isatling-husbandry-guide

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

Have any examples on the difference between workline and showline isatlings?

Yes, I do!!

I’ll start with Showline, since they’re a bit more specific.

“Showline” isatlings are Isatlings that participate in shows, specifically ones that judge form & appearance. Cat shows, basically. These shows are public events (typically hosted by well known organizations like the Isatling Enthusiast Board) and done by hobbyists, though many shows take donations to help fund the next event or to assist a fundraiser. The only prize is a pretty ribbon and the confirmation that your Isatling is a particularly beautiful specimen.

Any isatling is able to participate in these shows. The isatling is placed into specific categories either related to their specific species or type. For example, “Housemaiden” varieties have their own showings specifically centered around how the Isatling has changed over the year or since it’s last show attendance. But Mirabelles have their own shows and ratings based on a standard set for the Mirabelle species. Additionally, there may be a creativity aspect to the shows. Bonnie showings have a catagory based not only on the physical attributes and health of the Bonling, but on their cooking prowess as well.

Kings have their own specific shows related to their hair. The health and quality of the hair, the state of the armor, and most importantly the creativity of the hairstyle. These shows are where all those photos of Kings with ridiculously ornate hair and decor comes from: people get incredibly creative and detailed with them!

“Workline” Isatlings are a lot less specific. Definition wise, a workline Isatling is an Isatling that has a “job”- either in the sense of they’re used as part of a workforce, or have a specialized role they’re trained to perform. There’s hundreds of different jobs an Isatling can perform; and I’d be here all day if I were to explain all of them, so here’s a few brief examples.

The most well known is Service Isatlings. These are Isatlings that are trained to assist caretakers who have disabilities. Common Isatlings for this are Kings, Odiles, and Isabeaus.

There are Isatlings specifically intended for catching rodents or bugs. Some are used for sadness fighters, as Isatlings are able to perform minor craft buffs and therefor assist with fights. I’ve seen Isatlings used for farming and gardening, particularly with planting seeds or pulling weeds. There are Isatling actors for movies and shows. Animation studios will use Isatlings for pose modeling and reference. And there’s plenty of other jobs out there that utilize Isatlings!

My own work primarily uses Loops and Siffrin’s for assisting with making show props or stage actions. Loops in particular are favored for their naturally emitting light, and Siffrins are handy due to their carving abilities.

Some Isatlings can be found in small shops and vendors, or be seen just existing in a work environment. These don’t exactly count as workline Isatlings, as they’re not trained for a specific task, but they still somewhat count- they at least mean a lot to customers and encourage people to visit. My local sandwich shop has a Bonnie . In a similar vein, Isatlings can serve as mascots. One of the more well known ones is the Central Mwudu Airport mascot, a Running One who’s lovingly referred to as “Little Feet” (roughly translated).

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

Was that story about the loop that could see the outcome of events real or fake?

In my opinion it’s probably not true. A story like that indicates a power similar to Time Craft, which can supposedly kill a full grown adult after even just a moment of use. Isatlings are just too small for that kind of power!!

Loops are mysterious, yes, and it’s no surprise that people have theorized about their whereabouts and attributed them to godly powers. Even here in Poteria, we find them fascinating; and I’ve seen them pop up more often in relation to our gods, despite evidence saying they hail from an Islander belief. They’re intreguing little fellows for sure, but telling the future isn’t something I can confirm with any certainty.

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

Hey how many asks are in your askbox rn lol

About 60-ish!! I’ve been chipping away at them when I can :teehee:

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

Hey, uh, my Isabeau's been really down in the dumps lately? Keeps staring off into the distance and is getting really anxious. I'm worried I might not be socializing him well enough? I was thinking about getting a Siffrin but I'm not sure he's going to react well to one? Or, well, I'm worried he's going to be too excited if I try and introduce him to a Siffrin. Should I look into getting a Mirabelle instead? Or an Odile? Every guide I've checked says Siffrins are great company for Isabeaus but I also don't want to overwhelm a Siffrin with a really anxious Isabeau?

And I know, I know I shouldn't have let it get this bad but this is my first isatling and he seemed fine until one day he was just super moody for no reason!

Those guides would be correct! A Siffrin is an excellent choice, as they mesh well with Isabeaus and often provide comfort to each other, though I very much see where you're coming from with those concerns. A Mirabelle is also a great option and the two species get along incredibly well, however Mirabelles are also a very anxious species; and while that isn't a big issue on its own, it can be difficult for a new caretaker to manage.

