Matra Design Guidelines

I've had plenty of people tell me they'd like to potentially design their own Matras, so here's a pretty detailed list of things to keep in mind for their design process (more example images will be included later). I consider Matras to be an open species and will not prohibit people from creating their own, though I do simply ask that you credit me for being the creator of the species in any posts or content that contains Matra designs (in addition, please do not sell any Matra designs under any circumstances, and please do not simply reuse the designs of the "unique" Matra characters I have created for myself, such as Matrina). If you'd like to talk to me more about this, feel free to reach out and I'll be happy to clarify anything.

Physical Design

• Female Matras do not have a dot in the center of their psyche nodes. Male Matras do.


• Psyche nodes and nodelets can take on a variety of shapes, as long as they have rounded edges. Round shapes are preferable.


• Matras can only have one or two psyche nodes. If they have one psyche node, that means that they have an identical twin. A Matra can never have more than two psyche nodes. This limitation does not apply to nodelets (the other floaty bits that don't have the circle pattern on them), which Matras can have as many of as wanted.


• If a Matra has two nodes, their nodelets are often symmetrical. This does not apply to Matras with only one node.


• Psyche nodes and nodelets are almost always firm with a dense yet soft rubbery texture. Very rarely, these organs can be a bit softer and "bendy" on certain Matras, but most Matras cannot do this (these Matras cannot control them like limbs, however).


• Matras are completely hairless, and as a result lack any sort of hair-related features (such as facial hair). The "headpiece" of a Matra is physically part of their heads, and has a texture akin to a rubbery ball (but it is not shiny).


• Matras do not have toes.


• Matras have standard, flat teeth.

Colors

• Matras are a very homogenous species, so they always have the same white color of skin. The pigmentation differences are mostly seen in their headpieces.


• The headpiece of a Matra can be any shade of grey, but not fully white or fully black. However, these are the most common colors.
  
  
  • Dark Grey - Common
  
  
  • Extra Dark Grey - Uncommon
  
  
  • Light Grey - Rare
  
  
  • Grey - Very Rare

Naming

• Matra names always start with "Mat-" and can end with any vowel (except y). Examples of names are Matricia, Matterene, Matcha, Matri, Matzuri, Matto, etc.


• Female names tend to end with the letter a, while male names end to end with the other vowels. This is not a requirement, however.

Language

• Matras communicate telekinetically due to their lack of vocal cords. They write in their own font (for simplicity's state, it's English words but in a gibberish font). As a result, Matras will never speak using their mouths.


• The font file will be downloadable again at some point (I need to redo the download page).

Extras

• Matralings are even more homogenous, and only show differences in coloring and gender (Matras do not gain unique physical traits until adulthood).


• Matras have grey blood.


• Matras tend to frown by default, as most express their emotions with their psyche nodes. However, especially cheery Matras do smile. Particularly strong emotions can still be expressed with the mouth.


• Clothing does not have many design limitations, given that Matras wear clothing that humans would wear. Round edges are often prioritized in clothing designs, but are not necessarily a requirement.

Anatomy Sheet

Please feel free to ask me any questions you have if you're curious about anything I didn't touch up on here!