Frequently asked questions
Find here the most frequently asked questions and their answers in the following order:
- Species related questions
- YVVOs in general
- YVVO anatomy
- Bothean YVVOs
- Extra-Bothean YVs
- Varveleilem
- Oyevatem
- Design tips
- AMA Yoka (personal questions)
To ask a new question, feel free to contact Yoka! And to quickly find a question or an answer using key-words, press "ctrl + F" on your keyboard then type a key-word into the small pop-up window that appeared. Fast and convenient!
- Species related questions
- YVVOs in general
- YVVO anatomy
- Bothean YVVOs
- Extra-Bothean YVs
- Varveleilem
- Oyevatem
- Design tips
- AMA Yoka (personal questions)
To ask a new question, feel free to contact Yoka! And to quickly find a question or an answer using key-words, press "ctrl + F" on your keyboard then type a key-word into the small pop-up window that appeared. Fast and convenient!
Species related
Q: What is an "YVVO"?
'YVVO' designate a lot of things. The letters stand for: "Yevat, Velilyevat, Varveleil, Oyevat," and these are the names of the four main species featuring this universe. It's also the name of the global Closed species/ARPG in progress that Yoka is maintaining. In other words, it's everything that composes this website!
Q: Can I make an YVVO? And if not, how can I get one?
Your first Yevat MYO ('make your own') is free! You can read more about it in this page.
However, raffles and events excluded, the next MYOs and adoptables will be pay-to-own.
Q: Can I co-own my YVVO with a friend?
As specified in the species rules, this is not accepted, sorry.
Q: How can I get Yevatokens?
Learn everything you have to know about Yevatokens on this page.
Q: Can I sell my YVVO? For what price?
In general, you are allowed to sell / resell a YVVO that you currently own, for the price you want. The exceptions are:
- If you got your design through a free raffle, you can't sell it unless you added extra art. No matter the price of the extra art you added, we just want to see that you used the character before trying to make profit with it.
- If you got a MYO through the reward shop (free.) MYOs obtained for free can only be sold when they have been designed - You can't sell something that you got for free. But once it's designed, Yoka values your art, and you can sell it.
- If you are banned from the species, you can only resell the MYOs and designs that you directly purshased before the ban, and for no more than what you bought it for. You can only trade the designs you obtain through trade, and and only gift those you got for free (and you can't own new ones.)
If you're not concerned by one of these options, you are certainly allowed to sell your design. To be sure of it, check your design in the masterlist and check the 'resell" column (ctrl + F your nickname to quickly find your owned designs.)
When you can sell a design, you can sell it for the price you want. We will not ask you to calculate how much you spent for it nor to provide proofs of purchase. Your nickname in the masterlist entry is the only proof we ask for when you want to sell a design you currently own. The only exception to this rule are Unique Traits and Unique Powers (ir resold alone/not added to a design) which all have a fixed price indicated in the masterlist.
Even if you got a design through a trade, or if a user gave a design to you, you can sell it if it's written so in the masterlist.
'YVVO' designate a lot of things. The letters stand for: "Yevat, Velilyevat, Varveleil, Oyevat," and these are the names of the four main species featuring this universe. It's also the name of the global Closed species/ARPG in progress that Yoka is maintaining. In other words, it's everything that composes this website!
Q: Can I make an YVVO? And if not, how can I get one?
Your first Yevat MYO ('make your own') is free! You can read more about it in this page.
However, raffles and events excluded, the next MYOs and adoptables will be pay-to-own.
Q: Can I co-own my YVVO with a friend?
As specified in the species rules, this is not accepted, sorry.
Q: How can I get Yevatokens?
Learn everything you have to know about Yevatokens on this page.
Q: Can I sell my YVVO? For what price?
In general, you are allowed to sell / resell a YVVO that you currently own, for the price you want. The exceptions are:
- If you got your design through a free raffle, you can't sell it unless you added extra art. No matter the price of the extra art you added, we just want to see that you used the character before trying to make profit with it.
- If you got a MYO through the reward shop (free.) MYOs obtained for free can only be sold when they have been designed - You can't sell something that you got for free. But once it's designed, Yoka values your art, and you can sell it.
- If you are banned from the species, you can only resell the MYOs and designs that you directly purshased before the ban, and for no more than what you bought it for. You can only trade the designs you obtain through trade, and and only gift those you got for free (and you can't own new ones.)
If you're not concerned by one of these options, you are certainly allowed to sell your design. To be sure of it, check your design in the masterlist and check the 'resell" column (ctrl + F your nickname to quickly find your owned designs.)
When you can sell a design, you can sell it for the price you want. We will not ask you to calculate how much you spent for it nor to provide proofs of purchase. Your nickname in the masterlist entry is the only proof we ask for when you want to sell a design you currently own. The only exception to this rule are Unique Traits and Unique Powers (ir resold alone/not added to a design) which all have a fixed price indicated in the masterlist.
Even if you got a design through a trade, or if a user gave a design to you, you can sell it if it's written so in the masterlist.
YVVOs in general
Q: Where do YVVO live?
You can find the anwers to this question in the General Lore page. Yevatem and Velilyevatem can hatch anywhere, and Varveleilem and Oyevatem are found on Bothea on the current timeline (but can be present anywhere in the past.)
Q: I heard about alternate universes? Multi-dimensions? Multiple versions of a single character?
Yes. Multiple dimensions are canon in the universe. Your YVVO can have several versions of itself. You can learn the possible variations for AUs in the redesign page. You can have a Yevat on Bothea, living a hunter's life, and a version of the same Yevat but on Earth, studying birds, for example. It will be the same, single character and design slightly varying, but it can have different backstories, behaviour, and evolve in different universes. It allows you to still play with Bothea's settings while having your character inside a personal story as well, and to fully enjoy every aspect that the species has to offer.
Q: Can I make a Human, pony, animal anthro, etc. version of my YVVO?
This question is answered in details in the redesigns and alt forms page.
Q: What is an YVVO's general behavior?
Every YVVO has its own, unique personality and behavior. However, Yevatem and Velilyevatem will fall for their feline and reptile blood, and can spend hours sleeping under the sunslight, then suddenly feel the urge to run and play. Varveleilem are often territorial, and Oyevatem are often proud.
Q: Can we make unofficial YVVOs for story purpose?
You can, but it's limited:
- The unofficial YVVO should look like a shadow, a silhouette or a blurry figure on artworks (example)
- The unofficial YVVO must never be at the center of an artpiece or text, or become more important than official YVVOs
- The unofficial YVVO can't generate any Yevatokens.
Alternatively, you can use the free playable characters to add as background characters in your stories, they're heavily customizable!
You can find the anwers to this question in the General Lore page. Yevatem and Velilyevatem can hatch anywhere, and Varveleilem and Oyevatem are found on Bothea on the current timeline (but can be present anywhere in the past.)
Q: I heard about alternate universes? Multi-dimensions? Multiple versions of a single character?
Yes. Multiple dimensions are canon in the universe. Your YVVO can have several versions of itself. You can learn the possible variations for AUs in the redesign page. You can have a Yevat on Bothea, living a hunter's life, and a version of the same Yevat but on Earth, studying birds, for example. It will be the same, single character and design slightly varying, but it can have different backstories, behaviour, and evolve in different universes. It allows you to still play with Bothea's settings while having your character inside a personal story as well, and to fully enjoy every aspect that the species has to offer.
Q: Can I make a Human, pony, animal anthro, etc. version of my YVVO?
This question is answered in details in the redesigns and alt forms page.
Q: What is an YVVO's general behavior?
Every YVVO has its own, unique personality and behavior. However, Yevatem and Velilyevatem will fall for their feline and reptile blood, and can spend hours sleeping under the sunslight, then suddenly feel the urge to run and play. Varveleilem are often territorial, and Oyevatem are often proud.
Q: Can we make unofficial YVVOs for story purpose?
You can, but it's limited:
- The unofficial YVVO should look like a shadow, a silhouette or a blurry figure on artworks (example)
- The unofficial YVVO must never be at the center of an artpiece or text, or become more important than official YVVOs
- The unofficial YVVO can't generate any Yevatokens.
Alternatively, you can use the free playable characters to add as background characters in your stories, they're heavily customizable!
YVVO Anatomy
Q: Are the children different from adults YVVOs? Can I create a child if I have a MYO?
Yes, you are allowed to make a child if you have a MYO slot. Children are a bit different from the adults! For example, they don’t have a Rokyevat form and tend to walk on four limbs instead of two. You can read on the following page an YVVO's full lifespan and its child events. You can also learn everything about Yevatem and Velilyevatem children in the corresponding page.
Q: How tall are YVVOs on average?
You can find YVO's size chart after this answer, and a Varveleil's size variation on the Varveleil reference sheet.
