vicvic's Bulletins

The Parthian arctic is a vast and barren landmark on Parthi. It lies on the southernmost part of the planet - also known as the South Pole. Snowstorms and blizzards batter this place on the daily, constantly changing the landscape like a desert. It is decorated with plentiful mountains and valleys, all covered in a thick layer of dense and wet snow.

Mountains soar high above the clouds, dauntingly towering over the small nomadic groups of Slinkos who slither through the barren arctic. Their iron-colored rocks observe the vacant space that stands below them, covered in a blanket of bright and reflective snow which can blind an unsuspecting Slinko if sunlight hits it in just the right way. Though, there are no known cases of that happening since the arctics' sky is covered in a thick, impenetrable layer of dense shale-colored clouds.

The weather on the Parthian Arctic is boring and stale. The sky is consistently blanketed with a thick cover of dense clouds, threatening to unleash the worst of snowstorms. Rough winds howl through the vacant valleys, sounding like a contrabass flute. Mountains are known to erode due to these powerful winds, throwing large chunks of rocks off of their tips. Loose snow is whipped up into the air, creating a thick fog of snow. Snowstorms come without warning - the forecast[s] cannot predict them at all. The only warning sign is a loud howl of wind which screams through the barren landscape - though, from that, it is already too late.

Traveling Slinkos know that they should bring eye protection whilst they go on these daunting travels through the treacherous arctic. They usually bring at least three pairs of goggles - sometimes even four - just in case they break. They wait a few months to grow out a thick coat of fur in an attempt to survive the burning cold that the arctic provides. They have to bring plenty of blankets just in case, too. They are unable to bring tents as most of the snow in the arctic is new and loose, which has been proven to be unstable for new tents being laid down. Slinkos have to find refuge in a cave or at least something that will shelter them from the onslaught of battering snow - like, a rock or something.

Native Slinkos gleefully welcome foreign Slinkos into their caves. Most Native Slinko caves have been modified by their owners. Most caves have a drilled-out chamber which acts as a guest room for the foreign Slinkos. Native Slinkos are kind at heart, they will almost always try to find a way to welcome someone into their life - even if the Slinko they're welcoming doesn't like them. They form friendships and relationships very easily. They gift the newcomers with a special household trinket, like a necklace or an earring of unmeltable ice - sometimes, they will even gift the newcomer with a hand-sewn cloak as a welcoming gift. Native Slinkos always prepare food in the event of a foreign Slinko taking refuge in their cave. Their arrivals are unannounced, so the Native Slinkos always have to be prepared in the event in which a random Slinko stumbles upon their cave. Some foreign Slinkos arrive at the caves visibly disgruntled and highly irritable, leaving them to treat the Native Slinkos as if they are nothing. The Native Slinkos are used to this behavior, as they have developed special ways to calm an irritated Slinko down. They usually offer a few cups of warm tea / coffee / hot cocoa in an attempt to calm the Slinko down - this has been proven to help disgruntled Slinkos calm down substantially. Other households will let the Slinko sit by a fire and vent their feelings out - this sometimes leads to surprise friendships, sometimes lasting a few months, years, or even a lifetime. If a foreign Slinko gets violent, the household Slinkos have to restrain them from hurting or damaging their property or family members.

Native Slinko caves are mediocre in size; they usually feature one natural chamber and one drilled-out chamber for guests. They are not as cold as they seem like they are, but, their temperatures are known to drastically plummet overnight to below-zero temperatures, which can prove to be fatal to the unprepared - though, that is only the case for caves who choose not to leave their fire on all night. Their chambers resemble hollowed-out holes, featuring icy stalactites that cling to the ceiling. Some Native Slinkos have to drill out certain parts of their cave in an attempt to fix airflow issues that are common in these caves. There is usually a large carpet placed in the center of the chamber, followed by furniture placed on top of it. Beds are placed in a darker corner of the chamber, away from all of the heat and light. Families tend to huddle together whilst they sleep, though for the Native Slinkos who live alone, they rest by the fire. Native Slinkos are not awoken by the rising sun reflecting off the compact ice which makes up their tiny caves, as the sun’s rays do not penetrate through the dense clouds which ominously hover overhead. They are usually awoken by the sudden bite of subzero air which fills their cave once their fire goes out.

