Potion Sippers
Potion sippers are an elusive, yet adventurous race with unknown origins. They exist as a cluster of sentient magic willing itself into physical form, a body that can easily shift into any shape imaginable (this ability is referred to as glamour). Each sipper has a 'true' or 'neutral' form which takes the least amount of energy to sustain, and reflects how the sipper identifies itself. This default form usually starts out similar to the one pictured here, but as they live on and experience new things that shape who they are as an individual, so too do these experiences change the shape of their neutral form. As a result, sippers can vary widely in appearance (even in their 'true' forms)! A sipper is also capable of taking on various temporary forms that can look vastly different from their true form to suit their current needs. To further explain and illustrate the transformation abilities of sippers, please visit this guide here!
A bipedal stance frees up the sipper's hands to use tools, carry things, etc, but a quadrupedal stance allows them to move more swiftly. Sippers can alternate between bipedal and quadrupedal stances comfortably, and each has its advantages.
Generally mammalian in shape, the fur can be any length or texture, and come in any color or pattern. Many sippers don't have visible ears (nor do they need them), but it's typical for the fur on their head to mimic them! That isn't to say they never have visible ears, just that it's more common for them not to have them.
Sippers can write on themselves, other creatures, objects, etc in the color of their magic, which is permanent until the sipper wishes to remove it.
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The sipper's inner flesh, like the iris, usually matches its magic color. The tongue is often striped and straw-like, allowing them to 'sip' magic with it.
Sippers can also chew and swallow food, though this is more for pleasure than necessity since such food usually only carries trace amounts of magic (their actual energy source). It's common for them to only have 4 small, rounded teeth if any at all. |
Even young, 'average' looking sippers can vary pretty noticeably in body shapes, sizes, proportions, etc. Shown above and to the right are some examples of the most commonly seen body types/heights (with wings hidden, for ease of viewing).
hATCHLING
pETITE
pLUSH
aVERAGE
mUSCULAR
eLEGANT
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Their wings can be hidden or conjured at will! The most common shape is a fleshy triangular one, which manifests directly from the body, and can be furred. For a visual list of common wing placement styles, please go here!
Although their wings don't always look like they could function for flight, all sippers are capable of doing so regardless. |
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Magic-repelling qualities on the underside of their wings/belly allow them to slide/glide through the air in places where magic is thick enough (this looks sort of like a penguin sliding on its belly). They can still fly in places where magic is more scarce too, although they are forced to use their own magic to do so.
A visual list of sipper tails, which also come in a huge variety of shapes and styles, can be found here! |
Life-cycle and Transformations
A new sipper is born when at least two (or oftentimes more) sippers mix their energies together to form a crystal egg. A newborn sipper, otherwise known as a hatchling, retains bits of its magic eggshell until finally growing into a juvenile. There's a lot more to be said about hatchlings, visit their page!
Young sippers (both hatchlings and juveniles) all look pretty similar in shape. At this age, they aren't able to manipulate their own magic very well and are susceptible to outside magical influence; their caretakers use their own magic to keep them in a consistent shape until they have better control. Even after they gain more control, they will still retain a form similar to the one their caretakers had given them, because that's what they identify with at the time, but this will gradually change as they grow! Additionally, a sipper may temporarily change their appearance completely to suit their needs. For more in-depth information on both gradual and temporary transformations, please go here!
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Features that stray from what is described here as the average 'true' form (such as feathers, bat wings, hooves, horns, non-mammalian face, etc) are known as special features, which may manifest after specific situations, but are generally considered to result from a sipper growing as an individual. These features aren't necessarily rare, and of course a sipper can have these features or look completely different in general by using their shapeshifting abilities, so please feel free to draw your sipper absolutely any way you feel like!
However, there are limitations on these sorts of features in the context of the game canon for story and progression reasons, and therefor may need to be unlocked before being usable in-game. You can see examples of these kinds of features and relevant information about them on their own page here! |
Crystalline Sippers
A sipper constantly uses its own magic to sustain a physical form. If one expends all magic reserves (when outside of Etherheim), be it leaking from a wound or 'starving', the sipper will fade out of existence entirely and permanently. Sippers don't die of old age, but the longer one exists, the more opportunities it has to meet an untimely end.
There is a way, however, for a sipper to become a nigh immortal. By collecting vast quantities of magic within itself, the pressure forces these energies to crystallize. These solid chunks of magic can sometimes be seen hovering around the sipper or embedded into its body. Concentrating energy into shards means far less of it is lost during injury or usage, and allows one to further absorb infinite amounts of magic within. Individuals who achieve this extremely difficult feat are thereby referred to as Crystalline. The 'average' look of sippers is a social construct, being the appearance sipperkind as a whole have accepted as the default look to their species. However being that a sipper's 'true' form reflects how it identify itself, a Crystalline sipper's may appear vastly different from the norm. This is due both in part to its potent magics, and also from the otherness it may feel after becoming Crystalline. |
How Crystalline sippers are viewed by others of their kind depends on which story setting they're played in, as detailed below.
