Character Creation

DISCLAIMER: Dreamwalkers do not HAVE to follow everything listed under the Species Info tab. We respect every individual's right to creative freedom, and as a result, dreamwalkers are mostly completely free to do as you wish with them.

Dreamwalkers are primarily recognized by the following traits:

Reptile-like head (inspired primarily by leopard geckos)
Enlarged ventral pterygoideus muscles (jowls / jaw. As seen on tegus)
Forked tongues
Flat tail
Diurnal
Bat-like wings
Two pairs of ears
Eight eyes

These features CAN be affected by mutation or injury if you so please. For example, if a dreamwalker was born without wings as part of a mutation, then that would be acceptable. Likewise, additional body parts are also acceptable within reason.

As long as a dreamwalker is not missing more than half of these defining features, and as long as it still looks like a member of its species, it should be acceptable. You are always free to submit questions or designs for evaluation if you aren't certain. Otherwise, please read anatomy if you haven't already.

Side note: ALL dreamwalkers have the ability to dreamstep. If they do not, then they are NOT a dreamwalker.
This doesn't mean all dreamwalkers have to be good at dreamstepping.

You are free to create a dreamwalker to suit any world or universe, as according to lore they are not limited to Earth alone. They may have adaptations better suited to the environment of your choice, but must still clearly represent their species.

If using a dreamwalker in another world or universe, please ensure that overall anatomy / biology remains the same.

Adoptable creation is welcome and encouraged, but please remain within the basic species guidelines (again, with the exception of mutations/injury). You are free to create your own lineart and designs. Custom design commissions are also available at any time.

Hybrids are acceptable, though won't be considered "real" dreamwalkers since they cannot reproduce with other species in official standards, even when shapeshifted into another form.
All markings and colors are acceptable, though markings like certain logos and/or words are also outside of species standards. Exceptions may apply.
Any designs outside of lore standards are deemed "unofficial." They may still be recognized as a dreamwalker to a certain degree if they have at least half of their defining characteristics, but this is subject to the team's discretion.,
If you're not concerned about being completely accurate, then no worries! We encourage self expression and creativity, but if you choose to branch out from official dreamwalker standards, you must be prepared and willing to accept if we choose not to consider it a proper dreamwalker. We are quite flexible and know that they can be a bit strange to draw at first as well so we won't be super picky if their anatomy is off (dips in their nose bridge seems to be a relatively common mistake that is certainly inaccurate, but the team won't really police anyone about things like that unless it becomes enough of a problem that people start to think that's how they're officially supposed to look).
If you are uncertain about a design, feel free to ask about your concerns.

When designing a character, it is important to respect others in the community as well as character designs outside of the dreamwalker community. While it is acceptable to design characters inspired by pre-existing things, it is discouraged to:

Heavily base a design off of a pre-existing character, whether dreamwalker or otherwise. This includes copyrighted characters such as those in video games or other media. You're welcome to make characters based off of copyrighted characters at your own risk, but we would prefer that these designs be used strictly for personal use and not for profit. (Ie. Pokemon skinned designs).
Copy someone else's design entirely or mostly. One alternate marking does not make an original design.
Stealing another person's character.

What IS acceptable:

Borrowing elements from another design for your own, as long as your final result deviates enough from your source of inspiration that it is clearly its own design.
Borrowing color schemes / palettes, but not copying the overall design or marking layout.
Genuinely accidental likenesses that are promptly addressed if necessary. This will typically be up to individual preferences but no one will be forced to make changes to their character if likenesses are purely by coincidence.

Dreamwalkers can be drawn in any art style as long as it still represents the species. (Note: Slightly outdated wing anatomy, missing membrane between shoulder and hand as well as proper wing thumb/claw. Wings are no longer "dragonfly-like" and are connected at the finger tips like typical bat or dragon wings. These pieces were done based on earlier concepts).