W I N T E R
loving • sweet • protective
pronouns she/her/hers
gender identity trans woman
available as a creator (only creates travelers) . all art and writing welcome!
gender identity trans woman
available as a creator (only creates travelers) . all art and writing welcome!
origin traveler . nature gentle . boundary spacious cave . size medium . collection myo (my nursery esk) . designer mondayecho
uncommon traits spots, false ears
rare traits bright eyes
nature features
single crepe fern, strawberry flowers, kingcup flowertf rewards purple crystal, blue crystal, blue crystal
familiars cave swallow (small), fireflies (small swarm)
accessories gold jewelry
enchantments
warm aura, guiding light, healing rays, transformation insight
elemental
geometric moss
original form bitter, lost soldier
creator Circe
uncommon traits spots, false ears
rare traits bright eyes
nature features
single crepe fern, strawberry flowers, kingcup flowertf rewards purple crystal, blue crystal, blue crystal
familiars cave swallow (small), fireflies (small swarm)
accessories gold jewelry
enchantments
warm aura, guiding light, healing rays, transformation insight
elemental
geometric moss
original form bitter, lost soldier
creator Circe
design notes:
- her stomach is cream colored
- her two fern leaves turn orange in the fall, but go back to green for the winter, and remainder of the year
notes for extras:
|
esk species notes:
|
spacious cave boundary
Winter's boundary lies deep in the forest of an area she knew as Prussia while she was a human. She shares this boundary with Squeak, and Tatzel, two esks she transformed. Several other esks have boundaries nearby too. They're either esks she created, or her creations' creations.
Winter's boundary lies deep in the forest of an area she knew as Prussia while she was a human. She shares this boundary with Squeak, and Tatzel, two esks she transformed. Several other esks have boundaries nearby too. They're either esks she created, or her creations' creations.
elemental
geometric moss
Her elemental allows her to create intricate patterns of moss across nearby surfaces. She uses it to decorate the walls, floor and ceiling of her cave. The moss patterns usually form around her feet as she walks, too. Moss always sits in her branchlers unless she's away from the Forest Biome and can't access her powers (in which case the branches would be gone too). She gained this elemental after trekking through the Temple of Sound during the Conservatory Event.
Her elemental allows her to create intricate patterns of moss across nearby surfaces. She uses it to decorate the walls, floor and ceiling of her cave. The moss patterns usually form around her feet as she walks, too. Moss always sits in her branchlers unless she's away from the Forest Biome and can't access her powers (in which case the branches would be gone too). She gained this elemental after trekking through the Temple of Sound during the Conservatory Event.
enchantments
warm aura
Winter's gentle nature developed over time into her warm aura enchantment. Her incredibly peaceful manner began to materialize as soft bubbles that float around her; they strongly resemble lens flares. Anyone within her radius feels calm, and secure. Sometimes if an esk, animal or human is panicking she can use her enchantment to calm them down so they can think clearly. It also eases any general anxiety. Winter has this enchantment enacted almost all the time. She does this intuitively. Even while alone, she keeps this enchantment engaged so that she can soothe any small insects near her.
guiding light
Winter's cave swallow, Helio, will leave a trail of light behind them as they fly. Anyone who sees the light will be compelled to follow. Winter only ever uses this enchantment in a positive way. She leads people away from danger, and often uses this ability to bring hurt animals into the safety of her boundary cave so she can heal them. She also uses it to guide animals and humans to safety during bad storms.
healing rays
Years went by between the time that her first two enchantments emerged, and this one. The enchantment is depicted as three rays of light that shine from Winter's kingcup flower when she heals animals and humans. She mostly heals animals, and prefers to bring them into her cave where she can feed them, and monitor their health. She will heal humans too, but only from a distance. In general, she doesn't like to get close to them. Most of the humans are disoriented from this sudden, drastic change. Some of them are very thankful, and think they've witnessed a miracle. They will sometimes leave small offerings such as pretty flowers, food or trinkets, thinking a God had healed them. Winter is amused by the offerings and takes a lot of them back to her cave for decorations.
transformation insight
This allows her to look at a lost object, person or animal inside the Forest Biome and know whether it would become a well-adjusted traveller or upset trespasser if transformed. This also allows her to see if potential abnormals without traveller/trespasser designation would be happy to be transformed. It looks like the glowing snowflake sigil in front of her, which only ever appears while activated. It's not visible at all while dormant.