Yes, you are allowed to make a child if you have a MYO slot. Children are a bit different from the adults! For example, they don’t have a Rokyevat form and tend to walk on four limbs instead of two. You can read on the following page an YVVO's full lifespan and its child events. You can also learn everything about Yevatem and Velilyevatem children in the corresponding page.
Q: How tall are YVVOs on average?
You can find YVO's size chart after this answer, and a Varveleil's size variation on the Varveleil reference sheet.
Q: Is the Rokyevat mode painful? How long does it take to turn Rokyevat?
It all depends on the person. Some will feel pain, some won’t. Some will need hours, some will turn in a few seconds. Some will lose control of themselves, some will stay aware of what they do. Some will only gain fangs, some other will literally get twice as big. It’s a bit like a werewolf transformation! Just know that the Rokyevat form is eased by the adrenaline, so it’ll be easier for any Yevat or Velilyevat to turn when stressed, scared, or under other powerful feelings. Q: Do Yevatem and Velilyevatem have animalistic poses when angry/Rokyevats? (Walking/Running on all four) or is it only something a child does? Again, it'll differ for everbody. But they completely can, and it's even frequent! Q: Can a Yevat or Velilyevat be addicted to their Rokyevat form? They can. Their body release a lot of hormones when turning into Rokyevat and one can live only for this feeling. Some rumors even talk about Yevatem who stayed "stuck" in their Rokyevat form and became beasts forever. |
Q: Do they need to eat and drink? What do they eat? Do they need to urinate and defecate?
Yes, Yevatem need to eat and drink. They are omnivorous and can eat many various meals, even if they tend to prefer meat and eat a lot of it. However, they can stay for a long time without eating, and will be in general more resistant to hunger than Humans. They need to hydrate as well.
YVVOs can urinate and defecate, but it remains really rare. Indeed, their excellent digestive system converts almost everything into physical energy and makes almost no waste. Unless an YVVO eats something that they're not supposed to eat, let's say pebbles for example, they will only rarely (if not never if they have a really healthy feeding) defecate or urinate.
Children can eat anything from the instant they hatched. However, as they have no teeth yet, they will need soft and flabby food at the beginning. It’s not rare to see parents chewing some food before giving it to their baby. Children defecate and urinate a lot more than the adults, because their digestive system isn't complete until they're adult.
Yes, Yevatem need to eat and drink. They are omnivorous and can eat many various meals, even if they tend to prefer meat and eat a lot of it. However, they can stay for a long time without eating, and will be in general more resistant to hunger than Humans. They need to hydrate as well.
YVVOs can urinate and defecate, but it remains really rare. Indeed, their excellent digestive system converts almost everything into physical energy and makes almost no waste. Unless an YVVO eats something that they're not supposed to eat, let's say pebbles for example, they will only rarely (if not never if they have a really healthy feeding) defecate or urinate.
Children can eat anything from the instant they hatched. However, as they have no teeth yet, they will need soft and flabby food at the beginning. It’s not rare to see parents chewing some food before giving it to their baby. Children defecate and urinate a lot more than the adults, because their digestive system isn't complete until they're adult.
Q: How about their feet then?
Their feet are very flexible and useful as well. The double thumbs give them balance, and help them to climb rough surfaces such as tree or rocks. They however should be careful not to let their claws grow too much, or walking and running will become harder. When teenagers start walking on two legs instead of four, they're often clumsy and hook their thumbs everywhere before getting used to it.
Their feet are very flexible and useful as well. The double thumbs give them balance, and help them to climb rough surfaces such as tree or rocks. They however should be careful not to let their claws grow too much, or walking and running will become harder. When teenagers start walking on two legs instead of four, they're often clumsy and hook their thumbs everywhere before getting used to it.
Q: Can YVVOs get sick? Are they allergic to something? Or do they have good health in general?
They have an excellent health in general. Their unique genome makes them very resistant to most sicknesses, and a Yevat on Earth would be known to never be sick. However, every YVVO has a vulnerability for some of Bothea's fungi: the matiagora, the "Death mushroom." This fungi has extremely volatile spores, and an aquatic variant as well, and is present in the deadlands and in the Ovskrudem (their cemetery lakes.) If they somehow ingest too many spores of this fungi, they'll develop a kind of deadly, contagious leprosy-cancer, that they ignore how to heal. A contaminated YVVO will be avoided at any cost by sane people, for it's highly contagious. This disease, commonly named the "Ovskrud disease," is easily recognizable by the body growing buboes and losing flesh at the same time. Few only can pretend having caught the disease and survived it. You can read more about Yevatem's health and medicine here.
Q: Can they lose limbs? Or can they casually regrow it?
YVVO definitely can lose limbs if they're heavily hurt. A chopped off limb is definitive. Everything regrows but the bones, so they won't regrow lost limbs. But they can build prosthetics to solve the problem!
Q: So they have fast and efficient wound healing... do they have scars then?
They do heal fast; certainly faster than Humans in comparison. But it doesn't prevent them from having scars! If the flesh has been heavily damaged, big wounds will always leave marks, even if they healed it quickly. Consider that their blood is thick and it coagulates quickly, so they will not lose a lot of blood, helping them to stay strong. The wound will also quickly close, helping them to make movements again very fast (in a few days only, sometimes a night is enough.) But scars can stay, as proof of the passage of a terrible wound.
Q: Can Yevatem have amnesia ? If yes, do they heal from it as easily as from any other physical wound?
Yevatem bones are quite hard, so it's hard to damage their brain. But yes, it can happen in case of a big trauma. It can heal or not, the story is yours to write!
Q: Is there a sexual dimorphism?
Yevatem, Velilyevatem, and Oyevatem > No. Male and female can’t be differentiated, unless you see their genitalia (and even then, they can have both genitalias, and any gender.) They have no breasts, and no nipples. Their language’s pronouns have no gender either.
Varveleilem > Yes, they do: Females are smaller, and nose and chin tips are oriented differently according to the sex.
Q: Do they have genders? Do they have sex? Can they have sex with other species?
A YVVO can be born with a penis, a vagina, both, or none. It’s also frequent to have a Yevat with two penises or two vaginas. However, their genitalia does not look like the same as humans; they look like some kind of weird flowers. Genitalias are also always hidden inside the body when not used, like reptiles. You can see their genitalia references on the nsfw channels of the discord server, if you're of age.
No matter their genitalia, a YVVO can have any gender. They can identify as male, female, none, or anything in the gender spectrum. They also can have the sexuality of their choice.
If a male and a female mate together, there’s a small chance that the female gets pregnant and lays an egg a few months later. It can only happen between YVVOs who have at least a reproductive male and a female genitalia, and their fertility rate is quite low nonetheless. Besides, a Yevat with any genitalia and gender can have sex with another if they both want it. However, they’ll never touch children. YVVOs can have sex with other species if they want and have the opportunity to, but it'll not let the female pregnant (unless for Yevatem and Velilyevatem who can breed, and unless Niviktem who also seem to be compatible, but hybrids aren't free to make.)
Q: Can twins exist? Can I make some?
They can exist. In some very rare cases, a female can have two eggs in her belly, and lay the two of them when she will give birth. In that case, the two kids can look very different. Alternatively, the egg can also be filled with two fetuses. Two babies from the same egg will be perfect twins. It’s very rare, and they’re considered like one soul split in two bodies.
However, if you want to create twins, you’ll have to own two MYO slots.
Q: What do their eggs look like? What shape and texture do they have? Do they taste good?
They're oval, shaped a bit like an american rugby balloon, you can see egg examples in the children's page. Their shell is soft as velor, and warm. They certainly taste good for carnivorous predators, but Humans would find it bitter.
Q: How long can they stay underwater? How deep can they go before they can't go out/before pressure is too much for them?
A YVVO will lack of oxygen before the pressure can affect them. They can't breath underwater (unless unique trait/power) but they can stay a long time without breathing, especially compared to Humans. When Humans will lasts 3 minutes without breathing on average, a YVVO can stay more or less 10 minutes. Just like humans, this ability can be trained and minutes without breathing can be gained.
They have an excellent health in general. Their unique genome makes them very resistant to most sicknesses, and a Yevat on Earth would be known to never be sick. However, every YVVO has a vulnerability for some of Bothea's fungi: the matiagora, the "Death mushroom." This fungi has extremely volatile spores, and an aquatic variant as well, and is present in the deadlands and in the Ovskrudem (their cemetery lakes.) If they somehow ingest too many spores of this fungi, they'll develop a kind of deadly, contagious leprosy-cancer, that they ignore how to heal. A contaminated YVVO will be avoided at any cost by sane people, for it's highly contagious. This disease, commonly named the "Ovskrud disease," is easily recognizable by the body growing buboes and losing flesh at the same time. Few only can pretend having caught the disease and survived it. You can read more about Yevatem's health and medicine here.
