what-the-floofin

[what-the-floofin]

Are you inactive in general or only on tumblr? Lots of people have recently been moving to blue sky or bsky as it's otherwise known. Really like your centaur stuff so if there's a place you're more active?

Oh tumblr is like, my only internet home now. This is it, babes! If my stuff is put anywhere else it ain't me running it. I've thought about trying other medias but am easily overwhelmed and more often just, don't click with the Vibes™

It's more a matter of social energy in my case though. I'd love to be producing so much all the time and be sharing it! But I am slow paced, limited for free time, and frequently physically exhausted to the point of very low spoons by the evenings

Trust me though I want to be drawing taurs all the time and the second I have things to share of them I do be sharing. Thank you for enjoying them!

[what-the-floofin]

wait if this is a sideblog, whats ur main?

I'm not super active even though it's a no-pressure spot meant just for me, so y'all really ain't missing much. There's really really old art floating in the back somewhere that we don't need to look at lmaooo

But if you've ever shown or shared something with me you'll know I've seen it if you catch @floofin-raum in your activity

Hmm. Been meaning to give it a facelift, update avatar etc. Can't decide on what though.

But also hey, I was pretty stoked with seeing that replies could be switched with sideblog names. Makes responses way more recognisable for sure

[what-the-floofin]

So how do baby taurs work for the equitaurs and cervitaurs in your stuff?

Oh that's a good one actually - lots to talk about! Too much for one post, but gotta start somewhere. Enjoy some messy micro scribbles peppered throughout. They were originally very very tiny so, pardon blurriness.

I've got my Taurs running overall pretty similar to equine cycles and gestations - meaning they are what you call 'long-day triggered' by the spring and summer seasons.

(Though they do cycle throughout the year, just at slower rates and less consistently over cooler seasons)

This goes for the cervitaurs too - rather than using the shorter gestation of their deer alikes - as they and their foals are a bit bigger and more complex to deal with. Which also goes to suggest that twins/multiples are not a frequent occurrence for cervitaurs in comparison to actual deer, and inherently poses as much danger as it does for equines instead. Possible, but high risk and incredibly demanding.

So, you're looking at an 11 month gestation on average, and typically starting in a mid-spring to late-summer window. Which places most taurs at being born early-spring to mid-summer. It's most uncommon to be winter born, but not weird tbh.

Foals are super awkward, there's no getting around that, and in the first year they have a ridiculous growth rate when compared to other sentient creatures of similar lifespans.

These things are weeds - the difference from one day old to three months old is phenomenal alone. They are, however, cooked a little further along than what you'd be comparing to for a newborn human. They're able to support themselves enough to avoid outright injury (think like a 3-4 month old baby), but gaining actual control of all those limbs takes a bit more time. The equine half however would be a touch undercooked for a horse. Just physically, in size. No worries about comparative internal developments, that's all good and ready to go.

So they're typically gonna spend shy of their first month feeding and sleeping, practicing rolling up, sitting and limb coordination to build strength for self-standing. If mama has places to be, that baby is getting carried.

I also absolutely subscribe to the idea of arms being naturally held close to torso prior to having balance and coordination. It would support them a lot! Then it becomes a self-soothing gesture seen in the anxious, and an instinctive positional response when badly startled. Tuck in!

By three months you can expect them to be racing on their little stilt legs - albeit still with the occasional wobble and spill. And wowee did that happen fast when you think about it.

While the zoomies are a lot, they're balanced out by the fact that so much oncoming growth means foals crash nap very frequently. These buggers sleep a lot. It's go hard and sleep hard on endless rotation. Play, snack, nap, rinse and repeat.

This accelerated growth races away throughout their first year, and then drops right back into something a bit more reasonable - at least when you're considering it from the human perspective!

Yet in comparison to how they first started out, it's practically snail paced.

I'm meaning, you look at the size of a 3 month old horse foal, and that's the closest comparison to a 2 year old taur foal in body. Every 'horse foal month' thereafter starts guiding the next 'taur foal year' visual until you hit that yearling horse look for a taur when they're 10-11 years old. Then by that point, they've reached most of their full leg length, and the next 10 years is focused on finishing the bulking out of their frame.

