User Guide

Created: 28 January 2024, 19:58:19 PST
Last updated: 4 November 2024, 17:12:59 PST

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE...

GENERAL INFORMATION

STARLYNGS

OORT AND BOöTES

GAMEPLAY

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BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE...

First things first: being registered to our Lorekeeper, starlyng.space (you are here!) is required to obtain Starlyngs, Oort, and Boötes, associated Items, and participate in our community. If you are not registered yet, click here! Creating an account gives you access to all of our website's features.

If you need help with using the site or understanding its functions, we highly recommend additionally reading our Site Guide, as it includes everything you will need to know. Think of the Site Guide as a manual, and the User Guide as a player's guide!

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General information

UNDERSTANDING COMMON TERMINOLOGY 

The world of original species and ARPGs may be confusing for those who have never been involved in these communities before. Thus, we have compiled some commonly used terms below to help new users navigate this website! Feel free to skip this section if you are already familiar with these terms.

General Terminology 
  • SEMI-OPEN SPECIES: An original species where permissions are required to obtain or create characters related to it, and some restrictions are placed on what you can do with your characters. Please read our Terms of Service for more information on what you may do with your Starlyngs, Oort, and Boötes. In our case, "Semi-Open" indicates that aspects of our species are free or easy to access. Everything can be obtained for free or with in-game currency through engaging with our systems!

  • ARPG: Stands for "Art Role Playing Game". A game where progression is directly tied to the creation of artwork or writing for the species.

  • MYO: Stands for "Make Your Own".  An Item that gives you permission to create a Starlyng, Oort, or Boötes, depending on what is being used. Note that these do not give you permission to create adoptables for the species; these are strictly for personal use. All MYOs must be approved by Stafflyngs before they are considered official.

  • TRAITS: Variations in appearance that require Items to add to your design.

  • RARITY: Rarity of an Item, character, or its Traits. Prices and drop rates will vary depending on Rarity. 

  • MASTERLIST: A comprehensive list of every character in a species, as well as their creators, artists, and current owners.

  • LOREKEEPER: An ARPG framework that was used to create this website. If we refer to something as "the Lorekeeper," we are talking about this website (starlyng.space)!

  • FTO: Stands for "First Time Owner". A user who has never owned a Starlyng, Oort, or Boötes before.

  • OA: Stands for "Official Artist" (Moon Rank on Lorekeeper). This permanent role grants chosen users the ability to create official adoptables and customs within the species (with some limitations).

  • GA: Stands for "Guest Artist" (Moonlet Rank on Lorekeeper). This rotational role is held for three months by select users chosen via applications, granting them the ability to create official adoptables and customs within the species (with some limitations).

  • YCH: Stands for "Your Character Here". Artwork that is typically auctioned as a commission with a predetermined pose.
Terminology Used for Adoptables and Auctions
  • OTA: Stands for "Offer to Adopt".

  • BTA: Stands for "Bid to Adopt".

  • SB: Stands for "Starting Bid".

  • AB: Stands for "Auto Buy".

  • MI: Stands for "Minimum Increase".

Starlyng.space is thus best described as a semi-open species ARPG.

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Starlyngs

COMMON WAYS TO OBTAIN A STARLYNG
  • Creating Common Starlyng MYOs for free ONCE per month through the Monthly MYO page. Please note these Common MYOs are not Items and do not transfer or stack from month-to-month.
  • Trading for MYOs/Items or existing Starlyngs from other users. (Trades can also be listed and discussed in our Discord server.)
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DESIGNING YOUR STARLYNG

While designing your Starlyng, please consider the general species guidelines, Traits, Rarities, and our Terms of Service.

Please note that we are very flexible when it comes to what you can do with your designs; as long as your Starlyng follows the basic anatomy outlined in their species page, we are likely to approve variations on that format. We highly suggest reading the design resources below, as well as having a general understanding of our Trait system before sending your Starlyng in for approval.

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DESIGNING A CHARACTER-BASED-CHARACTER

When designing a character-based-character (CBC) Starlyng, Oort, or Boötes, we expect the design to have noticeable differences from their source. Please make use of the following guidelines to assure your CBC is ToS-compliant:

DO NOT:
  • Make a CBC of a real person (including fictional variations), their avatar, or a character from an offensive/controversial source.

