I want to have a cute mana-based animal that is prominent in groups around the sacred forest, and has a "leader" that can be interacted with. What kind of animal will this be? What is its personality?

This animal does not speak human language, but just mumbles things. It has distinct sounds. They are curious about Liora when they first meet her and provide an opportunity for Liora to interact as well. Then I wonder, what is the greater purpose of their existence for the game? I feel an opportunity here.

- Encountered in Sacred Forest
- Interacts with Liora
- Lives in groups of max 5.
- Guide Liora to hidden locations nearby? For things that can not be found with the focus system, we have to rely on animals. Kestrel can highlight things that it spots nearby and mark them with magic. But for things that are really hidden from sight and sound, it does not make sense to expose them directly to the focus system.

## Guiding Role

These animals specifically live in the area between junctions. To gain information on the things that can be found in these areas, it can be a mechanic to find the sounds of these animals and to then do an interaction minigame with them or to give them an item or food. The player can still search for the items by themselves, but this takes more time and is really just random trial and error. Though we can add more hints of sounds.

Mechanically, these critters are assigned to a specific region of the forest, and within that region they can guide the player to small objectives and items, or to puzzles if they want Liora to aid them. This is a form of *indirect questing* where an objective is found from a simple interaction, and a reward follows from doing the objective.

An example, the animals can have a wounded amongst them, it would be Liora's task to bring a specific type of healing medicine to this animal to complete the quest. Then the animals can give Liora a reward in the form of a next story clue, or key item.

An example, the animals simply guide Liora to a strange ruin that has to be opened with a puzzle. Inside is a pot of honey meant to attract flying animals. This was set up by Tobias, but the player does not know this. Tobias used magic to lock the door, instead of just lifting creating a weak door. The animals would make holes in the door if he does not use stone.

## More on appearance

These animals should be social and live in groups. Not sure if they are supposed to be bipedal or four-footers. The initial inspiration would be a similar feel to the Studio Ghibli little critters in Princess Mononoke or The Boy And The Heron. They are numerous, harmless and provide funny interactions. They are native to the [[Sacred Forest]] due to their fragile nature.

They could have a leader somewhere in the Sacred Forest that does provide conversation. In that case they are morel like little tribal creatures.

The forest nimbus is a small critter shaped like a cloud, that has one magical white arm with three fingers that it can use to grab fruit. They roll around and are very social. They make a whistling like sound similar to a Kettle.