Species

Life cycle

Oort go through four developmental Phases:

• PHASE 1, INFANT: resembling a small flame of any shape with an equally small face. Stays in this Phase for one month of real time. 
  
  
• PHASE 2, CHILD: (~4"/10 cm long) circular and small bird or hamster-like; limbs and mimicked Traits begin to form. Evolves into a Child after one month of real time in Phase 1, or with a use of Presto.
  
  
• PHASE 3, ADULT: (~1'/30.5 cm) ovoidal; limbs and Traits are fully formed. Oort spend most of their lives in this Phase. Evolves into an Adult after six months of real time in Phase 2, or with a use of Abracadabra.
  
  
• 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. Evolves into an Elder after one year of real time in Phase 3, or with a use of Alakazam.

Oort lifespans are significantly shorter (from a few thousand years for the common Oort to around one million for an elder) than Starlyngs' and some Oort can eventuate into a "fifth Phase," Boötes. A Starlyng can extend the lifespan of an Oort or, in rarer cases, reset its life cycle via energy transfer (both methods shortening their own lifespan and the latter affecting their Oort's memories). An Oort has the opportunity to evolve into a Phase 1 Boötes 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.

An Oort's current Phase is determined using its Change Log, located in its profile under the "History" section. While evolving your Oort is not mandatory, it becomes accessible through updating its design (see: Redesign Requests, Applying Transformations) by either fulfilling the real time-based requirements detailed above, or by using relevant Items (be it either Transformation Items, or by using an MYO Item that allows for all Phases from the start). While the timer for Phase 1 begins as soon as the design is approved, all subsequent Phases start after each design update request is approved. All approved Phases in an Oort's profile are considered valid, and may be used interchangeably. 

Additionally, some Oort can "procreate" and "birth" new Oort by combining fragments of themselves. These Oort require time to materialize and appear egglike during their incubation period. These "prenatal" Oort are called Oospore and are set to appear during special occasions. 

Appearance

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:

• NO EARS [UC], NO HORNS [UC], NO TAIL [UC]
  
  
• CHAMELEON [UC]
  
  
• PARASITE [L]
  
  
• DRACONIC [M]
  
  
• NEUTRON STARLYNG [M] 
  
  
• ALL EARLY ACCESS TRAITS

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).

Behavior

Due their lacking energy, Oort act as universal scavengers and will eat miscellaneous space debris. They are curious creatures adept at treasure-seeking and tracking "scents" (energy signatures). They are also, by nature, rather mischievous and naturally flock to Starlyngs (Firstborns especially)!

Oort are capable of levitation and flight during every Phase; should a surface be available, they may be inclined to land or give up floating altogether (such as for extended stays on a planet). 

Oort are easily identified by their joyous cries.

Life cycle

Boötes go through three developmental Phases:

• PHASE 1, SPORE: (~1") resembling the head of dandelion flower; very small, gossamer, and can be either faceless or feature a teensy mouth. Stays in this Phase for one month of real time. 
  
  
• 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. Evolves into a Germ after one month of real time in Phase 1, or with a use of Presto.
  
  
• 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 spend most of their lives in this Phase. Evolves into a Fun Guy after six months of real time in Phase 2, or with a use of Abracadabra.

Boötes' lifespans are very short (less than a thousand years). A Starlyng can extend the lifespan of a Boötes or, in rarer cases, reset its life cycle via energy transfer (both methods shortening their own lifespan and the latter affecting their Boötes' memories). Rarer still, a Starlyng can restore a Boötes to an Oort if given enough energy (or via Firstborn chronokinesis) before it passes, though this will not restore the memories it lost in becoming a Boötes. An Oort has the opportunity to evolve into a Phase 1 Boötes after two years of real time in Phase 4, or with a use of Hocus Pocus. Boötes can also be reverted back to a Phase 1 Oort by using this Item.

A Boötes' current Phase is determined using its Change Log, located in its profile. While evolving your Boötes is not mandatory, it becomes accessible through updating its design (see: Redesign Requests, Applying Transformations) by either fulfilling the real time-based requirements detailed above, or by using relevant items (be it either Transformation Items, or by using an MYO Item that allows for all Phases from the start). While the timer for Phase 1 begins as soon as the design is approved, all subsequent Phases start after each design update request is approved. All approved Phases in an Oort's profile are considered valid, and may be used interchangeably. 

Unlike Oort, Boötes cannot "procreate" or "birth" new Boötes—they can, however, duplicate themselves into smaller and smaller versions, but this equitably distributes and thus reduces their lifespans. As a Boötes ages toward death, they increasingly release and dissipate into "spores" and fade away into dark matter. After a certain point of dissipation, they can no longer be restored.

Appearance

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:

• NO EARS [UC], NO HORNS [UC], NO TAIL [UC]
  
  
• CHAMELEON [UC]
  
  
• PARASITE [L]
  
  
• NEUTRON STARLYNG [M]
   
• ALL EARLY ACCESS TRAITS

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).

If Oort are like feathers, then Boötes are the beta-keratins comprising them!

Behavior

Boötes are the universal decomposers and the "natural predators" of Oort, although they do not actively prey upon or even express interest in consuming live Oort. Boötes and Oort can live alongside each other without issue and have been known to form both mutualistic (they tandemly seek energy for each other to absorb from the universe/a Starlyng) and commensalistic relationships (an Oort/Starlyng allows a Boötes to siphon off them).

In short, Boötes are not inherently malicious toward Oort; they are simply "scripted" to clean up deceased Oort. That being said, Bootes are extremely attracted to Oort and will harmlessly attach to them like burs (the same goes for Starlyngs, of course).

All Boötes are capable of levitation and flight during every Phase; should a surface be available, they may be inclined to land or give up floating altogether (such as for extended stays on a planet). 

Like Oort, Boötes are playful and impish, yet much more childish, clingy, and emotional. As such, they may throw tantrums or cry when unattended for too long! (Also—fun fact: Boötes explode upon contact with water, like sodium metal!) Boötes are rather known for their signature whimpering.