This is theorizing for this elemental holiday cycle, not next cycle.
Herpetology is an interest of mine, along with general zoology, so when this most recent round of familiars came out I was stoked (I also love botany, though am not as well versed). I love snakes and think they're deeply misunderstood creatures.
I'm going to go over the familiars we know and then theorize on the next 4 (Shadow-Nature holidays).
First, Rose of Brightshine:
I originally thought this was supposed to be a yellow morph ball python, but we'll get into why this is not the case later. I hadn't noticed the iridescence until I looked at this familiar again. This is a Rainbow Boa , which are iridescent constrictor snakes that can sometimes come in yellow morphs but are typically more orange. It makes sense too - rainbows are light refracting off water.
Roses are...roses. They are the quintessential flower. Yellow roses are notorious symbols of friendship and are birth flowers for the month of June along with honeysuckle.
Next, Larkspur of Thundercrack:
The specific species of this is harder for me to pinpoint, as there are no rattlesnake species to my knowledge that are specifically this coloration. The closest snake I have seen is either a Diamondback or a Black-tail rattlesnake. If it is an Eastern snake this could make sense, as the Lightning Flight is the eastern-most flight territory wise.
As to why a rattlesnake was chosen, I am not sure, but my best guess is that the end of the Stormcatcher's tail looks a bit like a rattle? They also tend to be desert-dwelling snakes, of which most of the Lightning Flight's territory is.
Larkspur, along with water lily, are the birth flowers for July. Larkspur has a lot of meanings, but most are associated with joy, love, companionship and grace. It's a rather unfitting flower for the Lightning Flight, being a flight known for hard work, but a Water Lily would have been far stranger for a mostly desert dwelling familiar.
Next, Poppy of Flameforger:
This is a Variable Bush Viper, specifically a red morph. These guys actually come in a variety of colors, mostly green to brown, but red, orange, yellow and grey do appear rarely.
This snake may have been chosen simply because of it's fiery coloration. There are a few other snakes which also, more naturally have this red-yellow coloration, namely rat snakes, corn snakes and coral snakes, but they lack the dragon-like scales for which I also believe this snake was chosen.
Poppy and Gladiolus are the birth flowers for August. Poppies are heavily associated with death, remembrance and rebirth, which is fitting for a fire-based familiar.
Next, Aster of Starfall:
This is a pretty easily identifiable snake: the Indian Cobra. Even the markings on the hood match pretty closely with the markings of a typical Indian Cobra rather than a King Cobra.
I believe this snake was chosen due to it's hood. Few snakes hood up like this, though there is another holiday familiar snake that can hood. I believe the hood is supposed to resemble the Arcanist's head crest. Another thing to note is that cobras, though specifically the king cobra, are said to be the smartest snakes in the world, capable of changing hunting tactics based on the situation and recognizing and using body language to communicate with their human handlers.
In another lucky color-matching flower, Asters are the birth flowers for September, along with Morning Glories. Also fitting is that asters represent Wisdom and Faith, which is perfect for the Arcane Flight.
Next, Marigold of Rot:
Probably my second favorite so far, though I am unsure why they did not use Cosmos, the other birth flower for October. Marigolds represent positive emotions, such as good luck, prosperity and joy; Cosmos, however, represent order, harmony and balance, something I feel represents the Plague flight far better. Cosmos even come in a deep red variety, which would accompany this species of snake, the Rhinoceros Viper much better.
It took me a while to find this species of viper in particular. When I first saw this coloration, I though a lot of liberties were taken with it, but actually, this snake is just gorgeous in real life! Very venomous though. It really does deserve the name "butterfly viper". It is very fierce looking, and I believe it was chosen for it's very vibrant coloration.
Next, Peony of Rockbreaker:
This one is my favorite, mostly because it displays a little known snake that I see somewhat often in my neck of the woods: the Hognose, in this case, a Western Hognose. These are the other species of snake that can 'hood', although they do so by flattening their bodies to make themselves look bigger. They are very tenacious and even have venom, though they are rear-fanged and deliver venom by 'chewing' on their prey. I believe they were chosen for this tenacity, as well as their cute nose
.
Peonies are also one of my favorite flowers, mostly for their delicateness. Its strange to see such a small snake and delicate flower represent the Earth Flight, but the other birth flower for November, the Chrysanthemum, while more fitting, overlaps with Asters a bit. Peonies usually represent love, prosperity and honor.
