M O T H
bewildered • simple • sweet
pronouns they/them/theirs
gender identity agender
not available as a creator . all art and writing welcome!
gender identity agender
not available as a creator . all art and writing welcome!
origin trespasser . nature unfortunate . boundary silent clearing . size scrawny
species esk . collection MYO . designer callmeFlo
uncommon traits bold markings, unique markings, bright markings, eyespots, shaggy
rare traits none
nature features cordyceps
familiar white regal jumping spider (small)
enchantment cordyceps cure
original form sickly moth (common owl moth "Erebus macrops")
creator Wren
species esk . collection MYO . designer callmeFlo
uncommon traits bold markings, unique markings, bright markings, eyespots, shaggy
rare traits none
nature features cordyceps
familiar white regal jumping spider (small)
enchantment cordyceps cure
original form sickly moth (common owl moth "Erebus macrops")
creator Wren
design notes:
esk species notes:
- their asymmetrical legs long and spindly and awkward
- patterned to mimic wings, their long layer of fur hangs limply from their back; when they lay still, you could mistake them for a fallen moth
- their big black eyes are kind but vacuous
- their shorter fur is scruffy and patchy, and their tail is thin and trailing
- thin white cordyceps fungi sprout sparsely over their whole body
- their spider sometimes hides in their fur so all you can see are the webs around their cordyceps
esk species notes:
- they have no mouth, nose, or pupils (just solid colored eyes)
- they cannot close their eyes (though esk can squint)
- they have three toes on each foot
boundary
Moth's silent clearing boundary is in Khao Sok, Thailand, one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Their little corner is beautiful, strewn with year round greenery and lush leaves. Not too dense being so close to a settlement, with winding paths made by both humans and wildlife. But a particular clearing with a shallow creek is eerie in its stillness, as if the plants themselves can tell it’s haunted. The moths most pointedly avoid it. Their boundary is their favorite place despite the bad memories attached to it. There’s a hollow beneath the roots of a large tree, cocooned by sweet scented flowers, where they like to rest. |
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you might notice it out of the corner of your eye when walking the footpath - a moth, bigger than any you’ve seen and beautifully patterned in browns and reds, nearly blending in with the bark and dirt and dead leaves it’s splayed out on. its body is riddled with vicious white fungi. poor thing, you think.
they were given a chance at a second life, and yet can’t escape the disease that took its first.
- callmeFlo
you might notice it out of the corner of your eye when walking the footpath - a moth, bigger than any you’ve seen and beautifully patterned in browns and reds, nearly blending in with the bark and dirt and dead leaves it’s splayed out on. its body is riddled with vicious white fungi. poor thing, you think.
they were given a chance at a second life, and yet can’t escape the disease that took its first.
- callmeFlo
enchantment
cordyceps cure
This enchantment looks like small, glowing, white spores. It kills the cordyceps fungi and cures insects of the infestation. Moth's hatred of the parasite manifested into this enchantment. At first they were afraid of the enchantment, but once they saw it cure a small caterpillar, they were thrilled. Now they are incredibly proud of it.
Moth doesn't realize that the enchantment works automatically, so they scrunch up their face and focus really really hard whenever they want to cure someone, even though that's unnecessary.
This enchantment looks like small, glowing, white spores. It kills the cordyceps fungi and cures insects of the infestation. Moth's hatred of the parasite manifested into this enchantment. At first they were afraid of the enchantment, but once they saw it cure a small caterpillar, they were thrilled. Now they are incredibly proud of it.
Moth doesn't realize that the enchantment works automatically, so they scrunch up their face and focus really really hard whenever they want to cure someone, even though that's unnecessary.
familiar
white regal jumping spider
Moth see's their spider as their best friend, and they have conversations in telepathic little squeaks and tiny noises. Most of the time their spider is hidden under their shaggy fur, but sometimes it likes to hang off Moth's nature features. Even while hidden though, the spider leaves webs around Moth's cordyceps.
