By Donovan Lambert

Created: May 2024

Section 1:�Premise

Premise

The Zeitgeist Nightlight is a hyper-intelligent species, similar in intellect to that of humans. They live in an entirely 2d world (everything still has senses and perception just in 2 dimensions). One day, through the use of a dimensional manipulation machine, the Zeitgeist Nightlight discovers the human world. They attempt to explore this new world in order to gain knowledge, consume light, and overall be a general nuisance to society.

Premise (2)

In order for inhabitants of this world to interact with ours, the population of Zeitgeist Nightlight pooled their knowledge together in order to create a dimensional manipulation device called the Scientia Potentia Est (“Knowledge is Power” in Latin). This device allows the user to access an additional plane of movement. Theoretically, the effects of said machine can work on any organism, but due to the Zeitgeist Nightlight’s elitist nature towards their own technology, no other organism has had the opportunity to try.

Premise (3)

Recently, there have been reports of a hyper-intelligent, avian-like species roaming the streets of Indiana. They’re as flat as paper, yet swift as light itself. With a rudimentary observation by an intern, the members of Oowee’s and Puwee’s Detective Agency have discovered that these creatures are able to absorb vast amounts of light. With potential dangers of overpopulation and being general nuisances, the two founding members tasked themselves with solving this mysterious case.

Section 2:�Creature Biology

Biological Traits (Fur)

• Thick layer of fur covering body
• Extremely concentrated in melanin, causing coloration
• Provides full protection from ionizing radiation and UV Light
• Very densely packed, will absorb water very easily
• If a ZN were to be exposed to a body of water, they would absorb so much water that they would lose buoyancy and drown
• Skin is highly sensitive to touch
• Dislikes being touched on fur

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Biological Traits (Face Plate)

• Extremely heat-resistant and electric-resistant
• Face shape allows them to be more aerodynamic, both during flight and transmission in Pulchrabras
• Opens up to reveal panel-like structures inside mouth
• Designed to take in light, process is similar to photosynthesis
• Gaps in Face Plates allow excellent sense of smell via airflow
• Orifice is attached to lungs
• Able to roar, chirp, click, etc.

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Smelling / Oral Orifice

Absorption Panel

Biological Traits (Cowl)

• Primarily used for intimidation and showing off familial lineage
• Each pattern on cowl is unique per Zeitgeist Nightlight family (spirit)
• Wide surface area assists in feeding
• Able to flush their cowls with blood
• Due to color of fur, can overheat relatively easy
• Diverts heat from rest of body to that area
• Flat as paper, not normally visible from the side unless filled with blood

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Biological Traits (Wings)

• Hand-like in structure
• Grants the ZN increased dexterity
• Combined with tail, allows them to perform various tasks that require both intelligence and dexterity
• Ex: Throwing, Puzzle Solving, Building
• Primarily used for flight
• Movement speed during Transmission: 80% speed of light
• Maximum flight speed: ~455 mph

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Biological Traits (Glow Spots)

• Used for communication, emoting, and bioluminescence
• Communication
• Used in combination with calls
• Translatable into Morse Code, but reversed (A=Z, B=Y, etc.)
• Emoting
• Spots on body and cowl glow depending on emotion
• Brightness = Intensity
• Color = Mood
• Bioluminescence
• Used for sight within Pulchrabras due to underabundance of light

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Biological Traits (Tail)

• Tail can extend to suit surroundings
• Used in conjunction with wings to feed on and trap prey
• Constriction, then absorption via probiscis at end of tail
• Can be used to slither along the ground, but prefers to fly
• Used in our world to perch on ledges, trees, and more

Behavioral Traits

• Hydrophobic due to skin material
• Curious by nature, will perch and observe before acting
• Mischievous by nature, will mess with other creatures for both educational and entertainment purposes
• Mimics other creatures on sight / touch
• Spots on body and cowl glow depending on emotion
• Brightness = Intensity | Color = Mood
• Ex: ZN are hydrophobic, so they glow a bright yellow when near water

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Morphological Traits / Abilities

