Cores

What is a core?

Core is short for 'core liquid', which is the liquid filling up a rattleshake. This liquid not only fills up their tails, but also serves as their blood and is infused with the magic that makes up their very being. It is very potent.

What does the core affect?

The core of a rattleshake affects a multitude of things about it, including but not limited to...

• Blood (bleeds the core liquid)
• Scent
• Temperature
• Patterns on bones
• Blush colour

What can be a core?

The core of a rattleshake must be a drinkable liquid.

What can't be a core?

Anything that is not a liquid, such as solid food, marbles, etc.

Species classification by core

(See species page for more detail)

1: Is it a liquid that could be drank easily with a straw? (Yes, go to 2. No, go to 3.)

2: Is it poisonous or otherwise hazardous to your health if you sip it? (Yes, go to 4. No, go to 5.)

3: Not a valid core.

4: Is it a potion or other magical liquid? (Yes, go to 6. No, go to 7.)

5: Is it a potion or other magical liquid? (Yes, go to 8. No, go to 9.)

6: Vile Vial

7: Ve-nom

8: Serpotion

9: Is it bizarre in a way that may be unappetizing, but not outright dangerous? (Yes, go to 10. No, go to 11.)

10: U-slurp-ent

11: Is it a liquid food (eg. soup/sauce) or something that is a common ingredient in food or drink? (Yes, go to 12. No, go to 13.)

12: Snake bite

13: Sip-pent

Tails

All rattleshakes have tails made from a flexible yet glass-like substance. These tails all contain a liquid core. They are see through, allowing the liquid within to be easily discerned.

While there is a great variety in what is contained within the tails, despite the name of the species, not all have rattles. There is one constant rule; it must be a consumable (hazardous or not) liquid. For example, a tail filled with M&Ms is cute, but wouldn’t count as a rattleshake.

As rattleshakes age, their tails usually gain cracks and chips  over time.

The beverage (or rarely food) inside their tail serves as their lifeblood. Leaks can often be deadly. Unlike most lamia species, rattleshakes will maintain their own temperatures, those with warm beverages naturally running warmer and those with cool beverages naturally running cooler.

The liquid inside a rattleshake affects many aspects of it. It will affect the appearance of its bones, face, and even personality. The core beverage will also usually have a temperature it wants to naturally be at, and usually the body can regulate to keep the individual healthy. The exception is those who are elderly, sick, or damaged, as they may need an extra helping hand staying warm or cold.

Rattleshakes are usually born mostly or occasionally completely full of their signature liquid. They can survive losing some if they are patched in time, and those low on liquid may find they are weak, sluggish, and have trouble regulating temperature on their own. They will need extra care. 

The liquid will regenerate as they grow, slowly, over time.

Sometimes, toppings such as marshmallows, boba, etc will also float inside the tail. Their spines are straws, and may or may not have ribs attached (though these are usually not visible even if present). The type of straw varies based on the core, and may be see through, paper, plastic, metal, or even waffle straws. If a straw is made of a degradable material such as paper, the lamia's magic will protect it and it will not degrade.