Profile
This is my main CS Species and the master folder is here on TH. Customs are currently open, you may pm me for details/pricing. Wait times are a bit high due to my other job atm (on call).
*Feedback is always welcome*
All open/available designs are here and here.
*What's a Finpy?*
-Finpy are a unique breed of harpy that took to the sea, sacrificing their feather-based wings for fins in favour of swimming amongst the waves.
-Currently there are three different forms for Finpies:
Social Form (SF) - A mid-range flying humanoid appearance (the newest updated look). An SF Finpy is more like a human-like legs with clawed or web toes and regular arms. They have retractable translucent wings (they attach at the wrist to the along to the armpit) and regular Finpy-traits for everything else.
Flight Form (FF) - A long-range flying harpy-based appearance (the original design). An FF Finpy has hand-like wings and web or claw based birb-like feet. Finpies are born looking like this until they develop a SF mode.
Merpy (Mermaid Finpy or MF)- A special MerMay event form. These Finpies are a cross between a FF Finpy upperbody and a mermaid tail lower half. These are event-only Finpies.
*Can they fly out of water?*
-Yes! Finpy prefer to be underwater but they are amphibious and their wings can achieve true flight. Their fins can become dry flying long periods out of water like that of a mermaid's tail, so it's not ideal to fly long distances when you could be swimming. If a finpy really wants to stay on land or in the sky they will preen their fins with special oils (secreated via their saliva upon command) to prevent drying.
*What do Finpy's eat?*
-EVERYTHING. Finpy's are omnivorous, their typical diet that of fish and edible ocean plants like kelp. However, when on land they will almost obsessively venture for new tastes and smells. It is Finpy nature to hunt constantly for good noms!
-Like sharks, Finpies typically nip/bite first at prey and ask questions later! If good food is found by one, the frenzy will swarm in excitement until nothing is left.
-In Social Form a Finpy's diet is reduced since they don't need as much energy (but as natural gluttons they aren't likely to show much of a difference).
*Social Behaviour*
-Finpy's are rather fickle to put it simply. You will most commonly find them in pod-like groupings called "Frenzies" (similar to the term used for sharks). A finpy will only stick to other finpies that they've bonded to (family being most common but not always a given). The number of within them always varies and it's not uncommon for stronger finpies to just live completely by themselves.
-Finpies chose leaders through combat because the "alpha" is responsible for ensuring the safety of the frenzy. A rogue finpy can come at anytime to challenge a leader, but if the whole frenzy isn't impressed with the attempt they can band together to chase the outsider off.
-Social Form Finpies are an exception due to they are trying actively to learn to trust others and explore new places. They will treat a friend the same way as if they were part of their Frenzies back home.
*The Finpy's Voice-Lullaby and Shriek-*
The Lullaby: Finpies have a siren-like ability to enthrall listeners through their singing. This method is most commonly used for weaker finpies to take advantage of the relaxed state of the enemy and escape (theiving finpies love to lull then swipe your goods). Finpies can sing seemingly for great lengths, but if a finpy is interrupted, then a target can easily regain their composure. Attempts to kite or maintain a hold can be very risky and are reccommended to be done in a group.
The Shriek: When claw and tooth fail, a finpy's next move is to shriek. The "shriek" is a an ear-splitting vocal energy that sends enemies into a world of hurt! It is more or less a blast of wailing noise that can knock an enemy some distance away from the finpy and even can render them unconcious if hit hard enough. The downside however, a finpy can only use their shrieks in short bursts (rapid succession is difficult) least they go hoarse and are left without a way to defend themselves.
Note: Flight Form Finpies retain full power due to their lung capacity. A Social Form Finpy's ability is lower when continuously battling (they wear out faster) and may be forced to revert to their Flight Form or take a break.
*Breeding and Caring for Eggs:*
Finpies are monotremes! This means they are mammals that lay eggs *think platypus*. By most common practises, a finpy male will court a female by presenting her with displays of strength against other would-be suitors, gifts of food or even showing off their fin colouration in underwater dances. If the female accepts the male, they will most likely mate for life and the male will safeguard the eggs (usually a clutch of 1-3) while the female hunts for food. Finpies that do not mate for life are not at all uncommon and simply prefer to pursue multiple potential suitors (these finpies will even raise a family on their own if they choose so).
