STARKINS
Getting Started!
New to Starkins? New to evolving species groups? We've got you covered!
Evolving Species ARPGs
Starkins is a type of art group known as an evolving species action roleplay game! In these groups, you will create your own creature from a base design and choose how they grow. There are lots of upgrades they can take on to make your character truly your own. Other groups that are similar are GrimsbyGrove, WhistlerCrest, Staves-Rest, Flloryupix, Gacha Imps, Trials of Azora, Glowkins, and many many others!
With your Starkin, you can interact within the lore and story we guide the group through. Whether you're a visual artist or a writer, all are welcome here! There are NPCs, events, and even cosmic deities to shape your experience. We have an unlock system in which more of the world and deities are discovered based on group involvement.
So...how does one get in on this?
Joining Discord
Discord is our hub for all group activities!
There, you will find:
-
News, Announcements, and Changelogs
-
Cutscenes moving the story forward
-
Events and Prompts to earn in-game currency
-
Places to interact with fellow members
-
You can share art, roleplay, or just chatter!
-
-
A section to ask questions or reach out to mods for help
-
Suggestions are also welcome!
-
-
Group stores and gifts
-
Pubbies and Items can be bought with in-game currency
-
You will also use your items in this category
-
When you join, the first thing you should do is head over to name-request and tell us the username, nickname, and desired contact method you’d like to have! The username does not need to be connected to any platform, but it can if you’d like. This will be the username that is in our inventory system, your gold coin tracker, and when you submit things such as event entries or prompts. The nickname is how you would like us to address you. And the communication is for more serious matters! (Some things will still require tickets or threads. Approvals are handled in threads, and adopts won through raffles are handled through tickets, for example.)
Once your name request has been processed, you will gain the role “DoorChewer” which allows you to access things such as picking roles! We lovingly call the guests of the server Door Chewers as a nod to how our little group started. We were surprised at how many wanted to become beta members and were waiting in the lobby to do so! (It’s now become a silly part of the world lore too.)
To become a member, you will need to create your first Starkin. (See Starting Out and Creation Guide) You will then submit them to approvals! After they’ve been approved, you will gain access to the rest of the server.
At first, all the channels can look intimidating. So we will break it down here~
-
server-index : If you ever need a quick place to find any important channels or information, here’s the place!
-
server-rules : An important place to familiarize yourself with what is expected within the server.
-
important-links : Links to important things. Quick access to website, DeviantArt, and a lore document made by our mod httpkirby!
-
galaxy-of-stars : Community voted highlights from the server.
-
Bulletin Board
-
Newspost : Where all of our announcements can be found! We will announce events, major updates, and many other things here.
-
the-story-so-far : Where to see all the past cutscenes.
-
sneakie-peakie : Little glimpses into what’s to come! Unlocked deities are viewed here before their event starts.
-
changelog : Any and all updates to the website, NPCs, or Discord are noted here!
-
-
Newcomers
-
role-name-request : Let us know how to refer to you and how to contact you! This is also used if you wish to change your username/nickname. You can also pick your roles here. This includes things that you would like to be pinged for
-
newcomers : A place for visitors and DoorChewers to talk within the server.
-
newcomers-art : Where those that aren’t quite members yet can share artwork! (Doesn’t have to be Starkins related)
-
newbie-questions : Where visitors and DoorChewers can ask questions about the group.
-
-
Ask the Mods
-
general-suggestions : Where you can make suggestions about the group or server.
-
Pubby Suggestion Thread : A place to request certain Pubbies to be made for purchase.
-
-
upgrade-suggestions : If you have an upgrade you’d like to see, share your ideas here.
-
questions : Questions unrelated to upgrades, events, legality, or lore.
-
General : Questions that don't belong in any other category
-
Upgrades : A place to ask about how an upgrade works, can look, or combine.
-
Events/Prompts : Questions about the current event or available prompts.
-
Lore : Ask about anything involving the world your Starkin live in!
-
Legality Checks : If you're unsure an application, submission, upgrade, or coin count is correct, ask about it here.
-
-
misc-moderation : Where a mod will reach out to you over moderation not involving submission.
-
-
Support Tickets
-
submit-a-ticket : If you need to speak to the head mods privately, you can open a ticket following the steps here. The button will open a new channel that has just you and the head mods (Leaders & Overseers).
-
-
Fun Group Things
-
raffles : You can win pets, eggs, Starkins, and special upgrades here.
-
event-prompt-info : All information needed for ongoing events and current monthly prompts.
-
approvals : Where you’ll submit your applications, adult forms, and magic learning.
