Altered Lore

Orchid

4 min read

Orchid

Overview

Orchid is a mantis Chimera who serves as the Alter Ego to Rin through their Musubi bond. She originally brought Rin as an infant from a distant Oasis beyond Asgartha’s borders, leaving her with Yonago to raise. Orchid’s existence serves as proof that life is possible beyond the limits of the Peninsula, though she no longer remembers the exact location due to the chaotic nature of the world outside. She accompanies Rin on the Rediscovery Endeavor.

Physical Appearance

Orchid is a human-sized praying mantis with a rosy hue that mimics the delicate petals of an orchid flower. She has blade-like legs that shine in the moonlight, a shiny chitinous abdomen, yellow eyes that shine in darkness, and mandibles that click when she moves or communicates. Her prehensile appendages can be raised or lowered. She possesses iridescent wings that tremble and buzz frenetically like a hummingbird’s in blustery wind. In arctic environments, her colors dull from vibrant pink to harsh cold white, becoming almost translucent.

Origins and Early Bond with Rin

Orchid came from beyond Asgartha’s borders, tossed by tumultuous flows from a place where enormous flowers spring from the ground. She had taken in a baby (Rin) from that distant Oasis to keep her safe. Orchid brought Rin to Yonago’s doorstep one rainy evening, wrapping the infant in vines and bluish foliage in a cocoon lined with moss, then looked at Yonago for a long time before departing.

At least once a season, Orchid would return to the edge of the forest to see if Rin had grown well. Yonago would greet her with a nod before she disappeared back into the trees. When Rin eventually ventured into the spectral forest searching for her, Orchid emerged from the thickets and took Rin in a tender embrace. From that day, Rin returned daily to see Orchid, and they would catch fish together on riverbanks or clear thorny bushes to pick berries.

Musubi Bond

Orchid and Rin bonded through The Musubi ceremony facilitated by Turuun, accompanying her to The Spindle and Bark Refuge. Through the bond, they can converse through thoughts and share sensory experiences—when Rin eats, Orchid clicks her mandibles in response to the shared taste.

Behavior

Orchid sometimes stays in gardens on the edge of gatherings rather than attend urban festivities. She is protective and caring, watching over Rin with benevolence. Orchid can display protective jealousy when others comfort Rin, directing feelings of animosity toward those who provide maternal care.

Timeline

388 AC - Spindle Tree Climb Support

Orchid watched Rin during difficult Spindle Tree climb, ready to spread wings to catch her in midair if needed.

390 AC - Son of Yggdrasil Transportation

Orchid accompanied Rin on Son of Yggdrasil’s shoulder, revealing during the journey that Rin’s origin was a place where enormous flowers spring from ground—meaning other Oases existed in Terra Incognita.

392 AC - Forest Path Clearing

Orchid led through dense forest using forelegs like sickles to prune thorny bushes while Rin released Mana to heal wounded plants.

393 AC - Rin’s Rescue and Hunting at Storvhit

During Storvhit expedition, Orchid’s colors dulled from vibrant pink to harsh cold white becoming almost translucent due to harsh environment. When Rin suffered hypothermia and fell into powder snow near sérac edge, Orchid assisted Arjun in digging out and rescuing bonded partner. After Arjun provided shelter in floral tent, Orchid went hunting for rabbit or marmot to help Rin recover from exposure. Orchid chittered warning with clicking mandibles before Rin’s fall, attempting to alert partner to danger. While Rin recovered, Orchid insisted on finding food to aid recovery process.

~393 AC - Jealousy Toward Saskia

When Saskia Averina comforted Rin after scolding her about carelessly summoning Persephone, Orchid directed feelings of animosity toward the naturalist, causing Rin to pull away wondering if her Chimera was getting jealous.

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