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Dhaebru

#150 1 July 2023, 17:14:36 UTC

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{"data":{"description":"Voidic shadow entities with two variants<\/p>","field1":"Species Name<\/strong>  Dhaebru Sometimes known as or mistaken as:<\/strong> Shadow Wraith, Void Spirit, Shade, sometimes mistaken for Demons or Shadow People. They don't have connections to either and aren't truly wraiths, spirits or shades. They are a class of their own.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are a sapient and highly social eldritch creatures of shadow, spectral in nature. They are always seen robed in dark, tattered robes and usually have armor on as well, of varying designs depending on the individuals and their origin. The robes and armor are connected to a special amulet they wear on a  collar-like necklace that settles around their neck. This amulet has a direct connection to the Dhaebru's core, and can not be removed. Dhaebru are highly social beings, and hate being alone. If deprived of the company of another Dhaebru, they will gravitate towards any living thing, sapient or not, and cling to any company they can. They get extremely depressed and upset when they are alone for too long.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have two types. The smaller variety are the commonfolk of the species, simply called Dhaebru. They are roughly human sized, and the most commonly seen type. They regularly leave the Outer Realms, wandering various worlds seemingly at random. They are most often seen in the lands surrounding the portal to their world, usually marked by an obelisk of strange dark crystals. Dhaebru can be be spotted regularly wandering worlds that have a strong magical presence, but are not hostile unless threatened. They are most likely to slip away back into the Outer Realms, where they are safe. They have pale eyes gleaming out from beneath their hoods, and often throw off a spectral fog when startled, giving them cover to escape harm. Dhaebru are curious, but shy. If they can not get to safety, they will attack and they make short work of most physical beings.<\/p>\r\nThe larger variety is known as a Warden. Wardens are tall and powerful Dhaebru, known for their impressive stature, some individual reaching up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters tall. Wardens are protectors and leaders by nature. They are highly territorial, so it's rare to find more than one Warden within a sect unless one of them is a juvenile, or they are closely related, such as siblings or parent and child. Wardens rarely leave the Outer Realm. They are usually pretty calm, and can be downright lazy, but if you threaten their sect, they can kill even a heavily armored physical beings with little to no effort. Fortunately, most Wardens prefer to frighten off a potential threat, but if the threat returns, they don't take chances. Wardens are surprisingly maternal and have a tendency to be very possessive. If their sect is not threatened, a Warden is usually peaceful and will simply observe, but when attacked their true power shows. If a Warden wants to kill you, it's going to kill you, no questions about it.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are not to be mistaken with wraiths, demons, shadow people or ghosts. While they are wraith like, they are not true wraiths and they are not from the Infernus like demons. They are eldritch beings from a realm beyond the edge of reality. They have a large amount of strange Eldritch influence to them, but this is stabilized down by their robes and is the reason they wear them. The robes protect the Dhaebru from the world around then, but also protect the world from their otherworldly aura.<\/p>\r\nThey are mysterious creatures, and not many have had real contact with them. Regular Dhaebru are shy and skittish by nature, and most physical beings are terrified of them due to their dark appearance and power. They are also known to show up when dark magic is afoot. While they are attracted by the dark magic due to instincts to investigate and prevent harm, many associate them with it, and blame them for it. They have a dark and frightening reputation, meaning very few people truly know much about them.<\/p>\r\nThey are known to clash with a group of dangerous individuals known as the Order of the Eclipse. The Order are a mysterious and dangerous cult that once existed to protect humankind but twisted into something dangerous with an obcession for dark power. They actively hunt Dhaebru for their cores, which are used in their dark rituals. Most Dhaebru will attack and kill a member of the Order on sight, or turn tail and run.<\/p>","field2":"The Outer Realm, the Dhaebru Homeworld<\/span><\/p>\r\n Dhaebru reside in an alternate dimension of sorts known as the Outer Realm. This strange and hostile realm serves as a barrier and buffer between the Eldritch Realm and Midworld, though this knowledge has long since been lost. Nobody knows where it came from anymore, not even the Dhaebru. Many feel they may have come from somewhere else, but such knowledge is lost to time. It's common for Wardens to try to figure this out, but not much headway has been made, as if something about their past was buried or lost a long time ago. Some feel it was on purpose, as Dhaebru have always liked to keep their history written down, down to the name of each member born to the sect, and the date of their death should they die. Strange growths of a black crystals that appear clustered with some floating under their unique eldritch power show entry and exit points and portals to the Outer Realm.  This is where the Dhaebru come and go from. It's extremely dangerous to physical beings to cross through, but Dhaebru can take people in there with them and protect them from the negative effects within.  The Outer Realm is generally comprised generally caves and corridors that seem to have no rhyme or reason. Almost like the ruins of an ancient infinite fortress. Lighting comes from various crystals, fungi, and some creatures that wander the corridors.  One can often tell where a Sect lives as that area is usually closed off with rooms carved in the strange anceitn dark stone the Shadow Realm is made of, often closed off so the Dhaebru can stay safe from the various creatures that wander their Realm. <\/p>\r\nOrigins of the Dhaebru and Deepbloods<\/span> While Dhaebru do not know their own origin anymore, they were created alongside mysterious beings known as Aethyr by a pair of strange beings known as the Balance. The Balance was said to be a combination of Voidborn and Etherborn, a creature embodying both Light and Darkness. Wild and untamed, but also sensitive and sapient, the strange entity felt that the physical realms and all they contained was a precious gem that needed to be protected and preserved, and observed that the fragile Midworld and all its varied and beautiful life could be damaged by the Aether and the Eldritch Void. They themselves could not directly interfere, as their powerful energy could do great damage no matter their intentions, so they found another solution. They set out to protect it, by creating two realms, as buffers and barriers between Midworld and the dangerous realms layered around it. They then populated these buffers with beings that would serve as guardians and protectors and keep the balance and protect Midworld. Image of The Balance Goes Here Below is a basic example of dimensional layering and how it works. The lines are uneven. Some worlds are in the middle, not touching either. Some are close to the Eldritch Void, and gateways to the Dhaebru's Shadowrealm appear, allowing Dhaebru to enter the world and wander about. Some are closer to the Aethyr, allowing gateways to the Aethyr's homeworld to appear, and allowing Aethyr to wander the land. Some are close to both, having both Aethyr and Dhaebru present. Image of basic Dimensional Layering Goes Here<\/p>\r\nThe Outer Realm is a bit like a buffer between midworld and the dangerous and unstable Eldritch Void. Dhaebru were meant to seek out any intrusions of creatures or volatile energies from the Eldritch Void, and call their Warden over to destroy them, while they seal up the rift. Dhaebru actually need to enter Midworld to feed on the magical energy present there; causing them to need to wander about regularly, and making them have need of their gateways wherever they appear. Their draw to the disruption of the fabric of reality is the reason they often show up when dangerous magic is afoot, as their instincts draw them to it and they want to put a stop to it if it starts causing damage. Aethyr did the same within the Aether, and the two beings together kept Midworld in balance. This did not last, however, as contention soon started between the two races. The Aethyr felt that they were better than the Dhaebru, and tried to treat them as slaves. The Dhaebru and the Aethyr fought, then eventually parted ways. The Aethyr retreated into their realm, while Dhaebru remained within the Outer Realm and wander Midworld from time to time. All of this went down a very long time ago, near the beginning of the Universe itself.<\/p>\r\nAs for Deepbloods, a voidic entity interbred with a Dhaebru Warden several generations down the line, and a three hybrids were born of their union, known as the Deepbloods. When that Warden found their peaceful and natural end, the creature kept watch over the race, until another Warden caught their interest several generations later. This Warden, however, was a descendant of one of those original Deepbloods, and was power hungry. They wanted as pure an offspring as they could get because they felt that this bloodline was the origin of the Dhaebru race and wanted purity. When the child did not come out as they wanted, they killed the Void creature and abused the child, who eventually became the most evil being the Universe has ever known. This cruel being destroyed and stole the creatures power, and killed any Deepbloods they felt weren't pure enough, and all Deepblood are thought to be descended from this single cruel and vicious individual. As such, they have a very negative stigma, even among Dhaebru, who fear those who are of that bloodline, even if Deepbloods are very powerful protectors and are known to be extremely loyal, even moreso than a regular Warden.<\/p>","field3":"The temperament of a Dhaebru Warden differs with Deepblood Wardens, also known as Deepbloods. Deepbloods are noted for being slightly larger than regular Wardens, sometimes standing up to thirteen feet tall, and are noticeably more aggressive and unstable. While not evil, they have to keep a closer handle on their emotions as they have a berserk state that is brought on by extreme anger or fear. They are usually bulkier in appearance as well.<\/p>\r\nDeepbloods are extremely rare, and the unique bloodline is only passed on from Warden to Warden. There aren’t many left, and they trace their lineage back as far as Dhaebru records go. Deepbloods are not evil or hostile by nature, but they are more aggressive and territorial and can be more dangerous if provoked. Deepbloods have Voidborn blood in them, though it's been diluted greatly over time. Deepbloods are larger and more powerful, and do have some slightly different and amplified abilities originating from being descended from true Eldritch beings. \u200b<\/p>\r\nNormal Wardens are territorial and protective, fierce fighters if provoked but generally placid and observant otherwise. If you encounter one and show you are not a threat, they are surprisingly friendly. Wardens aren't easily frightened. They are very watchful and protective, and can be possessive.<\/p>\r\nRegular Dhaebru are surprisingly skittish and generally will only attack if cornered or heavily provoked. They're curious and social, and if you show you aren't a threat they are very likely to approach you to try to learn more about you.<\/p>\r\nTheir native language consists deep and ancient version of Eldritch speech. This strange language is far too much for most mortal minds to handle. One could compare it, somewhat, to Black Speech from Lord of the Rings to a point, but not inherently evil. As such, most Sects will learn the most commonly spoken language of the surrounding inhabitants to avoid confrontation.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have very dark and unsettling voices. They have a ghostly echo and seem to come from all around at once. They are deep and dark, having a soft growl behind their tones. Entirely unsettling to anybody not used to it. While they are capable of snarling, hissing and growling, Common Dhaebru rarely do this while Wardens are known to do this when defending their Sect or confronting other Wardens.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are highly social creatures. They do not like to be alone, and get quiet and upset without companionship. A sect usually has one Warden who is the Sect's Kral, or Leader, several Guardians, Dhaebru who protect the sect and are higher ranked, but still ranked lower than the Warden, and 30-50 common Dhaebru. Some larger sects have a lower ranking Warden or Sub-Warden who is subordinate to the main Kral, but still high ranking. This is fairly rare, as sub wardens are usually siblings or children of the head Warden. They are very territorial so most Wardens part ways to found their own sect, though older Wardens will sometimes take in and teach younger ones. Wardens usually go to start sects of their own when they come of age, but some will remain as a lower ranking Warden in their parent's sect.<\/p>\r\nGuardians can be told apart from regular Guardians by the symbol on their chestplate. While common Dhaebru have a lighter purple symbol on their chestplate, Guardians have it in gold. Wardens tend to have lighter colored robes with hints of red, and brighter chestplates with golden symbols. Aside from the color of the chestplate symbol color differing from common Dhaebru, Guardians look exactly the same.<\/p>\r\nSects usually consist of 30-50 Dhaebru and one Warden, but never number more than a couple hundred. Sects consisting of more than a hundred members are very rare.<\/p>\r\nThe symbol on the chest plate usually identifies what Sect a Dhaebru belongs to.<\/p>\r\nWhile many people fear Dhaebru, their main purpose is to protect and balance and thus are not hostile unless attacked.  Dhaebru are surprisingly nurturing and gentle beings, and prefer to avoid conflict. They are very curious and fond of gathering information. Sect Wardens often have libraries and journals, and common Dhaebru are known to bring anything of interest back home. Temperament can vary between Wardens and common Dhaebru. Dhaebru are highly social, and truly hate being alone. Wardens<\/strong>: They rarely leave the Shadow Realm unless one of their Sect calls out for help. They are vicious when threatened and will attack savagely to protect their Sect. They have fiercely protective instincts, and these come out around anybody the individual cares about. This can sometimes translate to guarding belongings or areas, and can even shift to being aggressively territorial. Because of this, there is usually only one Warden occupying one area, and any others are usually related, such as siblings or offspring. Wardens are usually calm and collected, but can become very temperamental given the right circumstances. They are known to grumble and growl when annoyed or irritated.<\/p>\r\nShown below are two Dhaebru Wardens in a territorial dispute! Illustration by Jagal on FurAffinity Image of fighting Wardens go here<\/p>\r\nCommon Dhaebru<\/strong>: They frequently leave the Shadow Realm to explore or keep an eye on things. Dhaebru are not fond of confrontation, and much prefer to run away from trouble, or call out to their Warden for help. Dhaebru are generally curious, but a bit flighty and very cautious. When threatened, they flee. If cornered, they attack in self defense. If the threat is big, they for help, and attack in groups. If you stay still and let a Dhaebru approach you, you can generally interact with one once they realize that you aren't a threat. When they feel safe and calm, Dhaebru are friendly and will likely shower you with questions, and if you let them, they can get very touchy feely.  \u200bAppearance: It varies very little. The style of the armor and robes does vary by individual and sect a bit, and the main difference is between the larger Warden type Dhaebru, and the smaller common type Dhaebru. Dhaebru vary the most in their personality and energy signature. They are hard to tell apart, but if you get to know one well their individuality comes out strongly in how they behave, speak, and their individual quirks and habits. The shape of a Dhaebru's eyes vary, as well as their mouth and even face shape to a point. These features are inherited. Deepbloods tend to have sharper features and fierce, narrow eyes that glow more intensely than regular Wardens. <\/p>\r\nEmotion and expression<\/span><\/strong> They have emotions very much like humans, though they do show some things differently. They also react slightly differently to some emotions as well. While they do have expressions, most of their emotion is shown in a combination of their body language and the movement of their shadowy aura and the shadows around them. When frightened or nervous, their shadows coil up beneath their robes, and extreme panic can cause the shadows around them to quiver, for example. When angry, their shadows flow out and darken, growing more voluminous and when happy, they waver and flow softly. Looking at their face can give some clues to how they are feeling, but watching their shadows and how they move is the biggest indicator. While it can take some time to get to know a Dhaebru, once you know one their emotions read like an open book.<\/p>\r\nRelationship with Other Races<\/span><\/strong> Cautious, usually peaceful. Dhaebru tend to keep their distance. They aren't overly fond of humans most of the time, as some humans have found that their cores are useful and hunt them. Others attack Dhaebru on sight out of fear, which has resulted in a lot of tension. Some Dhaebru, even, will attack and kill a human if they discover their gateway, as it leads directly to their home. They feel that the human is a threat in these cases. They react similarly to any race that they have tension with. Longer lived races, such as Fey, are more reserved so confrontations aren't as common, but some young Fey do go after Dhaebru since they are considered creatures of darkness. Darkness is considered bad and evil to many races. This has made many consider the calm and docile shadow creatures as a threat. Wilder races without the concept of “Darkness is Evil” thing in their heads get along great with Dhaebru. One example is the wild, social and friendly Kivuuli. Their temperament is somewhat similar, which results in Kivuuli and Dhaebru getting on quite well. Both races are highly social. When gateways to the Shadow Realm are found in Kivuuli territories, the Dhaebru and Kivuuli are usually amiable towards eachother. Kivuuli often consider the local sect as a part of their colony, and will viciously attack people who hurt the Dhaebru. The Dhaebru will return the favor if their Kivuuli allies are attacked. The alpha female and the Warden are usually close allies. Some Kivuuli Colonies have been seen with Shadowkin kits, which says that Dhaebru do occasionally crossbreed with them. Red eyed Warden Shadowkin are more common among Kivuuli than any other race, which seems to point to the possibility that mating between the alpha female Kivuuli and the Dhaebru Wardens is fairly common. Kivuuli are also able to pass through the gateways safely and easily. <\/p>","field4":"Species Type<\/strong>: Spectral, Energy-Based though they can take a semi-Physical form<\/p>\r\nAverage Height<\/strong> Common Dhaebru: 6’5 Warden: 10-12 feet Average Weight<\/strong> Spectral, they weigh no more than their robes and armor. Wardens weigh more, as their larger forms also have larger robes and armor. <\/p>\r\n Diet<\/strong> Dhaebru feed on ambient magical energy with a high preference for darker energies, or its liquid form of dark mana. Mana, or Magical Energy, generates naturally in any physical world that has magic, but not in the Outer Realm, their home. As such, Dhaebru come to Midworld to feed, and are often found in areas with a lot of magic. Dhaebru tend to bring energy back for their Warden. They don't learn how to feed on their own until they are roughly three to five years old, and until then a parent feeds them energy. If no Dhaebru is available to give them energy, a shadeling can be fed Dark Mana and do just fine.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru Anatomy and Features <\/strong>Dhaebru have two 'stomachs' - One takes in energy and converts it to the type of energy the Dhaebru can use. Their second 'stomach' is an energy reservoir, where all usable energy is stored. It can be compared to the social stomach of various eusocial insects. They can share energy with eachother through their cores. Common Dhaebru use it to bring energy back to their Warden. The Warden stores a great amount of energy, and if the Sect is unable to get to Midworld, the Warden can sustain a sect of around 20 Dhaebru for up to a week. \u200bThey usually consists of their core, and their shadowy body which is fluid and vulnerable, unless robed. The robe protects the Dhaebru from the world, and in the case of Wardens protects the world from the negative effects creature with connections to the Eldritch Realm can pose. This is especially true for Deepbloods.  Dhaebru have the ability to manifest tendrils of shadow that can manipulate objects, and are often used when their hands are full. They can either be solid and able to handle things or immaterial, resembling eddies and always moving tendrils of smoke flowing from beneath their robes. They are much darker and surround the Dhaebru’s body when unrobed, and resemble smooth black tentacles. They appear beneath the robe when the Dhaebru is robed.  When robed, their body somewhat mimics the body of a physical creature. It allows them to enjoy the senses of a physical creature, eat, or even breathe if they want to. Some will even take on the habits of physical creatures even if they don’t need to, such as yawning, stretching, or sighing. Dhaebru need to sleep, robed or unrobed. When they do, they lay down, close their eyes, and go entirely still. They do not breathe, or snore, or make any sound and can be mistaken for dead by one not familiar with them. A dead Dhaebru fades away leaving nothing but their robe, armor, and collar like thing with the gem on it. If the Dhaebru is still there, they aren't dead. They are simply asleep.  When robed, an injured Dhaebru will bleed. It’s pure black in color, and will fade away after a while as it goes back to energy. A healthy Dhaebru can heal with a bit of rest if they retreat before they get severe injuries. When killed, their core can be caught and stabilized before it winks out. Warden cores last longer. Common Dhaebru cores generally appear like small dark orbs with a purple shimmer, softly pulsing like a heart. Warden cores are almost prismatic and pearlescent, with a shimmering glow. They also pulsate like a heartbeat. They are sometimes called a Cosmic Fragment. They have all six of the primordial aspects, Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Order and Entropy. As such, a Warden can pull any aspect from their core by taking those sources and carefully weaving them together. This is part of the reason Wardens are so much more powerful, as they can do a lot more with this core within them. The Core of a Warden is highly sought after, and those with ill intentions are known to invade the Outer Realm for the purpose of killing one for their core. While it's fairly uncommon for them to do it, Dhaebru are fully capable of eating when robed. When Dhaebru do decide to eat, it’s just for fun and a different experience. They do so to explore the flavors and sensations that food can provide. Aside from being pleasurable, it has no real benefit, though they can sometimes get a little energy from it. When they eat, their insides will break the food down into its component aspects, which is further broken down into the primal aspects. The solid parts of this food simply passes out the other end, just as it would with a physical being. Their body will adjust to accomodate this when it happens. All of the senses a physical creature has work for a robed Dhaebru. They can see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. When robed, this closely mimics how human senses work. When unrobed, they do not taste or smell, and their other senses work differently. The robe makes them more “human” in a sense. It does not imprison a Dhaebru; in fact, many feel that despite the small inconveniences it causes, it frees them to do and experience more. They like their robes and would become defensive and angry should one try to take them away.  Dhaebru robes are energy based much like them and are connected to the Dhaebru in such a way that they are directly influenced by the Dhaebru that wears them. A sick or weak Dhaebru has duller, more tattered robes, though all Dhaebru robes are naturally tattered. The reason is often attributed to their dark and chaotic nature, though it could just be an aesthetic choice that just became a normal part of the enchantment. Either way, Dhaebru have worn robes for as long as the race can remember and it is considered highly taboo not to wear robes, even deep in the Outer Realms when nowhere near Midworld. They are very sensitive about nudity, and even if they trust you deeply you will never, ever see one without their robes on. This is such a big part of them, they'll often become distressed, frightened or worried if they see a physical being undressing. Without their robes they are completely spectral, but also extremely vulnerable. Their robes serve to constrain their form down to a more basic shape, allowing them to better interact with the world around them but it also protects them.  Unrobed, light causes damage that can quickly lead to death. They have to expend a lot more energy to interact with anything or touch anything if they do not at least have the “Collar” on. The “Collar” shown in their unrobed appearance gives some measure of protection, but is not nearly as effective as the full robes. The “Collar” is what identifies the Dhaebru and allows them to manifest their Robe and Armor. It is often embued with a tracking spell. This allows Dhaebru to find each other within a sect, or call out to their Warden when in danger. The Robe’s constraining abilities makes them semi physical in a sense, allowing them to stand in light and survive, as well as protecting their core. The cons are that it keeps them in this semisolid form, and allows them to become vulnerable to physical weapons. They are also able to eat solid food, if they want, and able to enjoy things that physical beings are able to enjoy. Once bound to the Dhaebru, the robe becomes a part of them. The armor is separate, and given to them upon coming of age, becoming integrated with their robes and amulet. This can be removed, but is also bound to their core. The armor depends on the individual sect, but is usually dark purple, with bits of red for Wardens, and golden trimming for both. Dhaebru’s sect and adds additional protection from physical damage. The style of the robe and armor can vary depending on the individual sect of Dhaebru. The Sect’s symbol appears on the chestplate. Dhaebru do use the bathroom... sort of. The energy they take in, their inner workings cleanses and purifies, and the energy they do not use is passed in a liquid form, though it dissipates after a bit and returns to the ambient energy around them. Amusingly enough, this expelled energy is very useful for a lot of Spellweavers, and is commonly called \"Dhaebru's Essence\" when in reality... it's basically just their version of pee. Dhaebru Illnesses<\/strong> While incredibly rare, there are things that can disrupt their energy. This causes a Dhaebru to become very sick. When a Dhaebru becomes ill, they sleep a lot, are lethargic and a bit cranky, often sore and in pain, and their energy can feel discordant and wrong.  They often have quivers and tremors, and like to curl up somewhere dark to be alone in their misery. They can be quite vocal about complaining about this, if one bothers them. Any illness one may be afflicted with usually clears up on its own as long as the Dhaebru gets plenty of rest and spends a lot of time around something to harmonize their energy, but in severe cases, such as damage to their core, it can grow severe enough to kill the Dhaebru. A very sick Dhaebru can experience violent energy spikes. While Dhaebru are usually cool to the touch, when they get really sick, the energy conflicting can cause them to actually put off heat, similar to a bad fever.  While pregnancy can cause a Dhaebru to throw up, how illness can cause it much worse. Normally, vomiting is caused by carrying, taking in the wrong sort of energy, or eating more physical food than their insides can handle. Minor illness can cause this as well. In this case, just the first \"stomach\" empties, a mix of half-converted energies, often with a bit of dark mana as well. When minor, vomiting comes with very little warning, and they usually just heave once and that's it. When seriously ill, however, their energy reservoir can end up with the wrong sort of energy due to conflicts. This causes them to heave repeatedly and bring up their internal energy stores. They bring up significantly more in this case, and it happens repeatedly.  Like a human with a severe stomach bug or food poisoning, it leaves a Dhaebru weak and exhausted from loss of energy, and can even lead to their death if severe enough. Dhaebru do not give off clear signs when they are going to vomit, like physical beings do. It's really hard to tell if one is going to, but the main sign to watch out for is a strange 'pressure' as their energy gets all out of sorts. This can feel like a heavy feeling of impending dread, a dark energy. They may also become restless and begin to pace, though they will usually usually curl up and lay down somewhere dark and cool. When they show these signs, it is best to keep something that can absorb and stabilize the energy nearby, as the discordance can be dangerous if not stabilized and taken care of. While it will usually fade away on its own, too much can stick around and cause problems. Even so, the dark energy dissipating can cause an unpleasant pressure for a time. Because it's simply energy, there is no smell. Abilities<\/strong> They can move through shadows, somewhat like teleporting. They are able to do this robed, as their robes are magically bound to them. They are rarely seen unrobed as they are highly vulnerable outside of their own world.  They can let out a horrible shriek that can make one become paralyzed in terror. Amped up, this can cause temporary deafness and blindness. They cast a spectral fog, which they can hide in, allowing them to escape danger. Powerful magical projectiles, balls of darkness that damage, daze, and confuse their attacker. It can also cause temporary blindness. When comfortable or happy, or comforting loved ones, especially shadelings, Dhaebru purr. It sounds like a soft, dark rumble and is oddly relaxing despite their frightening appearance. The sound of their purring lets out the more peaceful side of their power, and can lull a person to sleep. Even a frightened human child can be calmed and lulled into sleep by a Dhaebru's purr.<\/p>","field5":"<div id=\"main\">\r\n<div id=\"wsite-content\" class=\"wsite-elements wsite-not-footer\">\r\n<div class=\"wsite-section-wrap\">\r\n<div class=\"wsite-section wsite-body-section wsite-background-9\">\r\n<div class=\"wsite-section-content\">\r\n<div class=\"container\">\r\n<div class=\"wsite-section-elements\">\r\n<div class=\"paragraph\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Simply speaking, Dhaebru have no true sexual dimorphism as they are all simply both and neither. Personality and energy may be masculine or feminine, and they may identify as one gender or the other but all of them are both and capable of siring or bearing Shadelings. What they identify as can appear in their features, such as eye shape and very subtly body shape, though it shows in their energy signature and voice the most, and to some extent personality. While Dhaebru will sometimes tend more towards masculine or feminine, they are all nonbinary in some manner. Even the most masculine Dhaebru has a feminine side, and vice versa. All Dhaebru are capable of siring and bearing young, no matter their individual gender expression. The main difference between a \"male\" and a \"female\" is the voice, energy signature, and the pronoun they use. \"Male\" Dhaebru are usually deeper voiced and sound more masculine, with less of an angle to the eyes. They usually have broader shoulders and narrower hops. Those with male characteristics are known to be slightly more territorial. \"Female\" Dhaebru usually have slightly slimmer bodies when observed, with very subtle curvature sometimes.  Their eyes are usually a bit more slanted. Their voices sound softer and more feminine. Their hips are generally wider with narrower shoulders. Unlike many physical beings, Dhaebru are not constrained to one gender or the other, and their expressed gender is very accurate to who they are as their body adjusts naturally to fit their gender expression. It is incredibly common for a Dhaebru to not identify as male or female, though some may simply use a pronoun out of convenience. They don't really care, or see the pronoun used as a big deal, as that's a part of physical beings and their language. Dhaebru do not have gendered pronouns in their natural tongue, and will generally follow whatever physical beings do in their area. Many Dhaebru are so balanced that it's impossible to tell if they are \"male\" or \"female\" Gender as a whole is not an issue to Dhaebru, as they just go by whatever they feel like. Dhaebru are not monogamous. They do not understand the connection between sex and love that humans have. To them, love is not something to be kept to a single individual, but something to be shared with their entire Sect. They are very polyamorous. Dhaebru do not mate for life. There is the occasional Dhaebru who is only attracted to the one they have an emotional emotion with, but they often share this with more than one. They do not have any concept of marriage. When a Dhaebru loves somebody, they cuddle with them, protect them, and want to be around them a lot. Sex is just something they sometimes do for fun. They do not have any concept of “cheating” and the idea of loving and being with only one creature for their entire lives is confusing and makes no sense. They feel that love of any sort should be shared freely with anybody they care about. This is something to keep in mind if entering a relationship with a Dhaebru. While a Dhaebru will not stick to one partner, they will always love every partner they have. They may not have the same views on relationships as humans, but they are incredibly loyal and loving. Reproduction<\/span><\/strong> Dhaebru reproduce through energy. They periodically go through a reproductive cycle. While both sides are usually active, it can lean more towards one side or the other, taking the form of a ‘heat’ (When the female side is active, and they are ready to receive energy and carry) or ‘rut’ (When the male side is active and they are ready to give energy and sire). They can either reproduce asexually or sexually depending on the individual’s preferences.  Sexually is more common, simply because doing so asexually requires removing their robe and sometimes even their amulet and opening up their core, allowing energy to pass from one to the other. This requires utmost trust, and the Dhaebru is extremely vulnerable during this time. They don't have to open up their core or make themselves vulnerable to do it the physical way. More masculine Dhaebru are more likely to go into rut, and more feminine ones are more likely to go into heat, but they both have both, and often have both at the same time. When a Warden goes into their reproductive cycle, their energy tends to affect every other Dhaebru around them more than a regular Dhaebru's cycle does due to their increased power and size. One can tell a Dhaebru is in season if they know normal Dhaebru behavior. When in season, their energy is stronger. One may find themselves getting a little restless around them, especially those who are sensitive to energy. Aside from that, they seem a bit more energetic. They become restless and pace a lot. 'Heat' has their maternal instincts growing stronger, while rut can make a Dhaebru slightly more competitive and aggressive, but never anything extreme. They become restless and a bit moody and pace a lot. It lasts about two weeks, then fades away. A rut can be ended by releasing a certain energy - they don't have to do so with another Dhaebru. Heat can be ended by either carrying, or taking in a quick burst of energy. If a Dhaebru does NOT want to carry, they can block the energy from fully hitting their core, so it won't join and create a Shadeling. Dhaebru Wardens are the most strongly affected by going into this cycle, and have the urge to seek out other Wardens. Their season, though, also makes them very aggressive and territorial, making the Wardens unusually tense. They can’t decide whether to fight, or mate! This stalemate can be rather noisy and scary to see, with a lot of growling and pacing around and circling eachother, but it’s never dangerous and either ends with the Wardens fighting … or the alternative. It is not uncommon for them to charge and start to fight, but end with a more peaceful resolution. Their sects are usually used to this and just look on and sigh while trying to ignore the roaring, growling and snarling and the complete indecision while their respective Wardens figure it out. Gestation and Birthing<\/span><\/strong> Dhaebru carry for about 15 months. Symptoms of a pregnant Dhaebru do not show outwardly unless something forces them to carry physically, such as Injury, illness, or something wrong with their core. A pregnant Dhaebru’s energy has a different feel to it, easily detectable to other Dhaebru. They will sleep a lot, begin to crave various aspects that they need for the development of their Shadeling, and can even experience something similar to morning sickness, though this is uncommon. The reason being is that it causes energy spikes. Sometimes these can just have the Dhaebru laying around grumbling in tempermental misery, but it can result in throwing up the excess energy if it overwhelms their ability to release it. Morning sickness is most common when carrying a Warden Shadeling, for Wardens and common Dhaebru alike, though it’s worse for a common Dhaebru carrying a Warden.  These symptoms come in waves, alternating between starving for energy and clinging to energy sources coupled with being very tired, or having energy in excess, causing them to become restless and possibly even start throwing up the extra if the sheer amount of it overwhelms them. As such, pregnant Dhaebru usually just rest somewhere for the most part and just ride it out. They usually give birth by allowing the Shadeling to separate from their core. This process is painful and leaves the Dhaebru exhausted, but they recover just fine with some rest and help from the rest of their sect. They will remove their robe for this process, though their amulet remains on them. In VERY rare occasions, the energy is unable to separate properly and they end up having to take on the physical characteristics of a female and give birth that way. Generally, if the pregnancy is high risk, the Dhaebru's body can determine this early on. This causes them to take on a physical form. Pregnancy, labor and delivery will then mimic the gestation of a physical creature. This is incredibly rare, but does happen on occasion. A Dhaebru has three stages of labor. Stage 1 - The Dhaebru becomes restless, a little pacing, no pain. It is easy to miss because the Dhaebru just sorta seems uncomfortable, though they may begin to pace. This stage can last anything from 12 hours to several days. While not active labor, their body is building up energy to help compensate for what is lost during the split, as well as preparing to split as well. Being nearby, one can feel their energy slowly building. It can make your hair stand on end near the end of this stage. Stage 2 - As the core finishes it's preparation for the split, waves of discomfort and mild to moderate pain quickly follow. While not bad yet, the Dhaebru becomes increasingly restless. They can't sit still. This stage is characterized by pacing around in circles. The pressing feeling of their building energy is so pronounced even one not sensitive will feel it on the air. While they don't need to breathe, a Dhaebru may pant simply because it helps them feel better. This stage can last up to three hours. As the final stage nears, the discomfort and pain quickly grows worse as their energy begins to surge. Stage 3 - The actual splitting of the core happens. The Dhaebru's energy begins to surge painfully. Many Dhaebru will growl and yell their pain. They'll snarl and snap at any who come too close, but don't attack. While it looks scary, the Dhaebru is very unlikely to lash out, and just wants to curl up somewhere dark and safe and get it over with. This stage can last up to an hour, but usually lasts around fifteen minutes to a half hour. If it takes longer than an hour, then the Dhaebru is either having a difficult birth, or something went wrong. At this point, a piece of their core will split off and float in front of them while their own core pulses with intense power as energy flows from them to the tiny newly formed core in front of them, and the Shadeling materializes. It is then given an amulet and robed. This takes a lot of energy, and the exhausted mother will usually sleep. Shadowkin: The Rare Hybrid<\/span><\/strong> Dhaebru ARE capable of impregnating physical beings, but this is extremely rare. The Dhaebru must be in season, and more towards the 'rut' side. The mother has to have some sort of magic either within them or effecting them, so a creature with natural magical energy is more likely to be able to successfully carry a hybrid. The resulting pregnancy is a magical conception, the body taking after the shape of the physical parent and the energy\/dark appearance of the Dhaebru parent. While Dhaebru are quite capable it, it's not too often that they do engage in relations with physical beings. When they do, the chances of conception are extremely low, less than 1% chance with a common Dhaebru, and around 5% for Wardens. The resulting hybrid is known as a Shadowkin. Wardens will sometimes produce Warden Shadowkin, or Shadowkin with the characteristics of Warden, but Common Dhaebru Shadowkin are more likely. Common Dhaebru will always produce normal Shadowkin. Shadelings<\/span><\/strong> A baby Dhaebru is known as a Shadeling. They are much smaller, pudgier versions of the adults with babyish porportions. They are given their robes at birth. The robes are bound to their form by a special magical “Collar” with a gem, the gem being fused with their very core. Warden Shadelings are larger with red eyes, with the robe color of a Warden without any armor. Normal Shadelings have simple dark robes and are smaller. Shadelings are usually given energy by their entire sect, though if one is found orphaned or abandoned, one can feed them dark mana. They will thrive on it, but will need to “eat” regularly. Shadelings hate being alone. They imprint on the energy of their mother, and spend the most time with the one that birthed them. When separated, they will become extremely upset. When in danger, they will let out a terrible shrieking wail. The sound is enough to make one’s ears ring. When separated from their mother, they will let out pulses of energy that can make a person tingle. This pulse can be felt from far away, allowing their mother to find them again. They will continue to do this for weeks, though without somebody to care for them, they’ll starve and fade away within a few days. Growing Up<\/span><\/strong> Once a Shadeling learns to move about, they are insatiably curious and have a habit of following adult Dhaebru out into Midworld. Warden Shadelings will puff up and protect their friends, or even their mother, whether there is danger or not! They will sometimes chir, chitter and chirp, or make tiny rumbly growls when nervous or playing. They start off crawling about, but once they gain toddlerhood they learn how to stand and walk on two feet. They gain their armor once they come of age, or, when they have their first reproductive cycle. The first cycle is never fertile, and is just a shift in their energy showing they’ve matured. Common Dhaebru reach adulthood in roughly 13-14 years, at which point they are mentally and physically equivilent to an 18 year old human. This can be effected by their access to energy, so can be slower if they aren't well fed.  Wardens mature fully in roughly 16-18 years. This lenghtened time is because Wardens are far more powerful and need more energy to reach maturity. <\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div class=\"wsite-image wsite-image-border-none \" style=\"padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; text-align: center;\">Image with baby Dhaebru goes here \r\n<div style=\"display: block; font-size: 90%;\"> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"paragraph\">Infant\/Newborn - The amulet is bound to their core and they are robed. They are tiny and sleep a lot. Warden newborns are slightly larger than newborn common Dhaebru. It is easy to tell as soon as a Dhaebru is born if they are a normal Dhaebru, or a Warden. Normal Dhaebru always have pale eyes and are less powerful while Wardens are larger with intense power and bright red eyes. Baby - Getting bigger. Still very small, they spend a lot of time asleep. They are very clingy, and will cry and cry if left alone. They are known to let off little pulses of energy if separated from their mother, which is their way of calling.  Toddler - Now able to move around on their own, Dhaebru toddlers are insanely curious. They are full of energy and get into everything they can. They still spend a fair amount of time sleeping, but when awake they are little balls of energy. Wardens begin to display signs of being territorial and possessive, and may growl and even bite if you try to take something away they have deemed as belonging to them. Child - Not unlike a human child, curious, playful, imaginative, love to explore, and can get into all sorts of trouble. Warden children will fiercely protect other children, no matter the species. If the sect is around humans and are peaceful with them, their children will play together. A Warden child will fiercely protect other children, no matter their species. They may even growl at a human child's parent if the child doesn't want to stop playing and cries when playtime is over! Adolescence - Their energy begins to go through a shift as it matures, this process taking a few years to complete. <\/div>\r\n<div class=\"paragraph\"> <\/div>\r\n<div class=\"paragraph\">Maturity - They go into their first reproductive cycle as their energy goes through a final shift. At this point, they are given their armor, which denotes them as adults. They are finished growing, mature both mentally and physically, by the time they have this first cycle.