Anatomy

How do the Dolls work?

Life Orbs:
The orbs are unique to the vast majority of the dolls, each doll having it's own object but sometimes other dolls can share similar types of orbs or color. Depending on the doll's overall type, determines the orb or orbs that are available to it. The more rare of magical material the doll is made with, the more orbs and orb styles are available to the doll to allow it to function properly. This function is similar to the overall traits that a doll can have, the more traits on a doll, the more magic is required to help that doll be able to move, live and have the ability to control each additional feature on it. The orb, or orbs, always float near the doll itself and mostly around the head and follows close to them. In a way, the orbs have a bit of self awareness to dodge hitting a wall or bumping into other objects as the doll moves or is carried.

Heart Access:
Connected to the orb, is the heart, it does not beat but just harnesses the magic and connection the orb which allows the doll to be alive. The only way to get to the heart without damaging the doll is by removing the thread in the back, this is only done during repairs. The dolls have a stitched line on their backs from where the heart was inserted. Sometimes the dolls will ask the Doll-Maker to make the sewn line more appealing such as adding thin ribbon and a bow, Velcro, or a zipper. Magical or not for humans, they can't open the back of the doll, as their defenses will automatically kick in if an attempt is made.

Personality:
The dolls are not generally given a true single type personality but just mainly a goal as they come to life, to bring smiles on their owners faces and to be there in their hardest times, to comfort them when stress or depression takes hold. Even if the human does not have the ability to see their life, their magic, the dolls can see them and when non-magic human's are not looking, the dolls will move to where they feel they need to be to do their job. In their own community, the dolls clearly show different personalities towards each other, some are mean, some are nice, some are playful, some are shy, but overall in the end, they do care about each other and always look out for one another's orbs.

Defense:
The dolls, in the care of a magical human or not, lost or not, have a single method of self defense. Their orb. When in danger of any kind that may cause the destruction of their orb or their heart, they instantly poof inside their orb, then the orb vanishes and returns to the safety of the Doll-Maker until the doll is repaired, the orb is checked over and a new owner is found. However, once a doll vanishes from it's previous owner's care from any form of violent event, the doll's magic changes to where it can no longer be visible in the eyes of it's former owner even if they are a magical human! This keeps the Doll-Maker and the doll safe from conflict or harm.

Reproduction:
Unlike humans, the dolls do not eat, drink, use the bathroom, sleep or mate. The dolls can however have relationships and build their own dolls but they do not have enough magic to bring life to the dolls that they make. The dolls have to bring the doll to the Doll-Maker in order to have the magic orbs made and give life to the doll.

The Human Eye
When humans pass by the shop or see a doll, or even own one, they are unable to see the magic in them depending on 2 specific factors: The age of the human, and if they have magical abilities even if dormant. If the human is too old or does not have any magic potential, the dolls will be just ordinary, the orbs will not be visible and any other magical traits on the doll will also be unseen or look plain to the human eye. For example, if the doll has a halo above it's head, to a magical being, the halo will float, glow and move, but to the human eye, the halo will be plain and attached to a clear stick that is fastened onto the doll. As for young humans, the dolls magical energy can be seen until the human reaches the age of 10, after that the doll becomes lifeless to the human and majority of the time the doll vanishes into the care of the Doll-Maker once again to return to the shelf or retire and help in the process of new dolls being made.

Communication
Doll's can only speak telepathically, as such, they can easily communicate with other dolls at a great distance, reported at least within 2 miles at max. Communication with humans or non magical beings is also possible. They can only communicate with young humans until a certain age, after that their words can no longer enter the mind of their owner once they hit the age of 16. As for magical owners, they can always communicate. Though their mouth can move, the inside of their mouth is generally fabric as well. Some dolls like to lip the words they telepathically send to feel more alive despite being unable to make sound. However, it has been reported of damaged dolls or deadly dolls having sharp teeth!

Types

"Not all dolls, are magical..." - Doll Maker

Most dolls are full of life, magic, love, and kindness. Dolls are always not only on the lookout for the safety of their life orbs, but even those of others on top of their owners. They are always trying to be a step ahead, protective and all just crave the same thing, to be wanted and loved. Stitchimals generally have come to accept they are created for children, but that is not always the case, often they are made out of someone's lonliness or loss. Some don't enjoy being a toy, tossed around by children or dirtied, but they have still adapted to their overall reason for being created.

However...

Some dolls who endure too much, will instantly turn into something more horrifying. Dolls that end up damaged, broken, or even pass on, are changed into something truly evil. Damaged dolls become more aggressive over time if not quickly repaired as the magical life energy seeps out through cracks and tears on their body. As the magical energy escapes, the ability to stay together becomes harder, in some cases limbs are lost, buttons fall out which causes a faster leak in magical energy. These dolls eventually go insane from knowing their time is cut short, resulting in attacking other dolls or owners until they ultimately can no longer function and pass on. If the doll is not properly disposed as bringing a doll back to life is not possible, if not disposed of correctly by burning in a furnance, the doll can be inhabited by a ghost or a djinn. At times, some dolls are tossed in the trash bin, or tossed out somewhere in the woods which is what usually results in dolls becoming inhabited. Depending on how fast a doll is taken over, determines the end result of what happens to the ghost or djinn. If corrupted energy still remains in abundance, the ghost or djinn can become infected with the negative energy and thus turn corrupt as well.