tf rewards overview || tf rewards vs nature features || visual guide
rewards in the boundary || changing a reward || using tf rewards in your stories
rewards in the boundary || changing a reward || using tf rewards in your stories
Transformation Rewards
Esk receive a gift from the Earth each time they do a transformation; as the esk's magical energy mixes with the Earth's own, a Transformation Reward is created. Transformation Rewards are the only way to obtain crystal features. Other rewards such as feathers and bones are normally only available as mutations. Doing Transformations allows your esk to obtain these changes even if they are a normal esk.
These Rewards can be integrated into the esk's form just like nature features; they do not need to be worn or collected as objects. Each time an esk does a Transformation, they should only earn one unit or cluster of the reward; they cannot cover the body unless many Transformations are performed and multiple clusters are obtained. For example, a unit of feathers could be a single feather or it could be a cluster of 5-6 feathers in one location, but you could not put one feather here and one feather there on different parts of the body without getting a new reward for each location.
All Transformation rewards can be manifested outside of an esk’s biome, even if normal nature features, familiars and accessories disappear.
Crystals
Crystals are unique features that can only be earned by doing transformations. Crystals will be listed under transformation rewards in the masterlist.
Notes on crystals:
Normal minerals and rocks
These can also be obtained in the Energy Exchange, but you do have the option of earning them here.
Other Transformation rewards:
Esk receive a gift from the Earth each time they do a transformation; as the esk's magical energy mixes with the Earth's own, a Transformation Reward is created. Transformation Rewards are the only way to obtain crystal features. Other rewards such as feathers and bones are normally only available as mutations. Doing Transformations allows your esk to obtain these changes even if they are a normal esk.
These Rewards can be integrated into the esk's form just like nature features; they do not need to be worn or collected as objects. Each time an esk does a Transformation, they should only earn one unit or cluster of the reward; they cannot cover the body unless many Transformations are performed and multiple clusters are obtained. For example, a unit of feathers could be a single feather or it could be a cluster of 5-6 feathers in one location, but you could not put one feather here and one feather there on different parts of the body without getting a new reward for each location.
All Transformation rewards can be manifested outside of an esk’s biome, even if normal nature features, familiars and accessories disappear.
Crystals
Crystals are unique features that can only be earned by doing transformations. Crystals will be listed under transformation rewards in the masterlist.
Notes on crystals:
- Esk can only earn crystals by creating new esk, either using Transformations in the game or by being featured as creators in Origin Prompts.
- Crystals can be in typical crystal shapes.
- Crystals may also be in unnatural shapes like hearts, spheres, or gems.
- Crystals must be added as a single crystal or cluster of crystals and not cover large areas of the body.
Normal minerals and rocks
These can also be obtained in the Energy Exchange, but you do have the option of earning them here.
- You can choose any sort of mineral or rock.
- It can be in any rough, natural, rocky shape, or unnatural like carved shapes or spheres.
- It can be as large or as small on the esk's body as you like.
Other Transformation rewards:
- amber (with or without preserved specimens inside)
- fossils
- bones
- feathers
- coral (non-living specimen)
- seashell
- pearls
- animal nests
- This is not an exhaustive list. If you have an idea for a tf reward that isn't listed, ask us about it through group note or in review and we'll let you know if it's possible!
Transformation Rewards vs nature features
Making sure stone and mineral nature features appear distinct from Transformation Rewards is important. A guide on designing Stones and Crystals is available in the Design Guide section of this weebly.
Visual Guide to Transformation Rewards
This guide is meant to help you navigate what Transformation Rewards can look like, how they can be used, and how they can be integrated with other aspects of your esk design. For simplicity, this guide will only utilize crystal and feather rewards, but these rules and examples apply to all possible rewards.
These are the options for claiming a single Reward:
This guide is meant to help you navigate what Transformation Rewards can look like, how they can be used, and how they can be integrated with other aspects of your esk design. For simplicity, this guide will only utilize crystal and feather rewards, but these rules and examples apply to all possible rewards.
These are the options for claiming a single Reward:
1) a single, large reward.
2) a connected cluster.
3) a scattered cluster.
Depicted is the approximate max size for each of these Rewards. In cluster rewards, the entirety of the cluster should not exceed the size of a single reward. Likewise, a scattered cluster should not cover a larger surface area than what a single reward would. Stray pieces cannot be in different areas of the esk, and must look like they are part of a single unit, even if there is space between them.
If your esk collects multiple rewards, they are welcome to manifest these rewards together to create larger patterns and areas of interest. Exactly how this is done and what your goal is with the rewards is up to you, and we encourage player creativity and interpretation of how these rewards can be used!
However, in order to ensure that Transformation Rewards do not take over the design and maintain a good balance between these unique features and an esk's nature features, a guideline is that Transformation Rewards should at most take up a third of the esk's design.