Q: Can they lose limbs? Or can they casually regrow it?
YVVO definitely can lose limbs if they're heavily hurt. A chopped off limb is definitive. Everything regrows but the bones, so they won't regrow lost limbs. But they can build prosthetics to solve the problem!
Q: So they have fast and efficient wound healing... do they have scars then?
They do heal fast; certainly faster than Humans in comparison. But it doesn't prevent them from having scars! If the flesh has been heavily damaged, big wounds will always leave marks, even if they healed it quickly. Consider that their blood is thick and it coagulates quickly, so they will not lose a lot of blood, helping them to stay strong. The wound will also quickly close, helping them to make movements again very fast (in a few days only, sometimes a night is enough.) But scars can stay, as proof of the passage of a terrible wound.
Q: Can Yevatem have amnesia ? If yes, do they heal from it as easily as from any other physical wound?
Yevatem bones are quite hard, so it's hard to damage their brain. But yes, it can happen in case of a big trauma. It can heal or not, the story is yours to write!
Q: Is there a sexual dimorphism?
Yevatem, Velilyevatem, and Oyevatem > No. Male and female can’t be differentiated, unless you see their genitalia (and even then, they can have both genitalias, and any gender.) They have no breasts, and no nipples. Their language’s pronouns have no gender either.
Varveleilem > Yes, they do: Females are smaller, and nose and chin tips are oriented differently according to the sex.
Q: Do they have genders? Do they have sex? Can they have sex with other species?
A YVVO can be born with a penis, a vagina, both, or none. It’s also frequent to have a Yevat with two penises or two vaginas. However, their genitalia does not look like the same as humans; they look like some kind of weird flowers. Genitalias are also always hidden inside the body when not used, like reptiles. You can see their genitalia references on the nsfw channels of the discord server, if you're of age.
No matter their genitalia, a YVVO can have any gender. They can identify as male, female, none, or anything in the gender spectrum. They also can have the sexuality of their choice.
If a male and a female mate together, there’s a small chance that the female gets pregnant and lays an egg a few months later. It can only happen between YVVOs who have at least a reproductive male and a female genitalia, and their fertility rate is quite low nonetheless. Besides, a Yevat with any genitalia and gender can have sex with another if they both want it. However, they’ll never touch children. YVVOs can have sex with other species if they want and have the opportunity to, but it'll not let the female pregnant (unless for Yevatem and Velilyevatem who can breed, and unless Niviktem who also seem to be compatible, but hybrids aren't free to make.)
Q: Can twins exist? Can I make some?
They can exist. In some very rare cases, a female can have two eggs in her belly, and lay the two of them when she will give birth. In that case, the two kids can look very different. Alternatively, the egg can also be filled with two fetuses. Two babies from the same egg will be perfect twins. It’s very rare, and they’re considered like one soul split in two bodies.
However, if you want to create twins, you’ll have to own two MYO slots.
Q: What do their eggs look like? What shape and texture do they have? Do they taste good?
They're oval, shaped a bit like an american rugby balloon, you can see egg examples in the children's page. Their shell is soft as velor, and warm. They certainly taste good for carnivorous predators, but Humans would find it bitter.
Q: How long can they stay underwater? How deep can they go before they can't go out/before pressure is too much for them?
A YVVO will lack of oxygen before the pressure can affect them. They can't breath underwater (unless unique trait/power) but they can stay a long time without breathing, especially compared to Humans. When Humans will lasts 3 minutes without breathing on average, a YVVO can stay more or less 10 minutes. Just like humans, this ability can be trained and minutes without breathing can be gained.
Bothean YVVOs
Q: Where do they live on Bothea?
This is answered in the environment page, and on the maps (: (Surface, Underground.)
Q: What is the spiritualism of Yevats? Do they have religions, superstitions?
This is answered in the Bothean pantheon's page.
Q: Do they bury their deads?
They don't, but they still have a death ritual where they drown bodies in Ovskrudem, their sanctuary cemetery lakes. You can read more about it in the life events page.
Q: Do they have a calendar? Do they celebrate birthdays and similar holidays?
Yevatem have a calendar, yes. They count their lifespan in cycles. One cycle correspond more or less to five human years. You can see a Yevat’s lifespan in details in the lifespan and life events page. You can read more about how Yevatem perceive time in the time page.
Their calendars are visually similar to Mayan calendars, engraved on big circular and flat stones.
Q: Do they form couples?
They do! You're free to ship your characters without problem. You can also read more details about couples on Bothea. A "couple" can be composed with two or more partners.
Q: Do Yevat bury their eggs like reptiles or make other special arrangements for their eggs? Like do they have a seperate place for the egg or do they carry it in a sling close to their body? Do they have special egg rooms with broodmothers caring for them?
The fertility rate is low among Yevatem, and if a female have one egg in her life it's already an event. So every yenelat (person who laid the egg) takes care of her egg very closely. The yenelatem have their egg with them almost all the time, to prevent predators from stealing them. They have special clothes to hold the egg against their belly or chest! Sometimes, if the parent(s) is/are still here or if the mother is in couple with another Yevat(em), she can be relieved from the egg for a few hours, like to clean herself for example. An abandoned egg on Bothea is very rare. They sleep with their egg too, so no particular arrangements for the eggs.
Q: Do they have weapons or do they hunt with teeth and claws only?
Both, in fact! You can read more in the technology tab of the culture page. Their rokyevat form is pretty useful as well.
Q: What is their culinary like? Do they cook at all, and if so what are some common dishes/foods?
They do cook. You can read more in the culinary tab of the culture page.
Q: Is it possible to find Earth-like species (wolves, eagles, spiders...) on Bothea, or only Bothea-specific creatures?
Bothea has its own fauna and flora. Some animals can be similar but no, there are no earthlings on Bothea. Plus Bothea doesn't really have a clear distinction between animals and plants: some creatures are both at the same time (like the Nyokuem, the flower-snake like creatures) and it's really frequent. Yevatem are often surprised by a flower that suddenly tries to eat their ankle!
Q: Could a Yevat craft a saddle to ride a Varveleil?
Of course! Crafting a saddle is even wiser: better be held tight, Varveleil can fly really, really high! Once a Varveleil accept to be mounted, it'll probably accept the saddle. It'll read in the Yevat's mind to understand what it's for, then it'll probably accept it.
Q: Is there any threat that Yevat can fear on Bothea?
There are many! Firstly, Yevatem can fear all the carnivorous beasts that are bigger than them all around the planet, including wild Varveleilem. They also can fear the heights. Bothea is a very layered planet, with high mountains, deep undergrounds, and steep cliffs , and Yevatem climb a lot, all the time. For now, death by fall is the most common death among Yevatem of Bothea. They can also fear valisem attacks.
Q: If a Yevat is banned and ends up as a Valis, and say they have a child, how is this child seen by Yevat society?
It depends. If the child is a baby, the valis will probably leave with the baby (parents keep their baby very close.)
If the child can walk and speak... The town will claim it. And the valis will have to fight if they want to leave with their child (unless the child manage to flee with their parent, but it's rare.) If the child of a Valis stays in the town it's ok. They won't be judged or ostracized, because they have been raised by the whole town, not by the Valis only.
Q: What about prosthesis in Bothea? Are they simple, well developed, or simply nonexistent?
Yevatem can manipulate metal and have a medieval level. However, they'll mainly use pieces from the spaceship wreks so it can have a futuristic or post-apocalytpic look if you prefer! But no electronics can move the prosthesis on Bothea, for Yevatem aren't evolved enough in term of technology (however it's not a strick rule, and since Yevatem can freely have telekinesis, they sometimes can move it nontheless by using this power.)
Prosthesis are free to make for your YVVO characters as long as they still look like the original YVVO anatomy (on the contrary, a prosthesis replacing an arm with a weapon will require a unique trait, for example) OR if they look really rudimentary, like a pirate stick instead of a leg, for example.
Q: Is there any possible lore we could incorporate into giving our YVVOs genetic pills/new UTs/UPs?
Sure! When I first created the genetic pills, I literally pictured it as a pill, that could be found inside Oyevat ruins. Now, I think I'd picture more as some liquid that can be drunk by a Yevat that would be crazy enough (still found in Oyevat ruins) which would re-write a bit to a lot their gene pool. I also imagine that the Maze Jumper can do that, so its touch is probably known to sometimes modify things. I think it can also happen out of nowhere, since Yevatem's gene pool is a cluster of randomness already. Like they wake up one morning with a heavy pain at the base of their tail, and notice a strange bump. They think they just hurt themself, but the day after, the bump grew bigger, and bigger the day after, until it forms a second tail, for example. Honestly, you write the story (:
This is answered in the environment page, and on the maps (: (Surface, Underground.)