A lot of Native Slinkos are heavily into hand-crafted culture. They like to knit, crochet, make carpets - anything that involves hands-on labor. They do not like to paint, since most of their caves are made out of ice instead of the common rock or limestone caves that heavily populate Parthi's landscape. They frown upon the act of painting, since painting requires the use of a Slinkos' blood. They believe that blood should not be used for anything unless it is critical - that is, they believe that it should only be used for medical purposes, and / or recreational use. Their caves are adorned with intricate banners and rugs which have been made by household family members, like a family symbol in the medieval times. Some Native Slinkos practice the craft of making jewelry - like making bracelets, necklaces, etc. Slinkos who have a lot of experience like to incorporate their jewelry skills in their weaving skills, creating banners or rugs which feature gems woven into their designs. Their banners, rugs, blankets, etc - all feature intricate designs and details. Each design is different from the rest, though, a lot of them are based off of pre-existing designs with a bit of personal creativity sprinkled in. Native Slinkos learn these skills at a very young age, usually starting from infancy. They usually first taught how to knit and sew, then, as they grow older, they are taught how to make banners and crochet - though, this may prove to be different depending on the family. A banner will usually take 6-15 hours if it has been made by a beginner Slinko, though Slinkos with a lot of experience can usually make them within at least 2-6 hours. For the Slinkos with intermediate experience, it will usually take them around 4-14 hours, depending on how much experience and practice they have gotten. Some households will teach young learners how to make hats, scarves, gloves, etc. Most household items are handmade, since Native Slinkos are unable to visit mainland Parthi to receive professionally made household items.

As a Slinko enters a Native Slinkos’ cave, they are greeted with cave walls decorated with family-made rugs and banners, as Native Slinkos display immense amounts of pride towards their family heritage. Most households have banners which feature colors like maroon, gold, burgundy, and silver. Some households have banners which feature more cooler tones, such as dark blues, purples, and fuschias. These colors have little to no significance, as they only are there just for show. They hang from the cave’s ceiling either by thick chains or the same yarn which holds bulbs up, dangling high above one’s head. Leftover yarn and thread dangle from the banners, as the Slinko who has made them has found no use for the leftovers. Some households have special types of yarn, such as yarn which can glow in the dark or even change colors. These yarns are reserved for household rugs and carpets, as they are considered sacred - though, that can change from family to family, as each family has their own values and beliefs. The yarn which glows in the dark radiates a green or blue hue, softly glowing as the night goes on. They do not need to be powered by a separate light source since small traces of pure Canovite have been woven into the yarn, thus making them glow year-round. Canovite yarn does not cut as easily as traditional yarn, since the fibers that are used to create this yarn are a lot more thick and dense than normal fibers. Native Slinkos have made special needles just to knit or crochet this type of yarn, since traditional needles have been known to snap due to the strength of Canovite yarn.

Their rugs and carpets are able to face some types of confusion towards foreign Slinkos, since they use the terms interchangeably on the mainland. Native Slinko rugs can be used as a wall or ceiling decoration, occasionally being laid down on the icy cave floor in the event they need to rest. Carpets are not used as wall or ceiling decorations; they are used as a permanent mat on the floor, though they do not span throughout the whole chamber.

Most caves have some form of furniture, like chairs / sofas / beds. Every cave has a fireplace made of stone or brick, complete with a tunnel leading outside which lets out smoke. Most caves are unable to have a chimney, as some caves are on top of each other. Most caves are illuminated by torches, a fireplace, campfire, or plant bulbs. Plant bulbs cling to the icy ceiling with a thick stalk made up of yarn. The plant bulb is fused with one end of the yarn, whilst the other end of the yarn is connected to the ceiling. The yarn is very durable and it is very difficult for the yarn to snap or break. In the event that the yarn does snap or break, the bulb will plummet down to the icy floor, causing it to crash into the floor and possibly shatter the bulb. They dangle from the ceiling like a lightbulb, swaying low above a Slinko's head. Plant bulbs grow dim as the days go on, requiring a Slinko to turn them off to regain their starting power. Plant bulbs are very sensitive towards sudden bursts of vibration, so Slinkos usually hit a cave wall to turn these bulbs off. Plant bulbs radiate a red - yellow hue, shining brightly for 3-4 hours, then growing dim after 4.5 hours. They will completely lose their light energy after 6 hours, which requires a Slinko to turn off all of the bulbs in their cave and wait 4-6 hours for them to recharge to their full capacity once more. Some households paint these bulbs to match their cave's aesthetic. This is very common in the arctic, though, it is considered taboo on mainland Parthi. Native Slinko households paint the bulbs with a blue color, which leads them to glow a green - purple color. They create these paints by using the juices from native berries that they grow inside their caves, and they just smear it onto the bulb.

