Let's design a Story MYO!
This guide will walk you through the process of creating your own Story MYO
This page is about the character design and approval process specifically for Story MYOs; it does not include info about how to obtain them in the game. The instructions in this guide will help you understand your Story MYO's ID info, traits, and design limitations.
You can find instructions for obtaining these MYOs on the Story MYO page.
If you claimed a Story MYO but would like someone else to draw the masterlist artwork for you, then you can post an ad in the Advertisements folder seeking an artist for your Story MYO. You can get help for free or you can commission someone. You can also take a look through the Resources folder to see if there are any free MYO bases available. Just make sure to find one that fits the design requirements listed on the Story MYO page and in your individual MYOs ID info.
This page is about the character design and approval process specifically for Story MYOs; it does not include info about how to obtain them in the game. The instructions in this guide will help you understand your Story MYO's ID info, traits, and design limitations.
You can find instructions for obtaining these MYOs on the Story MYO page.
If you claimed a Story MYO but would like someone else to draw the masterlist artwork for you, then you can post an ad in the Advertisements folder seeking an artist for your Story MYO. You can get help for free or you can commission someone. You can also take a look through the Resources folder to see if there are any free MYO bases available. Just make sure to find one that fits the design requirements listed on the Story MYO page and in your individual MYOs ID info.
An overview of your Story ID
Your Story will have a list of predetermined traits and properties that you must adhere to when making your character. This guide only covers the basics of the ID information you will claim individually. You must read the entire Story MYO page in order to get all of the information about the backstory and overall design limitations that will apply to all MYOs available at that time and not just yours specifically.
Here is a brief walkthrough of the claim information before we go into greater detail:
Your Story will have a list of predetermined traits and properties that you must adhere to when making your character. This guide only covers the basics of the ID information you will claim individually. You must read the entire Story MYO page in order to get all of the information about the backstory and overall design limitations that will apply to all MYOs available at that time and not just yours specifically.
Here is a brief walkthrough of the claim information before we go into greater detail:
It helps to do some research
Most Story MYOs in a single list are all from the same boundary. Doing some basic research about their environment before starting your design can provide great inspiration and teach you some facts about their habitat or nature feature that might influence how you approach their story or appearance. Doing some research can reveal interesting variations for your nature feature or help you make your biome selection. |
Each claim is labeled with a letter
This is what you use in your Starter claim to identify which one you want, it has no effect on your design or character. Origin, Nature, Boundary, Size These comprise the ID information that goes onto the masterlist. You can read more about Origins and Boundaries here in the species guide. The ID information should provide inspiration for your design by telling you a little about their personality, size, and environment.
All Story MYOs are placed in the MYO collection. This does not have any effect on your design. Traits list Make sure to use all of the traits; you cannot pick and choose. This section may include uncommon traits, rare traits, unique traits, and enchantments. It can also include mutations if applicable. Nature Feature Each Story MYO will have nature features listed and then 2-3 photo examples for you to use as reference material. These photos are intended to give you an idea of what the nature features should look like, but you do not have to copy them exactly. You are encouraged to look up more! Original Form Not all Story MYOs will include this section, but some stories require that the esk have a certain character history that must be adhered to. You can use the original form as inspiration for your design, or simply keep it in mind as a story element. Color Palette These are the colors that are available for you to use for your design. You cannot add new colors to the palette, but you can make slight adjustments in lightness or darkness as long as it is clear you are not changing them to entirely different colors. Available morph If your Story MYO qualifies for one of the esk morphs, it will be listed here. |
Designing your Story MYO
Story MYOs are only available to players that have a higher level of experience in the game and are expected to be familiar with the basics of the esk design properties, but if you are new to the game you will want to read everything here in the species guide, especially everything in the Form category. Despite having lots of predetermined ID information and design restrictions, there are still a wide variety of ways to interpret these MYOs and create unique and diverse characters. Sometimes restrictions can lead us to find creative ideas that we might not have otherwise thought of — have fun with it!
Body type restrictions
Sometimes a Story MYO list will have restrictions on what body types are available for use. For example, a list where all of the MYOs have been created by Transformations done on very small animals might require that the designers use body types that seem appropriate for the size restriction and not create bulky or tall characters. Generally you are simply expected to follow the size description in the ID information without any further restrictions and are welcome to interpret the wording in your own way.
Story MYOs are only available to players that have a higher level of experience in the game and are expected to be familiar with the basics of the esk design properties, but if you are new to the game you will want to read everything here in the species guide, especially everything in the Form category. Despite having lots of predetermined ID information and design restrictions, there are still a wide variety of ways to interpret these MYOs and create unique and diverse characters. Sometimes restrictions can lead us to find creative ideas that we might not have otherwise thought of — have fun with it!
Body type restrictions
Sometimes a Story MYO list will have restrictions on what body types are available for use. For example, a list where all of the MYOs have been created by Transformations done on very small animals might require that the designers use body types that seem appropriate for the size restriction and not create bulky or tall characters. Generally you are simply expected to follow the size description in the ID information without any further restrictions and are welcome to interpret the wording in your own way.