Q: What is the spiritualism of Yevats? Do they have religions, superstitions?
This is answered in the Bothean pantheon's page.
Q: Do they bury their deads?
They don't, but they still have a death ritual where they drown bodies in Ovskrudem, their sanctuary cemetery lakes. You can read more about it in the life events page.
Q: Do they have a calendar? Do they celebrate birthdays and similar holidays?
Yevatem have a calendar, yes. They count their lifespan in cycles. One cycle correspond more or less to five human years. You can see a Yevat’s lifespan in details in the lifespan and life events page. You can read more about how Yevatem perceive time in the time page.
Their calendars are visually similar to Mayan calendars, engraved on big circular and flat stones.
Q: Do they form couples?
They do! You're free to ship your characters without problem. You can also read more details about couples on Bothea. A "couple" can be composed with two or more partners.
Q: Do Yevat bury their eggs like reptiles or make other special arrangements for their eggs? Like do they have a seperate place for the egg or do they carry it in a sling close to their body? Do they have special egg rooms with broodmothers caring for them?
The fertility rate is low among Yevatem, and if a female have one egg in her life it's already an event. So every yenelat (person who laid the egg) takes care of her egg very closely. The yenelatem have their egg with them almost all the time, to prevent predators from stealing them. They have special clothes to hold the egg against their belly or chest! Sometimes, if the parent(s) is/are still here or if the mother is in couple with another Yevat(em), she can be relieved from the egg for a few hours, like to clean herself for example. An abandoned egg on Bothea is very rare. They sleep with their egg too, so no particular arrangements for the eggs.
Q: Do they have weapons or do they hunt with teeth and claws only?
Both, in fact! You can read more in the technology tab of the culture page. Their rokyevat form is pretty useful as well.
Q: What is their culinary like? Do they cook at all, and if so what are some common dishes/foods?
They do cook. You can read more in the culinary tab of the culture page.
Q: Is it possible to find Earth-like species (wolves, eagles, spiders...) on Bothea, or only Bothea-specific creatures?
Bothea has its own fauna and flora. Some animals can be similar but no, there are no earthlings on Bothea. Plus Bothea doesn't really have a clear distinction between animals and plants: some creatures are both at the same time (like the Nyokuem, the flower-snake like creatures) and it's really frequent. Yevatem are often surprised by a flower that suddenly tries to eat their ankle!
Q: Could a Yevat craft a saddle to ride a Varveleil?
Of course! Crafting a saddle is even wiser: better be held tight, Varveleil can fly really, really high! Once a Varveleil accept to be mounted, it'll probably accept the saddle. It'll read in the Yevat's mind to understand what it's for, then it'll probably accept it.
Q: Is there any threat that Yevat can fear on Bothea?
There are many! Firstly, Yevatem can fear all the carnivorous beasts that are bigger than them all around the planet, including wild Varveleilem. They also can fear the heights. Bothea is a very layered planet, with high mountains, deep undergrounds, and steep cliffs , and Yevatem climb a lot, all the time. For now, death by fall is the most common death among Yevatem of Bothea. They can also fear valisem attacks.
Q: If a Yevat is banned and ends up as a Valis, and say they have a child, how is this child seen by Yevat society?
It depends. If the child is a baby, the valis will probably leave with the baby (parents keep their baby very close.)
If the child can walk and speak... The town will claim it. And the valis will have to fight if they want to leave with their child (unless the child manage to flee with their parent, but it's rare.) If the child of a Valis stays in the town it's ok. They won't be judged or ostracized, because they have been raised by the whole town, not by the Valis only.
Q: What about prosthesis in Bothea? Are they simple, well developed, or simply nonexistent?
Yevatem can manipulate metal and have a medieval level. However, they'll mainly use pieces from the spaceship wreks so it can have a futuristic or post-apocalytpic look if you prefer! But no electronics can move the prosthesis on Bothea, for Yevatem aren't evolved enough in term of technology (however it's not a strick rule, and since Yevatem can freely have telekinesis, they sometimes can move it nontheless by using this power.)
Prosthesis are free to make for your YVVO characters as long as they still look like the original YVVO anatomy (on the contrary, a prosthesis replacing an arm with a weapon will require a unique trait, for example) OR if they look really rudimentary, like a pirate stick instead of a leg, for example.
Q: Is there any possible lore we could incorporate into giving our YVVOs genetic pills/new UTs/UPs?
Sure! When I first created the genetic pills, I literally pictured it as a pill, that could be found inside Oyevat ruins. Now, I think I'd picture more as some liquid that can be drunk by a Yevat that would be crazy enough (still found in Oyevat ruins) which would re-write a bit to a lot their gene pool. I also imagine that the Maze Jumper can do that, so its touch is probably known to sometimes modify things. I think it can also happen out of nowhere, since Yevatem's gene pool is a cluster of randomness already. Like they wake up one morning with a heavy pain at the base of their tail, and notice a strange bump. They think they just hurt themself, but the day after, the bump grew bigger, and bigger the day after, until it forms a second tail, for example. Honestly, you write the story (:
Extra-Bothean YVs
Q: So Yevatem can be present on another planets?
Yes. Read more about the YVVO presence outside of Bothea in the lore page.
Q: If a Yevat is born on Earth, what is that like? Do humans exist in this universe? Would the Yevat have to interact with them?
It's up to you! You are free to create your own version of Earth if Yevatem were present on it. Alternatively, I wrote a personal version of Earth with Yevatem, which is free to use and can be found here; but which is completely optional.
Q: Can YVVOs from other planets meet YVVOs from Bothea?
On the current states of things, they canonically can't; Indeed, Bothean did not develop space travel yet, and Bothea is hidden and protected from intruders by an old Oyevat's tech. You're however free to write your own stories. The official state of things might change according to the next events of the main timeline, or if you want to remain lore-friendly, you can also read the Bothea's full timeline and play in a different timeline!
Q: Can Yevatem born on another planet know about Bothea?
Bothea is hidden, and protected. However, Yevatem are known to be able to have visions and prophetic dreams. Your Yevat on Earth can dream some day of Bothea and of other Yevatem, for example. They might or might not be certain of what they saw.
Yes. Read more about the YVVO presence outside of Bothea in the lore page.
Q: If a Yevat is born on Earth, what is that like? Do humans exist in this universe? Would the Yevat have to interact with them?
It's up to you! You are free to create your own version of Earth if Yevatem were present on it. Alternatively, I wrote a personal version of Earth with Yevatem, which is free to use and can be found here; but which is completely optional.
Q: Can YVVOs from other planets meet YVVOs from Bothea?
On the current states of things, they canonically can't; Indeed, Bothean did not develop space travel yet, and Bothea is hidden and protected from intruders by an old Oyevat's tech. You're however free to write your own stories. The official state of things might change according to the next events of the main timeline, or if you want to remain lore-friendly, you can also read the Bothea's full timeline and play in a different timeline!
Q: Can Yevatem born on another planet know about Bothea?
Bothea is hidden, and protected. However, Yevatem are known to be able to have visions and prophetic dreams. Your Yevat on Earth can dream some day of Bothea and of other Yevatem, for example. They might or might not be certain of what they saw.
Varveleilem
Q: Why can we find Yevat-Varveleil hybrids on Bothea?
There are several theories for this:
- Some Yevatem think that the dragons are like their brothers in soul, and thus, it'd be normal to see hybrids randomly popping
- Some Yevatem believe that an old cast of valisem used to try and mate with the dragons to get more wings, and thus, more Velilyevatem. They will look at these hybrids with disgust.
- A Yevat egg being adaptative to its environement, if one is brought to a Varveleil's nest, it can sometime be enough to create an hybrid in the egg (not available for MYOs.)
- Varveleilem being naturally adaptative to their environment and sentient, it's heavily probable that Yevatem's genes already included dragon's genes at creation.
Q: It's said that Varveleilem used to have a society?
They used to, indeed. Before, when Oyevatem still lived on Bothea, they helped them to create their own society. When the Oyevatem disappeared, the dragons couldn't maintain it by themselves however. They went back to an almost animal behavior in spite of them.
Q: Can Varveleilem cry and laugh?
They can! They will sound like animals, however. They might shed some tears and whine, or rock their body with a heavy and almost silent laugh - similar to a growl. They're known to mock Yevatem they live with when they spot them tripping on their toes, for example.
There are several theories for this:
- Some Yevatem think that the dragons are like their brothers in soul, and thus, it'd be normal to see hybrids randomly popping
- Some Yevatem believe that an old cast of valisem used to try and mate with the dragons to get more wings, and thus, more Velilyevatem. They will look at these hybrids with disgust.
- A Yevat egg being adaptative to its environement, if one is brought to a Varveleil's nest, it can sometime be enough to create an hybrid in the egg (not available for MYOs.)
