TRICK OR TREAT! : D

[Start ID. A drawing of V1 and Gabriel from Ultrakill. They're angled towards each other, both leaning backwards with one leg bent at the knee. V1 is pulling itself towards Gabriel with the whiplash, the end of which curls around him, and he reaches one hand out to hold the cord. Gabriel's pose seems almost relaxed, while V1 is more tense and somewhat energetic. The background is mauve, and bears markings that emphasize the heart-like shape formed by V1 and Gabriel. End ID]

Did not know what to caption this. Uh. Gay people

(alts under the cut, as usual)

Finally got around to finishing this houugh... it was a lot of work but I really like the end result!! Naturally, I'll try my best to list some of the thoughts I have in mind for these guys below. Long post ahead!

These lizards are intended to be ALMOST fully arthropod-like but due to my lack of understanding of bug anatomy and creative liberties, they are in that gray spec bio area so don't take any inconsistencies too seriously (or rather, fuck logic, and accept them how I describe them regardless)

Inspirations: - my lesser detailed lizard design - my friend's slugcats - wasps for the head contours, various insects for the exoskeleton guidelines, caterpillars, various stylistic slugcats across the #rainworld tag - the burning need for something more detailed and cool in my drawing vocabulary

The actual meat of the post; extra facts: - Lizards are related to slugcats (in my au, if you wanna call it that?) or at least the very early version of them. This idea is borrowed from this post and in my au, lizards evolve a similar tail to a slugcat's to aid in propelling themselves through tight spaces, acting as a 5th limb. - Similar to my old vulture post, lizards share a similar lifecycle. The majority of the larval stage is spent underground and in tight spots, far from their main predator. Lizard larva will undergo pupation similar to how beetles do, leaving behind broken cavities in pipes where carnivorous plants favor to take root. Additionally to the vulture's terrible parental drive, they often mistake their own larva for lizard hatchlings. - A lizard's skin is leathery and retains moisture for quite a while. Some lizards have a thicker layered mantle than others, allowing them to take punctures to the abdomen and still recover. - Not pictured, but will be described, are a few outliers to the standard lizard body plan. Caramels have muscular hind legs akin to a grasshopper but this means their legs cannot slot together and thus they have a wider leg splay than other species. Eels and salamanders are not lizards but lizard mimics. Yellow lizards' antennae attach to a hump on the snout rather than the rear of the head as seen here. Cyan lizards' mantles are more square shaped due to their leap drums on either side of their bodies and have a 3rd mantle that runs the length of their tail and caps the tailtip. - Cyan lizard's organs are called leap drums and act similarly to our lungs. They are a ring of muscle which contracts and acts as a spring loaded mechanism to propel the creature via combustion through a mysterious chemical process. Because the color of debris left behind during a leap share the same color as the lizard, perhaps they are discarded scales, formerly in place to protect the cavities housing the explosion. - They have similar organs to vertebrates within their abdomen, probably surrounded by cartilage. (not that important, I haven't thought that much about this) - (More may be added later as I remember)

some more dragonfly V1

if you still have time and want to draw more ocs uh! I only have three and you can draw any of them, these dudes are also tagged as "hk ocs" on my page if you need more references!!

I would like to hug him 👀

WHAT

~Mostly Mollusk~

Part 2 - Part 3 Here - Part 4

Species

World

-Species

--Coastal

Many species of bug, marine, terrestrial or in-between, make their homes in or simply visit the Cities, some only seasonally.

---Clams

Now is the time for that random trivia bit you know about sand or shell, because clams (and oysters, and mussels, though these are found more below the water's surface) are all ears (don't take that literally--who knows if they have ears at all). Trade in your fact, trinket, or other means of providing information to get a bit of knowledge in return, or even a story if you're lucky, because after living so many seasons, and encountering so many explorers like you, these species are chalk full of facts one might call nerdy (call them that though, and you'll earn a painful chomp). While they can be found almost anywhere, many tend to coalesce in the Archives, sitting amongst tablets on its shelves.

---Crabs 

The most diverse group of species in Taranoake and not all that rare in Citadell, you might see these CRABBY creatures skittering sideways in and out of sand dunes and under rocks throughout town, but don’t fear their pincers. Most won’t hurt you unprovoked, and in fact, they might be some of the kindest neighbors you could have.

Mole Crabs

These crustaceans are shyer than most, preferring to burrow in the soft sand of the bays rather than interact with others. Be careful not to step on one of their many tunnels if you don’t want your ankle bitten. Despite their initial appearance these creatures aren’t hateful, they just need a bit of time to warm up to strangers and are easily startled, they’re actually fairly social once you get to know them.

