Pinglist:
@renren
Also, I've learned WAY too much about coffee today.
(Guest artists / species artists are welcome to DM me if they're interested. ^^)
What do you think?
50 Votes
I'm interested!
17 Votes
Maybe.
9 Votes
Nah.
The Caffae Cafe
Caffaes and Decaffs
This is a CLOSED species.
Updates:
- 03/16/2021: Caffaes initially conceived.
- 03/23/2021: Post updated, Toyhouse world and Discord opened to the public. DA group formatted and journals posted.
- 06/01/2021: First major MYO event! See the June bulletin for details!
- Terms of Service.
- You don't need a Caffae/Decaff in order to join the species.
- You can't make a Caffae/Decaff without an MYO slot.
- Caffaes/Decaffs can be resold, gifted, or traded; more details in the TOS.
- All artists receive 100% of profits from adopts, customs, etc.
- Bank: Located here
- Tracker: Located here
Please ask if you would like to be put on a pinglist for updates!
- @renren
- @User
- @User
- @User
- @User
LORE
Fae that are born from a freshly-made cup of coffee, Caffaes are eager to help out within the household under the curtain of the night. With their size-shifting abilities and penchant for magic, these little creatures ensure that they are practically invisible in daytime hours. A lot of humans may never know they're there!
Caffaes were initially birthed in the Middle Ages, during the early years of coffee's own invention. Thanks to their work, they have been assumed to be brownies; however, it's not quite a true statement. They often have their own groups, and cultural bounds similar to the humans who live in their home. If a house changes hands often, it may lead to some very multicultural Caffaes!
However, not everything is sunshine and daisies within Caffae culture. A subspecies known as Decaffs, known for breaking the unspoken contract between man and fae, are also present in some households. With the ability to mutate their features to oft-horrific proportions, they are usually shunned by their former brethren.
Making a Caffae or Decaff is like making a cup of coffee: you prepare your ingredients, grind and cook the beans, finish by selecting a type of coffee, adding liquids and other add-ins, and selecting a magical catalyst. All of these items come together to show off your Caffae or Decaff's unique coffee blend, from the beans to the final product, and everything in between!
Caffaes as a whole are primarily known for their wings, a telltale sign of their power. The more wings they have, the more powerful they are, and the dust atop these wings will show how their beans were ground during the process of making their coffee.
Kemonomimi elements are also present for the species at large, ranging from the common to the mythological. It's said that Caffaes and Decaffs both can access certain kemonomimi depending on their species, which further causes variation between the groups.
CAFFAES
Bean halos are one of the more common tells of a Caffae specifically, increasing in number depending on their traits. These halos often display the beans of their blend, as well as the add-ins present within it.
Certain visual traits are only available to Caffaes, such as glittery hair and skin. These traits are lost when one becomes a Decaff, almost as if their bodies are responding to this betrayal of their unspoken contract with man...
DecaffS
Decaffs are Caffaes who have directly harmed their owners directly, lethally or otherwise. As a result, their bodies respond to this breaking of fae/human contract accordingly.
One of the largest differences between a Decaff and a Caffae are the replacement of bean halos with bean spikes. These spikes certainly don't hurt when you touch them, but it's clear that this is one of the great divides between the two species.
Decaffs also gain a unique ability: the ability to mutate visual traits that can be considered body horror. Extra eyes, limbs, and even the presence of a seeping darkness are available to Decaffs, perhaps a sign of how far they've distanced themselves from their species.
Creating a Caffae
【Creating a Caffae】
Creating a Caffae or a Decaff is a seven-stage process, akin to making a cup of coffee! Each step is given out in detail in our trait guides, up to and including explanations of the coffee types available.
Traits are sorted into one of seven rarities:
- Common
- Uncommon
- Rare
- Super-Rare
- Legendary
- Adopt-Only: These are only allowed for adopts, for adopt-only MYOs given to admins, and adopt-only traits that we will occasionally raffle.
- Event-Only: Certain traits can only be obtained during certain events and time periods.
Certain kemonomimi and visual traits are exclusive for Caffaes or Decaffs, resulting in different possibilities per species member.
【Caffae vs. Decaff】
One of the telltale differences between a Caffae and a Decaff are how blend beans and add-ins manifest. While the general structure is the same for both variants, Caffaes will have bean halos, and Decaffs will have bean spikes. These will manifest in similar locations depending on rarity.
Another difference is how their other visual traits manifest, especially with Decaffs. Decaffs have the option to use certain horrific visual traits, such as the addition of extra eyes or extra arms.
【Kemonomimi】
Kemonomimi, or "beast/animal ears", come in all shapes and sizes for Caffaes. Some rarities even unlock the potential for add-on kemonomimi, able to stack certain types with a pre-existing kemonomimi.
All images are made by our guest artist starriewing!
(Click image to see full resolution)
【Grinds】
Grinds are generally what the coffee beans have been ground into, and the next step into your Caffae's blend. These will show as a dusting on your Caffae's or Decaff’s wings. Rarity is determined by how many beans are in a blend.