• “Speen”
• Named “Speen” by observers, they can turn sideways in a 2-Dimensional space, causing them to seem invisible (think Super Paper Mario)
• Able to extend their tail to suit their surroundings
• Highly Intelligent (Intellect Scale Below)
• Great Ape << ZN < Human

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Biological Traits (Pariah Messiah)

• Larger overall frame than ZN
• Grants immense physical strength
• Could stop a charging Water Buffalo in their tracks
• PM is ~8 ft. tall, ZN is ~5 ft. tall
• Despite extra muscle, they are still extremely light
• Reduced fertility
• Due to this, they are considered outcasts in society

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Biological Traits (Pariah Messiah) (2)

• Spikes on tail
• Allows stability when perching
• Doubles as a club-like weapon
• Two sets of wings
• Front pair for movement
• Think like a gorilla (knuckle-walking)
• Back pair for support
• Octagonal face
• Shown on next slide

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Mask / Face Plate (Pariah Messiah)

• Outcasts at birth
• Due to similarities of eggs for both species, ZN sort via species when hatched
• Face Plate corners were cut to distinguish the two species
• Wears mask to hide face
• Same as cowl in form and pattern
• Symbolizes lineage and strength
• Coloration is grayscale as to not stand out

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Similarities of Species

Both

• Hydrophobic
• Mixotrophic
• Advanced class-based society
• Able to mate with one another, but the resulting offspring will be infertile, further dividing the two
• Same Biological Traits (Fur, Face Plates, Cowl, Wings, Glow Spots, Extendable Tail)

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Fur

Face Plates

Cowl

Wings

Glow Spots

Tail

Zeitgeist Nightlight

Pariah Messiah

• Intelligence-Based
• Highest social status
• Smaller stature

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• Strength-Based
• Due to reduced fertility, are outcasts in their society
• Hide faces out of shame / fear
• In legends, said to be leaders in times of desperate struggle

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Differences of Species

Societal Class System

Zeitgeist Nightlight

Eggs (Both Species)

Pariah Messiah

Top

Middle

Bottom

Majority of population, as well as more intelligent

Eggs look identical, so ranked in between

Due to reduced fertility, ranked at the bottom

Mating (Breeding Circle)

• Breeding circles of up to 12 participants
• All resulting DNA goes into single egg
• 1 egg 🡪 Baby # Depends on Pairings

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Pairings (Incentivizes Genetic Diversity)

• Green = Heterosexual (2 Babies per)
• Red = Homosexual (1 Baby per)
• Blue = Polyamorous (50% 4 Babies per)
• Black = No DNA

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Ex: 2 Red, 2 Green, 1 Blue, 1 Black,

results in 6 – 10 babies

Female

Male

Glowing spots indicate gender

Mating (Eggs)

• Brighter Color / Glow= More Babies
• 1 Egg = Potentially Dozens of Babies

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Color Meanings

• Red = Higher # of Gender = Gender of All Babies (Ex: F<M = All Male & vice versa)
• Green = Equal # of Each Gender
• Blue = Random # of Each Gender
• Black (Equal # of Pairings) = Infertile

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Homo

Hetero

Poly

Equal

Color determines gender of babies

Life Cycle

(Zeitgeist Nightlight)

Life Cycle

“ A Child”

Life Cycle (Pariah Messiah)

Life Cycle

“ A Child”

Zeitgeist Nightlight�(Baby / Mature)

Glow Spots = Gender

M = Sharp, F = Round

Cowl pattern unique for every ZN

Glow spots starting to form

Wing Stumps

Extendable Tail

Fully Developed Wings

Face Plates

Zeitgeist Nightlight�(3-Dimensional)

Glow Spots Condense into Patches

Cowl / Spots Able to Glow based on Emotion

Absorption Panels Inside Face Plates

Extendable Tail

Rubbery Face Plates

Big Brain

Fur Secretes Heat-Resistant, Oily Mucus to Repel Liquid and Miasma / Currents

Pariah Messiah�(Baby / Mature)