-
egg-creation : A place to send in 1-3 Starkin to create an egg with.
-
journeys : Request for one of your adult Starkin to connect with a specific deity.
-
event-prompt-entries : Post your event and monthly/permanent prompts here
-
gift-claim : Sometimes we will hold a limited time random gift giveaway. Here’s where to claim it!
-
contests : Occasionally we’ll hold contests here for members.
-
traveling-merchants : NPC merchants will exchange randomize goods or upgrades for Gems for a limited time.
-
-
Market & Trades
-
trade-rules : Information and expectations of conduct when trading with other members.
-
purchase-sell-item-use : Where you purchase items/Pubbies, sell items, and submit item usage. (You do not need to submit Enrollment Forms, Wishing Stars, Flight Goggles, or Elixir of Rebirth when combined with an application.)
-
delivery-confirmation : Where you will submit trades or gifts with others. You can trade/gift items, pets not made by you, eggs, and Starkin.
-
trades-commissions : Seek out trades or offer commissions here. Please close your forum once the transaction has been complete or you are no longer taking commissions.
-
custom-starkin : When customs are open, you can request yours here.
-
-
General
-
general : Chatter goes here!
-
general2 : Secondary channel for chattering.
-
headcannons-conspiracies : Talk about your characters stories and information here! You can also speculate on lore and events.
-
-
Art Show
-
cameo-search : Search for other member’s Starkin or pets to be added to your art or stories.
-
art-show : A place to share Starkin related art.
-
art-show2 : Secondary place for Starkin art.
-
story-time : A place to share your Starkin literature or information about your Starkin.
-
outsider-art-show : A place to share non-Starkin related art and literature.
-
-
RolePlay
-
rp-rules : Information on do’s and don’t’s in this category.
-
general-plotting : A place to discuss roleplay and interactions with other members.
-
urroa-rps : Roleplay that take place in Urroa.
-
-
Outskirts
-
funny-memes : Share any sillies you found here. (Keep it PG-13!)
-
media-share : See some cool art or videos? Share them here.
-
gaming-general : Talk about games here! (Hide spoilers with ||. Be mindful of other members!)
-
-
Voice Channels
-
no-mic-no-problem : A place to type in response to people in a voice chat.
-
General : General hang out area.
-
Silent Sharing : Stream here when you don’t feel like talking/being talked to.
-
Mod Streams : A place for mods to stream official work.
-
Gaming : Play games with others here.
-
-
18+ Section
(This is only accessible after showing a mod that you are old enough to enter this section through a ticket. It can be a place for adult members to hang out or a place to share any nsfw content not fit for the rest of the server.)
Server Roles
Each role, their color, and their meaning! These colors are also reflected in our Inventory.
-
Leaders : CheruCheriPie, UsaHunnyBunny, StarkinsTreasury
-
The founders and the ones making the final decisions.
-
-
Overseers : LoftyTrex, MacaroniPuppy, Cheshie-Doodles, httpkirby
-
The co-founders. The second in command, helps all around.
-
-
Task Force : OtaPotato, Mizu-Taji, LoveIsLaw
-
Worker bees that help process things such as approvals and submissions.
-
-
Artist for Hire : Aloulore, TickTockPoptart, SHARKIV0RE, MAbsolGirl
-
Artists that help provide works for the group.
-
-
Alpha Testers
-
Those that joined us when the group was extremely bare bones.
-
-
Beta Testers
-
Those that help us test things and joined us as we were finishing up getting the group ready.
-
-
Starkins
-
General members.
-
-
DoorChewers
-
Those that are not yet in the group.
-
What is a Starkin?
Starkin are magical draconic creatures that live in an alternate reality of our own world. They are governed by the deities, who give them strength and guidance while also moving the forces of nature. Most places of their world are named after these deities from the ancient times when the deities freely walked alongside their creations.
Adolescent Starkin (known as a Starlit), are accompanied by a “Guardian.” These guardians hold their magic and flight until they are better equipped and mature enough to wield it themselves. This was the deities way of providing protection to Starlits, so that they may have a better chance at life. Starlits can possibly stay this way forever if they never find the resolve or strength of their own. The guardian only fuses with them when they are ready for it.
Artwork by: CheruCheriPie
Adults have wings that they can present at will and vary depending on the deity watching over them. Should they make a connection with a different deity, they may take on their wings instead.
Artwork by: CheruCheriPie
All Starkin are capable of using magic; even Starlits know the basics. It is a vital and integral part of their lives and society. Not all seek expanding their abilities, but even they rely on the use of magic in one way or another. There are subspecies of the standard Starkin that have adapted their own magic to navigate their homelands or enhance their quality of life.
