Predator Markings

[Gemini Shadows]

So, about a week ago I noticed something interesting on the main site that I wanted to bring up in here to see if anyone wanted to chat about it (since I have yet to find any discussion on it).

I was looking at the puppy images in Pom's chapter of Book of Lore on the site for fanart references when I noticed out of the corner of my eye that one of the images appeared to flicker. I looked into source and it turned out that the image was actually a gif, so I saved a copy of it and opened it up in Gimp to find this frame:

This was quite intriguing to me, so I took a look at the other chapters and located another gif in Tianhuo's chapter, which contained this frame:

Something interesting to note is that similar marks are also seen in the Prologue, where the canine predator has a red mark like that of the puppy and the bear has a blue one:

My primary train of thought is that these frames are supposed to be an indication of the predator ancestry of these characters. Both of the frames are related to the demonstration their predator traits (with the puppy chasing mice and the Tianhuo one accompanying the bullying part of the story), so it seems to be purposefully matched with their predator-like behaviors.

I believe this is further demonstrated by the fact that both canines have marks of the same color. As Tianhuo's and the bear's marks differ (as reddish-brown and blue respectively), I'm guessing that the different type predators are intentionally marked with different colors and I am curious if we will see this trend continue in the future.

Anyway, I'm not sure if any of this is significant (or if it is what the purpose of it will be), but in my opinion it's a pretty awesome touch, especially since it was something I missed on the first couple views of the Book of Lore. I plan to keep an eye open for more little touches like this in the future now that I know these are there.

Hope that you all found this as interesting as I did. So, any thoughts or ideas on this?

 

[OCisbestungulate]

You've found our mark...

But in all seriousness: Interesting. Perhaps it has something to do with lineage? Or perhaps it'll have something to do with super attacks?

EDIT: Also, that's a pretty cool catch.

 

[Sutekh94]

I do remember noticing the flickering markings on that pic of Tian whilst re-reading her lore page. Nice touch!

 

[Feanor]

I like it! It shows that they still have those predatory instincts buried inside, just waiting for the Call of the Wild! Buck, yeah!

 

[Cronnicossy]

I can't wait to learn more about this.

This sites hyping me and others so much earlier than the games release.

 

[OCisbestungulate]

I can't wait to learn more about this.

This sites hyping me and others so much earlier than the games release.

That just makes things all the better, no?

 

[danmiy12]

Yes rumors is one thing that helps games thrive...remember that ryu saying when he on in the original sf2 due to a translation error that resulted to be false but resulted in a character down the line that was ryus master, or all those mortal kombat rumors that were false but ended up becoming true in the end...

and if we are talking rumors many blizzard things that were false rumors but resulting in something amazing down the line <like the cow level in diablo 2>...rumors help the game become interesting even if they are false or result in something amazing down the line.

 

[OCisbestungulate]

Yes rumors is one thing that helps games thrive...remember that ryu saying when he on in the original sf2 due to a translation error that resulted to be false but resulted in a character down the line that was ryus master, or all those mortal kombat rumors that were false but ended up becoming true in the end...

and if we are talking rumors many blizzard things that were false rumors but resulting in something amazing down the line <like the cow level in diablo 2>...rumors help the game become interesting even if they are false or result in something amazing down the line.

And who knows? Perhaps they might inspire creators to do something cool that they wouldn't have thought up otherwise.

 

[CrpCrwls]

I find it interesting that the picture of Tianhuo's with marking is the one next to the paragraph where she's a bully, her smug posture and mean expression suggest it's a picture of her during this period. Likewise it's the picture of the puppy hunting which bear the mark. I think that more that lineage it's a mark signaling the predatory instinct itself surfacing.

I also notice there seem to be three different colors for it. Dark red for Bully Tianhuo, bright Red for the puppy and the wolf and blue for the bear. Maybe linked to different levels of bloodlust? The puppy is hunting and the wolf is in an attack/intimidation posture, Tianhuo is also aggressive but not physically, the bear on the other hand look like he's scowling but his posture isn't aggressive, he's most likely just walking.

 

[Protect Your Joules]

it's the influence of The Devourer that's seeking to control those of predatory decent. Watch the storylines of Pom and Tianhuo wrestle with this aspect.

 

[OCisbestungulate]

it's the influence of The Devourer that's seeking to control those of predatory decent. Watch the storylines of Pom and Tianhuo wrestle with this aspect.

That would be pretty legit.

 

[♥ Vanilla Cream Killy ♥]

So, about a week ago I noticed something interesting on the main site that I wanted to bring up in here to see if anyone wanted to chat about it (since I have yet to find any discussion on it).

I was looking at the puppy images in Pom's chapter of Book of Lore on the site for fanart references when I noticed out of the corner of my eye that one of the images appeared to flicker. I looked into source and it turned out that the image was actually a gif, so I saved a copy of it and opened it up in Gimp to find this frame:

This was quite intriguing to me, so I took a look at the other chapters and located another gif in Tianhuo's chapter, which contained this frame:

Something interesting to note is that similar marks are also seen in the Prologue, where the canine predator has a red mark like that of the puppy and the bear has a blue one:

My primary train of thought is that these frames are supposed to be an indication of the predator ancestry of these characters. Both of the frames are related to the demonstration their predator traits (with the puppy chasing mice and the Tianhuo one accompanying the bullying part of the story), so it seems to be purposefully matched with their predator-like behaviors.

I believe this is further demonstrated by the fact that both canines have marks of the same color. As Tianhuo's and the bear's marks differ (as reddish-brown and blue respectively), I'm guessing that the different type predators are intentionally marked with different colors and I am curious if we will see this trend continue in the future.

Anyway, I'm not sure if any of this is significant (or if it is what the purpose of it will be), but in my opinion it's a pretty awesome touch, especially since it was something I missed on the first couple views of the Book of Lore. I plan to keep an eye open for more little touches like this in the future now that I know these are there.

Hope that you all found this as interesting as I did. So, any thoughts or ideas on this?

Maybe the blue markings indicate the animal being an omnivore?

 

[CrpCrwls]

Maybe the blue markings indicate the animal being an omnivore?

Interesting theory but longmas are omnivores too, yet Tianhuo had a dark red marking

 

[Jack Dragen]

Wow, I didn't noticed that when I read the Book of Lore. I hope it means something because it would make the game more interesting.

 

[Solario]

Yeah, I also barely caught the image flicker on the puppy page and used the same method you did (with GIMP) to see if I was crazy. Later also noticed the same thing on Tianhuo's image.

I do think it's having to do with them being "in touch" with their predatory nature, acting vicious or just engaging in the hunt. It makes them reflect, however briefly, that they have connections to the ungulates' ancient enemies.

 

[TheWalrus]

There was stuff like that back in the days of Fighting is Magic too:

https://web.archive.org/web/20130209071739im_/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7fgRzWysNzo/T_ous2FF6DI/AAAAAAAAAn4/mI9uDT7flTs/s320/PinkieInnocent.gif

 

[Kressent Rhodes]

oh man! I never noticed this! But that is a freakin awesome idea! I hope they roll with it.
I also really like how one of the main characters have the markings of a predator and I hope that comes into play in the story

 

[Stars]

I get the impression that these are meant to be a sketchy representation of their eyes glowing rather than marks on their faces. Maybe.

Either way, nice catch.