Glow Spots = Gender

M = Sharp, F = Round

Cowl / Mask pattern unique for every ZN

Glow spots starting to form

Wing Stumps

Tail keeps extendibility

Stands on front wings like a gorilla, while using back wings for support

Spikes allow ZN to perch on ledges

Key Traits: Bulkier body, Extra pair of wings, Spikes for offense and perching, Face mask, Octagonal face, Reduced fertility

Pearlescent Decrescent

Pearlescent Antlers for Defense / Mating Rituals

Snout for

Ruminating

Sentient / Symbiotic Digestive System with Porifera Flora

Mouth on Digestive System for Fluids

Tongue Sticks Out When Overheating or Feeding

Snout Extends to Ruminate with Greater Efficiency

Divided Facial Features (6 Eyes) for Greater Visibility

Veins Filled with Bioluminescent Substance from Diet

Section 3:�Diet / Migration

Diet (Hunting)

• Mixotroph
• Relies on organic compounds for a source of carbon, can use light / inorganic compounds for energy
• Able to consume anything that can be absorbed via a probiscis (Ex: Mosquito)
• They chase their prey down, constricting them with their tail, and drinks them like a Capri Sun

Example of ZN Hunting prey

Diet (Light)

• If they choose to consume light, they reveal a panel-like structure
• Absorbs light like a solar panel
• Fur material allows ZN to further absorb light
• Spreads out wings, floods their cowl with blood, lengthen their body, and bask in the light
• Process can last from minutes to hours

Openings in face plates allow them to retract, revealing light absorption panels

Probiscis

Absorption Panels

Migration / Transmission

• Typically migrate in groups as small as 3, to groups made up of several families (spirits), potentially up to several dozens
• Will migrate in spirits towards areas with significant amounts of light
• Transmission
• ZN uses the currents of Pulchrabras to move from one sector to another
• Speed for ZN is 80% of the speed of light, or 5.75621058051 Luminas, or about 536,640,000 mph
• Speed is so fast, other creatures see it as teleportation (Think Light Speed Dash from the Sonic Series)

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Section 4:�Worlds / Interactions

Pulchrabras

• Name is a Portmanteau of the phrase “Inter Tenebras Pulchra”, which translates roughly to “Beautiful among the darkness” in Latin.
• Home Dimension of Zeitgeist Nightlight (ZN), as well as many other creatures
• Light-based organisms
• Either uses light as a source of energy, is literally made of light, or uses light in some way in their day-to-day lives

Pulchrabras (Key Rules)

1. This world is entirely flat;
• Not in a “Flat Earth” sense, (3d organisms on a 2d plane), but in a literal sense (2d organisms live on a 2d plane)
2. The world is not entirely devoid of light, but very little of it exists. As a result, many creatures possess some form of bioluminescence.
• Illumination, attracting mates, luring prey, camouflage via counterillumination, communication, etc.
3. Light and Darkness attract and repel one another, similar to Magnetism

Pearlescent Decrescent, a common ruminant

Pulchrabras Map

Ring of Di�Pronunciation: “D”

Ring of Oge�Pronunciation: “O-gey”

Void of Usgorepe�Pronunciation: ”Oos-go-re-pe”

Outer Ring, encompasses base instincts, needs, desires, and pleasures

Inner Ring, serves as a mediator for both Di and Usgorepe, encompassing sense of self

Inner Region, encompasses the idea of perfection, authority, and the conscience

The white surrounding area in between the Ring of Oge, made of a circular, free-flowing Current

The black border surrounding each layer, filled with Miasma

Miasma Border

Current Border

1 Lumina *

Unit of Measurement

* 1 Lumina = the distance between the Earth and the Sun (about 93.228 million miles)

Ring of Di

• Inspired by concept of Id
• Divided up in 6 different sectors
• Each sector represents a wavelength of light, as well as corresponding emotions
• Sectors come with various effects that change the person emotionally. Can be good in moderation, but has the potential to overdose or have withdrawal symptoms

Ring of Di Sectors

Sector of Invigoration

Sector of Warmth

Sector of Euphoria

Sector of Freedom

Sector of Stability

Sector of Curiosity

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Natural / Animalistic Behaviors, Abundance, Adventure, Renewal, and Envy / Jealousy