【Beans】
Beans can be of any type plus flavor. For example, Arabica + pumpkin spice, Robusta + mint, etc.
In differentiating unique blends, the exact beans plus flavors would be used to determine them. For example, two single-bean Caffaes can use Arabica beans, but must use different flavoring.
【Visual Traits】
It’s time to select your other visual traits. Caffaes have fewer extra visual traits for themselves, save for the presence of bean halos rather than bean spikes; however, Decaffs get a few traits of their own thanks to their potential for mutation.
NOTE: Bean halos/spikes can have the appearance of any beans used in their unique blend, such as color or flavoring. They also display add-ins applied later. You can make a separate reference of your bean halo/spikes if needed.
All images are made by our guest artist starriewing!
(Click image to see full resolution)
(Click image to see full resolution)
【Selecting A Coffee Type】
There are many types of coffee, and as a result, many types of blends that a Caffae or Decaff can be! Some of these types will also include free add-ins, meaning that you don’t need to pick up any additional traits if you select the type as your trait. The finished product of the coffee must show up within your catalyst in some way in order to be approved.
NOTE: Caffaes and Decaffs can use the exact same bean blend IF they are using a different type of coffee; for example, a regular hot coffee Caffae and a Nitro Iced Coffee Decaff can both use the exact same beans in their blends, due to their different coffee types.
【Liquid Add-ins】
While making coffee, certain liquids are used for it, namely water. This portion, however, is reserved for add-ins that are placed after the coffee is made. These will show up within the Caffae’s bean halo or the Decaff’s bean spikes.
【Other Add-Ins】
After the coffee is finished, it’s time to add add-ins! These will show up within the Caffae’s bean halo or the Decaff’s bean spikes.
How certain items look is entirely up to you, so long as you make it a point to show it in some way, shape, or form. For example, fruits can be interpreted as floating fruits, fruit slices, etc.
【Catalysts】
Every Caffae or Decaff has a catalyst with which they use to perform magic. These will be the main visual trait of your unique blend, as well as the final drink.
Catalysts are, thus, unique to every Caffae. If an "unapproved" Caffae attempts to use another's item, they may find themselves with coffee on their face and little more to show for it!
【Magic】
Magic is typically used by Caffaes as a whole for aid in their tasks. While it's rare for Caffaes to use magic in a combative manner, it certainly isn't unheard of. Meanwhile, more modern Caffaes will let themselves have some fun with their magic, such as pulling pranks.
More common Caffaes generally use their magic for levitating singular objects or turning on/off devices one at a time.
More powerful Caffaes can use their magic on more than one object at a time, such as picking up items all at once and putting them away in the same place. It takes certain skills to “sort” items using magic, rather than any show of power.
A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is this: the more detailed a task, the more power is required. You have to have the energy to perform each step of a task, which includes using your power to hold things.
【NOTE】
Their size-shifting, while extraordinary, does not count as magic; this is a natural ability that Caffaes as a species has.
Code by AviCode
left image by max d. photography
right image by nathan dumlao
Though in all seriousness I'm super hyped and would love to be placed on the pinglist!! I'd also be more than happy to be a GA if you'll have me!
Let me get on that ping list pls
You know that I would love to help with them - they sound super cute! Both with drawing the traits and doing some modding, probably.
Added to the ping list! Feel free to ask any questions as well, I'm still developing their lore and making sure it looks good.
Some additional items:
- They're tiny people, rather than chibi-styled -- stylization is okay, though!
- Caffaes can live by themselves without a problem, but usually they will prefer to make a group known as a "Caffae bar", "bar" for short. These will generally consist of a long-living family of Caffaes, although bars with several "homeless" Caffaes have been growing more common. Thanks to more modern ways of living, younger Caffaes may seek to strike out on their own and form their own bars.
- While similar to brownies, they aren't directly brownies -- they're just presumed to be thanks to their love of cleaning.
please add me to the pinglist if you get a chance, i am definitely interested in this species!!!! i love the lore and concept :D
Great! I'll go ahead and add you.
I've been working on a Discord server and TH world, but I'll likely revamp this thread when I've got all my i's dotted.
Yeah, yeah, double post.
I'm thinking about running a couple of contests once I get the text items finished up for both the TH world and the Discord server, mostly to get things started, but also to allow some user interaction with the community as well.
- Discord server icon contest
- Toyhouse World/DA icon contest
- Shop item idea (+ art?) contest
I'll definitely be thinking over some good rewards, namely gift cards and MYOs.
I also have to think of a mascot (or two), so that should be a fun time.
A preview of the MYO and Trait shop! Penny's design is by StormHeart413 . You can also see the price of the Common MYO, as well as a look at our premium species currency: Golden Beans!
(Lyroa and StormHeart received a look already, as they are being kept up to date.)
UPDATE (3/21/21): We're currently revamping a few things to make it easier for creating Caffaes, as well as replacing tasks with a new set of traits. There's also a sister species in the works, one that reveals a darker side to these strange fae. These are being worked on, so we hope you keep an eye out!