*Gender Swapping:*
Like a clownfish, finpies are not restricted to their birth genders, especially if there is a lack of male or female within their frenzy. A finpy can within a week's time and a lot of energy, successfully morph their bodies to the gender they wish, some preferring to become genderless altogether by stopping midway. This process is determined by the finpy themselves and can be reversed as long as the finpy has an ample supply of food to provide the energy needed for the transformation.
*Body Textures- Skin, Feathers and Fins*
Finpies have a short tightly bound water-proof feathers covering them from neck to toe/claw (like a penguin). This makes them very slick in the water (it is very nice to the touch though). The face of a Finpy is regular skin, but it is smoother and softer than a human's. Their foot and palm pads are super squishy like a cat's-! Finpies' toe webs and fins are silky, but are very resilient to tearing.
Notes: You can draw the fringed wing hands with thinner or buffer arms! Finpies can be any body type so there is no restrictions on weight/buffness/slimness.
Updated: March 22/2017 -I meant to type "feathers" not "fur" previously. Finpies are birb-fishes after all.
**NEW** *Mutations* -Added Mar 23rd,/2017
Anything not on the offical Finpy Trait Sheet currently is considered a Mutation (unless in-process for a new ref sheet e.g. Neck Fluff/Flame Tails/Frills for Dorsal and Ears) and only allowed with special circumstances/events/trait pitches.
These will not be available through custom orders unless it is bought/won in an event/gifted by myself.
Current Mutation Traits:
-Chub Tail
-Neck Fluff
-Boa Fluff
-Shawl Fluff
-Extra Tail Fins *Word "Dorsal" removed from name*
-Horns
-Absence of Fin Wings
-Back Toe (making a foot anisodactyl like a hawk's)
-Mismatched Ears/Other Fins
-Extra Long Ear Fins *This excludes Mini*
-Seaglass *crystal gem growths on the body or crystalline limbs/skin/fins* Mutation Designed by Malachi (Added August 11th 2023 as part of the Design Your Own Feral Finpy Mutation Contest)
-Side Face Fins *extra fins upon a Finpy's cheeks/jawline area* Mutation Designed by Gryphonslade (Added August 11th 2023 as part of the Design Your Own Feral Finpy Mutation Contest)
**NEW** Illegal Mutations (IM): Shapeshifter Characters Only -Added Mar 30th 2017
These are mutations not available in slot/raffle form, they are only gifted/gained through my permission (personally offered customs or myo trades, etc). IM's are generally reserved for shapeshifter/transforming/hybrid characters that are requesting a Finpy form and require traits that are not the norm on Finpies. You must have a well-established character or be the creator of a species for me to consider this.
General IMs (Just to show some examples):
-Extra Eyes
-Mini Neck Fluff
-Detached Hands/Fingers on Flight Form Finpies
-Spikes
Updates:
Feb8/2017-Added Split (super rare) ear trait, Heart ears downgraded to rare to match like other heart fin traits. Ear circles added on busts displaying ear types and ear frill types.
April6/2017-What was once called "Dorsal Fins" are now "Hip Fins" and "Tail Dorsal Fins" are just "Tail Fins". My apologies for my misnaming ack~! Hip Fins now display their uncommon (green) circle by their title, as well as Ankle Fins.
May5/2017- Added Boa Fluff and Shawl Fluff to Mutations
May8/2017- Added Back Toe Mutation to Finpy feet so that they can resemble a bird of prey's.
Jan24/2018 -Medium Tail now common and Long tail uncommon. "Ear Frills" now just "Ear Fin" due to the ears are not actually frilly.
Feb 8/2018- Finpy Trait Sheet Updated with Four-fingered version of Flight Form Finpies. New uncommon "Fishy" Ear Fins added. All Curved fins (ear and hip) downgraded to common, all Edged fins (ear and hip) are uncommon. Updated info added for tail lengths (see Jan 24/2018 for info) and "Ear Frills" officially labelled "Ear Fins".