Winter's gentle nature developed over time into her warm aura enchantment. Her incredibly peaceful manner began to materialize as soft bubbles that float around her; they strongly resemble lens flares. Anyone within her radius feels calm, and secure. Sometimes if an esk, animal or human is panicking she can use her enchantment to calm them down so they can think clearly. It also eases any general anxiety. Winter has this enchantment enacted almost all the time. She does this intuitively. Even while alone, she keeps this enchantment engaged so that she can soothe any small insects near her.
guiding light
Winter's cave swallow, Helio, will leave a trail of light behind them as they fly. Anyone who sees the light will be compelled to follow. Winter only ever uses this enchantment in a positive way. She leads people away from danger, and often uses this ability to bring hurt animals into the safety of her boundary cave so she can heal them. She also uses it to guide animals and humans to safety during bad storms.
healing rays
Years went by between the time that her first two enchantments emerged, and this one. The enchantment is depicted as three rays of light that shine from Winter's kingcup flower when she heals animals and humans. She mostly heals animals, and prefers to bring them into her cave where she can feed them, and monitor their health. She will heal humans too, but only from a distance. In general, she doesn't like to get close to them. Most of the humans are disoriented from this sudden, drastic change. Some of them are very thankful, and think they've witnessed a miracle. They will sometimes leave small offerings such as pretty flowers, food or trinkets, thinking a God had healed them. Winter is amused by the offerings and takes a lot of them back to her cave for decorations.
transformation insight
This allows her to look at a lost object, person or animal inside the Forest Biome and know whether it would become a well-adjusted traveller or upset trespasser if transformed. This also allows her to see if potential abnormals without traveller/trespasser designation would be happy to be transformed. It looks like the glowing snowflake sigil in front of her, which only ever appears while activated. It's not visible at all while dormant.
familiars
cave swallow (small)
Winter has named her swallow Helio, they were her first familiar. They can can always be seen flying somewhere close by or perched somewhere on Winter's body.
fireflies (small swarm)
Even during the day Winter's fireflies can be seen swarming around her. When she is upset or angry they fly faster and in more erratic patterns. The combination of her fireflies and warm aura enchantment creates a mystical, bright, and surreal effect that tends to dazzle others. Winter's gold jewelry reflects the lights, and enhances this ethereal effect.
Winter has named her swallow Helio, they were her first familiar. They can can always be seen flying somewhere close by or perched somewhere on Winter's body.
fireflies (small swarm)
Even during the day Winter's fireflies can be seen swarming around her. When she is upset or angry they fly faster and in more erratic patterns. The combination of her fireflies and warm aura enchantment creates a mystical, bright, and surreal effect that tends to dazzle others. Winter's gold jewelry reflects the lights, and enhances this ethereal effect.
Winter is true to her nature while interacting with most esks. She is gentle, and kind, and is always looking to help others. She wants the best for her biome and boundary, and will go out of her way to help even the smallest creatures. She uses her cave boundary as a healing sanctuary, and also as a haven for esks to connect and rest.
She can't really deter malicious esks from messing with her though, she's not very good at retaliation. She finds that the best way to deal with an annoying esk (like Ikkit) is to ignore them. She loves to stroll quietly through the Forest and visit other esks. She prefers walk or drift close to the ground while travelling, even when she could teleport. Her leaves and flowers all rustle together while she moves, and her jewelry jangles and clinks together. |
The sounds are soft and comforting, Her healing and calming enchantments are always engaged so that the tiny bugs and critters around her will feel comfortable. Usually her familiar, Helio, flies in front of her, so her esk friends can tell when she's nearby.
Winter also frequents the Conservatory. She loves the nooks and crannies of the Temple of Silence, and enjoys splashing around in the Wellsprings. She also enjoys meeting esks from places she wouldn't normally travel, like the Marine Biome.
When it comes to transformations, Winter likes to err on the side of caution. After two separate ,accidental transformations Winter gained an enchantment that allows her to see if a potential esk will become a traveler or a trespasser. If she sees that they'll become a trespasser, or resent their life as an esk and be unhappy, she won't do it.
