Art, concept, writing © raptorslut
MUDSKIPPER
These Fishers are generally found in the swamps and wetlands of Jo’Arca, and unlike their ocean dwelling cousins, they can be easily found spending their lives in the water, or above land. This is thanks to the sticky oils and mucus their skin naturally produces, protecting their otherwise sun-sensitive flesh from drying out and burning. They are entirely amphibious, but they usually prefer fresh or brackish waters to making their homes in salty oceans. Not by necessity, simply preference.
The largest populations of Mudskipper fishers reside within the fertile lowlands of Oriens and the Ardilla Swamp of northern Vesper. Some more colorful variations can be found deep within the Casian rain forest. Few have ventured south to the Silver peninsula and crest falls since it is several weeks travel by ocean current and otherwise means crossing the arid desert of Sicco Glutture, but the few that do make their home in the south are assuredly tough as nails, a bit of a stark contrast with the paradise oasis city most make the Crest Falls out to be.
Rumor has it it was Helgin who had his hand in creating this subtype, however unlike the stereotypical assumption most have towards the God’s handiwork, these Fishers typically move away from not only the frightening portrayal of Robbers, but also their own Fisher cousins. Mudskipper Fishers are very playful and friendly… and also very loud. They’re both extremely chatty, and lean towards the noise making portions of music- like using instruments, while their ocean cousins prefer singing. Additionally, they have fatty pouches on their cheeks that can extend out when filled with air, often times co-occurring with a croaking sound. Other noises of choice include gator croaks, and 33 screaming frogs.
They’re not the best neighbors, with that taken into consideration. Mudskipper Fishers are mostly nocturnal, and they don’t consider that… maybe everyone else isn’t, and maybe everyone else isn’t a fan of their musical choices.
Mudskippers tend to have flatter flaps and fins with fewer rigid bones. Sometimes their whiskers grow in threes, like a catfish.Their tails are generally more mudfish and amphibian themed. The most notable differences are their mucous skin, cheek pouches, and large sticky paw like forearms.
A common hobby or profession among mudskippers is the development and sale of potions, medicines, and poisons. Their natural resistance to many poisonous plants make them perfect candidates for picking and growing exotic flora in lush wetlands.
Female mudskippers enjoy picking extravagant rain forest flowers or water lilies and other swamp flowers for their hair.
Mudkipper cuisine is a bit…...eccentric. Some having long extending tongues for catching bugs and small fish and all sorts of things found in the mud. Their strong stomachs can handle digesting semi poisonous fungi and creatures. They’re omnivores to, some say, an alarming degree.
Adaptations include being fully amphibious, resistant to poisons, croaky noises, and sticky feet.
Art by Cuddlycuttlefish and Raptorslut
Concept and writing by Cloneclone and Missmab
DEEPSEA
There are few things Fishers are afraid of, as being the top of the food chain for the vast oceans they call home leave little to fear, however, there is one thing most will unanimously agree upon, and that is their Deepsea brethren are a thing of nightmares. Not much is known about this subtype of Fisher beyond the shared tales from those who frequent the deeper waters or the Crafters that venture into the deep caverns.
Deepsea Fishers are said to be far more violent than their shallow-water counterparts, something most land dwellers find hard to believe given the Fisher’s already gruesome reputations. There are stories elaborating on their jagged, unsightly teeth, gnarled claws, and how they can go completely unseen before said teeth and claws are sinking into you. Some say they use magic to their advantage to keep them invisible, others argue that their very flesh is see-through with no need for magic. Then there are those who say they’re a vibrant array of colors, blinding and disorienting to the eyes in the all-consuming blackness of the ocean trenches. All can agree that they’re unwilling to go find out if the stories are just that, or an awful reality.
In regards to topside Stardragons, it's only recently that knowledge of such a type of Fisher to even exist. So knowledge of them is limited to sailor’s tales and small fishing village’s legends. Most seem to speak of skeletal Fishers on long since sunken ships dragging men into Lenus’ embrace. Others talk of terrifying figures creeping through the jungle swamps after a terrible tropical storm.
Unsurprisingly, the only StarDragons that have any positive tales in the shortlist of stories is the equally elusive Deepforge Crafters. They speak of the same grizzly appearance, but swear the Deepsea Fishers make up for it with the goofy way they walk, the silly garbage they find in sunken wrecks and wear in their hair, and the way their eyes get wide and starry when they hear stories of the world above.
(StarDragons are an Open Species, created by DeleteTheStars, RaptorSlut and CloneClone. bellumi was given moderation of the community by the creators.)