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","field6":null,"field7":null,"parsed":{"description":"Voidic shadow entities with two variants<\/p>","field1":"Species Name<\/strong>  Dhaebru Sometimes known as or mistaken as:<\/strong> Shadow Wraith, Void Spirit, Shade, sometimes mistaken for Demons or Shadow People. They don't have connections to either and aren't truly wraiths, spirits or shades. They are a class of their own.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are a sapient and highly social eldritch creatures of shadow, spectral in nature. They are always seen robed in dark, tattered robes and usually have armor on as well, of varying designs depending on the individuals and their origin. The robes and armor are connected to a special amulet they wear on a  collar-like necklace that settles around their neck. This amulet has a direct connection to the Dhaebru's core, and can not be removed. Dhaebru are highly social beings, and hate being alone. If deprived of the company of another Dhaebru, they will gravitate towards any living thing, sapient or not, and cling to any company they can. They get extremely depressed and upset when they are alone for too long.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have two types. The smaller variety are the commonfolk of the species, simply called Dhaebru. They are roughly human sized, and the most commonly seen type. They regularly leave the Outer Realms, wandering various worlds seemingly at random. They are most often seen in the lands surrounding the portal to their world, usually marked by an obelisk of strange dark crystals. Dhaebru can be be spotted regularly wandering worlds that have a strong magical presence, but are not hostile unless threatened. They are most likely to slip away back into the Outer Realms, where they are safe. They have pale eyes gleaming out from beneath their hoods, and often throw off a spectral fog when startled, giving them cover to escape harm. Dhaebru are curious, but shy. If they can not get to safety, they will attack and they make short work of most physical beings.<\/p>\r\nThe larger variety is known as a Warden. Wardens are tall and powerful Dhaebru, known for their impressive stature, some individual reaching up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters tall. Wardens are protectors and leaders by nature. They are highly territorial, so it's rare to find more than one Warden within a sect unless one of them is a juvenile, or they are closely related, such as siblings or parent and child. Wardens rarely leave the Outer Realm. They are usually pretty calm, and can be downright lazy, but if you threaten their sect, they can kill even a heavily armored physical beings with little to no effort. Fortunately, most Wardens prefer to frighten off a potential threat, but if the threat returns, they don't take chances. Wardens are surprisingly maternal and have a tendency to be very possessive. If their sect is not threatened, a Warden is usually peaceful and will simply observe, but when attacked their true power shows. If a Warden wants to kill you, it's going to kill you, no questions about it.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are not to be mistaken with wraiths, demons, shadow people or ghosts. While they are wraith like, they are not true wraiths and they are not from the Infernus like demons. They are eldritch beings from a realm beyond the edge of reality. They have a large amount of strange Eldritch influence to them, but this is stabilized down by their robes and is the reason they wear them. The robes protect the Dhaebru from the world around then, but also protect the world from their otherworldly aura.<\/p>\r\nThey are mysterious creatures, and not many have had real contact with them. Regular Dhaebru are shy and skittish by nature, and most physical beings are terrified of them due to their dark appearance and power. They are also known to show up when dark magic is afoot. While they are attracted by the dark magic due to instincts to investigate and prevent harm, many associate them with it, and blame them for it. They have a dark and frightening reputation, meaning very few people truly know much about them.<\/p>\r\nThey are known to clash with a group of dangerous individuals known as the Order of the Eclipse. The Order are a mysterious and dangerous cult that once existed to protect humankind but twisted into something dangerous with an obcession for dark power. They actively hunt Dhaebru for their cores, which are used in their dark rituals. Most Dhaebru will attack and kill a member of the Order on sight, or turn tail and run.<\/p>","field2":"The Outer Realm, the Dhaebru Homeworld<\/span><\/p>\r\n Dhaebru reside in an alternate dimension of sorts known as the Outer Realm. This strange and hostile realm serves as a barrier and buffer between the Eldritch Realm and Midworld, though this knowledge has long since been lost. Nobody knows where it came from anymore, not even the Dhaebru. Many feel they may have come from somewhere else, but such knowledge is lost to time. It's common for Wardens to try to figure this out, but not much headway has been made, as if something about their past was buried or lost a long time ago. Some feel it was on purpose, as Dhaebru have always liked to keep their history written down, down to the name of each member born to the sect, and the date of their death should they die. Strange growths of a black crystals that appear clustered with some floating under their unique eldritch power show entry and exit points and portals to the Outer Realm.  This is where the Dhaebru come and go from. It's extremely dangerous to physical beings to cross through, but Dhaebru can take people in there with them and protect them from the negative effects within.  The Outer Realm is generally comprised generally caves and corridors that seem to have no rhyme or reason. Almost like the ruins of an ancient infinite fortress. Lighting comes from various crystals, fungi, and some creatures that wander the corridors.  One can often tell where a Sect lives as that area is usually closed off with rooms carved in the strange anceitn dark stone the Shadow Realm is made of, often closed off so the Dhaebru can stay safe from the various creatures that wander their Realm. <\/p>\r\nOrigins of the Dhaebru and Deepbloods<\/span> While Dhaebru do not know their own origin anymore, they were created alongside mysterious beings known as Aethyr by a pair of strange beings known as the Balance. The Balance was said to be a combination of Voidborn and Etherborn, a creature embodying both Light and Darkness. Wild and untamed, but also sensitive and sapient, the strange entity felt that the physical realms and all they contained was a precious gem that needed to be protected and preserved, and observed that the fragile Midworld and all its varied and beautiful life could be damaged by the Aether and the Eldritch Void. They themselves could not directly interfere, as their powerful energy could do great damage no matter their intentions, so they found another solution. They set out to protect it, by creating two realms, as buffers and barriers between Midworld and the dangerous realms layered around it. They then populated these buffers with beings that would serve as guardians and protectors and keep the balance and protect Midworld. Image of The Balance Goes Here Below is a basic example of dimensional layering and how it works. The lines are uneven. Some worlds are in the middle, not touching either. Some are close to the Eldritch Void, and gateways to the Dhaebru's Shadowrealm appear, allowing Dhaebru to enter the world and wander about. Some are closer to the Aethyr, allowing gateways to the Aethyr's homeworld to appear, and allowing Aethyr to wander the land. Some are close to both, having both Aethyr and Dhaebru present. Image of basic Dimensional Layering Goes Here<\/p>\r\nThe Outer Realm is a bit like a buffer between midworld and the dangerous and unstable Eldritch Void. Dhaebru were meant to seek out any intrusions of creatures or volatile energies from the Eldritch Void, and call their Warden over to destroy them, while they seal up the rift. Dhaebru actually need to enter Midworld to feed on the magical energy present there; causing them to need to wander about regularly, and making them have need of their gateways wherever they appear. Their draw to the disruption of the fabric of reality is the reason they often show up when dangerous magic is afoot, as their instincts draw them to it and they want to put a stop to it if it starts causing damage. Aethyr did the same within the Aether, and the two beings together kept Midworld in balance. This did not last, however, as contention soon started between the two races. The Aethyr felt that they were better than the Dhaebru, and tried to treat them as slaves. The Dhaebru and the Aethyr fought, then eventually parted ways. The Aethyr retreated into their realm, while Dhaebru remained within the Outer Realm and wander Midworld from time to time. All of this went down a very long time ago, near the beginning of the Universe itself.<\/p>\r\nAs for Deepbloods, a voidic entity interbred with a Dhaebru Warden several generations down the line, and a three hybrids were born of their union, known as the Deepbloods. When that Warden found their peaceful and natural end, the creature kept watch over the race, until another Warden caught their interest several generations later. This Warden, however, was a descendant of one of those original Deepbloods, and was power hungry. They wanted as pure an offspring as they could get because they felt that this bloodline was the origin of the Dhaebru race and wanted purity. When the child did not come out as they wanted, they killed the Void creature and abused the child, who eventually became the most evil being the Universe has ever known. This cruel being destroyed and stole the creatures power, and killed any Deepbloods they felt weren't pure enough, and all Deepblood are thought to be descended from this single cruel and vicious individual. As such, they have a very negative stigma, even among Dhaebru, who fear those who are of that bloodline, even if Deepbloods are very powerful protectors and are known to be extremely loyal, even moreso than a regular Warden.<\/p>","field3":"The temperament of a Dhaebru Warden differs with Deepblood Wardens, also known as Deepbloods. Deepbloods are noted for being slightly larger than regular Wardens, sometimes standing up to thirteen feet tall, and are noticeably more aggressive and unstable. While not evil, they have to keep a closer handle on their emotions as they have a berserk state that is brought on by extreme anger or fear. They are usually bulkier in appearance as well.<\/p>\r\nDeepbloods are extremely rare, and the unique bloodline is only passed on from Warden to Warden. There aren’t many left, and they trace their lineage back as far as Dhaebru records go. Deepbloods are not evil or hostile by nature, but they are more aggressive and territorial and can be more dangerous if provoked. Deepbloods have Voidborn blood in them, though it's been diluted greatly over time. Deepbloods are larger and more powerful, and do have some slightly different and amplified abilities originating from being descended from true Eldritch beings. \u200b<\/p>\r\nNormal Wardens are territorial and protective, fierce fighters if provoked but generally placid and observant otherwise. If you encounter one and show you are not a threat, they are surprisingly friendly. Wardens aren't easily frightened. They are very watchful and protective, and can be possessive.<\/p>\r\nRegular Dhaebru are surprisingly skittish and generally will only attack if cornered or heavily provoked. They're curious and social, and if you show you aren't a threat they are very likely to approach you to try to learn more about you.<\/p>\r\nTheir native language consists deep and ancient version of Eldritch speech. This strange language is far too much for most mortal minds to handle. One could compare it, somewhat, to Black Speech from Lord of the Rings to a point, but not inherently evil. As such, most Sects will learn the most commonly spoken language of the surrounding inhabitants to avoid confrontation.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have very dark and unsettling voices. They have a ghostly echo and seem to come from all around at once. They are deep and dark, having a soft growl behind their tones. Entirely unsettling to anybody not used to it. While they are capable of snarling, hissing and growling, Common Dhaebru rarely do this while Wardens are known to do this when defending their Sect or confronting other Wardens.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are highly social creatures. They do not like to be alone, and get quiet and upset without companionship. A sect usually has one Warden who is the Sect's Kral, or Leader, several Guardians, Dhaebru who protect the sect and are higher ranked, but still ranked lower than the Warden, and 30-50 common Dhaebru. Some larger sects have a lower ranking Warden or Sub-Warden who is subordinate to the main Kral, but still high ranking. This is fairly rare, as sub wardens are usually siblings or children of the head Warden. They are very territorial so most Wardens part ways to found their own sect, though older Wardens will sometimes take in and teach younger ones. Wardens usually go to start sects of their own when they come of age, but some will remain as a lower ranking Warden in their parent's sect.<\/p>\r\nGuardians can be told apart from regular Guardians by the symbol on their chestplate. While common Dhaebru have a lighter purple symbol on their chestplate, Guardians have it in gold. Wardens tend to have lighter colored robes with hints of red, and brighter chestplates with golden symbols. Aside from the color of the chestplate symbol color differing from common Dhaebru, Guardians look exactly the same.<\/p>\r\nSects usually consist of 30-50 Dhaebru and one Warden, but never number more than a couple hundred. Sects consisting of more than a hundred members are very rare.<\/p>\r\nThe symbol on the chest plate usually identifies what Sect a Dhaebru belongs to.<\/p>\r\nWhile many people fear Dhaebru, their main purpose is to protect and balance and thus are not hostile unless attacked.  Dhaebru are surprisingly nurturing and gentle beings, and prefer to avoid conflict. They are very curious and fond of gathering information. Sect Wardens often have libraries and journals, and common Dhaebru are known to bring anything of interest back home. Temperament can vary between Wardens and common Dhaebru. Dhaebru are highly social, and truly hate being alone. Wardens<\/strong>: They rarely leave the Shadow Realm unless one of their Sect calls out for help. They are vicious when threatened and will attack savagely to protect their Sect. They have fiercely protective instincts, and these come out around anybody the individual cares about. This can sometimes translate to guarding belongings or areas, and can even shift to being aggressively territorial. Because of this, there is usually only one Warden occupying one area, and any others are usually related, such as siblings or offspring. Wardens are usually calm and collected, but can become very temperamental given the right circumstances. They are known to grumble and growl when annoyed or irritated.<\/p>\r\nShown below are two Dhaebru Wardens in a territorial dispute! Illustration by Jagal on FurAffinity Image of fighting Wardens go here<\/p>\r\nCommon Dhaebru<\/strong>: They frequently leave the Shadow Realm to explore or keep an eye on things. Dhaebru are not fond of confrontation, and much prefer to run away from trouble, or call out to their Warden for help. Dhaebru are generally curious, but a bit flighty and very cautious. When threatened, they flee. If cornered, they attack in self defense. If the threat is big, they for help, and attack in groups. If you stay still and let a Dhaebru approach you, you can generally interact with one once they realize that you aren't a threat. When they feel safe and calm, Dhaebru are friendly and will likely shower you with questions, and if you let them, they can get very touchy feely.  \u200bAppearance: It varies very little. The style of the armor and robes does vary by individual and sect a bit, and the main difference is between the larger Warden type Dhaebru, and the smaller common type Dhaebru. Dhaebru vary the most in their personality and energy signature. They are hard to tell apart, but if you get to know one well their individuality comes out strongly in how they behave, speak, and their individual quirks and habits. The shape of a Dhaebru's eyes vary, as well as their mouth and even face shape to a point. These features are inherited. Deepbloods tend to have sharper features and fierce, narrow eyes that glow more intensely than regular Wardens. <\/p>\r\nEmotion and expression<\/span><\/strong> They have emotions very much like humans, though they do show some things differently. They also react slightly differently to some emotions as well. While they do have expressions, most of their emotion is shown in a combination of their body language and the movement of their shadowy aura and the shadows around them. When frightened or nervous, their shadows coil up beneath their robes, and extreme panic can cause the shadows around them to quiver, for example. When angry, their shadows flow out and darken, growing more voluminous and when happy, they waver and flow softly. Looking at their face can give some clues to how they are feeling, but watching their shadows and how they move is the biggest indicator. While it can take some time to get to know a Dhaebru, once you know one their emotions read like an open book.<\/p>\r\nRelationship with Other Races<\/span><\/strong> Cautious, usually peaceful. Dhaebru tend to keep their distance. They aren't overly fond of humans most of the time, as some humans have found that their cores are useful and hunt them. Others attack Dhaebru on sight out of fear, which has resulted in a lot of tension. Some Dhaebru, even, will attack and kill a human if they discover their gateway, as it leads directly to their home. They feel that the human is a threat in these cases. They react similarly to any race that they have tension with. Longer lived races, such as Fey, are more reserved so confrontations aren't as common, but some young Fey do go after Dhaebru since they are considered creatures of darkness. Darkness is considered bad and evil to many races. This has made many consider the calm and docile shadow creatures as a threat. Wilder races without the concept of “Darkness is Evil” thing in their heads get along great with Dhaebru. One example is the wild, social and friendly Kivuuli. Their temperament is somewhat similar, which results in Kivuuli and Dhaebru getting on quite well. Both races are highly social. When gateways to the Shadow Realm are found in Kivuuli territories, the Dhaebru and Kivuuli are usually amiable towards eachother. Kivuuli often consider the local sect as a part of their colony, and will viciously attack people who hurt the Dhaebru. The Dhaebru will return the favor if their Kivuuli allies are attacked. The alpha female and the Warden are usually close allies. Some Kivuuli Colonies have been seen with Shadowkin kits, which says that Dhaebru do occasionally crossbreed with them. Red eyed Warden Shadowkin are more common among Kivuuli than any other race, which seems to point to the possibility that mating between the alpha female Kivuuli and the Dhaebru Wardens is fairly common. Kivuuli are also able to pass through the gateways safely and easily. <\/p>","field4":"Species Type<\/strong>: Spectral, Energy-Based though they can take a semi-Physical form<\/p>\r\nAverage Height<\/strong> Common Dhaebru: 6’5 Warden: 10-12 feet Average Weight<\/strong> Spectral, they weigh no more than their robes and armor. Wardens weigh more, as their larger forms also have larger robes and armor. <\/p>\r\n Diet<\/strong> Dhaebru feed on ambient magical energy with a high preference for darker energies, or its liquid form of dark mana. Mana, or Magical Energy, generates naturally in any physical world that has magic, but not in the Outer Realm, their home. As such, Dhaebru come to Midworld to feed, and are often found in areas with a lot of magic. Dhaebru tend to bring energy back for their Warden. They don't learn how to feed on their own until they are roughly three to five years old, and until then a parent feeds them energy. If no Dhaebru is available to give them energy, a shadeling can be fed Dark Mana and do just fine.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru Anatomy and Features <\/strong>Dhaebru have two 'stomachs' - One takes in energy and converts it to the type of energy the Dhaebru can use. Their second 'stomach' is an energy reservoir, where all usable energy is stored. It can be compared to the social stomach of various eusocial insects. They can share energy with eachother through their cores. Common Dhaebru use it to bring energy back to their Warden. The Warden stores a great amount of energy, and if the Sect is unable to get to Midworld, the Warden can sustain a sect of around 20 Dhaebru for up to a week. \u200bThey usually consists of their core, and their shadowy body which is fluid and vulnerable, unless robed. The robe protects the Dhaebru from the world, and in the case of Wardens protects the world from the negative effects creature with connections to the Eldritch Realm can pose. This is especially true for Deepbloods.  Dhaebru have the ability to manifest tendrils of shadow that can manipulate objects, and are often used when their hands are full. They can either be solid and able to handle things or immaterial, resembling eddies and always moving tendrils of smoke flowing from beneath their robes. They are much darker and surround the Dhaebru’s body when unrobed, and resemble smooth black tentacles. They appear beneath the robe when the Dhaebru is robed.  When robed, their body somewhat mimics the body of a physical creature. It allows them to enjoy the senses of a physical creature, eat, or even breathe if they want to. Some will even take on the habits of physical creatures even if they don’t need to, such as yawning, stretching, or sighing. Dhaebru need to sleep, robed or unrobed. When they do, they lay down, close their eyes, and go entirely still. They do not breathe, or snore, or make any sound and can be mistaken for dead by one not familiar with them. A dead Dhaebru fades away leaving nothing but their robe, armor, and collar like thing with the gem on it. If the Dhaebru is still there, they aren't dead. They are simply asleep.  When robed, an injured Dhaebru will bleed. It’s pure black in color, and will fade away after a while as it goes back to energy. A healthy Dhaebru can heal with a bit of rest if they retreat before they get severe injuries. When killed, their core can be caught and stabilized before it winks out. Warden cores last longer. Common Dhaebru cores generally appear like small dark orbs with a purple shimmer, softly pulsing like a heart. Warden cores are almost prismatic and pearlescent, with a shimmering glow. They also pulsate like a heartbeat. They are sometimes called a Cosmic Fragment. They have all six of the primordial aspects, Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Order and Entropy. As such, a Warden can pull any aspect from their core by taking those sources and carefully weaving them together. This is part of the reason Wardens are so much more powerful, as they can do a lot more with this core within them. The Core of a Warden is highly sought after, and those with ill intentions are known to invade the Outer Realm for the purpose of killing one for their core. While it's fairly uncommon for them to do it, Dhaebru are fully capable of eating when robed. When Dhaebru do decide to eat, it’s just for fun and a different experience. They do so to explore the flavors and sensations that food can provide. Aside from being pleasurable, it has no real benefit, though they can sometimes get a little energy from it. When they eat, their insides will break the food down into its component aspects, which is further broken down into the primal aspects. The solid parts of this food simply passes out the other end, just as it would with a physical being. Their body will adjust to accomodate this when it happens. All of the senses a physical creature has work for a robed Dhaebru. They can see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. When robed, this closely mimics how human senses work. When unrobed, they do not taste or smell, and their other senses work differently. The robe makes them more “human” in a sense. It does not imprison a Dhaebru; in fact, many feel that despite the small inconveniences it causes, it frees them to do and experience more. They like their robes and would become defensive and angry should one try to take them away.  Dhaebru robes are energy based much like them and are connected to the Dhaebru in such a way that they are directly influenced by the Dhaebru that wears them. A sick or weak Dhaebru has duller, more tattered robes, though all Dhaebru robes are naturally tattered. The reason is often attributed to their dark and chaotic nature, though it could just be an aesthetic choice that just became a normal part of the enchantment. Either way, Dhaebru have worn robes for as long as the race can remember and it is considered highly taboo not to wear robes, even deep in the Outer Realms when nowhere near Midworld. They are very sensitive about nudity, and even if they trust you deeply you will never, ever see one without their robes on. This is such a big part of them, they'll often become distressed, frightened or worried if they see a physical being undressing. Without their robes they are completely spectral, but also extremely vulnerable. Their robes serve to constrain their form down to a more basic shape, allowing them to better interact with the world around them but it also protects them.  Unrobed, light causes damage that can quickly lead to death. They have to expend a lot more energy to interact with anything or touch anything if they do not at least have the “Collar” on. The “Collar” shown in their unrobed appearance gives some measure of protection, but is not nearly as effective as the full robes. The “Collar” is what identifies the Dhaebru and allows them to manifest their Robe and Armor. It is often embued with a tracking spell. This allows Dhaebru to find each other within a sect, or call out to their Warden when in danger. The Robe’s constraining abilities makes them semi physical in a sense, allowing them to stand in light and survive, as well as protecting their core. The cons are that it keeps them in this semisolid form, and allows them to become vulnerable to physical weapons. They are also able to eat solid food, if they want, and able to enjoy things that physical beings are able to enjoy. Once bound to the Dhaebru, the robe becomes a part of them. The armor is separate, and given to them upon coming of age, becoming integrated with their robes and amulet. This can be removed, but is also bound to their core. The armor depends on the individual sect, but is usually dark purple, with bits of red for Wardens, and golden trimming for both. Dhaebru’s sect and adds additional protection from physical damage. The style of the robe and armor can vary depending on the individual sect of Dhaebru. The Sect’s symbol appears on the chestplate. Dhaebru do use the bathroom... sort of. The energy they take in, their inner workings cleanses and purifies, and the energy they do not use is passed in a liquid form, though it dissipates after a bit and returns to the ambient energy around them. Amusingly enough, this expelled energy is very useful for a lot of Spellweavers, and is commonly called \"Dhaebru's Essence\" when in reality... it's basically just their version of pee. Dhaebru Illnesses<\/strong> While incredibly rare, there are things that can disrupt their energy. This causes a Dhaebru to become very sick. When a Dhaebru becomes ill, they sleep a lot, are lethargic and a bit cranky, often sore and in pain, and their energy can feel discordant and wrong.  They often have quivers and tremors, and like to curl up somewhere dark to be alone in their misery. They can be quite vocal about complaining about this, if one bothers them. Any illness one may be afflicted with usually clears up on its own as long as the Dhaebru gets plenty of rest and spends a lot of time around something to harmonize their energy, but in severe cases, such as damage to their core, it can grow severe enough to kill the Dhaebru. A very sick Dhaebru can experience violent energy spikes. While Dhaebru are usually cool to the touch, when they get really sick, the energy conflicting can cause them to actually put off heat, similar to a bad fever.  While pregnancy can cause a Dhaebru to throw up, how illness can cause it much worse. Normally, vomiting is caused by carrying, taking in the wrong sort of energy, or eating more physical food than their insides can handle. Minor illness can cause this as well. In this case, just the first \"stomach\" empties, a mix of half-converted energies, often with a bit of dark mana as well. When minor, vomiting comes with very little warning, and they usually just heave once and that's it. When seriously ill, however, their energy reservoir can end up with the wrong sort of energy due to conflicts. This causes them to heave repeatedly and bring up their internal energy stores. They bring up significantly more in this case, and it happens repeatedly.  Like a human with a severe stomach bug or food poisoning, it leaves a Dhaebru weak and exhausted from loss of energy, and can even lead to their death if severe enough. Dhaebru do not give off clear signs when they are going to vomit, like physical beings do. It's really hard to tell if one is going to, but the main sign to watch out for is a strange 'pressure' as their energy gets all out of sorts. This can feel like a heavy feeling of impending dread, a dark energy. They may also become restless and begin to pace, though they will usually usually curl up and lay down somewhere dark and cool. When they show these signs, it is best to keep something that can absorb and stabilize the energy nearby, as the discordance can be dangerous if not stabilized and taken care of. While it will usually fade away on its own, too much can stick around and cause problems. Even so, the dark energy dissipating can cause an unpleasant pressure for a time. Because it's simply energy, there is no smell. Abilities<\/strong> They can move through shadows, somewhat like teleporting. They are able to do this robed, as their robes are magically bound to them. They are rarely seen unrobed as they are highly vulnerable outside of their own world.  They can let out a horrible shriek that can make one become paralyzed in terror. Amped up, this can cause temporary deafness and blindness. They cast a spectral fog, which they can hide in, allowing them to escape danger. Powerful magical projectiles, balls of darkness that damage, daze, and confuse their attacker. It can also cause temporary blindness. When comfortable or happy, or comforting loved ones, especially shadelings, Dhaebru purr. It sounds like a soft, dark rumble and is oddly relaxing despite their frightening appearance. The sound of their purring lets out the more peaceful side of their power, and can lull a person to sleep. Even a frightened human child can be calmed and lulled into sleep by a Dhaebru's purr.<\/p>","field5":"<div id=\"main\">\r\n<div id=\"wsite-content\" class=\"wsite-elements wsite-not-footer\">\r\n<div class=\"wsite-section-wrap\">\r\n<div class=\"wsite-section wsite-body-section wsite-background-9\">\r\n<div class=\"wsite-section-content\">\r\n<div class=\"container\">\r\n<div class=\"wsite-section-elements\">\r\n<div class=\"paragraph\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Simply speaking, Dhaebru have no true sexual dimorphism as they are all simply both and neither. Personality and energy may be masculine or feminine, and they may identify as one gender or the other but all of them are both and capable of siring or bearing Shadelings. What they identify as can appear in their features, such as eye shape and very subtly body shape, though it shows in their energy signature and voice the most, and to some extent personality. While Dhaebru will sometimes tend more towards masculine or feminine, they are all nonbinary in some manner. Even the most masculine Dhaebru has a feminine side, and vice versa. All Dhaebru are capable of siring and bearing young, no matter their individual gender expression. The main difference between a \"male\" and a \"female\" is the voice, energy signature, and the pronoun they use. \"Male\" Dhaebru are usually deeper voiced and sound more masculine, with less of an angle to the eyes. They usually have broader shoulders and narrower hops. Those with male characteristics are known to be slightly more territorial. \"Female\" Dhaebru usually have slightly slimmer bodies when observed, with very subtle curvature sometimes.  Their eyes are usually a bit more slanted. Their voices sound softer and more feminine. Their hips are generally wider with narrower shoulders. Unlike many physical beings, Dhaebru are not constrained to one gender or the other, and their expressed gender is very accurate to who they are as their body adjusts naturally to fit their gender expression. It is incredibly common for a Dhaebru to not identify as male or female, though some may simply use a pronoun out of convenience. They don't really care, or see the pronoun used as a big deal, as that's a part of physical beings and their language. Dhaebru do not have gendered pronouns in their natural tongue, and will generally follow whatever physical beings do in their area. Many Dhaebru are so balanced that it's impossible to tell if they are \"male\" or \"female\" Gender as a whole is not an issue to Dhaebru, as they just go by whatever they feel like. Dhaebru are not monogamous. They do not understand the connection between sex and love that humans have. To them, love is not something to be kept to a single individual, but something to be shared with their entire Sect. They are very polyamorous. Dhaebru do not mate for life. There is the occasional Dhaebru who is only attracted to the one they have an emotional emotion with, but they often share this with more than one. They do not have any concept of marriage. When a Dhaebru loves somebody, they cuddle with them, protect them, and want to be around them a lot. Sex is just something they sometimes do for fun. They do not have any concept of “cheating” and the idea of loving and being with only one creature for their entire lives is confusing and makes no sense. They feel that love of any sort should be shared freely with anybody they care about. This is something to keep in mind if entering a relationship with a Dhaebru. While a Dhaebru will not stick to one partner, they will always love every partner they have. They may not have the same views on relationships as humans, but they are incredibly loyal and loving. Reproduction<\/span><\/strong> Dhaebru reproduce through energy. They periodically go through a reproductive cycle. While both sides are usually active, it can lean more towards one side or the other, taking the form of a ‘heat’ (When the female side is active, and they are ready to receive energy and carry) or ‘rut’ (When the male side is active and they are ready to give energy and sire). They can either reproduce asexually or sexually depending on the individual’s preferences.  Sexually is more common, simply because doing so asexually requires removing their robe and sometimes even their amulet and opening up their core, allowing energy to pass from one to the other. This requires utmost trust, and the Dhaebru is extremely vulnerable during this time. They don't have to open up their core or make themselves vulnerable to do it the physical way. More masculine Dhaebru are more likely to go into rut, and more feminine ones are more likely to go into heat, but they both have both, and often have both at the same time. When a Warden goes into their reproductive cycle, their energy tends to affect every other Dhaebru around them more than a regular Dhaebru's cycle does due to their increased power and size. One can tell a Dhaebru is in season if they know normal Dhaebru behavior. When in season, their energy is stronger. One may find themselves getting a little restless around them, especially those who are sensitive to energy. Aside from that, they seem a bit more energetic. They become restless and pace a lot. 'Heat' has their maternal instincts growing stronger, while rut can make a Dhaebru slightly more competitive and aggressive, but never anything extreme. They become restless and a bit moody and pace a lot. It lasts about two weeks, then fades away. A rut can be ended by releasing a certain energy - they don't have to do so with another Dhaebru. Heat can be ended by either carrying, or taking in a quick burst of energy. If a Dhaebru does NOT want to carry, they can block the energy from fully hitting their core, so it won't join and create a Shadeling. Dhaebru Wardens are the most strongly affected by going into this cycle, and have the urge to seek out other Wardens. Their season, though, also makes them very aggressive and territorial, making the Wardens unusually tense. They can’t decide whether to fight, or mate! This stalemate can be rather noisy and scary to see, with a lot of growling and pacing around and circling eachother, but it’s never dangerous and either ends with the Wardens fighting … or the alternative. It is not uncommon for them to charge and start to fight, but end with a more peaceful resolution. Their sects are usually used to this and just look on and sigh while trying to ignore the roaring, growling and snarling and the complete indecision while their respective Wardens figure it out. Gestation and Birthing<\/span><\/strong> Dhaebru carry for about 15 months. Symptoms of a pregnant Dhaebru do not show outwardly unless something forces them to carry physically, such as Injury, illness, or something wrong with their core. A pregnant Dhaebru’s energy has a different feel to it, easily detectable to other Dhaebru. They will sleep a lot, begin to crave various aspects that they need for the development of their Shadeling, and can even experience something similar to morning sickness, though this is uncommon. The reason being is that it causes energy spikes. Sometimes these can just have the Dhaebru laying around grumbling in tempermental misery, but it can result in throwing up the excess energy if it overwhelms their ability to release it. Morning sickness is most common when carrying a Warden Shadeling, for Wardens and common Dhaebru alike, though it’s worse for a common Dhaebru carrying a Warden.  These symptoms come in waves, alternating between starving for energy and clinging to energy sources coupled with being very tired, or having energy in excess, causing them to become restless and possibly even start throwing up the extra if the sheer amount of it overwhelms them. As such, pregnant Dhaebru usually just rest somewhere for the most part and just ride it out. They usually give birth by allowing the Shadeling to separate from their core. This process is painful and leaves the Dhaebru exhausted, but they recover just fine with some rest and help from the rest of their sect. They will remove their robe for this process, though their amulet remains on them. In VERY rare occasions, the energy is unable to separate properly and they end up having to take on the physical characteristics of a female and give birth that way. Generally, if the pregnancy is high risk, the Dhaebru's body can determine this early on. This causes them to take on a physical form. Pregnancy, labor and delivery will then mimic the gestation of a physical creature. This is incredibly rare, but does happen on occasion. A Dhaebru has three stages of labor. Stage 1 - The Dhaebru becomes restless, a little pacing, no pain. It is easy to miss because the Dhaebru just sorta seems uncomfortable, though they may begin to pace. This stage can last anything from 12 hours to several days. While not active labor, their body is building up energy to help compensate for what is lost during the split, as well as preparing to split as well. Being nearby, one can feel their energy slowly building. It can make your hair stand on end near the end of this stage. Stage 2 - As the core finishes it's preparation for the split, waves of discomfort and mild to moderate pain quickly follow. While not bad yet, the Dhaebru becomes increasingly restless. They can't sit still. This stage is characterized by pacing around in circles. The pressing feeling of their building energy is so pronounced even one not sensitive will feel it on the air. While they don't need to breathe, a Dhaebru may pant simply because it helps them feel better. This stage can last up to three hours. As the final stage nears, the discomfort and pain quickly grows worse as their energy begins to surge. Stage 3 - The actual splitting of the core happens. The Dhaebru's energy begins to surge painfully. Many Dhaebru will growl and yell their pain. They'll snarl and snap at any who come too close, but don't attack. While it looks scary, the Dhaebru is very unlikely to lash out, and just wants to curl up somewhere dark and safe and get it over with. This stage can last up to an hour, but usually lasts around fifteen minutes to a half hour. If it takes longer than an hour, then the Dhaebru is either having a difficult birth, or something went wrong. At this point, a piece of their core will split off and float in front of them while their own core pulses with intense power as energy flows from them to the tiny newly formed core in front of them, and the Shadeling materializes. It is then given an amulet and robed. This takes a lot of energy, and the exhausted mother will usually sleep. Shadowkin: The Rare Hybrid<\/span><\/strong> Dhaebru ARE capable of impregnating physical beings, but this is extremely rare. The Dhaebru must be in season, and more towards the 'rut' side. The mother has to have some sort of magic either within them or effecting them, so a creature with natural magical energy is more likely to be able to successfully carry a hybrid. The resulting pregnancy is a magical conception, the body taking after the shape of the physical parent and the energy\/dark appearance of the Dhaebru parent. While Dhaebru are quite capable it, it's not too often that they do engage in relations with physical beings. When they do, the chances of conception are extremely low, less than 1% chance with a common Dhaebru, and around 5% for Wardens. The resulting hybrid is known as a Shadowkin. Wardens will sometimes produce Warden Shadowkin, or Shadowkin with the characteristics of Warden, but Common Dhaebru Shadowkin are more likely. Common Dhaebru will always produce normal Shadowkin. Shadelings<\/span><\/strong> A baby Dhaebru is known as a Shadeling. They are much smaller, pudgier versions of the adults with babyish porportions. They are given their robes at birth. The robes are bound to their form by a special magical “Collar” with a gem, the gem being fused with their very core. Warden Shadelings are larger with red eyes, with the robe color of a Warden without any armor. Normal Shadelings have simple dark robes and are smaller. Shadelings are usually given energy by their entire sect, though if one is found orphaned or abandoned, one can feed them dark mana. They will thrive on it, but will need to “eat” regularly. Shadelings hate being alone. They imprint on the energy of their mother, and spend the most time with the one that birthed them. When separated, they will become extremely upset. When in danger, they will let out a terrible shrieking wail. The sound is enough to make one’s ears ring. When separated from their mother, they will let out pulses of energy that can make a person tingle. This pulse can be felt from far away, allowing their mother to find them again. They will continue to do this for weeks, though without somebody to care for them, they’ll starve and fade away within a few days. Growing Up<\/span><\/strong> Once a Shadeling learns to move about, they are insatiably curious and have a habit of following adult Dhaebru out into Midworld. Warden Shadelings will puff up and protect their friends, or even their mother, whether there is danger or not! They will sometimes chir, chitter and chirp, or make tiny rumbly growls when nervous or playing. They start off crawling about, but once they gain toddlerhood they learn how to stand and walk on two feet. They gain their armor once they come of age, or, when they have their first reproductive cycle. The first cycle is never fertile, and is just a shift in their energy showing they’ve matured. Common Dhaebru reach adulthood in roughly 13-14 years, at which point they are mentally and physically equivilent to an 18 year old human. This can be effected by their access to energy, so can be slower if they aren't well fed.  Wardens mature fully in roughly 16-18 years. This lenghtened time is because Wardens are far more powerful and need more energy to reach maturity. <\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div class=\"wsite-image wsite-image-border-none \" style=\"padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; text-align: center;\">Image with baby Dhaebru goes here \r\n<div style=\"display: block; font-size: 90%;\"> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"paragraph\">Infant\/Newborn - The amulet is bound to their core and they are robed. They are tiny and sleep a lot. Warden newborns are slightly larger than newborn common Dhaebru. It is easy to tell as soon as a Dhaebru is born if they are a normal Dhaebru, or a Warden. Normal Dhaebru always have pale eyes and are less powerful while Wardens are larger with intense power and bright red eyes. Baby - Getting bigger. Still very small, they spend a lot of time asleep. They are very clingy, and will cry and cry if left alone. They are known to let off little pulses of energy if separated from their mother, which is their way of calling.  Toddler - Now able to move around on their own, Dhaebru toddlers are insanely curious. They are full of energy and get into everything they can. They still spend a fair amount of time sleeping, but when awake they are little balls of energy. Wardens begin to display signs of being territorial and possessive, and may growl and even bite if you try to take something away they have deemed as belonging to them. Child - Not unlike a human child, curious, playful, imaginative, love to explore, and can get into all sorts of trouble. Warden children will fiercely protect other children, no matter the species. If the sect is around humans and are peaceful with them, their children will play together. A Warden child will fiercely protect other children, no matter their species. They may even growl at a human child's parent if the child doesn't want to stop playing and cries when playtime is over! Adolescence - Their energy begins to go through a shift as it matures, this process taking a few years to complete. <\/div>\r\n<div class=\"paragraph\"> <\/div>\r\n<div class=\"paragraph\">Maturity - They go into their first reproductive cycle as their energy goes through a final shift. At this point, they are given their armor, which denotes them as adults. They are finished growing, mature both mentally and physically, by the time they have this first cycle.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","field6":null,"field7":null}},"title":"Dhaebru","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