Winter also frequents the Conservatory. She loves the nooks and crannies of the Temple of Silence, and enjoys splashing around in the Wellsprings. She also enjoys meeting esks from places she wouldn't normally travel, like the Marine Biome.
When it comes to transformations, Winter likes to err on the side of caution. After two separate ,accidental transformations Winter gained an enchantment that allows her to see if a potential esk will become a traveler or a trespasser. If she sees that they'll become a trespasser, or resent their life as an esk and be unhappy, she won't do it.
Content Warnings: Franco-Prussian war, and transgender dysphoria
author's note: Winter is my nursery esk, and when I created her origin story I didn't fully grasp that TWWM takes place in the real world. I wrote that she was a solider who hated war, however I didn't have a specific war in mind. In retrospect, I probably wouldn't have given her the solider backstory, as I don't feel completely qualified to write about it. Winter barely remembers anything from her time as a human, so that helps, but I've done my best to depict her as a pacifist during the Franco-Prussian war. Like Winter, I am Jewish (🍉) and queer, so I feel more confident about those aspects of her background, but if I have depicted Winter, or any of her origin story, as problematic, please reach out privately and let me know!
⬩⬩⬩
author's note: Winter is my nursery esk, and when I created her origin story I didn't fully grasp that TWWM takes place in the real world. I wrote that she was a solider who hated war, however I didn't have a specific war in mind. In retrospect, I probably wouldn't have given her the solider backstory, as I don't feel completely qualified to write about it. Winter barely remembers anything from her time as a human, so that helps, but I've done my best to depict her as a pacifist during the Franco-Prussian war. Like Winter, I am Jewish (🍉) and queer, so I feel more confident about those aspects of her background, but if I have depicted Winter, or any of her origin story, as problematic, please reach out privately and let me know!
⬩⬩⬩
Winter's life as a human soldier left her with a bitter resentment towards all violence. She had also been assigned male at birth, but never felt connected to that identity. After her esk transformation she felt that she finally had a body that fit her. She is incredibly grateful to be an esk, and sees her life as a second chance to help others and spread positivity. She was excited, but also nervous about the esk world at first. She waited for months before exploring past her Biome. She was particularly nervous around esks she deemed scary, like Ikkit.
|
Over time she gained confidence, and now she leisurely travels all over the Forest Biome. She also enjoys visiting the other Biomes, particularly the Mountains. She dedicated her cave boundary as a safe space where she could heal injured animals. Her cave also became a comfortable spot for other esks to relax and spend time together. The esks that frequent her boundary are often other gentle, kind esks. A number of them also have strong affinities for healing animals.
Winter has performed many transformations now, and thus a community of close friends and family has formed around her boundary. Squeak and Aer were the first two to join this family, and the three of them are very tight-knit. Insari later joined this pack as Winter's lover, and now the four of them tend to live and travel as a group.
Yixian and Myrrh, two very eccentric esks, were the next to join. They spend lots of time with Winter and the others, but generally prance around their own boundaries with each other. |
Winter loves the community she has created, and is always looking to expand and make new friends.
Circe • Winter's creator, she looks up to her as her mentor
Winter is very grateful for her transformation. She hated being a human, and felt trapped in her human body. She finally feels like herself as an esk. She was admittedly terrified of Circe at first, but that passed quickly, and now she admires her. Circe's gender expression also changed during a transformation, and Winter thinks that's part of why Circe was drawn to transform her. Squeak • Winter created, they're best friends Winter saw a human drop a moth-eaten handkerchief in her boundary, and she accidentally transformed it. She felt guilty and stressed about this accident, but Squeak was surprisingly well adjusted. They became best friends, and share a boundary easily. Squeak pulls Winter out of her comfort zone a little, and gets her to try things and explore in ways she wouldn't normally. |
Aer • Winter created, and feels maternal over her, they bicker occasionally
Winter's second accidental transformation created Aer. This time, she was tricked by Ikkit into performing the transformation on a frightened, young boy. Aer is playful and spontaneous, unlike her original form, and as an esk uses she/her, and they/them pronouns. Winter loves her, but wants her to take things more seriously sometimes. They butt heads occasionally, but they love each other. Aer's boundary is a fairy circle of mushrooms directly in front of Winter's cave entrance.