Subspecies of Starkin are found throughout the world. Each major kingdom has one of these subspecies that have evolved over thousands of years. An example are the Destalpa. They have lived within the cave systems of Zeoddri, thus their magic has grown to navigate the dark and earth. Their claws are a distinct feature of them as well. No other Starkin possess the same claws that are sturdy enough to break through the cold rocky walls.
Every subspecies are similar in this regard.
Artwork by: Cheshie-Doodles
Subspecies are revealed as the story of the group progresses with the member participation!
Starting Out
Artwork by: CheruCheriPie
When you have become a member, there are things you start out with.
-
2 MYO (Make Your Own) slots
-
2 Transfer slots
-
A birthday gift that can be claimed once a year at any time
The creation slots are how many Starkin you can make. You can check how many you have at any time in the Inventory.
Let's break down what each slot and ID means!
MYO
IDs are S-####
-
Obtained with Enrollment Forms, Flight Goggles, or Elixir of Rebirths
-
Standard Starlit with no upgrades
-
Can be a "blank slate" Dreamer. This is a Starkin that is a Dreamer but has no starting upgrades.
-
-
Uses one of the palettes in the creation guide
-
Can combine with certain items
-
Flight Goggles allows you to make an adult
-
Elixir of Rebirth allows you to make a subspecies
-
-
Can be used with special limited time palettes
-
These palettes come with upgrades that are applied on the application!
-
-
Has an extra color of choice outside of the palette choice
-
This color can be anywhere on the Starkin and can be the base
-
Transfer (Dreamers)
IDs are T-####
-
Obtained with Wishing Stars
-
Standard Starkin with a limited amount of upgrades
-
Can start as an adult without Flight Goggles
-
Cannot be a subspecies
-
Cannot be used with special limited time palettes
-
This is because Dreamers can come in as any desired color
-
Free
IDs are F-####
-
Doesn't take up or provide a slot
-
Obtained through raffles, events, or charities
-
Offspring from other Starkin are also in this category
Mod/Alpha/Beta
IDs are M-####, A-####, and B-####
-
These are reserved for staff and alpha/beta testers respectively
-
Mod customs are unlimited Common and Rare upgrades with 1 Virtue
-
Alpha slots can have one upgrade
-
Beta slots are similar to MYOs, except extras cannot be obtained
Immediately after getting your Starkin approved, you are free to start drawing them and participating in events or monthly prompts! Perhaps you would like to rush to see what upgrades they can earn. Or there are friends you wish to plot with. The choice is up to you. If you have an adult Starkin, you can participate in more things. Such as Journeys, breeding, magic learning, and gain access to much more upgrades. Check out What to Do to see what all is available to you!
Another thing you can take part in is making suggestions you would like to see within the group. We accept general, upgrade, and even pet suggestions!
Gold Coins & Gems
Artwork by: CheruCheriPie
Gold Coins
Gold coins are what you earn for every piece of art that you make! Everything will add up automatically based on what you put in your Gold Coin Tracker. (For information on how to setup your tracker and how to count your art, check our guide.)
These gold coins never used up and serve more as a mile marker than a currency. You can go off of your gold coin counter to see which upgrades you can add to your Starkin.
Some people like to keep track of their numbers within the descriptions of their pieces. It's typically shown as the following: [number earned]/[gold coin total]. So for example, if your piece earned 4 gold coins, it could look like this: 4/50. However, this is not a requirement for descriptions. All you need to have is your coin tracker linked in every piece.
Gems
There are many items in our group. To buy them, you use a currency obtained within the group via participation! You can request a purchase in our purchase-sell-item-use channel on Discord.
Many things grant different amounts of gems;
-
Events: 5 Gems
-
Monthly Prompts: 3 Gems (Coloring Pages may reward more)
-
Permanent Prompts: 3-5 Gems (Repeatable with no limit or cooldown)
-
Birthday Claim: 10 or 30 Gems (Everyone receives 10, but can roll 20 extra)
-
Sell Back: You can sell back your items for half of their price
-
Trading: You can trade with other members
-
Other bonuses! Raffles, event push rewards, contests, or special contributions
Upgrades
Artwork by: Cheshie-Doodles & CheruCheriPie
This is how you will make your Starkin your own! Upgrades are traits that a Starkin can take on. They range from different horns to markings to textures to many many other things! We have an Upgrade Guide that is a good reference if you need to refer back to anything upgrade related.
All wing related upgrades applied to Starlits MUST go to their Guardian! Such as Mother's Flight that gives the Starlit's Guardian three sets of wings!
