Breeding and Life Cycle
The following information is representative of the colony life of Folk as a whole, and some life stage aspects might vary depending upon subspecies and the colony the Folk is born in.
Growth rates can also vary among individuals due to the flux of magic and rapid evolutionary changes among Folk. So the topics addressed here might not be the same for every individual!
This page is meant to be more of a stepping stone rather than something concrete. Anything titled with a bold and underline (like Anatomy) is considered something set in stone for the species and canon for all characters, while everything else is up to your discretion and how you want to tell your story!
This page goes over lore related topics for: courting and breeding, general colony traditions, and developmental cycles.
Growth rates can also vary among individuals due to the flux of magic and rapid evolutionary changes among Folk. So the topics addressed here might not be the same for every individual!
This page is meant to be more of a stepping stone rather than something concrete. Anything titled with a bold and underline (like Anatomy) is considered something set in stone for the species and canon for all characters, while everything else is up to your discretion and how you want to tell your story!
This page goes over lore related topics for: courting and breeding, general colony traditions, and developmental cycles.
Anatomy
Folk are a evolved form of marsupials! Instead of giving birth to live young, they lay eggs instead. Once laid, the eggs either stay in nests or stay in their mother's pouch.
Folk have become an intersex species over time, which means regardless of gender identity, they are able to father or mother children based on their desire at the time. Those who wish to father children are called "Sols", those who wish to mother children are called “Lunes”, and a Folk’s offspring are called "Kits".
Folk are capable of having multiple Sols, with multiple Sols being able to mate with 1 Lune, the max being 3. A Folk can carry up to 4 eggs at a time, however a single egg or a pair of twins are the norm.
Folk have become an intersex species over time, which means regardless of gender identity, they are able to father or mother children based on their desire at the time. Those who wish to father children are called "Sols", those who wish to mother children are called “Lunes”, and a Folk’s offspring are called "Kits".
Folk are capable of having multiple Sols, with multiple Sols being able to mate with 1 Lune, the max being 3. A Folk can carry up to 4 eggs at a time, however a single egg or a pair of twins are the norm.
Folk are naturally infertile, and need magical assistance in order to reproduce. This assistance comes in the form of a special fruit which grows in the Elder Trees which Folk live in - the Papou fruit. This yellow and orange bell-shaped fruit holds extra Ether that the Elder Tree has harvested, and gives whoever consumes it a large boost of magic. This boost of magic ensures that the interested parties are able to conceive.
However, the magic of the Papou fruit only works if the desire to accept the extra magic is there for both or all parties. If the Lune isn't interested in having children, then they will not conceive, and vice versa. Their magic (regardless of the extra boost or not) is directly influenced by their emotions, and if their heart is not in it, they will not have kits. This means that all pregnancies within a Folk colony were consented and discussed by all parties involved. There are no accidental eggs, or eggs created without the consent of all parents. Sometimes situations may occur where both(or all!) parties are interested in having kits, but unable to raise them due to their current conditions, or have more children than what they can handle. In situations like this, eggs are dropped off at Dens before they hatch. This situation is the most common for all Folk. Many parents find it easier for their children to be raised by Den Mothers than themselves. |
Folk are able to tell by scent who is related to them or not. This list includes direct blood of:
This means despite the nature of communal raising within colonies, Folk can find their direct family members in the future (if they're interested in finding them). This also prevents inbreeding in the colony if strict records of lineage are not kept.
Folk genitals are hidden in appearance, and do not appear until both (or all!) parties are interested in mating. There’s no need to draw them, and are left out of this guide due to this.
- Grandparents
- Their Parents
- Siblings of their parents
- Siblings(either half or full) regardless of what colony they came from.
This means despite the nature of communal raising within colonies, Folk can find their direct family members in the future (if they're interested in finding them). This also prevents inbreeding in the colony if strict records of lineage are not kept.
Folk genitals are hidden in appearance, and do not appear until both (or all!) parties are interested in mating. There’s no need to draw them, and are left out of this guide due to this.
Gravidity
Lunes, after mating with their Sol(s), enter a condition of gravidity. The condition itself is barely noticeable to the naked eye. Only a pouch forming in the Lune's stomach a week after conception, and their scent changing soon afterwards. A Lune’s scent changes during their gravid state to inform all of the Folk around them that they are expecting eggs. This scent change is known to cause Folk to be protective over gravid Lunes in times of danger. This is an evolutionary adaption to help Folk know who they need to protect the most.
Their pouch grows on their stomach, capable of holding all of the eggs (and future kits) inside.
A pouch is not exclusive to the Lune, as even Sols may even develop one if around a gravid Lune for a long enough time! Den Mothers have pouches regardless if they have Luned before or not, due to being around gravid Lunes and kits of all ages for a majority of their lives. This evolutionarily adaption helps with communal raising regardless of location. The pouch stays on the Lune until it's not needed anymore. Fading away after a month of non-use. Sometimes Lunes would keep the pouch around in order to carry things that are not kits around, like snacks. While the pouch is still around, they're able to help with care of other colony member's kits. Especially those who need neonatal care. |
Other symptoms can include: weight gain, odd food cravings, abnormal sleeping patterns, mood swings and sudden, alarming, flare-ups of magic. The magical flare-ups can help an expecting Lune predict what kind of Folk their kits will be, since the Magic Surge is coming from the developing eggs, and not the Lune.