- Varveleilem being naturally adaptative to their environment and sentient, it's heavily probable that Yevatem's genes already included dragon's genes at creation.
Q: It's said that Varveleilem used to have a society?
They used to, indeed. Before, when Oyevatem still lived on Bothea, they helped them to create their own society. When the Oyevatem disappeared, the dragons couldn't maintain it by themselves however. They went back to an almost animal behavior in spite of them.
Q: Can Varveleilem cry and laugh?
They can! They will sound like animals, however. They might shed some tears and whine, or rock their body with a heavy and almost silent laugh - similar to a growl. They're known to mock Yevatem they live with when they spot them tripping on their toes, for example.
Oyevatem
This section (Oyevatem) spoils the events of the main storyline. It'll be spoiling parts of its content to answer the following questions. It's recomended to be up to date to read it! Alternatively, you can skip this part and head to the following one (Design tips.)
_____________ Spoilers ahead.
Q: How do Yevatem see Oyevatem, now that they're back?
Just like for many questions: Yevatem all are unique and will have their own reaction. It might be fear, admiration, fascination, or they may remain completely neutral for the most hermit ones ahah. It's up to you!
Q: What do their technology looked/looks like?
A part of answer is present in the environment page, at the very bottom of it, in the part "Oyevat memories." Basically, they loved round and oval/egg shapes. They also enjoyed when their tech was very clean and spotless, and often covered their ship in a sort of glass-like material, so it was often shiny and played with transparency. Their used materials were most often copper or gold colored for the ships, and gray or marble colored for their planetary facilities. Their cables were made using mycelium - so it was alive in a way - which allowed them to link facilities between each other by simply planting mycelium and redirecting it to another place. It would also self-repair if damaged, pretty convenient!
The ruins they left behind are long-time ruins and wreckages, to they're in bad shape, and barely recognizable.
Their new attemps are limited in term or materials, so are much more "raw" and sketchy.
Q: Why do Oyevatem have so many different species names?
Oyevat-em are the species name given by Yevatem themselves, and the most spread.
Adom-em are the name they use to call themselves.
Raustritek-em, Maustriv-em, and Austriv-em, and their older self-given species names. The equivalent for Humans are "homo erectus," "cro-magnon," etc. These names aren't used anymore, unless they're speaking about the less evolved/different versions of Adomem present in the past.
Q: You said Oyevatem had no personal name, but all the main ones have one!
It's true, Oyevatem don't bother with names. Their "names" are in fact titles that means something, often their job or a quality in their language. Adomah is an adjective that means "the most important one," for example.
Q: Can we see a baby Oyevat? Can they reproduce?
Oyevatem used to genetically create clones and new Oyevatem in tubes. Oyevatem would be "born" in adult bodies with pre-programmed matrices of personality. They could be operational in a few hours after "birth." So no, they had no babies. In a way, some Oyevatem love to consider Yevatem as the closest thing to a "baby" for them, because they basically are smaller and cuter versions of themselves.
Q: Could an Oyevat and a Yevat have a baby together? Are they genetically close enough?
They are, and they can. The baby would have the appearance of a Yevat, but whose Rokyevat form would be replaced by the Oyevat form (unavailable for MYOs.) However, such a baby would be extremely badly seen by most Oyevatem. Indeed, a lot of Oyevatem consider Yevatem just like Humans consider monkeys, for comparison. It would be like if a Human had a baby with a monkey on Earth: gross, disgusting, and against nature. Some rarer Oyevatem might consider it as a miracle of life, but they wouldn't be a lot.
Q: So, if a Yevat can turn into an Oyevat, can an Oyevat turn back into Yevat-form if they want? Or is it a one-way transformation?
It can be reverted! Basically, the Oyevat form replaces the Rokyevat form, and the Rokyevat can be reverted. However, some Oyevatem are proud (like their leader) and will actively try to prevent it to be reverted, so as not to give the control back to the Yevat inside.
Q: So the Yevat technically doesn't die in the process?
No, he stays alive. Yevatem say that once an Oyevat is here, there are now "two souls in a single body." The two souls can communicate through their thoughts (they can even share memories) and they can have the relationship of your choice. The Oyevat can try and "kill" the Yevat inside, at least its soul (which is what Adomah is trying to do with Silmael) or they can be super friends if you prefer. The Oyevat can even take a full control and revert to the Yevat form while still being in control, for example, pretending to be a Yevat to blend in Yevat societies.
Q: Do Oyevatem change color once they take over a Yevat body to match their original color?
No, they don't. They replace the Rokyevat form of a Yevat, and act as such: they'll look bigger, can eventually grow horns etc. But they will look like the Yevat whose body they stole.
Q: I've read that Oyevatem have two hearts?
They do. They have a big, main one, and a second, smaller one, in case the big one fails or stops. It prevents full heart attacks and give them some time to get the main heart changed before dying. They also use the smaller heart - on which they have a great control - to regulate and soothe their feelings and hormones such as fear. They have more valves and an excellent blood circulation, which also slightly allow them to regulate their temperature.
Q: How does the second heart forms when a Yevat transforms into an Oyevat?
I imagine that the Yevat's heart splits in two parts to form two distinct hearts.
_____________ Spoilers ahead.
Q: How do Yevatem see Oyevatem, now that they're back?
Just like for many questions: Yevatem all are unique and will have their own reaction. It might be fear, admiration, fascination, or they may remain completely neutral for the most hermit ones ahah. It's up to you!
Q: What do their technology looked/looks like?
A part of answer is present in the environment page, at the very bottom of it, in the part "Oyevat memories." Basically, they loved round and oval/egg shapes. They also enjoyed when their tech was very clean and spotless, and often covered their ship in a sort of glass-like material, so it was often shiny and played with transparency. Their used materials were most often copper or gold colored for the ships, and gray or marble colored for their planetary facilities. Their cables were made using mycelium - so it was alive in a way - which allowed them to link facilities between each other by simply planting mycelium and redirecting it to another place. It would also self-repair if damaged, pretty convenient!
The ruins they left behind are long-time ruins and wreckages, to they're in bad shape, and barely recognizable.
Their new attemps are limited in term or materials, so are much more "raw" and sketchy.
Q: Why do Oyevatem have so many different species names?
Oyevat-em are the species name given by Yevatem themselves, and the most spread.
Adom-em are the name they use to call themselves.
Raustritek-em, Maustriv-em, and Austriv-em, and their older self-given species names. The equivalent for Humans are "homo erectus," "cro-magnon," etc. These names aren't used anymore, unless they're speaking about the less evolved/different versions of Adomem present in the past.
Q: You said Oyevatem had no personal name, but all the main ones have one!
It's true, Oyevatem don't bother with names. Their "names" are in fact titles that means something, often their job or a quality in their language. Adomah is an adjective that means "the most important one," for example.
Q: Can we see a baby Oyevat? Can they reproduce?
Oyevatem used to genetically create clones and new Oyevatem in tubes. Oyevatem would be "born" in adult bodies with pre-programmed matrices of personality. They could be operational in a few hours after "birth." So no, they had no babies. In a way, some Oyevatem love to consider Yevatem as the closest thing to a "baby" for them, because they basically are smaller and cuter versions of themselves.
Q: Could an Oyevat and a Yevat have a baby together? Are they genetically close enough?
They are, and they can. The baby would have the appearance of a Yevat, but whose Rokyevat form would be replaced by the Oyevat form (unavailable for MYOs.) However, such a baby would be extremely badly seen by most Oyevatem. Indeed, a lot of Oyevatem consider Yevatem just like Humans consider monkeys, for comparison. It would be like if a Human had a baby with a monkey on Earth: gross, disgusting, and against nature. Some rarer Oyevatem might consider it as a miracle of life, but they wouldn't be a lot.
Q: So, if a Yevat can turn into an Oyevat, can an Oyevat turn back into Yevat-form if they want? Or is it a one-way transformation?
It can be reverted! Basically, the Oyevat form replaces the Rokyevat form, and the Rokyevat can be reverted. However, some Oyevatem are proud (like their leader) and will actively try to prevent it to be reverted, so as not to give the control back to the Yevat inside.
Q: So the Yevat technically doesn't die in the process?
No, he stays alive. Yevatem say that once an Oyevat is here, there are now "two souls in a single body." The two souls can communicate through their thoughts (they can even share memories) and they can have the relationship of your choice. The Oyevat can try and "kill" the Yevat inside, at least its soul (which is what Adomah is trying to do with Silmael) or they can be super friends if you prefer. The Oyevat can even take a full control and revert to the Yevat form while still being in control, for example, pretending to be a Yevat to blend in Yevat societies.
Q: Do Oyevatem change color once they take over a Yevat body to match their original color?
