Interest Check
The Cryptids
A little bit of background information... these creatures, the Cryptids, were accidentally created by me when I was doing a bit of an anatomy study. Out of curiosity as to how coloring them would go, I moved onto this thread, incidentally creating the Spectres. The first Spectre was them, who was soon followed by them. I was then urged by a few people on the thread to create some actual canonic lore for the little guys, and this is the thread where I'll share that lore! I'm hoping to get some feedback on it, as well as just general input on what you all would like to see as well as pricing etc, so come on down! I appreciate everything I get, negative or positive. Just be honest~

Lore
Cryptids are forgotten, cursed beasts, creatures who live below the surface of the earth, honored and forsaken by the humans whom they live below. The name Cryptid is an overarching term given to any of the accursed beasts who live in the belly of the earth, there are in reality different 'breeds' or 'species' of Cryptids within that title. Each of these creatures possesses some specialty that the others do not, giving them all access to different areas of the cave system that they live inside. There are currently three known realms of "The Underbelly", as the caves are called by the humans. The three realms, the Sunfields, Crest, and Labyrinth are all homes to the different types of Cryptids. These are gone into more detail down below in their Physiology and Biomes sections. 

It is important to note that these Cryptids are worshiped by the humans above them. Offerings are tossed down into the Sunfields on a daily basis, and the occasional sacrifice takes place as well. Little do the humans know, their sacrificial offering [foxes, tossed down into the Sunfields while still alive], are not actually being sacrificed. Rather, the Cryptids care for these creatures, these Familiars. There are powers which the tenders in the Sunfields use to rescue and save the foxes, where they are then delegated to the Cryptid species they would most benefit.

Biomes
The Sunfields, the largest cavern in all of the Underbelly. At the top of the cavern, a hole through the crest of the earth rises, far too high and curved for any Cryptid to climb and escape. This hole lets in the light, and other things. Rain, snow, dirt, and above all else, seeds. It is The Hounds who tend the Sunfields, purveyors of herbs and medicines, the healers of the Underbelly. 
The Crest, found to one end of the Sunfields, down a long and shallow tunnel. A sheer cliff, curling almost endlessly up until it can no longer travel straight and begins to arch back across the crust of the earth. The stone is deeply pitted, forming small caves, and it is within these caves that The Serpins dwell. These creatures are the vermin managers, the hunters, the sheer cliff dwellers who are never bothered due to the fact that no other Cryptid has the same sure-footedness that they do. 
 The Labyrinth, the final area, lies to the far end of the cavern, opposite to the Crest. It is the deepest part of the caves, an endless maze, a land called. Though it's a rather overused name, it's fitting. The Labyrinth is a twisting and turning map of tunnels and caverns, some open, some dead ends, some leading travelers to their deaths in the common cave-ins and other such catastrophes. This is the land ruled by The Spectres, the eldest and most powerful of all the Cryptids. Spectres keep the land in balance, possessing powerful and ancient powers. The Labyrinth is their ancient lair... and their prison.

Physiology
The Hounds
Benevolent Beasts, Blessing Bringers

The Hounds are canine like creatures, and as such it is little wonder that they are the highest looked upon Cryptid of all. They are not feared, rather loved by humans of all ages. They tend the gardens of the Sunfields, companions to the mild tempered foxes who fall to their open paws.
Built like Golden Retrievers, Hounds are stocky creatures with thick, muscular legs and a long flowing tail. Their paws are large and soft, allowing them to move in near silence. Their ears are flopped over and down, their muzzles blocky and soft. They have medium jowls that hang slightly lower than their lower lips. Their hair is long, especially at their tails, cheeks, and ears, and slightly wavy. Upon the top of their head are two long, curved horns, stretching up in the rough shape of a 'C'. Floating above their shoulders are a pair of large wings, mostly non-functional. They provide extra warmth in winter, and a shelter from the rain or chronic dripping of the ceilings. They cannot fly with these wings, though with some effort they can glide across the surface of the Sunfields for a moment or stir up some wind with the flapping.
The Hound's possess a type of magic based around healing, growth, and water. Very intelligent, the canine-like Cryptids will either be able to knit flesh and bone with a thought, grow herbs and plants with near effortless motions, or summon and bend the water around them. A peaceful race, they almost never use their abilities to harm, choosing to rather heal and save those they can. They are the caretakers of the Underbelly.


