Februfairy, a forever HILEYWINN Worldbuilding post pt III

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In last posts I talked about type of wings, general aspects of every Realm characteristics, sceneries and locations. We are still in an introduction phase, but with each post, things will get deeper. More LORE! AHH! Worldbuilding AHHH!

Bash'Diya literaly means "Guardian of the door". They were born from magic, sentient monsters with too much power that had one and only task. They had to guard the kingdom in which they were born and do not ask a single question.

These creatures were born from the fussion of four fairy soldiers and strong beetles. Volunteering for the task, they didn't know what would happen to them. As many things Hileywinn soldiers tend to do, they went blindly, faithfully. Of course they paid a high price.

Their bodies mutated going from an average of 25cm to 40-50 cm, their minds suffered a temporary reset and the kings that commanded them back them, were focused in war with all issues and moral debate around it.

Doing the dirty work that no one else wanted, Bash'Diya guardians started to develop a mind on their own until they rebelled, stating opinions about what was right and what wasn't.

To present day, there are few who know how they became docile and stopped killing their own. Bash'Diya now obbey orders from a magic object. With a mechanism in the core of its head, this allows the entry of a magic metal scroll. Keeping royal blood and a written order that mantains them obedient and lethal.

Some say they had faces where the guardians now have a mask, and they also shared more physic similarities with fairies that now are gone. Capped, controlled with a rope like a dog tied to a post.

The idea.

The first sketch I made for these creatures was totally accidental. I was planing for a concept art thumbnail, a fairy soldier fighting thieves. Somehow I made a very broad shoulder and huge creature, melted in shadows with red eyes shining like a mad animal.

Almost a year later, I found out It made sense for these fairies to have a security system as dangerous as this. Their pride is too big and so it was obvious for me to create some kind of sentry that helped them guard the core of their lands.

Fairies like to display their power, so what better than the Bash'Diya.

Why Beetles?

As shown in screenshots above this post, bettles come in a huge variety of shapes, amazing colors and amazing display of antlers or tweezers. I respect those insects a lot. I would never go near one without jumping in disgust and yet, they are beautiful.

Also, I guessed they would be fun to play with as I designed these guardians.

Here are some of my first ideas.

The Royal Scroll is usually made from gold/silver and another dominant color. It is stored inside the guardian's head, behind the mask and only those of royal blood who give the order, can see the letters read "To the king's service".

The story of these guardians is quite gruesome and I intend to make it relevant when I write the books!

Here I wanted to imagine what would it be to see someone give their orders for the first time. Guardian clasping on the balcony, almost smashing it with its brute force.

Bash'Diya aren't talkative, but they indeed can answer when needed. Voices are deep, slow as if they had something missing.

Trying to get used to their designs is something that takes time and I'm sure the'll be broader and scarier when I get to the real concept art!

I've talked with a friend about them and told her, there's a reason why these guardians are missing some body parts. They can't bear offspring. Does this spark some questions in you? What should I talk about in my next HILEYWINN LORE POST? Sub plot about what made kings castrate them?

Ask and tell me in the comments section! <3