No, they don't. They replace the Rokyevat form of a Yevat, and act as such: they'll look bigger, can eventually grow horns etc. But they will look like the Yevat whose body they stole.
Q: I've read that Oyevatem have two hearts?
They do. They have a big, main one, and a second, smaller one, in case the big one fails or stops. It prevents full heart attacks and give them some time to get the main heart changed before dying. They also use the smaller heart - on which they have a great control - to regulate and soothe their feelings and hormones such as fear. They have more valves and an excellent blood circulation, which also slightly allow them to regulate their temperature.
Q: How does the second heart forms when a Yevat transforms into an Oyevat?
I imagine that the Yevat's heart splits in two parts to form two distinct hearts.
Design tips and questions
Q: I obtained a MYO, but I'm not an artist / I'm a beginner!
There are several options for you:
- You can snag a free YVVO base, and color it. It should remain very simple to use and would make sure that you get the anatomy right!
- You can join the discord server, and ask for redlines, tips, anatomy references, and more in the art channels
- You can pay an artist to design your YVVO for you!
Q: What are unique traits?
Check this very convenient guide for UTs and UPs!
Q: How can I get my MYO design approved?
Follow the steps indicated in the MYO guide!
Q: I want to design my YVVO, but I don't know where to start. What color and theme should I give it?
Check the species resource page, and scrol a bit; there, you will find a ton of pinterest boards to browse and find the inspiration. Alternatively, you can read the many pages of lore present on this website, and an idea might come to you! For example, check the frequents jobs' page. Would you like to create a warrior? An herbalist? A hunter perhaps? Are ideas starting to flow?
You can also answer these questions and try to start from here:
- Should my Yevat be a child? A young adult? An elder?
- Will my Yevat live on Bothea, or on another universe?
- What role will my Yevat have in the society? Fisher? Builder? Scribe? Outcast? etc.
- What kind of clothes would it wear? Light or heavy ones? Will it carry a weapon, or accessories?
Q: I found it! My Yevat will be Spiderman, or my main OC, but in Yevat. Can I?
For copyright reasons, it's not allowed to base your YVVO design after copyrighted designs. Every created YVVO designs should be new and unique, and not based off already existing characters. In the past, designs have been made after other adoptables, and there have been problems of ownership and of rule conflicts because of it. For example, YVVOs can be resold, while other design makers sometimes don't allow it, or simply don't allow redesign of their characters. In short:
-> There can be no Spiderman Yevat, or Ahsoka from Star Wars as a Yevat, etc.
-> It's however possible to be inspired by other designs, as long as it's not copied. For example: you can base your design on the electric type from Pokemon, making horns shaped like thunder and a yellow skin color, as long as it's not directly Pikachu as a Yevat.
Q: What's the limit for their hair length? And their claws, their tail, etc?
Hair, beards, horns, claws, teeth, and tail can be as long as you want. as long as you don't do something completely unrealistic, like a Yevat that would be 90% teeth, or a tail 3 miles long, it's good! Yoka doesn't want to limitate these aspects in your creations, so no rarity traits are associated with these lengths.
Q: Can I place piercings and tattoos in odd places?
Sure, go on. We've seen some people piercing their Yevat's horns, or tattooing their tongue. There's no limit!
Q: What's the color of YVVO's blood?
It can be any color, but it's always dark-colored. For example, it can be a dark blue, dark green, or the regular dark red.
Q: What can change in Rokyevat form?
Follow the redesign and alt forms guide!
Q: When Yevatem go out of the Rokyevat mode, do they shed whatever their body created while in rokyevat, like extra hair and horns, or do they have to manually deal with it?
It's up to you! This detail is free to be decided by the design creators. Write your own story!
Q: Can I design YVVO clothes and sell them?
Sure, go on!
There are several options for you:
- You can snag a free YVVO base, and color it. It should remain very simple to use and would make sure that you get the anatomy right!
- You can join the discord server, and ask for redlines, tips, anatomy references, and more in the art channels
- You can pay an artist to design your YVVO for you!
Q: What are unique traits?
Check this very convenient guide for UTs and UPs!
Q: How can I get my MYO design approved?
Follow the steps indicated in the MYO guide!
Q: I want to design my YVVO, but I don't know where to start. What color and theme should I give it?
Check the species resource page, and scrol a bit; there, you will find a ton of pinterest boards to browse and find the inspiration. Alternatively, you can read the many pages of lore present on this website, and an idea might come to you! For example, check the frequents jobs' page. Would you like to create a warrior? An herbalist? A hunter perhaps? Are ideas starting to flow?
You can also answer these questions and try to start from here:
- Should my Yevat be a child? A young adult? An elder?
- Will my Yevat live on Bothea, or on another universe?
- What role will my Yevat have in the society? Fisher? Builder? Scribe? Outcast? etc.
- What kind of clothes would it wear? Light or heavy ones? Will it carry a weapon, or accessories?
Q: I found it! My Yevat will be Spiderman, or my main OC, but in Yevat. Can I?
For copyright reasons, it's not allowed to base your YVVO design after copyrighted designs. Every created YVVO designs should be new and unique, and not based off already existing characters. In the past, designs have been made after other adoptables, and there have been problems of ownership and of rule conflicts because of it. For example, YVVOs can be resold, while other design makers sometimes don't allow it, or simply don't allow redesign of their characters. In short:
-> There can be no Spiderman Yevat, or Ahsoka from Star Wars as a Yevat, etc.
-> It's however possible to be inspired by other designs, as long as it's not copied. For example: you can base your design on the electric type from Pokemon, making horns shaped like thunder and a yellow skin color, as long as it's not directly Pikachu as a Yevat.
Q: What's the limit for their hair length? And their claws, their tail, etc?
Hair, beards, horns, claws, teeth, and tail can be as long as you want. as long as you don't do something completely unrealistic, like a Yevat that would be 90% teeth, or a tail 3 miles long, it's good! Yoka doesn't want to limitate these aspects in your creations, so no rarity traits are associated with these lengths.
Q: Can I place piercings and tattoos in odd places?
Sure, go on. We've seen some people piercing their Yevat's horns, or tattooing their tongue. There's no limit!
Q: What's the color of YVVO's blood?
It can be any color, but it's always dark-colored. For example, it can be a dark blue, dark green, or the regular dark red.
Q: What can change in Rokyevat form?
Follow the redesign and alt forms guide!
Q: When Yevatem go out of the Rokyevat mode, do they shed whatever their body created while in rokyevat, like extra hair and horns, or do they have to manually deal with it?
It's up to you! This detail is free to be decided by the design creators. Write your own story!
Q: Can I design YVVO clothes and sell them?
Sure, go on!
AMA "Ask me anything", Yoka answers
Q: So, who are you, Yoka?
I made a nice little Carrd to answer this question (: For the rest, feel free to chat with me on discord!
Q: Will you do another game using RPG maker, just like for Shadow of the Maze Jumper?
I don't think so. RPG Maker was good to start, but I now can't stand looking at it, for I was very limited in what I tried to do. The enemies are basic rats and plants - none of them are official in the fauna and flora page by the way - the ruins are human and not Oyevat, and I couldn't include sprites bigger than a Yevat, so I couldn't include Oyevatem neither Varveleilem. Now that the world greatly expanded since the making of this game, I know that its limitations would prevent me from doing what I truly want to do.
Q: How hard was it to make the original SotMJ game and do you have any recommendations on how to get started making games like that?
It was really hard. I started with zero knowledge about that, so most of the six months I took to make it was spent actually searching online for resources and tutorials to understand what I was doing, or why did a bug appear there, and how to fix it without creating more bugs. An advice to start? Don't. Just kidding /laughs. I'd say: Learn how to use your software BEFORE you try and create anything with it. That's the mistake I did: to believe I could learn while making the videogame. How naïve I was.
Q: We know you like mushrooms in design (hell yeah)- do you have a favorite real-world mushroom (or fungus-adjacent fave)? For looking at, for science, or for eating!
I'm generally obsessed with the Mycelium as is. Hence my nickname ahah. I love its aspect, and I read books about it and watched documentaries. Paul Stamets, a mushroom expert, compared it to the brain's neuronal connection in many points, and I love it. There are many things you can do with it, like destroying nuclear wastes or give internet to the trees and I think it's amazing. There's a fat chunk of mycelium which forms the biggest living organism on Earth, covering about 2,384 acres (965 hectares) of soil in Oregon's Blue Mountains. Hell, every new fact about it is crazier than the previous ahah
I would also add the lichen, for a very personal reason: we have it everywhere in France, covering every rock and every tree. And as a toddler, I loved to stop by and observe their structure very closely, where I imagined futuristic cities, or a network of caves. I observed the bugs roams through it and I was fascinated, for some reason. My parents could left me for hours in the garden where I'd just observe the lichen and invent stories. It's a "composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship." (thanks wikipedia). How cool is that? Damn, we don't need alien life, we already have it on Earth ahah
My interest for fungus is mostly the science aspect of it. But I do also enjoy eating them (eheh) and I most of time eat the very common "champignon de Paris" in France, or Agaricus bisporus for its formal name, which can be found in a lot of french dishes. But my favorite for eating would be the truffle - it's just too expensive for me to eat it too often pff :')
Q: Tea or coffee?