Dhaebru

#149 1 July 2023, 16:42:43 UTC

Cryptid-Artha

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{"data":{"description":"Voidic shadow entities with two variants<\/p>","field1":"Species Name<\/strong>  Dhaebru Sometimes known as or mistaken as:<\/strong> Shadow Wraith, Void Spirit, Shade, sometimes mistaken for Demons or Shadow People. They don't have connections to either and aren't truly wraiths, spirits or shades. They are a class of their own.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are a sapient and highly social eldritch creatures of shadow, spectral in nature. They are always seen robed in dark, tattered robes and usually have armor on as well, of varying designs depending on the individuals and their origin. The robes and armor are connected to a special amulet they wear on a  collar-like necklace that settles around their neck. This amulet has a direct connection to the Dhaebru's core, and can not be removed. Dhaebru are highly social beings, and hate being alone. If deprived of the company of another Dhaebru, they will gravitate towards any living thing, sapient or not, and cling to any company they can. They get extremely depressed and upset when they are alone for too long.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have two types. The smaller variety are the commonfolk of the species, simply called Dhaebru. They are roughly human sized, and the most commonly seen type. They regularly leave the Outer Realms, wandering various worlds seemingly at random. They are most often seen in the lands surrounding the portal to their world, usually marked by an obelisk of strange dark crystals. Dhaebru can be be spotted regularly wandering worlds that have a strong magical presence, but are not hostile unless threatened. They are most likely to slip away back into the Outer Realms, where they are safe. They have pale eyes gleaming out from beneath their hoods, and often throw off a spectral fog when startled, giving them cover to escape harm. Dhaebru are curious, but shy. If they can not get to safety, they will attack and they make short work of most physical beings.<\/p>\r\nThe larger variety is known as a Warden. Wardens are tall and powerful Dhaebru, known for their impressive stature, some individual reaching up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters tall. Wardens are protectors and leaders by nature. They are highly territorial, so it's rare to find more than one Warden within a sect unless one of them is a juvenile, or they are closely related, such as siblings or parent and child. Wardens rarely leave the Outer Realm. They are usually pretty calm, and can be downright lazy, but if you threaten their sect, they can kill even a heavily armored physical beings with little to no effort. Fortunately, most Wardens prefer to frighten off a potential threat, but if the threat returns, they don't take chances. Wardens are surprisingly maternal and have a tendency to be very possessive. If their sect is not threatened, a Warden is usually peaceful and will simply observe, but when attacked their true power shows. If a Warden wants to kill you, it's going to kill you, no questions about it.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are not to be mistaken with wraiths, demons, shadow people or ghosts. While they are wraith like, they are not true wraiths and they are not from the Infernus like demons. They are eldritch beings from a realm beyond the edge of reality. They have a large amount of strange Eldritch influence to them, but this is stabilized down by their robes and is the reason they wear them. The robes protect the Dhaebru from the world around then, but also protect the world from their otherworldly aura.<\/p>\r\nThey are mysterious creatures, and not many have had real contact with them. Regular Dhaebru are shy and skittish by nature, and most physical beings are terrified of them due to their dark appearance and power. They are also known to show up when dark magic is afoot. While they are attracted by the dark magic due to instincts to investigate and prevent harm, many associate them with it, and blame them for it. They have a dark and frightening reputation, meaning very few people truly know much about them.<\/p>\r\nThey are known to clash with a group of dangerous individuals known as the Order of the Eclipse. The Order are a mysterious and dangerous cult that once existed to protect humankind but twisted into something dangerous with an obcession for dark power. They actively hunt Dhaebru for their cores, which are used in their dark rituals. Most Dhaebru will attack and kill a member of the Order on sight, or turn tail and run.<\/p>","field2":"The Outer Realm, the Dhaebru Homeworld<\/span><\/p>\r\n Dhaebru reside in an alternate dimension of sorts known as the Outer Realm. This strange and hostile realm serves as a barrier and buffer between the Eldritch Realm and Midworld, though this knowledge has long since been lost. Nobody knows where it came from anymore, not even the Dhaebru. Many feel they may have come from somewhere else, but such knowledge is lost to time. It's common for Wardens to try to figure this out, but not much headway has been made, as if something about their past was buried or lost a long time ago. Some feel it was on purpose, as Dhaebru have always liked to keep their history written down, down to the name of each member born to the sect, and the date of their death should they die. Strange growths of a black crystals that appear clustered with some floating under their unique eldritch power show entry and exit points and portals to the Outer Realm.  This is where the Dhaebru come and go from. It's extremely dangerous to physical beings to cross through, but Dhaebru can take people in there with them and protect them from the negative effects within.  The Outer Realm is generally comprised generally caves and corridors that seem to have no rhyme or reason. Almost like the ruins of an ancient infinite fortress. Lighting comes from various crystals, fungi, and some creatures that wander the corridors.  One can often tell where a Sect lives as that area is usually closed off with rooms carved in the strange anceitn dark stone the Shadow Realm is made of, often closed off so the Dhaebru can stay safe from the various creatures that wander their Realm. <\/p>\r\nOrigins of the Dhaebru and Deepbloods<\/span> While Dhaebru do not know their own origin anymore, they were created alongside mysterious beings known as Aethyr by a pair of strange beings known as the Balance. The Balance was said to be a combination of Voidborn and Etherborn, a creature embodying both Light and Darkness. Wild and untamed, but also sensitive and sapient, the strange entity felt that the physical realms and all they contained was a precious gem that needed to be protected and preserved, and observed that the fragile Midworld and all its varied and beautiful life could be damaged by the Aether and the Eldritch Void. They themselves could not directly interfere, as their powerful energy could do great damage no matter their intentions, so they found another solution. They set out to protect it, by creating two realms, as buffers and barriers between Midworld and the dangerous realms layered around it. They then populated these buffers with beings that would serve as guardians and protectors and keep the balance and protect Midworld. Image of The Balance Goes Here Below is a basic example of dimensional layering and how it works. The lines are uneven. Some worlds are in the middle, not touching either. Some are close to the Eldritch Void, and gateways to the Dhaebru's Shadowrealm appear, allowing Dhaebru to enter the world and wander about. Some are closer to the Aethyr, allowing gateways to the Aethyr's homeworld to appear, and allowing Aethyr to wander the land. Some are close to both, having both Aethyr and Dhaebru present. Image of basic Dimensional Layering Goes Here<\/p>\r\nThe Outer Realm is a bit like a buffer between midworld and the dangerous and unstable Eldritch Void. Dhaebru were meant to seek out any intrusions of creatures or volatile energies from the Eldritch Void, and call their Warden over to destroy them, while they seal up the rift. Dhaebru actually need to enter Midworld to feed on the magical energy present there; causing them to need to wander about regularly, and making them have need of their gateways wherever they appear. Their draw to the disruption of the fabric of reality is the reason they often show up when dangerous magic is afoot, as their instincts draw them to it and they want to put a stop to it if it starts causing damage. Aethyr did the same within the Aether, and the two beings together kept Midworld in balance. This did not last, however, as contention soon started between the two races. The Aethyr felt that they were better than the Dhaebru, and tried to treat them as slaves. The Dhaebru and the Aethyr fought, then eventually parted ways. The Aethyr retreated into their realm, while Dhaebru remained within the Outer Realm and wander Midworld from time to time. All of this went down a very long time ago, near the beginning of the Universe itself.<\/p>\r\nAs for Deepbloods, a voidic entity interbred with a Dhaebru Warden several generations down the line, and a three hybrids were born of their union, known as the Deepbloods. When that Warden found their peaceful and natural end, the creature kept watch over the race, until another Warden caught their interest several generations later. This Warden, however, was a descendant of one of those original Deepbloods, and was power hungry. They wanted as pure an offspring as they could get because they felt that this bloodline was the origin of the Dhaebru race and wanted purity. When the child did not come out as they wanted, they killed the Void creature and abused the child, who eventually became the most evil being the Universe has ever known. This cruel being destroyed and stole the creatures power, and killed any Deepbloods they felt weren't pure enough, and all Deepblood are thought to be descended from this single cruel and vicious individual. As such, they have a very negative stigma, even among Dhaebru, who fear those who are of that bloodline, even if Deepbloods are very powerful protectors and are known to be extremely loyal, even moreso than a regular Warden.<\/p>","field3":"The temperament of a Dhaebru Warden differs with Deepblood Wardens, also known as Deepbloods. Deepbloods are noted for being slightly larger than regular Wardens, sometimes standing up to thirteen feet tall, and are noticeably more aggressive and unstable. While not evil, they have to keep a closer handle on their emotions as they have a berserk state that is brought on by extreme anger or fear. They are usually bulkier in appearance as well.<\/p>\r\nDeepbloods are extremely rare, and the unique bloodline is only passed on from Warden to Warden. There aren’t many left, and they trace their lineage back as far as Dhaebru records go. Deepbloods are not evil or hostile by nature, but they are more aggressive and territorial and can be more dangerous if provoked. Deepbloods have Voidborn blood in them, though it's been diluted greatly over time. Deepbloods are larger and more powerful, and do have some slightly different and amplified abilities originating from being descended from true Eldritch beings. \u200b<\/p>\r\nNormal Wardens are territorial and protective, fierce fighters if provoked but generally placid and observant otherwise. If you encounter one and show you are not a threat, they are surprisingly friendly. Wardens aren't easily frightened. They are very watchful and protective, and can be possessive.<\/p>\r\nRegular Dhaebru are surprisingly skittish and generally will only attack if cornered or heavily provoked. They're curious and social, and if you show you aren't a threat they are very likely to approach you to try to learn more about you.<\/p>\r\nTheir native language consists deep and ancient version of Eldritch speech. This strange language is far too much for most mortal minds to handle. One could compare it, somewhat, to Black Speech from Lord of the Rings to a point, but not inherently evil. As such, most Sects will learn the most commonly spoken language of the surrounding inhabitants to avoid confrontation.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have very dark and unsettling voices. They have a ghostly echo and seem to come from all around at once. They are deep and dark, having a soft growl behind their tones. Entirely unsettling to anybody not used to it. While they are capable of snarling, hissing and growling, Common Dhaebru rarely do this while Wardens are known to do this when defending their Sect or confronting other Wardens.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are highly social creatures. They do not like to be alone, and get quiet and upset without companionship. A sect usually has one Warden who is the Sect's Kral, or Leader, several Guardians, Dhaebru who protect the sect and are higher ranked, but still ranked lower than the Warden, and 30-50 common Dhaebru. Some larger sects have a lower ranking Warden or Sub-Warden who is subordinate to the main Kral, but still high ranking. This is fairly rare, as sub wardens are usually siblings or children of the head Warden. They are very territorial so most Wardens part ways to found their own sect, though older Wardens will sometimes take in and teach younger ones. Wardens usually go to start sects of their own when they come of age, but some will remain as a lower ranking Warden in their parent's sect.<\/p>\r\nGuardians can be told apart from regular Guardians by the symbol on their chestplate. While common Dhaebru have a lighter purple symbol on their chestplate, Guardians have it in gold. Wardens tend to have lighter colored robes with hints of red, and brighter chestplates with golden symbols. Aside from the color of the chestplate symbol color differing from common Dhaebru, Guardians look exactly the same.<\/p>\r\nSects usually consist of 30-50 Dhaebru and one Warden, but never number more than a couple hundred. Sects consisting of more than a hundred members are very rare.<\/p>\r\nThe symbol on the chest plate usually identifies what Sect a Dhaebru belongs to.<\/p>\r\nWhile many people fear Dhaebru, their main purpose is to protect and balance and thus are not hostile unless attacked.  Dhaebru are surprisingly nurturing and gentle beings, and prefer to avoid conflict. They are very curious and fond of gathering information. Sect Wardens often have libraries and journals, and common Dhaebru are known to bring anything of interest back home. Temperament can vary between Wardens and common Dhaebru. Dhaebru are highly social, and truly hate being alone. Wardens<\/strong>: They rarely leave the Shadow Realm unless one of their Sect calls out for help. They are vicious when threatened and will attack savagely to protect their Sect. They have fiercely protective instincts, and these come out around anybody the individual cares about. This can sometimes translate to guarding belongings or areas, and can even shift to being aggressively territorial. Because of this, there is usually only one Warden occupying one area, and any others are usually related, such as siblings or offspring. Wardens are usually calm and collected, but can become very temperamental given the right circumstances. They are known to grumble and growl when annoyed or irritated.<\/p>\r\nShown below are two Dhaebru Wardens in a territorial dispute! Illustration by Jagal on FurAffinity Image of fighting Wardens go here<\/p>\r\nCommon Dhaebru<\/strong>: They frequently leave the Shadow Realm to explore or keep an eye on things. Dhaebru are not fond of confrontation, and much prefer to run away from trouble, or call out to their Warden for help. Dhaebru are generally curious, but a bit flighty and very cautious. When threatened, they flee. If cornered, they attack in self defense. If the threat is big, they for help, and attack in groups. If you stay still and let a Dhaebru approach you, you can generally interact with one once they realize that you aren't a threat. When they feel safe and calm, Dhaebru are friendly and will likely shower you with questions, and if you let them, they can get very touchy feely.  \u200bAppearance: It varies very little. The style of the armor and robes does vary by individual and sect a bit, and the main difference is between the larger Warden type Dhaebru, and the smaller common type Dhaebru. Dhaebru vary the most in their personality and energy signature. They are hard to tell apart, but if you get to know one well their individuality comes out strongly in how they behave, speak, and their individual quirks and habits. The shape of a Dhaebru's eyes vary, as well as their mouth and even face shape to a point. These features are inherited. Deepbloods tend to have sharper features and fierce, narrow eyes that glow more intensely than regular Wardens. <\/p>\r\nEmotion and expression<\/span><\/strong> They have emotions very much like humans, though they do show some things differently. They also react slightly differently to some emotions as well. While they do have expressions, most of their emotion is shown in a combination of their body language and the movement of their shadowy aura and the shadows around them. When frightened or nervous, their shadows coil up beneath their robes, and extreme panic can cause the shadows around them to quiver, for example. When angry, their shadows flow out and darken, growing more voluminous and when happy, they waver and flow softly. Looking at their face can give some clues to how they are feeling, but watching their shadows and how they move is the biggest indicator. While it can take some time to get to know a Dhaebru, once you know one their emotions read like an open book.<\/p>\r\nRelationship with Other Races<\/span><\/strong> Cautious, usually peaceful. Dhaebru tend to keep their distance. They aren't overly fond of humans most of the time, as some humans have found that their cores are useful and hunt them. Others attack Dhaebru on sight out of fear, which has resulted in a lot of tension. Some Dhaebru, even, will attack and kill a human if they discover their gateway, as it leads directly to their home. They feel that the human is a threat in these cases. They react similarly to any race that they have tension with. Longer lived races, such as Fey, are more reserved so confrontations aren't as common, but some young Fey do go after Dhaebru since they are considered creatures of darkness. Darkness is considered bad and evil to many races. This has made many consider the calm and docile shadow creatures as a threat. Wilder races without the concept of “Darkness is Evil” thing in their heads get along great with Dhaebru. One example is the wild, social and friendly Kivuuli. Their temperament is somewhat similar, which results in Kivuuli and Dhaebru getting on quite well. Both races are highly social. When gateways to the Shadow Realm are found in Kivuuli territories, the Dhaebru and Kivuuli are usually amiable towards eachother. Kivuuli often consider the local sect as a part of their colony, and will viciously attack people who hurt the Dhaebru. The Dhaebru will return the favor if their Kivuuli allies are attacked. The alpha female and the Warden are usually close allies. Some Kivuuli Colonies have been seen with Shadowkin kits, which says that Dhaebru do occasionally crossbreed with them. Red eyed Warden Shadowkin are more common among Kivuuli than any other race, which seems to point to the possibility that mating between the alpha female Kivuuli and the Dhaebru Wardens is fairly common. Kivuuli are also able to pass through the gateways safely and easily. <\/p>","field4":"Species Type<\/strong>: Spectral, Energy-Based though they can take a semi-Physical form<\/p>\r\nAverage Height<\/strong> Common Dhaebru: 6’5 Warden: 10-12 feet Average Weight<\/strong> Spectral, they weigh no more than their robes and armor. Wardens weigh more, as their larger forms also have larger robes and armor. <\/p>\r\n Diet<\/strong> Dhaebru feed on ambient magical energy with a high preference for darker energies, or its liquid form of dark mana. Mana, or Magical Energy, generates naturally in any physical world that has magic, but not in the Outer Realm, their home. As such, Dhaebru come to Midworld to feed, and are often found in areas with a lot of magic. Dhaebru tend to bring energy back for their Warden. They don't learn how to feed on their own until they are roughly three to five years old, and until then a parent feeds them energy. If no Dhaebru is available to give them energy, a shadeling can be fed Dark Mana and do just fine.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru Anatomy and Features <\/strong>Dhaebru have two 'stomachs' - One takes in energy and converts it to the type of energy the Dhaebru can use. Their second 'stomach' is an energy reservoir, where all usable energy is stored. It can be compared to the social stomach of various eusocial insects. They can share energy with eachother through their cores. Common Dhaebru use it to bring energy back to their Warden. The Warden stores a great amount of energy, and if the Sect is unable to get to Midworld, the Warden can sustain a sect of around 20 Dhaebru for up to a week. \u200bThey usually consists of their core, and their shadowy body which is fluid and vulnerable, unless robed. The robe protects the Dhaebru from the world, and in the case of Wardens protects the world from the negative effects creature with connections to the Eldritch Realm can pose. This is especially true for Deepbloods.  Dhaebru have the ability to manifest tendrils of shadow that can manipulate objects, and are often used when their hands are full. They can either be solid and able to handle things or immaterial, resembling eddies and always moving tendrils of smoke flowing from beneath their robes. They are much darker and surround the Dhaebru’s body when unrobed, and resemble smooth black tentacles. They appear beneath the robe when the Dhaebru is robed.  When robed, their body somewhat mimics the body of a physical creature. It allows them to enjoy the senses of a physical creature, eat, or even breathe if they want to. Some will even take on the habits of physical creatures even if they don’t need to, such as yawning, stretching, or sighing. Dhaebru need to sleep, robed or unrobed. When they do, they lay down, close their eyes, and go entirely still. They do not breathe, or snore, or make any sound and can be mistaken for dead by one not familiar with them. A dead Dhaebru fades away leaving nothing but their robe, armor, and collar like thing with the gem on it. If the Dhaebru is still there, they aren't dead. They are simply asleep.  When robed, an injured Dhaebru will bleed. It’s pure black in color, and will fade away after a while as it goes back to energy. A healthy Dhaebru can heal with a bit of rest if they retreat before they get severe injuries. When killed, their core can be caught and stabilized before it winks out. Warden cores last longer. Common Dhaebru cores generally appear like small dark orbs with a purple shimmer, softly pulsing like a heart. Warden cores are almost prismatic and pearlescent, with a shimmering glow. They also pulsate like a heartbeat. They are sometimes called a Cosmic Fragment. They have all six of the primordial aspects, Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Order and Entropy. As such, a Warden can pull any aspect from their core by taking those sources and carefully weaving them together. This is part of the reason Wardens are so much more powerful, as they can do a lot more with this core within them. The Core of a Warden is highly sought after, and those with ill intentions are known to invade the Outer Realm for the purpose of killing one for their core. While it's fairly uncommon for them to do it, Dhaebru are fully capable of eating when robed. When Dhaebru do decide to eat, it’s just for fun and a different experience. They do so to explore the flavors and sensations that food can provide. Aside from being pleasurable, it has no real benefit, though they can sometimes get a little energy from it. When they eat, their insides will break the food down into its component aspects, which is further broken down into the primal aspects. The solid parts of this food simply passes out the other end, just as it would with a physical being. Their body will adjust to accomodate this when it happens. All of the senses a physical creature has work for a robed Dhaebru. They can see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. When robed, this closely mimics how human senses work. When unrobed, they do not taste or smell, and their other senses work differently. The robe makes them more “human” in a sense. It does not imprison a Dhaebru; in fact, many feel that despite the small inconveniences it causes, it frees them to do and experience more. They like their robes and would become defensive and angry should one try to take them away.  Dhaebru robes are energy based much like them and are connected to the Dhaebru in such a way that they are directly influenced by the Dhaebru that wears them. A sick or weak Dhaebru has duller, more tattered robes, though all Dhaebru robes are naturally tattered. The reason is often attributed to their dark and chaotic nature, though it could just be an aesthetic choice that just became a normal part of the enchantment. Either way, Dhaebru have worn robes for as long as the race can remember and it is considered highly taboo not to wear robes, even deep in the Outer Realms when nowhere near Midworld. They are very sensitive about nudity, and even if they trust you deeply you will never, ever see one without their robes on. This is such a big part of them, they'll often become distressed, frightened or worried if they see a physical being undressing. Without their robes they are completely spectral, but also extremely vulnerable. Their robes serve to constrain their form down to a more basic shape, allowing them to better interact with the world around them but it also protects them.  Unrobed, light causes damage that can quickly lead to death. They have to expend a lot more energy to interact with anything or touch anything if they do not at least have the “Collar” on. The “Collar” shown in their unrobed appearance gives some measure of protection, but is not nearly as effective as the full robes. The “Collar” is what identifies the Dhaebru and allows them to manifest their Robe and Armor. It is often embued with a tracking spell. This allows Dhaebru to find each other within a sect, or call out to their Warden when in danger. The Robe’s constraining abilities makes them semi physical in a sense, allowing them to stand in light and survive, as well as protecting their core. The cons are that it keeps them in this semisolid form, and allows them to become vulnerable to physical weapons. They are also able to eat solid food, if they want, and able to enjoy things that physical beings are able to enjoy. Once bound to the Dhaebru, the robe becomes a part of them. The armor is separate, and given to them upon coming of age, becoming integrated with their robes and amulet. This can be removed, but is also bound to their core. The armor depends on the individual sect, but is usually dark purple, with bits of red for Wardens, and golden trimming for both. Dhaebru’s sect and adds additional protection from physical damage. The style of the robe and armor can vary depending on the individual sect of Dhaebru. The Sect’s symbol appears on the chestplate. Dhaebru do use the bathroom... sort of. The energy they take in, their inner workings cleanses and purifies, and the energy they do not use is passed in a liquid form, though it dissipates after a bit and returns to the ambient energy around them. Amusingly enough, this expelled energy is very useful for a lot of Spellweavers, and is commonly called \"Dhaebru's Essence\" when in reality... it's basically just their version of pee. Dhaebru Illnesses<\/strong> While incredibly rare, there are things that can disrupt their energy. This causes a Dhaebru to become very sick. When a Dhaebru becomes ill, they sleep a lot, are lethargic and a bit cranky, often sore and in pain, and their energy can feel discordant and wrong.  They often have quivers and tremors, and like to curl up somewhere dark to be alone in their misery. They can be quite vocal about complaining about this, if one bothers them. Any illness one may be afflicted with usually clears up on its own as long as the Dhaebru gets plenty of rest and spends a lot of time around something to harmonize their energy, but in severe cases, such as damage to their core, it can grow severe enough to kill the Dhaebru. A very sick Dhaebru can experience violent energy spikes. While Dhaebru are usually cool to the touch, when they get really sick, the energy conflicting can cause them to actually put off heat, similar to a bad fever.  While pregnancy can cause a Dhaebru to throw up, how illness can cause it much worse. Normally, vomiting is caused by carrying, taking in the wrong sort of energy, or eating more physical food than their insides can handle. Minor illness can cause this as well. In this case, just the first \"stomach\" empties, a mix of half-converted energies, often with a bit of dark mana as well. When minor, vomiting comes with very little warning, and they usually just heave once and that's it. When seriously ill, however, their energy reservoir can end up with the wrong sort of energy due to conflicts. This causes them to heave repeatedly and bring up their internal energy stores. They bring up significantly more in this case, and it happens repeatedly.  Like a human with a severe stomach bug or food poisoning, it leaves a Dhaebru weak and exhausted from loss of energy, and can even lead to their death if severe enough. Dhaebru do not give off clear signs when they are going to vomit, like physical beings do. It's really hard to tell if one is going to, but the main sign to watch out for is a strange 'pressure' as their energy gets all out of sorts. This can feel like a heavy feeling of impending dread, a dark energy. They may also become restless and begin to pace, though they will usually usually curl up and lay down somewhere dark and cool. When they show these signs, it is best to keep something that can absorb and stabilize the energy nearby, as the discordance can be dangerous if not stabilized and taken care of. While it will usually fade away on its own, too much can stick around and cause problems. Even so, the dark energy dissipating can cause an unpleasant pressure for a time. Because it's simply energy, there is no smell. Abilities<\/strong> They can move through shadows, somewhat like teleporting. They are able to do this robed, as their robes are magically bound to them. They are rarely seen unrobed as they are highly vulnerable outside of their own world.  They can let out a horrible shriek that can make one become paralyzed in terror. Amped up, this can cause temporary deafness and blindness. They cast a spectral fog, which they can hide in, allowing them to escape danger. Powerful magical projectiles, balls of darkness that damage, daze, and confuse their attacker. It can also cause temporary blindness. When comfortable or happy, or comforting loved ones, especially shadelings, Dhaebru purr. It sounds like a soft, dark rumble and is oddly relaxing despite their frightening appearance. The sound of their purring lets out the more peaceful side of their power, and can lull a person to sleep. Even a frightened human child can be calmed and lulled into sleep by a Dhaebru's purr.