It might be most beneficial to get an Odile. They often serve as a good grounding force for many Isatlings, and even for Caretakers themselves (they’re among the most popular service Isatlings for Caretakers with memory issues, executive dysfunction, anxiety, and other similar conditions that impair daily tasks).

For this case though, this is mostly my own personal opinion on what I would do, especially if I were a new caretaker. But I am just one caretaker, and there’s a lot of variety in your options here!

Furthermore, I see your frustration. It can be incredibly disappointing or infuriating when something goes awry while Caretaking: it’s easy to get mad at yourself, for both new and older caretakers. What’s important here is that you’ve recognized something is off and are now making an active effort to fix it before it worsens; to which I’m very glad you’re doing! Thank you for reaching out, and I wish you and your Isabeau the best of luck.

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

Day 41: I put him in A Jar

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

I'm thinking about getting a time loop enclosure for my Siffrin. Any advice?

DO NOT. DO THAT,.??!!???!!??!??

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

I've developed a passing interest in the husbandry of Isatings, but I was curious about Siffrins, specifically the commonality of losing their right eye! Is there a common factor that leads to their eye being damaged (like getting into fights, the eye being weaker, more prone to infections) or is it more like the Isabeau changing period?

What would the healing process for a recovering Siffrin look like?

Very good question!! Siffrins typically lose their right eye a short while into adulthood. Losing the right eye was assumed to be an immense coincidence in the past, but the frequency has been so consistent over the years that it’s been counted as something species-specific. Studies have observed that the right eye in particular is incredibly sensitive and fragile compared to the left one. Note that while the overwhelming majority do lose their eye, there have been cases where Siffrins who live to old age never lose their eye.

There’s a few ways that a Siffrin will lose their eye. For wild Siffrins, the most common cause is fights and sparring resulting in damage to the eye. Infections are also common, and often result from fight injuries, though they’re just as easily picked up from anywhere. Infections can cause blindness and, if left untreated, lead to severe complications and death.

Outside of the wild, Siffrins mainly lose their eye to eye diseases or accidents. They may develop advanced eye decay, sudden blindness, etc. Keep watch for changes in the shade of your Siffrin’s eye, and any changes in their mobility or energy. Siffrins also can hurt themselves on sharp parts of their enclosure, or injure their eye with their dagger.

The healing process is dependent on the nature of the injury. In every case, bring the Isatling to a vet/specialist for evaluation. Your Siffrin will be in pain, so do what you can to ease them. You will need to help them re-adjust to their new altered field of depth. Remove potentially dangerous objects from their enclosure. For more detail, I suggest checking with Siffrin-specialized organizations (Siffrin Sanctuary and Rougelings have excellent information on eye care), or check out Amalia Burgundy’s book on Isatling rehabilitation. You can also buy or make them an eyepatch (if you have an Isabeau, they make make one for you/before you do) for comfort or visual assistance if the eye is still partially functional.

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

they’ll win for sure: I believe it to be so

Entering my Siff into an isatlings competition y'all think he got a chance?

No I don't think they know their alive

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

Ah yes, no better way then finding out your Mal Du Pays escaped their enclosure by waking up to them watching you sleep. Mines also likes to hangout in my bag so it's always fun to find out they decided to come to work with me. No worries about them getting lost they do have a tracker and I keep their travel harness in the bag just in case they want to go out and about.

Every Mal Du Pays caretaker I’ve ever met has had a similar experience. I stayed over at a friend’s house once, and woke up to their Mal Du Pays watching me like a hawk!! Pretty sure that the little guys are nocturnal too, or at least wake up at unholy hours, meaning they can escape without notice very easily.

They get bored and lonely while you’re asleep or away from home! I am so delighted to hear you bring them places with you. I hope they have many wonderful adventures.

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

Update on the stray siffrin situation! (@ack-cough )

We took him in for shots the other day

Don't worry about the lack of cloak, it's currently being mended by my Isabeau

Ah!!! The beast has been contained and treated!!!!! Good for him!! Glad to see they are well enough to be angry at you.

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

hi!!! I bought my isabeau from a shelter (they are an adult,)

and they were incredibly....cold? and standoffish? which I know isn't as per usual for isabeaus.

anyways,one day,they looked REALLY out of it. and they did....something? all I know is that there was a flash of bright light and my isabeau turned into something else entirely??

is it possible that I got a siffrin-isabeau cross breed...? I've heard that that's what happens when a siffrin turns into a loop,so that's the only idea I've got.

