Welcome To The Huddle!

Where Do Baby Cugs Come From?

Far below the ocean at its deepest floors, there are mysterious cracks in the earth called Bubble Springs. They’re natural, but also imbued with the very magic all Cugs can wield and see around them. From these Springs, Sluggy Bubbles are born. These tiny orbs are gently pushed up from somewhere deep within the Bubble Spring. The bubbles begin rising towards the water’s surface with ever-increasing pace. By the time they explode out of the water’s surface, they’re traveling at mach speed and rocketing high into the sky. This event is so loud, explosive, and obvious, that it often alerts Cug communities that a new Sluggy has been born.

The Sluggy Bubble, almost weightless, is gently brought down to the surface of the water after  a time. Some even become trapped in clouds for a while. Once on the water, Cug Bubbles slowly drift with the tide and the currents. Most will safely reach one of the many, *many* islands on Awa, but some don’t naturally come to shore. This is where the expertise of Rescue Teams comes into play.

Once on solid ground, the Sluggy will pop forth from its Bubble in a marginally smaller explosion. From then on the Sluggy is free to explore, play, learn, and grow as it is looked after by Cugs. When ready, a Sluggy will be brought to one of many Deep Tide Pools. The water within Deep Tide Pools are the same as the water that flows from the Bubble Springs. Some of these magical places are natural while others are crafted and maintained by Cugs, but all of them are deeply sacred and important as the locations where the species comes into adulthood. The Sluggy is placed in the water and allowed to swim until a large, glowing, iridescent Pearl engulfs them. For three days they must be bathed and looked after to keep from falling out of the waters. Finally, the Pearl explodes into millions of tiny pieces as a resting Bubble Cug awakes.

Despite being fully grown, Cugs are able to revert to their Sluggy form, although rarely at will. Most Cugs revert only when under duress or when experiencing intense emotions. Reverting is a short process, only taking a moment, but regaining their full form takes a few minutes requiring them to once again enter their bubble.