<\/p>","field5":null,"field6":null,"field7":null,"parsed":{"description":"Voidic shadow entities with two variants<\/p>","field1":"Species Name<\/strong>  Dhaebru Sometimes known as or mistaken as:<\/strong> Shadow Wraith, Void Spirit, Shade, sometimes mistaken for Demons or Shadow People. They don't have connections to either and aren't truly wraiths, spirits or shades. They are a class of their own.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are a sapient and highly social eldritch creatures of shadow, spectral in nature. They are always seen robed in dark, tattered robes and usually have armor on as well, of varying designs depending on the individuals and their origin. The robes and armor are connected to a special amulet they wear on a  collar-like necklace that settles around their neck. This amulet has a direct connection to the Dhaebru's core, and can not be removed. Dhaebru are highly social beings, and hate being alone. If deprived of the company of another Dhaebru, they will gravitate towards any living thing, sapient or not, and cling to any company they can. They get extremely depressed and upset when they are alone for too long.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have two types. The smaller variety are the commonfolk of the species, simply called Dhaebru. They are roughly human sized, and the most commonly seen type. They regularly leave the Outer Realms, wandering various worlds seemingly at random. They are most often seen in the lands surrounding the portal to their world, usually marked by an obelisk of strange dark crystals. Dhaebru can be be spotted regularly wandering worlds that have a strong magical presence, but are not hostile unless threatened. They are most likely to slip away back into the Outer Realms, where they are safe. They have pale eyes gleaming out from beneath their hoods, and often throw off a spectral fog when startled, giving them cover to escape harm. Dhaebru are curious, but shy. If they can not get to safety, they will attack and they make short work of most physical beings.<\/p>\r\nThe larger variety is known as a Warden. Wardens are tall and powerful Dhaebru, known for their impressive stature, some individual reaching up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters tall. Wardens are protectors and leaders by nature. They are highly territorial, so it's rare to find more than one Warden within a sect unless one of them is a juvenile, or they are closely related, such as siblings or parent and child. Wardens rarely leave the Outer Realm. They are usually pretty calm, and can be downright lazy, but if you threaten their sect, they can kill even a heavily armored physical beings with little to no effort. Fortunately, most Wardens prefer to frighten off a potential threat, but if the threat returns, they don't take chances. Wardens are surprisingly maternal and have a tendency to be very possessive. If their sect is not threatened, a Warden is usually peaceful and will simply observe, but when attacked their true power shows. If a Warden wants to kill you, it's going to kill you, no questions about it.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are not to be mistaken with wraiths, demons, shadow people or ghosts. While they are wraith like, they are not true wraiths and they are not from the Infernus like demons. They are eldritch beings from a realm beyond the edge of reality. They have a large amount of strange Eldritch influence to them, but this is stabilized down by their robes and is the reason they wear them. The robes protect the Dhaebru from the world around then, but also protect the world from their otherworldly aura.<\/p>\r\nThey are mysterious creatures, and not many have had real contact with them. Regular Dhaebru are shy and skittish by nature, and most physical beings are terrified of them due to their dark appearance and power. They are also known to show up when dark magic is afoot. While they are attracted by the dark magic due to instincts to investigate and prevent harm, many associate them with it, and blame them for it. They have a dark and frightening reputation, meaning very few people truly know much about them.<\/p>\r\nThey are known to clash with a group of dangerous individuals known as the Order of the Eclipse. The Order are a mysterious and dangerous cult that once existed to protect humankind but twisted into something dangerous with an obcession for dark power. They actively hunt Dhaebru for their cores, which are used in their dark rituals. Most Dhaebru will attack and kill a member of the Order on sight, or turn tail and run.<\/p>","field2":"The Outer Realm, the Dhaebru Homeworld<\/span><\/p>\r\n Dhaebru reside in an alternate dimension of sorts known as the Outer Realm. This strange and hostile realm serves as a barrier and buffer between the Eldritch Realm and Midworld, though this knowledge has long since been lost. Nobody knows where it came from anymore, not even the Dhaebru. Many feel they may have come from somewhere else, but such knowledge is lost to time. It's common for Wardens to try to figure this out, but not much headway has been made, as if something about their past was buried or lost a long time ago. Some feel it was on purpose, as Dhaebru have always liked to keep their history written down, down to the name of each member born to the sect, and the date of their death should they die. Strange growths of a black crystals that appear clustered with some floating under their unique eldritch power show entry and exit points and portals to the Outer Realm.  This is where the Dhaebru come and go from. It's extremely dangerous to physical beings to cross through, but Dhaebru can take people in there with them and protect them from the negative effects within.  The Outer Realm is generally comprised generally caves and corridors that seem to have no rhyme or reason. Almost like the ruins of an ancient infinite fortress. Lighting comes from various crystals, fungi, and some creatures that wander the corridors.  One can often tell where a Sect lives as that area is usually closed off with rooms carved in the strange anceitn dark stone the Shadow Realm is made of, often closed off so the Dhaebru can stay safe from the various creatures that wander their Realm. <\/p>\r\nOrigins of the Dhaebru and Deepbloods<\/span> While Dhaebru do not know their own origin anymore, they were created alongside mysterious beings known as Aethyr by a pair of strange beings known as the Balance. The Balance was said to be a combination of Voidborn and Etherborn, a creature embodying both Light and Darkness. Wild and untamed, but also sensitive and sapient, the strange entity felt that the physical realms and all they contained was a precious gem that needed to be protected and preserved, and observed that the fragile Midworld and all its varied and beautiful life could be damaged by the Aether and the Eldritch Void. They themselves could not directly interfere, as their powerful energy could do great damage no matter their intentions, so they found another solution. They set out to protect it, by creating two realms, as buffers and barriers between Midworld and the dangerous realms layered around it. They then populated these buffers with beings that would serve as guardians and protectors and keep the balance and protect Midworld. Image of The Balance Goes Here Below is a basic example of dimensional layering and how it works. The lines are uneven. Some worlds are in the middle, not touching either. Some are close to the Eldritch Void, and gateways to the Dhaebru's Shadowrealm appear, allowing Dhaebru to enter the world and wander about. Some are closer to the Aethyr, allowing gateways to the Aethyr's homeworld to appear, and allowing Aethyr to wander the land. Some are close to both, having both Aethyr and Dhaebru present. Image of basic Dimensional Layering Goes Here<\/p>\r\nThe Outer Realm is a bit like a buffer between midworld and the dangerous and unstable Eldritch Void. Dhaebru were meant to seek out any intrusions of creatures or volatile energies from the Eldritch Void, and call their Warden over to destroy them, while they seal up the rift. Dhaebru actually need to enter Midworld to feed on the magical energy present there; causing them to need to wander about regularly, and making them have need of their gateways wherever they appear. Their draw to the disruption of the fabric of reality is the reason they often show up when dangerous magic is afoot, as their instincts draw them to it and they want to put a stop to it if it starts causing damage. Aethyr did the same within the Aether, and the two beings together kept Midworld in balance. This did not last, however, as contention soon started between the two races. The Aethyr felt that they were better than the Dhaebru, and tried to treat them as slaves. The Dhaebru and the Aethyr fought, then eventually parted ways. The Aethyr retreated into their realm, while Dhaebru remained within the Outer Realm and wander Midworld from time to time. All of this went down a very long time ago, near the beginning of the Universe itself.<\/p>\r\nAs for Deepbloods, a voidic entity interbred with a Dhaebru Warden several generations down the line, and a three hybrids were born of their union, known as the Deepbloods. When that Warden found their peaceful and natural end, the creature kept watch over the race, until another Warden caught their interest several generations later. This Warden, however, was a descendant of one of those original Deepbloods, and was power hungry. They wanted as pure an offspring as they could get because they felt that this bloodline was the origin of the Dhaebru race and wanted purity. When the child did not come out as they wanted, they killed the Void creature and abused the child, who eventually became the most evil being the Universe has ever known. This cruel being destroyed and stole the creatures power, and killed any Deepbloods they felt weren't pure enough, and all Deepblood are thought to be descended from this single cruel and vicious individual. As such, they have a very negative stigma, even among Dhaebru, who fear those who are of that bloodline, even if Deepbloods are very powerful protectors and are known to be extremely loyal, even moreso than a regular Warden.<\/p>","field3":"The temperament of a Dhaebru Warden differs with Deepblood Wardens, also known as Deepbloods. Deepbloods are noted for being slightly larger than regular Wardens, sometimes standing up to thirteen feet tall, and are noticeably more aggressive and unstable. While not evil, they have to keep a closer handle on their emotions as they have a berserk state that is brought on by extreme anger or fear. They are usually bulkier in appearance as well.<\/p>\r\nDeepbloods are extremely rare, and the unique bloodline is only passed on from Warden to Warden. There aren’t many left, and they trace their lineage back as far as Dhaebru records go. Deepbloods are not evil or hostile by nature, but they are more aggressive and territorial and can be more dangerous if provoked. Deepbloods have Voidborn blood in them, though it's been diluted greatly over time. Deepbloods are larger and more powerful, and do have some slightly different and amplified abilities originating from being descended from true Eldritch beings. \u200b<\/p>\r\nNormal Wardens are territorial and protective, fierce fighters if provoked but generally placid and observant otherwise. If you encounter one and show you are not a threat, they are surprisingly friendly. Wardens aren't easily frightened. They are very watchful and protective, and can be possessive.<\/p>\r\nRegular Dhaebru are surprisingly skittish and generally will only attack if cornered or heavily provoked. They're curious and social, and if you show you aren't a threat they are very likely to approach you to try to learn more about you.<\/p>\r\nTheir native language consists deep and ancient version of Eldritch speech. This strange language is far too much for most mortal minds to handle. One could compare it, somewhat, to Black Speech from Lord of the Rings to a point, but not inherently evil. As such, most Sects will learn the most commonly spoken language of the surrounding inhabitants to avoid confrontation.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have very dark and unsettling voices. They have a ghostly echo and seem to come from all around at once. They are deep and dark, having a soft growl behind their tones. Entirely unsettling to anybody not used to it. While they are capable of snarling, hissing and growling, Common Dhaebru rarely do this while Wardens are known to do this when defending their Sect or confronting other Wardens.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are highly social creatures. They do not like to be alone, and get quiet and upset without companionship. A sect usually has one Warden who is the Sect's Kral, or Leader, several Guardians, Dhaebru who protect the sect and are higher ranked, but still ranked lower than the Warden, and 30-50 common Dhaebru. Some larger sects have a lower ranking Warden or Sub-Warden who is subordinate to the main Kral, but still high ranking. This is fairly rare, as sub wardens are usually siblings or children of the head Warden. They are very territorial so most Wardens part ways to found their own sect, though older Wardens will sometimes take in and teach younger ones. Wardens usually go to start sects of their own when they come of age, but some will remain as a lower ranking Warden in their parent's sect.<\/p>\r\nGuardians can be told apart from regular Guardians by the symbol on their chestplate. While common Dhaebru have a lighter purple symbol on their chestplate, Guardians have it in gold. Wardens tend to have lighter colored robes with hints of red, and brighter chestplates with golden symbols. Aside from the color of the chestplate symbol color differing from common Dhaebru, Guardians look exactly the same.<\/p>\r\nSects usually consist of 30-50 Dhaebru and one Warden, but never number more than a couple hundred. Sects consisting of more than a hundred members are very rare.<\/p>\r\nThe symbol on the chest plate usually identifies what Sect a Dhaebru belongs to.<\/p>\r\nWhile many people fear Dhaebru, their main purpose is to protect and balance and thus are not hostile unless attacked.  Dhaebru are surprisingly nurturing and gentle beings, and prefer to avoid conflict. They are very curious and fond of gathering information. Sect Wardens often have libraries and journals, and common Dhaebru are known to bring anything of interest back home. Temperament can vary between Wardens and common Dhaebru. Dhaebru are highly social, and truly hate being alone. Wardens<\/strong>: They rarely leave the Shadow Realm unless one of their Sect calls out for help. They are vicious when threatened and will attack savagely to protect their Sect. They have fiercely protective instincts, and these come out around anybody the individual cares about. This can sometimes translate to guarding belongings or areas, and can even shift to being aggressively territorial. Because of this, there is usually only one Warden occupying one area, and any others are usually related, such as siblings or offspring. Wardens are usually calm and collected, but can become very temperamental given the right circumstances. They are known to grumble and growl when annoyed or irritated.<\/p>\r\nShown below are two Dhaebru Wardens in a territorial dispute! Illustration by Jagal on FurAffinity Image of fighting Wardens go here<\/p>\r\nCommon Dhaebru<\/strong>: They frequently leave the Shadow Realm to explore or keep an eye on things. Dhaebru are not fond of confrontation, and much prefer to run away from trouble, or call out to their Warden for help. Dhaebru are generally curious, but a bit flighty and very cautious. When threatened, they flee. If cornered, they attack in self defense. If the threat is big, they for help, and attack in groups. If you stay still and let a Dhaebru approach you, you can generally interact with one once they realize that you aren't a threat. When they feel safe and calm, Dhaebru are friendly and will likely shower you with questions, and if you let them, they can get very touchy feely.  \u200bAppearance: It varies very little. The style of the armor and robes does vary by individual and sect a bit, and the main difference is between the larger Warden type Dhaebru, and the smaller common type Dhaebru. Dhaebru vary the most in their personality and energy signature. They are hard to tell apart, but if you get to know one well their individuality comes out strongly in how they behave, speak, and their individual quirks and habits. The shape of a Dhaebru's eyes vary, as well as their mouth and even face shape to a point. These features are inherited. Deepbloods tend to have sharper features and fierce, narrow eyes that glow more intensely than regular Wardens. <\/p>\r\nEmotion and expression<\/span><\/strong> They have emotions very much like humans, though they do show some things differently. They also react slightly differently to some emotions as well. While they do have expressions, most of their emotion is shown in a combination of their body language and the movement of their shadowy aura and the shadows around them. When frightened or nervous, their shadows coil up beneath their robes, and extreme panic can cause the shadows around them to quiver, for example. When angry, their shadows flow out and darken, growing more voluminous and when happy, they waver and flow softly. Looking at their face can give some clues to how they are feeling, but watching their shadows and how they move is the biggest indicator. While it can take some time to get to know a Dhaebru, once you know one their emotions read like an open book.<\/p>\r\nRelationship with Other Races<\/span><\/strong> Cautious, usually peaceful. Dhaebru tend to keep their distance. They aren't overly fond of humans most of the time, as some humans have found that their cores are useful and hunt them. Others attack Dhaebru on sight out of fear, which has resulted in a lot of tension. Some Dhaebru, even, will attack and kill a human if they discover their gateway, as it leads directly to their home. They feel that the human is a threat in these cases. They react similarly to any race that they have tension with. Longer lived races, such as Fey, are more reserved so confrontations aren't as common, but some young Fey do go after Dhaebru since they are considered creatures of darkness. Darkness is considered bad and evil to many races. This has made many consider the calm and docile shadow creatures as a threat. Wilder races without the concept of “Darkness is Evil” thing in their heads get along great with Dhaebru. One example is the wild, social and friendly Kivuuli. Their temperament is somewhat similar, which results in Kivuuli and Dhaebru getting on quite well. Both races are highly social. When gateways to the Shadow Realm are found in Kivuuli territories, the Dhaebru and Kivuuli are usually amiable towards eachother. Kivuuli often consider the local sect as a part of their colony, and will viciously attack people who hurt the Dhaebru. The Dhaebru will return the favor if their Kivuuli allies are attacked. The alpha female and the Warden are usually close allies. Some Kivuuli Colonies have been seen with Shadowkin kits, which says that Dhaebru do occasionally crossbreed with them. Red eyed Warden Shadowkin are more common among Kivuuli than any other race, which seems to point to the possibility that mating between the alpha female Kivuuli and the Dhaebru Wardens is fairly common. Kivuuli are also able to pass through the gateways safely and easily. <\/p>","field4":"Species Type<\/strong>: Spectral, Energy-Based though they can take a semi-Physical form<\/p>\r\nAverage Height<\/strong> Common Dhaebru: 6’5 Warden: 10-12 feet Average Weight<\/strong> Spectral, they weigh no more than their robes and armor. Wardens weigh more, as their larger forms also have larger robes and armor. <\/p>\r\n Diet<\/strong> Dhaebru feed on ambient magical energy with a high preference for darker energies, or its liquid form of dark mana. Mana, or Magical Energy, generates naturally in any physical world that has magic, but not in the Outer Realm, their home. As such, Dhaebru come to Midworld to feed, and are often found in areas with a lot of magic. Dhaebru tend to bring energy back for their Warden. They don't learn how to feed on their own until they are roughly three to five years old, and until then a parent feeds them energy. If no Dhaebru is available to give them energy, a shadeling can be fed Dark Mana and do just fine.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru Anatomy and Features <\/strong>Dhaebru have two 'stomachs' - One takes in energy and converts it to the type of energy the Dhaebru can use. Their second 'stomach' is an energy reservoir, where all usable energy is stored. It can be compared to the social stomach of various eusocial insects. They can share energy with eachother through their cores. Common Dhaebru use it to bring energy back to their Warden. The Warden stores a great amount of energy, and if the Sect is unable to get to Midworld, the Warden can sustain a sect of around 20 Dhaebru for up to a week. \u200bThey usually consists of their core, and their shadowy body which is fluid and vulnerable, unless robed. The robe protects the Dhaebru from the world, and in the case of Wardens protects the world from the negative effects creature with connections to the Eldritch Realm can pose. This is especially true for Deepbloods.  Dhaebru have the ability to manifest tendrils of shadow that can manipulate objects, and are often used when their hands are full. They can either be solid and able to handle things or immaterial, resembling eddies and always moving tendrils of smoke flowing from beneath their robes. They are much darker and surround the Dhaebru’s body when unrobed, and resemble smooth black tentacles. They appear beneath the robe when the Dhaebru is robed.  When robed, their body somewhat mimics the body of a physical creature. It allows them to enjoy the senses of a physical creature, eat, or even breathe if they want to. Some will even take on the habits of physical creatures even if they don’t need to, such as yawning, stretching, or sighing. Dhaebru need to sleep, robed or unrobed. When they do, they lay down, close their eyes, and go entirely still. They do not breathe, or snore, or make any sound and can be mistaken for dead by one not familiar with them. A dead Dhaebru fades away leaving nothing but their robe, armor, and collar like thing with the gem on it. If the Dhaebru is still there, they aren't dead. They are simply asleep.  When robed, an injured Dhaebru will bleed. It’s pure black in color, and will fade away after a while as it goes back to energy. A healthy Dhaebru can heal with a bit of rest if they retreat before they get severe injuries. When killed, their core can be caught and stabilized before it winks out. Warden cores last longer. Common Dhaebru cores generally appear like small dark orbs with a purple shimmer, softly pulsing like a heart. Warden cores are almost prismatic and pearlescent, with a shimmering glow. They also pulsate like a heartbeat. They are sometimes called a Cosmic Fragment. They have all six of the primordial aspects, Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Order and Entropy. As such, a Warden can pull any aspect from their core by taking those sources and carefully weaving them together. This is part of the reason Wardens are so much more powerful, as they can do a lot more with this core within them. The Core of a Warden is highly sought after, and those with ill intentions are known to invade the Outer Realm for the purpose of killing one for their core. While it's fairly uncommon for them to do it, Dhaebru are fully capable of eating when robed. When Dhaebru do decide to eat, it’s just for fun and a different experience. They do so to explore the flavors and sensations that food can provide. Aside from being pleasurable, it has no real benefit, though they can sometimes get a little energy from it. When they eat, their insides will break the food down into its component aspects, which is further broken down into the primal aspects. The solid parts of this food simply passes out the other end, just as it would with a physical being. Their body will adjust to accomodate this when it happens. All of the senses a physical creature has work for a robed Dhaebru. They can see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. When robed, this closely mimics how human senses work. When unrobed, they do not taste or smell, and their other senses work differently. The robe makes them more “human” in a sense. It does not imprison a Dhaebru; in fact, many feel that despite the small inconveniences it causes, it frees them to do and experience more. They like their robes and would become defensive and angry should one try to take them away.  Dhaebru robes are energy based much like them and are connected to the Dhaebru in such a way that they are directly influenced by the Dhaebru that wears them. A sick or weak Dhaebru has duller, more tattered robes, though all Dhaebru robes are naturally tattered. The reason is often attributed to their dark and chaotic nature, though it could just be an aesthetic choice that just became a normal part of the enchantment. Either way, Dhaebru have worn robes for as long as the race can remember and it is considered highly taboo not to wear robes, even deep in the Outer Realms when nowhere near Midworld. They are very sensitive about nudity, and even if they trust you deeply you will never, ever see one without their robes on. This is such a big part of them, they'll often become distressed, frightened or worried if they see a physical being undressing. Without their robes they are completely spectral, but also extremely vulnerable. Their robes serve to constrain their form down to a more basic shape, allowing them to better interact with the world around them but it also protects them.  Unrobed, light causes damage that can quickly lead to death. They have to expend a lot more energy to interact with anything or touch anything if they do not at least have the “Collar” on. The “Collar” shown in their unrobed appearance gives some measure of protection, but is not nearly as effective as the full robes. The “Collar” is what identifies the Dhaebru and allows them to manifest their Robe and Armor. It is often embued with a tracking spell. This allows Dhaebru to find each other within a sect, or call out to their Warden when in danger. The Robe’s constraining abilities makes them semi physical in a sense, allowing them to stand in light and survive, as well as protecting their core. The cons are that it keeps them in this semisolid form, and allows them to become vulnerable to physical weapons. They are also able to eat solid food, if they want, and able to enjoy things that physical beings are able to enjoy. Once bound to the Dhaebru, the robe becomes a part of them. The armor is separate, and given to them upon coming of age, becoming integrated with their robes and amulet. This can be removed, but is also bound to their core. The armor depends on the individual sect, but is usually dark purple, with bits of red for Wardens, and golden trimming for both. Dhaebru’s sect and adds additional protection from physical damage. The style of the robe and armor can vary depending on the individual sect of Dhaebru. The Sect’s symbol appears on the chestplate. Dhaebru do use the bathroom... sort of. The energy they take in, their inner workings cleanses and purifies, and the energy they do not use is passed in a liquid form, though it dissipates after a bit and returns to the ambient energy around them. Amusingly enough, this expelled energy is very useful for a lot of Spellweavers, and is commonly called \"Dhaebru's Essence\" when in reality... it's basically just their version of pee. Dhaebru Illnesses<\/strong> While incredibly rare, there are things that can disrupt their energy. This causes a Dhaebru to become very sick. When a Dhaebru becomes ill, they sleep a lot, are lethargic and a bit cranky, often sore and in pain, and their energy can feel discordant and wrong.  They often have quivers and tremors, and like to curl up somewhere dark to be alone in their misery. They can be quite vocal about complaining about this, if one bothers them. Any illness one may be afflicted with usually clears up on its own as long as the Dhaebru gets plenty of rest and spends a lot of time around something to harmonize their energy, but in severe cases, such as damage to their core, it can grow severe enough to kill the Dhaebru. A very sick Dhaebru can experience violent energy spikes. While Dhaebru are usually cool to the touch, when they get really sick, the energy conflicting can cause them to actually put off heat, similar to a bad fever.  While pregnancy can cause a Dhaebru to throw up, how illness can cause it much worse. Normally, vomiting is caused by carrying, taking in the wrong sort of energy, or eating more physical food than their insides can handle. Minor illness can cause this as well. In this case, just the first \"stomach\" empties, a mix of half-converted energies, often with a bit of dark mana as well. When minor, vomiting comes with very little warning, and they usually just heave once and that's it. When seriously ill, however, their energy reservoir can end up with the wrong sort of energy due to conflicts. This causes them to heave repeatedly and bring up their internal energy stores. They bring up significantly more in this case, and it happens repeatedly.  Like a human with a severe stomach bug or food poisoning, it leaves a Dhaebru weak and exhausted from loss of energy, and can even lead to their death if severe enough. Dhaebru do not give off clear signs when they are going to vomit, like physical beings do. It's really hard to tell if one is going to, but the main sign to watch out for is a strange 'pressure' as their energy gets all out of sorts. This can feel like a heavy feeling of impending dread, a dark energy. They may also become restless and begin to pace, though they will usually usually curl up and lay down somewhere dark and cool. When they show these signs, it is best to keep something that can absorb and stabilize the energy nearby, as the discordance can be dangerous if not stabilized and taken care of. While it will usually fade away on its own, too much can stick around and cause problems. Even so, the dark energy dissipating can cause an unpleasant pressure for a time. Because it's simply energy, there is no smell. Abilities<\/strong> They can move through shadows, somewhat like teleporting. They are able to do this robed, as their robes are magically bound to them. They are rarely seen unrobed as they are highly vulnerable outside of their own world.  They can let out a horrible shriek that can make one become paralyzed in terror. Amped up, this can cause temporary deafness and blindness. They cast a spectral fog, which they can hide in, allowing them to escape danger. Powerful magical projectiles, balls of darkness that damage, daze, and confuse their attacker. It can also cause temporary blindness. When comfortable or happy, or comforting loved ones, especially shadelings, Dhaebru purr. It sounds like a soft, dark rumble and is oddly relaxing despite their frightening appearance. The sound of their purring lets out the more peaceful side of their power, and can lull a person to sleep. Even a frightened human child can be calmed and lulled into sleep by a Dhaebru's purr.<\/p>","field5":null,"field6":null,"field7":null}},"title":"Dhaebru","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