Finally, our newest addition, Snowdrop of Crystalline:
I'm gonna name him snowball, because this seems to be the inspiration for using a ball python, specifically a white morph. The reason for the name ball python is for a behavior pictured in this familiar - coiling up in a tight ball with their head tucked in the middle.
I realized that the Rose of Brightshine was not, in fact, an albino ball python, when I saw this guy. I did a double take, recognized the iridescent scales, and figured out it's true species.
Snowdrops are probably the most fitting for the Ice Flight regardless of meaning, moreso than the other January birth flower, Carnations. Snowdrops represent hope and new beginnings.
Now for the theorizing:
I was actually holding off on theorizing about the remainder of the elemental holiday familiars because I had no idea as to what they would choose for the Crystalline Gala. There are no snakes in taiga or tundra climates, so I was a little confused what they would do. That being said, I love the Snowdrop of Crystalline, and now am ready to theorize for the final 4.
Firstly, I will say that flowers are pretty easy, being that they are always birth flowers for the month in which the festivals take place. That being said, here are my thoughts for the Shadow Holiday:
Violet of Trickmurk: Violets are pretty obvious, being February's birth flower along with Irises. While Irises are fine, symbolizing things like courage and wisdom, I believe Violets to be more fitting for the Shadow Flight, who's standard colors are black and violet. Violets symbolize modesty and humility.
As for the snake species, there are two for which I think this will be. The first, and less likely, is the Mexican Black Kingsnake. I like this snake specifically for it's iridescence, as it is a very dark, chocolate brown but appears black with a blue iridescent sheen.
However, the snake I feel is far more well known and far more suitible for the Shadow flight, is the Black Mamba. This species is known to be aggressive, although it rarely attacks humans, and extremely venomous. It threat displays by opening it's mouth, which has been described as 'inky black'. I am certain this is will come into play when the familiar is revealed.
Daffodil of Mistral: Daffodils are the only birth flower for March and can actually come in the soft green which the Wind Flight is known for. They mean rebirth and new beginnings as they are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring. Daffodils can also be symbols of creativity and vitality, which I feel is fitting for the Wind Flight.
Fun fact (or not so fun if you're like my mom and are terrified of snakes) there are snakes that can fly! These are called flying or gliding snakes, though the latter is actually a better descriptor. They glide by flattening their ribs, flattening themselves almost like a glider.
For the Daffodil of Mistral, I propose the Paradise Flying Snake, which has a beautiful coloration of red, black and green!
Peavine of Wavecrest: So typically, Daisies are the April birth flower, but Sweet Pea (and thereby Peavines and Vetches) is also considered April birth flower on occasion. Daisies are closely related to Asters, and Peavines, specifically the Indian Pea, can come in rich to soft blues. They symbolize well wishes, gratitude, and are a way to say goodbye.
There are a variety of sea snakes, but only one that I know of is the same vibrant blue of the Water Flight - the Blue-Lipped Sea Krait. Kraits are highly venomous sea snakes, and the blue-lipped sea krait is no exception. It also has a cute yellow face.
Another option is the Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake, which can appear a dark blue but is actually black and yellow.
Lily of Greenskeeper: Finally, my flight! While Hawthorn is a possibility for this holiday familiar, I believe Lily of the Valley suits the theme more. It has a very wholesome, wild flower vibe that I think suits the Nature Flight well. Lily of the valley symbolizes humility, purity, happiness and motherhood (for mama Gladekeeper).
As for our snake, I have 2 options: one is a Tree Viper. Honestly, most of these guys can work and all are pretty boring, though the Philippine pit viper, being a naturally white animal, would be an interesting twist and match with the lily of the valley more. Personally, if we're going with a Tree Viper, however, I'd prefer Hagen's pit viper for it's white spots.
The other is far more interesting: Vine Snakes! They are very unique appearing snakes, with keyhole shaped pupils and narrow faces. Personally, I would the long-nosed whip snake or long-nosed vine snake because they have a decent amount of white to match with the lily of the valley and kinda look like one of those friendship bracelets you make in camp.
That's all really - I've been loving these holiday familiars and think the idea of holiday specific genes is so cool! Keep up the good work staff!
