Character Creation/Design
Character Creation
How to get an Anomali?
Every character starts with obtaining a design. Thankfully, here at Anomalous there are tons of ways to obtain the design of your dreams!
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NOTE: New to Anomalous? All new users get a non-transferable Rare Rank Unlock token that can be applied to Free Creation Starter Designs and Design Pool characters. Note the group to redeem it!
Free Creation Starter Designs
We at Anomalous love the creativity of others! For this reason, we allow players the opportunity to create their own beautiful designs. Characters created with the Starter Design process may occur in any natural horse color* or pattern except albino, brindle, mushroom, melanism, chimera, or pearl**, which must be purchased from the store! This means that you may create a design completely from scratch so long as it can occur naturally on an equine!
Special Anomalous Genes must be purchased from the Salamander Rewards store.
To submit your design for approval, please submit it to 'Starter Design' gallery folder AND the Design Log!
Free Creation Designs include a base colour (Chestnut, Bay, Black, etc) and up to three natural modifiers. Anything past that must be paid for.
Please keep modifying genes (such as dun, tobiano, and cream) to three choices unless a Reward is being used for an additional gene! For example, you could have a Sooty Red Dun Tobiano but not a Sooty Pangare Red Dun Tobiano.
For Free Creation designs, please title the design "Starter Design | *Name of Character*" and fill out the following form in the artist's comment section:
Designed By: Who designed this design?
Played By: Who will be playing this design?
Gender: Will this design's character be male or female?
Season, Year of Birth: Season, Year ____
Phenotype: What is the physical appearance of this design?
Genotype: What is the genotype of this design?
Eye Color: What is the eye color of this design?
Intended Herd: What herd is this design intended to live in?
Bloodline: If your character is a purebred, this will be 100%. If a crossbred token has been purchased, please list the percentage (ie, 50x50, 75x25, etc). Only up to two bloodlines may be included with one Extra Rare Crossbred purchase. A Legendary Crossbreed token can be used for an Infertile 3 Herd Cross.
Height: How tall will your character be? Keep herd standards in mind!
Build: What build would you like this character to have?
Ability: What ability would you like this character to have?
Mutations: Please list these in bullet points or dashes, see below for an example! What mutations will be featured on this character? Remember that Starter/Herd restrictions do apply. If you have purchased an extra mutation with a reward purchase, please follow the mutation with (Basic Mander) or (Token Reward). For example, in an Austerian that you have purchased an extra mutation for, see the example listing below:
- Branching Tines (Automatic)
- Magic-based Mutations (Automatic)
- Deer Tail (Starter)
- Deer Nose (Starter)
- Deer Ears (Starter)
- Cloven Hooves (Basic Mander)
Salamander Rewards/Tokens Used:
- Please list out any token #'s or Salamander Rewards that will be used for this design.
When you have created a design that you are satisfied with, submit it to Starter Design Folder and await approval! This will be done in as timely a manner as possible but, if your design needs correction or there are a lot of designs being submitted all at once, there may be a wait time!
Once approved, you may create a character reference and submit to the herd you wish your character to live in. Once accepted, a characters base information cannot be changed - like age and season of birth. Just know, that the reference image should only contain that one character and should not have multiple characters in the image. Once accepted, you may being to play!
If you wish to spend your hard-earned Salamanders to get a more customized design, see the Salamander Reward Center for more information!
Regarding Scybillines:
The Scybillines have a very limited gene pool! All Scybillines created from Free Creation must be Black with the genotype EE/aa! Scybillines can, however, have modifying genes like champagne, dun, pearl, silver and sooty. Free Creation Scybillines cannot carry a cream gene (no smoky blacks)!
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Base Coats: Black, Bay*, or Chestnut*
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Modifiers: Champagne, **Cream (Single or Double), Dun, Flaxen, Grey, Pangaré, Pearl, Silver.
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* Bay and Chestnut coat bases require a Salamander Reward Purchase!
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** Remember, Cream can only be applied with a Salamander Reward purchase! Pearl is free for Scybilline starters. Also, grey, flaxen, and pangaré can now be applied to starters. Woohoo!
*Keep in mind that herd restrictions do apply here. For example, you can make a cremello design for an Austerian but this color would not be accepted into the Scybilline herd without a Salamander Purchase!
** Pearl is quite common among the Scybilline and may be created freely!
Design Pool
*General note: if you claim a design pool design on the Old Lines (pre-2017, 2016), they may be subjected to a Genotype/Phenotype update for genetic accuracy!*
The Design Pool is another easy option for those of you who either do not want to/cannot create their own designs or wish to sneak out a potentially rare gene! Designs released into the Design Pool will often either carry or feature uncommon genes not available to Free Creation. Designs that are Scybilline approved will be marked as such.