  • Directly color pick the majority of the Starlyng, Oort, or Boötes' colors from the source material.

  • Hue shift or invert the source material's colors and color pick them onto the Starlyng, Oort, or Boötes.

  • Directly import ALL of the source material's clothing, accessories, and weapons onto a Starlyng, Oort, or Boötes.

  • Heavily reference the source material's pose in official artwork for their Masterlist image.

  • Seek to create a near-exact replica of the source material.
DO: 
  • Limit color picking to accents or hair and eye color.

  • Omit or edit accessories, clothing, and weapons from the source material, or change them entirely.

  • Add Traits that distinguish the CBC from the source material.

  • Take only the elements of the source material you enjoy the most, and transform them into something original.

  • Use multiple sources of inspiration to create a tribute to the source material, rather than a replica.

Visual example by Macross of an Izutsumi CBC from Delicious in Dungeon. The leftmost art was taken from her official key art by Studio Trigger.

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Starlyng Design Resources

Please use the following resources to assist you while designing your Lyng!

  • #design-help in the Discord Server for Community Assistance
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Understanding Traits

All Starlyngs have Traits, which typically require Items to use depending on their Rarity. These Traits are categorized by their type, which includes: 

  • EARS: An external organ that enables a Starlyng to hear; a majority of Starlyngs have protruding ears that come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Use the modifiers "Big" and "Small" to achieve a plethora of different appearances! A Starlyng's hearing is highly advanced, which can allow them to hear a wide range of frequencies .
  • HORNS: A permanent, protruding mass of keratin that is often present on a Starlyng's head. A Starlyng's horns can either be fully opaque, or have an opaque core and a translucent outer layer. These horns can come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, and assist in a Starlyng's telepathy.
  • TAILS: A flexible appendage found on a majority of Starlyngs. These assist in balance, as well as better facilitating interspecies communication through body language. A variety of appearances can be achieved by changing the length of the Starlyng's feathers on their tail.
  • BODY: A Starlyng's body varies highly from individual to individual. Starlyngs can be customized in many unique ways, whether it be to transform their body into a completely different substance or material, or the addition of attributes such as wings.

All Starlyngs are required to have an Ear, Horn, and Tail type listed.

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Understanding Rarity

We currently have five Rarity tiers, which are as follows: 

  • COMMON: The most common Traits a Starlyng can have. All Starlyngs can use as many Common Traits as desired, as long as they are not mutually exclusive. Starlyngs marked with the Rarity "Common" were either created with a Monthly Common MYO or were bought as an adoptable or custom design, and can add as many Common Traits as desired desired during a redesign.
  • UNCOMMON: Less common Traits that a Starlyng can be seen with. Requires Items purchased with Stardust to be used. Starlyngs marked with the Rarity "Uncommon" were created with a Uncommon MYO and can add any Uncommon or Common Traits desired during a redesign.

  • RARE: Rarely seen Traits that a Starlyng can have. Requires Items purchased with Stardust to be used. Starlyngs marked with the Rarity "Rare" were created with a Rare MYO and can add any Rare, Uncommon, or Common Traits desired during a redesign.

  • LEGENDARY: Traits that can only be obtained from special, one-use Items. Legendary Traits are often seasonal event rewards. Unlike other Trait Items which can be used to apply any Trait of that Rarity, Legendary Trait Items are only usable per relevant Trait. They cannot be used for every Trait of the Legendary Rarity. For example, if you have the Phantasmagoria Item, it can only be used for the Distortion [L] Trait.

  • MYTHICAL: The rarest Traits a Starlyng can have. Starlyngs with Mythical Traits can be substantially larger than others of their kind. Currently only obtainable through event rewards, MagiMart, and adoptables. Starlyngs marked with the Rarity "Mythical" were created with a Mythical MYO and can add any Mythical, Rare, Uncommon, or Common Traits desired during a redesign.

When designing your Starlyng, we suggest keeping track of the Rarity of the Traits you used so they are ready for approval. We have many Trait options for each Rarity tier, with many being very versatile, so have fun exploring your options!

