For Otherwise Impossible Conceptions

At each magical location is an altar with carvings depicting children. It is up to the characters to determine what might be offered or said for the chance of being blessed. There is no rhyme or reason, but it can be assumed that whatever is offered is of value in the eyes of those seeking Astra.

Utilizing these altars gives parents the ability to have kids where they might not previously have been able to under normal circumstances.

The following are cases where Astra can aid in the conception of kids:

• Same sex breeding
• Infertile parent(s)
• Multiple parents' genetic influence (up to 4 parents)
• Single parent
• Standard reproduction if the parents would rather have kids without physical intimacy

• Interspecies breeding that is not capable of natural reproduction
(ex. A wolf and a bear)
• Kids beyond the natural limit of a pregnancy
(ex. A wolf can not give birth to more than 8 pups, or be blessed while recovering from a prior pregnancy (skipping timers))
• Character is not of age to conceive

Please note: that any physical pregnancy that results from Astra’s aid is subject to the normal pregnancy stresses put on the body. Elderly characters proceed with care.

As a magical option to breeding, there are a few restrictions regarding the results of a blessing.

• Staff determine how many kids result from Astra by spinning a wheel.
• Players can choose to have less than the amount spun, but can not surpass the number. A 0 can be spun.
• If a 0 is spun, players can try again after a 2-month cooldown.
• Characters can only partake in a successful magical conception once a year, regardless of their role in the blessing.
• A blessing is only considered successful once the children have been born, but characters can not attempt another blessing while one is currently in effect.

All other rules required for breeding apply; parents must be active characters and receive the blessing together (unless the parent is a single parent). Switching to hiatus, NPC, or failing to press the birth button/address a star pod birth (OOC acknowledgement or IC engagement noting arrival of kids) within a week of the due date will result in the termination of the blessing. Magic aided breeding counts as a mother's pregnancy for the year if she attempts to become pregnant through natural reproduction.

There are two types of magical blessings: standard in utero child development or star pod development. Players may decide which pregnancy is played out, so long as one of the parents has a uterus. If no parent has a uterus, the pregnancy will default to star pod development. Parents can not split the blessing between the two methods; all children will be developed either in utero or via star pod.

Star Pod Development

If the blessing is successful, the parents will gain 1-8 seeds to plant somewhere safe (typically a den or other safeguarded area). The seeds will grow into pods housing one child per seed at the normal rate and size development of pregnancy for the parents' species. Animals with long gestation periods may use the standard speedup rate. See Creatures & Breeding

Players must link a thread here of the seeds being planted within a reasonable timespan of gaining the blessing. If the seeds are not planted within a month, they will become sterile and fail to grow. The thread does not need to be completed for this requirement and can be a Read Only.

Seeds do not require water and sunlight to grow, though they may be beneficial to the plants. The only required tending is frequent warmth (achieved via sunlight hours, resting/sleeping near the plants, or other suitable solutions) and removal of any persistent weeds attracted to the magic. Failing to remove weeds or provide warmth will cause the plant to be strangled by invading roots, lose nutrients, and eventually die.

Note: Players are not required to write interactions tending to their seeds. This is noted for those who wish to terminate a Star Pod pregnancy. If the seeds fail to produce children (either due to lack of caring to or infertile seeds), characters may attempt to be blessed again after 2 months have passed, though Astra may be less generous to careless parents.

At the time of birth, a child will slide out of the pod in a sack that must be broken and removed to avoid suffocation (similar to any mammal birth). After the birth of the child, the pod will flower with star-shaped petals and a milk-producing pistil at the center capable of nourishing the child until the child can be weaned. After weaning, the plant will quickly wither and die.

In Utero Development

If the blessing is successful, one parent capable of carrying will find themselves pregnant. Only one parent may carry the blessing in a magical union, regardless of whether or not more than one parent is capable of carrying. The character who will be carrying can then confirm the pregnancy through the Mommy Page to begin tracking. Regardless of the sex of your partner(s), please link all additional parents involved under the Father IDs. The rest of the pregnancy will follow standard breeding

• Players may designate who carries the blessing
or
• Players can opt to have Astra (staff) randomly select who carries

Applying

Players may attempt to receive a blessing by interacting at an altar in any one of the magical locations across canis (Astra’s Grace, Furud’s Lake, Mirzam’s Tree, Gomeisa’s Ruins, Wezen’s Isles, Mapenzi). When players feel a thread has reached the point for staff involvement, post a link here to notify us. A staff member will then spin a wheel for Astra's response and post the results under Astra's account in your thread.

If standard in utero development is the chosen blessing, the parent carrying may then submit the pregnancy through the Mommy Page.

If star pod development is the chosen blessing, players must create a thread demonstrating the seeds being planted and link it once again here. A tracker will then be added to the Magic Aided Conception Requests thread for reference throughout the development and to designate the start of the child's development. If a star pod pregnancy is terminated, please contact staff so the tracker can be properly updated.