Gachagons (otherwise known as Gacha Dragons, or Gachas) are a species of highly intelligent, magically-inclined mammalian dragons that inhabit their own planet. They live upon a large continent, with the capital and centermost area known as The Keep being where most of the population resides. They are a very social species, with community and community events being important to them both interpersonally and to how they live together as a society. Gachagon society will be elaborated on in a further page! For now, here's..
0. THE CYCLE OF LIFE (GACHAGONS)
A pair of Gachagons excitedly combine their magic to create a Gachapon: the first stage and beginning of a new life.
Baby Gachagons are 'born' when two adult Gachagons combine their magic to create a particularly special gachapon that baby Gachas thus 'hatch' out of, similar to that of a bird's egg. Gachagons do not have to be romantically involved in any capacity for this to occur — the pair (or more) of Gachas only need to have a deep and meaningful bond with one another and wish to expand the magic of the world.
1. Hatchling Gachagons
A trio of newborn baby Gachagons, all of which are roughly the size of a medium-to-large sized dog.
Newly hatched Gachagons are pretty defenseless! Much like newborn kittens and puppies, their eyes stay closed and their ears stay folded, and they are fairly wobbly when attempting to walk. Baby Gachagons are born with small features and simple/few fur/scale colors — their cheek lights do not light up, and their pouches stay a solid color! Gachagons can be 'born' with their pouches in places other than their stomach, or with more than one pouch, though it isn't as common. They also are able to be born without a cheeklight, though it is very, very rare and can lead to health problems, unbalanced and unreliable magic, and potential personality defects as they continue to age.
Hatchlings are relatively puffy, with a downy, defensive coat, and are soft to the touch. Baby Gachagons remain in a 'hatchling' state for the first three years of their lifespan, though their eyes and ears do open up after around the first month or so after, and they slowly begin to color/pattern up. Due to this, they stay relatively traitless until they mature into the next stage, adequately called the juvenile stage.
2. JUVENILE GACHAGONS
A juvenile Gachagon finally discovers her magic, excitedly showing her friend!
After being taken close care of for the first three years of their life by their family and/or parents, the personality and traits of a baby Gachagon finally start to make an appearance in years 3-6 at a varying pace! In this stage, they begin to lose their baby coats (becoming a bit less soft and more 'rough' feeling) and start to develop their distinctive traits that make them unique! Around this time period, their gachapon pouches start to become more colorful, brimming with magic, and their cheeklights start to spark with life! These jostling balls of excitement are ready to learn and explore! They do not have much control over their magic at this stage of their life, however, and still rely on whatever support system they may have, but they begin to start to grasp the importance of their magical state and abilities.
3. ADOLESCENCE (GROWING UP!)
A simple diagram illustrating how the 'gacha' part of their anatomy actually works!
Arguably the most important life stage of a Gachagon, adolescence is a very interesting time for a young Gachagon. Most reach this stage by year six (though this can vary) with it continuing, typically, for another 3-5 years until they are able to figure out what their magic is centered around! One of the most important aspects of a Gachagon is their magical ability to gift/create capsules (gachapons) with prizes intrinsically linked to their existence. It is during this adolescent stage that their magic matures enough that they are able to properly do so, and they begin to learn what their currency is (an item that goes into their typically obscured prize slot, a magical 'hole' of sorts that is placed on their back and opens whenever they are ready to receive a currency. It typically appears around the juvenile stage!) and what prizes they will be able to give out of their capsules. It is a big deal when an adolescent Gachagon grows into their full magic potential and learns what both their currency and prize will be, and is a cause for big celebration! Gachagons hold huge coming-of-age parties with their loved ones when an adolescent comes into their own magic, and it is a wonderful time and hallmark of their life span. Discovering their magic does not mean they are fully grown, though — they still have a lot to learn, and still rely on other Gachagons to help continue to learn and grow until they reach full adulthood.
Growing up! A cause for celebration!
4. ADULTHOOD
A fully grown, adult Gachagon! Hi, Creamsicle!
Once a Gachagon reaches their full adult magic ability and have learned all they need to, they grow into full adults and can live for a very, very long time! They shoot up in size and in length, and average the size of a small-medium car, though there are always outliers. Their tails are also particularly strong and prehensile at this final stage, with many being able to use them as a fifth limb of sorts.
These world-hopping magical dragons love to explore and take part in their respective communities and social events, as it helps them remain happy and healthy.
5. ADULTHOOD & AFTER...
A Gachagon comforting another with a cracked cheeklight.
Gachagons are unable to die from old age, unlike other species in their world. Their life force is centered around the status of their cheeklights (on both sides of their face) and gachapon pouch(es). A Gachagon can continue to live with a broken or completely missing cheeklight, but their magic will be unstable and unreliable, as their magic core is off balance with (a) broken light(s) — typically, Gachagons who have broken lights also suffer physical side effects and/or changes to their personalities as well as their magic. It is possible for them to be repaired, but not to a fully unbroken state — it takes a lot for a light to be broken, and it is not a very common injury.
An illustration detailing varying levels of pouch injury.
The gachapon pouch is where the majority of magic is stored within a Gachagon. A cracked and/or leaking pouch is considered detrimental and dangerous to a Gachagon’s existence. A completely broken gachagon pouch, fully cracked and empty, means certain death for a Gachagon with, at that point, being little one can do to help. However, it is very rare for this to occur, and is almost unheard of in modern Gachagon society.
All artwork on this page is by sequiem! Thank you!