Insari • Winter created her but they never had a creator/created relationship. Insari immediately left her boundary, and much later they reconnected and fell in love.
Insari was the first transformation Winter performed on purpose. Winter was encouraged by Squeak and Aer to transform a painted antler they'd discovered near their shared boundaries. Insari burst forth into being with full knowledge of the forest biome's ecology, biology, and the esk realm. Winter felt jealousy, but also admiration for her. Insari instantly left to go help fight deforestation and support endangered animals throughout the forest, and mountain biomes. A year or so later Insari decided to come "home," and spend more time in her boundary. She felt pulled towards Winter, and the two began to spend lots of time together. They fell in love, and now Insari tends to stay by Winter's side most of the time. Insari still ventures out to help the environment, but she makes sure to make frequent teleportation visits when she's away from home and busy for long periods of time.
Winter's second accidental transformation created Aer. This time, she was tricked by Ikkit into performing the transformation on a frightened, young boy. Aer is playful and spontaneous, unlike her original form, and as an esk uses she/her, and they/them pronouns. Winter loves her, but wants her to take things more seriously sometimes. They butt heads occasionally, but they love each other. Aer's boundary is a fairy circle of mushrooms directly in front of Winter's cave entrance.
Insari • Winter created her but they never had a creator/created relationship. Insari immediately left her boundary, and much later they reconnected and fell in love.
Insari was the first transformation Winter performed on purpose. Winter was encouraged by Squeak and Aer to transform a painted antler they'd discovered near their shared boundaries. Insari burst forth into being with full knowledge of the forest biome's ecology, biology, and the esk realm. Winter felt jealousy, but also admiration for her. Insari instantly left to go help fight deforestation and support endangered animals throughout the forest, and mountain biomes. A year or so later Insari decided to come "home," and spend more time in her boundary. She felt pulled towards Winter, and the two began to spend lots of time together. They fell in love, and now Insari tends to stay by Winter's side most of the time. Insari still ventures out to help the environment, but she makes sure to make frequent teleportation visits when she's away from home and busy for long periods of time.
Yixian • Winter is a maternal figure for her, and gives her advice
Yixian was a troubled esk in need of a home, and Winter and her family provided one. Yixian joined their little group after Aer performed a second transformation on her. Despite being thousands of years older than her, Yixian is haunted by her past, and still needs lots of help and guidance from other esks. Winter is always happy to offer her any assistance and wisdom. Winter feels maternal over her, and tries to use all of her enchantments to help Yixian feel more comfortable. Apricity • Winter created; Winter doesn't understand her, but respects her Apricity and Winter resonated on a deep, spiritual level when Apricity was created, so they instantly liked and trusted each other. Winter appreciates her intuition, but sometimes finds Apricity's riddles hard to understand. |
Myrrh • Winter doesn't understand her, but loves her anyway
Myrrh stresses Winter out, and doesn't act in a "rational" way from Winter's perspective, but she loves Myrrh regardless.
Tatzel • Winter created
Despite Winter's best attempts at creating happy, well adjusted esks, she can't control everything. Tatzel is melancholic and dejected, and lives deep in the cave that she shares as a boundary.
Dusk • Friend
Her closest friend outside the forest biome. They met in the Conservatory, and now visit each other semi-frequently. They've become part of each others' lives, and Winter loves meeting up with Dusk's chosen family too.
Myrrh stresses Winter out, and doesn't act in a "rational" way from Winter's perspective, but she loves Myrrh regardless.
Tatzel • Winter created
Despite Winter's best attempts at creating happy, well adjusted esks, she can't control everything. Tatzel is melancholic and dejected, and lives deep in the cave that she shares as a boundary.
Dusk • Friend
Her closest friend outside the forest biome. They met in the Conservatory, and now visit each other semi-frequently. They've become part of each others' lives, and Winter loves meeting up with Dusk's chosen family too.
