A semi-translucent, rattlenaga - barely bigger than a pot-belly pig - is zooming around a room full of filing cabinets in a hover disc. It's impossible to tell if the little dragon is a he or a she. Maybe they're both. Maybe they're neither. The rattlenaga phases into full view at your approach.
"Oh, hey there! Welcome to The Directory! You here for the Update Challenge? Awesome! The studio's all set up for you. There's a writing lab down that way, and a cafeteria that way. Hmm? Me?! My name is Corialane Codex - you can call me Dex. Uhh - I'm an intern here. I've been put in charge of... reorganizing things a bit." Dex keys a few things in on their tablet. Their third-eye bindi blinks as it syncs with the updates. "It's been zooy in here ever since Senator Kutomo started investigating the immigration office. I mean, we're talking dragons with no photo ID, dragons with no historical records, dragons who've been MIA for years, NPC's running around the Shoutbox - it's been a Nightmare, believe me. I'm so glad you're here to help."
Dex zips off to collect a stack of file folders. When they return with the pile, and see you still standing there, they mention, "You've done this before, right?... First timers! Well, welcome, welcome, I'm sorry. I thought you were veterans... Yeah, yeah, I guess a lot has changed in ten years - The Directory probably looks a little different. Well, here, let me get you a pamphlet." Dex drops the file folders unceremoniously in the trash, and bids you to follow them around the Registration desk. They pull open a brochure, "Every week we host workshops to help folks update their Character Directory information. Everyone's welcome to drop in, ask for a second opinion, totally open house. But some folks just need help pacing themselves, like an exercise regimen! It is a lot of paperwork. So, we've set up monthly themes, to help inspire folks to stay on task. Due dates for CD work are the last day of every month. Complete a theme, you earn a reward; let's call it an adoptable, just a little something. Complete a CD you win an official event award - we call them stickers. Does all that make sense? Here, let me show you:"
Dex bids you follow them into the studio, where at least a dozen dragons are posing for their portraits, retelling their personal histories to stenographers, or scrap-booking pictures of their friends and family. On the back wall of the studio is a white board with this month's theme outlined:
QuoteCD Update Challenge
March ~ Back to Basics
Week 1: Written physical description.
Week 2: Preliminary sketches/Determine color palette.
Week 3: Zoom in on difficult angles or details.
Week 4 Combine previous weeks into one, complete, detailed reference image.
"So, this month we're focusing on photo ID's. Each week brings you a step closer to a complete picture reference. For my part, I'm going through the archives chronologically, trying to get people to update their stuff. Some of these photos are really old! Make sense? Why don't you have a poke around; I'll be back to check on you in a bit. But feel free to come find me sooner if you have more questions!"
((For this month's challenge, start with your first ever dragon, the one you joined The Clan with. Maybe that dragon has aged and needs a new ref. Maybe you're taking their story in a new direction. Maybe you killed off that character. Whatever the case, it's kind of easy for your original character to get stagnant as new and exciting characters come onto the scene. Try going back to your roots, and sprucing up ol' reliable.
Share this space to brainstorm! Share your progress pics, your Google searches, the music you're listening to - let people see what you're doing! If you get stuck, reach out, let's work together to get inspired. Remember, it's not about drawing a pretty picture. Your dragon's reference is the first gateway another player has for RPing or gift giving... This is an icebreaker challenge, not a drawing competition.))