(click to enlarge I hope) - Featuring my lass Thalo here haha

By rule of thumb I just have both equid and humanoid aspects grow in relative balance to each other, lanky stages and all. From the human perspective, the humanoid half grows crazy fast at first and then becomes comparatively similar. From the horse perspective, the equine half is crazy slow and always is. It would also give credit to having a higher physical durability than their animal counterparts. More time was spent growing!

It's worth noting that a lot of perceived 'weirdness' only comes from trying to compare them purely 1 to 1 with either horse, deer or human kids. Taurs are their own thing though! And nature's most consistent attitude is to Find What Works and Do it. No matter how wack, if it works it's used.

So, a rapid starting growth tapered into a much slower rate once they're stabilised and running was just the path that worked best for this Taur survival. Keep it simple!

There's always more to cover, but this is chunky enough for now. Whew!

[what-the-floofin]

Was wondering if it was ok if I used your cervitaur notes as reference for making an oc? If you don’t want be to that’s ok but figured I would ask, love your art btw not enough centaurs out there

This is an old ask I missed but yes!! Go ahead! The brainstorming for cervitaurs is built around me playing D&D with my buddies and expanding on the lore for my niche interest - so it's being formed with D&D in mind (though personally a very specific world of it) but here I'm presenting them openly and simply enough that it could adapt to fit, as desired

Like, obviously, doesn't even have to be about playing! If you just like the ideas and want to work with them as building blocks too I am totally cool.

You can never have too much taur out there. I will keep stacking up the pile.

[what-the-floofin]

YOU'RE BACK!

I live!! Life has been so busy! Who has the time to be anywhere near a computer when you got property to build up.

I would very much like to keep giving myself downtime though. Here's to hoping!

[what-the-floofin]

Canonized! \o/

Back into Taur thoughts

There are four types to the cervitaurs - though with a far-traveling nomadic culture, these forms came to spread and blend extensively throughout the populace.

Finding traits from all ends in a single herd is very typical!

The four strains have unique features that were once their own though.

The origin tales vary, but each are known fondly as gifts that were made to last, as the result of deep loyalties and unbreakable connection. Bonds powerful enough to alter their own blood and being.

(a far less popular version places them as parting gifts from when the Taurs’ connection to the Feywild became tied to the Material instead. How this version first came about is unknown, but it lingers persistently in some areas)

The Forest lines carry crowns of antlers. The Alpine are shielded with thickened fur. The Prairie bare teeth fiercer than their foes. The Field run swift on dexterous feet and striking spurs.     

These examples are at their ‘strongest’ mind you. It’s easy to sport minimal qualities, and far rarer to carry the full extent – though not impossible!

Additional notes:

Antlers grow in from velvet to bare, but don’t shed frequently. A pair can be held for a few years at a time if well kept. Moderately tined, with fine ends. Generally stays on the small and delicate side. Not gender restricted. Said to have originated from the Autumn Courts.

Alpine fur is thickest at the neck, creating its distinct silhouette. Fur can be thick and wiry or long and silky. The ruff is also one of the first areas to reduce on a less ‘extensive’ expression of the coat. Said to have originated from the Winter Courts.

Fangs of the Prairie are the rarest of the four amongst the populations – though not to consider it unheard of. Carriers are often described as ‘fierce and powerful’ in skill and nature, suggesting an additional boon to the emotional aspect rather than a purely physical enhancement. Said to have originated from the Summer Courts.

Hooves of the Field are unique in that the toes can spread and flex considerably more than norm, providing a sure-footedness over difficult terrain like no other. Dewclaws are thickened spurs, adding an extra oomph to kicks. The most widespread of the four traits, albeit in as equally widespread variations. Most commonly exhibits as short spurs only. Said to have originated from the Spring Courts.

More Taur notes here!

[what-the-floofin]

Back into Taur thoughts

There are four types to the cervitaurs - though with a far-traveling nomadic culture, these forms came to spread and blend extensively throughout the populace.

Finding traits from all ends in a single herd is very typical!

The four strains have unique features that were once their own though.

