline structures, which are a perfect raw material for Kesh's Alchemy experiments. Below the surface is a cavernous tunnel system of various magnetic charges that affect machines and communication to various degrees. Finding protection and creating safe passage is the task of the Mage of Life.

Atri, the Pretty One - Atri is the most shy member of the group, but also the best fighter. She was thrust into the role of leadership by her friends' indecision, but thus far has excelled. Her element is air, and her dreamself is on Prospit. Her land is the Land of Glacier and Spoils (LoGaS)

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Rather than fluffy snow like Sked's world, this planet is covered in hard ice under an expansive cloudless sky. The ice has odd quick-freezing properties meaning valuable things and treasure are often lost and trapped within mysteriously without sustaining damage. The consorts are used to this somehow and can survive for a while in the ice, but often require rescue. As a Thief, Atri is tasked with discerning the value of life over valuable items, not that this is a difficult choice for someone who already knows the value of the information and understanding that can be gained from the people saved.

Shie, the Weird One - Shie is the Jade/Aradia "weird" one of the group. Her dreamself has been awake and aware for years, and she may or may not be able to read minds. This often makes the rest of the group a bit awkward around her, though she tries her best to make friends. She has a pet aphidcat, which may or may not be used in prototyping (thus giving the enemies the kitty ears that have featured in Sburb and Sgrub). Her element is Spirit, and her dreamself is on Derse. Her land is the Land of Static and Spectre (LoSaS).

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This land is a dark, hazy forest filled with mysterious forces that change the landscape in strange ways. Travel is often made impossible by an odd static force that causes things to become hazy, much like television or radio static. The static is to be avoided as it can cause one to become trapped for a while in nothingness until the world becomes clear again. Shie's spiritual mastery is necessary because one needs to communicate with the benevolent spirits who dwell here to find the right path.

And other arbitrary things, like that since there's an odd number of sibling pairs, all the siblings' dreamselves are split up. Or that they entered the Medium in chromatic arrangement, from Sked to Shie. Or that the sibling pairs are Sked and Shie, Ikti and Kesh, and Atri and Taza. Or that in this iteration, the game is called Scarb.

And then she released these little bugs onto the forums, and sat back to watch what happened.

(Note: This is where you come in! Want to draw some bugs? I sure do! I have a couple pages of sketches over here, but I want to see what you come up with, too! Being the only person drawing something is boring! Exclamation point!

Um. Yeah. If you have ideas for these little guys, be they weapons or ships, throw them in this thread. I'll be posting some of my stuff, and Kaz will post whatever other ideas he gets, but you all are included too!)

Let the games begin!

EDIT: Isoraqathedh is a cool person for making us this SHINY NEW WIKIPAGE to put all the stuff that is decided to be "the most canon". We'll still be hashing out ideas here in the thread, but if you could help out and put the stuff we're all agreed on into the wiki, that'd be awesome. DO NOT PUT CONTROVERSIAL STUFF IN THE WIKI UNTIL EVERYONE AGREES ON IT. This means genders, guardians, and pretty much anything else that people are still fighting over. Be kind to your fellow collaborator.

[Isoraqathedh]

Oh my god. THey look so KYǕǕǕǕǕǕǕǕǕT.

EDIT: No wait hang on, I'll get an idea later.

EDIT GI: Right, so I'll whip up a map of the (tentatively-called-Delšukayfojn) planet, or maybe a small part of it. After all, maps are fun.

(Also don't be surprised if this turns up in No. 1.*.)

[Tenebrais]

I might just have to write fic. Or music, for that matter. Could be fun. I don't usually take an interest in OC sessions but I love these little guys.

[icu2jimy]

Cool. This looks like it could be pretty epic.

[foxesforsale]

SO ADORABLE
I love Skaia updating its shipping chart. NEED MORE!

[shadowedPhoenix]

Woo! This thing got a thread! I'm just bugging to draw some fanart of these lot. Lessee where to start...

[Isoraqathedh]

Okay, I've decided on the size of the Bug's home planet.

On my map: scale on the equator: 1 cm:500 km
On my map: scale 15 km south: 1 cm:499,980 m

That should be enough to determine the size, but I never knew how.

EDIT: GAH missed a nine.

EDIT GI: A map! I've changed the sizes somewhat, but given that the upper one is the equator, it should still be enough to determine the size of the planet.



Black spots = common settlements, colored spots = the settlements where our protagonists live.
And bonus: look at the source code.

[temporalPeregrine]

Do we really need a map?

[Isoraqathedh]

Well, not really; but then, it could be helpful to locate the frog temple and also where on <planet name here> will you put the exiles.

[ogbajoj]

Do we really need a map?

Do we really need anything in this thread? It's an open invite to create whatever, so I see no problem with Iso's map.

(actually, the only criticism I have is that the guys seem to live a little close together)

[temporalPeregrine]

No criticism, the map is cool, but I think that the fact of having a map would limit the story somehow.

[orngjce223]

Also because Isor always, always creates maps.

While we are at it, another Sburb-playing species is currently being constructed as the SWing Session, featuring birdlike humanoids. If you're interested.

[thenacho]

moar nao

[raequiem]

I love Iso's map. Iso's map is the best map. (Except, yeah, they do seem a bit close.)

I'm thinking the Frog Temple should be in Kayfeng, equidistant from Atri and Kesh. Sound good?

EDIT: Oh also I have some drawings.



If you can read that, I will give you a prize. Just some little concepts and notes for myself as I was coming up with biology and stuff.