Herpetology is an interest of mine, along with general zoology, so when this most recent round of familiars came out I was stoked (I also love botany, though am not as well versed). I love snakes and think they're deeply misunderstood creatures.
I'm going to go over the familiars we know and then theorize on the next 4 (Shadow-Nature holidays).
First, Rose of Brightshine:
I originally thought this was supposed to be a yellow morph ball python, but we'll get into why this is not the case later. I hadn't noticed the iridescence until I looked at this familiar again. This is a Rainbow Boa , which are iridescent constrictor snakes that can sometimes come in yellow morphs but are typically more orange. It makes sense too - rainbows are light refracting off water.
Roses are...roses. They are the quintessential flower. Yellow roses are notorious symbols of friendship and are birth flowers for the month of June along with honeysuckle.
Next, Larkspur of Thundercrack:
The specific species of this is harder for me to pinpoint, as there are no rattlesnake species to my knowledge that are specifically this coloration. The closest snake I have seen is either a Diamondback or a Black-tail rattlesnake. If it is an Eastern snake this could make sense, as the Lightning Flight is the eastern-most flight territory wise.
As to why a rattlesnake was chosen, I am not sure, but my best guess is that the end of the Stormcatcher's tail looks a bit like a rattle? They also tend to be desert-dwelling snakes, of which most of the Lightning Flight's territory is.
Larkspur, along with water lily, are the birth flowers for July. Larkspur has a lot of meanings, but most are associated with joy, love, companionship and grace. It's a rather unfitting flower for the Lightning Flight, being a flight known for hard work, but a Water Lily would have been far stranger for a mostly desert dwelling familiar.
Next, Poppy of Flameforger:
This is a Variable Bush Viper, specifically a red morph. These guys actually come in a variety of colors, mostly green to brown, but red, orange, yellow and grey do appear rarely.
This snake may have been chosen simply because of it's fiery coloration. There are a few other snakes which also, more naturally have this red-yellow coloration, namely rat snakes, corn snakes and coral snakes, but they lack the dragon-like scales for which I also believe this snake was chosen.
Poppy and Gladiolus are the birth flowers for August. Poppies are heavily associated with death, remembrance and rebirth, which is fitting for a fire-based familiar.
Next, Aster of Starfall:
This is a pretty easily identifiable snake: the Indian Cobra. Even the markings on the hood match pretty closely with the markings of a typical Indian Cobra rather than a King Cobra.
I believe this snake was chosen due to it's hood. Few snakes hood up like this, though there is another holiday familiar snake that can hood. I believe the hood is supposed to resemble the Arcanist's head crest. Another thing to note is that cobras, though specifically the king cobra, are said to be the smartest snakes in the world, capable of changing hunting tactics based on the situation and recognizing and using body language to communicate with their human handlers.
In another lucky color-matching flower, Asters are the birth flowers for September, along with Morning Glories. Also fitting is that asters represent Wisdom and Faith, which is perfect for the Arcane Flight.
Next, Marigold of Rot:
Probably my second favorite so far, though I am unsure why they did not use Cosmos, the other birth flower for October. Marigolds represent positive emotions, such as good luck, prosperity and joy; Cosmos, however, represent order, harmony and balance, something I feel represents the Plague flight far better. Cosmos even come in a deep red variety, which would accompany this species of snake, the Rhinoceros Viper much better.
It took me a while to find this species of viper in particular. When I first saw this coloration, I though a lot of liberties were taken with it, but actually, this snake is just gorgeous in real life! Very venomous though. It really does deserve the name "butterfly viper". It is very fierce looking, and I believe it was chosen for it's very vibrant coloration.
Next, Peony of Rockbreaker:
This one is my favorite, mostly because it displays a little known snake that I see somewhat often in my neck of the woods: the Hognose, in this case, a Western Hognose. These are the other species of snake that can 'hood', although they do so by flattening their bodies to make themselves look bigger. They are very tenacious and even have venom, though they are rear-fanged and deliver venom by 'chewing' on their prey. I believe they were chosen for this tenacity, as well as their cute nose
.Peonies are also one of my favorite flowers, mostly for their delicateness. Its strange to see such a small snake and delicate flower represent the Earth Flight, but the other birth flower for November, the Chrysanthemum, while more fitting, overlaps with Asters a bit. Peonies usually represent love, prosperity and honor.
