Plushex (pronounced Plush-Ex) are a beloved sub-subspecies of Aphex known for their unique bodies of cotton and fabric. They are hardy creatures, and do not experience wounds or sickness like most organic creatures. When wounded, they must re-stitch the wound; otherwise, it will remain open until it is addressed. If Plushex loses too much of its cotton, its body becomes unusable but will not perish as long as the heart remains unharmed. They do not need to eat or drink. Plushex are made from the soul of someone who may have recently passed, found, or brought to The Last Gentle Thing, where it is then contained in the unique plush heart that prevents the soul from passing. A blank body is then created for the soul, which will flourish with colour once the heart is placed. While they are immune to aging, Plushex are far from immortal to time itself. Over a century-long lifespan, their souls may begin to decay inside their hearts, turning the Plushex someone unrecognisable.

Plushex with soul-rot may appear more dull, or their colours may have changed entirely. Their cotton turns into a black, tar-like substance and can emerge from their stitching. The longer a Plushex survives soul-rot, the further they change from their personality, often experiencing memory loss and higher rates of aggression. Soul-rot is near impossible to revert.

This image depicts potential appearances of soul-rot, however, it may not be outwardly present unless the Plushex manipulates it or experiences excessive amounts of emotion. 

Plushex are considered a peaceful species, often working in fields such as crafting, tailoring, shopkeeping, and gardening. It is rare to find Plushex in labouring jobs or jobs that require strength and endurance. For this reason, Plushex are beloved by most species and are usually avoided by predators or aggressive fauna and flora. 

Every Plushex has a stuffed heart on their chest or stomach. While being referred to as "hearts", they can take the shape of almost any whole symbol. This means it must be one piece, but it can be as detailed or as simple as the Thing may wish to craft. The Last Gentle Thing is exceptional at sensing the soul of the being it is working with, crafting them a heart that suits their personality, history, or dreams. It is unknown how the plush heart effectively contains a soul, however, the Thing is the only known being that can successfully create them. 

To turn your Aphex into a Plushex, you must apply a Plush Heart to your design or MYO token.
To keep the identity of the species when applying mass amounts of traits or premium tokens, you must keep the following recognisable: Stitching on body, head shape of a bird. Plush "heart" must be present on the chest or stomach. 

To turn your Aphex into a Elsin, you must apply a Elk Harp to your design or MYO token.
To keep the identity of the species when applying mass amounts of traits or premium tokens, you must keep the following recognisable: Hooved legs (Centaur body trait allowed), crest upon their heads, Aphex headshape, and "M" nose. 

Rhakin are an ancient subtype of Aphex, known for their dense armour-like chitin growths, smoke-vents between their armor scales, and solemn oathbound traditions. They are most often found in deep ruins, old forest sanctuaries, sacred groves, and historically or culturally important locations. Rhakin are believed to descend from an ancient Aphex offshoot shaped during the age of the Ancestors, molded into sentinels to guard religious grounds. Some say they were made to be immortal living guardians, designed to withstand harm that would destroy most bodies while continuously growing stronger after each battle, but such a strength came at a detrimental cost; armor that never stops hardening and growing will always overcome a Rhakin to the point they can no longer physically move or vent heat. Whether this origin is truth or myth, Rhakin are known for their incredible durability and their instinctive draw toward places, people, and promises in need of protection.

Over time, hidden Rhakin communities formed around old ruins and sacred lands. These groups became clans, each with its own traditions, beliefs, and crest-symbols. While many clans use insect imagery, these symbols vary widely, including arachnids and, in rare cases, crustaceans for clans close to the ocean. Dragonflies, beetles, moths, cicadas, mantises, ants, and other creatures may all appear in Rhakin crests, each carrying different meanings depending on the clan. A clan of the Wasp may focus their warriors around the skill of sleight of hand, spear handling, and blades, for example. Not all Rhakin belong to a clan, and not all Rhakin bear a crest. Some are born outside clan life, some leave, some refuse the tradition, and some are never called to take an oath at all. A crest does not make someone Rhakin. Instead, it marks a Rhakin who has chosen, inherited, or accepted a specific burden.

Rhakins are known for their sacred oaths, which they carry throughout their lifetime, represented by a crest (or multiple) on the body. Oaths can be decreed at any point during a Rhakins life, usually once they have found a purpose that fuels their existence. 