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OBTAINING MYO AND TRAIT ITEMS (STARDUST, SYLVER, & VERMYL)

There are are three currencies with which to gain MYO and Trait (and other) Items: Stardust (SD), Sylver (SYL), Vermyl (MYL). Renown (RN) is not currently in use, but will be when Factions are fully implemented; it will not be used to gain MYO or Trait Items. 

Below is a list of each currency, how they can be acquired, and where they can be spent!

STARDUST (SD)
SYLVER (SYL)
VERMYL (MYL)
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Common Design Mistakes to Avoid for a Basic Starlyng
  • Feet are not Anisodactyl (default), and do not have three toes in the front of the foot, and one toe in the back.

    • Unless using the Polydactyl [C] Trait, Starlyngs never have more than three toes pointing forward on their feet.

    • Unless using the Zygodactyl [UC] Trait, Starlyngs never have less than three toes pointing forward OR more than one toe pointing backward on their feet.
  • Skin on feet and legs are not distinct from the feathers on your Starlyng.
  • Snout has a protruding nose.
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I Designed my Starlyng. What do I do now?

Please see the "MYOS, REDESIGNS, AND MASTERLIST UPDATES" section of the Site Guide for information on sending your newly designed Starlyng in for approval!

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Redesigning Your StarlyngS

Redesigns are approved on a case-by-case basis, but Items are not required to submit a redesign. There are no specific rules for redesigns, but they must be reminiscent of their original design. Respect the original artist’s intentions with your redesigns.

  • Traits may be exchanged for Traits of the same Rarity in a redesign.

  • Additionally, Traits may be removed if desired.

  • Please note that additional Uncommon, Rare, Legendary, and Mythical Traits will typically require Items to add.

  • A redesign of a Starlyng, Oort, or Boötes may not be "split" from its original design and repurposed into an entirely new character for any reason.

If you'd like to learn HOW to redesign your Starlyngs, please visit the following sections on the Site Guide:

Trait Observation Prompts are also a a fun and accessible means of redesigning your Starlyng! 

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voiding and unvoiding your Starlyngs

Starlyngs, Oort, and Boötes can be Voided and Unvoided. Voiding your Starlyngs, Oort, and Boötes will disconnect them from the species and render them one-off designs. 

A VOIDED STARLYNG, OORT, OR BOÖTES:
  • MAY NOT be listed or described as Starlyngs, Oort, or Boötes, but they will no longer be subject to the Starlyng Terms of Service and Use.

  • Will retain their Masterlist entry, but it will no longer be updated.

    • Voided characters will be labeled as VOID-[ID#], and their category will be changed to Void.

  • MAY NOT be used for Prompts or used to participate in any community activities. 

Additionally, voided Starlyngs, Oort, and Boötes may be unvoided 2 weeks after they have been voided. As we no longer keep track of the ownership of these characters after they have been voided, you will need to provide proof of ownership (ownership history on Toyhou.se is sufficient) to reinstate them. Voided Starlyngs will be retained by our managerial account, grimshaw.

If you understand and agree to the terms above, head to THIS PROMPT and follow the listed directions! 

Adding voided characters to the Void and Unvoid Prompt using the same instructions will unvoid them.

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Canceling a pending MYO

In the event that you would like to recall your MYO submission for any reason (e.g., you realized you made an error, you want to change a design element), simply open a ticket in the #ticket-desk channel in our Discord server to inform the Stafflyngs that you would like us to cancel the submission.

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oort and boötes

Oort and Boötes are pet species that be created by: using their associated MYO Items, Sourcefeather and Sourceclock; using their Paid Items, Minion Pinion and Tick-Tock; using a Hocus-Pocus on a Phase 4 (Elder) Oort to evolve it into a Phase 1 (Spore) Boötes; or by using a Hocus-Pocus on any Phase of a Boötes to revert it to a Phase 1 (Infant) Oort. You can read a more in-depth description about both pets on their respective species pages. However, the breadth of their mechanics will be covered below.

Oort and Bootes still need to be Traited on the Masterlist for categorization purposes (no Trait Items are required). You can see what Traits DO NOT need to be listed under their respective designing sections: Oort, Boötes.

