Spliced Guide

Intro

Spliced is a chimeric-like trait that allows your spirit to have two distinct genos. This means your spirit can express traits from both genos in different ways depending on how you choose to display the Spliced trait.

There are three ways to show Spliced: Shapeshifting, Marbled, and Merged. Each method gives you different options for how your spirit looks and behaves.

Is there a difference between Spliced when it's on Geno vs. Added?

Yes! Please note that there are some important differences between Spliced when it's part of the geno versus when it's added to a design.

When Spliced is part of the geno:

You get to choose which side to remove if you ever decide to remove the trait
Both sides can be passed on to summons, giving you more summoning options

When Spliced is added to the design:

The second side will always be the one removed if you choose to remove the trait (Even if it's on the design as occult)
Only the original geno side can be passed to summons, not the spliced addition

Please note that genos that have Spliced as occult will have their second geno crossed out and won't be part of the active traits until the Spliced trait is added or becomes recessive. Even if Spliced is removed wholesale, the second geno will remain for record in case Spliced is ever added back.

Shapeshifting Splices

Shapeshifting Splices require you to design both genos as completely separate forms, meaning you'll need to create two full import images for your character. Your spirit will be able to change between these two forms, and the transformation can happen however you want it to - whether it's by the character's will, triggered by time of day, influenced by emotions, or any other factor you choose.

Either side can be designated as the 'main' side, which is the form that displays first on your character's profile when other players visit. The other form will be listed as an Alternate view. There's no mechanical difference between which one you choose as the main side, so pick whichever feels right for your character.

The two forms must remain completely separate - no traits can bleed over from one geno to the other. However, you do have flexibility in other areas. You can use different backgrounds for each form if you want, and the Build, Height, and Mass can vary between the two sides as long as they stay within the regular restrictions. The Age must remain the same for both forms.

Each form will have its own total stats. While the base and permanent stats are identical between both sides, the bonus and total stats will be different because boosts applied to each side only affect that specific form. For more information about how stats work, you can check out the stat guide and boost guide.

If you want to get really creative with your character, you can even give each form different personalities or play with the character's memories between transformations. Think Jekyll and Hyde scenarios, or a character who becomes a completely different person when they shift. This is entirely optional and up to you as the player.

Note that the Duality Unique trait is considered a required Shapeshifting Splice.

Marbled Splices

Marbled Splices create a blend of two genos on one body through patches and markings. Think of it as having distinct sections of each geno displayed across your spirit's form, with clear borders separating the two sides. Both genos remain completely separate from each other and don't affect one another, but they coexist on the same body.

The borders between the two sides can be split 50-50, have one side dominating over the other, or be marbled together in patches - hence the name. As long as there are distinct borders between the two sides, it counts as a proper Marbled Splice. These borders can be hard lines or have textured edges, giving you flexibility in how you want the transition to look.

Features can be marbled if you choose, though it's not required. However, certain body parts must follow specific rules. Horns, teeth, flesh, and claws or hooves must be affected by whichever side is touching them. So if Side A's territory includes the area where horns grow, those horns must display Side A's characteristics.

When a feature appears on only one side of the splice or when both sides have different versions of the same feature type, you have options. You can either restrict the trait to only show in the sections where that side appears, or you can choose one side's version to display in full across the entire body while ignoring the other side's version. This also means that when adding a trait to the design, you're allowed to have it show fully even if you're only applying one item and don't need to use separate items for both sides of the splice.

Unlike other Splices, the Height, Mass, and Build must remain the same for both sides. Additionally, Marbled Splices cannot mimic The Good and Bad Wolves Marking.

Merged Splices

Merged Splices blend both genos into one seamless design without any borders between them. This is the most flexible option but also the most complex, as it often requires custom lines and careful attention to detail.

With Merged Splices, you can ignore specific marking rules about range, coverage, density, and breaks, but only when a marking appears on just one side of the splice. If a marking appears on both sides, it must follow normal minimum range requirements. Maximum allowed ranges still apply regardless. This flexibility lets you create custom effects like combining existing traits or minimizing their impact - like having the sphynx feature on one side allowing just the fur on the cheeks, or a spirit with the dunked marking on both sides showing on both head and tail ranges.

The only requirement is that your merged design must avoid mimicking any existing single traits. Combinations are fine as long as the end result is clearly different from what already exists.

When you add features or markings to a Merged Splice, they will only apply to the original geno (the first one) by default. If you want an added trait to appear on the spliced side, you need to specify that in the comments or when submitting the request. If you want it on both sides, you'll need to use two items.

Features that exist on both sides must be merged together - you cannot simply overwrite one with the other unless you use an item to change it. This means you'll need to blend the characteristics of both features into one cohesive design. If both sides are the same, it'll simply be the regular feature, no merging needed. If one side has a mutation and the other doesn't, you're allowed to minimize it as well, or show it in full.

Age, Height, and Mass must remain the same for both sides, but you can mix and blend the Builds from both genos to create something in between if you choose two different builds.

Since Merged Splices often require custom artwork, the lining style must be clean and crisp and match the import style - messy lines aren't acceptable. The merged trait must clearly resemble both original traits it's combining. You won't need a glam kit when merging traits unless you're redrawing them completely from scratch without using the provided base feature lines, and even then you'll only need one glam kit rather than two.

Given the complexity and custom nature of Merged Splices, expect a more detailed review process to ensure everything follows the guidelines properly.