To apply an upgrade, you just simply check the requirement and see what you need!
Your Gold Coins will come into account for most common (blue border) and rare (pink border) upgrades. All Common and Rare upgrades also have a drawing or writing requirement, age requirement, or other factors (such as completing prompts or learning magic). Starlit and Adult upgrades contain all of the common and rare upgrades!
Virtue (gold border) upgrades are reserved for more special upgrades! There are three subsections of these upgrades; those provided by the deities of the world, those provided by the creators of the group, and those only obtainable during certain times of the year (categorized as "event"). The deity’s upgrades require connecting to them through journeys as an adult. While the overseer upgrades are only obtainable through special means or items. Event upgrades are applicable during certain months and correspond to the event that is normally held that month. (If the event is over-rid by a deity awakening, the upgrades can still be applied!)
There is another type of “upgrade” called a vice influence (red border). These are only obtainable by interacting with a vice and taking on their emotions. In time, if untreated, these influences can evolve further.
Every vice influence starts in stage 1. After a month, you can add stage 2 to your Starkin. Then another month must pass before adding stage 3.
Once a month, after reaching stage 3, you can cure one of the stages of the influence. Curing it will remove the influence entirely. You do not have to go in order curing these! You can have a Starkin with a stage 3 but not have stage 1 or stage 2.
Lastly, subspecies (green border) all have a signature upgrade. These upgrades are required for each respective subspecies. Also, their signature upgrade is only obtainable by that subspecies. Subspecies specific upgrades are the only non-wing upgrade that is applied to a Guardian.
Almost all upgrades can be applied by items regardless of life stage. The exceptions are vice influences and subspecies specific upgrades.
Here is the break down for items and their corresponding upgrades:
-
Star Piece: Any Common or Rare upgrade (except Guardian's Wyvern on Starlits)
-
Gold Piece: Any deity virtue or event upgrade
-
Platinum Star: Any overseer or celestial boon upgrade
Upgrades can also be combined! An example is combining multiple horn types. Such as combining horn adjustment and twisted horns to make a unicorn-like horn. The possibilities are endless! Though, if you’re unsure a combination is legal, you can ask a mod in the Upgrades thread in questions!
We also accept suggestions for upgrades. If you have something you’d like to see, we would love to hear about it! The only thing we do not accept suggestions for are wing types. These are heavily tied to the deities and are already planned out. Send your suggestions to upgrade-suggestions!
Events & Deities
Events are a bi-monthly way to earn Gems and interact within the lore of the group! See our calendar of events for which events occur in which months. Between these event months, we provide "monthly prompts" where there are rotating categories that earn you gems as well.
The events all come with a small selection of Virtues that can be applied by completing all four prompts. There is a prompt revealed every week, but you can take all month to draw all of them. They are all due by the end of the month!
Almost all of these events are all based around a deity in some way or another. The only event that is not is the Vice Warding that takes place every August. The warding is a direct way everyone can contribute to unlocking more locations and subspecies! The Destalpa and Zeoddri were discovered with our first warding event! There are many places in the world of Urroa that have yet to be seen.
Artwork by: Aloulore
Artwork by: Cheshie-Doodles
Artwork by: Aloulore
Some times, the event will be replaced with what we call a "Deity Awakening". The moving forces of the universe take the form of dragon-like deities. They have long been dormant, leaving the Starkin to fend for themselves. However, with the fog that settled in and threats stronger than ever, Starkin have been working towards re-awakening these deities to have more support from them in reclaiming their lands.
Mechanically, members awaken the deities by interacting in the group in different ways! These methods can be various things. For example, one deity was awakened by saying "Freedom" within our Discord server 20 times. Another awoke from there being 30 approved adults! And one other by using magic 30 times. The more you are involved, the more likely there is to be one of these deity awakenings!
Artwork by: CheruCheriPie
What To Do
We have various activities you can participate in once you have joined the group!
The first and obvious course of action is fulfilling upgrade requirements and building up your gold coins to fully customize your Starkin to your liking.
There is also interacting with other members. Be it plotting, creating art together, talking about your Starkin, or even roleplaying. We have channels where you can reach out about these things. Such as headcannons-conspiracies and urroa-rps. To see the roleplay category, be sure to get the roleplayer role in role-request!
Next are our prompts! We have permanent prompts, that is prompts that are always available and can be completed repeatedly as much as you'd like, and bi-monthly prompts, which are prompts that appear in between event months. All prompts should be submitted to event-prompt entries!