Coffee! All the way, all the time, if a vampire bit me I'd taste like coffee ~
Q: What inspired you to make the world of Bothea?
Oh lawd, somehow I knew this question was coming, and yet I didn't prepare myself for it ahah. It's a long story, but a big part of it is answered in this journal. Basically, it's a decade of having an OC that slowly evolved into a Yevat, then turning this OC into a species. To that, you can add my childhood/teenager's main inspirations: the movie Avatar (James Cameron), the book Journey to the Center of the Earth (Jules Vernes) (I loved the undergrounds and the fungus forests ahah) the Greek mythology (because my teacher was so amazing) and probably other sources that I can't remember.
Q: Your favorite animal?
Big cats. Lions, tigers, pards, everything that has a big cat snout and big paws with toe beans <3
Q: Why did you choose to make the babies Yevat growth a community task rather than a family/individual one?
My answer will be quite personal: My own parents were... let's say, the absent kind. Those kind of parents who think "I won't let children dictate my life and if I want to move far away from them it's their problem." At some point I grew up in a... educational center? Is that how we say in english? Not an orphanage, but alike. The persons who did a lot of my education were my friends and their parents, my educators and teachers, and I learnt a lot, from really varied people. Today, I think that it's my strength, and I'm able to speak with really different people and still appreciate them. If I grew solely with my parents, I think I wouldn't be a nice person today. So I value this aspect of learning from all the people around you, seeing how it is in their job and life, and considering all the adults as people who can teach and guide you. Thanks to them, I have been officialized "adult" by the state at 17 instead of 18 (it doesn't grants you every right tho, but I could sign my papers myself), and had my own home at the same age. That doesn't mean I was more clever, but I like this aspect of my life (: The stories and universes that I create are barely different from me, when we think about it pff
Q: You said that you are fascinated by undergrounds: have you ever done spelunking?
I did, and I loved it (: I used to do it when my body still could, and I should see if I could still do simple caves if that's not too expensive. I think that I'm a reverse-claustrophobic: I like being squeezed in tight environments ahah. The first time I did it, I was in a group of 10 persons, for whom it was all our first time. We had head lamps, and at some point the guy who guided us asked us to sit in a small room, and to turn off our lamps. When everybody else had a panic attack, what I felt at this moment was pure magic. A perfect darkness, in a perfect silence, surrounded by stone all around me, I've never felt so secure and good before. I knew it was for me. I don't know how to explain it differently ahah
Q: Were you expecting this kind of community?
I don't think that anybody can expect the community they'll have ahah. We have this saying in French, popular in the communities of streamers and youtubers, which says "we have the community we deserve," and I think it's quite appropriate. You need to set up rules and you'll attract some kind of people more than others. I take for example the streamer Locklear, who allows swearing and being rude to everybody because that's just how he is, and I couldn't bear having his super aggressive community - but he does, and that's cool for him. So, in some way, you can guess what kind of community you will have in general, but I don't think that you can fully expect it, because the people who come and follow you are also all unique.
There's also another point to take into consideration: not at all to send me flowers, but when you gain a rank "higher" than others, understand here that I'm the one who takes the decisions for the species, you become a figure of authority. Even if you're a small one, or for something so trivial as a cs. And everyone reacts differently to authority, and some have a lot of trouble dealing with it. I thought I'd be just another person sharing my drawings online, being chill and all, but I realized only too late how I could actually impress people in spite of me, especially in communities like this where there are a lot of young people. This, I was far to expect it. I've seen everything, from the persons who starts targeting me bc I represent this authority, to people who wanted to send me money and free characters because they "admired me" (happened on another server where I was a modo, not here.) So yeah, I think that was the most unsettling part of having a community.
Q: You've been a modo for another community before creating the YVVO?
I was! It was for the Primtooth species. I still have a honorific role of ex-modo in their discord server. I'd love to tell you to join us, but I'm afraid the species is kinda dead as of now.
Q: Is it hard to manage an Art RPG? I'd be interest in creating an art adventure group with quests, but I fear I could have not enough time and skills
I don't think that you should worry about your skills. First of all, because you don't lack it, then because even without art skills, I'd say that the ideas are the most important point. To me, the two hardest points were there:
- It's time consuming. You think you'll just post when you have something to post, but you then realize that the community awaits updates, and it's stressing, so you just produce more, etc. Every single species I've seen which have been made by people too chill simply died due to the lack of new content. So be ready to spend a lot of time for it. Also a lot of time that you will spend NOT drawing, but rather: managing the community, updating info or lore, the masterlist, clarifying rules, making mistakes and fixing them... etc. It's a beautiful experience, but you need to be ready to sacrifice some evenings to it.
- People are not always kind and benevolent. You will have at some point, to manage people who don't give a shit, who are disrespectful, who are here only to claim as much free content as possible, and you will have to ban them, and that will break your heart. Some other members on the contrary, will do things for you that you couldn't imagine. Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster. You thought you'd be just here to draw? Oh no, no no no, you'll mostly manage and feel.
If I'm perfectly honest: if I knew what awaited me with the YVVO before starting it, I wouldn't have done it. It sounds awful, and today I'm glad that I did it nonetheless, but maybe I could have spared me some of this emotional rollercoaster that I speak about and focus on other things, I don't know. Because you also engage yourself to draw the same things / same theme for years to come, so really make sure that you love what you're doing. Even, I'd say, that it means something for you. That's the only thing that made me hang to it.
Creepyan herself had started a species concept a few years ago, and I told her I was here to help her start it if she wanted to. She never officialized it in the end, and she once told me that she was glad she didn't, because nowadays she wouldn't be able to maintain it.
But in spite of all of this, as I said, it's a beautiful experience. I can't count how many things I've learnt in this journey and I'm glad to have you all, without any hesitation. So I will encourage you to start your own adventure - as long as you realize what you are doing. It can be pretty stressful if unprepared, and I wish it to none!
Q: What is your favorite type of weather and why?
Call me old school but I like it when it's sunny, eh :> I like the warm tones of the sun and to go outside and enjoy life ahah. I also love nighttime, when everything is silent and we can see the stars in the sky. My favorite time would be the summer nights tbh
Q: Can you share some of your most memorable experiences with YVVO so far? Is there any artwork that made you feel particularly proud, emotional, etc. of the community?
Every single time I see somebody making an YVVO artwork, text, or any other media, is a special moment for me. It looks like I'm trying to flatter people, but it's so true! Every time, it's just as if somebody has made something directly for me. I often drag my boyfriend to my computer and I'm like "LOOK AT WHAT THEY DID? ITS THEIR YVVO OC, LOOOOOOOOK" and, yeah, he doesn't always understand but he gets the spirit ahah
Every time somebody comments in the chat after an adopt of a new page is posted, I feel sparkles in my chest, I can tell myself "dang, I didn't do it for nothing, at least one (1) person acknowledged it, and took some time to leave a comment, I feel so honored"
Every time I speak in English with somebody in the chat and I say to myself "I've learnt English for and thanks to them, and there are people from everywhere in the world, and yet we are a peaceful community", I feel so proud.
Every time somebody ask me in real life "what do you do in your free time?", I know that I can speak about it for hours ahah
There are also the times I - or mods - had to ban people for their misbehavior, alas. I also can hardly forget these times pff
I made a nice little Carrd to answer this question (: For the rest, feel free to chat with me on discord!
Q: Will you do another game using RPG maker, just like for Shadow of the Maze Jumper?
I don't think so. RPG Maker was good to start, but I now can't stand looking at it, for I was very limited in what I tried to do. The enemies are basic rats and plants - none of them are official in the fauna and flora page by the way - the ruins are human and not Oyevat, and I couldn't include sprites bigger than a Yevat, so I couldn't include Oyevatem neither Varveleilem. Now that the world greatly expanded since the making of this game, I know that its limitations would prevent me from doing what I truly want to do.
Q: How hard was it to make the original SotMJ game and do you have any recommendations on how to get started making games like that?
It was really hard. I started with zero knowledge about that, so most of the six months I took to make it was spent actually searching online for resources and tutorials to understand what I was doing, or why did a bug appear there, and how to fix it without creating more bugs. An advice to start? Don't. Just kidding /laughs. I'd say: Learn how to use your software BEFORE you try and create anything with it. That's the mistake I did: to believe I could learn while making the videogame. How naïve I was.