Native Slinkos have unique characteristics following their appearance. They have horns made of ice, instead of the usual bone and keratin. They are just as hardy as normal horns, yet are covered in a thin sheen of water, though they are not wet to the touch. The ice is strangely opaque and cloudy, hardly reflecting any light. Newborn Native Slinko horns are transparent or translucent, able to reflect large quantities of light. As they age, they lose their transparency and grow more cloudy. There is no cure for this, though, if a Native Slinko wants to have clear horns again, they have to resort to ripping their horns off and letting them regrow. This is highly frowned upon in the Native Slinko community, as they believe they are ruining their natural beauty by destroying something that is a trophy of their age. Strangely, as time goes on, the regrown horns do not grow cloudy - they stay transparent. Parents refuse to tell their children this "trick," since it will result in a lot of pain and some blood loss. Some horns grow back severely deformed, sometimes even branching out to form an antler-like horn. A straight horn may curl into a corkscrew; a singular horn may split in two, and so on. Some horns may remain transparent throughout their lifetime, with a bit of cloudiness seeping through their horns, leaving them with beautiful and intricate patterns that will certainly last a lifetime. Native Slinkos with these horns are considered to be "precious" as they have a rare condition that is considered beautiful in the Native Slinko community. Native Slinkos already treat each other with high amounts of respect, though, they will treat these Slinkos as if they are some sort of higher power, like a deity. These Slinkos consider themselves normal, as it is simply a condition that affects how they look - it is not a condition that impacts them mentally.

Native Slinkos do not believe in the Canovite Scale System. They believe that it is unfair to judge a Slinko completely over their blood color, as it is something they cannot change. They will treat every Slinko with respect, regardless of how cruel the Slinko is towards them. They believe that even the most cruel and dangerous of Slinkos have the ability to recover from their ill state of mind, yet, the Slinko has not decided to get help for their unusual state of mind. They believe that there is a small spark of hope in the worst of Slinkos, in which they will try to ignite that small spark of hope within the Slinko. They believe that something has caused their unrelenting hatred, though, some Slinkos have been like this ever since they first hatched.

TYPE	BEGINNER	INTERMEDIATE	EXPERT
Banner	6-15	4-14	2-6
Blanket	9-20	8-19	5-15
Rug	13-27	7-26	6-20
Carpet	15-38	9-37	8-26

*TIME IS MEASURED IN HOURS UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. THESE ARE ALL COMMON HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, SO THIS WILL NOT INCLUDE HATS AND SCARVES.

Most Native Slinko caves are made out of ice, as the Parthain arctic is almost entirely made of ice. Some caves are made out of rock and / or limestone, though those caves are reserved for the Slinkos of higher power. Though, those caves are almost entirely left abandoned or vacant, since no Slinko of higher power will decide to live in the arctic. Most Slinkos of higher power live in the deeper parts of the arctic; the parts in which not even the bravest of foreign Slinkos will dare to venture into. These places are not available on modern-day maps, since foreign Slinkos have been known to mysteriously disappear without a trace after they enter this area.

