OOC:Adding to the wiki

So let's say you're curious about adding something to the wiki or lore. What sort of guidelines should you keep in mind? This is a solid but not exhaustive point to start from.

General

• What you're adding doesn't contradict a pre-existing wiki page unless you have a strong justification for why it should. Yes, this means that there's a burden of research that falls pretty squarely on you; whether it's reading to check all the animal pages and looking for references in things like local cuisine and Agriculture as well, or reading through anything you can conceive of related to marriage customs, make sure you're doing your research.
• For that matter, there's a lot to be said for researching off-wiki as well!
• The tone should not be slapstick, comedic, twee, sci-fi, etc... Yuriba is a fantasy setting, but it's not meant for the absurd. The overall tone should lean to a fairly realistic, or a least, a justified application of fantasy with roots in reality.

Fauna and Flora

• The animal/plant is one that could reasonably have adapted to and thrived in a temperate clime quickly enough to evolve into a local niche.
• There is not already one or more species of this type. For example, we already have two types of cats that fill different niches; adding a third would require very strong justification.
• Keep in mind the limitations of island evolution. With a limited area and food supply, animals are more likely to be small, highly adapted, and to not reproduce in vast numbers.
• The creature or plant makes sense in its ecological niche; there are not a ton of apex predators and few things for them to eat.
• On that note: The animal is NOT a large predator. The island already has Harvest Bears and Artisan Wolves, in addition to multiple smaller predators, it could not support any more large ones.
• The primary inspiration is not a pun or cutesy idea.
• In general, non-North American fauna as an inspiration is preferred, particularly that of the Asiatic region.
• Before you add an article, you preferably should have considered the following...

• The animal's size, color patterning, weight, and any notable physical features.
• What the animal's behavior patterns and diet area.
• What the specific habitat the animal favors.
• Research has been done and attention given to be sure that these are reasonably inspired by existing members of the same family; for example, you did not add a raccoon that can fly and eat clouds.
• Any magical features are minimal and justified.

• Animals should have animal-level intellect; if they are smarter than typical for their species type, justify it.
• Plants and animals do not have to be associated with a particular goddess; they may be, but it's not required.

Religious or Cultural Details

• Again, try not to contradict what's on the wiki already. Read a lot.
• Remember that native religion is focused on nature and natural forces. There is not a goddess of 'cooking' or 'writing' because these are not natural forces, for example. Sometimes these may become associated with a specific goddess, but the primary association and purpose is always connected to the natural world.
• Religious spheres or details should not overlap another deity significantly.
• Direct divine intervention is incredibly rare on Yuriba; it occurs in three situations, and the first one of those is 'folk/fairy tales'. Outside of that, clear divine intervention tends to only occur through the intermediary of priestesses performing high level ritual magic OR a Sentry channeling their linked deity.
• Goddesses are considered to communicate regularly through signs, symbols, portents, preferred meditation techniques, preferred offerings, etc. Adding details like this or superstitions/folk lore related to something like 'What seeing three robins perched on your house' means is a fantastic approach.

Playable Races

• Generally, it's late in the game to add populous, native playable races (ie, more or less humanoids)
• If you DO want to do so, make sure you justify strongly why they haven't been heard of much (at all) before this point.
• Make sure you talk with an admin in doing so.
• The race should exist only in small numbers and be fairly isolated.
• Abilities should not include immortality due to conflicts with the native religious focus on reincarnation.
• Other powers should not break standard expectations for characters. (Don't influence minds, not overtly sexual, not high tech, etc.)
• Should all be female, obviously.