A Rhakin crest is a carved, forged, or shaped emblem that represents an oath. It is usually fused into the body during a clan rite, though the exact method varies between traditions. Some crests are metal, while others may be made from bone, shell, stone, glass, resin, or old relic-materials recovered from ruins. The shape of a crest often reflects the clan that made it. Many clans use insects as sacred symbols, believing them to represent endurance, transformation, labour, protection, or survival. The placement of a crest usually reflects the nature of the oath carried.

A crest on the head is often tied to guidance, judgement, memory, or leadership. These Rhakin may carry vows of wisdom, truth, ancestry, or watchfulness. A crest on the chest is often tied to protection, loyalty, devotion, or love. These Rhakin may bind themselves to a person, family, clan, sacred place, or heartfelt duty. A crest on the belly is often tied to endurance, survival, shelter, or nurturing. These Rhakin may carry vows connected to community, food, children, healing, or keeping others alive through hardship. A crest on the hand is often tied to action, labour, service, or sacrifice. These Rhakin may fulfil their vows through craft, rescue, combat, building, guarding, or direct intervention.

The material and colour of a Rhakin crest are not set in universal laws, but many clans share loose associations. Metal crests are often linked to service, duty, protection, and work done for the clan. Dark colours or blackened materials may suggest mourning, secrecy, punishment, grief, or especially serious oaths. Bright colours, painted crests, or warm-toned materials are often associated with nurturing, celebration, family bonds, healing, or vows made in hope rather than hardship. These meanings vary between clans and individuals. A black crest is not always shameful, nor is a bright crest always gentle. Like most Rhakin traditions, the meaning depends on the oath, the clan, and the burden being carried.

Removing a crest is considered a grave act in many Rhakin cultures. To some clans, it represents exile or oathbreaking. To others, it may mark grief, freedom, or the end of a burden that can no longer be carried.

To turn your Aphex into a Rhakin, you must apply a Ancient Crest to your design or MYO token.
To keep the identity of the species when applying mass amounts of traits or premium tokens, you must keep the following recognisable: Chitin armor on atleast 30% of the arms, legs, and the chest. Armoured head. Mouth. Crests should be in the shape of a pointed oval, any insect, arachnid, or crustacean can be carved to be lore accurate. Can be any tangible material. 

Base Lore
Phynix are considered the polar opposites to the Ascended. They are formed when an Ascended is either corrupted during the development stages or is cursed. Phynix can not die by normal means. Some may recall their memories of their prior life, while many traverse the land looking for a purpose. Phynix are filled with magical essence and feed from those who also contain afflictions. Typically, they do not need to eat food, but devouring a creature that has either magical essence or afflictions feeds the "fire" inside these strange beings. If they go too long without feeding, they will perish or become ravaged beasts, hungering for any slither of magic. Due to this, many of these beings are found around the Harrow, where magic is plentiful. After a Phynix feeds on an affliction that has an effect, the Phynix can possibly absorb the effect or experience the power for a limited amount of time. Phynix can still eat and taste normal foods, however, it is nothing more than a luxury.

Aside from the harmless fire inside their bodies, Phynix can morph their arms to be bigger or change shape to fight enemies. They can even turn their fire incredibly hot or cold to protect themselves. If a Phynix is injured, its body breaks away like stone despite its form being soft. If they are completely decapitated, the body will reform where the heart would be located. You can keep a Phynix in this broken form if you seal the heart away in an airtight container. Phynix do not have blood, but rather their "soul fire" may spill out their wounds. 

A Place in Elyxium?
Phynix are extraordinarily rare, so many beings do not understand or know of their existence. They are often viewed as some twisted form of an Aphex, or unknown subspecies. This means it is rather easy to merge into districts and with other Aphex. Phynix are just as intelligent, meaning it can often be easy for a Phynix to live a normal life albeit the hunger to feast on magic. 

Phynix contains souls, shown as their "soul fire". 

>> Refer to Aphex traits. <<
Older species reference

• ​Trajen are a mysterious race of Aphex that live primarily in water. It is almost unheard of to see these Aphex roam far from the beaches due to the inability to survive without moisture on their skin. Just like other ocean dwelling mammals, a Trajen can become sick when their coat completely dries out. Like normal Aphex, Trajen do not have mouths and do not need to eat, but must return to the surface to bathe in the sunlight. They are the same size as the average Aphex, but their limbs are much more thin and fragile. Trajen use a unique style of communication, most commonly infrasonic sound accompanied by clicks and whistles. This language is rather complex, and with the lack of complex movements of their hands leaves a difficult language barrier between Aphex and Trajen. Some Aphex have taken to learning the Trajen's native "tongue" and can recreate their unique style of whistles even out of water. 