Moth see's their spider as their best friend, and they have conversations in telepathic little squeaks and tiny noises. Most of the time their spider is hidden under their shaggy fur, but sometimes it likes to hang off Moth's nature features. Even while hidden though, the spider leaves webs around Moth's cordyceps.
nature feature - CW: graphic parasites
The Cordyceps fungus is merciless and can infect insects in order to propagate. The fungus takes over the host body and forces the insect to move to a location where the fungus spores will be able to spread the most efficiently. The fungus then kills the host, and creates the "finger-like" protrusions from the insect's body. The spores are then emitted and spread throughout the area.
Cordyceps looks different depending on if they're growing out of an insect verses the ground. Moth's Cordyceps are more closely depicted as they were on their original form, rather than if they were growing from the ground. Moth's nature features also do not spread any spores, and cannot propagate.
Cordyceps looks different depending on if they're growing out of an insect verses the ground. Moth's Cordyceps are more closely depicted as they were on their original form, rather than if they were growing from the ground. Moth's nature features also do not spread any spores, and cannot propagate.
They are called Moth, an obvious nickname given by any who meet them, for their draping fur and false eye markings and the way their vibratory signature hums like fluttering insect wings. They answer to it and will follow you if beckoned or intrigued. Their speech is an indecipherable purr, but they’re easy enough to understand - they’re childlike, simple in their wants and feelings, addled by their nature feature.
Their cordyceps seems to slowly, continuously, harrowingly grow, as if determined to finish its job. The only clue that they're no longer alive is that they don't produce spores to spread to other animals - even subconsciously, Moth couldn’t bear for that to happen. This allows them the freedom to explore the whole rainforest, mingling with the butterflies and inspecting every flower without fear. Whilst they tentatively like meeting new friends they lack of understanding and purpose of performing transformations. They love their boundary, but will travel with friendly esks occasionally to see other parts of the world. As much as they enjoy the way their Cordyceps fades away when they leave the forest, the weakening feeling of leaving their biome is too much for their little body and they quickly find themselves backtracking. The Conservatory is a good compromise, and they can often be found within its forest-adjacent areas. - callmeflo with edits by me |
Content Warning: parasitic fungus
⬩⬩⬩ The Cordyceps parasite runs wild in this corner of the world - it’s made for moths, and they’re plentiful here. One such infected creature, no longer in control of its own body, stumbled agonizingly up a nearby tree as the disease gripped tighter and tighter to their head, lungs, heart. A passing esk, pitying the moth, transforms them. Only, they were riddled with a fungi before their demise, so it shouldn’t be a shock that it remains a part of them when they become a nature spirit - the white spines remain protruding from their body and muddling their thoughts, stuck in an eternal struggle. - callmeFlo ⬩⬩⬩ Wren was an idealistic, young esk when she transformed Moth by accident. She was anxious and didn't have a helpful creator to guide her herself, so she was unaware of how transformations could impact the recipient. Wren was terrified to see that she had created another esk who seemed unhappy by their transformation, and fled in a panic. |
Moth was anxious and confused for awhile after their transformation. They saw the fungi still sprouting from their body and didn't understand that they were now safe from its grip. They stayed in a small hole in a tree for days, too afraid to move.
Sacred found them like that, and could read the pain in their aura. Her enchantment eased Moth's nerves and Sacred began to figure out why Moth was so shaken and timid. She discovered that Moth was afraid of their cordyceps fungi nature features. Sacred reassured Moth that the nature features couldn't hurt them or any other insects. This made Moth feel much more comfortable. Eventually, Moth came out of their little hole and the two sat cuddled together as Sacred explained esk life to Moth. Moth began to explore their boundary, and they even started to like their new, awkward body. Sacred spent a long time with them. She didn't want to leave until Moth's agitated aura calmed to a reasonable place. Finally, she felt comfortable leaving, but she still comes back occasionally to visit.
Sacred found them like that, and could read the pain in their aura. Her enchantment eased Moth's nerves and Sacred began to figure out why Moth was so shaken and timid. She discovered that Moth was afraid of their cordyceps fungi nature features. Sacred reassured Moth that the nature features couldn't hurt them or any other insects. This made Moth feel much more comfortable. Eventually, Moth came out of their little hole and the two sat cuddled together as Sacred explained esk life to Moth. Moth began to explore their boundary, and they even started to like their new, awkward body. Sacred spent a long time with them. She didn't want to leave until Moth's agitated aura calmed to a reasonable place. Finally, she felt comfortable leaving, but she still comes back occasionally to visit.