Warmth, Joy, Appetite, Vitality / Health, And Gluttony

Happiness, Optimism, Hope, Danger, Cowardice, Deceit, and Fear

Passion, Love, Excitement, Energy, Madness, Violence, And Anger / Rage

Calmness / Peace, Loyalty, Trust, Responsibility, Reliability, Self-Control, Sadness, Despair, and Rigidity

Mystery, Imagination, Wisdom, Indulgence, Passiveness, Solitude, and Pride

Sector of Invigoration�

• Effects of Sector:
• Feelings of stimulation and increased blood circulation
• Can result in bouts of passion, rage, or love

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• Effects of Leaving Sector:
• Feeling extremely drained, like the feeling after rage subsides

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• Overexposure:
• Can cause a person’s heart to overload, eventually stopping and ultimately killing the person

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• Uses:
• Typically used as a region for mating rituals or combat
• Sometimes used by the Zeitgeist Nightlights for gladiatorial-like games, using the population of Pariah Messiahs and other creatures as ”players”

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• Notable Feelings
• Passion, Love, Excitement, Energy, Madness, Violence, And Anger / Rage

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“There is no passion!” Meme by

Angry Rantman

Sector of Warmth

• Effects of Sector:
• Feelings of happiness, health, and hunger
• Like the feeling of sitting by a warm campfire with friends and family

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• Effects of Leaving Sector:
• Warmth rapidly leaving body, causing them to crave the feeling
• Similar to a bout of extreme hunger
• Can cause the person to feel desperate to return

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• Overexposure:
• Feeling of extreme warmth, causing dehydration, nauseousness, and unbearable burning feeling all over the body

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• Uses:
• Typically used as a region for familial or celebratory gatherings, like banquets

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• Notable Feelings
• Warmth, Joy, Appetite, Vitality / Health, And Gluttony

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“Family” Meme by Dominic Toretto from Fast and Furious Series

Sector of Euphoria

• Effects of Sector:
• Feeling of euphoria, like a drug

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• Effects of Leaving Sector:
• Euphoric feeling rapidly leaving body
• Overwhelming sense of fear and paranoia

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• Overexposure:
• Can result in a person being overloaded with euphoria, like the feeling of partying for many days without rest

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• Uses:
• Least populated sector of all due to feelings of addiction and fear
• Used by Zeitgeist Nightlights as either a form of punishment or a trial, like a pilgrimage of faith or a test of will

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• Notable Feelings
• Happiness, Optimism, Hope, Danger, Cowardice, Deceit, and Fear

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“He-Man Sings” Meme by Slackcircus Studios

Sector of Freedom

• Effects of Sector:
• Feeling of unparalleled freedom and adventurousness

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• Effects of Leaving Sector:
• Can cause person to lose will, making them extremely complacent
• Extremely dangerous mindset: another can convince a person to do anything, regardless of their willingness to do said actions

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• Overexposure:
• Reversion to a more primal state of mind, making them more animalistic and dangerous to others

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• Uses:
• Typically used as a region for adventure, hunting, and spirituality
• Used by Pariah Messiahs as an escape from societal pressures

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• Notable Feelings
• Natural / Animalistic Behaviors, Growth, Adventure, and Envy / Jealousy

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“Leeroy Jenkinz” Meme from WOW Series

Sector of Stability

• Effects of Sector:
• Feeling of unparalleled calm and stability

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• Effects of Leaving Sector:
• Can cause person to become extremely depressed
• Filled with a sense of both complacency and sadness

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• Overexposure:
• Can cause a person to to fall into a state of anarchic disbelief, not knowing what to think without a central support to rely on

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• Uses:
• Commonly used by the population of Pulchrabras who desire a calm environment for introspection and inner peace

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• Notable Feelings:
• Calmness / Peace, Loyalty, Trust, Responsibility, Reliability, Self-Control, Sadness, Despair, and Rigidity

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“Inner Peace” Meme by Oogway from Kung Fu Panda Series

Sector of Curiosity

• Effects of Sector:
• Feelings of imaginativeness and mystique
• Like the feeling of discovering the unknown

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• Effects of Leaving Sector:
• Causes a person to feel extremely forgetful
• Like the feeling of entering a room and forgetting why you’re there, except constant

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• Overexposure:
• Causes a person to feel extremely burnt out and unmotivated

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• Uses:
• Commonly used by the more intelligent species of Pulchrabras

to brainstorm and create. For example, ZN tend to nest near border

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• Notable Feelings
• Mystery, Imagination, Wisdom, Indulgence, Passiveness, Solitude, and Pride

“Knowledge” Meme by Tai Lopez

How to Traverse?

