#askshadowchaser

((So, I've actually given quite a bit of thought to the settlement that Phosphor and Bamas hail from. It was one of the first original ideas I had for expanding on the world of Journey and it's been stewing since I first started conceptualizing Nephilis even!

Given the pace of storytelling can fluctuate pretty drastically with ask blogs like this, I'm not entirely sure when I'll be able to address and share a lot of the characters and ideas that surround the Shadow Chasers that I'm so eager to share!!

There is a rough outline of a story that this blog is following, but you never know what might happen or when, so I figured I may as well share some of the stuff I keep putting off! Not story-related, necessarily, but idea and design-wise!

I had this concept master-post type thing a while back that details how the Prayer Beads on Bamas' necklace work and some information about the maturing process of his species, but I'd like to share some more about the moths!

For starters, if you've ever wondered what the boys looked like when they were still little caterpillars, look no further.

Something to note is that their eyes are blue, rather than the yellow-orange hue they currently possess. This is due to the fact that Bamas and Phosphor are both holy men and their strong connection with "The Light" has caused their eyes to turn to a brilliant gold.

As seen whenever they chirp, their Glyphs have become similarly colored. The scar left in Bamas' mask in his fight with Nephilis also glows the same color.

If you're an attentive and/or perceptive follower of the blog, you'll probably have picked up on the fact that Phosphor and Bamas' settlement is a secluded underground village ruled and watched over by a being they believe to be all-powerful and all-knowing. It is described as being both a Guardian of their people and "One with the Light".

It will play a part in this blog's story at some point, so I will neglect to share any more about it for now, but rest assured, it is a tangible creature and it has a name.

It could also be gathered that this being is not the only holder of power in their settlement. Both Phosphor and Bamas have mentioned "Elders".

These Elders are the oldest, wisest, and closest-linked to the Guardian Spirit. The cloth that forms their wings are all interlocked into a massive tapestry that details a cohesive history and mythology for the moth-peoples.

All of their names being with the letter "Y", contain "AZ" or "ZA", and end in "C".

Here is one named Yuantezac.

Yuantezac is the Elder who served as Bamas' mentor when he was still in training to become a monk alongside his best friend, Aeolus.

Aeolus has been mentioned several times by both Phosphor and Bamas, referred to as their closest friend. He has remained faceless thus far, but here is a glimpse of what he looks like in-cloak.

Here's another tidbit about their culture. Bamas and Aeolus are both holy men and both of their names end with the letter "S".

Just as the Elders have certain letters associated with their names, those who have achieved Enlightenment earn a name that ends with the sound of "S".

Prior to his monkhood, Bamas' name was Bama.

This also means that whenever somebody calls Phosphor "Phos" for short it's taken as a great compliment and totally stokes his ego.

Those who are considered absolutely exceptional in their purity are given a moniker with the letter "Z" instead of "S".

Only the most elite have names that begin with "Y" and such names will always contain a "Z".

That said, here's some more moths!

As evidenced by his name (and amount of Beads), Yvaza is a high-ranking holy man.

Similar to Bamas, Uros name ends with "S", signifying that he has achieved an equal level of Enlightenment. His lack of prayer beads could be considered concerning, however. His eyes also don't shine with a holy golden hue.

That's about all I've got up my sleeve for today, but if you have any questions PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK!! ; u ;

I'll probably make some more of these in the future, touching on more facets of their culture and maybe some more detail about certain characters. Thanks for reading if you did!! <3))

SO SORRY FOR THE GIGANTIC-NESS OF THIS POST, IF YOU'D LIKE ME TO PUT IT IN A "READ MORE" PLEASE JUST TELL ME AND I WILL!

He flutters about elegantly, hopping and gliding from one sunken ruin to another, pausing to chirp curiously at the skeletal remains of the now derelict war machines.

He nestled into shady alcoves and coos softly as he listens to the soothing thunder of the great falls of sand.

He stumbles and rolls as he learns to slide on the steep slopes of great dunes.

But despite the thrill of such adventure, a certain melancholy permeates his Journey.

He is alone. He has not forgotten the circumstances for his venture to the surface world and it only makes him feel more isolated.

+Oh, well…. isn’t that what a kiss is?+

Phosphor asked timidly, rubbing the ends of his antennae with a slight blush. His smaller set of arms fumbled with themselves in a fit of nerves as he tried to answer the question as confidently and knowledgeably as possible. He was, technically, his own adult now, he should know these things.

+And of course I know what one is!….+

+N-no offense….+

+I just… haven’t had one in… a long time.+

A rather stout figure waddles through the sands, swathed in colorful robe. Every now and then, he pauses and takes a glance at the great incandescence of the sun above, standing on his tiptoes to get a better look and flutters his elegant clothen wings.

+Wow.... It's so.... BIG up here, I've been walking for days and I STILL haven't seen it all!+

He bobbed a bit, in awe of his surroundings before turning his gaze back to the sun, utterly transfixed.