When creating a profile for a pool design, please fill out the full Character Profile form found at the end of this journal. Make sure to leave the phenotype/genotype empty, as well as the magic type! Do not choose a design until your profile has been submitted to the form, and accepted.
Obtaining a design via this method is the quickest/most efficient method, as the designs are pre-approved! All you need to do is create a profile in sta.sh (The full character profile found below) and submit it to the group via the Design Pool Profile Application form and - once approved - choose a design! Designs are claimed on a first-come-first-serve basis, so please wait until your profile has been accepted before picking out a design.
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Design Pool designs must show the majority of the original design on the finished reference. Various body additions can be added, but the original design must be clearly visible.
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Please be patient! It may take a few weeks, not including revisions that may need to be made, in order to get the profile accepted. Expanding on that, please make sure the positions, herd, and/or bloodline are currently open for creation in order to speed up the process!
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Designs that are claimed will be moved to the Claimed Design Pool folder. Should you decide you no longer want the character before you create a reference, the design will be returned to the group. However, if a reference has been made the character may be transferred to new ownership.
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If you do not get a reference up for your claimed design pool design within 60 Days (Extensions may potentially be given if you note in your issue to the group, but no hard promises) your design pool claim can be reclaimed by the group, and you will have to re-apply.
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Remember that designs from the pool may only be claimed by a player once a month! This way, everyone has a chance at the awesome designs that live there.
Designs currently available from the Design Pool may be found here!
Adoption
From time to time, players lose muse for their characters and put them up for adoption. Adoption is a wonderful alternative to creating a brand new character! Adoptions are judged on a first-come, first-serve basis. You may adopt once a month and adoption does not count against your one-a-month Design Pool limit. Did I mention you get a nice little skill boost for submitting a brand new reference once the adoption is complete?
Auctions
Group Run Auctions
From time to time (aka, usually whenever strideroo has consumed too much coffee) auctions will be held! These designs often contain the rarest ranks, genes, or combinations of genes so are often highly sought after. Auctions may be herd specific, rank specific, age specific, color specific, or more depending on the theme!
Auctions will usually run for about two months, with judging following as quickly as possible! Please be patient if the judging takes a bit longer! All auction bids must include a Character Profile and either an art/literature bid depending on the auction itself.
Player Run Auctions:
Example: The Prosperous Auction | Nombeko | ENDED
Auctions are fun, and exciting, so it's understandable that all of us want to get in on the joy of creation! We encourage players to run auctions for others, using their tokens and manders to pay for the mutations, or special designs! However, all auctions do need to be noted into the group using the following form, and be approved before they can go forward. So, when you’re ready to submit, please place your auction into a Sta.sh file or journal, and send it on in!!
**Note: This does NOT include single foal/offspring auctions! You do not need to note in auctions for single babies, or rehoming auctions of offspring!
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For Player Run Auctions that have NOT been Approved: Please put a note on the journal that the auction is still going through the approval process.
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Please note that designs and histories of pre-made characters will be subject to changes/approval when submitted to the group.
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If token transfers between players are needed, please transfer all tokens/manders prior to submission of this form. When this form is sent in, all tokens noted on it will be placed ON HOLD for the auction’s end to be used on the characters they have been denoted for. Manders will be treated as a temporary token purchase and pre-deducted.
PLAYER RUN AUCTION FORM:
NOTE TITLE: Player Run Auction
Auction Creator: DA Name of Creator. You will be responsible for this auction from start to judging. If multiple players, please state all names.
Sta.sh/Journal Link: Sta.sh/Journal link to the auction.
Date of Auction - Start/End: Date Start, and Date End.
Judging Grace Period: Judging period duration.
Designs: Precreated/Player Responsible?: Are the designs made by the creator of the auction, or the person that wins the character? Please note all designs/histories are subject possible edits/changes before they will be approved.
Token List: Please include all tokens being used in this auction. These will be placed On Hold until the end of the auction.
Salamander List: Please include all salamander payments being used in this auction. These will be deducted at the time of note and be treated as a temporary token purchase.
Breeding
Another easy way to get a design is by breeding two characters together to make a baby! Babies are speeshul, since they can inherit potentially rare genes, combinations of genes, or uncommon mutations from their parents! However, since there is a buttload of information regarding breeding in Anomalous this will all be explained in another journal!!
Transfered Characters
Every now and then, players decide that they would like to give one of their characters to another player. How sweet! In order for a Transfer to be complete, the current owner of the Design/Character must fill out the following form and send it via note into the group!