Beneath the loose snow of the Parthain Arctic, plentiful amounts of icy chambers hold dazzling crystals encased in a thick layer of compact ice lie deep beneath the frozen surface. These rare chambers are similar in composition to the geodic chambers which litter the volcanic underground on some islands. The discovery of these obscure chambers has swiftly been silenced by the Slinkos who reside inside of them; they bribe the Slinko who has discovered them with a special trinket or precious bulb husks. These geodic chambers are commonly found near extinct volcanoes which scarcely populate the arctic. Some areas are home to plentiful amounts of these hidden gems, they are occasionally nicknamed “Icy Swiss,” as a little play-on to how these chambers may resemble the structure and shape of swiss cheese. These fossilized volcanic areas are restricted to foreigner Slinkos, as the Native Slinkos do not want these alien ecosystems to be interrupted by unknowing passerby. The icy underground geodes are protected in a thick and dense layer of rock and ice, making it quite difficult for an unprepared Slinko to trespass these precious icy capsules. The Slinko - or Slinkos - who reside within these crystalline chambers feature unique characteristics regarding their physical appearance. Their heads may feature a hypnotizing array of several crystals and precious gemstones, similar to the crystals that reside in their crystalline home. However, since they were hatched within the arctic, they may also feature little icy spines that decorate their jaws and snouts like a thorny lizard. Their crystals are infused within their skulls, which may result in some bone being replaced by pure crystal. These infused crystals are just as thick and dense as bone, yet they are more prone to being shattered - which provides a hefty risk of brain damage or even death. There have been cases of complete crystalline skulls - in other words, their skulls have little to no traces of bone within them. Instead, they are made up of several different types of crystals. Most Geodic Slinkos who suffer from this condition do not know that they have it themself; however, they can discover that they have it by observing their teeth. Their teeth are almost identical in shape, color and size of an average Slinko - though, they glisten and glint when light hits them. Alternatively, a tooth may shatter if they snap their jaw shut at high speeds, or if they have a powerful jaw. These teeth do grow back after a few months, though, it is a rather tremendously painful experience which may last 1-6 months, depending on the age of the Slinko. Some Geodic Slinkos may even pluck their teeth out to create weapons for show, though they are greeted with a piercing pain which echoes through their entire skull, possibly leaving them incapacitated for hours on end. Some may even make intricate necklaces out of these teeth, similar in appearance to pearl and shark tooth necklaces which are quite common on the Parthain mainland. There are currently no known cases of this crystalline bone condition spreading throughout the body, so it is believed that it is a condition that only affects the skull. Their claws are razor sharp, so sharp that it is believed they can cut diamonds - though, that myth was created by local folklore that spreads throughout the arctic. They glimmer in the low sunlight, reflecting intense amounts of light off of their faceted claws.

These crystalline chambers were formed over millions of years ago, as pockets of scorching magma carved through the thick arctic ice. Some chambers developed quite quickly, causing them to form into dense crystalline balls with no noticeable crystalline structure inside. Some chambers may still remain in their early stages, leaving small pools of magma residing in them. Chambers like these tend to have scorching hot temperatures, sometimes burning off delicate fur if a foreigner stumbles upon one. Some travelers may slip on the ice in these chambers, causing them to sink into the sizzling magma.

As a traveling Slinko scours around this alien arctic, they may encounter rust and blood colored glaciers which slowly crawl across the forgotten landscape. These gruesome rivers vigorously radiate a putrid iron-like smell, which is so vile to the point where it may leave a Slinko unconscious due to the overbearing sensations it provides. These glaciers surely do not hold a gorey secret, as they are natural sites of Canovite production and formation. Rust-like streaks stain the light snow and compact ice, leaving intricate scar-like marks on the frostbitten ice of the arctic. These mineral deposits spill out to the frozen seawater below, resulting in dazzling sights of water boiling and letting off copious amounts of steam into the arid arctic air above. These reactions rage on throughout the year, battling through the most dangerous of weather. Over time, Canovite gradually replaces the frozen water that has viciously fought back, leaving a spectacular dense block of pure Canovite behind. These rivers are shockingly scarce within the arctic, yet they prove to be an imminent and lethal threat towards the arctics’ inhabitants.

Due to this evolving problem, special Slinkos have vowed to risk their lives in order to protect the arctic ecosystem. They task themselves in retrieving these lethal cubes and discarding them at a later date. These Slinkos are nicknamed “Haulers” by the locals, as they are known to haul these gargantuan cubes over large distances for days or months at a time. Haulers are familiar with the frozen landscape itself, as they have lived in the arctic their whole life. Most Haulers are native to the Barren Arctic, as they have showcased their spectacular abilities to carry these dense cubes amongst long distances. When they discard of

The Barren Arctic is a profoundly hazardous place in the Parthain arctic. Mountain ranges made up of ice are scattered throughout the savage plain, concealed in a thick layer of wet and dense snow. Behemoth ravines scar this place, some being as deep as over a mile down. The ravines are decorated with the remains of the forgotten, some even being frozen in time due to the subzero temperatures. They lay there with an overwhelming sense of fear and dread in their eyes - a grim reminder of those who have refused to heed the warnings of death. The forgotten landscape is decorated with the bodies of the unsuspecting, sometimes even being used as specific landmarks for the Slinkos who dare to go through this lethal valley. The bulbkeepers are not aware of this place, as they heavily rely on the usage of maps and satellite data. Though, if a bulbkeeper is notified of this mess, they will either come to the difficult decision of having to leave their home for a few months, or decide to stay home and let nature take its course.