Moth is hesitant to meet new esks unless they have friendly enchantments or energies like Sacred. Other esks' enchantments impact Moth a lot more than usual. Moth enjoys isolation, but they've met a few esks they consider friends. Ever and Enno are Moth's closest friends. They are both gigantic, especially compared to Moth's slight frame, and they try to protect Moth from sadness or pain.
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Wren • creator
Wren didn’t stick around for long after she performed Moth's transformation. She was horrified at what she’d done when she saw the fungus still appearing on Moth's body. Moth doesn’t mind this life, even if it’s not all ideal, and would like to investigate the strange bond that lingers between them, though they're not sure when Wren will come around again. Sacred • friend, Sacred provided them with guidance Sacred found Moth a few days after Moth's transformation. She was wandering aimlessly, and noticed a bright red patch in her vision. |
Sacred can only see in grey tones unless looking at an esk. Trespassers appear pink, or red if they're in a lot of distress. Sacred found Moth in a state of stress and used her presence and enchantment to quiet their trembling. Moth doesn't speak, but could make little sounds for Sacred to interpret. Sacred discovered that Moth was afraid their cordyceps were dangerous to themselves and others. She examined them and promised Moth that they were benign. From there, Sacred was able to lessen Moth's anxiety. Sacred left after feeling that Moth was in a good place, and she still comes back to visit on occasion.
Ever • friend
Ever met Moth closely after their transformation. Ever considers herself a guardian of all small creatures in the forest, including little ,vulnerable esks. She immediately loved Moth and their quirky little traits. She protects Moth from meaner esks, and helps calm Moth when they're afraid. Ever visits them in their boundary often, and sometimes takes them out for little journeys through other forests.
Enno • friend
Moth saw giant paws phasing through the trees around them and looked up to find the biggest esk they'd ever seen. Moth was terrified, but Ever appeared, and reassured them that Enno was a friend. Ever introduced the two, and Moth's fear turned into curiosity. Enno was warm and affectionate, and Moth loved her whimsical, lovely voice. Enno loved Moth's little mannerisms too. Now, Moth will sit up on Enno's head and squeal in delight as Enno walks around the forest. Enno moves at a slow pace, but to Moth it feels like flying.
Koia • friend
The two met when Koia found Moth secretly following her. She was considering lashing out at such rude behavior, but her heart warmed quickly when she realized Moth was just an innocent little critter. She discovered that they were drawn to the pretty petals on her back, like a moth to a flame. She has a soft spot for them that she has rarely felt in her millennia as an esk.
Ever • friend
Ever met Moth closely after their transformation. Ever considers herself a guardian of all small creatures in the forest, including little ,vulnerable esks. She immediately loved Moth and their quirky little traits. She protects Moth from meaner esks, and helps calm Moth when they're afraid. Ever visits them in their boundary often, and sometimes takes them out for little journeys through other forests.
Enno • friend
Moth saw giant paws phasing through the trees around them and looked up to find the biggest esk they'd ever seen. Moth was terrified, but Ever appeared, and reassured them that Enno was a friend. Ever introduced the two, and Moth's fear turned into curiosity. Enno was warm and affectionate, and Moth loved her whimsical, lovely voice. Enno loved Moth's little mannerisms too. Now, Moth will sit up on Enno's head and squeal in delight as Enno walks around the forest. Enno moves at a slow pace, but to Moth it feels like flying.
Koia • friend
The two met when Koia found Moth secretly following her. She was considering lashing out at such rude behavior, but her heart warmed quickly when she realized Moth was just an innocent little critter. She discovered that they were drawn to the pretty petals on her back, like a moth to a flame. She has a soft spot for them that she has rarely felt in her millennia as an esk.
writing listed chronologically
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links to feat. artist's social medias: Padarii, callmeFlo, Dirty-Ramen, Narnicissa, Rejamrejam, Leetle-beetle, Mothmaru, Kaliwoik9978, Leaforia, SrSheepy
photo credits: free on unsplash; hover over pics for individual credits
photo credits: free on unsplash; hover over pics for individual credits