Dhaebru

#148 1 July 2023, 16:24:09 UTC

Cryptid-Artha

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{"data":{"description":"Voidic shadow entities with two variants<\/p>","field1":"Species Name<\/strong>  Dhaebru Sometimes known as or mistaken as:<\/strong> Shadow Wraith, Void Spirit, Shade, sometimes mistaken for Demons or Shadow People. They don't have connections to either and aren't truly wraiths, spirits or shades. They are a class of their own.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are a sapient and highly social eldritch creatures of shadow, spectral in nature. They are always seen robed in dark, tattered robes and usually have armor on as well, of varying designs depending on the individuals and their origin. The robes and armor are connected to a special amulet they wear on a  collar-like necklace that settles around their neck. This amulet has a direct connection to the Dhaebru's core, and can not be removed. Dhaebru are highly social beings, and hate being alone. If deprived of the company of another Dhaebru, they will gravitate towards any living thing, sapient or not, and cling to any company they can. They get extremely depressed and upset when they are alone for too long.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have two types. The smaller variety are the commonfolk of the species, simply called Dhaebru. They are roughly human sized, and the most commonly seen type. They regularly leave the Outer Realms, wandering various worlds seemingly at random. They are most often seen in the lands surrounding the portal to their world, usually marked by an obelisk of strange dark crystals. Dhaebru can be be spotted regularly wandering worlds that have a strong magical presence, but are not hostile unless threatened. They are most likely to slip away back into the Outer Realms, where they are safe. They have pale eyes gleaming out from beneath their hoods, and often throw off a spectral fog when startled, giving them cover to escape harm. Dhaebru are curious, but shy. If they can not get to safety, they will attack and they make short work of most physical beings.<\/p>\r\nThe larger variety is known as a Warden. Wardens are tall and powerful Dhaebru, known for their impressive stature, some individual reaching up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters tall. Wardens are protectors and leaders by nature. They are highly territorial, so it's rare to find more than one Warden within a sect unless one of them is a juvenile, or they are closely related, such as siblings or parent and child. Wardens rarely leave the Outer Realm. They are usually pretty calm, and can be downright lazy, but if you threaten their sect, they can kill even a heavily armored physical beings with little to no effort. Fortunately, most Wardens prefer to frighten off a potential threat, but if the threat returns, they don't take chances. Wardens are surprisingly maternal and have a tendency to be very possessive. If their sect is not threatened, a Warden is usually peaceful and will simply observe, but when attacked their true power shows. If a Warden wants to kill you, it's going to kill you, no questions about it.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are not to be mistaken with wraiths, demons, shadow people or ghosts. While they are wraith like, they are not true wraiths and they are not from the Infernus like demons. They are eldritch beings from a realm beyond the edge of reality. They have a large amount of strange Eldritch influence to them, but this is stabilized down by their robes and is the reason they wear them. The robes protect the Dhaebru from the world around then, but also protect the world from their otherworldly aura.<\/p>\r\nThey are mysterious creatures, and not many have had real contact with them. Regular Dhaebru are shy and skittish by nature, and most physical beings are terrified of them due to their dark appearance and power. They are also known to show up when dark magic is afoot. While they are attracted by the dark magic due to instincts to investigate and prevent harm, many associate them with it, and blame them for it. They have a dark and frightening reputation, meaning very few people truly know much about them.<\/p>\r\nThey are known to clash with a group of dangerous individuals known as the Order of the Eclipse. The Order are a mysterious and dangerous cult that once existed to protect humankind but twisted into something dangerous with an obcession for dark power. They actively hunt Dhaebru for their cores, which are used in their dark rituals. Most Dhaebru will attack and kill a member of the Order on sight, or turn tail and run.<\/p>","field2":"The Outer Realm, the Dhaebru Homeworld<\/span><\/p>\r\n Dhaebru reside in an alternate dimension of sorts known as the Outer Realm. This strange and hostile realm serves as a barrier and buffer between the Eldritch Realm and Midworld, though this knowledge has long since been lost. Nobody knows where it came from anymore, not even the Dhaebru. Many feel they may have come from somewhere else, but such knowledge is lost to time. It's common for Wardens to try to figure this out, but not much headway has been made, as if something about their past was buried or lost a long time ago. Some feel it was on purpose, as Dhaebru have always liked to keep their history written down, down to the name of each member born to the sect, and the date of their death should they die. Strange growths of a black crystals that appear clustered with some floating under their unique eldritch power show entry and exit points and portals to the Outer Realm.  This is where the Dhaebru come and go from. It's extremely dangerous to physical beings to cross through, but Dhaebru can take people in there with them and protect them from the negative effects within.  The Outer Realm is generally comprised generally caves and corridors that seem to have no rhyme or reason. Almost like the ruins of an ancient infinite fortress. Lighting comes from various crystals, fungi, and some creatures that wander the corridors.  One can often tell where a Sect lives as that area is usually closed off with rooms carved in the strange anceitn dark stone the Shadow Realm is made of, often closed off so the Dhaebru can stay safe from the various creatures that wander their Realm. <\/p>\r\nOrigins of the Dhaebru and Deepbloods<\/span> While Dhaebru do not know their own origin anymore, they were created alongside mysterious beings known as Aethyr by a pair of strange beings known as the Balance. The Balance was said to be a combination of Voidborn and Etherborn, a creature embodying both Light and Darkness. Wild and untamed, but also sensitive and sapient, the strange entity felt that the physical realms and all they contained was a precious gem that needed to be protected and preserved, and observed that the fragile Midworld and all its varied and beautiful life could be damaged by the Aether and the Eldritch Void. They themselves could not directly interfere, as their powerful energy could do great damage no matter their intentions, so they found another solution. They set out to protect it, by creating two realms, as buffers and barriers between Midworld and the dangerous realms layered around it. They then populated these buffers with beings that would serve as guardians and protectors and keep the balance and protect Midworld. Image of The Balance Goes Here Below is a basic example of dimensional layering and how it works. The lines are uneven. Some worlds are in the middle, not touching either. Some are close to the Eldritch Void, and gateways to the Dhaebru's Shadowrealm appear, allowing Dhaebru to enter the world and wander about. Some are closer to the Aethyr, allowing gateways to the Aethyr's homeworld to appear, and allowing Aethyr to wander the land. Some are close to both, having both Aethyr and Dhaebru present. Image of basic Dimensional Layering Goes Here<\/p>\r\nThe Outer Realm is a bit like a buffer between midworld and the dangerous and unstable Eldritch Void. Dhaebru were meant to seek out any intrusions of creatures or volatile energies from the Eldritch Void, and call their Warden over to destroy them, while they seal up the rift. Dhaebru actually need to enter Midworld to feed on the magical energy present there; causing them to need to wander about regularly, and making them have need of their gateways wherever they appear. Their draw to the disruption of the fabric of reality is the reason they often show up when dangerous magic is afoot, as their instincts draw them to it and they want to put a stop to it if it starts causing damage. Aethyr did the same within the Aether, and the two beings together kept Midworld in balance. This did not last, however, as contention soon started between the two races. The Aethyr felt that they were better than the Dhaebru, and tried to treat them as slaves. The Dhaebru and the Aethyr fought, then eventually parted ways. The Aethyr retreated into their realm, while Dhaebru remained within the Outer Realm and wander Midworld from time to time. All of this went down a very long time ago, near the beginning of the Universe itself.<\/p>\r\nAs for Deepbloods, a voidic entity interbred with a Dhaebru Warden several generations down the line, and a three hybrids were born of their union, known as the Deepbloods. When that Warden found their peaceful and natural end, the creature kept watch over the race, until another Warden caught their interest several generations later. This Warden, however, was a descendant of one of those original Deepbloods, and was power hungry. They wanted as pure an offspring as they could get because they felt that this bloodline was the origin of the Dhaebru race and wanted purity. When the child did not come out as they wanted, they killed the Void creature and abused the child, who eventually became the most evil being the Universe has ever known. This cruel being destroyed and stole the creatures power, and killed any Deepbloods they felt weren't pure enough, and all Deepblood are thought to be descended from this single cruel and vicious individual. As such, they have a very negative stigma, even among Dhaebru, who fear those who are of that bloodline, even if Deepbloods are very powerful protectors and are known to be extremely loyal, even moreso than a regular Warden.<\/p>","field3":"The temperament of a Dhaebru Warden differs with Deepblood Wardens, also known as Deepbloods. Deepbloods are noted for being slightly larger than regular Wardens, sometimes standing up to thirteen feet tall, and are noticeably more aggressive and unstable. While not evil, they have to keep a closer handle on their emotions as they have a berserk state that is brought on by extreme anger or fear. They are usually bulkier in appearance as well.<\/p>\r\nDeepbloods are extremely rare, and the unique bloodline is only passed on from Warden to Warden. There aren’t many left, and they trace their lineage back as far as Dhaebru records go. Deepbloods are not evil or hostile by nature, but they are more aggressive and territorial and can be more dangerous if provoked. Deepbloods have Voidborn blood in them, though it's been diluted greatly over time. Deepbloods are larger and more powerful, and do have some slightly different and amplified abilities originating from being descended from true Eldritch beings. \u200b<\/p>\r\nNormal Wardens are territorial and protective, fierce fighters if provoked but generally placid and observant otherwise. If you encounter one and show you are not a threat, they are surprisingly friendly. Wardens aren't easily frightened. They are very watchful and protective, and can be possessive.<\/p>\r\nRegular Dhaebru are surprisingly skittish and generally will only attack if cornered or heavily provoked. They're curious and social, and if you show you aren't a threat they are very likely to approach you to try to learn more about you.<\/p>\r\nTheir native language consists deep and ancient version of Eldritch speech. This strange language is far too much for most mortal minds to handle. One could compare it, somewhat, to Black Speech from Lord of the Rings to a point, but not inherently evil. As such, most Sects will learn the most commonly spoken language of the surrounding inhabitants to avoid confrontation.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have very dark and unsettling voices. They have a ghostly echo and seem to come from all around at once. They are deep and dark, having a soft growl behind their tones. Entirely unsettling to anybody not used to it. While they are capable of snarling, hissing and growling, Common Dhaebru rarely do this while Wardens are known to do this when defending their Sect or confronting other Wardens.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are highly social creatures. They do not like to be alone, and get quiet and upset without companionship. A sect usually has one Warden who is the Sect's Kral, or Leader, several Guardians, Dhaebru who protect the sect and are higher ranked, but still ranked lower than the Warden, and 30-50 common Dhaebru. Some larger sects have a lower ranking Warden or Sub-Warden who is subordinate to the main Kral, but still high ranking. This is fairly rare, as sub wardens are usually siblings or children of the head Warden. They are very territorial so most Wardens part ways to found their own sect, though older Wardens will sometimes take in and teach younger ones. Wardens usually go to start sects of their own when they come of age, but some will remain as a lower ranking Warden in their parent's sect.<\/p>\r\nGuardians can be told apart from regular Guardians by the symbol on their chestplate. While common Dhaebru have a lighter purple symbol on their chestplate, Guardians have it in gold. Wardens tend to have lighter colored robes with hints of red, and brighter chestplates with golden symbols. Aside from the color of the chestplate symbol color differing from common Dhaebru, Guardians look exactly the same.<\/p>\r\nSects usually consist of 30-50 Dhaebru and one Warden, but never number more than a couple hundred. Sects consisting of more than a hundred members are very rare.<\/p>\r\nThe symbol on the chest plate usually identifies what Sect a Dhaebru belongs to.<\/p>\r\nWhile many people fear Dhaebru, their main purpose is to protect and balance and thus are not hostile unless attacked.  Dhaebru are surprisingly nurturing and gentle beings, and prefer to avoid conflict. They are very curious and fond of gathering information. Sect Wardens often have libraries and journals, and common Dhaebru are known to bring anything of interest back home. Temperament can vary between Wardens and common Dhaebru. Dhaebru are highly social, and truly hate being alone. Wardens<\/strong>: They rarely leave the Shadow Realm unless one of their Sect calls out for help. They are vicious when threatened and will attack savagely to protect their Sect. They have fiercely protective instincts, and these come out around anybody the individual cares about. This can sometimes translate to guarding belongings or areas, and can even shift to being aggressively territorial. Because of this, there is usually only one Warden occupying one area, and any others are usually related, such as siblings or offspring. Wardens are usually calm and collected, but can become very temperamental given the right circumstances. They are known to grumble and growl when annoyed or irritated.<\/p>\r\nShown below are two Dhaebru Wardens in a territorial dispute! Illustration by Jagal on FurAffinity Image of fighting Wardens go here<\/p>\r\nCommon Dhaebru<\/strong>: They frequently leave the Shadow Realm to explore or keep an eye on things. Dhaebru are not fond of confrontation, and much prefer to run away from trouble, or call out to their Warden for help. Dhaebru are generally curious, but a bit flighty and very cautious. When threatened, they flee. If cornered, they attack in self defense. If the threat is big, they for help, and attack in groups. If you stay still and let a Dhaebru approach you, you can generally interact with one once they realize that you aren't a threat. When they feel safe and calm, Dhaebru are friendly and will likely shower you with questions, and if you let them, they can get very touchy feely.  \u200bAppearance: It varies very little. The style of the armor and robes does vary by individual and sect a bit, and the main difference is between the larger Warden type Dhaebru, and the smaller common type Dhaebru. Dhaebru vary the most in their personality and energy signature. They are hard to tell apart, but if you get to know one well their individuality comes out strongly in how they behave, speak, and their individual quirks and habits. The shape of a Dhaebru's eyes vary, as well as their mouth and even face shape to a point. These features are inherited. Deepbloods tend to have sharper features and fierce, narrow eyes that glow more intensely than regular Wardens. <\/p>\r\nEmotion and expression<\/span><\/strong> They have emotions very much like humans, though they do show some things differently. They also react slightly differently to some emotions as well. While they do have expressions, most of their emotion is shown in a combination of their body language and the movement of their shadowy aura and the shadows around them. When frightened or nervous, their shadows coil up beneath their robes, and extreme panic can cause the shadows around them to quiver, for example. When angry, their shadows flow out and darken, growing more voluminous and when happy, they waver and flow softly. Looking at their face can give some clues to how they are feeling, but watching their shadows and how they move is the biggest indicator. While it can take some time to get to know a Dhaebru, once you know one their emotions read like an open book.<\/p>\r\nRelationship with Other Races<\/span><\/strong> Cautious, usually peaceful. Dhaebru tend to keep their distance. They aren't overly fond of humans most of the time, as some humans have found that their cores are useful and hunt them. Others attack Dhaebru on sight out of fear, which has resulted in a lot of tension. Some Dhaebru, even, will attack and kill a human if they discover their gateway, as it leads directly to their home. They feel that the human is a threat in these cases. They react similarly to any race that they have tension with. Longer lived races, such as Fey, are more reserved so confrontations aren't as common, but some young Fey do go after Dhaebru since they are considered creatures of darkness. Darkness is considered bad and evil to many races. This has made many consider the calm and docile shadow creatures as a threat. Wilder races without the concept of “Darkness is Evil” thing in their heads get along great with Dhaebru. One example is the wild, social and friendly Kivuuli. Their temperament is somewhat similar, which results in Kivuuli and Dhaebru getting on quite well. Both races are highly social. When gateways to the Shadow Realm are found in Kivuuli territories, the Dhaebru and Kivuuli are usually amiable towards eachother. Kivuuli often consider the local sect as a part of their colony, and will viciously attack people who hurt the Dhaebru. The Dhaebru will return the favor if their Kivuuli allies are attacked. The alpha female and the Warden are usually close allies. Some Kivuuli Colonies have been seen with Shadowkin kits, which says that Dhaebru do occasionally crossbreed with them. Red eyed Warden Shadowkin are more common among Kivuuli than any other race, which seems to point to the possibility that mating between the alpha female Kivuuli and the Dhaebru Wardens is fairly common. Kivuuli are also able to pass through the gateways safely and easily. <\/p>","field4":"Species Type<\/strong>: Spectral, Energy-Based though they can take a semi-Physical form<\/p>\r\nAverage Height<\/strong> Common Dhaebru: 6’5 Warden: 10-12 feet Average Weight<\/strong> Spectral, they weigh no more than their robes and armor. Wardens weigh more, as their larger forms also have larger robes and armor. <\/p>\r\n Diet<\/strong> Dhaebru feed on ambient magical energy with a high preference for darker energies, or its liquid form of dark mana. Mana, or Magical Energy, generates naturally in any physical world that has magic, but not in the Outer Realm, their home. As such, Dhaebru come to Midworld to feed, and are often found in areas with a lot of magic. Dhaebru tend to bring energy back for their Warden. They don't learn how to feed on their own until they are roughly three to five years old, and until then a parent feeds them energy. If no Dhaebru is available to give them energy, a shadeling can be fed Dark Mana and do just fine.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>","field5":null,"field6":null,"field7":null,"parsed":{"description":"Voidic shadow entities with two variants<\/p>","field1":"Species Name<\/strong>  Dhaebru Sometimes known as or mistaken as:<\/strong> Shadow Wraith, Void Spirit, Shade, sometimes mistaken for Demons or Shadow People. They don't have connections to either and aren't truly wraiths, spirits or shades. They are a class of their own.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are a sapient and highly social eldritch creatures of shadow, spectral in nature. They are always seen robed in dark, tattered robes and usually have armor on as well, of varying designs depending on the individuals and their origin. The robes and armor are connected to a special amulet they wear on a  collar-like necklace that settles around their neck. This amulet has a direct connection to the Dhaebru's core, and can not be removed. Dhaebru are highly social beings, and hate being alone. If deprived of the company of another Dhaebru, they will gravitate towards any living thing, sapient or not, and cling to any company they can. They get extremely depressed and upset when they are alone for too long.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have two types. The smaller variety are the commonfolk of the species, simply called Dhaebru. They are roughly human sized, and the most commonly seen type. They regularly leave the Outer Realms, wandering various worlds seemingly at random. They are most often seen in the lands surrounding the portal to their world, usually marked by an obelisk of strange dark crystals. Dhaebru can be be spotted regularly wandering worlds that have a strong magical presence, but are not hostile unless threatened. They are most likely to slip away back into the Outer Realms, where they are safe. They have pale eyes gleaming out from beneath their hoods, and often throw off a spectral fog when startled, giving them cover to escape harm. Dhaebru are curious, but shy. If they can not get to safety, they will attack and they make short work of most physical beings.<\/p>\r\nThe larger variety is known as a Warden. Wardens are tall and powerful Dhaebru, known for their impressive stature, some individual reaching up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters tall. Wardens are protectors and leaders by nature. They are highly territorial, so it's rare to find more than one Warden within a sect unless one of them is a juvenile, or they are closely related, such as siblings or parent and child. Wardens rarely leave the Outer Realm. They are usually pretty calm, and can be downright lazy, but if you threaten their sect, they can kill even a heavily armored physical beings with little to no effort. Fortunately, most Wardens prefer to frighten off a potential threat, but if the threat returns, they don't take chances. Wardens are surprisingly maternal and have a tendency to be very possessive. If their sect is not threatened, a Warden is usually peaceful and will simply observe, but when attacked their true power shows. If a Warden wants to kill you, it's going to kill you, no questions about it.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are not to be mistaken with wraiths, demons, shadow people or ghosts. While they are wraith like, they are not true wraiths and they are not from the Infernus like demons. They are eldritch beings from a realm beyond the edge of reality. They have a large amount of strange Eldritch influence to them, but this is stabilized down by their robes and is the reason they wear them. The robes protect the Dhaebru from the world around then, but also protect the world from their otherworldly aura.<\/p>\r\nThey are mysterious creatures, and not many have had real contact with them. Regular Dhaebru are shy and skittish by nature, and most physical beings are terrified of them due to their dark appearance and power. They are also known to show up when dark magic is afoot. While they are attracted by the dark magic due to instincts to investigate and prevent harm, many associate them with it, and blame them for it. They have a dark and frightening reputation, meaning very few people truly know much about them.<\/p>\r\nThey are known to clash with a group of dangerous individuals known as the Order of the Eclipse. The Order are a mysterious and dangerous cult that once existed to protect humankind but twisted into something dangerous with an obcession for dark power. They actively hunt Dhaebru for their cores, which are used in their dark rituals. Most Dhaebru will attack and kill a member of the Order on sight, or turn tail and run.<\/p>","field2":"The Outer Realm, the Dhaebru Homeworld<\/span><\/p>\r\n Dhaebru reside in an alternate dimension of sorts known as the Outer Realm. This strange and hostile realm serves as a barrier and buffer between the Eldritch Realm and Midworld, though this knowledge has long since been lost. Nobody knows where it came from anymore, not even the Dhaebru. Many feel they may have come from somewhere else, but such knowledge is lost to time. It's common for Wardens to try to figure this out, but not much headway has been made, as if something about their past was buried or lost a long time ago. Some feel it was on purpose, as Dhaebru have always liked to keep their history written down, down to the name of each member born to the sect, and the date of their death should they die. Strange growths of a black crystals that appear clustered with some floating under their unique eldritch power show entry and exit points and portals to the Outer Realm.  This is where the Dhaebru come and go from. It's extremely dangerous to physical beings to cross through, but Dhaebru can take people in there with them and protect them from the negative effects within.  The Outer Realm is generally comprised generally caves and corridors that seem to have no rhyme or reason. Almost like the ruins of an ancient infinite fortress. Lighting comes from various crystals, fungi, and some creatures that wander the corridors.  One can often tell where a Sect lives as that area is usually closed off with rooms carved in the strange anceitn dark stone the Shadow Realm is made of, often closed off so the Dhaebru can stay safe from the various creatures that wander their Realm. <\/p>\r\nOrigins of the Dhaebru and Deepbloods<\/span> While Dhaebru do not know their own origin anymore, they were created alongside mysterious beings known as Aethyr by a pair of strange beings known as the Balance. The Balance was said to be a combination of Voidborn and Etherborn, a creature embodying both Light and Darkness. Wild and untamed, but also sensitive and sapient, the strange entity felt that the physical realms and all they contained was a precious gem that needed to be protected and preserved, and observed that the fragile Midworld and all its varied and beautiful life could be damaged by the Aether and the Eldritch Void. They themselves could not directly interfere, as their powerful energy could do great damage no matter their intentions, so they found another solution. They set out to protect it, by creating two realms, as buffers and barriers between Midworld and the dangerous realms layered around it. They then populated these buffers with beings that would serve as guardians and protectors and keep the balance and protect Midworld. Image of The Balance Goes Here Below is a basic example of dimensional layering and how it works. The lines are uneven. Some worlds are in the middle, not touching either. Some are close to the Eldritch Void, and gateways to the Dhaebru's Shadowrealm appear, allowing Dhaebru to enter the world and wander about. Some are closer to the Aethyr, allowing gateways to the Aethyr's homeworld to appear, and allowing Aethyr to wander the land. Some are close to both, having both Aethyr and Dhaebru present. Image of basic Dimensional Layering Goes Here<\/p>\r\nThe Outer Realm is a bit like a buffer between midworld and the dangerous and unstable Eldritch Void. Dhaebru were meant to seek out any intrusions of creatures or volatile energies from the Eldritch Void, and call their Warden over to destroy them, while they seal up the rift. Dhaebru actually need to enter Midworld to feed on the magical energy present there; causing them to need to wander about regularly, and making them have need of their gateways wherever they appear. Their draw to the disruption of the fabric of reality is the reason they often show up when dangerous magic is afoot, as their instincts draw them to it and they want to put a stop to it if it starts causing damage. Aethyr did the same within the Aether, and the two beings together kept Midworld in balance. This did not last, however, as contention soon started between the two races. The Aethyr felt that they were better than the Dhaebru, and tried to treat them as slaves. The Dhaebru and the Aethyr fought, then eventually parted ways. The Aethyr retreated into their realm, while Dhaebru remained within the Outer Realm and wander Midworld from time to time. All of this went down a very long time ago, near the beginning of the Universe itself.<\/p>\r\nAs for Deepbloods, a voidic entity interbred with a Dhaebru Warden several generations down the line, and a three hybrids were born of their union, known as the Deepbloods. When that Warden found their peaceful and natural end, the creature kept watch over the race, until another Warden caught their interest several generations later. This Warden, however, was a descendant of one of those original Deepbloods, and was power hungry. They wanted as pure an offspring as they could get because they felt that this bloodline was the origin of the Dhaebru race and wanted purity. When the child did not come out as they wanted, they killed the Void creature and abused the child, who eventually became the most evil being the Universe has ever known. This cruel being destroyed and stole the creatures power, and killed any Deepbloods they felt weren't pure enough, and all Deepblood are thought to be descended from this single cruel and vicious individual. As such, they have a very negative stigma, even among Dhaebru, who fear those who are of that bloodline, even if Deepbloods are very powerful protectors and are known to be extremely loyal, even moreso than a regular Warden.<\/p>","field3":"The temperament of a Dhaebru Warden differs with Deepblood Wardens, also known as Deepbloods. Deepbloods are noted for being slightly larger than regular Wardens, sometimes standing up to thirteen feet tall, and are noticeably more aggressive and unstable. While not evil, they have to keep a closer handle on their emotions as they have a berserk state that is brought on by extreme anger or fear. They are usually bulkier in appearance as well.<\/p>\r\nDeepbloods are extremely rare, and the unique bloodline is only passed on from Warden to Warden. There aren’t many left, and they trace their lineage back as far as Dhaebru records go. Deepbloods are not evil or hostile by nature, but they are more aggressive and territorial and can be more dangerous if provoked. Deepbloods have Voidborn blood in them, though it's been diluted greatly over time. Deepbloods are larger and more powerful, and do have some slightly different and amplified abilities originating from being descended from true Eldritch beings. \u200b<\/p>\r\nNormal Wardens are territorial and protective, fierce fighters if provoked but generally placid and observant otherwise. If you encounter one and show you are not a threat, they are surprisingly friendly. Wardens aren't easily frightened. They are very watchful and protective, and can be possessive.<\/p>\r\nRegular Dhaebru are surprisingly skittish and generally will only attack if cornered or heavily provoked. They're curious and social, and if you show you aren't a threat they are very likely to approach you to try to learn more about you.<\/p>\r\nTheir native language consists deep and ancient version of Eldritch speech. This strange language is far too much for most mortal minds to handle. One could compare it, somewhat, to Black Speech from Lord of the Rings to a point, but not inherently evil. As such, most Sects will learn the most commonly spoken language of the surrounding inhabitants to avoid confrontation.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have very dark and unsettling voices. They have a ghostly echo and seem to come from all around at once. They are deep and dark, having a soft growl behind their tones. Entirely unsettling to anybody not used to it. While they are capable of snarling, hissing and growling, Common Dhaebru rarely do this while Wardens are known to do this when defending their Sect or confronting other Wardens.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are highly social creatures. They do not like to be alone, and get quiet and upset without companionship. A sect usually has one Warden who is the Sect's Kral, or Leader, several Guardians, Dhaebru who protect the sect and are higher ranked, but still ranked lower than the Warden, and 30-50 common Dhaebru. Some larger sects have a lower ranking Warden or Sub-Warden who is subordinate to the main Kral, but still high ranking. This is fairly rare, as sub wardens are usually siblings or children of the head Warden. They are very territorial so most Wardens part ways to found their own sect, though older Wardens will sometimes take in and teach younger ones. Wardens usually go to start sects of their own when they come of age, but some will remain as a lower ranking Warden in their parent's sect.<\/p>\r\nGuardians can be told apart from regular Guardians by the symbol on their chestplate. While common Dhaebru have a lighter purple symbol on their chestplate, Guardians have it in gold. Wardens tend to have lighter colored robes with hints of red, and brighter chestplates with golden symbols. Aside from the color of the chestplate symbol color differing from common Dhaebru, Guardians look exactly the same.<\/p>\r\nSects usually consist of 30-50 Dhaebru and one Warden, but never number more than a couple hundred. Sects consisting of more than a hundred members are very rare.<\/p>\r\nThe symbol on the chest plate usually identifies what Sect a Dhaebru belongs to.<\/p>\r\nWhile many people fear Dhaebru, their main purpose is to protect and balance and thus are not hostile unless attacked.  Dhaebru are surprisingly nurturing and gentle beings, and prefer to avoid conflict. They are very curious and fond of gathering information. Sect Wardens often have libraries and journals, and common Dhaebru are known to bring anything of interest back home. Temperament can vary between Wardens and common Dhaebru. Dhaebru are highly social, and truly hate being alone. Wardens<\/strong>: They rarely leave the Shadow Realm unless one of their Sect calls out for help. They are vicious when threatened and will attack savagely to protect their Sect. They have fiercely protective instincts, and these come out around anybody the individual cares about. This can sometimes translate to guarding belongings or areas, and can even shift to being aggressively territorial. Because of this, there is usually only one Warden occupying one area, and any others are usually related, such as siblings or offspring. Wardens are usually calm and collected, but can become very temperamental given the right circumstances. They are known to grumble and growl when annoyed or irritated.<\/p>\r\nShown below are two Dhaebru Wardens in a territorial dispute! Illustration by Jagal on FurAffinity Image of fighting Wardens go here<\/p>\r\nCommon Dhaebru<\/strong>: They frequently leave the Shadow Realm to explore or keep an eye on things. Dhaebru are not fond of confrontation, and much prefer to run away from trouble, or call out to their Warden for help. Dhaebru are generally curious, but a bit flighty and very cautious. When threatened, they flee. If cornered, they attack in self defense. If the threat is big, they for help, and attack in groups. If you stay still and let a Dhaebru approach you, you can generally interact with one once they realize that you aren't a threat. When they feel safe and calm, Dhaebru are friendly and will likely shower you with questions, and if you let them, they can get very touchy feely.  \u200bAppearance: It varies very little. The style of the armor and robes does vary by individual and sect a bit, and the main difference is between the larger Warden type Dhaebru, and the smaller common type Dhaebru. Dhaebru vary the most in their personality and energy signature. They are hard to tell apart, but if you get to know one well their individuality comes out strongly in how they behave, speak, and their individual quirks and habits. The shape of a Dhaebru's eyes vary, as well as their mouth and even face shape to a point. These features are inherited. Deepbloods tend to have sharper features and fierce, narrow eyes that glow more intensely than regular Wardens. <\/p>\r\nEmotion and expression<\/span><\/strong> They have emotions very much like humans, though they do show some things differently. They also react slightly differently to some emotions as well. While they do have expressions, most of their emotion is shown in a combination of their body language and the movement of their shadowy aura and the shadows around them. When frightened or nervous, their shadows coil up beneath their robes, and extreme panic can cause the shadows around them to quiver, for example. When angry, their shadows flow out and darken, growing more voluminous and when happy, they waver and flow softly. Looking at their face can give some clues to how they are feeling, but watching their shadows and how they move is the biggest indicator. While it can take some time to get to know a Dhaebru, once you know one their emotions read like an open book.<\/p>\r\nRelationship with Other Races<\/span><\/strong> Cautious, usually peaceful. Dhaebru tend to keep their distance. They aren't overly fond of humans most of the time, as some humans have found that their cores are useful and hunt them. Others attack Dhaebru on sight out of fear, which has resulted in a lot of tension. Some Dhaebru, even, will attack and kill a human if they discover their gateway, as it leads directly to their home. They feel that the human is a threat in these cases. They react similarly to any race that they have tension with. Longer lived races, such as Fey, are more reserved so confrontations aren't as common, but some young Fey do go after Dhaebru since they are considered creatures of darkness. Darkness is considered bad and evil to many races. This has made many consider the calm and docile shadow creatures as a threat. Wilder races without the concept of “Darkness is Evil” thing in their heads get along great with Dhaebru. One example is the wild, social and friendly Kivuuli. Their temperament is somewhat similar, which results in Kivuuli and Dhaebru getting on quite well. Both races are highly social. When gateways to the Shadow Realm are found in Kivuuli territories, the Dhaebru and Kivuuli are usually amiable towards eachother. Kivuuli often consider the local sect as a part of their colony, and will viciously attack people who hurt the Dhaebru. The Dhaebru will return the favor if their Kivuuli allies are attacked. The alpha female and the Warden are usually close allies. Some Kivuuli Colonies have been seen with Shadowkin kits, which says that Dhaebru do occasionally crossbreed with them. Red eyed Warden Shadowkin are more common among Kivuuli than any other race, which seems to point to the possibility that mating between the alpha female Kivuuli and the Dhaebru Wardens is fairly common. Kivuuli are also able to pass through the gateways safely and easily. <\/p>","field4":"Species Type<\/strong>: Spectral, Energy-Based though they can take a semi-Physical form<\/p>\r\nAverage Height<\/strong> Common Dhaebru: 6’5 Warden: 10-12 feet Average Weight<\/strong> Spectral, they weigh no more than their robes and armor. Wardens weigh more, as their larger forms also have larger robes and armor. <\/p>\r\n Diet<\/strong> Dhaebru feed on ambient magical energy with a high preference for darker energies, or its liquid form of dark mana. Mana, or Magical Energy, generates naturally in any physical world that has magic, but not in the Outer Realm, their home. As such, Dhaebru come to Midworld to feed, and are often found in areas with a lot of magic. Dhaebru tend to bring energy back for their Warden. They don't learn how to feed on their own until they are roughly three to five years old, and until then a parent feeds them energy. If no Dhaebru is available to give them energy, a shadeling can be fed Dark Mana and do just fine.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>","field5":null,"field6":null,"field7":null}},"title":"Dhaebru","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