The arctic is under a constant siege of blizzards, violently whipping loose snow around the valleys like bullets. They drill through the landscape, creating strange markings in the way, similar in shape of a jagged scar. They rip through the mountains, tearing them apart and leaving beautiful spires of ice behind. They decorate the tattered landscape like bones, some spires even resembling that of a ribcage. The behemoth spires tower overhead, threatening to collapse at a moment’s notice. They are slowly eroded down throughout the long, drawn-out wintry months of the arctic year, leaving nothing but a small boulder-like ruin behind. Some spires may grow weak in their midsection, leaving them able to plummet down to the icy graveyard below. As they impact the compact snow, they shatter into several pieces, similar to that of glass. The crash is muffled on the most part, yet the sound roars through the valleys, similar to the sound of roaring thunder. There have been casualties due to these gargantuan structures toppling over, leaving one-of-a-kind bone anomalies behind - the ones that collectors will fight to the death for. Yet, these anomalies are encased in a thick prison of ice and snow, leaving them in a permanent prison of the arctics’ brutal wrath. There are treacherous valleys which are home to vast amounts of small ice spires, like rocky spikes at the bottom of a steep cliff. They have been carved out by the relentless battering of wind and snow throughout the years, yet are now left unable to be touched by the piercing winds. These spiky valleys can be found near large mountain ranges, since cliffs are rare in the forbidden arctic. Some valleys feature immense amounts of bones left behind by the travelers who have not heeded their warnings. Several bodies are frozen in time, encased in a thick prison of ice, showcasing their final moments of life, displaying nothing but fear in their eyes. They leave behind their traveling bags who await the day when they are stolen and emptied of their goods by the Barren Locals. They populate the spiky valleys like statues in a museum, each telling a different story of their own. These spiky valleys are occasionally nicknamed “Iceyards,” as a play-on word to an icy graveyard. Several gruesome fights between foreigners are frozen in time, same as graphic scenes of foreign Slinkos trying to escape their misery, yet swiftly stopped by sudden flash-freezes that the valley provides.

Bleak, empty landscapes are scarred by the intense battering of snow that the barren valley provides. They hold gargantuan ravines, sometimes having holes on their sides which provide shelter or a home for a Barren Local. These icy crevasses feature bridges of bone, or even bridges of frozen bodies. These bridges are built by the Barren Locals, or have fallen in such a way that they create a natural bridge. These bridges are thick and hardy, due to the compactness of the ice. They may suffer from the occasional crack of the ice, yet those cracks have been proven to not damage the bridge in any way. These bridges do not have any side bars, which can prove to be dangerous for locals who are not familiar with the area. Looking down from these bridges, a Slinko will be greeted with a blast of frozen air which blows out of these crevasses. They are also greeted with a navy blue or black abyss which ominously looms below, warning them of a potential fate if they slip and plummet into the shadows. Barren Locals have grown used to the eerie sound of a body plummeting down the deep crevasse, hitting the ground with a loud splash sound. They consider these Slinkos as “droppers,” since they drop to the bottom of the icy crevasse.

Barren Slinkos are drastically a lot more hardier than the Native Slinkos or foreigners. They have evolved to survive these lifeless conditions in surprising ways. They have skin that is at least four times thicker than average, their fur is a lot more compact and denser than average fur. They have evolved to grow icy claws, which means there is no way to tell the difference between males and females. Their heads are covered in a thick crown of ice, similar to the ice spires that populate the valleys all around the barren arctic. Icy spines and / or quills decorate their backs, similar to that of a porcupine. The icy crowns can cover the entire head, like a halo of some sort. They can be seen as a beard of some sort, though in Barren Slinko society they consider it to be completely normal. Their canine teeth are made up of compact ice, though there are some rare cases in which all of their teeth are made up of ice. No one truly knows why they have ice on their bodies, though there are some theories that these are natural genetic mutations. Their teeth are nothing but a dental nightmare; they tend to be out of order and each tooth can greatly vary in size. Barren Slinko blood is usually a shade or hue of blue, sometimes being teal or purple, depending on their parents' blood colors. Barren Slinkos have a unique quirk to them, regarding their mouths. Since there is no claw sexual dimorphism, their tongues provide a unique way to distinguish between males and females. Males have two tongues, while females only have one. They are like forked tongues, though they branch out farther down into the mouth. As a result of this, some Slinkos have a lisp, though it is considered to be normal in Barren Slinko society - some may even consider it to be a special type of regional dialect. Barren Arctic Slinkos are substantially smaller than average and normal Slinkos, as their smaller bodies are able to trap heat and keep them warm year-round.