Color palettes
Since Story MYOs can have traits beyond what is available to common esk, your palette may have bright or unusual color combinations that would not have been available to Starters or other common MYOs. You are not necessarily required to use all of the colors, overall it is more important that you follow the design restrictions outlined on the Story MYO page. For example: if the list indicates that all the Story MYOs must have a bright color you must include a bright color from your palette.
Since Story MYOs can have traits beyond what is available to common esk, your palette may have bright or unusual color combinations that would not have been available to Starters or other common MYOs. You are not necessarily required to use all of the colors, overall it is more important that you follow the design restrictions outlined on the Story MYO page. For example: if the list indicates that all the Story MYOs must have a bright color you must include a bright color from your palette.
Finishing up: Checking your work
We highly recommend taking some time after you finish your design to double check your work and make sure you are happy. We know you are eager to get started in the game but you'll want to make sure everything is in order before it gets made official in the masterlist. Once your esk is made official it cannot be revised without making purchases in the Energy Exchange so it's best to review your MYO before submitting it for approval.
Is this a character that you will feel inspired to draw or write about? Is the design too complicated or hard to draw? Would it help to get some input from a friend? It can be helpful to ask yourself these questions before finalizing your design. It's also good to double check that you have accurately portrayed the nature features and followed the palette accordingly, all of this will help make the approval process go quickly and smoothly.
If your Story MYO has a relationship with a NPC we ask that you thoroughly read the Wanderers information to understand the personalities and stories behind TWWM's non-playable characters. This might also influence your design or concept choices so it is helpful to do before submitting your design for final review.
Making changes to Story MYOs
You can alter your Story MYOs using the Energy Exchange just like any other esk. We recommend keeping the original story and design properties when making any alterations and use it as a framework to build upon. We do not wish to restrict your creativity by blocking changes to the characters, even those that contradict the original properties described in the Story MYO list, how you let your Story MYO evolve is up to you. You could keep them on a journey through the narrative that was provided or they can depart from that context and go in a new direction — your interpretation is up to you! As we continue to promote TWWM as a collaborative worldbuilding game we will provide more and more content-driven opportunities to create esk; we hope these MYOs will provide a fun means of expanding the esk canon. Thanks for helping us grow!
The following properties cannot be changed without an Abnormal Transformation:
We highly recommend taking some time after you finish your design to double check your work and make sure you are happy. We know you are eager to get started in the game but you'll want to make sure everything is in order before it gets made official in the masterlist. Once your esk is made official it cannot be revised without making purchases in the Energy Exchange so it's best to review your MYO before submitting it for approval.
Is this a character that you will feel inspired to draw or write about? Is the design too complicated or hard to draw? Would it help to get some input from a friend? It can be helpful to ask yourself these questions before finalizing your design. It's also good to double check that you have accurately portrayed the nature features and followed the palette accordingly, all of this will help make the approval process go quickly and smoothly.
If your Story MYO has a relationship with a NPC we ask that you thoroughly read the Wanderers information to understand the personalities and stories behind TWWM's non-playable characters. This might also influence your design or concept choices so it is helpful to do before submitting your design for final review.
Making changes to Story MYOs
You can alter your Story MYOs using the Energy Exchange just like any other esk. We recommend keeping the original story and design properties when making any alterations and use it as a framework to build upon. We do not wish to restrict your creativity by blocking changes to the characters, even those that contradict the original properties described in the Story MYO list, how you let your Story MYO evolve is up to you. You could keep them on a journey through the narrative that was provided or they can depart from that context and go in a new direction — your interpretation is up to you! As we continue to promote TWWM as a collaborative worldbuilding game we will provide more and more content-driven opportunities to create esk; we hope these MYOs will provide a fun means of expanding the esk canon. Thanks for helping us grow!
The following properties cannot be changed without an Abnormal Transformation:
- Origin
- Nature
- Boundary
- Size
- Biome
Getting your esk!
Reply to your comment thread at the Story MYO page with your final artwork to get your esk approved and added to the game. As soon as your masterlist entry has been posted you will be able to create your character tracker and start collecting points!
Some final tips:
Have fun expanding the esk lore!
Reply to your comment thread at the Story MYO page with your final artwork to get your esk approved and added to the game. As soon as your masterlist entry has been posted you will be able to create your character tracker and start collecting points!
Some final tips:
- It's best to provide an image file that is 600x600px or larger for the masterlist.
- Including color swatches, ID text, and multiple views in your masterlist artwork is acceptable.
- If you collaborated with or commissioned another artist make sure you tell the staff so they can receive proper credit in the masterlist information!
- ID information is permanent, even through ownership transfers.
- Story MYOs that are earned in the game and have special rules for their ownership transfers. These MYOs can only be gifted to other players or swapped for other esk characters or Transformations. They cannot be sold because they are considered a free gift to the community, we ask you will honor the spirit of giving by regifting MYOs that you no longer want to keep.
Have fun expanding the esk lore!