The origin tales vary, but each are known fondly as gifts that were made to last, as the result of deep loyalties and unbreakable connection. Bonds powerful enough to alter their own blood and being.

(a far less popular version places them as parting gifts from when the Taurs’ connection to the Feywild became tied to the Material instead. How this version first came about is unknown, but it lingers persistently in some areas)

The Forest lines carry crowns of antlers. The Alpine are shielded with thickened fur. The Prairie bare teeth fiercer than their foes. The Field run swift on dexterous feet and striking spurs.     

These examples are at their ‘strongest’ mind you. It’s easy to sport minimal qualities, and far rarer to carry the full extent – though not impossible!

Additional notes:

Antlers grow in from velvet to bare, but don’t shed frequently. A pair can be held for a few years at a time if well kept. Moderately tined, with fine ends. Generally stays on the small and delicate side. Not gender restricted. Said to have originated from the Autumn Courts.

Alpine fur is thickest at the neck, creating its distinct silhouette. Fur can be thick and wiry or long and silky. The ruff is also one of the first areas to reduce on a less ‘extensive’ expression of the coat. Said to have originated from the Winter Courts.

Fangs of the Prairie are the rarest of the four amongst the populations – though not to consider it unheard of. Carriers are often described as ‘fierce and powerful’ in skill and nature, suggesting an additional boon to the emotional aspect rather than a purely physical enhancement. Said to have originated from the Summer Courts.

Hooves of the Field are unique in that the toes can spread and flex considerably more than norm, providing a sure-footedness over difficult terrain like no other. Dewclaws are thickened spurs, adding an extra oomph to kicks. The most widespread of the four traits, albeit in as equally widespread variations. Most commonly exhibits as short spurs only. Said to have originated from the Spring Courts.

More Taur notes here!

[what-the-floofin]

Honestly I think way too much about my cervitaurs at all times so have this compilation of Notes about them

[what-the-floofin]

All around is stone And all is soft inside ♩

[what-the-floofin]

i feel like i can’t breathe in this tumblr layout holy shit

[what-the-floofin]

Commission for @fearandramen ! Thanks again for commissioning me!

@deenaabeanie @what-the-floofin @hazmasterflash

I hope you guys like it too!!!

[what-the-floofin]

THEM!!

I'm so glad we chose Rylan to give that egg, we sure as heck couldn't and shouldn't be dragon child caretakers. Ever.

A commission for @deenaabeanie which I had an absolute delight making

A tired wizard with his dramatic dragon daughter, couldn’t have asked for a better prompt :D

[what-the-floofin]

DnD commission for the wonderful @deenaabeanie and their group! 

@what-the-floofin, @hazmasterflash, and @fearandramen

[what-the-floofin]

Today we succeeded something very important and Brom needs a goddamn nap

 Aboleths are the worst creatures in existence

[what-the-floofin]

Thalo was and unabashedly still is a mama’s girl

[what-the-floofin]

A full illustration commission for @deenaabeanie, as a birthday gift for @what-the-floofin! The fey and centaur are Butternut and Thalo, respectively, and I believe that this is a scene from a DnD campaign!

[what-the-floofin]

did you do an AMV with the dnd characters you just posted? Like I had such an intense dejavu I swear I saw a music video that had them and a 3rd skipping to the music. I cant remember where I saw it or what music it was. It's killing me.

I just scrolled thorugh your blog until 2017 bc I saw some volron posts and remeberd a centaur post I saw ages ago with the voltron guys. (It was you, I'm gonna follow now your art is amazing and I can't believe I don't already) But I did not find the AMV. Kind of loosing my mind rn...

The third animal was a sheep I think. It was white and fluffy and had only 2 legs.

Alas I have not! I haven’t shared them outside my circles until now, so can confidently say it’s not from me nor should be with my gals haha. But now I am so curious as to where this memory comes from!

I love a good bouncy beat animation. I frequently think about trying my hand at the sorts. So much leggy to play with

Actually the only thing I can think of with animated centaurs from me is this ol' thing, but it doesn't fit the bill you're looking for

This is also funny tho because there is a third animal member, and that is Bebe. But Bebe is only a quail

A chonky little man. So much yell. So full of seeds.

Thanks for liking my stuff!!