This limit is not set in stone, as every esk is unique. Some esk may be allowed a smaller amount of rewards depending on how they are used, while other esk can push the boundaries through their designs and add more of them. This is up to staff review and discretion, and judged on a case-by-case basis.
Below are some examples of approximate max coverage of Transformation Rewards:
2) a connected cluster.
3) a scattered cluster.
Depicted is the approximate max size for each of these Rewards. In cluster rewards, the entirety of the cluster should not exceed the size of a single reward. Likewise, a scattered cluster should not cover a larger surface area than what a single reward would. Stray pieces cannot be in different areas of the esk, and must look like they are part of a single unit, even if there is space between them.
If your esk collects multiple rewards, they are welcome to manifest these rewards together to create larger patterns and areas of interest. Exactly how this is done and what your goal is with the rewards is up to you, and we encourage player creativity and interpretation of how these rewards can be used!
However, in order to ensure that Transformation Rewards do not take over the design and maintain a good balance between these unique features and an esk's nature features, a guideline is that Transformation Rewards should at most take up a third of the esk's design.
This limit is not set in stone, as every esk is unique. Some esk may be allowed a smaller amount of rewards depending on how they are used, while other esk can push the boundaries through their designs and add more of them. This is up to staff review and discretion, and judged on a case-by-case basis.
Below are some examples of approximate max coverage of Transformation Rewards:
Below are examples of Transformation Rewards or manifestation that would not be allowed.
While we encourage player creativity and new ideas, there are some ways in which Transformation Rewards may not be used. These limitations are in place to maintain the species identity and aesthetic.
1) Rewards cannot act like the Overgrowth trait.
2) Rewards cannot fully cover the esk's face.
3) Rewards cannot continuously cover a majority of the esk's body.
4) Rewards cannot be used to mimic teeth or claws.
5) Rewards cannot fully cover the eyes (with a possible exception made for Abnormal esk with an eye absence mutation).
6) Rewards cannot be used to create intricate shapes or mimic complex mutations.
Remember, Transformation Rewards can also interact with your esk's nature features, be incorporated into accessories, be enchanted, or affected by your esk's elemental power! Below are some examples:
2) Rewards cannot fully cover the esk's face.
3) Rewards cannot continuously cover a majority of the esk's body.
4) Rewards cannot be used to mimic teeth or claws.
5) Rewards cannot fully cover the eyes (with a possible exception made for Abnormal esk with an eye absence mutation).
6) Rewards cannot be used to create intricate shapes or mimic complex mutations.
Remember, Transformation Rewards can also interact with your esk's nature features, be incorporated into accessories, be enchanted, or affected by your esk's elemental power! Below are some examples:
1) crystal rewards integrated into ring and necklace accessories.
2) feather reward integrated into cameo brooch and scarf accessories.
3) enchanted rewards, two possible ways (a simple glow, and a sparkly trail).
4) rewards integrated into a driftwood nature feature.
5) rewards integrated into a flower nature feature.
6) rewards on fire due to the esk's elemental power.
2) feather reward integrated into cameo brooch and scarf accessories.
3) enchanted rewards, two possible ways (a simple glow, and a sparkly trail).
4) rewards integrated into a driftwood nature feature.
5) rewards integrated into a flower nature feature.
6) rewards on fire due to the esk's elemental power.
Transformation Rewards can also be held by an esk's familiars! More information about this is available on the Familiars page.
NEW - Transformation Rewards can now manifest within the esk’s boundary.
This is an option for esk who do not wish to manifest the Rewards in their physical form, nor wish to collect their Rewards as trinkets.
Transformation Rewards that manifest within the esk’s boundary bond with the energy of the esk that is already imbued in their transformation site. This could have strange and magical effects in the esk’s home, marking their boundary as something mysterious, special or particularly beautiful.
For example, a crystal reward may grow directly from the ground into the open, or it may appear as a crystal vein within a tree or rock, or make flower petals of a chosen flower crystalline. Perhaps amber may be found within the crack of a boulder, pearls can be part of an animal nest, or feathers can grow from tree branches instead of leaves. We encourage you to think creatively about the strange effects this mechanic can have on the esk’s environment, and how animals and humans may react to finding it!
The size of the Reward within the environment should still be relatively small or subtle compared to the part of the environment they become part of. A tree that is mostly covered with crystals will take several Transformations to achieve.
No single item in the boundary should ever have more than half its surface covered by Rewards. This is to ensure they remain distinct from Relics left behind by esk that have given up their form, which you can read more about here.
When you submit your Transformation for review, the Reward and its design within the boundary needs to be described as normal and be approved by a member of staff before it can be depicted in artwork or writing.
This is an option for esk who do not wish to manifest the Rewards in their physical form, nor wish to collect their Rewards as trinkets.