Ghost Crabs

These adorable creatures are enjoyable to be around, but you’ll have to get used to them appearing out of nowhere due to their uncanny ability to camouflage and change color to match their surroundings, which you’ll see in action if they ever get startled. This gift has also earned them an unsettling amount of admiration from the Citadell scientists...

Mite Crabs

These species are actually named only for their appearance and ferocity, as they are so small their actuality is hard to determine and they largely resemble crabs. ...Or mites. They make great fighters for the Colosseum despite their size, and while you may figure it's because they skirmish in groups, you'd be wrong. They are normally so aggressive, they'd start attacking their own species rather than the larger prey depending on who’s closer!

They’re not well-known in Citadell though.

---Lobsters

Despite being closely related to crabs, these creatures are rarely seen in either of the Cities being mostly sea-dwelling, the Arbiter a main exception. They're mostly friendly, rather chill and unperturbed.

---Ladybugs

Among other beetles, ladybugs are the most commonly found in Taranoake, especially in the marketplace. While they rarely fight in the Colosseum, contrasting their larger kin, they're known to drive a hard bargain over their goods and as such make great (or terrible, depending on how you look at it) vendors.

---Wasps

These bugs drive home the "militaristic" aspect of the Fort, and while they're not without compassion, you may regret making yourself one's neighbor. They often live socially even outside of the Bay-City, though their methods of communication can be a bit rough. They are not commonly seen in coastal cities unless with larvae--they require sugars the salty Bay can't offer. They often visit most during the colder seasons.

---Ants

While these critters may already have a strong sense of community, they’re still always welcome in the Fort despite their general preference to live in their own ant hills. You may spot them marching in rows fixing deteriorating buildings, or transporting food and supplies to and from the market. Alike their bee-kin, ants are generally upbeat about their hard work.

---Jellyfish

These creatures for which Jellyfish Bay earned its name can be found floating lazily in pretty much any body of water around town. They aren’t great for conversation, but will give a friendly tentacle wave as you pass by. Just don’t get too attached around festival time…

The mood is quite flipped in Citadell however, where they are often revered as fascinating creatures and related to their God.

---Sea Slugs

Despite being confined to the water, sea slugs maintain a friendly and jolly demeanor and are always willing to chat, so don’t forget to stop by Jellyfish Bay and say hello. The majority of crops grown in the underwater farms were tended to and harvested by these kind creatures. 

Sacoglossans

Some known as lettuce slugs, some commonly found hiding in the seaweed avoiding their responsibilities, these no go away go away no don’t take what’s going on go away stop it still typing creatures often think they cannot be seen because they look similar to the crops they are supposed to be growing. However, they are rather conspicuous due to their bright purple, blue, orange and often green coloring not at all matching the dull reds and greens of the specific seaweed species grown in the bay. Maybe elsewhere they'd have better chances.

(Elsewhere not including the basins-city, where they are forced to actually work or be kicked out.)

---Scorpions

It is unknown exactly how any scorpions were able to travel all the way to Taranoake, as surely the descent from sanded deserts to the windy shore took more than a few generations of arachnid. Their lack of antennae makes it harder to communicate, and this paired with their fearsome stinger and claws do earn them a reputation for being a bit hostile.

---Isopods

These crustaceans, due to the nature of their gills, are almost never seen in dry Taranoake and yet all too common in Citadell. Like their kin, they’re known mainly for being kind and mellow.

---Mosquitoes

These flies aren’t...regarded very highly. Despite both needing the matter of living creatures to sustain their brood, most carnivores use the entirety of a bug while egg-producing mosquitoes only sap the hemolymph, which is entirely unsettling for a living being to experience, and wasteful to kill for the blood alone. This is why many suck the life-fluids out of the corpses of the ill, for no other bug is willing and the dipterans are immune to most illness, adding another facet to their (mostly unjustified) dislike.

---Desert Rain Frogs

Only one of these creatures has been spotted in our lifetimes, but they used to be a fairly common sight, in the dunes where Taranoake and Citadell now rest, forever ago. Nowadays, most don't even know these adorable creatures ever existed--none who haven't visited their barren town that is.

---Spiders

The largest grouping of arachnids. Like the apids, they’re rarely seen in the Cities and much more commonly inland, though a few have been spotted preying on passersby in the anarchy that is Renin.

--Marine

---Sea Slugs

In recent times, these species have moved upwards closer to the shores, and are a guaranteed (and pleasant) encounter anytime you head underwater--coalescing in towns of their own creation, though sightings near the shallow bays constituting the Cities are rare. Like jellyfish, most sea slugs tend to use neutral pronouns.

---Jellyfish

Nomadic creatures, rarely taking rest in the undersea cities. They don’t seem to be as advanced as other invertebrates, though still considered sentient.