Ever • Friend
Winter respects Ever as one of the great protectors of the forest, and they like to catch up and chat about the goings on of the forest. Enno • Friend Even though Enno is about 100x larger than Winter, Winter can't help but baby Enno. She sees Enno as someone who deserves more love and gentleness than she gets. Winter likes to sit under Enno's ferns and tell her stories. Ikkit • Loose enemy Ikkit and Winter never got along. Ikkit mocked Winter when she was vulnerable as a new esk, and even though it was in jest, Winter didn't find it funny. He poked and prodded at her too much, and he seemed to enjoy scaring her. Since those early days, Winter has come to understand that Ikkit protects the forest biome in his own way, and he has some redeemable qualities. In general though, she'd prefer to not be near him. Now that she's older she just ignores him completely, and finds that this is an effective method of making him go away. |
⬩⬩⬩
Winter has an enchantment that allows her to see if an esk will become a trespasser or a traveller. She has a lot of anxiety about performing transformations, and will refuse to do it if she sees that the esk will become a trespasser. Therefore she only ever creates travelers. Unfortunately this doesn't mean that Winter always gets along perfectly with those she has transformed, but she always tries her absolute best to make them comfortable.
Winter has an enchantment that allows her to see if an esk will become a trespasser or a traveller. She has a lot of anxiety about performing transformations, and will refuse to do it if she sees that the esk will become a trespasser. Therefore she only ever creates travelers. Unfortunately this doesn't mean that Winter always gets along perfectly with those she has transformed, but she always tries her absolute best to make them comfortable.
|
Squeak • 4067 - purple crystal
Aer • 4447 - blue crystal
Insari • 4605 - blue crystal
Tatzel • 4865 - purple crystal. TF gifted to KaijuRomance from the 2021 SAP week raffle
Apricity • 5403 - clear crystal
Aer • 4447 - blue crystal
Insari • 4605 - blue crystal
Tatzel • 4865 - purple crystal. TF gifted to KaijuRomance from the 2021 SAP week raffle
Apricity • 5403 - clear crystal
writing listed chronologically
|
- first time outside their boundary - First time she goes outside the forest biome. She explores the developed and mountain biomes, and strongly prefers the mountains. She sees Ikkit in a different light.
- shifting seasons event - She reflects over her first year as an esk and feels at peace.
- Squeak losing their way - She has a flash of memory from her past that accidentally leads to transforming a handkerchief into Squeak.
- Squeak meeting the esk - Winter feels guilty about this accidental TF but Squeak is sweet and friendly.
- Aer's origin - Ikkit tricks Winter into performing another accidental TF. Aer and Winter clash at first, but understand each other in the end.
- Aer's first time outside their boundary - Winter and Squeak introduce Aer to the Conservatory and they float down a magical, purple river
- the possum, the giraffe, and the rabbit - Winter and Squeak introduce Aer to giraffes.
|
- coming home - Insari comes back to her boundary to find Winter, and they fall in love
- Yixian's previous form - Yixian briefly meets Winter and co. before continuing her trek to find her creator
- Yixian's Invitation - Yixian seeks out Winter and co. to join their family. She discovers them building a "rock snowman."
- Yixian's second purpose - Yixian enjoys her new home, family, and second transformation.
- Myrrh's purpose - Winter meets Myrrh and stops them from covering her whole cave in dust.
- Myrrh shaping their environment - Myrrh show's off their fancy new enchantments and familiars.
- Apricity's meeting the esk - Winter transforms a stained glass window and meets Apricity. This new esk is cryptic but friendly.
- First time Apricity goes outside her boundary - Winter and Aer run after Apricity to say goodbye.
origin prompts
one. original form three. meeting the esk four. the transformation six. their purpose seven. the threshold eight. their haunt nine. shaping their environment ten. first time outside their boundary |
PMV (Picture Music Video) Animated by Dinstraction!
Song is Arrival of the Birds by The Cinematic Orchestra
Song is Arrival of the Birds by The Cinematic Orchestra
links to feat. artist's social medias: Padarii, SrSheepy, Sareibear, Dinstraction, Karillum, Night-Hare, Zalura, Fairwren, Rikolotl
photo credits: downloaded for free on Unsplash, hover on pics for credits
photo credits: downloaded for free on Unsplash, hover on pics for credits