nova-dracomon

[nova-dracomon]

Just finished our first art piece for the mekruh we adopted from @cadaver-callum

We're shamelessly stealing the name of the NPC from the Intro to Pathfinder panel from this past Centaurus Festival and naming them Summer Storm :3

[nova-dracomon]

hogwarts house in bio:

❌️ transphobia complacency

❌️ read other books

❌️ vague and boring

❌️ makes you look out of touch and weird

digimon crest in bio:

✅️ cool as fuck

✅️ source material has dinosaurs (🦖)

✅️ descriptive and straightforward

✅️ grants ability to evolve to perfect level

[nova-dracomon]

all of me

[nova-dracomon]

How did I discover this kintype?

Read time: 10 min

I would say I discovered my Mekruh kintype though self image shifting and healing. My previous identity was also an original species called a threatening wolf. Large, imposing animal that seemed nearly unstoppable. It felt akin to a power fantasy and often aided me in survival situations that were life or death or where I could be seriously harmed.

This was great when I was a child as for some reason I was put in a terrible family dynamic and poor environment. Threatening wolves gave me the motivation to break the "rules" and break free from my abusers.

As an adult though things have changed. I now am much safer and this is reflected by the slow decay of my identity. Any long time watchers of my blog may have noticed overtime my identity became unstable shifting from wolves to dinosaurs to parasites ect... I think looking back this was the beginning of the end of an era so to speak.

While I do still find threatening wolves close to my heart the majority of the system is slowly shifting to be mekruh as well because of all the benefits.

With this new identity dominating my internal structure its interesting to see why my identity made such a drastic change. While originally I was purely psychological kin I now consider myself a 'linker. As there is no "need" to identify as an animal from a life saving perspective. To me this was the first time I felt like I had the opportunity to be who I wanted without having to factor in dangers and survival situations and being in a low stress environment.

Mekruh compared to threatening wolves are far smaller and more fragile. They are fast and agile and dont typically fight. They're very smart but not enough to face off alone against larger predators. They are far more emotive than threatening wolves and have a more positive ambiance around them.

Mekruh is closer to my ideal self if i was less traumatized growing up. It is very cathartic to me to be a mekruh and have this identity as a core part of me. I identify as mekruh not just cause it feels right but also to reclaim my own identity from the trauma that warped it.

[nova-dracomon]

Our Non-Limb Phantoms

Phantom shifts and sensations aren't exclusive to body parts! Most of us are human, and we get phantom sensations of items that we wore so often for so long that they became part of our human-shaped body map.

Phantom Coat

What is it? A relatively standard labcoat, uniform trenchcoat, or a heavy leather longcoat.

How does it feel? A sense of weight on our back, something dragging behind us. Sometimes it feels like it’s going to catch on furniture or get caught in doorways.

How annoying is it? A little! We don’t get this one all that often, and when we do it feels affirming, but it makes it awkward to sit in most chairs and we get worried we’ll trip over it.

Phantom Mask

What is it? The muzzle of a GP-5 gas mask.

How does it feel? Our face extending forward, a tingling sensation in a circle spanning from the bridge of our nose to our chin.

How annoying is it? Not very. Waving our hand in front of our face when we have it feels odd and it feels comfortable to put on a gas mask so the sensation registers physically, but it’s not a big deal.

This one is probably an almost identical sensation to a therian’s phantom muzzle, minus the ability to open a mouth.

Phantom Collar

What is it? A metal collar stuffed with explosives and a radio transmitter.

How does it feel? A tight feeling around our neck, digging into our skin, just barely on the edge of choking. Sometimes induces shortness of breath.

How annoying is it? So annoying we had to do something about it. Feeling this thing around our neck can put us out of commission for days. We bought a bandana to wear to try to trick our brain into registering the neck pressure as coming from the bandana instead, and it worked! We try to keep a bandana on hand at all times now.

Phantom Glasses:

What is it? A pair of eyeglasses in rectangular, black, plastic frames.

How does it feel? Light pressure on the bridge of our nose, sometimes a very faint sensation of our ears being touched.