Barren Slinkos aren't as nice as their friendly counterparts from half a continent away. They are rather aggressive and unwelcoming towards travelers and newcomers, even threatening to hurt them physically if they do not leave the Barren Arctic. In some cases, that has proven to be true, as Barren Locals have been known to get into physical altercations. Barren Locals have been known to take foreigners in for the night, then kick them out as soon as they wake up, leaving the foreign Slinko out in the bitter cold that is very likely to freeze them to death. They provide foreigners with little amounts of food - though, it is just enough food for the Slinko to not starve overnight. Barren Locals aren't too harsh on the drinks, so they provide plentiful amounts of water / warm tea / coffee / hot cocoa to the foreign Slinko. If a foreign Slinko arrives agitated or visibly disgruntled, they will be scolded for their unpleasant behavior - which can result in a short fight, or the foreign Slinko succumbing to the unpleasant argument. Barren Slinkos provide foreigners with the bare minimum amount of tools to survive the night. They do provide a fire, blankets, a drink, and sometimes food. Whilst the foreign Slinkos stay throughout the night, Barren Slinkos don’t bother to talk to them, as they are naturally antisocial.

Barren Slinkos are quite snarky and rude towards their own kind, as they are very antisocial and will almost always try to find a way to get out of a certain situation. They primarily live alone, as they are known to get into aggressive fights over territory with other Slinkos. Their caves drastically vary in size, since they have been formed inside of deep crevasses. These caves are rather bleak and boring in appearance, since a lot of them don’t knit / crochet like Native Slinkos do.

Frostbitten winds howl through the deserted icy tunnels, filling the vacant caves with an eerie song, which echoes throughout the empty caves. Icy walls decorate these chambers, adorned with discarded shards of glass and bone encased within them. Bulbs decorate the vast and empty ceilings that they hold, lifelessly clinging to the ceiling by a stalk as thin as thread. The glassy capsules radiate a dim blue light, gently illuminating the cave like a small torch. They sway with the winds that howl through the husk of a cave, sometimes breaking off of their delicate stalks and plummeting to the frozen floor. Some bulbs lifelessly rest on their stalks, yearning for the day that they are released from their glassy prison. Some may viciously flicker intense flashes of light like a frenzy, resulting in them being torn off of their stalks and thrown under a blanket to seize the sudden light show. Alternatively, some Barren Slinkos may be so hopeless or cynical that they decide to discard the bulb, throwing them down into an icy abyss.

Barren Slinkos have little to no respect for the dead. Instead of storing and preserving the bulbs of the dead, they use them as a light source or for decoration. Owning a plant bulb is considered obscene in Barren Slinko society, as they do not wish to be compared to their friendlier counterparts. They refuse to handle the bulbs of the dead with respect, instead using them for their own personal good. In some cases, some Barren Slinkos shall show so much disrespect towards the bulbs that they will throw the bulb down their icy crevasse, causing them to die a second miserable death once more - not even considering the chance that they will likely never see the light of day ever again.

Northern Arctic (AKA NParctic)

On the Northernmost side of the planet, dry and sizzling grass gradually ascends up north to a spectacular wintry wonderland, packed with several species roaming about this vast and beautiful place. A thick layer of airy loose snow hugs the ground, small bits of it glinting and glimmering in the sun's rays which beat down on the bleak landscape. Grey trunks protrude out of the white ground, decorating the empty landscape with dazzling arrays of thick trees, coated in a thick layer of airy snow.

The sky is a beautiful baby blue, adorned with little clouds which shamelessly crawl through the vast skies. The sun looms above the vacant tundra, beating down on the bright snow lying below. The air is bitter and thin, burning the lungs of any potential newcomers. The sun stares down on the locals and inhabitants of the tundra, threatening to burn them if they take a wrong turn.