I would love your input on this!! Thanks!!

That sounds more like a Loop transformation than a crossbreed. Such a thing does primarily affect Siffrins, but it can happen to other species.

For a rescue Isabeau specifically, it’s hard to say what exactly they may need. The conditions of their sudden Change and the stressor that causes it can be difficult to pin down, and thus address. Contact the shelter and ask about any behaviors or habits that may have indicated or caused their stress. Consult with a specialist, and observe your Isatling closely for behavioral changes. Note what they do and don’t respond positively to. Most of this process will be trial and error: observing what food they won’t eat, what parts of their enclosure they avoid, what hobbies they drop or show interest in, and so on.

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

HELP

MY SIFFRIN

ONE MOMENT THEY’RE DARK AND DEPRESSED LIKE NORMAL

AND THE NEXT THEY’RE SLAY💅✨ING AND GOT THAT SASS

Respectfully, I fear you must be a very poorly skilled Siffrin owner if your Siffrin’s basic state was “dark and depressed” for so long that they turned into a Loop.

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

Hello!

Some friends of mine recently stumbled upon what they believe is a “weird” variant of a Siffrin however I’m pretty sure it’s not. It’s a lot more aggressive compared to a normal Siffrin (Even one that’s been neglected) and also appears completely lightless for some reason? It also sometimes has this very weird shade on it as well?

I’ve tried looking into it but have reached a dead end and what little information I could find sounds like those “scary” stories kids would tell.

I’m just worried that if this is another species it won’t get the proper care it needs or if it truly is a Siffrin it’s previous owner didn’t care for it like at all and it’s extremely sick (We do have a doctors appointment scheduled for them at the end of the week).

Any ideas? Closest I’ve gotten is seeing the name “Mal Du Pays” thrown around on the forms but no real information or anything to confirm or deny it sadly.

Information on Mal Du Pays is pretty scarce depending on your area- though they’re not an absolute myth like some people believe. They’re invasive & incredibly destructive, and are difficult to spot if you don’t know when and what to look for. Mal Du Pays are characterized by their fully lightless appearance, sudden switches in behavior, whispers and laughter, and their single unblinking spiral eye.

They may also have an unusual shade that can cause headaches. Current theories about this align with “Colour Theory”, and it is believed that Mal Du Pays holds the ability to show colour as a means for self defense, or to signal danger to other Isatlings. Some caretakers report that when they’re stressed (such as during exams, hospital treatments, family losses, and so on), their Mal Du Pays will show colour until the stress passes.

pictured: mal du pays, eating.

It doesn’t help their reputation that Mal Du Pays are difficult species that, unlike Loops, don’t really get “easier” to handle with time, thus making them rather unpopular. They’re aggressive, escape easily, and spend most of their time standing still or resting, giving them the unfortunate reputation of “boring and irritating”. These features also can be pretty scary to many people, which is where so many of those myths and horror stories come from.

Despite this, Mal Du Pays- like any other Isatling- make wonderful companions. With a patient and attentive caretaker, a Mal Du Pays will be passive much more often than they are aggressive. They like to hide in dark corners and crevices, or curled up in your pocket. They can be very playful if attached to their caretaker; they greatly enjoy having things to destroy with their dagger (food & wood chips are particular favorites), are fond of curling up in places their caretaker frequents (your pillow, favorite chair, laptop, etc), and benefit from stargazing.

Mal Du Pays are also semi-aquatic! They’re a bit frog like sometimes, enjoying being spritzed with water and swimming/sitting in water dishes or ice baths, and require saltwater somewhere in their enclosure. Their diet consists of high-sugar foods and raw seafood. (You may notice your Mal Du Pays does not have a mouth- so how do they eat? Scholars are still debating about this: please give them more time to research.)

There’s some debate on what catagory Mal Du Pays fits into, making it tricky to know for sure what works best for your Mal Du Pays. Planetariums in particular have a lot of information on them, so I suggest you check with your local one, or any online.

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

Rating Explanations

CUTE: The ISATlings in this post are happy and healthy and engaging in normal non-stressed behaviors.

NOT CUTE: The ISATlings in this post are unhealthy, displaying stress behaviors, and/or in harmful environments or situations.

DANGEROUS: The ISATlings in this post are in active danger and need to be removed from the situation for their safety.

This blog is run by a single mod (hi!) who is passionate about ISATling health and wellbeing. Feel free to send me posts to review or ask me any questions you might have!