How annoying is it? Not. It’s not a distressing sensation at all, it is affirming, and it doesn’t make anything awkward.

We wear sunglasses all the time, we’re light-sensitive and we live in Florida. Sometimes we put on our sunglasses, feel them on our face, decide they are actually our phantom glasses, and go out of the house with between 2 and 4 pairs of sunglasses on our head.

Phantom Gun:

What is it? A pistol, holstered on our left hip. Our brain interprets it as whichever pistol makes the most sense for the person using the body. (For me, it’s a plasma defender!)

How does it feel? Pressure and a feeling of weight against our left hip and thigh.

How annoying is it? Not, it’s more… awkward? It’s comforting to feel like we can reach for our weapon if we need it. When we have this phantom, we feel less like we’ve misplaced something important.

We do sometimes instinctively try to pull it when we feel threatened by strange noises or people who cut us off in traffic. That’s awkward.

[nova-dracomon]

I feel like maybe we don't talk about envision/envisage shifts enough because they're the type of shift I feel are asked about most often.

So I don't know who needs to hear this but you may experience envision/envisage shifts if you have times where when envisioning yourself 'in your minds eye' you only see your type or a mix of your type and current body and find it difficult or impossible to see anything but. This may or not also involve a change in perception of visible body parts as if there were a mental 'overlay' on top of what can be physically seen. This may or may not involve getting involuntary 'mental pictures' of your current self as your time as you go about other activities. These can be in conjuction with mental shifts, phantom limbs etc

[nova-dracomon]

Writing from a Marsupilami Perspective

Being a Marsupilami fictionkin means my perception of the world is deeply shaped by the instincts, emotions, and experiences of a creature that doesn’t exist in reality but feels entirely real to me. Writing from this perspective isn’t just about translating human thoughts into "Houba"—it’s about embodying the mindset, senses, and nonverbal expressions of a Marsupilami.

Instinct and Sensory Perception

A Marsupilami isn’t just a talking animal—it’s a being that perceives the world differently. Sensory details take on a heightened intensity:

- **Smell as identity** – Instead of just recognizing someone by sight, I might recall their scent first.

- **Hearing beyond words** – A change in someone’s heartbeat or breathing is as telling as their voice.

- **Touch as communication** – The pressure of a tail wrap can mean reassurance, playfulness, or a warning.

When I write, I don’t just describe what I see; I consider how I feel my surroundings in a way that words can’t always capture.

Language and Communication

Marsupilamis don’t rely solely on spoken language. While “Houba” and its variations have meaning, body language, vocal tone, and tail movements are just as expressive. When I write from this perspective, I prioritize:

- **Rhythmic speech** – Instead of structured human grammar, my words may flow with instinctive emphasis, repetition, or playful nonsense.

- **Nonverbal cues** – Instead of saying "I’m happy," I might describe my tail curling into loops or my ears perking up.

- **Physical expressiveness** – A flick of the tail, a sudden leap, or an affectionate nuzzle says more than a paragraph of words.

Instinct vs. Thought

A Marsupilami doesn’t overanalyze—instinct comes first. Writing in this mindset means focusing on action and reaction rather than deep contemplation. There’s an immediacy to feelings:

- **Fear?** Climb. Hide. Fight. No second-guessing.

- **Curiosity?** Poke it, sniff it, taste it. Learn by doing.

- **Affection?** Purring, chirping, wrapping a tail around a friend. No hesitation.

Even when writing introspective moments, I lean toward feeling over thinking. The world isn’t something to be questioned endlessly—it’s something to be experienced.

Writing as a Fictionkin Experience

For me, writing in a Marsupilami perspective isn’t roleplay—it’s a way to express who I am. It’s how I translate something instinctual into words, even when words feel limiting. Writing helps me bridge the gap between my experiences and a world that wasn’t built for beings like me.

Maybe other fictionkin feel this too—the struggle of putting something felt into something written. But for me, every "Houba" I type is a little piece of home.

[nova-dracomon]

Niche Kin Appreciation Challenge

Second photo dump because we can - this time it's not photographs of my species, but artwork specifically of (or including) me!