   
  In order to turn an Aphex into a Trajen, you must use a Glass Shell.
  Starts with +6 Agility
  
  

Trajen are created and born with reborn souls straight from Alure, and this soul is released upon death as per normal.

Body Mutations

Aphex has feathers, they must be dropped or replaced with a trait of the same rarity. Same for Feathered wings, they must be changed to be appropriate for water. Trajen Aphex must kept their same patterns and traits (Slight alteration in the transformation is allowed). You may choose to keep/add fur if you'd like, typical Trajen can have any type ears. 

When transformed these additional traits must be added. 
Gills and legs are set as above, fins and tail can be personalized. 
+ Scales 
+ Fins
+ Gills (As pictured above)
+ Aquatic anatomy 
Tragen Anatomy|Special
- Optional Sensors on the head (Like a catfish etc. Does not need to be added)

Sycokin are Nadires who have met an unfortunate fate with a rare parasite called Sycos. Sycos are a unique parasite perfectly adapted to meld with machinery and complicated electrical devices in the core of a Nadire. They have found that a Nadire's body provides the perfect host that requires little to no upkeep, meaning more food for the parasite itself. The longer they spend with the host body, the better they learn to control the machinery and can even create upgrades for their own body. During the adapting stage, the Nadire's body will undergo key changes to better suit the parasite, some of which require agility and defense resulting in hooves and cloth over more of the body. The parasites meld with the circuitry of the Nadire, combining the instincts of a living being and the mind of an AI. In a sense, the two become one, and in some cases the parasite can access the memory database of the Nadire and may begin to act similarly to the host before transition. Syco parasites can be a substitute for a cheaper version of becoming an Oniyx, but a far more risky procedure. Some parasites may accidentally tear Nadire's delicate hardware during the transition if under stressful conditions. Syco parasites can repair the body with organic material found in a Nadire's cosmetics, allowing for its alterations. Sycokin like to be constantly warm and will build on the host's cloth by producing their own, building upon the body similar to silkworms. 

A Syco parasite's skin is like glass and is always black. Their glowing features can be any colour. They can eat any food but mostly enjoy meat. Acclimatizing to society can be difficult but not impossible for Sycokins, by using the wisdom of the Nadire the parasite can navigate languages, customs, and cultures with appropriate care and knowledge. With the intellect of a Nadire, Sycokin can be found in high-ranking roles and in technology-based jobs. Ohaso is a hot spot for Sycokins as these roles are abundant. Oniyx and Nadires often turn their noses up at Sycokins and usually have a negative prejudice formed from the parasitic nature of the symbiotic relationship.

In order to turn your Nadire into a Sycokin, you must use a Syco Parasite.

Requirements of Subtype 

Starts with +10 Agility

-Wing materials can be converted to sleeve material. 
- Wings are a separate trait.
- Tail follows general Aphex rules.
- The Parasite must be black. Glow can be any colour.
-Anatomy as shown above.
+ Cloth can cover entire body.
+ Sycokin anatomy|Special

Old anatomy

Sycokin bodies contain souls from the parasite.

Ascended are incredibly rare god-like beings. These beings are created when an Aphex of strong emotion returns to the earth and is transformed into an Ascended, similar to the process for a Xeode. It takes hundreds of years for an Ascended to reach a god-like level, which explains the rarity of sightings. These beings, once fully grown, can reach massive sizes. The Ascended are, in simplest forms, hibernating stars, and carry a stone-like orb throughout their entire lives, which is the source of their power. Once they are fully grown they can contain a mass of abilities. If their stone is broken, the being will die. Ascended are very vulnerable during their development stages, and require protection and guidance. They usually hatch alone, and the chances of an Ascended finding another Ascended or passive being are so slim that many perish in their earliest stages. 

Ascendants have normal souls, however, these do not weaken or deteriorate despite the soul's age.

Aphex Traits (Where Applicable)
Basic Trait Sheet
Bonus Pack #1

Physical Requirements
The Stone in the chest must match their "flames/Smoke". The smoke should be one main defined colour but can have slight/soft gradients. The sclera (whites of the eyes) must be black or dark and the basic eye is a slit but can be changed with traits.  The stone can be gradients/patterns/sparkly etc but this must be reflected in their magic (Flames/Smoke). Wings can be small or large but follow the anatomy shown on the sheet. The smoke can be manipulated into odd shapes and resemble creatures around the Ascended. It does not need to be obvious, but the Ascended is covered in "sensors/vents" that expel their magic. Flames/smoke do not have to be present 24/7 or on the masterlist entries but the colour would be assumed by their stone.