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1 Lumina *

Unit of Measurement

* 1 Lumina = the distance between the Earth and the Sun (about 93.228 million miles)

Parallel Sectors

But first, we need to talk about parallel universes sectors.

”Backwards Long Jump Gone Wrong”

by MJacobBarker

“Speedrunner Mario” from TerminalMontage’s

“Speedrunner Mario vs Melee Fox"

Parallel Sectors (Di)

• Each sector in the Ring of Di is interconnected with the opposing color’s sector
• Ex: Euphoria and Curiosity
• Allows the residents to more efficiently traverse the world of Pulchrabras
• For a person to be able to use the Parallel Sectors, they must move at a fast enough speed to “phase” through the borders in between layers
• Isn’t much of a problem since the inhabitants are able to move at near light-speed in Currents
• Movement is called “transmission”

Ring of Oge

• Inspired by concept of Ego
• Divided up in 6 different sectors
• Each sector is surrounded by the currents of Pulchrabras, forming separate peninsulas
• Each sector represents different defense mechanisms, each of which corresponding to each color
• The “Spector” of each sector acts as a defense mechanism for each sector, providing various effects for the people residing in there while protecting their territory

Ring of Oge Sectors

Sector of Displacement

Sector of Altruism

Sector of Inversion

Sector of Regression

Sector of Denial

Sector of Phantasy

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Represents Regression, the process of reverting to earlier behaviors

Represents Altruism, the process of satisfying internal needs through helping others

Represents Reaction Formation, the process of replacing an unwanted impulse with its opposite

Ex: Sad, but acts happy

Represents Displacement, the process of taking your feelings out on others

Represents Denial, the process of outright refusing to admit or recognize a trauma

Represents Phantasy, the process of avoiding reality and retreating to a safe space

Sector of Displacement

• Sector Spector (The Spector of Displacement):
• Temperament: Highly aggressive and territorial
• Will attack on sight, no matter the person
• Territory encompasses most of the sector, leaving only the border

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• Ability:
• Can cause people within vicinity to experience extreme bouts of rage and lash out
• Range is 10 Luminas, but effect dissipates with distance

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• Countermeasures:
• Avoid area if possible
• Travel in small groups, a bigger group means a bigger target

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“Batman Slapping Robin” Meme from World’s Finest Comics #153, released in 1965

Border Map

Color = Neutral

White = Territory

Sector of Altruism

• Sector Spector (The Spector of Altruism):
• Temperament: Passive, Kind, Wise and Shy
• Will try to help anyone who comes into their territory
• Due to effects, the Zeitgeist Nightlights are hyper fixated and will send scouts to prevent others from talking to Spector
• Territory is small and in the center of the sector

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• Ability:
• Words from Spector can help a person solve any problem, like an advisor
• Range is within hearing range (For humans, 180 meters, or about

1.19971269e-9 Luminas) (Yes, I did the math)

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• Countermeasures:
• Avoid Zeitgeist Nightlight patrols, or avoid area altogether

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“Do It For Her” Meme from the Simpsons

Border Map

Color = Neutral

White = Territory

Sector of Inversion

• Sector Spector (The Spector of Inversion):
• Temperament: Mischievous, plays Devil’s Advocate
• Will try to trick / gaslight person into opposite beliefs
• Territory encompasses ½ of sector at a time, switching irregularly

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• Ability:
• Words from Spector can can cause a person to perceive the opposite of what is actually there (think Pyro-vision from Team Fortress 2)
• Range is within hearing range (For humans, 180 meters, or about