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6

[nova-dracomon]

Here's the full line-up of valravn emotes we made for the @centaurus-festival digital swag bag this year! We hope everyone who donated or boosted enjoys them!

[nova-dracomon]

Centaurus Festival 2025: Stats!

16 Panels total!

6 impromptu panels that were added during the course of the convention!

193 attendee registrations!

Peak attendance, unknown-- we used the same convention server from last year, so although we had 131+ new folks join up or return, the whole server has closer to 200 people. So... Somewhere between those numbers? Probably 130-150ish.

Total amount donated to the spotlight nonprofit for this year, the Internet Archive: $111.70!! Thank you to all our wonderful donators!!!

This was a wonderful, chaotic second year for the convention and I can't thank you all enough for attending. It was wonderful to see folks so hype and so enthusiastic and so inspired, and I sincerely hope that energy sticks with everyone throughout the year and into the week and months to come. Please keep creating!

If you weren't able to make it to the convention this year, don't worry; you can find the 2025 panels on our YouTube! We can't wait to see you again next year!

[nova-dracomon]

Or, if you rather listen to the zine, we just published our audio version! Check it out:

Inky Paws #3 is out and available for download! 🖋️🐾

Inky Paws #3 is a collaborative fiction anthology written by nonhumans and alterhumans on nonhumanity, alterhumanity, and similar, related themes. It contains 20 different stories, poems, songs, and comics by various alterhuman authors, with genres ranging from fantasy, to sci-fi, to horror. It is 81 pages long and was inspired by Tsu Swanblood's The Forest Voice zine. For past issues, click here: Inky Paws #1; Inky Paws #2.

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed and to our friends and family who cheered us on while we worked on the zine. We sincerely hope you enjoy!

[nova-dracomon]

in honor of the Centaurus Festival beggining today <3

[nova-dracomon]

controversial opinion please dont hurt me for this, but if your alterhumanity is causing you frequent distress, its okay to talk to a mental health professional about it. it doesnt invalidate your nonhuman identity to get help for it. im not saying that if you have one moment where youre sad you dont have a tail you must get therapy for it, but i see some creatures both here and on other platforms that seem to be in very real, severe distress on a daily basis because of their alterhumanity. of course be cautious, but i think a good therapist should be able to help you without completely invalidating and trying to "cure" your nonhumanity entirely. i have no firstand experience with alterhumanity in therapy, so definitely take my opinions with a grain of salt. but i think a therapist should be able to recognize the importance of your identity and help you learn to manage it rather than outright getting rid of it, but maybe thats just me idk. youre also very allowed to disagree with me, these are just my personal thoughts.

(this is not medical advice just me rambling. ive not a trained professional, just a mentally ill tumblr user. please do not seek therapy purely because of this post lmao.)

[nova-dracomon]

CONVENTION INVITATIONS HAVE BEEN EMAILED!

If you registered for the Centaurus Festival, check your inbox! Your Discord invite should be ready!

[nova-dracomon]

Alterhuman is an umbrella term, not a synonym!

Nowadays, I see a lot of folks using alterhuman as a catch-all for not being human. While nonhumanity certainly falls within alterhumanity, alterhumanity does not exclusively refer to species nor is it synonymous with nonhuman identities (ex: therianthropy).

Alterhumanity includes but is not limited to:

Fictionfolk: An umbrella term that encompasses all individuals of fictional origin or hold a personal connection to fiction. This includes fictionkind, fictives, fictionhearted individuals, folks with fictional hearthomes, imagithropes, etc.

Otherhumans: Individuals whose species is human but not in context to humanity as we see it in its current state. Some examples include human fictionkind and archaeosapient early humans or neanderthals.

Heartedness: A broad experience in which an individual may not identify as someone or something, but has a deep, personal connection with that person, place, or thing. This includes folk who are otherhearted/otherkith/synpaths, talehearted folk, and folk who have hearthomes (fictional or not).

Archetropy: An identity in which one heavily identifies with or generally experiences an archetype, trope, or pre-established character model in a way that is central to their identity.

