Rukels are about normal-flitter size, though they don't vary in size as much as fire lizards. They have catlike bodies and paws with retractable claws, long tails with a plume of fur at the end, and long ears and muzzles. They are furry, and have a mane of fur running down the backs of their necks. The fur is also thicker on the muzzle, chest and underbelly. Both their eyes and fur can come in almost any color, and their fur is occasionally marked with stripes, spots, or other markings. Rukels have a pair of feathered wings on their backs, and are capable of flight.
They are also intelligent, sentient, and capable of talking out loud. They are more than content to be kept as pets, so long as they are well-fed and pampered. Rukels tend to be rather lazy and spoiled, perhaps as a result.
They do not actually 'bond', but do tend to stick with one human their whole lives, as long as they are taken care of. If not, they will either find someone else to take care of them, or return to Darkling Dawn and become wild. (Well, not exactly wild, more like they're fed and pampered by ALL the residents of the Weyr, instead of just one or two. ^_^)
Several rukels have been seen with abnormalties, such as no wings, extra wings, and extra tails, including any combination of such features. These rukels tend to be much rarer than the normal two-winged, one-tailed kind.
"Surprised you?" she says, and shrugs. "Sorry. You want one of the eggs? It's better if you take one before it hatches, since there's a better chance that they'll stay with you."
"Are all these eggs yours?" you ask curiously.
The rukel snorts. "Hardly. We don't lay more than one or two at a time. But I have guard duty today, so," she shrugs. "Anyway, you want an egg? We don't mind giving them away, if they'll be taken care of," she says again, sweeping her wing over towards the eggs in an inviting gesture. "But," she adds sternly. "You had better read the rules."
1. I'm not sending these out to be put in a cyberpet gallery. The page on which your rukel presides should have no images not pertaining in some way to your rukel or its in-character owner. rukels from past clutches when I did allow it are exempt from this, naturally.
2. Give credit where it's due, and link back to Darkling Dawn so others can adopt.
3. Okay, umm, seeing as I never really get around to checking up on the rukels, there's no longer any time limit on getting them up. If you do adopt one, PLEASE put it up. I work really hard on these images, and I don't spend hours on them just to see nothing done with them.
4. No more than one rukel per persona. As for how many different personas can pick up a rukel from the same clutch, I don't particularly care, as long as you don't hog all the eggs.
5. Okay, here's how it works. You will take a look at the available eggs and choose the one you want, they will be numbered. No color or other features, like tails or wings, is higher ranking than any other, although some may be a bit rarer.
Each egg holds a different rukel, as no two rukels are exactly alike. All eggs are pre-assigned and the rukels are already drawn, so I can't really take any requests into consideration for the clutches. New poses are drawn for each clutch of eggs. You may not choose the rukel if you select an egg; however, if you REALLY want a particular color or whatnot, e-mail me and I'll be glad to draw/color it for you. Make sure you mention the color you want, along with number of wings, tails, etc.
Please put two or three different choices, in case your first choice is already taken.
The rukel can be either gender, it's totally up to you.
If you want to wait on naming or selecting a gender until you've seen the rukel, that's fine too, as long as I know by the time you page it.
6. If you'd prefer to have just the rukel, and use it as a character, that's fine too. If you don't have a page ready for it when you fill out the form, simply leave the pertinent lines blank and let me know that you intend to use it as a character.
7. When sending me URLs for characters or rukels, please make sure you send me the link to the exact page where the rukel resides, not just a general listing. It's easier for everyone that way.
