Design Guide [WIP]

Designing a Skarajin Character

Base Form

Adult Skarajin typically present themselves as their humanoid forms, as it is the most convenient for everyday life. In SKARPG, this humanoid form is considered the "base" form.

Materia parts and the Lantern may be shown on top of clothing and thick manes! They must be visible on the masterlist image, but can be obscured or beneath clothing in general art.

Required Traits

All traits must be visible for a Skarajin’s main masterlist image (base form). All Skarajin should have at least one trait in each of the following trait categories:

Face - Horn, Ears, Eyes
Restraints - Binds, Face Bridles
Lantern - Lantern, Bedding, Filigree
Form - Materia, Legs, Mane, Tail

Body and Body Bridles are optional trait categories, but the traits must still be shown if a Skarajin has one of them.

Optional Features

The following features are optional to include, though might be a helpful reference.

Veil
Close-up of Lantern and Filigree
Color palette
Scythe or other summon weapon
Comparison with Alt Forms

For more information on Alt Forms, read the following section!

Alt Forms

Alt Forms (short for "alternate forms") are different versions of the same character. Reference alts and Kaninjin forms are considered standard and do not need a coresponding Alt Form Trait. A list of all Alt Forms can be found here. If you are submitting an Alt Form alongside a main form, attach it in your design update comments as a separate link and staff will upload the Alt Form for you. If submitting an Alt Form by itself, submit it as a normal design update.

Reference Alts

Reference Alts are specifically for character design reference. They may be used to showcase different outfits, hairstyles, design notes, details, etc. All traits must be the same as base form.

Reference Alts can...

Show alternate hair color or hair style
Depict the character as nude
Depict different outfits or costumes

Reference Alts cannot...

Change traits or Materia color
Depict aroused genitalia
Change skin color, fur color, or tail

Kaninjin Form

Kaninjin forms are optional creature forms of Skarajin. For SKARPG players that prefer drawing animals, a Kaninjin form may be used in place of a humanoid form in quests and prompts for the same rewards.

Kaninjin may be stylized after different animals and drawn in different proportions, as long as all required traits are present!

Required Traits

The following traits must be visible on an adult Kaninjin form's masterlist image.

Face - Horn, Ears, Eyes
- Skin color must be present on the face.
Lantern - Lantern, Bedding, Filigree
Form - Materia, Legs, Mane, Tail

Eyes may be stylized and simplified. Body traits, Binds, Face Bridles, and Body Bridles are not required in Kaninjin form. Lore-wise, this is because their power is already more restricted in this form.

Optional Features

The following features are optional to include, though might be a helpful reference.

Veil
Close-up of Lantern and Filigree
Color palette
Comparison with Alt Forms

Keep in mind that Kaninjin forms are always smaller than their base humanoid form.

Kitjin

Kitjin are baby Skarajin that have yet to become fully humanoid. As they grow around their Lantern, they shed their fur and their Materia starts to emerge. In-game, Kitjin can only participate in growth quests. To age them up into an adult Skarajin, they must complete a growth questline.

Kitjin may be depicted at any stage of growth before adulthood.

Required Traits

The following traits must be visible on a Kitjin's masterlist image.

Lantern - Lantern, Bedding
Form - Legs, Mane, Tail

Kitjin do not have a Filigree!

Eyes may be stylized and simplified. All other traits are not required to be depicted for Kitjin. Lore-wise, traits grow in as they age and a Filigree is forged upon reaching adulthood.

Optional Features

The following features are optional to include, though might be a helpful reference.

Veil
Close-up of Lantern
Different growth stages
Color palette

Older Kitjin may have some Materia parts present, such as their Horn. Newborn Kitjin are tiny, semi-transparent and cell-like, with their Lanterns like a nucleus.

Miscellaneous Notes

Pre-existing original characters may be turned into a Skarajin, given that you have the appropriate rights to the character. Canon-based characters, kinsonas, or other heavily derivative or inspired designs are allowed, but they must be disclosed at character submission and given an IP inspiration label.

Generally, any natural variation that can occur in real, living humans is fair game to include in your Skarajin design, as long as the depiction is respectful, done with care, and not used as a trait loophole or workaround.

When redesigning or updating a character, white-washing and other -washing erasure of marginalized experiences will not be tolerated. Please respect the original design.

The following lists are not exhaustive. If you are unsure about something, feel free to ask staff for clarification.

Untraited Features

The following features are untraited and free to use:

Natural human-like skin color
Scars, birthmarks, and tattoos
Disabilities and disability aids
Hair and fur color, style, and texture
Body type, sex, and gender presentation
Costumes, outfits, and accessories

Disallowed Features

The following features are not allowed on Skarajin:

Unnatural skin color (gray, purple, etc.)
Heavy gore, blood, or exposed guts
Fantasy mutations, such as gills or ridges
Costuming that mimics or obscures traits
Use of copyrighted images or symbols
Hateful imagery or stereotypes

Designing a Human Character

The Human species classification in SKARPG includes, but is not limited to the following: satyrs, fauns, kemonomimi, elves, tieflings.
Free to make. The only design limitation is that they're mortal, organic, bipedal, non-magical. Must be humanoid (obviously)
Cannot heavily resemble a Skarajin.

Designing a Companion Character

TBA

Submitting a Character

TBA