The magic in Etherheim is running thin and, despite the efforts of adventurers from far and wide, a solution is yet to be found. As stress and panic begins creeping in, conflicts spark over resources.
In such trying times, not only is it nearly impossible for new Crystalline sippers to form, but those already formed are sometimes viewed negatively. Many have taken to pointing fingers at these individuals for hoarding more than they need, or even being the cause of the shortage itself, though these claims are mostly unfounded. It's a common misunderstanding that they're greedy for keeping the magic to themselves, but them sharing it would unfortunately be fruitless, since it's attuned to them and thus unsuitable for consumption or use by others.
Some Crystalline sippers devote themselves to helping others out of a sense of righteousness or guilt, but it leaves them open to a lot of criticism and bitterness. Many chose to hide their true form instead, donning an average appearance out of fear or perhaps politeness. Some go so far as to hide the crystals inside of them, away from view (as even the sight alone may be offensive).
In such trying times, not only is it nearly impossible for new Crystalline sippers to form, but those already formed are sometimes viewed negatively. Many have taken to pointing fingers at these individuals for hoarding more than they need, or even being the cause of the shortage itself, though these claims are mostly unfounded. It's a common misunderstanding that they're greedy for keeping the magic to themselves, but them sharing it would unfortunately be fruitless, since it's attuned to them and thus unsuitable for consumption or use by others.
Some Crystalline sippers devote themselves to helping others out of a sense of righteousness or guilt, but it leaves them open to a lot of criticism and bitterness. Many chose to hide their true form instead, donning an average appearance out of fear or perhaps politeness. Some go so far as to hide the crystals inside of them, away from view (as even the sight alone may be offensive).
((Sipper owners who want to use their sipper outside of the story setting, but still be considered canon to the lore, can use this version!))
! ! ! WARNING: Contains story spoilers for the game ! ! !
Trapped in Etherheim no longer, sipperkind now travels to other worlds to collect and bring home new magic. The shortage issue is resolved, soothing conflicts over resources and the bitterness previously directed at Crystalline sippers.
Becoming Crystalline is a little more common now, although still an extremely difficult task. It's also far more dangerous now for the sippers venturing to other worlds in search of magic, since it's very easy for them to die outside of Etherheim. Even still, it has become the ultimate goal for most sippers to become Crystalline, and those who've achieved it are usually revered by others. They're often appointed as leaders and teachers for the abilities, experience, and wisdom gained from extremely long lifespans.
Crystalline sippers may still prefer to take on more common-looking forms around others for sake of politeness and convenience. It's very uncommon for one to feel the need to hide their crystals now, though.
Becoming Crystalline is a little more common now, although still an extremely difficult task. It's also far more dangerous now for the sippers venturing to other worlds in search of magic, since it's very easy for them to die outside of Etherheim. Even still, it has become the ultimate goal for most sippers to become Crystalline, and those who've achieved it are usually revered by others. They're often appointed as leaders and teachers for the abilities, experience, and wisdom gained from extremely long lifespans.
Crystalline sippers may still prefer to take on more common-looking forms around others for sake of politeness and convenience. It's very uncommon for one to feel the need to hide their crystals now, though.
INTERESTED IN OBTAINING A CRYTSALLINE FORM FOR YOUR SIPPER? READ HERE
In the future, players will be able to obtain a crystalline form for any sipper through playing the game (and/or the arpg). Since I want this to be a special achievement, sippers that come with Crystallized forms already unlocked will be distributed extremely rarely or possibly not at all.
You ARE allowed to plan out and design your sipper's Crystalline form for fun, even before unlocking it. Doing so comes with some guidelines and stipulations, as seen below.
The following guidelines are to prevent others from being unintentionally misled about your sipper's Crystalline form being earned/official (which is especially important, since advertising them as earned/official, when they aren't, is scamming)
Design guidelines include:
You ARE allowed to plan out and design your sipper's Crystalline form for fun, even before unlocking it. Doing so comes with some guidelines and stipulations, as seen below.
The following guidelines are to prevent others from being unintentionally misled about your sipper's Crystalline form being earned/official (which is especially important, since advertising them as earned/official, when they aren't, is scamming)
- All images of an un-earned Crystalline form must have a disclaimer attached explaining that it's not yet official/earned.
- Additionally, this form is not permitted for use within the game or ARPG until it's unlocked
- Any recreational drawings of this form (aside from concept/design planning) should be preferably kept private.
Design guidelines include:
- None really, a Crystalline sipper can look like anything so long as it follows content guidelines (is not sexually explicit, isn't based on copyrighted material, isn't intentionally created to look like other's species as a form of offbranding, etc) I like the idea of them looking extremely detailed and big, like a 'summon' you'd see in high fantasy games, but this is not a requirement.
- You may design the form yourself, or have others design it for you (as a gift, trade, or commission).
Job Classes and Other Social Constructs
(this section is under construction, there are plans to expand it with more lore and illustrations)
The name potion sipper was originally derogatory, given to them by outsiders who saw them as pests, though they do not remember this in the in-game setting. What is the true name of their race? Yet another mystery to be discovered. They also don't have a natural concept of gender, but individuals may choose to adopt such concepts from other races.