Plurality: The state of more than one person within a body. That said, not all who are plural may relate their plurality to alterhumanity.

Dæmonism: The practice of communicating with one's internal dæmon, a thoughtform stemming from one's subconscious. A dæmon is also given a sentient form, typically a nonhuman animal of sorts. Can be considered as a form of plurality but depends on the individual and their relationship to their dæmon(s).

Soulbonding: A practice in which an individual forms a personal bond or connection to a fictional character and communicates with them from their headspace or soulscape. Can be considered as a form of plurality but depends on the individual and their relationship to their soulbond(s).

Furry Lifestylers: A subset of the furry community whose position in the subculture carries into their daily life. Some members have described it as "furry as a way of life", in which being a furry is inseparable and intrinsic to oneself.

I have alterhuman terms of my own to take into account as well:

Archaeosapiens: Individuals whose alterhuman identity is intrinsically rooted in prehistory, antiquity or mythic accounts of history. Although I don’t use it for myself anymore, I can say as the person who coined it that species is not central to archaeosapience; it is the distinct connection to one’s time that’s central. Anyone of any species can be archaeosapient.

Ontoplanarity: In referral to ontoplanar, which describes individuals who originate from planes and realities outside of this Earth. While one could relate this term to alienkind and spacekind, ontoplanar focuses one’s own point of origin rather than one’s species. In that regard, anyone of any species can be ontoplanar.

There’s also human alterhumans who aren’t specifically otherhumans. The idea that humankind as we know it is completely alienated from alterhumanity is a misconception, likely tying into the assumption that “alterhumanity = nonhumanity”.

I originally discussed this in the Alterhuman (Tumblr) Community but I felt as though I should make this information publicly available, especially with how the term has been sifting around lately. I’m not the first to bring this up, far from it even. If anyone who’s learned something from this wants to know more, here’s some posts to check out:

The finalized coining of the term Alterhuman/AHPI (x)

Aster’s discussion on alterhuman as an umbrella, particularly its conflation with otherkin (x)

Rani’s discussion on umbrella terms in the community, addressing erasure in folks’ usage of both alterhuman and fictionfolk (x)

Rani’s explanation on the difference between nonhuman and alterhuman as terms (x)

A thread of terms and experiences that tie into the alterhuman community (x)

I understand being excited to find a community that speaks to you. We’ve all been there!

That said, inclusive language is important. Even more so when the terms we use were already inclusive to begin with.

I think the best example I’ve seen to address this phenomenon is Aster’s example referring to queer and its usage. Queerness is vast. It is not synonymous with one specific experience in the LGBTQ+ community. That much is understood online.

In the same vein, alterhumanity is just as vast. It is not synonymous with nonhumanity, be it therianthropy or otherwise. It can be alienating for your peers to see it centralized as that experience alone. Alterhumanity is an ocean of possibilities and perspectives that should be recognized alongside nonhumanity. I encourage folks to look at it in full, if not use terms that specifically highlight what you experience instead of framing alterhumanity as only that experience.

[nova-dracomon]

Long-Eared Owl Photo Dump!

Niche Kin Appreciation Challenge

The challenge with finding long-eared owl photos is that, when you search, you seem to get everything but. We had to sort through so many photos of great horned owls, short-eared owls and barn owls but here's our photo dump!

x-x-x | X-X | x-x-x

[nova-dracomon]

Media that reminds me of being a Guardian of Ga'Hoole

Niche Kin Appreciation Challenge

I read this book as a child, but picked it up last month to read again. It's told from the point of view of an owl named Wabi. So obviously, there's the owl connection, but more than that, the book is really detailed about the owl experience.

How he move his head, not his eyes, how he walk with talons - the author put consideration into how an owl would experience the world.

Without spoiling too much of the story, there's also a part where the main character transforms into a human. There's then a ton of direct comparisons as he navigates his new body, trying to translate owl to human. Learning how to walk, hunt and survive without his wings and talons.

Overall, it's a fun, short read with a lot of owl in it.

Hortense