Character Name: If a character was never created for the design, simply put ‘N/A’!
Link to Current Reference: If a reference was never made for the design, simply put ‘N/A’!
Link to Design: If applicable, be sure to include the number of the design on a sheet!
New Owner: Who will you be transferring the design to?
Character profiles made for designs must follow the design, even with the transfer! So no changes may be made to the name, gender, history, etc!
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Remember, Transfers are permanent once a note has been sent and processed by staff! Should you ever desire to reclaim the character, the new owner must send in a new transfer notice to the group!
Anomalous Character Profile Form
Once you have made a reference image for your character, the below form must be included in the artist’s comments! The below information must be filled out but, if you would like to expand on certain areas or include more information about your character, feel free! Please only include the character for which the profile is for in your reference! That way there is no confusion over who the character is that is being referred to.
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The Skills and Talents section MUST be included upon the characters reference! Breakdown of RP and other RP information can be noted on a journal or elsewhere, but all other sections MUST be included on the profile.
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For an example of a correctly laid out reference, see strideroo's reference for Blue | Bull | Saraph Slave!
In the title section of your character's reference, please use the following form
Basic Information:
Name: What is your character’s name? Choose wisely as this cannot be changed!
Nickname: (Optional: Does your character have a nickname?)
Gender: (s your character a male or female? Remember that each herd refers to their males/females differently! Austerians: Stag/Doe, Hihiri: Stallion/Mare, Linx: Bjorn/Maer, Nombeko: Tom/Queen, Saraph: Tiercel/Hen, Scybilline: Drake/Femme.
Breed: Anomalous Equine. (Do not change this!)
Bloodline: Is your character a purebred Austerian, Hihiri, Linx, Nombeko, Saraph, or Scybilline? For crossbreds, what are they crosses of? Please note that crossbreds are not free to create!
Age: How old is your character?
Birth Season: In what season and year was your character born? (For example: Spring, Year 1992 of the New Generation.)
Eye Color: Eye color of your horse! Please list eye mutation, if applicable. (For example, Green Cat-Eye.)
Build: How heavy is your character built? Can be light, light-medium, medium, medium-heavy, or heavy. Keep in mind that certain skills will come with Build Caps or Build Bonuses depending on what build you choose! For information on what bonuses your character's build may entail, see the Skill Leveling System journal.
Height: In hands! Please keep herd height averages in mind.
Phenotype: The physical color of your character! (For example: Black tobiano.) If this is for a Design Pool Profile submission, please leave this section blank.
Genotype: The genetic makeup of your character! (Following the former example: Ee/aa/nTb.) If this is for a Design Pool Profile submission, please leave this section blank.
Design Sheet: A link to the approved design sheet of your character!
Mutations:
What types of mutations does your character have? Keep in mind the restrictions that each herd has. Traits that would normally be found on a horse, such as a regular horse tail or hooves, need not be listed. These mutations may be inherited by the character’s foals!
For Starter Characters, you may choose up to three mutations to tack onto your character in addition to the herd’s Automatic Mutation. An Automatic Mutation is a mutation that any member of a particular herd may have, free of charge! If, however, you do not wish your character to have this mutation that’s fine too. Automatic Mutations or Starter Mutations that are not used cannot be exchanged for rare/other mutations! For example, an Austerian Starter Character might have the following mutations:
- Branching Tines (Automatic)
- Magic-based Mutations (Automatic)
- Deer Tail (Starter)
- Deer Nose (Starter)
- Deer Ears (Starter)
- Cloven Hooves (Basic Mander)
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Remember that some mutations, such as twin tails, can only be purchased from the store. Mutations that are not common to a herd must also be purchased. For example, Rabbit Ears on a Nombeko are free but must be purchased to appear on a Hihiri! Always look at the herd journals for proper mutations! If you aren’t sure about a certain mutation or have an idea for something you don’t see on the mutations list, feel free to note the group to see if it’s okay! Austerians are deer-like; Hihiri are fishy; Linx are feline/canine; Nombeko are rodent/fox-like; Saraphs are bird-like; and Scybillines are reptilian! As long as your idea fits these themes, it should be fine!
Salamander/Tokens/Quest/Shrine Rewards Applied:
List any and all Salamander purchases, Tokens (by Token #), Quest Items (by Quest Item #), or Shrine Rewards (by Shrine #) here! If none, write N/A or none.
Herd Information:
Herd: Which herd is your character affiliated with? If none, put Renegade and the herd that hailed from! (For example: Scybilline Renegade.)