OORT PHASE MECHANICS

Oort can go through four (five) developmental Phases:

  • PHASE 2, CHILD: Evolves into a Child after one month of real time in Phase 1, or with a use of Presto.
  • PHASE 5, BOÖTES (PHASE 1, SPORE): Can evolve after two years of real time in Phase 4, or with a use of Hocus Pocus. Boötes can also be reverted back to an Phase 1 Oort by using this Item.

Oort can be made by attaining their corresponding MYO Item, Sourcefeather, from the MagiMart, Item Sales, occasional referral rewards, future events, and other secret means. All Oort start at Phase 1; for Oort advance to other Phases, Userlyngs must wait until the above times have passed, by using quickening Items, or by using an MYO Item that allows for all Phases from the get-go. All Phases of an Oort can be gained by purchasing a Minion Pinion with USD through PayPal (details on the Item Sales page). 

Once enough time has passed and an Oort is eligible to evolve into its next phase, Userlyngs can submit a submit a design update request (see: Redesign Requests, Applying Transformations) for their Oort. To check how much time an Oort has spent in a Phase, Userlyngs can hover over the date of the last approved Phase listed in the Change Log on their Oorts' profiles (under the "History" section). 

All attained Phases of an Oort can be drawn or written about for Prompts, etc. However, whatever Phase the Oort is in currently is their officially recognized one on the Masterlist. If Userlyngs wish to revert an Oort (or Oort turned Boötes) to a previous Phase, it must be reverted back to Phase 1 by using a Hocus Pocus. Evolving your Oort is not mandatory.

DESIGNING AN OORT

There are a few design elements that Oort adhere to, particularly during their individual Phases: 

  • PHASE 1, INFANT: resembling a small flame of any shape with an equally small face. 
  • PHASE 2, CHILD: (~4"/10 cm long) circular and small bird or hamster-like; limbs and mimicked Traits begin to form. 
  • PHASE 3, ADULT: (~1'/30.5 cm) ovoidal; limbs and Traits are fully formed. Oort spend most of their lives in this Phase. 
  • PHASE 4, ELDER: (upwards of ~3'/91 cm) take on the longer, more Draconic look of Ouroboros. Forelegs are often substantially longer than hind legs. Not all Oort reach this Phase, but if they do, they will be particularly long-lived. Exceptionally, may exhibit much weaker versions of Firstborn abilities and rudimentary telepathic communication. 

Oort possess a "smooth" appearance with shiny and vibrant feathers; their entire body glows during all developmental Phases. Mimicked Traits are diminutive and simplistic. As with Traits, Oort will mimic the coloring of their Starlyng companion, but all Oort possess the Chameleon capacity to shift hues. Traits should be marked but will not require Items to add to your Oort, unlike their Starlyng counterparts.

The following Traits should not be used on Oort of any Phase; all other Traits are usable:

Oort are commonly monochromatic with a slight gradation at most and do not tend toward dark colors, even if their Starlyng is colored as such. They will choose a lighter, inverted palette instead. Their eyes, however, are almost always dark to contrast their bodies. All Phases of Oort can have anywhere between 0-4 limbs (barring any mimicked Traits that may encourage the growth of 4+ limbs).

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BOöTES PHASE MECHANICS

Boötes can go through three developmental Phases:

  • PHASE 2, GERM: Evolves into a Germ after one month of real time in Phase 1, or with a use of Presto.

Boötes can be made by attaining their corresponding MYO Item, Sourceclock, from the MagiMart, Item Sales, occasional referral rewards, future events, and other secret means. All Boötes start at Phase 1; for Bootes to advance to other Phases, Userlyngs must wait until the above times have passed, by using quickening Items, or by using an MYO Item that allows for all Phases from the get-go. All Phases of a Bötes can be gained by purchasing a Tick-Tock with USD through PayPal (details on the Item Sales page). 

Once enough time has passed and a Boötes is eligible to evolve into its next Phase, Userlyngs can submit a submit a design update request (see: Redesign Requests, Applying Transformations) for their Boötes. To check how much time an Boötes has spent in a Phase, Userlyngs can hover over the date of the last approved Phase listed in the Change Log on their Boötes' profiles (under the "History" section). 

