Hi everyone! August's mid-month update is here!

Regular Mid-Month Updates

All MYOs have been restocked! Guest Artist applications for both Seasonal and Monthly GAs are now open from now until August 25, 2024 3:00 PM Pacific Time! Please apply at the link below if you are interested!

https://forms.gle/7eNnWLksvq5LKkv8A

General

You may have noticed the new currency "Shells." This currency is intended to be used as a generic event currency, so we can have event shops that use a special currency without making a unique currency for every event. The name of the currency will be changed later to include an adjective.
The #faq channel on our Discord has been updated to be accurate to the website! Sorry it took so long.

Trait Changes

Several traits have been changed for clarification. These were changed at different points in time, so I unfortunately don't remember all of them (some were changed at website launch!) but I will go over a few common ones. Feel free to ask about any not mentioned below in the #staff-ask channel on our Discord.

1. The fin size traits "Small Fin Size" and "Giant Fin Size"/"Big Fin Size" have been changed to "Undersized Fin Size" and "Oversized Fin Size" respectively. This will hopefully make it more clear on when they are supposed to be used, as well as allow for more diverse designs. If your mantla has the wrong fin size trait and was created before this announcement was posted, you may submit a redesign request with the fin size trait adjusted to whichever one is correct without using any items. Just put in the comment section "Correcting fin size trait."
2. "Teeth Mask" has been renamed to "Teeth on Mask" to reduce confusion.

Trait Additions

Most of these have been around since the site was created, or were previously "Unlisted," "Exclusive," or "???" rarity, but some have been added more recently.

Regular Traits

1. [U] Seal Ears: These ears are little flap-like ears, like a seal has.
2. [L] Unusual Spiky Mask: This mask is basically for any spiky mask that isn't like the normal Spiky Mask trait. (Spikes on top, different shape, etc.) It is intentionally ambiguous.
3. [L] Unusual Spiky Fin: This fin is similar to the Unusual Spiky Mask trait in that it's for any spiky fin that isn't like the normal Spiky Fin. (Spikes on top, different shape, etc.) It is intentionally ambiguous.
4. [U] Seal Tail: This tail is the classic seal-flipper-tail shape (although in real seals, this is their feet.) If you want a tail that's more accurate to a seal's actual tail, use the Bob Tail trait.

Mutations

1. Droopy Mask Sides: This trait adds drooping to any mask. They are like the sides of Bunny Mask but they can have a different shape.
2. Horns: This trait adds a horn or horns to the mantla's head (on top of the fin/mask, like ears). They can be any shape. They do not replace ears.
3. No Eyes and No Fake Eyes: These traits remove the eyes or the fake eyes from a mantla. Previously these effects were both under "No Eyes." If your mantla has No Eyes for no fake eyes, please submit a redesign request with the trait adjusted to No Fake Eyes, with the comment "Trait correction." The mutation "No Fake Eyes" is distinct from the halloween trait "Eyeless Mask" as Eyeless Mask is a mask trait that has its own unique mask shape as well as no fake eyes.
4. Object Head: This trait makes the mantla's head into any object. The mantla may or may not have facial features.
5. Real Fake Eyes: This trait makes the mantla's fake eyes into real, functional eyes in the same place.
6. Shaped Fake Eyes: This trait allows the mantla's fake eyes to have any shape. The fake eyes do not need to be the same shape.
7. Tusks: This trait gives the mantla tusk teeth. This trait is distinct from the "Biter" mutation as the Biter pseudoteeth are outside the mouth, next to it on either side, rather than being inside the mouth.

Rainbow Cornet Traits

Rainbow Cornet will be the only item I am covering in this section since it was basically completely overhauled, and is a bit confusing.

1. Body Spikes: This trait adds spikes anywhere on the mantla's body.
2. Nose Horn: This trait adds a horn onto the mantla's nose, or where the nose would be.
3. Long Tongue: This trait gives the mantla a long tongue.
4. Transforming Markings: This trait allows the mantla's markings to transform. This used to be used as an alternate palette trait, but we have added an "Alternate Color Palette" trait that is given from Super Gel for this purpose instead. Older mantlas with this trait are still allowed to use it in this way. Alternate Color Palette and Transforming Markings are distinct because Transforming Markings allows the mantlas markings to shift shape and pattern completely, not just change color. For character lore, a character with this trait shifts their markings and coloration in real time in response to their environment, emotions, and other stimuli as a way of expressing themselves.
5. Chameleon Eyes: This trait makes the mantla's real eyes look like a chameleon's eyes. You can view a chameleon's eyes here. If you would like to have color changing eyes, you can use Transforming Markings for this as well.
6. Helmet Mask / Ears: This one is hard to describe, unfortunately! It is also currently listed as "Helmet Ears" as there is a different, unrelated Helmet Mask trait… The updated item reference is still pending, and this trait may be changed in the future. A draft made by PotatoBunsu can be seen below.
   
7. Curly Tail: This trait makes the mantla's tail have a curled, chameleon-like shape.
8. Chameleon Ears: This trait replaced the "Horn Hood" trait, as this is more accurate and less ambiguous. They are short, curled-back ears. I feel like this name is unintuitive, so I'm trying to search for a new name for this trait. This is why it was previously unlisted.
9. [U] Seahorse Tail
10. [M] Horns

That's all for this month's mid-month update!
If you'd like to help us out, please bump our forum thread here!