Came up with an idea for my new comic Basically the dragons have humanoid (elf-ish?) forms that they use with a magic transformation thing, the context in which they use it depends based on which sector of the dragon country place thing they're in. It kinda works like this: - Certain areas (usually "lower class" but not always) permit "beastial" forms at all times, in public, during formal ceremonies, etc. Usually places like this are looked down upon, and usually dragons who can't use magic end up there (I'll also explain the magic system at some point) but there are also some upper class type sectors that are super lenient with it, it's just super uncommon. - Most sectors (some lower, most middle & some upper class) are pretty relaxed about it, and it's more of a formality. i.e. you wouldn't bother using magic just to go get groceries or on a general outing/hangout, but if you have an office job or go to a more prestigious school, it's expected to be in the appropriate form, just like it would be expected for one to wear the appropriate clothing/uniform. not illegal by any means, but you would be a social outcast and might get punished by a teacher/boss. - The most fancy, traditional sectors (the most "upper class" sectors) force dragons to use their humanoid forms in public, all the time. It's not exactly illegal - yet - but there are political debates about it and dragons still enforce the "no beastial forms outside" rule very harshly. You're going to have company over? Human form. You're going to get the mail? Human form! That kinda stuff. Some towns even go as far as to make dragons stay in human forms the entire day, every day, until they go to bed. These dragons are equally as socially distant as supposed "lower class" sectors are from the majority population, though, and they're both pitied by most quote-unquote "normal" sectors. Also worth noting that there are some exceptions, especially considering the sectors that allow beastial forms 24/7. While most consist of lower class dragons, there are a few sectors in the middle/upper class that get away with being lax about their policies. I plan on making at least one sector that's a sort of "safe haven" for non-magic/weak-magic dragons. I really want this world to have a lot of possibilities for future stories as well. I like the idea of a story where the fate of the world doesn't literally rest on an MC's shoulders - that being said, Volantis is not being spared any trauma and/or stress. I love making my OCs miserable too much for that lol
Featured art: 1. first sketch I did of volantis and their friend/love interest (not sure what I want their relationship to be yet, but it's going to be at least queercoded or queerplatonic in some way) I don't usually draw humanoid characters so this is a nice change of pace for me 2. quick sketch of the second guy, they're so hard to draw I despise them already (they fully deserve this though, he's a complete jerk) 3. scene concept 4. volantis, I know the shading is messy and bleeds onto the background but I still kinda like it, I need to work on my proportions - hands and legs are a bit off imo but I have a good idea of what I want them to look like. I still have a long way to go but I'm getting somewhere