Transformation Rewards that manifest within the esk’s boundary bond with the energy of the esk that is already imbued in their transformation site. This could have strange and magical effects in the esk’s home, marking their boundary as something mysterious, special or particularly beautiful.
For example, a crystal reward may grow directly from the ground into the open, or it may appear as a crystal vein within a tree or rock, or make flower petals of a chosen flower crystalline. Perhaps amber may be found within the crack of a boulder, pearls can be part of an animal nest, or feathers can grow from tree branches instead of leaves. We encourage you to think creatively about the strange effects this mechanic can have on the esk’s environment, and how animals and humans may react to finding it!
The size of the Reward within the environment should still be relatively small or subtle compared to the part of the environment they become part of. A tree that is mostly covered with crystals will take several Transformations to achieve.
No single item in the boundary should ever have more than half its surface covered by Rewards. This is to ensure they remain distinct from Relics left behind by esk that have given up their form, which you can read more about here.
When you submit your Transformation for review, the Reward and its design within the boundary needs to be described as normal and be approved by a member of staff before it can be depicted in artwork or writing.
NEW - Changing a Transformation Reward
Transformation rewards may be changed after they have been earned. This is done through the esk performing a Transformation Reward Prompt.
TF Reward Prompts create an opportunity to alter, modify or completely change a Transformation Reward your esk has previously received from performing a Transformation. The esk does this by returning with the reward to the transformation site where they received it, and then meditating on the reward as well as the transformation that took place there.
More information about this mechanic can be found here.
Transformation rewards may be changed after they have been earned. This is done through the esk performing a Transformation Reward Prompt.
TF Reward Prompts create an opportunity to alter, modify or completely change a Transformation Reward your esk has previously received from performing a Transformation. The esk does this by returning with the reward to the transformation site where they received it, and then meditating on the reward as well as the transformation that took place there.
More information about this mechanic can be found here.
Using Transformation Rewards in your stories
There are many ways to use Transformation Rewards to further your esk’s growth, story, or design. While by no means mandatory, we encourage thoughtful choices made for which Transformation Rewards are given to the esk and how this impacts their journey.
Below are some ideas and questions to think about that could help you choose a Transformation Reward, or otherwise consider how your esk feels about their accumulated Rewards over time. These prompts are just meant to inspire and are not an official mechanic, but we hope they can be of help to you!
The Transformation
The Reward
Manifesting the Reward
Collecting the Reward
Rewards integrated in the Boundary
The Created Esk
There are many ways to use Transformation Rewards to further your esk’s growth, story, or design. While by no means mandatory, we encourage thoughtful choices made for which Transformation Rewards are given to the esk and how this impacts their journey.
Below are some ideas and questions to think about that could help you choose a Transformation Reward, or otherwise consider how your esk feels about their accumulated Rewards over time. These prompts are just meant to inspire and are not an official mechanic, but we hope they can be of help to you!
The Transformation
- Why did your esk choose to perform the Transformation in the first place? Was it out of love, pity, instinct, or perhaps by accident?
- Who did they transform - was it a loved one, an enemy, or a stranger?
- How do they feel about having performed the transformation? Guilty, happy, relieved, tense?
The Reward
- How did your esk feel when they first saw the Reward? In what way did it appear to them?
- Are they familiar with the Reward, or is it something they’ve never seen before? Does it feel to them like it belongs with them, or perhaps the opposite, like a strange burden?
- How does your esk feel about the Reward? Is it a reminder of the esk they created? If so, is this a positive or a negative association?
Manifesting the Reward
- If your esk has manifested their Transformation Rewards, was this a conscious or subconscious decision?
- Is there a reason, conscious or not, for where the Reward sits? Is it on their head or their shoulders, their haunches? How does this impact the esk’s looks?
- Are they proud of how the Reward looks on them, or does it feel out of place to them?
Collecting the Reward
- If your esk collects their Rewards, do they have a stash for them in their boundary? What does that look like? Where in the boundary is it?
- Do they hide them here and there through the boundary instead? Do the animals ever find them and interact with them? Or have the esk themselves forgotten where the Rewards are?
- If the esk does have a stash of their Rewards, is this a private collection that they guard closely? Or do they perhaps display them proudly, to show them off for others?
Rewards integrated in the Boundary
- Did the esk consciously choose to integrate their Reward into their boundary, or did this seem to happen outside of their control? How do they feel about it?
- Are the Rewards clustered around a single landmark in the boundary, or dotted here and there throughout it?
- Has an animal or human come across this strange phenomenon? How did they react?
The Created Esk
- What is it like for your esk to now share part of their boundary with another esk? What is their relationship with the created esk like?
- Does the Reward represent the created esk in some way, or is it more tailored to the creator’s taste, or perhaps both?
- How does the resulting esk feel about the Reward created from their Transformation? Do they have an opinion at all, are they disinterested or fascinated?