Herd Rank: What rank does your character occupy? For example, Hihiri Hunter. Please be aware of ranks that are closed to free public creation, such as a son/daughter of the Austerian Queen!
Current Location: Where is your character currently living? Can either be in one specific location or a territory in general. For example, ‘Anywhere in the Nombeko territory’ would be acceptable!
Personal Information:
Sire: Who is the father of your character? If an in-game foal, please include a link. If a starter, you may either make up a character or simply put NPC!
Dam: Who is the mother of your character? If an in-game foal, please include a link. If a starter, you may either make up a character or simply put NPC!
Mate(s): Does your character have a mate or hold a harem? Provide a link to references if applicable! Note that in some herds mates are for life and cannot be changed!
Offspring: Does your character have children? If your character has an in-game foal, please include a link to the foal’s reference!
Personality:
(What is your character like? You may either write out a description of your character’s personality or simply jot down major personality traits, such as Kind or Stubborn! Keep herd traits in mind when creating your character’s personality! Beware Mary/Gary-Stu personalities.)
History:
What has your character’s life been like up until now? Keep in mind that everything that happens to your character will form how they act/think, or what their lot in life will be! Histories must remain realistic for each herd.
Skills & Talents:
Ability: An extra optional ability that may give your character an advantage! For example, a Nombeko with the Hawkeye ability would make an excellent scout while a Linx with the Bloodhound ability would make a fabulous tracker! Abilities add points to the cap of a Skill. For example, with Fleetfoot the Agility Cap will no longer be 100 but 115 points! For more information about abilities, please read the Special Abilities Journal! Remember if your character is a Hihiri you may pick two abilities to start!
Herbs/Medicine: How many points does your character have of medicinal talent? If an Age Cap is applicable please include it! For example, 30/100 [Medium Level] (Age Cap: 19 Points Max [Basic Level]).
Magic Type: What type of magic does your character have? Common magic types are free to create. If you would like your character to be rolled for a chance at a magic type that is uncommon or rare in their herd, please write ‘Roll desired!’ Note that certain forms of magic can only be purchased! Also, keep in mind that if you would like to save up to purchase a certain form of magic, feel free to leave your character without any magic at all! In this instance, please write ‘None’. Keep herd limitations in mind and remember that all Hihiri will be rolled to see if they have magic or not! If a Hihiri is rolled negative for magic, magic can be purchased for them at a later time.
Magic Level: How many points does your character have of magical talent? If an Age Cap is applicable please include it! For example, 30/100 [Medium Level] (Age Cap: 19 Points Max [Basic Level]).
Agility: How many points toward speed does your character have? If an Age/Build Cap is applicable please include it! For example, 30/100 [Medium Level] (Age Cap: 19 Points Max [Basic Level]).
Stamina: How many points toward stamina does your character have? If an Age/Build Cap is applicable please include it! For example, 30/100 [Medium Level] (Age Cap: 19 Points Max [Basic Level]).
Strength: How many points toward strength does your character have? If an Age/Build Cap is applicable please include it! For example, 30/100 [Medium Level] (Age Cap: 19 Points Max [Basic Level]).
Experience: These points may only be earned through fights featured in art/literature! Experience is not capped by age.
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Points Breakdown:
Click here to find our Base Skill Points Calculator.This will be where the points that your character has earned through art/literature will be listed! All Starter Characters will get an automatic bonus of 50 points that can be applied to Magic, Medicine, Agility, Stamina, or Strength! Points may be spread across the different skills or applied entirely to one skill. Follow this example when applying points!
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+20 Magic - Starter Bonus
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+15 Agility - Starter Bonus
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+15 Stamina - Stater Bonus
Your character will also get a bonus based on its build! Lighter builds tend to be faster while heavier builds seem to be stronger; medium-type builds generally fall somewhere in the middle! Whatever build you have chosen, just find the appropriate build and gender from the list below and copy-paste it into your Points Breakdown! If your chosen build affects the cap of a skill, please modify the cap appropriately (ie, for a light build, points on Strength should be listed as ---/25, not ---/100). For a more extensive explanation about Leveling, visit our Skill Leveling System journal!
Reference Updates
So. You've decided that it's time for your character to get a new reference. Perhaps they just need some new art, or they've found themselves with a couple of new mutations!
If your character has had a large scale body change, such as Divine Blessing, Mutate, Addition of Legendary mutation, reference changes need to be noted into the group. Not updating a reference on such a large change is very confusing for mods, particularly if the character is breeding. Please note that if a reference does not match a mutation list, breeding and skill checks will be delayed until the updates are made!
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Please keep the old reference up until the new reference is approved by a moderator!