(Somewhat inspired by @isatling-husbandry-guide, but also I just wanted a silly way to comment on the wonderful creations this fandom makes. While the URL specifically mentions pictures, I'll be engaging with all types of fanworks here!)

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

Help with Identification of unknown little guy

Uhh so a little background, I've had a rescued Siffrin for a while, (lost his dagger) and I think he's acquired a friend? Keyword is think.

I don't know how it got in or when exactly it got here, but I swear there's a little lightless fella running around. I hear little chitter chatter in the walls some days and other days there's a new lemon that has a lot of what looks like dagger marks on it. And since my Siffrin doesn't have a dagger...

Sounds like a Mal Du Pays! They’re sneaky little critters, and very invasive in most places.

Leave out something bittersweet tasting to lure them out. Dark chocolate with a high cacao content (85 or higher) works the best, but you can also use bitter melon, apple cider vinegar, or lemons. Leave that in a cat trap overnight with the top covered by a blanket. Make sure you also provide a full water fish (with ice cubes, about 3-4), as Mal Du Pays gravitate towards cold water.

Once caught, bring the Mal Du Pays to any Planetarium or Isatling specialist to be tagged. Since they’re so invasive, it’s important that we know how many of them there are! From there you can leave the little fella with whichever place you went to, or you can arrange to care for them.

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

(deeply embarrassed to be asking this, unfortunately i'm a bio major so it's been in the back of my mind for a while. do they. lay?? the eggs?? or is it like a wish craft thing? if the former, can they interbreed? would there be a mix of species in the clutch or is it like pokemon where it's only the "mother's" species? and if it's the latter, do they need to have a tankmate to help or can they just like perform a ritual solo and then BOOM. EGGS. are there warning signs that your isatling is contemplating seeking divine intervention to acquire children or do people just wake up one day and surprise, your guy has eggs now!!)

(sorry for the psychic damage :( i watch a lot of kitten lifecycle videos so i've just been laughing at the idea of providing your siffrin with a super cozy nest area and then you wake up to find the clutch of eggs in their food dish or something)

I would love to answer this question but alas I fear. that I am a coward who doesn’t want to get into the specifics of isatling breeding????? I’ve gotten a few questions about crossbreeding & such, so to answer those: yeah, sure, go ahead!! If you want to conjure up Isatling fan kids or fusions then you can absolutely go for it & ask questions about them. this is also me giving you explicit permission to send in your fan kids as little isatlings though I cannot? provide info on them? since they’re not my oc? you can also submit human loops too if your heart so desires it :].

IMPORTANT NOTE: topics like this EXCLUDE bonnie & every single other child character 100% of the time. we are not going to discuss it. i’m banning it on this tumblr dot com webpage. if you ask me these things about the kid characters i will find you and hunt you down. okay? okay. yay🩵

How it works is: whatever you think!!! I will say that for some it is definitively the Universe’s interference (as is the case with Loop eggs) but for everything else I really don’t know beyond “there are eggs”. also I think “asking for divine intervention to acquire children” is really fucking funny so I will say that’s part of isatling canon lore. Warning signs for this include nesting behavior (making a little nook) and rationing/hiding food + a sugary smell.

Maybe my answer will change later on. but for now I give you: “eggs can be willed into existence and crossbreeding occurs Somehow”. Thank you and have a good day / night / timeloop

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

What Isatlings are able to be kept in the same enolosure? Do some even prefer specific Isatlings? Are there any that shouldn't be allowed near each other?

Most Isatlings can be kept together with little issue, so long as you make sure their enclosure & environment accommodates every Isatling effectively. For example, a Loop and a Mirabelle kept together would work just fine, as long as the Loop still has climbing space & the Mirabelle still has space for Change decor.

However, there are some specifics to keep in mind:

Islander species are trickier to socialize, especially Kings. If you want to have a King in an enclosure with another species, you’ll have more luck introducing them very soon after the King hatches. For older Kings, the process is slow & requires a lot of monitoring.

Bonnies & Petronilles should be kept together. They’re a package deal- quite literally, in some cases. Most sellers or rescues won’t finalize an adoption of either species without confirmation you’ll be adopting both of them.

Claudes and Mirabelles are good to keep together, despite their argumentative behavior.

A Siffrin should always, at some point (typically immediately before adulthood or immediately after childhood), be given a tankmate (Mirabelles, Isabeaus, Odiles, Bonnies + Petronilles, & Loops in particular are standout species).