Finally, our newest addition, Snowdrop of Crystalline:
I'm gonna name him snowball, because this seems to be the inspiration for using a ball python, specifically a white morph. The reason for the name ball python is for a behavior pictured in this familiar - coiling up in a tight ball with their head tucked in the middle.
I realized that the Rose of Brightshine was not, in fact, an albino ball python, when I saw this guy. I did a double take, recognized the iridescent scales, and figured out it's true species.
Snowdrops are probably the most fitting for the Ice Flight regardless of meaning, moreso than the other January birth flower, Carnations. Snowdrops represent hope and new beginnings.
Now for the theorizing:
I was actually holding off on theorizing about the remainder of the elemental holiday familiars because I had no idea as to what they would choose for the Crystalline Gala. There are no snakes in taiga or tundra climates, so I was a little confused what they would do. That being said, I love the Snowdrop of Crystalline, and now am ready to theorize for the final 4.
Firstly, I will say that flowers are pretty easy, being that they are always birth flowers for the month in which the festivals take place. That being said, here are my thoughts for the Shadow Holiday:
Violet of Trickmurk: Violets are pretty obvious, being February's birth flower along with Irises. While Irises are fine, symbolizing things like courage and wisdom, I believe Violets to be more fitting for the Shadow Flight, who's standard colors are black and violet. Violets symbolize modesty and humility.
As for the snake species, there are two for which I think this will be. The first, and less likely, is the Mexican Black Kingsnake. I like this snake specifically for it's iridescence, as it is a very dark, chocolate brown but appears black with a blue iridescent sheen.
However, the snake I feel is far more well known and far more suitible for the Shadow flight, is the Black Mamba. This species is known to be aggressive, although it rarely attacks humans, and extremely venomous. It threat displays by opening it's mouth, which has been described as 'inky black'. I am certain this is will come into play when the familiar is revealed.
Daffodil of Mistral: Daffodils are the only birth flower for March and can actually come in the soft green which the Wind Flight is known for. They mean rebirth and new beginnings as they are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring. Daffodils can also be symbols of creativity and vitality, which I feel is fitting for the Wind Flight.
Fun fact (or not so fun if you're like my mom and are terrified of snakes) there are snakes that can fly! These are called flying or gliding snakes, though the latter is actually a better descriptor. They glide by flattening their ribs, flattening themselves almost like a glider.
For the Daffodil of Mistral, I propose the Paradise Flying Snake, which has a beautiful coloration of red, black and green!
Peavine of Wavecrest: So typically, Daisies are the April birth flower, but Sweet Pea (and thereby Peavines and Vetches) is also considered April birth flower on occasion. Daisies are closely related to Asters, and Peavines, specifically the Indian Pea, can come in rich to soft blues. They symbolize well wishes, gratitude, and are a way to say goodbye.
There are a variety of sea snakes, but only one that I know of is the same vibrant blue of the Water Flight - the Blue-Lipped Sea Krait. Kraits are highly venomous sea snakes, and the blue-lipped sea krait is no exception. It also has a cute yellow face.
Another option is the Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake, which can appear a dark blue but is actually black and yellow.
Lily of Greenskeeper: Finally, my flight! While Hawthorn is a possibility for this holiday familiar, I believe Lily of the Valley suits the theme more. It has a very wholesome, wild flower vibe that I think suits the Nature Flight well. Lily of the valley symbolizes humility, purity, happiness and motherhood (for mama Gladekeeper
).As for our snake, I have 2 options: one is a Tree Viper. Honestly, most of these guys can work and all are pretty boring, though the Philippine pit viper, being a naturally white animal, would be an interesting twist and match with the lily of the valley more. Personally, if we're going with a Tree Viper, however, I'd prefer Hagen's pit viper for it's white spots.
The other is far more interesting: Vine Snakes! They are very unique appearing snakes, with keyhole shaped pupils and narrow faces. Personally, I would the long-nosed whip snake or long-nosed vine snake because they have a decent amount of white to match with the lily of the valley and kinda look like one of those friendship bracelets you make in camp.
That's all really - I've been loving these holiday familiars and think the idea of holiday specific genes is so cool! Keep up the good work staff!