Due to being gods, Ascended advance in stages to depict their story or survival and to cement their place in the world of Elyxium. You will be required to draw a prompt each time your Ascended has leveled up, and when submitting your prompts ensure you have the minimum XP in their bank to advance. Once the prompt has been approved, submit the next stage design as a redesign with the approved prompt in the comments.

Stage 1: Egg

The egg stage. The egg must represent the Ascendants stone. Must be in a spiral shape. These stones are crystal in nature and can be transparent to opaque. 
(Submit your egg design as your stage 1 character image. You will be able to alter the colours in future redesigns. You are free to colour-shift the image above as your egg.
XP Needed in bank for age up: 0XP
Prompt:
Draw your egg design in the location or place where it will hatch. What is its environment? Is it harsh? Has your Ascended been adopted by a traveling family?
Artwork requires the egg in full view, and at least a simple scenic background. 

Stage 2: Hatchling

In this stage Ascended are blind. They use most of their energy burrowing out the ground. They are always hungry and often like to sleep and can fall asleep on the spot. They can not hear very well, leaving them quite vulnerable. Their sensors can not emit their magic until stage 4 (fire/smoke). 
(Submit your baby design as your stage 2 character image. The stone's colour should be derived from the previous stage if not redesigned.
XP Needed in bank for age up: 200XP
Prompt:
Now that your egg has hatched, how will your Ascended survive in this harsh world? Are they alone to scavenge for themselves? Do they spend most of their hatchling stage in the burrow? Do they have a safe place and a caring hand to guide them?
Artwork requires at least halfbody, and at least a simple scenic background. 

Stage 3: Fletchling

Fletching Ascended has finally opened their eyes and wants to play and test their strength! They are very friendly and love to explore and meet others at this stage. Their bodies are still quite small, so they need to be cared for. This is the borderline of their independence.
(Submit your youngling design as your stage 3 character image. The colour should be derived from the previous stage if not redesigned. 
XP Needed in bank for age up: 500XP
Prompt:
Your Ascended has survived to reach the Fletching stage! They have finally grown curious about the world and their place in it. Draw your Ascended finding a new skill or hobby it enjoys, or facing a challenge or situation they must overcome to mature.
Artwork requires at least halfbody, and at least a simple scenic background. 

Stage 4:Sub-Adult

An Ascended finally gains their wisdom and magical abilities. They do not have full control, but slowly start to build their skills. Their magic starts to spill from their sensors and they begin to show off their soul colours. Their magic smoke should only be around 0-30% of their full design and can not be any defined shapes yet. Their wings at this point can not carry their body without magical help and should be small.  At this point, a few magical powers begin to emerge. 
-Alert Affliction: Ascended Ability: Healing abilities, especially against other afflictions.
-Alert Affliction: Ascended Ability: Very small hovering abilities. 
-Alert Affliction: Ascended Ability: Alert Affliction (User's choice. Locked to this character). 
Wisdom +5
Magic +10
(Submit your adolescent design as your stage 4 character image. The colour should be derived from the previous stage if not redesigned.)

XP Needed in bank for age up: 1000XP
Prompt:
What a beauty to behold! Your Ascended has finally gained its abilities and is on the journey to its full potential. During this stage Ascended have trouble controlling their powers, and develop unique ones usually inspired by their skills or interests. Draw your Ascended practicing or using their magic, or finding our their own unique alert affliction.
Artwork requires at least halfbody, and at least a simple scenic background. 

Stage 5: Adult

Ascended have fully formed their abilities, but their body still has time to grow. Their magic spills out, but can of course be controlled and manipulated to suit the Ascendant's aesthetics. Their magic smoke can be around 0-80% of their full design and can take the form of many different types of shapes, even splitting off into creatures around the Ascended. Their smoke is harmless and is not a viable weapon. 
-Alert Affliction: Ascended Ability: Able to hover to great heights. (Upgraded)
(Submit your adult design as your stage 5 character image. It is not necassary to update your character at this point if you are happy with the previous design's appearance. The colour should be derived from the previous stage if not redesigned.)
Magic +10