Creative Corner

XXX

THE GENE KEEPER XXXA dim light coats the room in reddish haze, illuminating the shapes of parchment and scrolls only slightly. It's unnerving, though you've heard the Gene Keeper prefers to keep her space dark. The forewarning had been much needed. The soft, gentle thud of a large book being set down is followed by the shuffling of pages, turning, turning, turning until, at last, the correct place has been reached. The Skydancer's tail swishes slightly across the cobblestone floor as you hold your breath. XXX"Here it is." Her voice comes haunted and broken, like the sound of pebbles against the shore and the wind through the forest. XXXA glowing, red claw traces the ink in thought for a moment. It never hurts to double-check. Once satisfied with her appraisal of the written instructions, she shifts her focus to the bookshelves and crates that line the walls, pouring over the embossed labels before selecting a scroll from the myriadic collection. XXX"This is what you seek." Her gaze, pinpricks of red light set within hollow sockets, sparks a discomfort you've never known before. "Take it," she orders, growing impatient with your staring. XXXWith ginger claws, you accept the offering, wondering what price you'd have to pay to keep it. XXXBefore you have the chance to ask, she simply states, "Keep it. Use it." XXXIt had been your intention all along to use it. This is why you came here, right? The purpose of this visit was to finally acquire the gene scroll you needed in order to feel whole. To feel complete. But your mind can't escape the thundering questions that beg to be answered. How did she come to be this way..? A strange beauty could be found in her decay, draped with crimson and gold adornments. XXX"You stare." An observation, not an accusation. "It is expected." She turns, plucking up a quill and making notes within her book. Once done, her head slowly swings to face you, cocked to the side. "You have reservations?" XXX"Ah, no..." you say quickly, not wishing to offend your host. XXX"Questions, then." The pinpricks go out before flashing up again. A blink, you guess. "Ask them." XXXYour body feels ready to leave, begging to return to the safety of elsewhere, yet curiosity forces you to linger. "What made you–" XXX"Hideous?" she offers, not permitting you to finish. There's a hint of animosity to the word, as if age old scars ached upon the memory of what once had been. XXX"What made you want to help me?" XXXShe seems slightly taken aback by the correction, pondering to herself a moment before offering an answer. "Because you asked for it."

Feather-Gaze's Gene Book is a thread where I track which dragons need which genes and skins, while also adding bits of flavor text along the way in the form of Feather-Gaze's comments and musings. Comments are welcome.

Original gene book entries: ----- [center]Genes and skins are recorded with the dragon who has requested them. Additional notes from Feather-Gaze have been penciled in.[/center] [center]-----[/center] [columns] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/89281583][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/892816/89281583.png[/img][/url][/center] [nextcol] [center] Yelda [item=Secondary Gene: Saddle] [item=tertiary gene: contour] [item=vial of elemental sight] [i]Sure of what she wants, but is in no hurry to receive order. Very, very busy with other duties - delivery will be a hassle once order comes in.[/i] [/columns] [center]-----[/center] [columns] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/89281584][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/892816/89281584.png[/img][/url][/center] [nextcol] [center] Elchor [i]Needs Tertiary Scried!!! Potential breed change? Very indecisive and difficult to work with. I’m losing my mind. Note to Self: Tri-Color Scatterscroll this indecisive little wyrm and see how he likes it. Maybe then he'll figure out what he wants. Plague Mother, give me strength...[/i] [quote=A Letter to Yelda][left]Yelda, With all due respect, I am losing my plague-forsaken mind over your mate's indecisive nature. I understand choosing a tertiary gene is a large undertaking, but he's always welcome to request a new one after wearing it out for a bit. These things aren't permanent and he knows it! It's not difficult to order the scrolls or parchments — in fact, it's so incredibly painless we could've been done with it [i]months[/i] ago. If he doesn't like his colors, we can always order a Tri-Color Scatter Scroll and scry out options from there. Again, it's [i][b]not difficult[/b][/i]. He has [i]options[/i]! Lots of them! We can try different breed scrolls, colors, or scries! At this point I might let someone else pick for him! I need to be provided with a detailed form including what he wants within the next month, otherwise I [i]will[/i] start making some executive decisions on his behalf. While you're at it, could you inform the priest, Tigerfin, that his gene-ing fears are unfounded? He refuses to listen when I tell him it's not going to hurt. Respectfully yours, Feather-Gaze P.S. Expect a leave of absence letter soon. I need a vacation.[/left][/quote] [/center] [/columns] [center]-----[/center] [columns] [center][url= https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/95731260][img] https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/957313/95731260.png[/img][/url][/center] [nextcol] [center] Tigerfin [item=Primary Gene: Tiger] [item=Secondary Gene: Striation] [item=Tertiary gene: Points] [i]Not a rush order. Hesitant about gene process - worried it’s going to hurt..? Avoiding the entire ordeal and asked for the order to be placed at the back of the list. Wuss.[/i] [/columns] [center]-----[/center] [columns] [center][url= https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/95887552][img] https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/958876/95887552.png[/img][/url][/center] [nextcol] [center] Mossfrill [item=Tertiary gene: Stained] [i]Originally wanted Current as a secondary but ended up opting for Spinner once she saw it in inventory. Makes things easier acquisition-wise.[/i] [/columns] [center]-----[/center] [columns] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/89387061][img] https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/893871/89387061.png[/img][/url][/center] [nextcol] [center] Spawn [item=Primary Aberration Gene: Fade] [i]Seems convinced they can brew this gene. Preposterous. Acquire ASAP to prevent an alchemical accident.[/i] [/columns] [center]-----[/center] [columns] [center][url= https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/80641376][img] https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/806414/80641376.png[/img][/url][/center] [nextcol] [center] Itzli [item=Accent: Starwood Seer] [i]Weird. Weird, weird, weird, weird!!! Where did this dragon come from??? Magician who makes magic and wants to be sparkly. Are sparkles magical? Is that what this is about? Ugh.[/i] [/columns] [center]-----[/center] [columns] [center][url= https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/91133728][img] https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/911338/91133728.png[/img][/url][/center] [nextcol] [center] Tatertot [i]Looking for a Primary that compliments Maroon/Berry Secondary/Tertiarty. No other specifications given.[/i] [/columns] [center]-----[/center] [columns] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/989485/98948448.png?mtime=ZAAAAAAAAAA][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/989485/98948448.png[/img][/url][/center] [nextcol] [center] Magmafleur [item=primary everlux gene: pharaoh] [item=secondary everlux gene: sarcophagus] [item=tertiary everlux gene: sunsail] [i]Our first Everlux resident. Very calm, easy to work with. Came up to me with exact knowledge of what he wants — he may make an excellent assistant. Plaguebringer knows I could use a helping claw as the clan grows.[/i] [/columns] [center]-----[/center] [columns] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/986214/98621392.png?mtime=ZZyXN9ov-Bg][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/986214/98621392.png[/img][/url][/center] [nextcol] [center] Mudball [item=primary everlux gene: Slime] [item=secondary everlux gene: Arowana] [item=Tertiary Everlux Gene: Wool] [item=breed change: everlux] [item=silhouette scroll] [i]Very shy upon approach, I almost couldn't hear them — they seemed...embarrassed(?) to make this request. Nonsense. Every dragon deserves to be who they are. Gene scrolls help with that process. Assured them they're fine. Admittedly, my tone on the matter could've been gentler. Maybe I [/i]should[i] get that assistant...[/i] [/columns]