Dhaebru

#147 1 July 2023, 16:20:00 UTC

Cryptid-Artha

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{"data":{"description":"Voidic shadow entities with two variants<\/p>","field1":"Dhaebru are a sapient and highly social eldritch creatures of shadow, spectral in nature. They are always seen robed in dark, tattered robes and usually have armor on as well, of varying designs depending on the individuals and their origin. The robes and armor are connected to a special amulet they wear on a  collar-like necklace that settles around their neck. This amulet has a direct connection to the Dhaebru's core, and can not be removed. Dhaebru are highly social beings, and hate being alone. If deprived of the company of another Dhaebru, they will gravitate towards any living thing, sapient or not, and cling to any company they can. They get extremely depressed and upset when they are alone for too long.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have two types. The smaller variety are the commonfolk of the species, simply called Dhaebru. They are roughly human sized, and the most commonly seen type. They regularly leave the Outer Realms, wandering various worlds seemingly at random. They are most often seen in the lands surrounding the portal to their world, usually marked by an obelisk of strange dark crystals. Dhaebru can be be spotted regularly wandering worlds that have a strong magical presence, but are not hostile unless threatened. They are most likely to slip away back into the Outer Realms, where they are safe. They have pale eyes gleaming out from beneath their hoods, and often throw off a spectral fog when startled, giving them cover to escape harm. Dhaebru are curious, but shy. If they can not get to safety, they will attack and they make short work of most physical beings.<\/p>\r\nThe larger variety is known as a Warden. Wardens are tall and powerful Dhaebru, known for their impressive stature, some individual reaching up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters tall. Wardens are protectors and leaders by nature. They are highly territorial, so it's rare to find more than one Warden within a sect unless one of them is a juvenile, or they are closely related, such as siblings or parent and child. Wardens rarely leave the Outer Realm. They are usually pretty calm, and can be downright lazy, but if you threaten their sect, they can kill even a heavily armored physical beings with little to no effort. Fortunately, most Wardens prefer to frighten off a potential threat, but if the threat returns, they don't take chances. Wardens are surprisingly maternal and have a tendency to be very possessive. If their sect is not threatened, a Warden is usually peaceful and will simply observe, but when attacked their true power shows. If a Warden wants to kill you, it's going to kill you, no questions about it.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are not to be mistaken with wraiths, demons, shadow people or ghosts. While they are wraith like, they are not true wraiths and they are not from the Infernus like demons. They are eldritch beings from a realm beyond the edge of reality. They have a large amount of strange Eldritch influence to them, but this is stabilized down by their robes and is the reason they wear them. The robes protect the Dhaebru from the world around then, but also protect the world from their otherworldly aura.<\/p>\r\nThey are mysterious creatures, and not many have had real contact with them. Regular Dhaebru are shy and skittish by nature, and most physical beings are terrified of them due to their dark appearance and power. They are also known to show up when dark magic is afoot. While they are attracted by the dark magic due to instincts to investigate and prevent harm, many associate them with it, and blame them for it. They have a dark and frightening reputation, meaning very few people truly know much about them.<\/p>\r\nThey are known to clash with a group of dangerous individuals known as the Order of the Eclipse. The Order are a mysterious and dangerous cult that once existed to protect humankind but twisted into something dangerous with an obcession for dark power. They actively hunt Dhaebru for their cores, which are used in their dark rituals. Most Dhaebru will attack and kill a member of the Order on sight, or turn tail and run.<\/p>","field2":"The Outer Realm, the Dhaebru Homeworld<\/span><\/p>\r\n Dhaebru reside in an alternate dimension of sorts known as the Outer Realm. This strange and hostile realm serves as a barrier and buffer between the Eldritch Realm and Midworld, though this knowledge has long since been lost. Nobody knows where it came from anymore, not even the Dhaebru. Many feel they may have come from somewhere else, but such knowledge is lost to time. It's common for Wardens to try to figure this out, but not much headway has been made, as if something about their past was buried or lost a long time ago. Some feel it was on purpose, as Dhaebru have always liked to keep their history written down, down to the name of each member born to the sect, and the date of their death should they die. Strange growths of a black crystals that appear clustered with some floating under their unique eldritch power show entry and exit points and portals to the Outer Realm.  This is where the Dhaebru come and go from. It's extremely dangerous to physical beings to cross through, but Dhaebru can take people in there with them and protect them from the negative effects within.  The Outer Realm is generally comprised generally caves and corridors that seem to have no rhyme or reason. Almost like the ruins of an ancient infinite fortress. Lighting comes from various crystals, fungi, and some creatures that wander the corridors.  One can often tell where a Sect lives as that area is usually closed off with rooms carved in the strange anceitn dark stone the Shadow Realm is made of, often closed off so the Dhaebru can stay safe from the various creatures that wander their Realm. <\/p>\r\nOrigins of the Dhaebru and Deepbloods<\/span> While Dhaebru do not know their own origin anymore, they were created alongside mysterious beings known as Aethyr by a pair of strange beings known as the Balance. The Balance was said to be a combination of Voidborn and Etherborn, a creature embodying both Light and Darkness. Wild and untamed, but also sensitive and sapient, the strange entity felt that the physical realms and all they contained was a precious gem that needed to be protected and preserved, and observed that the fragile Midworld and all its varied and beautiful life could be damaged by the Aether and the Eldritch Void. They themselves could not directly interfere, as their powerful energy could do great damage no matter their intentions, so they found another solution. They set out to protect it, by creating two realms, as buffers and barriers between Midworld and the dangerous realms layered around it. They then populated these buffers with beings that would serve as guardians and protectors and keep the balance and protect Midworld. Image of The Balance Goes Here Below is a basic example of dimensional layering and how it works. The lines are uneven. Some worlds are in the middle, not touching either. Some are close to the Eldritch Void, and gateways to the Dhaebru's Shadowrealm appear, allowing Dhaebru to enter the world and wander about. Some are closer to the Aethyr, allowing gateways to the Aethyr's homeworld to appear, and allowing Aethyr to wander the land. Some are close to both, having both Aethyr and Dhaebru present. Image of basic Dimensional Layering Goes Here<\/p>\r\nThe Outer Realm is a bit like a buffer between midworld and the dangerous and unstable Eldritch Void. Dhaebru were meant to seek out any intrusions of creatures or volatile energies from the Eldritch Void, and call their Warden over to destroy them, while they seal up the rift. Dhaebru actually need to enter Midworld to feed on the magical energy present there; causing them to need to wander about regularly, and making them have need of their gateways wherever they appear. Their draw to the disruption of the fabric of reality is the reason they often show up when dangerous magic is afoot, as their instincts draw them to it and they want to put a stop to it if it starts causing damage. Aethyr did the same within the Aether, and the two beings together kept Midworld in balance. This did not last, however, as contention soon started between the two races. The Aethyr felt that they were better than the Dhaebru, and tried to treat them as slaves. The Dhaebru and the Aethyr fought, then eventually parted ways. The Aethyr retreated into their realm, while Dhaebru remained within the Outer Realm and wander Midworld from time to time. All of this went down a very long time ago, near the beginning of the Universe itself.<\/p>\r\nAs for Deepbloods, a voidic entity interbred with a Dhaebru Warden several generations down the line, and a three hybrids were born of their union, known as the Deepbloods. When that Warden found their peaceful and natural end, the creature kept watch over the race, until another Warden caught their interest several generations later. This Warden, however, was a descendant of one of those original Deepbloods, and was power hungry. They wanted as pure an offspring as they could get because they felt that this bloodline was the origin of the Dhaebru race and wanted purity. When the child did not come out as they wanted, they killed the Void creature and abused the child, who eventually became the most evil being the Universe has ever known. This cruel being destroyed and stole the creatures power, and killed any Deepbloods they felt weren't pure enough, and all Deepblood are thought to be descended from this single cruel and vicious individual. As such, they have a very negative stigma, even among Dhaebru, who fear those who are of that bloodline, even if Deepbloods are very powerful protectors and are known to be extremely loyal, even moreso than a regular Warden.<\/p>","field3":"The temperament of a Dhaebru Warden differs with Deepblood Wardens, also known as Deepbloods. Deepbloods are noted for being slightly larger than regular Wardens, sometimes standing up to thirteen feet tall, and are noticeably more aggressive and unstable. While not evil, they have to keep a closer handle on their emotions as they have a berserk state that is brought on by extreme anger or fear. They are usually bulkier in appearance as well.<\/p>\r\nDeepbloods are extremely rare, and the unique bloodline is only passed on from Warden to Warden. There aren’t many left, and they trace their lineage back as far as Dhaebru records go. Deepbloods are not evil or hostile by nature, but they are more aggressive and territorial and can be more dangerous if provoked. Deepbloods have Voidborn blood in them, though it's been diluted greatly over time. Deepbloods are larger and more powerful, and do have some slightly different and amplified abilities originating from being descended from true Eldritch beings. \u200b<\/p>\r\nNormal Wardens are territorial and protective, fierce fighters if provoked but generally placid and observant otherwise. If you encounter one and show you are not a threat, they are surprisingly friendly. Wardens aren't easily frightened. They are very watchful and protective, and can be possessive.<\/p>\r\nRegular Dhaebru are surprisingly skittish and generally will only attack if cornered or heavily provoked. They're curious and social, and if you show you aren't a threat they are very likely to approach you to try to learn more about you.<\/p>\r\nTheir native language consists deep and ancient version of Eldritch speech. This strange language is far too much for most mortal minds to handle. One could compare it, somewhat, to Black Speech from Lord of the Rings to a point, but not inherently evil. As such, most Sects will learn the most commonly spoken language of the surrounding inhabitants to avoid confrontation.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have very dark and unsettling voices. They have a ghostly echo and seem to come from all around at once. They are deep and dark, having a soft growl behind their tones. Entirely unsettling to anybody not used to it. While they are capable of snarling, hissing and growling, Common Dhaebru rarely do this while Wardens are known to do this when defending their Sect or confronting other Wardens.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are highly social creatures. They do not like to be alone, and get quiet and upset without companionship. A sect usually has one Warden who is the Sect's Kral, or Leader, several Guardians, Dhaebru who protect the sect and are higher ranked, but still ranked lower than the Warden, and 30-50 common Dhaebru. Some larger sects have a lower ranking Warden or Sub-Warden who is subordinate to the main Kral, but still high ranking. This is fairly rare, as sub wardens are usually siblings or children of the head Warden. They are very territorial so most Wardens part ways to found their own sect, though older Wardens will sometimes take in and teach younger ones. Wardens usually go to start sects of their own when they come of age, but some will remain as a lower ranking Warden in their parent's sect.<\/p>\r\nGuardians can be told apart from regular Guardians by the symbol on their chestplate. While common Dhaebru have a lighter purple symbol on their chestplate, Guardians have it in gold. Wardens tend to have lighter colored robes with hints of red, and brighter chestplates with golden symbols. Aside from the color of the chestplate symbol color differing from common Dhaebru, Guardians look exactly the same.<\/p>\r\nSects usually consist of 30-50 Dhaebru and one Warden, but never number more than a couple hundred. Sects consisting of more than a hundred members are very rare.<\/p>\r\nThe symbol on the chest plate usually identifies what Sect a Dhaebru belongs to.<\/p>\r\nWhile many people fear Dhaebru, their main purpose is to protect and balance and thus are not hostile unless attacked.  Dhaebru are surprisingly nurturing and gentle beings, and prefer to avoid conflict. They are very curious and fond of gathering information. Sect Wardens often have libraries and journals, and common Dhaebru are known to bring anything of interest back home. Temperament can vary between Wardens and common Dhaebru. Dhaebru are highly social, and truly hate being alone. Wardens<\/strong>: They rarely leave the Shadow Realm unless one of their Sect calls out for help. They are vicious when threatened and will attack savagely to protect their Sect. They have fiercely protective instincts, and these come out around anybody the individual cares about. This can sometimes translate to guarding belongings or areas, and can even shift to being aggressively territorial. Because of this, there is usually only one Warden occupying one area, and any others are usually related, such as siblings or offspring. Wardens are usually calm and collected, but can become very temperamental given the right circumstances. They are known to grumble and growl when annoyed or irritated.<\/p>\r\nShown below are two Dhaebru Wardens in a territorial dispute! Illustration by Jagal on FurAffinity Image of fighting Wardens go here<\/p>\r\nCommon Dhaebru<\/strong>: They frequently leave the Shadow Realm to explore or keep an eye on things. Dhaebru are not fond of confrontation, and much prefer to run away from trouble, or call out to their Warden for help. Dhaebru are generally curious, but a bit flighty and very cautious. When threatened, they flee. If cornered, they attack in self defense. If the threat is big, they for help, and attack in groups. If you stay still and let a Dhaebru approach you, you can generally interact with one once they realize that you aren't a threat. When they feel safe and calm, Dhaebru are friendly and will likely shower you with questions, and if you let them, they can get very touchy feely.  \u200bAppearance: It varies very little. The style of the armor and robes does vary by individual and sect a bit, and the main difference is between the larger Warden type Dhaebru, and the smaller common type Dhaebru. Dhaebru vary the most in their personality and energy signature. They are hard to tell apart, but if you get to know one well their individuality comes out strongly in how they behave, speak, and their individual quirks and habits. The shape of a Dhaebru's eyes vary, as well as their mouth and even face shape to a point. These features are inherited. Deepbloods tend to have sharper features and fierce, narrow eyes that glow more intensely than regular Wardens. <\/p>\r\nEmotion and expression<\/span><\/strong> They have emotions very much like humans, though they do show some things differently. They also react slightly differently to some emotions as well. While they do have expressions, most of their emotion is shown in a combination of their body language and the movement of their shadowy aura and the shadows around them. When frightened or nervous, their shadows coil up beneath their robes, and extreme panic can cause the shadows around them to quiver, for example. When angry, their shadows flow out and darken, growing more voluminous and when happy, they waver and flow softly. Looking at their face can give some clues to how they are feeling, but watching their shadows and how they move is the biggest indicator. While it can take some time to get to know a Dhaebru, once you know one their emotions read like an open book.<\/p>","field4":null,"field5":null,"field6":null,"field7":null,"parsed":{"description":"Voidic shadow entities with two variants<\/p>","field1":"Dhaebru are a sapient and highly social eldritch creatures of shadow, spectral in nature. They are always seen robed in dark, tattered robes and usually have armor on as well, of varying designs depending on the individuals and their origin. The robes and armor are connected to a special amulet they wear on a  collar-like necklace that settles around their neck. This amulet has a direct connection to the Dhaebru's core, and can not be removed. Dhaebru are highly social beings, and hate being alone. If deprived of the company of another Dhaebru, they will gravitate towards any living thing, sapient or not, and cling to any company they can. They get extremely depressed and upset when they are alone for too long.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have two types. The smaller variety are the commonfolk of the species, simply called Dhaebru. They are roughly human sized, and the most commonly seen type. They regularly leave the Outer Realms, wandering various worlds seemingly at random. They are most often seen in the lands surrounding the portal to their world, usually marked by an obelisk of strange dark crystals. Dhaebru can be be spotted regularly wandering worlds that have a strong magical presence, but are not hostile unless threatened. They are most likely to slip away back into the Outer Realms, where they are safe. They have pale eyes gleaming out from beneath their hoods, and often throw off a spectral fog when startled, giving them cover to escape harm. Dhaebru are curious, but shy. If they can not get to safety, they will attack and they make short work of most physical beings.<\/p>\r\nThe larger variety is known as a Warden. Wardens are tall and powerful Dhaebru, known for their impressive stature, some individual reaching up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters tall. Wardens are protectors and leaders by nature. They are highly territorial, so it's rare to find more than one Warden within a sect unless one of them is a juvenile, or they are closely related, such as siblings or parent and child. Wardens rarely leave the Outer Realm. They are usually pretty calm, and can be downright lazy, but if you threaten their sect, they can kill even a heavily armored physical beings with little to no effort. Fortunately, most Wardens prefer to frighten off a potential threat, but if the threat returns, they don't take chances. Wardens are surprisingly maternal and have a tendency to be very possessive. If their sect is not threatened, a Warden is usually peaceful and will simply observe, but when attacked their true power shows. If a Warden wants to kill you, it's going to kill you, no questions about it.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are not to be mistaken with wraiths, demons, shadow people or ghosts. While they are wraith like, they are not true wraiths and they are not from the Infernus like demons. They are eldritch beings from a realm beyond the edge of reality. They have a large amount of strange Eldritch influence to them, but this is stabilized down by their robes and is the reason they wear them. The robes protect the Dhaebru from the world around then, but also protect the world from their otherworldly aura.<\/p>\r\nThey are mysterious creatures, and not many have had real contact with them. Regular Dhaebru are shy and skittish by nature, and most physical beings are terrified of them due to their dark appearance and power. They are also known to show up when dark magic is afoot. While they are attracted by the dark magic due to instincts to investigate and prevent harm, many associate them with it, and blame them for it. They have a dark and frightening reputation, meaning very few people truly know much about them.<\/p>\r\nThey are known to clash with a group of dangerous individuals known as the Order of the Eclipse. The Order are a mysterious and dangerous cult that once existed to protect humankind but twisted into something dangerous with an obcession for dark power. They actively hunt Dhaebru for their cores, which are used in their dark rituals. Most Dhaebru will attack and kill a member of the Order on sight, or turn tail and run.<\/p>","field2":"The Outer Realm, the Dhaebru Homeworld<\/span><\/p>\r\n Dhaebru reside in an alternate dimension of sorts known as the Outer Realm. This strange and hostile realm serves as a barrier and buffer between the Eldritch Realm and Midworld, though this knowledge has long since been lost. Nobody knows where it came from anymore, not even the Dhaebru. Many feel they may have come from somewhere else, but such knowledge is lost to time. It's common for Wardens to try to figure this out, but not much headway has been made, as if something about their past was buried or lost a long time ago. Some feel it was on purpose, as Dhaebru have always liked to keep their history written down, down to the name of each member born to the sect, and the date of their death should they die. Strange growths of a black crystals that appear clustered with some floating under their unique eldritch power show entry and exit points and portals to the Outer Realm.  This is where the Dhaebru come and go from. It's extremely dangerous to physical beings to cross through, but Dhaebru can take people in there with them and protect them from the negative effects within.  The Outer Realm is generally comprised generally caves and corridors that seem to have no rhyme or reason. Almost like the ruins of an ancient infinite fortress. Lighting comes from various crystals, fungi, and some creatures that wander the corridors.  One can often tell where a Sect lives as that area is usually closed off with rooms carved in the strange anceitn dark stone the Shadow Realm is made of, often closed off so the Dhaebru can stay safe from the various creatures that wander their Realm. <\/p>\r\nOrigins of the Dhaebru and Deepbloods<\/span> While Dhaebru do not know their own origin anymore, they were created alongside mysterious beings known as Aethyr by a pair of strange beings known as the Balance. The Balance was said to be a combination of Voidborn and Etherborn, a creature embodying both Light and Darkness. Wild and untamed, but also sensitive and sapient, the strange entity felt that the physical realms and all they contained was a precious gem that needed to be protected and preserved, and observed that the fragile Midworld and all its varied and beautiful life could be damaged by the Aether and the Eldritch Void. They themselves could not directly interfere, as their powerful energy could do great damage no matter their intentions, so they found another solution. They set out to protect it, by creating two realms, as buffers and barriers between Midworld and the dangerous realms layered around it. They then populated these buffers with beings that would serve as guardians and protectors and keep the balance and protect Midworld. Image of The Balance Goes Here Below is a basic example of dimensional layering and how it works. The lines are uneven. Some worlds are in the middle, not touching either. Some are close to the Eldritch Void, and gateways to the Dhaebru's Shadowrealm appear, allowing Dhaebru to enter the world and wander about. Some are closer to the Aethyr, allowing gateways to the Aethyr's homeworld to appear, and allowing Aethyr to wander the land. Some are close to both, having both Aethyr and Dhaebru present. Image of basic Dimensional Layering Goes Here<\/p>\r\nThe Outer Realm is a bit like a buffer between midworld and the dangerous and unstable Eldritch Void. Dhaebru were meant to seek out any intrusions of creatures or volatile energies from the Eldritch Void, and call their Warden over to destroy them, while they seal up the rift. Dhaebru actually need to enter Midworld to feed on the magical energy present there; causing them to need to wander about regularly, and making them have need of their gateways wherever they appear. Their draw to the disruption of the fabric of reality is the reason they often show up when dangerous magic is afoot, as their instincts draw them to it and they want to put a stop to it if it starts causing damage. Aethyr did the same within the Aether, and the two beings together kept Midworld in balance. This did not last, however, as contention soon started between the two races. The Aethyr felt that they were better than the Dhaebru, and tried to treat them as slaves. The Dhaebru and the Aethyr fought, then eventually parted ways. The Aethyr retreated into their realm, while Dhaebru remained within the Outer Realm and wander Midworld from time to time. All of this went down a very long time ago, near the beginning of the Universe itself.<\/p>\r\nAs for Deepbloods, a voidic entity interbred with a Dhaebru Warden several generations down the line, and a three hybrids were born of their union, known as the Deepbloods. When that Warden found their peaceful and natural end, the creature kept watch over the race, until another Warden caught their interest several generations later. This Warden, however, was a descendant of one of those original Deepbloods, and was power hungry. They wanted as pure an offspring as they could get because they felt that this bloodline was the origin of the Dhaebru race and wanted purity. When the child did not come out as they wanted, they killed the Void creature and abused the child, who eventually became the most evil being the Universe has ever known. This cruel being destroyed and stole the creatures power, and killed any Deepbloods they felt weren't pure enough, and all Deepblood are thought to be descended from this single cruel and vicious individual. As such, they have a very negative stigma, even among Dhaebru, who fear those who are of that bloodline, even if Deepbloods are very powerful protectors and are known to be extremely loyal, even moreso than a regular Warden.<\/p>","field3":"The temperament of a Dhaebru Warden differs with Deepblood Wardens, also known as Deepbloods. Deepbloods are noted for being slightly larger than regular Wardens, sometimes standing up to thirteen feet tall, and are noticeably more aggressive and unstable. While not evil, they have to keep a closer handle on their emotions as they have a berserk state that is brought on by extreme anger or fear. They are usually bulkier in appearance as well.<\/p>\r\nDeepbloods are extremely rare, and the unique bloodline is only passed on from Warden to Warden. There aren’t many left, and they trace their lineage back as far as Dhaebru records go. Deepbloods are not evil or hostile by nature, but they are more aggressive and territorial and can be more dangerous if provoked. Deepbloods have Voidborn blood in them, though it's been diluted greatly over time. Deepbloods are larger and more powerful, and do have some slightly different and amplified abilities originating from being descended from true Eldritch beings. \u200b<\/p>\r\nNormal Wardens are territorial and protective, fierce fighters if provoked but generally placid and observant otherwise. If you encounter one and show you are not a threat, they are surprisingly friendly. Wardens aren't easily frightened. They are very watchful and protective, and can be possessive.<\/p>\r\nRegular Dhaebru are surprisingly skittish and generally will only attack if cornered or heavily provoked. They're curious and social, and if you show you aren't a threat they are very likely to approach you to try to learn more about you.<\/p>\r\nTheir native language consists deep and ancient version of Eldritch speech. This strange language is far too much for most mortal minds to handle. One could compare it, somewhat, to Black Speech from Lord of the Rings to a point, but not inherently evil. As such, most Sects will learn the most commonly spoken language of the surrounding inhabitants to avoid confrontation.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have very dark and unsettling voices. They have a ghostly echo and seem to come from all around at once. They are deep and dark, having a soft growl behind their tones. Entirely unsettling to anybody not used to it. While they are capable of snarling, hissing and growling, Common Dhaebru rarely do this while Wardens are known to do this when defending their Sect or confronting other Wardens.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are highly social creatures. They do not like to be alone, and get quiet and upset without companionship. A sect usually has one Warden who is the Sect's Kral, or Leader, several Guardians, Dhaebru who protect the sect and are higher ranked, but still ranked lower than the Warden, and 30-50 common Dhaebru. Some larger sects have a lower ranking Warden or Sub-Warden who is subordinate to the main Kral, but still high ranking. This is fairly rare, as sub wardens are usually siblings or children of the head Warden. They are very territorial so most Wardens part ways to found their own sect, though older Wardens will sometimes take in and teach younger ones. Wardens usually go to start sects of their own when they come of age, but some will remain as a lower ranking Warden in their parent's sect.<\/p>\r\nGuardians can be told apart from regular Guardians by the symbol on their chestplate. While common Dhaebru have a lighter purple symbol on their chestplate, Guardians have it in gold. Wardens tend to have lighter colored robes with hints of red, and brighter chestplates with golden symbols. Aside from the color of the chestplate symbol color differing from common Dhaebru, Guardians look exactly the same.<\/p>\r\nSects usually consist of 30-50 Dhaebru and one Warden, but never number more than a couple hundred. Sects consisting of more than a hundred members are very rare.<\/p>\r\nThe symbol on the chest plate usually identifies what Sect a Dhaebru belongs to.<\/p>\r\nWhile many people fear Dhaebru, their main purpose is to protect and balance and thus are not hostile unless attacked.  Dhaebru are surprisingly nurturing and gentle beings, and prefer to avoid conflict. They are very curious and fond of gathering information. Sect Wardens often have libraries and journals, and common Dhaebru are known to bring anything of interest back home. Temperament can vary between Wardens and common Dhaebru. Dhaebru are highly social, and truly hate being alone. Wardens<\/strong>: They rarely leave the Shadow Realm unless one of their Sect calls out for help. They are vicious when threatened and will attack savagely to protect their Sect. They have fiercely protective instincts, and these come out around anybody the individual cares about. This can sometimes translate to guarding belongings or areas, and can even shift to being aggressively territorial. Because of this, there is usually only one Warden occupying one area, and any others are usually related, such as siblings or offspring. Wardens are usually calm and collected, but can become very temperamental given the right circumstances. They are known to grumble and growl when annoyed or irritated.<\/p>\r\nShown below are two Dhaebru Wardens in a territorial dispute! Illustration by Jagal on FurAffinity Image of fighting Wardens go here<\/p>\r\nCommon Dhaebru<\/strong>: They frequently leave the Shadow Realm to explore or keep an eye on things. Dhaebru are not fond of confrontation, and much prefer to run away from trouble, or call out to their Warden for help. Dhaebru are generally curious, but a bit flighty and very cautious. When threatened, they flee. If cornered, they attack in self defense. If the threat is big, they for help, and attack in groups. If you stay still and let a Dhaebru approach you, you can generally interact with one once they realize that you aren't a threat. When they feel safe and calm, Dhaebru are friendly and will likely shower you with questions, and if you let them, they can get very touchy feely.  \u200bAppearance: It varies very little. The style of the armor and robes does vary by individual and sect a bit, and the main difference is between the larger Warden type Dhaebru, and the smaller common type Dhaebru. Dhaebru vary the most in their personality and energy signature. They are hard to tell apart, but if you get to know one well their individuality comes out strongly in how they behave, speak, and their individual quirks and habits. The shape of a Dhaebru's eyes vary, as well as their mouth and even face shape to a point. These features are inherited. Deepbloods tend to have sharper features and fierce, narrow eyes that glow more intensely than regular Wardens. <\/p>\r\nEmotion and expression<\/span><\/strong> They have emotions very much like humans, though they do show some things differently. They also react slightly differently to some emotions as well. While they do have expressions, most of their emotion is shown in a combination of their body language and the movement of their shadowy aura and the shadows around them. When frightened or nervous, their shadows coil up beneath their robes, and extreme panic can cause the shadows around them to quiver, for example. When angry, their shadows flow out and darken, growing more voluminous and when happy, they waver and flow softly. Looking at their face can give some clues to how they are feeling, but watching their shadows and how they move is the biggest indicator. While it can take some time to get to know a Dhaebru, once you know one their emotions read like an open book.<\/p>","field4":null,"field5":null,"field6":null,"field7":null}},"title":"Dhaebru","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

Dhaebru

#146 1 July 2023, 16:14:03 UTC

Cryptid-Artha

Page Updated

Length: 20453 (+11808) - Show Raw Data

{"data":{"description":"Voidic shadow entities with two variants<\/p>","field1":"Dhaebru are a sapient and highly social eldritch creatures of shadow, spectral in nature. They are always seen robed in dark, tattered robes and usually have armor on as well, of varying designs depending on the individuals and their origin. The robes and armor are connected to a special amulet they wear on a  collar-like necklace that settles around their neck. This amulet has a direct connection to the Dhaebru's core, and can not be removed. Dhaebru are highly social beings, and hate being alone. If deprived of the company of another Dhaebru, they will gravitate towards any living thing, sapient or not, and cling to any company they can. They get extremely depressed and upset when they are alone for too long.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have two types. The smaller variety are the commonfolk of the species, simply called Dhaebru. They are roughly human sized, and the most commonly seen type. They regularly leave the Outer Realms, wandering various worlds seemingly at random. They are most often seen in the lands surrounding the portal to their world, usually marked by an obelisk of strange dark crystals. Dhaebru can be be spotted regularly wandering worlds that have a strong magical presence, but are not hostile unless threatened. They are most likely to slip away back into the Outer Realms, where they are safe. They have pale eyes gleaming out from beneath their hoods, and often throw off a spectral fog when startled, giving them cover to escape harm. Dhaebru are curious, but shy. If they can not get to safety, they will attack and they make short work of most physical beings.<\/p>\r\nThe larger variety is known as a Warden. Wardens are tall and powerful Dhaebru, known for their impressive stature, some individual reaching up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters tall. Wardens are protectors and leaders by nature. They are highly territorial, so it's rare to find more than one Warden within a sect unless one of them is a juvenile, or they are closely related, such as siblings or parent and child. Wardens rarely leave the Outer Realm. They are usually pretty calm, and can be downright lazy, but if you threaten their sect, they can kill even a heavily armored physical beings with little to no effort. Fortunately, most Wardens prefer to frighten off a potential threat, but if the threat returns, they don't take chances. Wardens are surprisingly maternal and have a tendency to be very possessive. If their sect is not threatened, a Warden is usually peaceful and will simply observe, but when attacked their true power shows. If a Warden wants to kill you, it's going to kill you, no questions about it.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are not to be mistaken with wraiths, demons, shadow people or ghosts. While they are wraith like, they are not true wraiths and they are not from the Infernus like demons. They are eldritch beings from a realm beyond the edge of reality. They have a large amount of strange Eldritch influence to them, but this is stabilized down by their robes and is the reason they wear them. The robes protect the Dhaebru from the world around then, but also protect the world from their otherworldly aura.<\/p>\r\nThey are mysterious creatures, and not many have had real contact with them. Regular Dhaebru are shy and skittish by nature, and most physical beings are terrified of them due to their dark appearance and power. They are also known to show up when dark magic is afoot. While they are attracted by the dark magic due to instincts to investigate and prevent harm, many associate them with it, and blame them for it. They have a dark and frightening reputation, meaning very few people truly know much about them.<\/p>\r\nThey are known to clash with a group of dangerous individuals known as the Order of the Eclipse. The Order are a mysterious and dangerous cult that once existed to protect humankind but twisted into something dangerous with an obcession for dark power. They actively hunt Dhaebru for their cores, which are used in their dark rituals. Most Dhaebru will attack and kill a member of the Order on sight, or turn tail and run.<\/p>","field2":"The Outer Realm, the Dhaebru Homeworld<\/span><\/p>\r\n Dhaebru reside in an alternate dimension of sorts known as the Outer Realm. This strange and hostile realm serves as a barrier and buffer between the Eldritch Realm and Midworld, though this knowledge has long since been lost. Nobody knows where it came from anymore, not even the Dhaebru. Many feel they may have come from somewhere else, but such knowledge is lost to time. It's common for Wardens to try to figure this out, but not much headway has been made, as if something about their past was buried or lost a long time ago. Some feel it was on purpose, as Dhaebru have always liked to keep their history written down, down to the name of each member born to the sect, and the date of their death should they die. Strange growths of a black crystals that appear clustered with some floating under their unique eldritch power show entry and exit points and portals to the Outer Realm.  This is where the Dhaebru come and go from. It's extremely dangerous to physical beings to cross through, but Dhaebru can take people in there with them and protect them from the negative effects within.  The Outer Realm is generally comprised generally caves and corridors that seem to have no rhyme or reason. Almost like the ruins of an ancient infinite fortress. Lighting comes from various crystals, fungi, and some creatures that wander the corridors.  One can often tell where a Sect lives as that area is usually closed off with rooms carved in the strange anceitn dark stone the Shadow Realm is made of, often closed off so the Dhaebru can stay safe from the various creatures that wander their Realm. <\/p>\r\nOrigins of the Dhaebru and Deepbloods<\/span> While Dhaebru do not know their own origin anymore, they were created alongside mysterious beings known as Aethyr by a pair of strange beings known as the Balance. The Balance was said to be a combination of Voidborn and Etherborn, a creature embodying both Light and Darkness. Wild and untamed, but also sensitive and sapient, the strange entity felt that the physical realms and all they contained was a precious gem that needed to be protected and preserved, and observed that the fragile Midworld and all its varied and beautiful life could be damaged by the Aether and the Eldritch Void. They themselves could not directly interfere, as their powerful energy could do great damage no matter their intentions, so they found another solution. They set out to protect it, by creating two realms, as buffers and barriers between Midworld and the dangerous realms layered around it. They then populated these buffers with beings that would serve as guardians and protectors and keep the balance and protect Midworld. Image of The Balance Goes Here Below is a basic example of dimensional layering and how it works. The lines are uneven. Some worlds are in the middle, not touching either. Some are close to the Eldritch Void, and gateways to the Dhaebru's Shadowrealm appear, allowing Dhaebru to enter the world and wander about. Some are closer to the Aethyr, allowing gateways to the Aethyr's homeworld to appear, and allowing Aethyr to wander the land. Some are close to both, having both Aethyr and Dhaebru present. Image of basic Dimensional Layering Goes Here<\/p>\r\nThe Outer Realm is a bit like a buffer between midworld and the dangerous and unstable Eldritch Void. Dhaebru were meant to seek out any intrusions of creatures or volatile energies from the Eldritch Void, and call their Warden over to destroy them, while they seal up the rift. Dhaebru actually need to enter Midworld to feed on the magical energy present there; causing them to need to wander about regularly, and making them have need of their gateways wherever they appear. Their draw to the disruption of the fabric of reality is the reason they often show up when dangerous magic is afoot, as their instincts draw them to it and they want to put a stop to it if it starts causing damage. Aethyr did the same within the Aether, and the two beings together kept Midworld in balance. This did not last, however, as contention soon started between the two races. The Aethyr felt that they were better than the Dhaebru, and tried to treat them as slaves. The Dhaebru and the Aethyr fought, then eventually parted ways. The Aethyr retreated into their realm, while Dhaebru remained within the Outer Realm and wander Midworld from time to time. All of this went down a very long time ago, near the beginning of the Universe itself.<\/p>\r\nAs for Deepbloods, a voidic entity interbred with a Dhaebru Warden several generations down the line, and a three hybrids were born of their union, known as the Deepbloods. When that Warden found their peaceful and natural end, the creature kept watch over the race, until another Warden caught their interest several generations later. This Warden, however, was a descendant of one of those original Deepbloods, and was power hungry. They wanted as pure an offspring as they could get because they felt that this bloodline was the origin of the Dhaebru race and wanted purity. When the child did not come out as they wanted, they killed the Void creature and abused the child, who eventually became the most evil being the Universe has ever known. This cruel being destroyed and stole the creatures power, and killed any Deepbloods they felt weren't pure enough, and all Deepblood are thought to be descended from this single cruel and vicious individual. As such, they have a very negative stigma, even among Dhaebru, who fear those who are of that bloodline, even if Deepbloods are very powerful protectors and are known to be extremely loyal, even moreso than a regular Warden.<\/p>","field3":null,"field4":null,"field5":null,"field6":null,"field7":null,"parsed":{"description":"Voidic shadow entities with two variants<\/p>","field1":"Dhaebru are a sapient and highly social eldritch creatures of shadow, spectral in nature. They are always seen robed in dark, tattered robes and usually have armor on as well, of varying designs depending on the individuals and their origin. The robes and armor are connected to a special amulet they wear on a  collar-like necklace that settles around their neck. This amulet has a direct connection to the Dhaebru's core, and can not be removed. Dhaebru are highly social beings, and hate being alone. If deprived of the company of another Dhaebru, they will gravitate towards any living thing, sapient or not, and cling to any company they can. They get extremely depressed and upset when they are alone for too long.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have two types. The smaller variety are the commonfolk of the species, simply called Dhaebru. They are roughly human sized, and the most commonly seen type. They regularly leave the Outer Realms, wandering various worlds seemingly at random. They are most often seen in the lands surrounding the portal to their world, usually marked by an obelisk of strange dark crystals. Dhaebru can be be spotted regularly wandering worlds that have a strong magical presence, but are not hostile unless threatened. They are most likely to slip away back into the Outer Realms, where they are safe. They have pale eyes gleaming out from beneath their hoods, and often throw off a spectral fog when startled, giving them cover to escape harm. Dhaebru are curious, but shy. If they can not get to safety, they will attack and they make short work of most physical beings.<\/p>\r\nThe larger variety is known as a Warden. Wardens are tall and powerful Dhaebru, known for their impressive stature, some individual reaching up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters tall. Wardens are protectors and leaders by nature. They are highly territorial, so it's rare to find more than one Warden within a sect unless one of them is a juvenile, or they are closely related, such as siblings or parent and child. Wardens rarely leave the Outer Realm. They are usually pretty calm, and can be downright lazy, but if you threaten their sect, they can kill even a heavily armored physical beings with little to no effort. Fortunately, most Wardens prefer to frighten off a potential threat, but if the threat returns, they don't take chances. Wardens are surprisingly maternal and have a tendency to be very possessive. If their sect is not threatened, a Warden is usually peaceful and will simply observe, but when attacked their true power shows. If a Warden wants to kill you, it's going to kill you, no questions about it.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are not to be mistaken with wraiths, demons, shadow people or ghosts. While they are wraith like, they are not true wraiths and they are not from the Infernus like demons. They are eldritch beings from a realm beyond the edge of reality. They have a large amount of strange Eldritch influence to them, but this is stabilized down by their robes and is the reason they wear them. The robes protect the Dhaebru from the world around then, but also protect the world from their otherworldly aura.<\/p>\r\nThey are mysterious creatures, and not many have had real contact with them. Regular Dhaebru are shy and skittish by nature, and most physical beings are terrified of them due to their dark appearance and power. They are also known to show up when dark magic is afoot. While they are attracted by the dark magic due to instincts to investigate and prevent harm, many associate them with it, and blame them for it. They have a dark and frightening reputation, meaning very few people truly know much about them.<\/p>\r\nThey are known to clash with a group of dangerous individuals known as the Order of the Eclipse. The Order are a mysterious and dangerous cult that once existed to protect humankind but twisted into something dangerous with an obcession for dark power. They actively hunt Dhaebru for their cores, which are used in their dark rituals. Most Dhaebru will attack and kill a member of the Order on sight, or turn tail and run.<\/p>","field2":"The Outer Realm, the Dhaebru Homeworld<\/span><\/p>\r\n Dhaebru reside in an alternate dimension of sorts known as the Outer Realm. This strange and hostile realm serves as a barrier and buffer between the Eldritch Realm and Midworld, though this knowledge has long since been lost. Nobody knows where it came from anymore, not even the Dhaebru. Many feel they may have come from somewhere else, but such knowledge is lost to time. It's common for Wardens to try to figure this out, but not much headway has been made, as if something about their past was buried or lost a long time ago. Some feel it was on purpose, as Dhaebru have always liked to keep their history written down, down to the name of each member born to the sect, and the date of their death should they die. Strange growths of a black crystals that appear clustered with some floating under their unique eldritch power show entry and exit points and portals to the Outer Realm.  This is where the Dhaebru come and go from. It's extremely dangerous to physical beings to cross through, but Dhaebru can take people in there with them and protect them from the negative effects within.  The Outer Realm is generally comprised generally caves and corridors that seem to have no rhyme or reason. Almost like the ruins of an ancient infinite fortress. Lighting comes from various crystals, fungi, and some creatures that wander the corridors.  One can often tell where a Sect lives as that area is usually closed off with rooms carved in the strange anceitn dark stone the Shadow Realm is made of, often closed off so the Dhaebru can stay safe from the various creatures that wander their Realm. <\/p>\r\nOrigins of the Dhaebru and Deepbloods<\/span> While Dhaebru do not know their own origin anymore, they were created alongside mysterious beings known as Aethyr by a pair of strange beings known as the Balance. The Balance was said to be a combination of Voidborn and Etherborn, a creature embodying both Light and Darkness. Wild and untamed, but also sensitive and sapient, the strange entity felt that the physical realms and all they contained was a precious gem that needed to be protected and preserved, and observed that the fragile Midworld and all its varied and beautiful life could be damaged by the Aether and the Eldritch Void. They themselves could not directly interfere, as their powerful energy could do great damage no matter their intentions, so they found another solution. They set out to protect it, by creating two realms, as buffers and barriers between Midworld and the dangerous realms layered around it. They then populated these buffers with beings that would serve as guardians and protectors and keep the balance and protect Midworld. Image of The Balance Goes Here Below is a basic example of dimensional layering and how it works. The lines are uneven. Some worlds are in the middle, not touching either. Some are close to the Eldritch Void, and gateways to the Dhaebru's Shadowrealm appear, allowing Dhaebru to enter the world and wander about. Some are closer to the Aethyr, allowing gateways to the Aethyr's homeworld to appear, and allowing Aethyr to wander the land. Some are close to both, having both Aethyr and Dhaebru present. Image of basic Dimensional Layering Goes Here<\/p>\r\nThe Outer Realm is a bit like a buffer between midworld and the dangerous and unstable Eldritch Void. Dhaebru were meant to seek out any intrusions of creatures or volatile energies from the Eldritch Void, and call their Warden over to destroy them, while they seal up the rift. Dhaebru actually need to enter Midworld to feed on the magical energy present there; causing them to need to wander about regularly, and making them have need of their gateways wherever they appear. Their draw to the disruption of the fabric of reality is the reason they often show up when dangerous magic is afoot, as their instincts draw them to it and they want to put a stop to it if it starts causing damage. Aethyr did the same within the Aether, and the two beings together kept Midworld in balance. This did not last, however, as contention soon started between the two races. The Aethyr felt that they were better than the Dhaebru, and tried to treat them as slaves. The Dhaebru and the Aethyr fought, then eventually parted ways. The Aethyr retreated into their realm, while Dhaebru remained within the Outer Realm and wander Midworld from time to time. All of this went down a very long time ago, near the beginning of the Universe itself.<\/p>\r\nAs for Deepbloods, a voidic entity interbred with a Dhaebru Warden several generations down the line, and a three hybrids were born of their union, known as the Deepbloods. When that Warden found their peaceful and natural end, the creature kept watch over the race, until another Warden caught their interest several generations later. This Warden, however, was a descendant of one of those original Deepbloods, and was power hungry. They wanted as pure an offspring as they could get because they felt that this bloodline was the origin of the Dhaebru race and wanted purity. When the child did not come out as they wanted, they killed the Void creature and abused the child, who eventually became the most evil being the Universe has ever known. This cruel being destroyed and stole the creatures power, and killed any Deepbloods they felt weren't pure enough, and all Deepblood are thought to be descended from this single cruel and vicious individual. As such, they have a very negative stigma, even among Dhaebru, who fear those who are of that bloodline, even if Deepbloods are very powerful protectors and are known to be extremely loyal, even moreso than a regular Warden.<\/p>","field3":null,"field4":null,"field5":null,"field6":null,"field7":null}},"title":"Dhaebru","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