Being gravid is a short affair, lasting only 2 months before the Lune lays their egg(s) in either their nests, their homes, or in their colony’s den. Whichever place the Lune is most comfortable with staying in. The act of laying eggs is painless for the Lune, and death from egg laying is nonexistent. The Lune is able to conceive again right after laying their egg(s); however, most often take some time in order to recover. A Folk who is actively growing their family can lay eggs at least 6 times a year, but every health practitioner recommends at max 4 times a year due to the possible issue of overpopulation and medical complications which may come from non-stop egg laying. |
A Folk egg is about the size of a cantaloupe and has the Phylakardia exposed on one side, allowing easy identification for the type of Folk within. Folk eggshells are leathery but difficult to pierce or crack, and have the Kit’s future coloration.
The phylakardia on a Folk egg is soft upon laying, and grows harder over time. The state in which it is at it's hardest is just a few days before it's ready to hatch.
The phylakardia on a Folk egg is soft upon laying, and grows harder over time. The state in which it is at it's hardest is just a few days before it's ready to hatch.
Aging
Folk are a prey species, therefore they rapidly become independent as kits and stay relatively the same after adulthood until their death by predators, illness, heavy Phylakardia damage or by a Gravekeeper's Shovel.
Newly hatched kits are extremely small, barely the size of an adult Folk hand, and are curled around their incredibly fragile, fresh Phylakardia. They enter the pouch with the assistance of their: Lune, Den Mother or assisting colony member, and stay there for 2 months. They rapidly develop and grow after 2 months (though this can vary depending on the kit). Kits are usually born pink and underdeveloped, and will gradually attain subdued colors as they grow. Their delicate Phylakardies will slowly begin absorbing into their physical bodies during this time as well, gradually settling into their chest cavity.
At about 6 months of age, a kit is independent, has properly pigmented (although most times desaturated) skin, and is ready to leave the pouch. (This is the stage your MYOs will start at!) Folk essentially skip the infant/young childhood stage, spending that time physically inside their caretaker’s pouch. They are essentially “preteens” or "teens" at this point, and barely see their caretakers in favor of developing social bonds between other colony members and kits their own age/life stage.
Newly hatched kits are extremely small, barely the size of an adult Folk hand, and are curled around their incredibly fragile, fresh Phylakardia. They enter the pouch with the assistance of their: Lune, Den Mother or assisting colony member, and stay there for 2 months. They rapidly develop and grow after 2 months (though this can vary depending on the kit). Kits are usually born pink and underdeveloped, and will gradually attain subdued colors as they grow. Their delicate Phylakardies will slowly begin absorbing into their physical bodies during this time as well, gradually settling into their chest cavity.
At about 6 months of age, a kit is independent, has properly pigmented (although most times desaturated) skin, and is ready to leave the pouch. (This is the stage your MYOs will start at!) Folk essentially skip the infant/young childhood stage, spending that time physically inside their caretaker’s pouch. They are essentially “preteens” or "teens" at this point, and barely see their caretakers in favor of developing social bonds between other colony members and kits their own age/life stage.
The following years are the time in which a Folk discovers who they are, and their place inside or outside of their colony. They develop social skills with other Kits and through shadowing adults, and their urgency to find a place in the world depends on the individual. It can take a Folk kit about 10-15 years to do this; during this time, they’re mentally around the age of 11 to 17.
Once a kit reaches 16-18 years old, their body will permanently and rapidly grow into their adult forms, including fully absorbing their Phylakardia to replace their physical hearts and reaching adult size. This can last as long as 1-2 years, or as little as overnight, depending on the amount of magic involved. Once a Folk reaches between 18-20 years old, they are considered an adult, but they are unable to have offspring of their own until after 20. Depending on the colony, they may have to wait longer - this could be due to multiple factors such as food storages, plague, predators, not knowing enough magic, homelessness, stress, or more.
Once a kit reaches 16-18 years old, their body will permanently and rapidly grow into their adult forms, including fully absorbing their Phylakardia to replace their physical hearts and reaching adult size. This can last as long as 1-2 years, or as little as overnight, depending on the amount of magic involved. Once a Folk reaches between 18-20 years old, they are considered an adult, but they are unable to have offspring of their own until after 20. Depending on the colony, they may have to wait longer - this could be due to multiple factors such as food storages, plague, predators, not knowing enough magic, homelessness, stress, or more.
Folk do not physically age or die of old age. Instead, they die from illness or their phylakardia breaking. Their deaths always being violent. Those who look old are actually very, VERY old - often several centuries old - and are considered fountains of wisdom despite whatever memory or personality problems they may have. Folk that reach 200 years old start to show signs of old age, including: gray hairs, long beards, and missing teeth. Usually, this is seen as a blessing (despite the many medical problems this may come with) and a colony respects and supports the elder as much as they can until the elder decides that it's their time to go.