Q: We know you like mushrooms in design (hell yeah)- do you have a favorite real-world mushroom (or fungus-adjacent fave)? For looking at, for science, or for eating!
I'm generally obsessed with the Mycelium as is. Hence my nickname ahah. I love its aspect, and I read books about it and watched documentaries. Paul Stamets, a mushroom expert, compared it to the brain's neuronal connection in many points, and I love it. There are many things you can do with it, like destroying nuclear wastes or give internet to the trees and I think it's amazing. There's a fat chunk of mycelium which forms the biggest living organism on Earth, covering about 2,384 acres (965 hectares) of soil in Oregon's Blue Mountains. Hell, every new fact about it is crazier than the previous ahah
I would also add the lichen, for a very personal reason: we have it everywhere in France, covering every rock and every tree. And as a toddler, I loved to stop by and observe their structure very closely, where I imagined futuristic cities, or a network of caves. I observed the bugs roams through it and I was fascinated, for some reason. My parents could left me for hours in the garden where I'd just observe the lichen and invent stories. It's a "composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship." (thanks wikipedia). How cool is that? Damn, we don't need alien life, we already have it on Earth ahah
My interest for fungus is mostly the science aspect of it. But I do also enjoy eating them (eheh) and I most of time eat the very common "champignon de Paris" in France, or Agaricus bisporus for its formal name, which can be found in a lot of french dishes. But my favorite for eating would be the truffle - it's just too expensive for me to eat it too often pff :')
Q: Tea or coffee?
Coffee! All the way, all the time, if a vampire bit me I'd taste like coffee ~
Q: What inspired you to make the world of Bothea?
Oh lawd, somehow I knew this question was coming, and yet I didn't prepare myself for it ahah. It's a long story, but a big part of it is answered in this journal. Basically, it's a decade of having an OC that slowly evolved into a Yevat, then turning this OC into a species. To that, you can add my childhood/teenager's main inspirations: the movie Avatar (James Cameron), the book Journey to the Center of the Earth (Jules Vernes) (I loved the undergrounds and the fungus forests ahah) the Greek mythology (because my teacher was so amazing) and probably other sources that I can't remember.
Q: Your favorite animal?
Big cats. Lions, tigers, pards, everything that has a big cat snout and big paws with toe beans <3
Q: Why did you choose to make the babies Yevat growth a community task rather than a family/individual one?
My answer will be quite personal: My own parents were... let's say, the absent kind. Those kind of parents who think "I won't let children dictate my life and if I want to move far away from them it's their problem." At some point I grew up in a... educational center? Is that how we say in english? Not an orphanage, but alike. The persons who did a lot of my education were my friends and their parents, my educators and teachers, and I learnt a lot, from really varied people. Today, I think that it's my strength, and I'm able to speak with really different people and still appreciate them. If I grew solely with my parents, I think I wouldn't be a nice person today. So I value this aspect of learning from all the people around you, seeing how it is in their job and life, and considering all the adults as people who can teach and guide you. Thanks to them, I have been officialized "adult" by the state at 17 instead of 18 (it doesn't grants you every right tho, but I could sign my papers myself), and had my own home at the same age. That doesn't mean I was more clever, but I like this aspect of my life (: The stories and universes that I create are barely different from me, when we think about it pff
Q: You said that you are fascinated by undergrounds: have you ever done spelunking?
I did, and I loved it (: I used to do it when my body still could, and I should see if I could still do simple caves if that's not too expensive. I think that I'm a reverse-claustrophobic: I like being squeezed in tight environments ahah. The first time I did it, I was in a group of 10 persons, for whom it was all our first time. We had head lamps, and at some point the guy who guided us asked us to sit in a small room, and to turn off our lamps. When everybody else had a panic attack, what I felt at this moment was pure magic. A perfect darkness, in a perfect silence, surrounded by stone all around me, I've never felt so secure and good before. I knew it was for me. I don't know how to explain it differently ahah
Q: Were you expecting this kind of community?
I don't think that anybody can expect the community they'll have ahah. We have this saying in French, popular in the communities of streamers and youtubers, which says "we have the community we deserve," and I think it's quite appropriate. You need to set up rules and you'll attract some kind of people more than others. I take for example the streamer Locklear, who allows swearing and being rude to everybody because that's just how he is, and I couldn't bear having his super aggressive community - but he does, and that's cool for him. So, in some way, you can guess what kind of community you will have in general, but I don't think that you can fully expect it, because the people who come and follow you are also all unique.
There's also another point to take into consideration: not at all to send me flowers, but when you gain a rank "higher" than others, understand here that I'm the one who takes the decisions for the species, you become a figure of authority. Even if you're a small one, or for something so trivial as a cs. And everyone reacts differently to authority, and some have a lot of trouble dealing with it. I thought I'd be just another person sharing my drawings online, being chill and all, but I realized only too late how I could actually impress people in spite of me, especially in communities like this where there are a lot of young people. This, I was far to expect it. I've seen everything, from the persons who starts targeting me bc I represent this authority, to people who wanted to send me money and free characters because they "admired me" (happened on another server where I was a modo, not here.) So yeah, I think that was the most unsettling part of having a community.
Q: You've been a modo for another community before creating the YVVO?
I was! It was for the Primtooth species. I still have a honorific role of ex-modo in their discord server. I'd love to tell you to join us, but I'm afraid the species is kinda dead as of now.
Q: Is it hard to manage an Art RPG? I'd be interest in creating an art adventure group with quests, but I fear I could have not enough time and skills
I don't think that you should worry about your skills. First of all, because you don't lack it, then because even without art skills, I'd say that the ideas are the most important point. To me, the two hardest points were there:
- It's time consuming. You think you'll just post when you have something to post, but you then realize that the community awaits updates, and it's stressing, so you just produce more, etc. Every single species I've seen which have been made by people too chill simply died due to the lack of new content. So be ready to spend a lot of time for it. Also a lot of time that you will spend NOT drawing, but rather: managing the community, updating info or lore, the masterlist, clarifying rules, making mistakes and fixing them... etc. It's a beautiful experience, but you need to be ready to sacrifice some evenings to it.
- People are not always kind and benevolent. You will have at some point, to manage people who don't give a shit, who are disrespectful, who are here only to claim as much free content as possible, and you will have to ban them, and that will break your heart. Some other members on the contrary, will do things for you that you couldn't imagine. Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster. You thought you'd be just here to draw? Oh no, no no no, you'll mostly manage and feel.
If I'm perfectly honest: if I knew what awaited me with the YVVO before starting it, I wouldn't have done it. It sounds awful, and today I'm glad that I did it nonetheless, but maybe I could have spared me some of this emotional rollercoaster that I speak about and focus on other things, I don't know. Because you also engage yourself to draw the same things / same theme for years to come, so really make sure that you love what you're doing. Even, I'd say, that it means something for you. That's the only thing that made me hang to it.
Creepyan herself had started a species concept a few years ago, and I told her I was here to help her start it if she wanted to. She never officialized it in the end, and she once told me that she was glad she didn't, because nowadays she wouldn't be able to maintain it.
But in spite of all of this, as I said, it's a beautiful experience. I can't count how many things I've learnt in this journey and I'm glad to have you all, without any hesitation. So I will encourage you to start your own adventure - as long as you realize what you are doing. It can be pretty stressful if unprepared, and I wish it to none!
Q: What is your favorite type of weather and why?
Call me old school but I like it when it's sunny, eh :> I like the warm tones of the sun and to go outside and enjoy life ahah. I also love nighttime, when everything is silent and we can see the stars in the sky. My favorite time would be the summer nights tbh
Q: Can you share some of your most memorable experiences with YVVO so far? Is there any artwork that made you feel particularly proud, emotional, etc. of the community?
Every single time I see somebody making an YVVO artwork, text, or any other media, is a special moment for me. It looks like I'm trying to flatter people, but it's so true! Every time, it's just as if somebody has made something directly for me. I often drag my boyfriend to my computer and I'm like "LOOK AT WHAT THEY DID? ITS THEIR YVVO OC, LOOOOOOOOK" and, yeah, he doesn't always understand but he gets the spirit ahah
Every time somebody comments in the chat after an adopt of a new page is posted, I feel sparkles in my chest, I can tell myself "dang, I didn't do it for nothing, at least one (1) person acknowledged it, and took some time to leave a comment, I feel so honored"
Every time I speak in English with somebody in the chat and I say to myself "I've learnt English for and thanks to them, and there are people from everywhere in the world, and yet we are a peaceful community", I feel so proud.
Every time somebody ask me in real life "what do you do in your free time?", I know that I can speak about it for hours ahah
There are also the times I - or mods - had to ban people for their misbehavior, alas. I also can hardly forget these times pff