Chapter Text
First of all, since it’s a big part of the au, let’s talk about my version of Spectralism!!
So, basically, I didn’t change the fact that Drift is a Spectralist but he is an official member of the Circle of Light now. Avery converts to Spectralism and Rodimus’ interest is peaked. Spectralism isn’t really explained much in the comics (or at least the ones I read), so I thought I’d do my own thing and just fill in the gaps for my au.
First things first, Spectralists started out as a nomadic tribe during Cybertron’s early days. They believed in the circle of life, spiritualism, pacifism, salvation, Primus, and did not worship the original Thirteen Primes. They passed down their history and stories through music, singing, ritualistic dancing. They used drums made from hides, horns made from antlers, guitar-like instruments made from rocks and web strings. They’re also known for their beautiful voices. They had a peaceful alliance with every tribe and formed close bonds with the wild life of Cybertron.
Many of them were cogless, given that T-cogs evolved in later times, so they crossed vast distances by taming and riding wild Equinoids, Cerdivaenoids, and Bovinoids.
They all had painted markings and symbols that related to their beliefs and culture. If the individual was spiritually connected, which was often, then the symbols and markings would glow and shift colors depending upon the individual’s emotions and state of mind.
Every Spectralist could read aura, energies, and inner emotions. They also had enhanced intuition, 6th sense, and the ability to communicate through EM fields. They also showed lots of physical affection, believing that touch was the best way to connect with others. They were also very flexible which helped with their gatherer lifestyle.
They lived off of energon berries, Cybertronian plants, and energon fruits. They never harmed any other life forms unless the individual was attacked with pure violence in the attacker’s mind. They carried no weapons or any defense against attackers.
The Spectralists made homes in caves, tree canopies, behind waterfalls, and in mud homes across the plains. Since they were nomadic and moved with herds of varying species, they had no agriculture or farms.
They also had traditions for loss and funerals. When one of them passes on, the other members do a hand gesture and say the phrase “walk free”. They then make a tomb out of whatever material was nearby whenever the individual passed.
In modern times, Spectralists are no longer a nomadic tribe, but they still practice traditions and rituals from ages ago.
They’re also known for their paternal instincts. In their tribal age, they’d find orphaned animals or sparklings and take them in as their own. In modern times, they often adopt sparklings or animals and will take others under their wing. An example of this in the au is when Drift was informed that Avery only had Ratchet as a parent and subconsciously started to become a maternal figure to her. This role is strengthened now that he and Ratchet are Conjunx and is Avery’s other father now.