DIGIMON PRIMER
Feb. 12th, 2012 09:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
digitaldivemodsA digimon or “Digital Monster” is a creature native to the Digital World. As everything in the Digital World is comprised of data, so to is a digimon. This data takes the form of numerous substances, effectively creating a creature as alive as you or me, with skin, hair, and all manner of other things comprising their bodily make-up. Digimon are also generally as intelligent as any human or other sentient lifeform, though some are known to succumb to vicious natural instincts and become like wild animals. As such, Digimon have feelings, hopes, dreams, ambition, and culture all their own, which has allowed them to create numerous diverse societies throughout the Digital World.
As stated before, all digimon are generally intelligent and self-aware. Digimon also fit into one of three categories called an Attribute; the three attributes are called Vaccine, Data, and Virus. In general, Vaccine digimon are warm and righteous, Data digimon are calm and even-tempered, and Virus digimon are fierce and confrontational – however, there are many exceptions to this “rule”, and some digimon can even change attribute when going through their life cycle. There is a fourth Attribute called “Variable”, but such digimon are rare and do not have any defining traits associated with them.
Digimon also tend to take forms inspired by several archetypal categories, known as a “Digimon Natural Ability” or “DNA” – the types of “DNA” are Beast, Insect/Plant, Machine/Mutant, Aquatic, Bird/Aerial, Dragon, Holy, and Dark. Digimon who identify with a particular kind of “DNA” are known to refer to themselves as “Nature Spirits”, “Jungle Troopers”, “Metal Empire”, “Deep Savers”, “Wind Guardians”, “Dragons Roar”, “Virus Busters”, or “Nightmare Soldiers,” respectively.
Additionally, every Digimon has something that is called a Digi-Core. The Digi-Core is essentially the “heart and soul” of a digimon, and contains all the information on what a digimon is or isn't within it. If a Digi-Core is damaged, a digimon dies, and reverts back to the beginning of their life cycle. If a Digi-Core is modified, the digimon itself changes forever. When this occurs naturally, it is called Evolution.
Every digimon, no matter how young, is capable of performing one or more special attacks to defend themselves, making them dangerous fighters on their own. Because of this, Digimon are generally hardier than the creatures they resemble, and can take more punishment than a normal human being. This trait only increases as a digimon changes throughout its life.
In general, every digimon has a life cycle. They are born from objects called Digi-Eggs, hatching into a Baby digimon, which is small, weak, and does not have an Attribute. As they grow older, a Baby Digimon will quickly evolve into a Child digimon, and from there, into an Adult, Perfect, or Ultimate. As stated before, his process is known as Evolution, and digimon can either become stronger versions of their current form, or even evolve into something completely different. Sometimes, a digimon's personality can even change upon evolving, as the change into their new form has an effect upon them physically and mentally.
Whether a digimon evolves is dependent upon how it lives its life. In general, if a digimon allows itself to grow in power, it will evolve. However, some digimon never evolve past the Child level at all, and thus, spend their entire lives in one form. As a result, the higher one goes on the level scale, the rarer digimon of that level are are. As a result, digimon can age and appear older even if they are a lower level. Digimon also gain cognizance faster than non-Digimon lifeforms, and even if a Digimon is relatively young, it is possible for them to have a personality like a mature adult.
When a digimon evolves, this is usually permanent. However, some exceptions to this fact exist. For more information about evolution, please see the Evolution & Digi-Xros Primer.
Digi-Eggs are born when data collects into the form of one, which occurs at a place known as a Primary Village, or through a process called Matching. Matching occurs when two digimon decide to combine their data, releasing energy from their Digi-Cores and mixing it between them, creating a Digi-Egg. This is not necessary for a Digi-Egg to form, but many digimon decide to do this when forming strong bonds with one another. In cases like this, the resulting egg and Baby digimon are raised and nurtured by the “parents”, and the “offspring” has traits from both digimon. Matching can occur between any two digimon, and is not dependent upon gender or level. Digimon are capable of having physically intimate relationships, but this this has no bearing on reproduction and exists only for personal “enjoyment.”
Finally, digimon are not the only inhabitants of the Digital World. There exist beings called Digital Life Forms, which include beings called Digi-Gnomes and simulacra of earthling fauna and flora. They exist in harmony with Digimon, and are as vital a part of the Digital World's ecosystem. They usually take the form of creatures that do not fill the same ecological niche as a digimon, and those that do compete with Digimon are usually at a distinct disadvantage.