All attained Phases of an Boötes can be drawn or written about for Prompts, etc. However, whatever Phase the Boötes is in currently is their officially recognized one on the Masterlist. If Userlyngs wish to revert a Boötes to a previous Phase, it must be reverted back to a Phase 1 Oort by using a Hocus Pocus. Evolving your Boötes is not mandatory.

DESIGNING A BOöTES

There are a few design elements that Boötes adhere to, particularly during their individual Phases: 

  • PHASE 2, GERM: (~3"/7.6 cm long) now thicker and fuzzier orbs; can have either one or two eyes and may or may not have a mouth; limbs and Traits begin to form. 
  • PHASE 3, FUN GUY: (~6"/15 cm) ovoidal; limbs and mimicked Traits are fully formed (if they do form); Traits are even more reduced in size than Oort. 

Boötes possess many tiny and radial down feathers, giving them a "fuzzy" appearance; only the very tips of each feather glow like matchsticks. Mimicked Traits are even more diminutive and simplistic than Oort and may not manifest at all.

The following Traits should not be used on Boötes of any Phase; all other Traits are usable:

They are commonly monochromatic with a slight gradation at most and are almost never vivid in color. They are not as skilled as Oort at shifting hues or mimicking the coloring of their companion Starlyng; they can typically only manage a dark or desaturated approximation. Their eyes, however, are usually very bright to contrast their exteriors. All Phases of Boötes can have anywhere between 0-4 limbs (barring any mimicked Traits that may encourage the growth of 4+ limbs).

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GAMEPLAY

Currently, gameplay on the site consists of a Daily Login Bonus, Foraging Expeditions, and Crafting Recipes! Future gameplay will also include Faction questlines to accrue Renown and Gear; currently, Factions are not fully implemented.

By creating a routine of checking in and venturing on Expeditions daily, Userlyngs can attain the Materials needed to craft special Items. (Exactly how go about doing these things is written in the Site Guide!) Excess Materials can also be sold for Sylver, a currency used exclusively at the Sylver Lining Shop to buy Material Items at limited rates. More and more Items and recipes will be added as time goes on! 

Userlyngs have a total of 3 Morale daily to expended on Expeditions. Items and Sylver drop from different locations at varying rates. Make sure to the check the Crafting Recipes see what you're interested in and what Materials they need; you can then focus on locations containing them!

EXPEDITION LOCATIONS

Here is a list of the current Material Items and their Expedition locations: 

  • AGAR
    • Locations: Avalon, Arcadia, Psamathe
  • CACAO BEANS
    • Locations: Arcadia, Everlight, Evernight
  • COBALT
    • Locations: Arcadia, Evernight, Psamathe
  • KINDLING
    • Locations: Arcadia, Endless Blue, Everlight, Evernight
  • LILITOILE
    • Locations: Avalon, Arcadia, Everlight
  • LILY OF THE VALLEY
    • Locations: Avalon, Arcadia, Evernight
  • RAW SUGAR
    • Locations: Avalon, Arcadia, Everlight, Psamathe
  • SAND
    • Locations: Arcadia, Endless Blue, Psamathe
  • STARBERRY
    • Locations: Avalon, Arcadia, Everlight, Evernight
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CRAFTING RECIPES

Here is a list of currently craftable (or purchasable) Items, their recipes, and their use:

That being said, Material Items may not be the only things that can be found during your Expeditions...

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FACTIONS (WIP)

Currently, Factions are not integrated into the Starlyng ARPG experience. Once fully implemented, they will involve Faction-based questlines to gain Renown (RN).

Renown's main use will be to progress the Faction rank of either you OR your Starlyngs (viewable on your/your Starlyngs' profile(s); joinable via your/your Starlyngs' profile settings). However, it will also be used to obtain Materials and Faction-related Gear from designated shops to equip your Starlyngs with!

Do be aware that giving Renown to your Starlyngs will affect your overall Faction standing and cannot be regained once bestowed.

Information on how to to give your Starlyngs Renown, alongside further information on Factions, questlines, and Gearsets, will be included in both this section and on the Site Guide in the future.

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