Once an elder decides it's time to go. Every colony has a set of Folk called "Gravekeepers", who help assist in their passing by shattering their phylakardia as quick and as painless as possible. Once the phylakardia shatters, pieces of it burrow into the ground and grow into Spirit Willows.
Once an elder decides it's time to go. Every colony has a set of Folk called "Gravekeepers", who help assist in their passing by shattering their phylakardia as quick and as painless as possible. Once the phylakardia shatters, pieces of it burrow into the ground and grow into Spirit Willows.
Courting
Folk courtship heavily depends on the individual; however, it’s usually not a big affair. Many Folk use courtship as a way to bond with unrelated loved ones, and the act itself is considered one of the many ways to solidify the bond among those who are sexually developed adults. Many Folk who mate usually do so with close friends or those who they consider love interests.
For Folk who are serious about having a family (and have the time to do so) will create a nest of materials they find throughout their journeys in their respective home after discussing their decision with their partner(s). This nest is considered a gift to their partners, and within Folk society it is considered the second highest honor to have someone create a nest for you. (The first is giving their removed phylakardia to you.) |
Another way which a Folk can tell their partner(s) that they're serious about having a family together is giving a Papou fruit to all interested parties. While the Papou fruit itself is extremely common. It's usually the act of giving it to the interested parties yourself itself that shows the weight of it, as Papou fruits are highly coveted despite their common status. Giving a Papou fruit to someone as an adult Folk usually comes with an open discussion about having children, as per usual with Folk. |
It is, however, considered socially acceptable at large to reject these courtship attempts despite their weight. It is partly due to the Folk's lifestyles (which often focus on the survival of the colony as a whole rather than themselves), and partly due to the fact that the Folk species itself is effectively immortal with various sexualities and lifestyles. Controlling the population of a colony and personal comfort is considered more important than having kits.
The act of marriage has various degrees of commitment and intimacy depending on the situation of all parties. Most Folk are content to have committed relationships that are not legally binding and not super life changing if something were to happen with their partner(s). However some do desire to solidify their bond(s) in a more official way, and are more confident that their partner would not leave them or face an untimely death.
Folk have the following marriage traditions, including normal marriage rites as seen in the Old World:
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Colony Life
Folk colonies are very vast, often having different cultures depending on their location.
The act of mating itself isn’t traditionally seen as a big issue. It does become an issue, however, when eggs are involved in said mating process. Depending on the colony size and resources around their colony, larger colonies restrict the ability to have children through the harvesting and preserving of all Papou fruit from the colony’s Elder Tree. To receive a Papou fruit in one of these colonies, extensive amounts of documentation of family trees (from all interested individuals) and official certifications of magic are required.
The act of mating itself isn’t traditionally seen as a big issue. It does become an issue, however, when eggs are involved in said mating process. Depending on the colony size and resources around their colony, larger colonies restrict the ability to have children through the harvesting and preserving of all Papou fruit from the colony’s Elder Tree. To receive a Papou fruit in one of these colonies, extensive amounts of documentation of family trees (from all interested individuals) and official certifications of magic are required.
Underground markets often start this way; individuals risk their places within the colony in order to help a mated pair have their own children. If caught, the crime of smuggling and selling Papou fruit can lead to banishment from the colony, which is a fate worse than death - Folk need a group in order to survive due to the predatory dangers outside. Banishments usually happen in groups in order to improve the odds of survival of all individuals involved, depending on the crime. Lesser crimes, such as stealing Papou fruit, are often not met with banishment unless the colony has a severe overpopulation issue.
Sometimes overpopulation of an area can force new colonies to form, with part of the population breaking off from an older colony to move away. This phenomenon can also occur when a favored individual is banished, or when the infrastructure of the old colony becomes too strict, etc. Expeditions to find new areas to live are quite common. |
It is actually a fairly new idea that a lone Folk would raise a kit at all, let alone one of their own flesh and blood. It is normal, once a Lune has their kits, to give them to The Den to be raised by Den Mothers and their caretakers. Life around the colony is busy, and The Den is one of the safest places for a Folk kit to be raised in.
Many Folk have a “make sure my genes pass on and go” sort of policy with their offspring, but this isn’t the case for all of them. Some are more involved in their children’s lives, often visiting them in the Den for short visits or bringing them to their home sometimes for sleepovers. It is still very rare that they take care of them on their own from hatching to adulthood. Some may even consider it a blessing to be able to do this, because it means they have enough time to raise their children outside of their work.
Many Folk have a “make sure my genes pass on and go” sort of policy with their offspring, but this isn’t the case for all of them. Some are more involved in their children’s lives, often visiting them in the Den for short visits or bringing them to their home sometimes for sleepovers. It is still very rare that they take care of them on their own from hatching to adulthood. Some may even consider it a blessing to be able to do this, because it means they have enough time to raise their children outside of their work.