[myu2k2]

Flame and Stone or Breeze and Mountains could be a toss up for ithe temple.


(edited cause i'm dumb and can't read sometimes)

Having them share it isn't a bad idea either.

[Armok]

Wait, does Kazerad know about and endorse this? It seems a bit presumptuous just taking the comics and start putting your own names and lands and other stuff on it otherwise!
I'm a huge fan of these comics, and I'd LOVE to go crazy abaut the evolutionary xenophsycology that makes them such good players. And abaut the amount of gneders and relationship types so lage even their own biologists don't know abaut all. (most common genders: upp, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom. Also the genderless ellies. There are 118 currently know distinct relationship types, the largest including more than 1200 individuals)

Edit: sory, did some math wrong, updated the number of relations in the largest relationship.

[raequiem]

Kaz most definitely knows and approves. Spent half of last night PM'ing and organizing this shit.

And I like the way you think! We need more than binary genders.

[simon.clarkstone]

No criticism, the map is cool, but I think that the fact of having a map would limit the story somehow.

Homestuck has a map and that didn't limit it much.

[ogbajoj]

I made some sloppy sprites for y'all. I hate the feet, and I'll forever be spotting errors with the eyes, but the lower leg parts I like at least!



(the top guy is a base, I made his eyes orange since none of our players have orange eyes)

[shadowedPhoenix]

===> Quickly retrieve arms from chitinous shell.

... sorry. It had to be done. But those sprites are adorable.

[Armok]

Yay! Awesome! ^_^

Btw, have I said how much I adore this species?

Anyway:
Romance:
If you know quantum mechanics and basic chemistry, you already know a lot about Bug romance. I'll assume everyone here does. If not, just look stuff up on wikipedia (it's what I did to write this, someone better at physics please check it).

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Genders map to elementary particles, emotions map to the fundamental forces.
Most bugs you see are Quarks, which are the reproductive genders. The neutrinos are stealthy warrior castes that rarely interact with others,themed as the cosponsoring other lepton. Electrons are special in that they never pupate, and look like the children of the other castes perpetually, they are intellectual and highly social, doing the heavy lifting holding the larger social structures together. Tau are also non sexual, and similar to the electrons, but do pupate and have a short life, but significantly greater inelegance than the other genders on average and are mainly scientists and inventors, muons are similar but focusing mainly on diplomacy and manipulation, both tau and muons are extremely rare.

As for the forces, the Strong force corresponds roughly to lust/romantic love/flushed feelings. Electromagnetism is friendship/moraligience/platonic love, cheerful and bubbly bugs are naturally attracted to melancholy and passive ones and vice versa.
The emotion that correspond to the weak force is the hardest to describe, having nothing similar in humans or trolls or anything. It could be described as a feeling of wrongness or unease. except it's social. The closest a human can get is probably finding out the person you just slept with was your sister, or maybe it is how a transsexual feels when anticipating that operation... it's purpose is to change the gender of some individuals in populations that don't have the right ones, similar to certain frog species.
Gravity is vaguely similar to honour or charity.

The bosons most people would not recognize as animals, they have no brain, and in fact no neurons at all, and dosn't look anything like the other castes, and in generally very special things that we should NOT GO INTO TO MUCH DETAIL ABOUT.

As you can guess, Nuclear family has another meaning to these bugs. Each klanlike family unit called an Atom, consisting of an equal number of romantic trios and electrons the handle the atoms affairs with others. The diplomacy and larger social structures the electrons handle continue these patterns isomorphic with chemistry.

Next post: Evolutionary xeonopsychology!

[xerxes333]

Big fan of the sprites. Sbug may be the best thing.

[Metaflare]

I wholly support anything and everything that comes out of this

[Kazerad]

Haha, YES . I love this. And wow, I wake up and it's already got maps, bios, sprites, and a nonsense reproductive system. Best thread . I particularly like the idea that their society isn't used to constructing permanent buildings, since it contrasts the humans/trolls so much (and Sburb probably loves introducing something new).

Wait, does Kazerad know about and endorse this? It seems a bit presumptuous just taking the comics and start putting your own names and lands and other stuff on it otherwise!

I know she already replied to this, but just to confirm it: she did ask me first. I really didn't have any plans for these guys after a couple one-off comics, nor did I have any real plans for their character/culture (in my head they were just "the red one", "the green one", etc) so I'm overjoyed that Rae and you guys are taking it further.

EDIT:

She has a crush on Sked - something about his simplicity draws her to him.

I just realized this is consistent with the shipping chart on Kesh's computer. Was that intentional? Because if so your eye for detail is terrifying.

[Armok]

NONSENSE?!? I have thought this through really carefully! It *isn't* nonsense, that's the *best* part of it! Once you get the evolutionary explanation, and read through it until you understand it a bit better, it'll actually make sense! And make great subtle-but-powerful ways the define the characters, meaning tangential featuring in the comic would be very doable and awesome!

Edit: just so this post has some actual content, the characters and relations adapted to my complex gender system:
Sked - Upp quark.
Ikti - Electron. Has powerful electromagnetic attraction to Sked.
Taza - Down quark. Prone to Strong Force feelings to all the other quarks.
Kesh -Charm quark.
Atri -Muon neutrino.
Shie - Strange quark. Unusual amounts of electromagnetic interactions for a quark.

Other than asigning the particle type, it's a closest-posible "translation" of raequims bios.
I'm not entirely satisfied with these, they may change with further characterization. (Or Weak Force feelings... )