Their natural form of communication involves expressing thoughts, emotions, and concepts to each other through small manifestations of magic. To a bystander, it looks like they're simply making vocal sounds at each other, but the meaning behind what is being said is actually felt by the sippers. This form of communication allows for enough clarity that even if individuals might not agree, they are still fully able to understand what the other is saying. Directly lying with this language is impossible, although lying through omission is. For these reasons, the species as a whole gets along very well and war amongst themselves is generally unheard of. They are a bit fearful of other Etherheim residents who can't communicate in this way, due to outright lying being possible.
Sippers are capable of focusing their internal magic, which temporarily enhancing their natural abilities and gaining a set of specialized skills. This is commonly referred to as 'taking on a job class'. There will be a job class guide in the future. Examples of how magic can be enhanced to suit a job class include: focusing it inward to increase strength, speed, or senses like eyesight or smell, or focusing it outward and allowing them to cast more powerful magic to alter the world around them.
Since sipper culture is highly influenced by the desire to adventure and develop crystals, their society is thus split into guilds specializing in different job classes. These guilds are often lead by crystalline sippers, since they typically accomplished their crystal-making abilities through many years of adventuring themselves. This makes them a combination of teachers and leaders, and although guilds don't always see eye-to eye, they ultimately band together during times of need... they're supposed to, anyways.
The name potion sipper was originally derogatory, given to them by outsiders who saw them as pests, though they do not remember this in the in-game setting. What is the true name of their race? Yet another mystery to be discovered. They also don't have a natural concept of gender, but individuals may choose to adopt such concepts from other races.
Their natural form of communication involves expressing thoughts, emotions, and concepts to each other through small manifestations of magic. To a bystander, it looks like they're simply making vocal sounds at each other, but the meaning behind what is being said is actually felt by the sippers. This form of communication allows for enough clarity that even if individuals might not agree, they are still fully able to understand what the other is saying. Directly lying with this language is impossible, although lying through omission is. For these reasons, the species as a whole gets along very well and war amongst themselves is generally unheard of. They are a bit fearful of other Etherheim residents who can't communicate in this way, due to outright lying being possible.
Sippers are capable of focusing their internal magic, which temporarily enhancing their natural abilities and gaining a set of specialized skills. This is commonly referred to as 'taking on a job class'. There will be a job class guide in the future. Examples of how magic can be enhanced to suit a job class include: focusing it inward to increase strength, speed, or senses like eyesight or smell, or focusing it outward and allowing them to cast more powerful magic to alter the world around them.
Since sipper culture is highly influenced by the desire to adventure and develop crystals, their society is thus split into guilds specializing in different job classes. These guilds are often lead by crystalline sippers, since they typically accomplished their crystal-making abilities through many years of adventuring themselves. This makes them a combination of teachers and leaders, and although guilds don't always see eye-to eye, they ultimately band together during times of need... they're supposed to, anyways.
Sippers inhabit a strange place, known to them as Etherheim. The world around them seems broken and disjointed, locations shifting and changing when no one is around, creating a maze-like environment that changes layout upon each visit. Abandoned homes and structures lay scattered in various states of destruction, and no one can remember anything that happened before waking up there. Though the world around them is largely a mystery, sipperkind is compelled to adventure into and conquer the unknown, with the help of other creatures along the way. With each location they find and claim, the world becomes more solid, and they grow closer and closer to uncovering the mysteries of this tattered world, and discovering happened to it.
Things that work differently for sippers when they're within Etherheim:
Things that work differently for sippers when they're within Etherheim:
- Due to a shortage of magic, a sipper's abilities are more restricted to conserve energy. They mostly stay in their true/neutral form; features that aren't 'natural' (special features) have to be 'earned' before they can be applied to the true/neutral form; they are unable to switch ability sets (job classes) within dungeons; they can only glide; and reproduction is very rare. They can still freely write on themselves with their magic and show/hide their wings, since it takes very little energy to do so.
- Sippers who 'die' while in Etherheim can revive in most cases. If something goes wrong with revival, they may become lost spirits, and from there could suffer from permanent death. More information on that can be read here.
((Sipper owners who want to use their sipper outside of the story setting, but still be considered canon to the lore, can use this version!))
! ! ! WARNING: Contains story spoilers for the game ! ! !
- Sippers are very secretive, living in a place unreachable by outsiders through normal means (Etherheim). Magic in their home is limited, so they are compelled to adventure into other dimensions (especially realms of the 'high fantasy' variety) to gather magic there.
- They've had extremely bad experiences with other races in the far past, due to misunderstandings and language barriers. For those reasons, and since other races are often capable of outright lying, they are untrusting of non-Etherheim residents. It is forbidden for them to reveal their true form or homeworld to an outsider, so although they will team up with adventurers in other worlds, they will always be disguised as a race from that world.
- A network of sipper spies infiltrate new worlds to gather as much information as possible, before other sippers are allowed to enter. Additionally, sippers wishing to visit other worlds are required attend school to learn basic skills, as well as take classes on the particular places they want to go to before being allowed to do so.