hodpod

[hodpod]

drawn by @giolcach, some character chibis!

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small update, going to see about toying with more writing-based content here! We still think about hodpod now and then and could use it's bright vibe these days

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A breeze ruffles your shirt as you exit the bus, eyes turned towards tall towers and hills, bustling streets full of lively conversation and even livelier crowds. All kinds of people roam the neatly-paved walkways; the sun glints off of a camera lens hung from the neck of a vulpine passerby, a man in a hi-vis vest is taking his lunch break with the rest of the construction crew, and you find your eyes follow the sight of a banta dip into a tattoo parlor, who's cape is already a tapestry of ink. Pines are planted along the city streets alongside ferns, and carpet the landscape wherever the urban sprawl meets the surrounding nature. The cool air of the Puffin Bay rolls past you again. A relief from the summer heat of a long bus ride. From any nagging thoughts still hanging in your head.

The rest of the passengers trickle out, and the bus sputters back into action before slowly ambling away. The purr of the motor fades behind you. Finally, you made it. Tercula.

Where will your curiosity take you? Only time will tell.

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found some HodgePodge stuff in my sketchbook! I don't give Erwin's magic meat shenanigans enough love

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Some hodpod stuff I've been sitting on. Spage has frequent nightmares and terrors (based on the previous scrapped iteration of his character and storyline) in which his creator Dr. Erwin made him as fodder for her other creations and he escaped. I thought it would be fun and a low stakes way to keep that part of him alive.

The rest of the page is just fun doodles

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Egan the worm for @hodpod !! Love this guy

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Tercula's most notorious DJ, Earworm! Egan is a magically sapient hammerhead worm who lives in a constructed body. They commissioned it to reap the benefits of having hands, vocal chords, and a way to meaningfully socialize. They don't know their own origins, only that they are a worm, and they're here to party.

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This is Donny! They're a banta who keeps their cape hidden so it doesn't get in the way of their fun outfits ;]

He has issues within the part of himself that processes language and speech, so words tend to slide around, and he's got a stutter. Doesn't stop her from talking about all her favourite reptiles though!

Would you go picking shells by the shore with him? 🐚 🏝️ 🦩

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okay fine, heres Quay

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Marlin speaking at an ecological conference on the problem with artificial fish being released into the wild.

(Transcript under readmore)

Text reads: "The invasive fish situation is dire. I and my colleagues, of whom may be seated in the audience, have lost countless hours of sleep, effort, and time to the onslaught of magically introduced species."

"We propose that the magical creation of species, fish or not, should occur solely within captivity so as not to interfere with our beautiful natural ecosystems."

"As a constructed creature myself, the ethics surrendered the creation of life are tricky, to put it lightly. There is an incredible amount of skill and passion that goes into creating living beings."

"However... all too often we see 'joke' animals, which disregard the creature's functionality and needs for sake of humor."

"Observe." ("Double Eel")

("REAL Sheepshead Wrasse") "Frankly disturbing."

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HISTORY

Even considering Arcanium and conventional magic, many phenomena go entirely unexplained. There’s a layer to certain things that are untameable in the ways of science. Things that do not have an answer, or, have an answer in line with their own bizarre rules.

There was a decline in magic for an era, which many historians believe had to do with the rise in ecologically damaging practices that have since been curbed. Now, magic has been reinvigorated, and its growth has resulted in many strange and wonderful changes for the world. Populations of magic inclined creatures sharply rose, dormant spirits have returned, and unexplained phenomena is now just another facet of life.

These events are known as The Decay, where magic threatened to wither, and The Bloom, where magic surged back into circulation.

The Post-Bloom world is much different from the Pre-Decay world it once was. The progression of technology and general understanding has changed significantly since then. Magic has assimilated into many Post-Bloom lineages, resulting in naturally acquired nonstandard features in humans, such as tails, fur, animal appearances, anomalous markings and patterns on the skin, and rarely, shape-changing abilities. Luckily, the cultural landscape of most of the Post-Bloom world regards these traits with pride.

To note, magically saturated lineages extend to non-sophontic animals as well. Apparent mutations in fauna have resulted in animals with capacity for language and higher cognitive function in line with humanity, and fauna with the ability to wield Arcanium. Some species utilize Arcanum in their survival strategies, such as undergoing a drastic metamorphosis in the life cycle, or hunting methods (for example, flashing a myriad of bright colors to confuse and stun their prey). Some animal lineages are artificial, in which they were initially constructed, and then successfully created offspring. This is a method that has been used to help save endangered species from the brink.

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MAGIC & ARCANIUM

“Magic” is a physical element (Arcanium) that can mimic or transform any other element. It can appear in any state, and almost seems to have a “will” to be used. Arcanium also appears universally, both on the world planet and outside of it, as well as in most living things' atomic makeup.

To wield Arcanium, a connection must be established through dutiful study and meditation before someone can become a decent magic user. Otherwise, those born with an innate connection to Arcanium (spirits, magically saturated creatures, and the like) do not require the same preparation. It’s best to treat Arcanium as if it has feelings, (even though it likely does not) as it seems to respond to creativity and motivation positively.

Some schools of thought regard Arcanium as being a feeling entity, one that forms bonds and connects on an emotional level with its wielders. Others theorize that it is solely a tool of divine creation, gifted to the world's inhabitants. More rational theorems consider it to be a highly populous element with abnormal properties. Its behaviour is so strange that many scholars don't even categorize it as an element at all. As you might guess, the conversation surrounding Arcanium and magic is tumultuous and varied.

In reality, unknown to the world, Arcanium's main purpose is driving creation forward in opposition to destruction. It’s actively keeping entropy from occurring, which luckily due to the physics of this universe, is literally impossible.

Arcanium has the ability to intervene in the process of energy loss, recycling and renewing the energy into something else if needed. This occurs on both a cosmic and mundane scale, day to day.

It is, also, extremely versatile. It doesn't strictly follow the laws of itself as outlined here, and some expressions of magic are theorized to be flat out miracles.

MAGIC-USE CATEGORIES

Alteration

The use of Magic for changing an aspect (or the whole) of an object or organism. This includes aesthetic changes, material changes, substitutions, size or mass changes, shapeshifting, etcetera.

Creation

The use of Magic for creation. This includes producing material, the creation of constructs, objects, ‘elemental’ effects, etcetera.

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Lore posts incoming! 👀

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Meet Jovia!

Jovia is a fantasy faire enthusiast with a love of swordplay and duels. He's a gentle soul who will gladly pose for a picture.

Another fascination of his is heavy armor, which he dons as a costume for fun. He has a custom made set with his family crest embossed on it. Speaking of which, he's really quite proud of his heritage, having come from a distant country with a large agricultural scene. Now he lives in Tercula to admire the sea and engage in the faire scene!

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What if body mod artists in Tercula shared tips and advice with each other? Could be fun if they had a forum or group chat going. Basically a tattoo artist buddy circle.

I'm also thinking they'd be called transformation artists or "taf" artists for short. And like how tat artists practice with fake skin or oranges, etc, I think transformation artists would do the same with non-living constructs or leather/animal skin, other odds and ends. It would be easier to get the right feather texture for example or limb alignment with reference material after all.

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so hold on if marlin eats something is it like. visible

yep! but it ends up looking like nondescript mush/flakes after being processed by the mouth and gizzard

not to mention marlin wears clothing! typically their glass is covered up, except the tail, as they have professional decorum to keep up and it feels strange for them to be naked around others

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marlin!!!!!!!!!!!

haha seems like you enjoy them! how lovely, I like being reminded of marlin. thank you