The Serpins
Silver-Tongued Snakes

The Serpins are a strange hybridized beast, appearing to be slightly canine, but also slightly reptilian. They are the least appreciated of all of the Cryptids, feared as the Spectres, but lacking in the power to be respected too. They are the vermin hunters, keeping in control the populations of deadly creatures that would wreck havoc upon the human population. They are companions to the swiftest and sharpest of the foxes dropped into the Sunfields.
Built like Doberman Pincers, Serpins are long legged, thin and short furred, exceptionally muscular and toned. Their paws are small and highly padded, the paw pads hardened from regular use, When they're born, their paw pads are small and pink, soft, but as they grow, they turn grey and leathery. With highly sensitive split tongues, they can operate in near darkness, though they do better with enough light to easily navigate the sheer cliffs of the Crest. Their noses are sensitive as well, but it is their serpentine tongue that truly lets them work. Heat sensing and powerful, they allow them to see even when their eyes cannot. Short, bobbed tails seem counter intuitive on slopes that need such brilliant balance, but they are such a small size [about half the length of the Hound's tails], so that they do not catch on anything while the Serpins navigate the Crest. Narrow cracks and crevasses are too easy to snag some piece on while lunging from outcropping to outcropping.
Serpins are masters of illusions. Generally, their coats are dark colored with bright luminescent markings, made to lure in and confuse or mesmerize potential victims. They can change the brightness of these markings, making them ripple or change in effect. Some of the more powerful Serpins also possess the ability to cloak themselves in darkness, or conjure hallucination-like visions to trick their prey.


The Spectres
Earth-Breakers, Blind Barbarians

The Spectres are the oldest and most powerful variety of Cryptid. Deeply misunderstood, these mostly blind creatures are thought to be malevolent and cruel. Rather, they are gentle, sad creatures, wandering the endless Labyrinth in the darkness with only scent and smell to guide them. The Spectres are the guardians of the world. They control many more things than the humans could ever imagine, but they sense the strength and power they command. As such, they are feared, and respected. Their companions are the quietest and calmest of all the foxes, a type of therapy animal, soothing the great and lurching souls of the Spectres.
Spectres are built unlike almost any other animal. They do not possess true paws, rather small stubs, spreading slightly to provide a stable walking surface. They are covered in a thin layer of fur, except for their manes which run thick between their ears and down most of their spine. Their ears are very large, allowing them to hear almost everything they need to, rightfully so, given their eyes are almost entirely useless. Though they can handle very dim light, their white pupils are too sensitive for much exposure. Moonlight is all they can tolerate, and only a halfmoon or below. These luminescent pupils shine very faintly in the dark caverns, the only light any Spectre seeing regularly being the light of their own gaze. The inversion of their gaze is largely what causes this. Their tails are long and tapered, until they reach the end and stretch out into a diamond shaped point. This end of their tail is sharp and can be used as a weapon if absolutely needed, though most Spectres prefer peace over war. They are tall and thin, their tails as long as their bodies. They wander in near silence, though when they choose to, they can speak in almost every language that exists to this earth.
Their powers are telekinetic, based almost entirely in their minds. Most can control some type of element, though others tap into more ancient powers, control of light and shadow, seasons, warm and cold, storm and electricity. The variations are nearly limitless. They are those who keep the world in balance, who keep it from falling. Their captivity below in the Labyrinth was an ancient human's way of assuring they would never abandon their posts.


Example Designs




Questionnaire
Username + ID:
Question 1: Does the lore appeal to you?
Question 2: Is there anything you would add or change about the lore?
Question 3: Do the lines appeal to you, and which is your favorite?
Question 4: Would you be interested in seeing these as a full adoptables thread?
Question 5: Would you like to see exploration, breeding, none, or both?
Question 6: If you'd like to see one or both of the above, how would you propose it be done? Genetics? Roll explorations with a set pool? Be specific!
Question 7: What would you pay for a Hound?
Question 8: What would you pay for a Serpin?
Question 9: What would you pay for a Spectre?
Question 10: If things like breeding or exploration were included, what would you see the price set to?
Bonus Question: Do you have anything extra to say or suggest not already covered by these questions?