Dhaebru

#145 1 July 2023, 16:03:40 UTC

Cryptid-Artha

Page Updated

Length: 8645 (+8210) - Show Raw Data

{"data":{"description":"Voidic shadow entities with two variants<\/p>","field1":"Dhaebru are a sapient and highly social eldritch creatures of shadow, spectral in nature. They are always seen robed in dark, tattered robes and usually have armor on as well, of varying designs depending on the individuals and their origin. The robes and armor are connected to a special amulet they wear on a  collar-like necklace that settles around their neck. This amulet has a direct connection to the Dhaebru's core, and can not be removed. Dhaebru are highly social beings, and hate being alone. If deprived of the company of another Dhaebru, they will gravitate towards any living thing, sapient or not, and cling to any company they can. They get extremely depressed and upset when they are alone for too long.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have two types. The smaller variety are the commonfolk of the species, simply called Dhaebru. They are roughly human sized, and the most commonly seen type. They regularly leave the Outer Realms, wandering various worlds seemingly at random. They are most often seen in the lands surrounding the portal to their world, usually marked by an obelisk of strange dark crystals. Dhaebru can be be spotted regularly wandering worlds that have a strong magical presence, but are not hostile unless threatened. They are most likely to slip away back into the Outer Realms, where they are safe. They have pale eyes gleaming out from beneath their hoods, and often throw off a spectral fog when startled, giving them cover to escape harm. Dhaebru are curious, but shy. If they can not get to safety, they will attack and they make short work of most physical beings.<\/p>\r\nThe larger variety is known as a Warden. Wardens are tall and powerful Dhaebru, known for their impressive stature, some individual reaching up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters tall. Wardens are protectors and leaders by nature. They are highly territorial, so it's rare to find more than one Warden within a sect unless one of them is a juvenile, or they are closely related, such as siblings or parent and child. Wardens rarely leave the Outer Realm. They are usually pretty calm, and can be downright lazy, but if you threaten their sect, they can kill even a heavily armored physical beings with little to no effort. Fortunately, most Wardens prefer to frighten off a potential threat, but if the threat returns, they don't take chances. Wardens are surprisingly maternal and have a tendency to be very possessive. If their sect is not threatened, a Warden is usually peaceful and will simply observe, but when attacked their true power shows. If a Warden wants to kill you, it's going to kill you, no questions about it.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are not to be mistaken with wraiths, demons, shadow people or ghosts. While they are wraith like, they are not true wraiths and they are not from the Infernus like demons. They are eldritch beings from a realm beyond the edge of reality. They have a large amount of strange Eldritch influence to them, but this is stabilized down by their robes and is the reason they wear them. The robes protect the Dhaebru from the world around then, but also protect the world from their otherworldly aura.<\/p>\r\nThey are mysterious creatures, and not many have had real contact with them. Regular Dhaebru are shy and skittish by nature, and most physical beings are terrified of them due to their dark appearance and power. They are also known to show up when dark magic is afoot. While they are attracted by the dark magic due to instincts to investigate and prevent harm, many associate them with it, and blame them for it. They have a dark and frightening reputation, meaning very few people truly know much about them.<\/p>\r\nThey are known to clash with a group of dangerous individuals known as the Order of the Eclipse. The Order are a mysterious and dangerous cult that once existed to protect humankind but twisted into something dangerous with an obcession for dark power. They actively hunt Dhaebru for their cores, which are used in their dark rituals. Most Dhaebru will attack and kill a member of the Order on sight, or turn tail and run.<\/p>","field2":null,"field3":null,"field4":null,"field5":null,"field6":null,"field7":null,"parsed":{"description":"Voidic shadow entities with two variants<\/p>","field1":"Dhaebru are a sapient and highly social eldritch creatures of shadow, spectral in nature. They are always seen robed in dark, tattered robes and usually have armor on as well, of varying designs depending on the individuals and their origin. The robes and armor are connected to a special amulet they wear on a  collar-like necklace that settles around their neck. This amulet has a direct connection to the Dhaebru's core, and can not be removed. Dhaebru are highly social beings, and hate being alone. If deprived of the company of another Dhaebru, they will gravitate towards any living thing, sapient or not, and cling to any company they can. They get extremely depressed and upset when they are alone for too long.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru have two types. The smaller variety are the commonfolk of the species, simply called Dhaebru. They are roughly human sized, and the most commonly seen type. They regularly leave the Outer Realms, wandering various worlds seemingly at random. They are most often seen in the lands surrounding the portal to their world, usually marked by an obelisk of strange dark crystals. Dhaebru can be be spotted regularly wandering worlds that have a strong magical presence, but are not hostile unless threatened. They are most likely to slip away back into the Outer Realms, where they are safe. They have pale eyes gleaming out from beneath their hoods, and often throw off a spectral fog when startled, giving them cover to escape harm. Dhaebru are curious, but shy. If they can not get to safety, they will attack and they make short work of most physical beings.<\/p>\r\nThe larger variety is known as a Warden. Wardens are tall and powerful Dhaebru, known for their impressive stature, some individual reaching up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters tall. Wardens are protectors and leaders by nature. They are highly territorial, so it's rare to find more than one Warden within a sect unless one of them is a juvenile, or they are closely related, such as siblings or parent and child. Wardens rarely leave the Outer Realm. They are usually pretty calm, and can be downright lazy, but if you threaten their sect, they can kill even a heavily armored physical beings with little to no effort. Fortunately, most Wardens prefer to frighten off a potential threat, but if the threat returns, they don't take chances. Wardens are surprisingly maternal and have a tendency to be very possessive. If their sect is not threatened, a Warden is usually peaceful and will simply observe, but when attacked their true power shows. If a Warden wants to kill you, it's going to kill you, no questions about it.<\/p>\r\nDhaebru are not to be mistaken with wraiths, demons, shadow people or ghosts. While they are wraith like, they are not true wraiths and they are not from the Infernus like demons. They are eldritch beings from a realm beyond the edge of reality. They have a large amount of strange Eldritch influence to them, but this is stabilized down by their robes and is the reason they wear them. The robes protect the Dhaebru from the world around then, but also protect the world from their otherworldly aura.<\/p>\r\nThey are mysterious creatures, and not many have had real contact with them. Regular Dhaebru are shy and skittish by nature, and most physical beings are terrified of them due to their dark appearance and power. They are also known to show up when dark magic is afoot. While they are attracted by the dark magic due to instincts to investigate and prevent harm, many associate them with it, and blame them for it. They have a dark and frightening reputation, meaning very few people truly know much about them.<\/p>\r\nThey are known to clash with a group of dangerous individuals known as the Order of the Eclipse. The Order are a mysterious and dangerous cult that once existed to protect humankind but twisted into something dangerous with an obcession for dark power. They actively hunt Dhaebru for their cores, which are used in their dark rituals. Most Dhaebru will attack and kill a member of the Order on sight, or turn tail and run.<\/p>","field2":null,"field3":null,"field4":null,"field5":null,"field6":null,"field7":null}},"title":"Dhaebru","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

Kivuuli

#144 1 July 2023, 11:20:46 UTC

Cryptid-Artha

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{"data":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\nCommon Variants: 0 Upgrade Tokens Uncommon Variants: 2 Upgrade Tokens Rare Variants: 6 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Variants: 10 Upgrade Tokens<\/p>\r\nUncommon Genes: 1 Upgrade Token Each Rare Genes: 5 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Genes: 10 Upgrade Tokens Common<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Normal\">Normal<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Dykuma\">Dykuma<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Malopuh%27rra\">Malopuh'rra<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Tundra\">Tundra<\/a> Uncommon <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kaplan\">Kaplan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Lippizan\">Lippizan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Met%27saa\">Met'saa<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Zanzibar\">Zanzibar<\/a> Rare <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Maltese\">Maltese<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Ember\">Ember<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Oriental\">Oriental<\/a> Mythic<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Proto-Built\">Protean Met'saa\/Proto-built<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Polar\">Polar<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Fancy\">Fancy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kivuuli%20Cross\">Crossbreeds<\/a> combine the upgrade cost of both, and will mainly be gotten through breeding Bases can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/1y1Xp6pEzs05AWxgv0_PUzJy-ZM1YTMbR\">here<\/a><\/p>\r\nHowever, they are completely optional! You don't even have to do all the views, you can move things around, add to it. Or you can draw your own.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent. They mainly keep to their wilder ways due to culture, and how volatile and ever-changing Between is. You can't exactly advance when the laws of reality around you are constantly changing!<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, severely injured, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. <\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and glowing particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are obligate carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits and similar for vitamins, minerals and fiber. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\nTeleportation<\/strong> - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare<\/strong> - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl<\/strong> - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine. Reality Bending<\/strong> - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sapient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties.  There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep. Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\nBelow is an elder Kivuuli, showing the greying. He is also scarred up.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/79_100_JsBUVWncegFgtLX.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"845\" height=\"1125\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: Females are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Heat and Mating<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli attract mates through scent and displays of strength and prowess.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males and will actually pay attention to their squabbles. She can become aggressive towards other females. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her pheromones rouse the males into excited anticipation; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. <\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes quite potent and easy to detect even from far away. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, grumbling and becoming downright cranky. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it. Heat is very uncomfortable at this stage, but it's just a matter of waiting of the female isn't interested in having a kit.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Pregnancy and Eggs<\/h4>\r\nA Kivuuli female will know within a few days if she is pregnant or not.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow.  It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It causes a lot of digestive upset. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits and children <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate.  Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 2-3 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. <\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are not considered adults yet, more like a 15-16 year old human. Sexually mature, but not mentally mature. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability. Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Arouns 12 years old, a Kivuuli will begin to go th rough puberty. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows more frequent and intense the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, as pregnancy would be hard on her body at that age. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. <\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length at around 18-20 years old. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur.  Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also sometimes have manes, ranging from a strip of fur down the spine to a full lionlike mane found in some Maltese.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is extremely for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips. They should have at least a darkening around the shoulders backs and hips, with some subtle striping or spotting around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur - The Kivuuli's for grows longer and thicker than usual<\/p>\r\nIntersex - (They are often either more masculine or more feminine, though nonbinary individuals are not uncommon. Nonbinary kivuuli generally appear between the size of the male and the size of the female, and aren't interested in dominance or engaging in the fights and spats their gendered counterparts do)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, Heavy or Fringed)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are very rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from one of the subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind, though healthy ones can appear among the ranks of Common Kivuuli.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nA good top is to select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it for the pupil and lighten it for the sclera. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye. Maltese have a black sclera, a trait not seen in any other variants.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Dykuma and Malopuh'rra, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal-like with some spotting, dappling and striping. Urban Puh'rra are slightly smaller and darker in color.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration. They can appear nearly white during the winter. You are free to add both winter and summer coats to their reference!<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color. The membranes between the spines match their flesh.<\/p>","parsed":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\nCommon Variants: 0 Upgrade Tokens Uncommon Variants: 2 Upgrade Tokens Rare Variants: 6 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Variants: 10 Upgrade Tokens<\/p>\r\nUncommon Genes: 1 Upgrade Token Each Rare Genes: 5 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Genes: 10 Upgrade Tokens Common<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Normal\">Normal<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Dykuma\">Dykuma<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Malopuh%27rra\">Malopuh'rra<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Tundra\">Tundra<\/a> Uncommon <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kaplan\">Kaplan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Lippizan\">Lippizan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Met%27saa\">Met'saa<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Zanzibar\">Zanzibar<\/a> Rare <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Maltese\">Maltese<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Ember\">Ember<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Oriental\">Oriental<\/a> Mythic<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Proto-Built\">Protean Met'saa\/Proto-built<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Polar\">Polar<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Fancy\">Fancy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kivuuli%20Cross\">Crossbreeds<\/a> combine the upgrade cost of both, and will mainly be gotten through breeding Bases can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/1y1Xp6pEzs05AWxgv0_PUzJy-ZM1YTMbR\">here<\/a><\/p>\r\nHowever, they are completely optional! You don't even have to do all the views, you can move things around, add to it. Or you can draw your own.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent. They mainly keep to their wilder ways due to culture, and how volatile and ever-changing Between is. You can't exactly advance when the laws of reality around you are constantly changing!<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, severely injured, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. <\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and glowing particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are obligate carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits and similar for vitamins, minerals and fiber. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\nTeleportation<\/strong> - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare<\/strong> - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl<\/strong> - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine. Reality Bending<\/strong> - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sapient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties.  There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep. Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\nBelow is an elder Kivuuli, showing the greying. He is also scarred up.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/79_100_JsBUVWncegFgtLX.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"845\" height=\"1125\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: Females are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Heat and Mating<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli attract mates through scent and displays of strength and prowess.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males and will actually pay attention to their squabbles. She can become aggressive towards other females. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her pheromones rouse the males into excited anticipation; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. <\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes quite potent and easy to detect even from far away. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, grumbling and becoming downright cranky. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it. Heat is very uncomfortable at this stage, but it's just a matter of waiting of the female isn't interested in having a kit.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Pregnancy and Eggs<\/h4>\r\nA Kivuuli female will know within a few days if she is pregnant or not.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow.  It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It causes a lot of digestive upset. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits and children <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate.  Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 2-3 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. <\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are not considered adults yet, more like a 15-16 year old human. Sexually mature, but not mentally mature. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability. Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Arouns 12 years old, a Kivuuli will begin to go th rough puberty. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows more frequent and intense the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, as pregnancy would be hard on her body at that age. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. <\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length at around 18-20 years old. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur.  Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also sometimes have manes, ranging from a strip of fur down the spine to a full lionlike mane found in some Maltese.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is extremely for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips. They should have at least a darkening around the shoulders backs and hips, with some subtle striping or spotting around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur - The Kivuuli's for grows longer and thicker than usual<\/p>\r\nIntersex - (They are often either more masculine or more feminine, though nonbinary individuals are not uncommon. Nonbinary kivuuli generally appear between the size of the male and the size of the female, and aren't interested in dominance or engaging in the fights and spats their gendered counterparts do)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, Heavy or Fringed)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are very rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from one of the subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind, though healthy ones can appear among the ranks of Common Kivuuli.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nA good top is to select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it for the pupil and lighten it for the sclera. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye. Maltese have a black sclera, a trait not seen in any other variants.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Dykuma and Malopuh'rra, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal-like with some spotting, dappling and striping. Urban Puh'rra are slightly smaller and darker in color.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration. They can appear nearly white during the winter. You are free to add both winter and summer coats to their reference!<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color. The membranes between the spines match their flesh.<\/p>"}},"title":"Kivuuli","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

Kivuuli

#143 30 June 2023, 23:28:55 UTC

Cryptid-Artha

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{"data":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\nCommon Variants: 0 Upgrade Tokens Uncommon Variants: 2 Upgrade Tokens Rare Variants: 6 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Variants: 10 Upgrade Tokens<\/p>\r\nUncommon Genes: 1 Upgrade Token Each Rare Genes: 5 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Genes: 10 Upgrade Tokens Common<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Normal\">Normal<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Dykuma\">Dykuma<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Malopuh%27rra\">Malopuh'rra<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Tundra\">Tundra<\/a> Uncommon <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kaplan\">Kaplan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Lippizan\">Lippizan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Met%27saa\">Met'saa<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Zanzibar\">Zanzibar<\/a> Rare <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Maltese\">Maltese<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Ember\">Ember<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Oriental\">Oriental<\/a> Mythic<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Proto-Built\">Protean Met'saa\/Proto-built<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Polar\">Polar<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Fancy\">Fancy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kivuuli%20Cross\">Crossbreeds<\/a> combine the upgrade cost of both, and will mainly be gotten through breeding Bases can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/1y1Xp6pEzs05AWxgv0_PUzJy-ZM1YTMbR\">here<\/a><\/p>\r\nHowever, they are completely optional! You don't even have to do all the views, you can move things around, add to it. Or you can draw your own.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent.<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. They are a sentient creature that lives in groups called Colonies. Dominance and leadership is dependent on the strength and cleverness of the individual. Females are bigger and stronger than males, as well as more aggressive and naturally more dominant. Male leaders are not only extremely rare, but are practically unheard of.<\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please. They don’t steal from eachother. A Kivuuli who does steal is often attacked by their fellows, and driven away if the action continues.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\n\u200b<\/p>\r\nTeleportation - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine.<\/p>\r\n Reality Bending - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sentient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them. They are matriarchal, with females naturally leading and males being far calmer and more docile.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties. Only the strong and clever make it back alive, for other worlds are packed with even more dangers to test a Kivuuli’s ability to survive. There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep.<\/p>\r\n Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\nBelow is an elder Kivuuli, showing the greying. He is also scarred up.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/79_100_JsBUVWncegFgtLX.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"845\" height=\"1125\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal and only emerge in a state of arousal. The male has a slit like sheath more towards the front of his crotch. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: The female has a slit on the bottom of her crotch, barely visable of at all from the front. The slit is subtle and less visable than the male's sheath like slit. A female has visible teats, though they are only really noticeable when she is carrying an egg, or nursing a hatchling.<\/p>\r\nFemales are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Heat and Mating<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli attract mates through scent.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males, and is easily excited. She can become aggressive. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her strong heat-scent rouses the males into excitement; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. Mating in this stage of heat will not end it, but it will shorten the time that she’s in it. Once a mate is chosen, they will mate repeatedly until her heat is over. It usually ends within 24 hours of her first mating.<\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes so strong the males can practically taste it on the air. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, and even whine and call their discomfort and need. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it with the occasional whine and shift of discomfort. The ache inside them grows so intense that even those who don’t want a child might mate just to get it over with.<\/p>\r\nThe males will scuffle and fight among themselves, and the strongest, healthiest males will compete to gain her attention. Once the female has chosen, the other males will give up and find another release. Often in the form of a female who is not in heat; since she can not become pregnant she does not care about the health or strength of the male.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators.<\/p>\r\nA Kivuuli female will know within a few days if she is pregnant or not.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nWhen nursing, the flesh swells a bit to push the nipples out of the fur, thus allowing the hatchling to nurse without getting a mouthful of its mother’s fur.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow.  It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It causes a lot of digestive upset. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate. It's an instinct to keep the nest site clean and smelling good, since Kivuuli noses are extremely sensitive. Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 3-5 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. As they get to be about 5 years old, they are weaned and eating solid food with ease. They are also able to eat raw meat by then.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are considered adults, even if not at full size yet at this age. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability.<\/p>\r\n Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows worse the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, since her body isn’t fully grown at this point and not likely able to sustain an offspring for long. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She is considered an adult at this age, but she usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. Even if she is sexually mature and considered an adult, she is not full size and not interested in mating. Most of the time, even if she DOES find a mate, it will not take since her body is not ready to sustain pregnancy.<\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length when she’s achieved her full size. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"Mutations and Variations The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli. Both parents must either have, or carry, the dewclaw gene for it to show in an offspring.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur. This is also recessive. Both parents must be carriers of the gene for it to pass on. Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli have a strip of longer fur that goes all the way down their spine.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is not uncommon for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur<\/p>\r\nHermaphrodite - (Either masculine or feminine hermaphrodite)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, or Heavy, light is common, medium and heavy is uncommon)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are extremely rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from a subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nI always select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Desert Kivuuli, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal like with some spotting, dappling and striping.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene that isn’t open. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration.<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color.<\/p>","parsed":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\nCommon Variants: 0 Upgrade Tokens Uncommon Variants: 2 Upgrade Tokens Rare Variants: 6 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Variants: 10 Upgrade Tokens<\/p>\r\nUncommon Genes: 1 Upgrade Token Each Rare Genes: 5 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Genes: 10 Upgrade Tokens Common<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Normal\">Normal<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Dykuma\">Dykuma<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Malopuh%27rra\">Malopuh'rra<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Tundra\">Tundra<\/a> Uncommon <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kaplan\">Kaplan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Lippizan\">Lippizan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Met%27saa\">Met'saa<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Zanzibar\">Zanzibar<\/a> Rare <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Maltese\">Maltese<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Ember\">Ember<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Oriental\">Oriental<\/a> Mythic<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Proto-Built\">Protean Met'saa\/Proto-built<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Polar\">Polar<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Fancy\">Fancy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kivuuli%20Cross\">Crossbreeds<\/a> combine the upgrade cost of both, and will mainly be gotten through breeding Bases can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/1y1Xp6pEzs05AWxgv0_PUzJy-ZM1YTMbR\">here<\/a><\/p>\r\nHowever, they are completely optional! You don't even have to do all the views, you can move things around, add to it. Or you can draw your own.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent.<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. They are a sentient creature that lives in groups called Colonies. Dominance and leadership is dependent on the strength and cleverness of the individual. Females are bigger and stronger than males, as well as more aggressive and naturally more dominant. Male leaders are not only extremely rare, but are practically unheard of.<\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please. They don’t steal from eachother. A Kivuuli who does steal is often attacked by their fellows, and driven away if the action continues.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\n\u200b<\/p>\r\nTeleportation - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine.<\/p>\r\n Reality Bending - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sentient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them. They are matriarchal, with females naturally leading and males being far calmer and more docile.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties. Only the strong and clever make it back alive, for other worlds are packed with even more dangers to test a Kivuuli’s ability to survive. There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep.<\/p>\r\n Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\nBelow is an elder Kivuuli, showing the greying. He is also scarred up.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/79_100_JsBUVWncegFgtLX.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"845\" height=\"1125\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal and only emerge in a state of arousal. The male has a slit like sheath more towards the front of his crotch. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: The female has a slit on the bottom of her crotch, barely visable of at all from the front. The slit is subtle and less visable than the male's sheath like slit. A female has visible teats, though they are only really noticeable when she is carrying an egg, or nursing a hatchling.<\/p>\r\nFemales are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Heat and Mating<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli attract mates through scent.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males, and is easily excited. She can become aggressive. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her strong heat-scent rouses the males into excitement; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. Mating in this stage of heat will not end it, but it will shorten the time that she’s in it. Once a mate is chosen, they will mate repeatedly until her heat is over. It usually ends within 24 hours of her first mating.<\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes so strong the males can practically taste it on the air. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, and even whine and call their discomfort and need. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it with the occasional whine and shift of discomfort. The ache inside them grows so intense that even those who don’t want a child might mate just to get it over with.<\/p>\r\nThe males will scuffle and fight among themselves, and the strongest, healthiest males will compete to gain her attention. Once the female has chosen, the other males will give up and find another release. Often in the form of a female who is not in heat; since she can not become pregnant she does not care about the health or strength of the male.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators.<\/p>\r\nA Kivuuli female will know within a few days if she is pregnant or not.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nWhen nursing, the flesh swells a bit to push the nipples out of the fur, thus allowing the hatchling to nurse without getting a mouthful of its mother’s fur.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow.  It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It causes a lot of digestive upset. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate. It's an instinct to keep the nest site clean and smelling good, since Kivuuli noses are extremely sensitive. Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 3-5 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. As they get to be about 5 years old, they are weaned and eating solid food with ease. They are also able to eat raw meat by then.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are considered adults, even if not at full size yet at this age. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability.<\/p>\r\n Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows worse the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, since her body isn’t fully grown at this point and not likely able to sustain an offspring for long. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She is considered an adult at this age, but she usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. Even if she is sexually mature and considered an adult, she is not full size and not interested in mating. Most of the time, even if she DOES find a mate, it will not take since her body is not ready to sustain pregnancy.<\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length when she’s achieved her full size. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"Mutations and Variations The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli. Both parents must either have, or carry, the dewclaw gene for it to show in an offspring.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur. This is also recessive. Both parents must be carriers of the gene for it to pass on. Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli have a strip of longer fur that goes all the way down their spine.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is not uncommon for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur<\/p>\r\nHermaphrodite - (Either masculine or feminine hermaphrodite)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, or Heavy, light is common, medium and heavy is uncommon)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are extremely rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from a subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nI always select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Desert Kivuuli, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal like with some spotting, dappling and striping.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene that isn’t open. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration.<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color.<\/p>"}},"title":"Kivuuli","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

Kivuuli

#142 30 June 2023, 23:09:25 UTC

Cryptid-Artha

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{"data":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\nCommon Variants: 0 Upgrade Tokens Uncommon Variants: 2 Upgrade Tokens Rare Variants: 6 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Variants: 10 Upgrade Tokens<\/p>\r\nUncommon Genes: 1 Upgrade Token Each Rare Genes: 5 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Genes: 10 Upgrade Tokens Common<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Normal\">Normal<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Dykuma\">Dykuma<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Malopuh%27rra\">Malopuh'rra<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Tundra\">Tundra<\/a> Uncommon <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kaplan\">Kaplan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Lippizan\">Lippizan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Met%27saa\">Met'saa<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Zanzibar\">Zanzibar<\/a> Rare <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Maltese\">Maltese<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Ember\">Ember<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Oriental\">Oriental<\/a> Mythic<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Proto-Built\">Protean Met'saa\/Proto-built<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Polar\">Polar<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Fancy\">Fancy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kivuuli%20Cross\">Crossbreeds<\/a> combine the upgrade cost of both, and will mainly be gotten through breeding Bases can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/1y1Xp6pEzs05AWxgv0_PUzJy-ZM1YTMbR\">here<\/a><\/p>\r\nHowever, they are completely optional! You don't even have to do all the views, you can move things around, add to it. Or you can draw your own.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent.<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. They are a sentient creature that lives in groups called Colonies. Dominance and leadership is dependent on the strength and cleverness of the individual. Females are bigger and stronger than males, as well as more aggressive and naturally more dominant. Male leaders are not only extremely rare, but are practically unheard of.<\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please. They don’t steal from eachother. A Kivuuli who does steal is often attacked by their fellows, and driven away if the action continues.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\n\u200b<\/p>\r\nTeleportation - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine.<\/p>\r\n Reality Bending - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sentient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them. They are matriarchal, with females naturally leading and males being far calmer and more docile.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties. Only the strong and clever make it back alive, for other worlds are packed with even more dangers to test a Kivuuli’s ability to survive. There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep.<\/p>\r\n Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\nBelow is an elder Kivuuli, showing the greying. He is also scarred up.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/79_100_JsBUVWncegFgtLX.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"845\" height=\"1125\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal and only emerge in a state of arousal. The male has a slit like sheath more towards the front of his crotch. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: The female has a slit on the bottom of her crotch, barely visable of at all from the front. The slit is subtle and less visable than the male's sheath like slit. A female has visible teats, though they are only really noticeable when she is carrying an egg, or nursing a hatchling.<\/p>\r\nFemales are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Heat and Mating<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli attract mates through scent.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males, and is easily aroused. Like a cat, a female in heat will groom herself frequently to deal with the wetness between the legs. While not water-based, it gets annoying. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her strong heat-scent rouses the males into excitement; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. Mating in this stage of heat will not end it, but it will shorten the time that she’s in it. Once a mate is chosen, they will mate repeatedly until her heat is over. It usually ends within 24 hours of her first mating.<\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes so strong the males can practically taste it on the air. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, and even whine and call their discomfort and need. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it with the occasional whine and shift of discomfort. The ache inside them grows so intense that even those who don’t want a child might mate just to get it over with.<\/p>\r\nThe males will scuffle and fight among themselves, and the strongest, healthiest males will compete to gain her attention. Once the female has chosen, the other males will give up and find another release. Often in the form of a female who is not in heat; since she can not become pregnant she does not care about the health or strength of the male.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators.<\/p>\r\nA Kivuuli female will know within a few days if she is pregnant or not.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nWhen nursing, the flesh swells a bit to push the nipples out of the fur, thus allowing the hatchling to nurse without getting a mouthful of its mother’s fur.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow.  It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It causes a lot of digestive upset. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate. It's an instinct to keep the nest site clean and smelling good, since Kivuuli noses are extremely sensitive. Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 3-5 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. As they get to be about 5 years old, they are weaned and eating solid food with ease. They are also able to eat raw meat by then.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are considered adults, even if not at full size yet at this age. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability.<\/p>\r\n Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows worse the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, since her body isn’t fully grown at this point and not likely able to sustain an offspring for long. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She is considered an adult at this age, but she usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. Even if she is sexually mature and considered an adult, she is not full size and not interested in mating. Most of the time, even if she DOES find a mate, it will not take since her body is not ready to sustain pregnancy.<\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length when she’s achieved her full size. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"Mutations and Variations The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli. Both parents must either have, or carry, the dewclaw gene for it to show in an offspring.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur. This is also recessive. Both parents must be carriers of the gene for it to pass on. Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli have a strip of longer fur that goes all the way down their spine.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is not uncommon for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur<\/p>\r\nHermaphrodite - (Either masculine or feminine hermaphrodite)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, or Heavy, light is common, medium and heavy is uncommon)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are extremely rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from a subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nI always select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Desert Kivuuli, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal like with some spotting, dappling and striping.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene that isn’t open. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration.<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color.<\/p>","parsed":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\nCommon Variants: 0 Upgrade Tokens Uncommon Variants: 2 Upgrade Tokens Rare Variants: 6 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Variants: 10 Upgrade Tokens<\/p>\r\nUncommon Genes: 1 Upgrade Token Each Rare Genes: 5 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Genes: 10 Upgrade Tokens Common<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Normal\">Normal<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Dykuma\">Dykuma<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Malopuh%27rra\">Malopuh'rra<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Tundra\">Tundra<\/a> Uncommon <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kaplan\">Kaplan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Lippizan\">Lippizan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Met%27saa\">Met'saa<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Zanzibar\">Zanzibar<\/a> Rare <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Maltese\">Maltese<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Ember\">Ember<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Oriental\">Oriental<\/a> Mythic<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Proto-Built\">Protean Met'saa\/Proto-built<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Polar\">Polar<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Fancy\">Fancy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kivuuli%20Cross\">Crossbreeds<\/a> combine the upgrade cost of both, and will mainly be gotten through breeding Bases can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/1y1Xp6pEzs05AWxgv0_PUzJy-ZM1YTMbR\">here<\/a><\/p>\r\nHowever, they are completely optional! You don't even have to do all the views, you can move things around, add to it. Or you can draw your own.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent.<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. They are a sentient creature that lives in groups called Colonies. Dominance and leadership is dependent on the strength and cleverness of the individual. Females are bigger and stronger than males, as well as more aggressive and naturally more dominant. Male leaders are not only extremely rare, but are practically unheard of.<\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please. They don’t steal from eachother. A Kivuuli who does steal is often attacked by their fellows, and driven away if the action continues.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\n\u200b<\/p>\r\nTeleportation - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine.<\/p>\r\n Reality Bending - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sentient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them. They are matriarchal, with females naturally leading and males being far calmer and more docile.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties. Only the strong and clever make it back alive, for other worlds are packed with even more dangers to test a Kivuuli’s ability to survive. There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep.<\/p>\r\n Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\nBelow is an elder Kivuuli, showing the greying. He is also scarred up.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/79_100_JsBUVWncegFgtLX.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"845\" height=\"1125\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal and only emerge in a state of arousal. The male has a slit like sheath more towards the front of his crotch. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: The female has a slit on the bottom of her crotch, barely visable of at all from the front. The slit is subtle and less visable than the male's sheath like slit. A female has visible teats, though they are only really noticeable when she is carrying an egg, or nursing a hatchling.<\/p>\r\nFemales are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Heat and Mating<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli attract mates through scent.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males, and is easily aroused. Like a cat, a female in heat will groom herself frequently to deal with the wetness between the legs. While not water-based, it gets annoying. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her strong heat-scent rouses the males into excitement; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. Mating in this stage of heat will not end it, but it will shorten the time that she’s in it. Once a mate is chosen, they will mate repeatedly until her heat is over. It usually ends within 24 hours of her first mating.<\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes so strong the males can practically taste it on the air. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, and even whine and call their discomfort and need. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it with the occasional whine and shift of discomfort. The ache inside them grows so intense that even those who don’t want a child might mate just to get it over with.<\/p>\r\nThe males will scuffle and fight among themselves, and the strongest, healthiest males will compete to gain her attention. Once the female has chosen, the other males will give up and find another release. Often in the form of a female who is not in heat; since she can not become pregnant she does not care about the health or strength of the male.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators.<\/p>\r\nA Kivuuli female will know within a few days if she is pregnant or not.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nWhen nursing, the flesh swells a bit to push the nipples out of the fur, thus allowing the hatchling to nurse without getting a mouthful of its mother’s fur.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow.  It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It causes a lot of digestive upset. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate. It's an instinct to keep the nest site clean and smelling good, since Kivuuli noses are extremely sensitive. Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 3-5 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. As they get to be about 5 years old, they are weaned and eating solid food with ease. They are also able to eat raw meat by then.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are considered adults, even if not at full size yet at this age. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability.<\/p>\r\n Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows worse the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, since her body isn’t fully grown at this point and not likely able to sustain an offspring for long. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She is considered an adult at this age, but she usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. Even if she is sexually mature and considered an adult, she is not full size and not interested in mating. Most of the time, even if she DOES find a mate, it will not take since her body is not ready to sustain pregnancy.<\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length when she’s achieved her full size. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"Mutations and Variations The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli. Both parents must either have, or carry, the dewclaw gene for it to show in an offspring.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur. This is also recessive. Both parents must be carriers of the gene for it to pass on. Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli have a strip of longer fur that goes all the way down their spine.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is not uncommon for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur<\/p>\r\nHermaphrodite - (Either masculine or feminine hermaphrodite)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, or Heavy, light is common, medium and heavy is uncommon)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are extremely rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from a subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nI always select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Desert Kivuuli, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal like with some spotting, dappling and striping.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene that isn’t open. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration.<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color.<\/p>"}},"title":"Kivuuli","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

