Sub-Species FAQ by the Plague Flight

Q. What is a subspecies?
A. It is a stylized dragon comprised of lore, specific coloring/genetics, and sometimes a specific breed.

Q. Can anyone make a subspecies?
A. Yes!

Q. What is the difference between Absolute, Hybrid and Variant subspecies?
A. See below:

Absolute: A dragon which falls perfectly within the genetic, coloring and breed specifications of a subspecies. Only Absolutes are profiled, and they're referred to by their given name.
Example: A Spawn with speckle/freckle/crackle in blood/crimson/red.

Hybrid: A dragon which falls within the ranges of two kinds of profiled subspecies.
Example: A dragon whose primary/secondary specs are Skinless, with the crackle of a Slymie; Skinless-Slymie Hybrid.

Variant: A dragon which has one or more attribute of a profiled subspecies, with genetic or coloring deviations that prevent it from completely merging into one or multiple categories.
Example: An off-gened dragon with the red-spectrum gems of a vesicle; Vesicle Variant.

Hybrids and Variants may be better thought of as the brothers, sisters, and cousins of subspecies. They can share characteristics or combinations without being a perfect embodiment of one.

Q. Do I have to own the dragon in my concept beforehand?
A. No! The profile just needs a scry image of your subspecies' ideal appearance.

Q. Can I work on a concept while submissions are closed?
A. Yes! Please develop at your own pace, you don't have to wait.

Q. Will submissions be open on a continual basis again?
A. That is the goal! There is currently a more efficient process in the works that will clarify, condense, and streamline the experience, so this will be possible again without the endless wait.

Q. How exactly do I 'submit' a concept?
A. Please make a post in the subspecies thread including a ping to any Team Member containing all the information you've accumulated, with a scry image to go along! If you are not comfortable sharing publicly you may PM submissions. Please view existing subspecies profiles to get an idea of what details you may include about your own.

Q. Do I have to use any kind of format?
A. Not currently! A body of information in any style, plus a scry image, is all that is required.

Q. Can more than one person work on a concept?
A. Yes! Collaborative efforts are welcomed and all parties involved will receive credit. Your partner(s) can also be from other flights.

Q. Does my concept have to relate to Plague?
A. Yes; to be displayed in the Plague subspecies thread it must relate. However, you may use other flights for inspiration! Illrathuleon and Beramode's Arcane Plagueborn is a subspecies of both Plague and Arcane, and it favors an arcane-like appearance. It also has magical properties with a diseased twist. Minstri's Ashen Construct is a subspecies of both Plague and Fire. Not only does it live in Fire territory, but it looks like it's made of ash, too.

Q. I have a general idea but I'm stuck. Help?
A. Absolutely! If you need feedback, please feel free to talk about it anywhere you want, with whomever you wish. You are not limited to the subspecies thread.

Q. My submission is ready but my writing isn't great... is that okay?
A. Your writing is great! The order, structure, and phrasing of information is reviewed during the process. Please don't worry! The goal is to make your subspecies everything you dreamed it would be.

Q. Someone already made a Plague+Other Flight crossover. Can I still make one?
A. Yes! Let your imagination discover a new subspecies in faraway lands, regardless of whether current profiles are based on these regions.

Q. Can my subspecies have the same theme as one that's already profiled?
A. Yes! Abscess, cystic, vampiric, undead, whatever it is that's inspired you, go with your desire. The key is to be sure that it is standalone. Your concept must either have unique lore, a unique appearance, or both. There must be at least one element that makes it what it is, which solidifies why it is not a subspecies it may resemble.

Q. My lore is similar to a current subspecies. Do I have to change it?
A. No! There are times when lore may be intentionally parallel between subspecies, and there are times where lore is what sets two subspecies of similar appearance apart. Tar-Sand Construct was a collaborative effort between Tinydobes (creator of Oil Slick) and Minstri (creator of the Construct Triad). Contrarily, WendigoPsychosis' Acidborne may look like a Skinless-Slymie hybrid, but is completely separate from either owing to its creative lore, which makes it impossible to be anything but its own subspecies!

Q. Does my lore have to be canon?
A. No! How much fun would we be having if it was all by the official storyline?

Q. Can I require items to go with my subspecies?
A. Yes! You may specify must-have apparel and such as an integral element of your subspecies. However, accents and skins cannot be made into a requirement. Your choices must be readily available and reasonably obtainable, so that anyone can replicate them.

Q. Can I suggest a change, addition and/or subtraction regarding an existing subspecies?
A. Yes! Community feedback is always valuable. If you feel genetics, the color palette, or breed specifications are too restrictive, please say why! Change cannot happen if there is no reason for it. Please don't be afraid to ask questions, make suggestions, or give constructive criticism.

Q. Can I ping a creator about their subspecies?
A. Of course! Please ask away to your heart's content. Questions are never a burden. It is a wonderful feeling when people engage in conversation over something you've made!

Q. Can I share a subspecies outside of the Plague forum?
A. Generally, yes! Always if it's your own, however, please be sure to obtain permission from a creator before doing so if it is not your work. Boolean of Lightning started a compilation of subspecies from multiple flights in the FR Discussion forum, where many have already been shared.

Q. Can I be an official breeder?
A. Yes! Please feel free to contact any listed breeders, or scrounge up your own project pairs.

Q. Does my breeding pair have to be a perfect representation to qualify?
A. Not usually! A variant parent (slightly off color spectrum, non-preferred gene or breed) is acceptable as long as the offspring have the capacity to hatch within the subspecies' specifications. But remember, a variant subspecies is still part of the family. Ultimately you can own and breed anything you want.

Q. Can I host the official Google Doc for my profile?
A. Yes! Please keep your breeders' list updated if so, or add a Team Member to assist in maintaining it.

Q. Am I allowed to edit my profile information after it has been put on display?
A. Always! It is your work. You can do anything you want with it. If it is a significant change, please post a quick notification in the thread to give people a heads up.

Q. Can I make/purchase banners for my subspecies?
A. Yes! All of them will have uniform banners eventually, there has just been a delay in their creation.