Permanent prompts have two categories; Starlit and Adult. Each set of prompts are 5 total and have a one-time unlock upgrade. So once you have completed the set of prompts, you can apply the special upgrade listed at the bottom to any Starkin you'd like! Every permanent prompt will reward you with 3-5 gems. These gems are randomly rolled each time you submit a prompt. More prompt sets will be added over time~
Artwork by: OtaPotato
Bi-monthly prompts have 12 rotating categories. For completing one and submitting it, you will earn 3 gems (the exception is the Coloring Page prompt, where you could earn more than 3 gems for completing it)!
Here's more information about each prompt type:
-
Color Palette
-
You will be provided with 5 colors that will limit the colors used in a piece. The only exception is black or white for lineart purposes. Blending is ok, however, layer types (multiply, overlay, etc) are not.
-
-
Art/Writing Style
-
You will be given a style that you need to recreate. For example, writing haikus or drawing in an impressionistic art style. We will provide examples when this prompt is present!
-
-
Lore
-
A piece of lore involving the world of Urroa will be the focus for this prompt. It can be a location, a recent change in the world, or even daily life details being explored!
-
-
Writing
-
This will be a prompt where you need to write about how your Starkin handles it. Your story could be written however you'd like! A narrator, through your Starkin's point of view, or even an outsider watching the events.
-
-
Craft
-
A simple craft will be given here. You can create anything Starkin related to earn gems from this. We try to keep things cheap and simple for our members to give everyone a chance to participate!
-
-
NPC
-
An NPC or multiple NPCs will be in the spotlight. This usually involves recent happenings within the story, such as the guards of Zeoddri being focused on when this kingdom was discovered.
-
-
Creature
-
A specific creature can be drawn for this prompt! It's very open ended and you're welcome to draw just the creature or have one interacting with your Starkin. These do not have to be an existing creature in the group. You may make one up and count them for gold coins with these prompts.
-
-
AU (Alternate Universe)
-
A fun alternate universe to toss your character into! This ranges from fandoms to a different version of your Starkin, or even what they'd be like if they were a deity!
-
-
One Word Prompt
-
Another open ended prompt! You are given one word. What you do with it is entirely up to you! Write a story, make a comic, craft something! As long as it fits the word somehow, it counts!
-
-
Interaction
-
This is a prompt where you will need to have your Starkin interact with another. It's encouraged to collaborate with someone else in the group to complete these prompts, however, it's not a requirement! NPCs are also valid to be used for this.
-
-
Finish the Line
-
A single line is given and you create the rest of the image! Run with it however you'd like. Make sure to link to a version where we can clearly see the starting line!
-
-
Coloring Page
-
A mod will create an image with lines where you can color it however you'd like! You are allowed to edit the lines to add your own characters or change some characters to be your own. This prompt is different in the sense that you could earn more than 3 gems for it. For every NPC in the initial lineart, you will earn 1 gem for finishing the piece!
-
Then we have our events! These are bi-monthly and sometimes are replaced with deity awakenings. Check the Events & Deities section in this guide to see more information on it!
Once you have an adult Starkin, there are even more activities you are able to participate in.
Artwork by: CheruCheriPie
Journeys are a way for your Starkin to connect with the deities. They have specific prompts for you to follow. These prompts will be randomized and given to you. After you complete it by doing art (visual or written) for their given prompt, you will receive a personalized response from that deity and gain the benefits of their blessings or journey unlocks!
These journeys unlock being able to use more magic, gain deity-specific upgrades, and your Starkin can become an acolyte to a deity once they do enough journeys. Currently, being an acolyte is flavor text only.
To have your Starkin go on a Journey, simply fill out a form in journeys!
Artwork by: UsaHunnyBunny
Artwork by: CheruCheriPie
Your adult Starkin are also able to start a family if they wish. They can create an egg by themselves or with one to two more Starkin. The child will inherit their colors and some upgrades of the parent(s).
To create an egg, fill out the form in egg-creation!
Artwork by: CheruCheriPie
Artwork by: LoftyTrex
Every now and then, we will also hold gift claiming events. You can claim one random gift at any time for your birthday. Then in one week in June and once a week in December, you can claim a random gift. Both of these can be done in gift-claim!
Another activity includes the store. You can buy more items using gems earned through prompts, events, or gift claims. You can also sell back items or buy Pubbies!
We have other mechanics and activities planned for the future as more of the deities and world are unlocked. All in all, Starkins as a group is meant to be a relaxing sandbox type group where you work at your own speed creating your own stories within the community. That said, we slowly roll out new mechanics over time to mitigate burnout for both moderators and members~