[columns][img alt=""]https://i.ibb.co/hRX8s6JH/DBR1.png[/img] [nextcol][color=transparent]XXX[/color] [nextcol] [i]It seems revisions are in order. Some residents are no longer with us. No matter. Less work regarding gene acquisition. One frustration is that Magmafleur has gone into hibernation, so I cannot ask him of his disposition on becoming an assistant. I suppose this is my own fault given I hadn't asked him prior to his slumber. No matter. I'll ask when he wakes.[/i][/columns] ----- [columns][img alt=""]https://i.ibb.co/kg9K8H26/DBL7.png[/img] [nextcol][color=transparent]XXX[/color] [nextcol] [i]Fulfilled Orders: Mudball, Warden, Kyro. Cancelled Orders: Mossfrill, Itzli, Tatertot — All on account of exaltation. Tigerfin seems to want to cancel as well. Note: Order in more ink.[/i][/columns] ----- [columns] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/89281583][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/892816/89281583.png[/img][/url][/center] [nextcol] [center] Yelda [item=Primary Gene: Iridescent] [item=Secondary Gene: Shimmer] [item=tertiary gene: Glimmer] [i]Has updated her order. No longer worries about the vial, but instead replaced with a new primary gene. Scrying indicates this selection to be a better choice for her color palette.[/i] [/columns] ----- [columns] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/89281584][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/892816/89281584.png[/img][/url][/center] [nextcol] [center] Elchor [item=primary gene: sailfish][item=secondary gene: shimmer][item=tertiary gene: stained] [i]FINALLY picked what he wants! Apparently, there is no need to threaten him with a Tri-Color Scatterscroll, though part of me wishes I could do it anyway.[/i] [/center] [/columns] ----- [columns] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/89387061][img] https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/893871/89387061.png[/img][/url][/center] [nextcol] [center] Spawn [item=Primary Aberration Gene: Fade] [i]Still insistent on brewing the gene themselves. They have tried and failed on three separate occasions and it's a miracle their scales survived the ordeal.[/i] [/columns] [center]-----[/center] [columns] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/989485/98948448.png?mtime=ZAAAAAAAAAA][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/989485/98948448.png[/img][/url][/center] [nextcol] [center] Magmafleur [item=primary everlux gene: pharaoh] [item=secondary everlux gene: sarcophagus] [item=tertiary everlux gene: sunsail] [i]Making a note that Magmafleur consents to the application of genes during hibernation. Signed form is filed and notarized in Yelda's office.[/i] [/columns]

This is such a fun idea, I enjoyed reading through the little notes! :D