1.19971269e-9 Luminas) (Yes, I did the math)

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• Countermeasures:
• Don’t try to engage in conversation with Spector
• Wear ear protection when travelling (Ex: Earplugs)

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“This is Fine” Meme by KC Green’s “On Fire”

Border Map

Color = Neutral

White = Territory

Sector of Regression

• Sector Spector (The Spector of Regression):
• There is no true Spector of Regression
• Spector of this region is like a title / possession (like a ghost)
• Causes person to act extremely animalistic / primal

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• Ability:
• Can cause others to act animalistic / primal, acting like a feral animal
• Range is 5 Luminas, but effect dissipates with distance

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• Countermeasures:
• If there is a Spector: Avoid confrontation with others
• If there isn’t a Spector: Avoid area all together, as you may become a Spector

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“Return to Monke” Meme uploaded by Bearboobmemes

Border Map

Color = Neutral

White = Territory

Sector of Denial

• Sector Spector (The Spector of Denial):
• Temperament: Unknown
• Much is unknown, but body is incorporeal and shiny
• Territory range is unknown

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• Ability:
• Causes observer to not perceive Spector, activates on sight
• Can cause people to become contrarian, denying anything told to them
• Range is within eyesight range

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• Countermeasures:
• Look down when travelling and move quickly
• Make as loud of a noise as possible, they hate loud noises

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”Bugs Bunny “No” Meme from Looney Tunes cartoon “The Big Snooze” in 1946

Border Map

Color = Neutral

White = Territory

Sector of Phantasy

• Sector Spector (The Spector of Phantasy):
• Temperament: Aloof, yet intense
• Territory encompasses 3 separate zones
• Spector location changes periodically

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• Ability:
• Can cause people to hallucinate about their deepest desires, but twisted (similar to a dream, but twisted like a monkey’s paw)
• Activates when person enters zone
• Range encompasses entire zone, but Spector has to be present

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• Countermeasures:
• Avoid zones whenever possible
• Travel with multiple people in case one person gets infected

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Border Map

Color = Neutral

White = Territory

Void of Usgorepe

White (Miasma of Pulchrabras):�

Grey (Anima):�

Black (Currents of Pulchrabras):�

Currents flow like a whitewater river. The primary and central mode of transportation in Pulchrabras

Central tree of Pulchrabras, believed to be the origin of rebirth. Controls the currents of Pulchrabras (the literal heart and soul of the world)

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Surrounding Miasma, encompasses the entire Void. Causes petrification when inhaled, but can revive the dead

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World Migration

ZN World (Pulchrabras)

Our World (Earth)

• Mostly devoid of light
• Creatures adapted to either live in these conditions or better find light
• The most common solution is bioluminescence
• Entirely 2-Dimensional
• Not like flat Earth (3D creatures in 2D Plane), but 2D creatures in 2D Plane
• Looks like a kaleidoscope from 3D perspective

• World is full of light
• As a result, creatures from Pulchrabras migrate to this world
• 3-Dimensional
• Creatures from Pulchrabras either stay 2-Dimensional or find some way to gain another plane of dimension
• ZN uses a machine to gain this

Section 5:�Sketches

Sketches (Zeitgeist Nightlight)

Sketches (Zeitgeist Nightlight)�(Extended Form)

Sketches (Egg and Baby)

Sketches (Pariah Messiah)

Sketches (Pearlescent Decrescent)

Sketches (Pearlescent Decrescent) (2)

Sketches (Beta Logo / Visuals)

Sketches (Logos)

Sketches (Logos)

Sketches (Real Life)

Sketches (Real Life)

Height Comparison

Thanks for Viewing

Hi, I’m Donovan Lambert, a Graphic Designer & Illustrator specializing in Ecological Creature Design. From weird little gremlins to eldritch horrors, my work focuses on the development of creatures through the lens of real-world biology.

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For business inquiries, please contact me by geolocating my current location to send a courier pigeon, or email me at lambertdonovan27@gmail.com. Looking forward to working with you!

CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon, infographics & images by Freepik

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