anon: Heyo,, could you tell me a bit more about valkon stuff? I’ve read the original post and such but I’m still a bit confused about it. Is it a strictly a plural thing? Or is it something where the physical and mental doesn’t line up?
Sure! It’s closer to identity phenomena like otherkin, therian, trans, some forms of plurality, etc., but in a more external and integrated sense. It’s not a plural only thing, so you could be a singlet vakalon or a plural vakalon.
A vakalon is essentially someone who can externalize their identity so that they’re experiencing it (in a subjective sense) in this world. Any identity can do this, so trans, therian, kin, plural, human, etc. vakalons are all possible. (This is also why it looks like there’s a mashup of different experiences underneath the label – they’re all externalized, but beyond that the details vary.) They could see it, hear it, experience it as if it were in this world, as if they physically were their identity despite that not being the case. Basically, imagine the concept of a werewolf or shapeshifter, but subjective and not limited to wolves or even species identity.
Hopefully this clarified things a bit more? If not, feel free to send another ask!
Context:
From an Alterhuman Wiki:
“A “vakalon” is an individual who experiences vakalomorphy. The term is used to describe someone who identifies with and embodies an aspect of their identity that is perceived as physically manifested through primarily non-delusional hallucinations or supernatural phenomena. Vakalons may have diverse identities, such as species, gender, or self-image, and their experiences are considered genuine and integral to their sense of self.”
“Key Characteristics:
- Identity Experiences:
- A vakalon is characterized by their experiences of vakalomorphy, which involves an innate and integral identity manifested through non-delusional hallucinations or supernatural phenomena.
- Inherent Aspect of Self:
- The identified aspect of the vakalon’s identity is an inherent and essential part of who they are. It is not a chosen or external component but is deeply integrated into their sense of self.
- Acknowledgment of Real Experiences:
- Vakalons acknowledge that the experiences associated with vakalomorphy are real and significant to them. These experiences contribute to their understanding of their identity.
- Diverse Identities:
- Vakalons may have diverse identities, and their vakalomorphy experiences can encompass various aspects of identity, such as species identity, gender identity, or self-image.
- Non-Delusional Nature:
- The hallucinations and supernatural phenomena experienced by vakalons are considered non-delusional, indicating that the individuals do not perceive them as false or disconnected from reality.
Community and Cultural Considerations:
- Language within Alterhuman Communities:
- The term “vakalon” is part of the language used within alterhuman communities, particularly those focused on alterhuman and otherkin experiences. It provides a way for individuals to self-identify and connect with others who share similar experiences.
- Supportive Communities:
- Vakalons may find support and understanding within online communities where individuals discuss and explore alterhuman and otherkin identities. These communities often provide a space for sharing experiences and perspectives.
- Personal Exploration:
- The concept of being a vakalon reflects the ongoing personal exploration of identity and the ways in which individuals articulate their unique experiences within the context of vakalomorphy.”
From a website, created by Hoarde:
“Vakalomorphy is an innate and integral identity (on the level of species, gender, self-image, etc.) that is subjectively physical, often resulting in significant body-identity integration and/or identity-relevant hallucinatory or supernatural phenomena so that one experiences themselves as their identity; an externalized self-identity. These things are experienced in a non-delusional manner and most vakalons are aware they are objectively their current physical human bodies, or are in touch with their current reality and can acknowledge it. From the Latin word “na kaloúpi” (να καλούπι) meaning “to mold” and “morphe”, meaning “form”; vakalomorphy meaning “to mold into form”.
Originally coined 03/02/2021 (amended term coined April 26, 2022.)”
From a different website on the term:
“Vakalomorphy: An innate and integral identity (on the level of species, gender, self-image, etc.) that is subjectively physical, often resulting in significant body-identity integration, morph urges, and/or identity-relevant externalized phenomena so that one experiences themselves as their identity. May also be referred to as ‘vakalonity’.