Icy-blue streams slither through the tundra, escorting fish to their respective oceans. Shale-colored rocks protect the chilling rivers, decorated with small chunks of ice and snow, sometimes even a small handprint as a territory marker. They carelessly drag through the tundra, bringing small chunks of ice along with them like small boats near shore. On most days, snow gently floats to the ground, coating the tundra with a thin and loose layer of snow. Rivers gradually turn to ice, reflecting up to the sky like a mirror.

Dazzling quarries decorate several secluded places in the Northern Arctic. Most quarries have been proclaimed defunct, whilst some are still in use and off-limits to the general public. Scavengers scour around the Northern Arctic, throwing up small clouds of snow as they slither around.

Large husks of once-bustling quarries lie dormant in the chilling arctic. Stripped of their valuables, scavengers call these places home, similar to that of a tribe. Drilled out caves make a perfect resting place for any foreigner that slinks on through, providing the warmth and shelter they need for the night. The stone is cold to the touch, so could that it burns. It’s almost like a shocking sensation, sending an unexpected jolt of electricity through one’s nerves. Scavengers whom call these places home do not reside in caves, as they reserve them for any stragglers or foreigners who decide to stop by for the night. Instead, these scavengers have large rugs laid out on the frozen shale; whilst large boulders are propped up against the small icy cliffs that the quarry provides, similar to that of a primitive shelter.

Q1

Resting upon a small frozen plateau, a decently sized quarry is left at rest. The smooth, smoke-grey stone sits in place, only to be disturbed by the occasional passerby or local inhabitant. A large woven rug has been sprawled out atop this frozen shale, decorated with delicate hues of red, white and gold. Intricate patterns have been woven into this rug, depicting an ice-like deity ruling above a barren tundra. Some areas have been faded by the sun, whilst others have been stained by the dirt and grime that builds up over the years. The rug has suffered through plenty of winters, leaving some parts in a permanent state of frost; some areas are cold and damp, as snow slowly melts upon contact with the rug. A large hole is cut in the middle of the rug, leaving a bonfire placed inside of it. Several logs and small boulders surround the bonfire, some placed on top of the rug, others placed on the frozen shale of the quarry. Large, dark boulders lean against a wall of frozen rock, like a primitive shelter. These rocks are carved out, similar to that of a spoon, just big enough to provide some form of adequate shelter for the quarries’ inhabitants. Woven blankets drape over these boulders like a door, trapping any heat that is caught within the tiny shelter. Inside, a small carpet rests on the ground, decorated with similar patterns to the rug that rests outside. A campfire may be placed atop one of these carpets, as they are miraculously fireproof. Though, burn marks may stain the rug, leaving a charcoal-black stain behind. Blankets may be found inside, providing warmth for the Slinko if their fire mysteriously burns out overnight. These small homes do not hold much, as the quarries’ inhabitants rely on the bare minimum to get through the day. In other words, Slinkos whom reside in this quarry do not hold anything of sentimental value, as these items will take up empty space inside of their stone homes. Though, some Slinkos may hold a bulb case or two, as they are valuable towards traders that may wander through the tundra. Two medium-sized caves drill through the frozen stone of the quarry’s cliff. The quarry inhabitants do not use these caves for personal use, instead, they allow traveling Slinkos to rest in them overnight. These caves are decorated with plentiful banners and other handmade crafts, giving the traveling Slinko a sense of peace and security when they enter these caves. A small campfire is placed near the entrance of the cave, along with a few ashen-grey logs surrounding it, draped with a small tribal textile. These caves aren’t cramped and chilly, they are all rather quite warm and cozy. The quarry’s inhabitants do not use these caves in fear of the possibility of them becoming very cramped and / or messy. Snowstorms are quite rare in this area of the tundra, though when a snowstorm hits, they are primarily powerful and lethal; packing strong winds that whip snow around like a vicious tornado.

Notes:

SParctic is the placeholder name for the Parthian South Pole [p doesn't have to be capitalized]
NParctic is the placeholder name for the Parthain North Pole [p doesn't have to be capitalized]
There are to Parthian Arctics - North Arctic [NPTic] and South Arctic [SPTic or Parctic]
Sparctic is larger than the Nparctic - Nparctic is prone to melting throughout the sizzling summer months on the northern hemisphere
Sparctic is not prone to rampant ice melting during the sweltering summers of the southern hemisphere - the ice is almost unmeltable
"Native Slinko/s" is most likely a placeholder name
Slinkos grow very fast. They are usually fully grown by the age of one, though, some of them have been known to grow until 20
^ sometimes they will undergo a very swift growth-spurt in which they will reach their predicted length, though, sometimes they will gradually grow until the age of 20 and so on
Slinko beds aren't like human beds, they're a lot like cat beds
Chairs are a lot like bean bag chairs. very squishy, very warm
Native Slinkos have the knowledge to create beds though prefer to make cat-like beds and bean bag chairs due to their ability to curl up in a ball, just like a cat.
They do have tables, they are mostly made of unmeltable ice and are hard like wood - they feel a lot like wood
Plant bulbs are literally just dead plants, and I CANNOT stress this enough
Barren arctic is a placeholder name; can be referred to as BA / ba
Part transparent part cloudy - PTC / ptc as a placeholder name
PTC is also known as marble horns or horn marbling
Peem actually knows about the bodies in the arctic, though he doesn’t want to take a month-long journey to receive bodies - and helly won’t be able to bring him back due to council meetings
Canovite yarn is a placeholder name; probably will be named “canarn” [ka-narn]; canoviet is pronounced kah-nov-ite or can-ov-ite
Bone anomalies are bones that are misshapen/deformed/broken - like deformed skulls. ex - slinko w/ 3 eyes / 6 fingered hands / hermaphroditic claws
Forbidden arctic is a placeholder name for the iceyards
Text which has been highlighted indicates updates/changes
Barren Locals is a placeholder name, might be changed to scourers
Slinkos don’t “crunch” when they hit the ground, they splash [similar to humans and horses]
There is no regional dialect for the Barren Arctic, sorry to burst your bubble. as sad as this sounds, barren arctic slinkos would not have the classic southern accent like some well-known Slinkos do
Barren Slinkos/Barren Locals can be used interchangeably
Work on / edit Barren Slinko mannerisms more
icy swiss icy swiss icy swiss icy swiss
Geodic Slinko(s) is(are) a placeholder name (possibly)
Speaking of the splash mentioned earlier - Glisten’s death scene was horribly inaccurate, since she crunched instead of splashing. She fell from a great height, plummeting down to her icy demise from a mile above. She died on impact, though, most - if not, all of her bones stayed intact instead of shattering as they are supposed to do. The only injuries that she sustained was a snapped arm and a broken spine, both of which did not kill her (as the impact itself led her to die). Since she was killed in the arctic, her body wasn’t frozen like most bodies are - it swiftly decomposed which led to nothing but several bones behind, covered in a thin but dense sheen of gold, which is biologically impossible. [add more to this?]
hi school teachers / admins who are reading this
Edit geodic chambers
Haulers is a possible placeholder name
edit/work on haulers more
Lie: to assume a horizontal position; at rest | lay: to put or set down

PRIORITY
Edit / add to Barren Locals - add more visuals to caves, appearance and edit their mannerisms & culture Possibly add more to landscape	FIRST
Edit Geodic chambers - fix up chamber appearance and refine the crystalline skull condition; fix up / edit how chambers were formed (including appearance) - specify certain crystals which form within these	SECOND
Edit / add to Haulers - add descriptive visuals and mention tools (possibly add mannerisms similar to barren locals?), possibly work on culture?	THIRD
Edit / add to(?) canovite rivers, revise description and smell and water reaction. Water reaction = water into pure canovite block	FOURTH
Work on barren landscape - add extinct caves? Caves in which they hold an abundance of bones yet suddenly fell victim to a mysterious event that led to a mass death within the cave - nicknamed extinct caves	FIFTH - POSSIBLY ADD TODAY OR TOMORROW. PREFERABLY START EITHER TODAY IF GIVEN THE CHANCE - EITHER STATE CONCEPT(S) IN NOTES OR BEGIN WRITING
Work on barren landscape - add ruin caves? Caves that hold several ruins that have lost the battle against the war of time - possibly add something cool to do with the runes? runic pillars and boulders? Add trenches similar to those of the mariana trench on earth - or peems’ trench?	SIXTH - POSSIBLY ADD TOMORROW OR SUNDAY. PREFERABLY START CONCEPT TODAY AND WORK TOMORROW IF GIVEN THE CHANCE - EITHER PUT CONCEPT IN NOTES OR BEGIN WRITING Runic pillars and boulders - survey server w/ idea and go w/ popular vote [survey start at 12 ends at 6] Pitch idea w/ dash about the trenches