Spectral: A more colloquial way to refer to the nature of vakalomorphy; a synonym for vakalomorphy.
Identity: In this case, identity is referring to one’s fundamental and integral self-image, ie. how one identifies themselves in contrast to their body (general self-image, gender identity, species identity, body identity, etc.) It is often ingrained in a person from an early age and can be quite resistant to change.
Vakalon: Shortened form of “vakalomorphy”; often used to refer to an individual who experiences a subjectively physical identity.
Genmorph: A person who experiences a subjectively physical gender identity.
Theriovak/Theriomorph: A person who experiences a subjectively physical animalistic identity.
Psymorph: A psychic (“psychic” being someone who intuits information by means other than the physical senses) who externalizes their identity.
Nonmorph: An individual that experiences body-identity integration, manifestation/transformation urges and psychological/supernatural phenomena that has little to no relation to their identity. An epimorph experiences the phenomena of vakalomorphy without it being significant to who they are as a person.
Awakening: When a vakalomorph first realizes they are different and are not experiencing the world the same way as other people.
Misyn: A feeling of being physically what you are not; feeling like one is completely what they identify as. (From “mesh” and “synthesis”)
Diode: In some individuals, this is the core or center of themselves which contains the entirety of their identity or holds their sense of self. May be experienced on a bodily level by some.
Morph: Synonym for “form”, sometimes used to talk about the form one takes when externalizing themselves or the process of externalization itself.
Numen: In vakalons, a specific urge to morph and other associated feelings, such as a need to be in one’s natural environment.
Morphing: The process of externalizing one’s internal identity so that it may be experienced in this world by oneself. This subjective change may take place on one’s body or the surrounding environment, may be partial or full, and may involve magical or realistic elements. There are two types known so far:
Manifestation: A subjective and illusionary change into one’s identity. Manifestations are typically opaque, transparent and ghostly, and may involve changes to one’s surrounding environment as well as their body, so that they’re in an environment they identify with or feel comfortable in. Entities in these environments may be interactive and communicative, with some of them even taking up residence in the same body as the individual morphing. Experiences in this vein are reminiscent of the legends of teleportation to otherworlds.
Transformation: A subjective and realistic change into one’s identity. Transformations are typically realistic, lifelike, and vivid, and can cause the human body to react as if one was physically their form. Transformations can take place on or around one’s physical body, so that to the individual morphing it appears to be changing or taking on a different shape. Experiences in this vein are reminiscent of the transformations of werewolves and shapeshifters of lore.
These are not hard and fast lines however, and a transformation can have elements of manifestation and vice versa. (Synonyms: “shifting” and “warping”)
Dual: Short for “dual self”. This refers to the second, oftentimes “sentient’ form or sense of self that many vakalons have. A dual is the secondary self that makes up a vakalon’s overall being. It may be able to converse with the vakalon, and is what is externalized during transformation/manifestation.
Morph Sickness: These are the side effects that can occur when one has been changed for too long. A person who is morph sick can end up unable to tolerate food, sickly, disoriented and overall exhausted.
Under-Layer: Under layer refers to psychological/supernatural expressions that take place as a background to the physical world so that you see them off in the distance, faded and washed out.
Over-Layer: Over layer refers to psychological/supernatural expressions that take place on the forefront of this physical world so that you see them with the same detail, clarity, and vividness as other objects in this world, if not more.
Urges: This refers to the general collection of urges and pulls towards manifesting or transforming one may encounter. They are usually covert, working in the background of one’s psyche as they go about their life.
Sprite: This refers to a vocal auditory voice, spirit or entity, typically one that displays some level of autonomy, communicativeness and sagaciousness.
Wisp: This refers to voices, visuals, special thoughts, spirits and other entities that fail to display autonomy, communicativeness and/or sagaciousness.
Trove: Term referring to the sum of entities sharing a life together. (Synonyms: “Coterie”, “Galere”, “Confulgeo”)”