Kivuuli

#141 30 June 2023, 23:07:40 UTC

Cryptid-Artha

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{"data":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\nCommon Variants: 0 Upgrade Tokens Uncommon Variants: 2 Upgrade Tokens Rare Variants: 6 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Variants: 10 Upgrade Tokens Common<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Normal\">Normal<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Dykuma\">Dykuma<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Malopuh%27rra\">Malopuh'rra<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Tundra\">Tundra<\/a> Uncommon <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kaplan\">Kaplan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Lippizan\">Lippizan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Met%27saa\">Met'saa<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Zanzibar\">Zanzibar<\/a> Rare <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Maltese\">Maltese<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Ember\">Ember<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Oriental\">Oriental<\/a> Mythic<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Proto-Built\">Protean Met'saa\/Proto-built<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Polar\">Polar<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Fancy\">Fancy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kivuuli%20Cross\">Crossbreeds<\/a> combine the upgrade cost of both, and will mainly be gotten through breeding <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent.<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. They are a sentient creature that lives in groups called Colonies. Dominance and leadership is dependent on the strength and cleverness of the individual. Females are bigger and stronger than males, as well as more aggressive and naturally more dominant. Male leaders are not only extremely rare, but are practically unheard of.<\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please. They don’t steal from eachother. A Kivuuli who does steal is often attacked by their fellows, and driven away if the action continues.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\n\u200b<\/p>\r\nTeleportation - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine.<\/p>\r\n Reality Bending - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sentient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them. They are matriarchal, with females naturally leading and males being far calmer and more docile.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties. Only the strong and clever make it back alive, for other worlds are packed with even more dangers to test a Kivuuli’s ability to survive. There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep.<\/p>\r\n Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\nBelow is an elder Kivuuli, showing the greying. He is also scarred up.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/79_100_JsBUVWncegFgtLX.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"845\" height=\"1125\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal and only emerge in a state of arousal. The male has a slit like sheath more towards the front of his crotch. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: The female has a slit on the bottom of her crotch, barely visable of at all from the front. The slit is subtle and less visable than the male's sheath like slit. A female has visible teats, though they are only really noticeable when she is carrying an egg, or nursing a hatchling.<\/p>\r\nFemales are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Heat and Mating<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli attract mates through scent.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males, and is easily aroused. Like a cat, a female in heat will groom herself frequently to deal with the wetness between the legs. While not water-based, it gets annoying. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her strong heat-scent rouses the males into excitement; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. Mating in this stage of heat will not end it, but it will shorten the time that she’s in it. Once a mate is chosen, they will mate repeatedly until her heat is over. It usually ends within 24 hours of her first mating.<\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes so strong the males can practically taste it on the air. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, and even whine and call their discomfort and need. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it with the occasional whine and shift of discomfort. The ache inside them grows so intense that even those who don’t want a child might mate just to get it over with.<\/p>\r\nThe males will scuffle and fight among themselves, and the strongest, healthiest males will compete to gain her attention. Once the female has chosen, the other males will give up and find another release. Often in the form of a female who is not in heat; since she can not become pregnant she does not care about the health or strength of the male.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators.<\/p>\r\nA Kivuuli female will know within a few days if she is pregnant or not.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nWhen nursing, the flesh swells a bit to push the nipples out of the fur, thus allowing the hatchling to nurse without getting a mouthful of its mother’s fur.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow.  It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It causes a lot of digestive upset. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate. It's an instinct to keep the nest site clean and smelling good, since Kivuuli noses are extremely sensitive. Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 3-5 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. As they get to be about 5 years old, they are weaned and eating solid food with ease. They are also able to eat raw meat by then.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are considered adults, even if not at full size yet at this age. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability.<\/p>\r\n Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows worse the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, since her body isn’t fully grown at this point and not likely able to sustain an offspring for long. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She is considered an adult at this age, but she usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. Even if she is sexually mature and considered an adult, she is not full size and not interested in mating. Most of the time, even if she DOES find a mate, it will not take since her body is not ready to sustain pregnancy.<\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length when she’s achieved her full size. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"Mutations and Variations The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli. Both parents must either have, or carry, the dewclaw gene for it to show in an offspring.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur. This is also recessive. Both parents must be carriers of the gene for it to pass on. Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli have a strip of longer fur that goes all the way down their spine.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is not uncommon for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur<\/p>\r\nHermaphrodite - (Either masculine or feminine hermaphrodite)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, or Heavy, light is common, medium and heavy is uncommon)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are extremely rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from a subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nI always select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Desert Kivuuli, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal like with some spotting, dappling and striping.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene that isn’t open. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration.<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color.<\/p>","parsed":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\nCommon Variants: 0 Upgrade Tokens Uncommon Variants: 2 Upgrade Tokens Rare Variants: 6 Upgrade Tokens Mythic Variants: 10 Upgrade Tokens Common<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Normal\">Normal<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Dykuma\">Dykuma<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Malopuh%27rra\">Malopuh'rra<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Tundra\">Tundra<\/a> Uncommon <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kaplan\">Kaplan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Lippizan\">Lippizan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Met%27saa\">Met'saa<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Zanzibar\">Zanzibar<\/a> Rare <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Maltese\">Maltese<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Ember\">Ember<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Oriental\">Oriental<\/a> Mythic<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Proto-Built\">Protean Met'saa\/Proto-built<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Polar\">Polar<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Fancy\">Fancy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/realms-between.com\/world\/subtypes?name=Kivuuli%20Cross\">Crossbreeds<\/a> combine the upgrade cost of both, and will mainly be gotten through breeding <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent.<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. They are a sentient creature that lives in groups called Colonies. Dominance and leadership is dependent on the strength and cleverness of the individual. Females are bigger and stronger than males, as well as more aggressive and naturally more dominant. Male leaders are not only extremely rare, but are practically unheard of.<\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please. They don’t steal from eachother. A Kivuuli who does steal is often attacked by their fellows, and driven away if the action continues.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\n\u200b<\/p>\r\nTeleportation - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine.<\/p>\r\n Reality Bending - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sentient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them. They are matriarchal, with females naturally leading and males being far calmer and more docile.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties. Only the strong and clever make it back alive, for other worlds are packed with even more dangers to test a Kivuuli’s ability to survive. There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep.<\/p>\r\n Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\nBelow is an elder Kivuuli, showing the greying. He is also scarred up.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/79_100_JsBUVWncegFgtLX.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"845\" height=\"1125\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal and only emerge in a state of arousal. The male has a slit like sheath more towards the front of his crotch. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: The female has a slit on the bottom of her crotch, barely visable of at all from the front. The slit is subtle and less visable than the male's sheath like slit. A female has visible teats, though they are only really noticeable when she is carrying an egg, or nursing a hatchling.<\/p>\r\nFemales are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Heat and Mating<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli attract mates through scent.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males, and is easily aroused. Like a cat, a female in heat will groom herself frequently to deal with the wetness between the legs. While not water-based, it gets annoying. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her strong heat-scent rouses the males into excitement; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. Mating in this stage of heat will not end it, but it will shorten the time that she’s in it. Once a mate is chosen, they will mate repeatedly until her heat is over. It usually ends within 24 hours of her first mating.<\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes so strong the males can practically taste it on the air. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, and even whine and call their discomfort and need. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it with the occasional whine and shift of discomfort. The ache inside them grows so intense that even those who don’t want a child might mate just to get it over with.<\/p>\r\nThe males will scuffle and fight among themselves, and the strongest, healthiest males will compete to gain her attention. Once the female has chosen, the other males will give up and find another release. Often in the form of a female who is not in heat; since she can not become pregnant she does not care about the health or strength of the male.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators.<\/p>\r\nA Kivuuli female will know within a few days if she is pregnant or not.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nWhen nursing, the flesh swells a bit to push the nipples out of the fur, thus allowing the hatchling to nurse without getting a mouthful of its mother’s fur.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow.  It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It causes a lot of digestive upset. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate. It's an instinct to keep the nest site clean and smelling good, since Kivuuli noses are extremely sensitive. Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 3-5 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. As they get to be about 5 years old, they are weaned and eating solid food with ease. They are also able to eat raw meat by then.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are considered adults, even if not at full size yet at this age. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability.<\/p>\r\n Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows worse the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, since her body isn’t fully grown at this point and not likely able to sustain an offspring for long. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She is considered an adult at this age, but she usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. Even if she is sexually mature and considered an adult, she is not full size and not interested in mating. Most of the time, even if she DOES find a mate, it will not take since her body is not ready to sustain pregnancy.<\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length when she’s achieved her full size. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"Mutations and Variations The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli. Both parents must either have, or carry, the dewclaw gene for it to show in an offspring.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur. This is also recessive. Both parents must be carriers of the gene for it to pass on. Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli have a strip of longer fur that goes all the way down their spine.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is not uncommon for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur<\/p>\r\nHermaphrodite - (Either masculine or feminine hermaphrodite)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, or Heavy, light is common, medium and heavy is uncommon)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are extremely rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from a subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nI always select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Desert Kivuuli, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal like with some spotting, dappling and striping.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene that isn’t open. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration.<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color.<\/p>"}},"title":"Kivuuli","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

Kivuuli

#140 30 June 2023, 22:22:09 UTC

Cryptid-Artha

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{"data":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent.<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. They are a sentient creature that lives in groups called Colonies. Dominance and leadership is dependent on the strength and cleverness of the individual. Females are bigger and stronger than males, as well as more aggressive and naturally more dominant. Male leaders are not only extremely rare, but are practically unheard of.<\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please. They don’t steal from eachother. A Kivuuli who does steal is often attacked by their fellows, and driven away if the action continues.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\n\u200b<\/p>\r\nTeleportation - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine.<\/p>\r\n Reality Bending - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sentient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them. They are matriarchal, with females naturally leading and males being far calmer and more docile.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties. Only the strong and clever make it back alive, for other worlds are packed with even more dangers to test a Kivuuli’s ability to survive. There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep.<\/p>\r\n Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\nBelow is an elder Kivuuli, showing the greying. He is also scarred up.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/79_100_JsBUVWncegFgtLX.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"845\" height=\"1125\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal and only emerge in a state of arousal. The male has a slit like sheath more towards the front of his crotch. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: The female has a slit on the bottom of her crotch, barely visable of at all from the front. The slit is subtle and less visable than the male's sheath like slit. A female has visible teats, though they are only really noticeable when she is carrying an egg, or nursing a hatchling.<\/p>\r\nFemales are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Heat and Mating<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli attract mates through scent.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males, and is easily aroused. Like a cat, a female in heat will groom herself frequently to deal with the wetness between the legs. While not water-based, it gets annoying. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her strong heat-scent rouses the males into excitement; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. Mating in this stage of heat will not end it, but it will shorten the time that she’s in it. Once a mate is chosen, they will mate repeatedly until her heat is over. It usually ends within 24 hours of her first mating.<\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes so strong the males can practically taste it on the air. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, and even whine and call their discomfort and need. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it with the occasional whine and shift of discomfort. The ache inside them grows so intense that even those who don’t want a child might mate just to get it over with.<\/p>\r\nThe males will scuffle and fight among themselves, and the strongest, healthiest males will compete to gain her attention. Once the female has chosen, the other males will give up and find another release. Often in the form of a female who is not in heat; since she can not become pregnant she does not care about the health or strength of the male.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators.<\/p>\r\nA Kivuuli female will know within a few days if she is pregnant or not.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nWhen nursing, the flesh swells a bit to push the nipples out of the fur, thus allowing the hatchling to nurse without getting a mouthful of its mother’s fur.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow.  It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It causes a lot of digestive upset. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate. It's an instinct to keep the nest site clean and smelling good, since Kivuuli noses are extremely sensitive. Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 3-5 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. As they get to be about 5 years old, they are weaned and eating solid food with ease. They are also able to eat raw meat by then.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are considered adults, even if not at full size yet at this age. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability.<\/p>\r\n Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows worse the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, since her body isn’t fully grown at this point and not likely able to sustain an offspring for long. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She is considered an adult at this age, but she usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. Even if she is sexually mature and considered an adult, she is not full size and not interested in mating. Most of the time, even if she DOES find a mate, it will not take since her body is not ready to sustain pregnancy.<\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length when she’s achieved her full size. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"Mutations and Variations The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli. Both parents must either have, or carry, the dewclaw gene for it to show in an offspring.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur. This is also recessive. Both parents must be carriers of the gene for it to pass on. Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli have a strip of longer fur that goes all the way down their spine.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is not uncommon for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur<\/p>\r\nHermaphrodite - (Either masculine or feminine hermaphrodite)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, or Heavy, light is common, medium and heavy is uncommon)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are extremely rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from a subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nI always select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Desert Kivuuli, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal like with some spotting, dappling and striping.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene that isn’t open. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration.<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color.<\/p>","parsed":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent.<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. They are a sentient creature that lives in groups called Colonies. Dominance and leadership is dependent on the strength and cleverness of the individual. Females are bigger and stronger than males, as well as more aggressive and naturally more dominant. Male leaders are not only extremely rare, but are practically unheard of.<\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please. They don’t steal from eachother. A Kivuuli who does steal is often attacked by their fellows, and driven away if the action continues.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\n\u200b<\/p>\r\nTeleportation - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine.<\/p>\r\n Reality Bending - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sentient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them. They are matriarchal, with females naturally leading and males being far calmer and more docile.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties. Only the strong and clever make it back alive, for other worlds are packed with even more dangers to test a Kivuuli’s ability to survive. There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep.<\/p>\r\n Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\nBelow is an elder Kivuuli, showing the greying. He is also scarred up.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/79_100_JsBUVWncegFgtLX.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"845\" height=\"1125\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal and only emerge in a state of arousal. The male has a slit like sheath more towards the front of his crotch. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: The female has a slit on the bottom of her crotch, barely visable of at all from the front. The slit is subtle and less visable than the male's sheath like slit. A female has visible teats, though they are only really noticeable when she is carrying an egg, or nursing a hatchling.<\/p>\r\nFemales are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Heat and Mating<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli attract mates through scent.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males, and is easily aroused. Like a cat, a female in heat will groom herself frequently to deal with the wetness between the legs. While not water-based, it gets annoying. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her strong heat-scent rouses the males into excitement; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. Mating in this stage of heat will not end it, but it will shorten the time that she’s in it. Once a mate is chosen, they will mate repeatedly until her heat is over. It usually ends within 24 hours of her first mating.<\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes so strong the males can practically taste it on the air. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, and even whine and call their discomfort and need. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it with the occasional whine and shift of discomfort. The ache inside them grows so intense that even those who don’t want a child might mate just to get it over with.<\/p>\r\nThe males will scuffle and fight among themselves, and the strongest, healthiest males will compete to gain her attention. Once the female has chosen, the other males will give up and find another release. Often in the form of a female who is not in heat; since she can not become pregnant she does not care about the health or strength of the male.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators.<\/p>\r\nA Kivuuli female will know within a few days if she is pregnant or not.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nWhen nursing, the flesh swells a bit to push the nipples out of the fur, thus allowing the hatchling to nurse without getting a mouthful of its mother’s fur.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow.  It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It causes a lot of digestive upset. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate. It's an instinct to keep the nest site clean and smelling good, since Kivuuli noses are extremely sensitive. Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 3-5 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. As they get to be about 5 years old, they are weaned and eating solid food with ease. They are also able to eat raw meat by then.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are considered adults, even if not at full size yet at this age. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability.<\/p>\r\n Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows worse the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, since her body isn’t fully grown at this point and not likely able to sustain an offspring for long. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She is considered an adult at this age, but she usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. Even if she is sexually mature and considered an adult, she is not full size and not interested in mating. Most of the time, even if she DOES find a mate, it will not take since her body is not ready to sustain pregnancy.<\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length when she’s achieved her full size. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"Mutations and Variations The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli. Both parents must either have, or carry, the dewclaw gene for it to show in an offspring.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur. This is also recessive. Both parents must be carriers of the gene for it to pass on. Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli have a strip of longer fur that goes all the way down their spine.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is not uncommon for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur<\/p>\r\nHermaphrodite - (Either masculine or feminine hermaphrodite)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, or Heavy, light is common, medium and heavy is uncommon)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are extremely rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from a subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nI always select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Desert Kivuuli, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal like with some spotting, dappling and striping.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene that isn’t open. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration.<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color.<\/p>"}},"title":"Kivuuli","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

Kivuuli

#139 30 June 2023, 18:17:49 UTC

Cryptid-Artha

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{"data":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent.<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. They are a sentient creature that lives in groups called Colonies. Dominance and leadership is dependent on the strength and cleverness of the individual. Females are bigger and stronger than males, as well as more aggressive and naturally more dominant. Male leaders are not only extremely rare, but are practically unheard of.<\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please. They don’t steal from eachother. A Kivuuli who does steal is often attacked by their fellows, and driven away if the action continues.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\nWhen it comes out the other end, it looks like very large rabbit droppings and simply crumbles to dust if stepped on. Has little to no smell. <\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\n\u200b<\/p>\r\nTeleportation - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine.<\/p>\r\n Reality Bending - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sentient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them. They are matriarchal, with females naturally leading and males being far calmer and more docile.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties. Only the strong and clever make it back alive, for other worlds are packed with even more dangers to test a Kivuuli’s ability to survive. There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep.<\/p>\r\n Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\nBelow is an elder Kivuuli, showing the greying. He is also scarred up.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/79_100_JsBUVWncegFgtLX.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"845\" height=\"1125\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal and only emerge in a state of arousal. The male has a slit like sheath more towards the front of his crotch. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: The female has a slit on the bottom of her crotch, barely visable of at all from the front. The slit is subtle and less visable than the male's sheath like slit. A female has visible teats, though they are only really noticeable when she is carrying an egg, or nursing a hatchling.<\/p>\r\nFemales are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Heat and Mating<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli attract mates through scent.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males, and is easily aroused. Like a cat, a female in heat will groom herself frequently to deal with the wetness between the legs. While not water-based, it gets annoying. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her strong heat-scent rouses the males into excitement; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. Mating in this stage of heat will not end it, but it will shorten the time that she’s in it. Once a mate is chosen, they will mate repeatedly until her heat is over. It usually ends within 24 hours of her first mating.<\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes so strong the males can practically taste it on the air. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, and even whine and call their discomfort and need. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it with the occasional whine and shift of discomfort. The ache inside them grows so intense that even those who don’t want a child might mate just to get it over with.<\/p>\r\nThe males will scuffle and fight among themselves, and the strongest, healthiest males will compete to gain her attention. Once the female has chosen, the other males will give up and find another release. Often in the form of a female who is not in heat; since she can not become pregnant she does not care about the health or strength of the male.<\/p>\r\n Even though Kivuuli generally mate very roughly, with growling and biting and claws involved, it is always consensual. A Kivuuli who tries to take a mate against their will will be turned on and killed by their Colony.<\/p>\r\n Once the female chooses her suitor and mating occurs, her heat will either be shortened, or end completely. She signals that she is ready by getting into the presenting position. Crouching down, revealing the thickly furred ruff on her back, and raising her rear into the air. Even if mating doesn’t always happen in this position, it’s considered a sign of acceptance, even if she plays hard to get afterwards. Kivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators. Without the proper stimulation, the heat will end but she won’t become pregnant. Even if stimulated, the male must have strong seed or her body will kill it all before it fertilizes her. While they will mate repeatedly, the first one is the one that triggers the end of the heat, and thus, after that first one, stimulation will not cause ovulation if it hasn’t already.<\/p>\r\nIt takes a few days to know if the mating was successful. After a few days, if the mating was successful, her scent will change to announce that she is pregnant. She will also fail to shed, since the shed will be delayed until a week before laying. Female Kivuuli shed a week after heat. If it does not take and she sheds, she will have to wait until her next heat cycle to try again; usually with a different male. \u200b Gestation<\/p>\r\n With the exception of very few isolated colonies, Kivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nWhen nursing, the flesh swells a bit to push the nipples out of the fur, thus allowing the hatchling to nurse without getting a mouthful of its mother’s fur.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow. Kivuuli kits who nurse on their mother grow up bigger and stronger as adults, and generally have a higher chance of being more dominant. It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nA human baby could drink Kivuuli’s milk but couldn’t survive off of it unless water was added to it. Kivuuli’s milk contains no water whatsoever. It is high in protein, with a moderate amount of fat, and harder on the digestive system than human milk. It isn’t dangerous but will not meet a human’s needs properly. If water is added a human baby can survive off of it but won’t be at ideal health and it would likely cause a lot of gas and intestinal discomfort being designed for a baby with a much stronger digestive system. It would pose no problems for an adult, and is highly nutritious with natural healing properties as well as infection fighting properties. An adult human or other meat-eating animal could survive off of it as long as they had access to water to stay hydrated.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It makes them very, very sick. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nA Kivuuli hatchling would be unable to survive on the milk of any terrestrial mammal. It contains way too much water and their little tummies can’t handle it, not to mention their lactose intolerance. An adult Kivuuli can ingest the milk of terrestrial mammals, but it does cause a lot of digestive upset, cramping, nausea, and vomiting. The digestive issues can become severe enough to kill a kit, though an adult can survive it. It would just make them very sick. It does not contain the proper nutrients so if the kit did manage to survive the lactose and water, it would slowly deteriorate in health until it died of malnutrition. Their digestive systems are more advanced so they can be fed mashed cooked (Not raw) meat or anything else high in protein if taken in and raised by a human or a member of another race. Mixing ground up bones and the organs of the animal can add to the nutrition and help the kit more. Some that start off being nursed, though, will utterly refuse solid food.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate. It's an instinct to keep the nest site clean and smelling good, since Kivuuli noses are extremely sensitive. Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 3-5 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. As they get to be about 5 years old, they are weaned and eating solid food with ease. They are also able to eat raw meat by then.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are considered adults, even if not at full size yet at this age. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability.<\/p>\r\n Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows worse the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, since her body isn’t fully grown at this point and not likely able to sustain an offspring for long. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She is considered an adult at this age, but she usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. Even if she is sexually mature and considered an adult, she is not full size and not interested in mating. Most of the time, even if she DOES find a mate, it will not take since her body is not ready to sustain pregnancy.<\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length when she’s achieved her full size. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"Mutations and Variations The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli. Both parents must either have, or carry, the dewclaw gene for it to show in an offspring.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur. This is also recessive. Both parents must be carriers of the gene for it to pass on. Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli have a strip of longer fur that goes all the way down their spine.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is not uncommon for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur<\/p>\r\nHermaphrodite - (Either masculine or feminine hermaphrodite)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, or Heavy, light is common, medium and heavy is uncommon)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are extremely rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from a subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nI always select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Desert Kivuuli, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal like with some spotting, dappling and striping.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene that isn’t open. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration.<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color.<\/p>","parsed":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent.<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. They are a sentient creature that lives in groups called Colonies. Dominance and leadership is dependent on the strength and cleverness of the individual. Females are bigger and stronger than males, as well as more aggressive and naturally more dominant. Male leaders are not only extremely rare, but are practically unheard of.<\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please. They don’t steal from eachother. A Kivuuli who does steal is often attacked by their fellows, and driven away if the action continues.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\nWhen it comes out the other end, it looks like very large rabbit droppings and simply crumbles to dust if stepped on. Has little to no smell. <\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\n\u200b<\/p>\r\nTeleportation - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine.<\/p>\r\n Reality Bending - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sentient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them. They are matriarchal, with females naturally leading and males being far calmer and more docile.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties. Only the strong and clever make it back alive, for other worlds are packed with even more dangers to test a Kivuuli’s ability to survive. There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep.<\/p>\r\n Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\nBelow is an elder Kivuuli, showing the greying. He is also scarred up.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/79_100_JsBUVWncegFgtLX.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"845\" height=\"1125\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal and only emerge in a state of arousal. The male has a slit like sheath more towards the front of his crotch. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: The female has a slit on the bottom of her crotch, barely visable of at all from the front. The slit is subtle and less visable than the male's sheath like slit. A female has visible teats, though they are only really noticeable when she is carrying an egg, or nursing a hatchling.<\/p>\r\nFemales are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Heat and Mating<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli attract mates through scent.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males, and is easily aroused. Like a cat, a female in heat will groom herself frequently to deal with the wetness between the legs. While not water-based, it gets annoying. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her strong heat-scent rouses the males into excitement; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. Mating in this stage of heat will not end it, but it will shorten the time that she’s in it. Once a mate is chosen, they will mate repeatedly until her heat is over. It usually ends within 24 hours of her first mating.<\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes so strong the males can practically taste it on the air. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, and even whine and call their discomfort and need. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it with the occasional whine and shift of discomfort. The ache inside them grows so intense that even those who don’t want a child might mate just to get it over with.<\/p>\r\nThe males will scuffle and fight among themselves, and the strongest, healthiest males will compete to gain her attention. Once the female has chosen, the other males will give up and find another release. Often in the form of a female who is not in heat; since she can not become pregnant she does not care about the health or strength of the male.<\/p>\r\n Even though Kivuuli generally mate very roughly, with growling and biting and claws involved, it is always consensual. A Kivuuli who tries to take a mate against their will will be turned on and killed by their Colony.<\/p>\r\n Once the female chooses her suitor and mating occurs, her heat will either be shortened, or end completely. She signals that she is ready by getting into the presenting position. Crouching down, revealing the thickly furred ruff on her back, and raising her rear into the air. Even if mating doesn’t always happen in this position, it’s considered a sign of acceptance, even if she plays hard to get afterwards. Kivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators. Without the proper stimulation, the heat will end but she won’t become pregnant. Even if stimulated, the male must have strong seed or her body will kill it all before it fertilizes her. While they will mate repeatedly, the first one is the one that triggers the end of the heat, and thus, after that first one, stimulation will not cause ovulation if it hasn’t already.<\/p>\r\nIt takes a few days to know if the mating was successful. After a few days, if the mating was successful, her scent will change to announce that she is pregnant. She will also fail to shed, since the shed will be delayed until a week before laying. Female Kivuuli shed a week after heat. If it does not take and she sheds, she will have to wait until her next heat cycle to try again; usually with a different male. \u200b Gestation<\/p>\r\n With the exception of very few isolated colonies, Kivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nWhen nursing, the flesh swells a bit to push the nipples out of the fur, thus allowing the hatchling to nurse without getting a mouthful of its mother’s fur.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow. Kivuuli kits who nurse on their mother grow up bigger and stronger as adults, and generally have a higher chance of being more dominant. It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nA human baby could drink Kivuuli’s milk but couldn’t survive off of it unless water was added to it. Kivuuli’s milk contains no water whatsoever. It is high in protein, with a moderate amount of fat, and harder on the digestive system than human milk. It isn’t dangerous but will not meet a human’s needs properly. If water is added a human baby can survive off of it but won’t be at ideal health and it would likely cause a lot of gas and intestinal discomfort being designed for a baby with a much stronger digestive system. It would pose no problems for an adult, and is highly nutritious with natural healing properties as well as infection fighting properties. An adult human or other meat-eating animal could survive off of it as long as they had access to water to stay hydrated.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It makes them very, very sick. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nA Kivuuli hatchling would be unable to survive on the milk of any terrestrial mammal. It contains way too much water and their little tummies can’t handle it, not to mention their lactose intolerance. An adult Kivuuli can ingest the milk of terrestrial mammals, but it does cause a lot of digestive upset, cramping, nausea, and vomiting. The digestive issues can become severe enough to kill a kit, though an adult can survive it. It would just make them very sick. It does not contain the proper nutrients so if the kit did manage to survive the lactose and water, it would slowly deteriorate in health until it died of malnutrition. Their digestive systems are more advanced so they can be fed mashed cooked (Not raw) meat or anything else high in protein if taken in and raised by a human or a member of another race. Mixing ground up bones and the organs of the animal can add to the nutrition and help the kit more. Some that start off being nursed, though, will utterly refuse solid food.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate. It's an instinct to keep the nest site clean and smelling good, since Kivuuli noses are extremely sensitive. Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 3-5 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. As they get to be about 5 years old, they are weaned and eating solid food with ease. They are also able to eat raw meat by then.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are considered adults, even if not at full size yet at this age. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability.<\/p>\r\n Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows worse the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, since her body isn’t fully grown at this point and not likely able to sustain an offspring for long. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She is considered an adult at this age, but she usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. Even if she is sexually mature and considered an adult, she is not full size and not interested in mating. Most of the time, even if she DOES find a mate, it will not take since her body is not ready to sustain pregnancy.<\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length when she’s achieved her full size. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"Mutations and Variations The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli. Both parents must either have, or carry, the dewclaw gene for it to show in an offspring.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur. This is also recessive. Both parents must be carriers of the gene for it to pass on. Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli have a strip of longer fur that goes all the way down their spine.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is not uncommon for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur<\/p>\r\nHermaphrodite - (Either masculine or feminine hermaphrodite)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, or Heavy, light is common, medium and heavy is uncommon)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are extremely rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from a subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nI always select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Desert Kivuuli, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal like with some spotting, dappling and striping.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene that isn’t open. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration.<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color.<\/p>"}},"title":"Kivuuli","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

Kivuuli

#138 30 June 2023, 18:10:46 UTC

Cryptid-Artha

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{"data":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent.<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. They are a sentient creature that lives in groups called Colonies. Dominance and leadership is dependent on the strength and cleverness of the individual. Females are bigger and stronger than males, as well as more aggressive and naturally more dominant. Male leaders are not only extremely rare, but are practically unheard of.<\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please. They don’t steal from eachother. A Kivuuli who does steal is often attacked by their fellows, and driven away if the action continues.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\nWhen it comes out the other end, it looks like very large rabbit droppings and simply crumbles to dust if stepped on. Has little to no smell. <\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\n\u200b<\/p>\r\nTeleportation - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine.<\/p>\r\n Reality Bending - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sentient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them. They are matriarchal, with females naturally leading and males being far calmer and more docile.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties. Only the strong and clever make it back alive, for other worlds are packed with even more dangers to test a Kivuuli’s ability to survive. There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep.<\/p>\r\n Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal and only emerge in a state of arousal. The male has a slit like sheath more towards the front of his crotch. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: The female has a slit on the bottom of her crotch, barely visable of at all from the front. The slit is subtle and less visable than the male's sheath like slit. A female has visible teats, though they are only really noticeable when she is carrying an egg, or nursing a hatchling.<\/p>\r\nFemales are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\nHeat and Mating Kivuuli attract mates through scent.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males, and is easily aroused. Like a cat, a female in heat will groom herself frequently to deal with the wetness between the legs. While not water-based, it gets annoying. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her strong heat-scent rouses the males into excitement; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. Mating in this stage of heat will not end it, but it will shorten the time that she’s in it. Once a mate is chosen, they will mate repeatedly until her heat is over. It usually ends within 24 hours of her first mating.<\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes so strong the males can practically taste it on the air. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, and even whine and call their discomfort and need. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it with the occasional whine and shift of discomfort. The ache inside them grows so intense that even those who don’t want a child might mate just to get it over with.<\/p>\r\nThe males will scuffle and fight among themselves, and the strongest, healthiest males will compete to gain her attention. Once the female has chosen, the other males will give up and find another release. Often in the form of a female who is not in heat; since she can not become pregnant she does not care about the health or strength of the male.<\/p>\r\n Even though Kivuuli generally mate very roughly, with growling and biting and claws involved, it is always consensual. A Kivuuli who tries to take a mate against their will will be turned on and killed by their Colony.<\/p>\r\n Once the female chooses her suitor and mating occurs, her heat will either be shortened, or end completely. She signals that she is ready by getting into the presenting position. Crouching down, revealing the thickly furred ruff on her back, and raising her rear into the air. Even if mating doesn’t always happen in this position, it’s considered a sign of acceptance, even if she plays hard to get afterwards. Kivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators. Without the proper stimulation, the heat will end but she won’t become pregnant. Even if stimulated, the male must have strong seed or her body will kill it all before it fertilizes her. While they will mate repeatedly, the first one is the one that triggers the end of the heat, and thus, after that first one, stimulation will not cause ovulation if it hasn’t already.<\/p>\r\nIt takes a few days to know if the mating was successful. After a few days, if the mating was successful, her scent will change to announce that she is pregnant. She will also fail to shed, since the shed will be delayed until a week before laying. Female Kivuuli shed a week after heat. If it does not take and she sheds, she will have to wait until her next heat cycle to try again; usually with a different male. \u200b Gestation<\/p>\r\n With the exception of very few isolated colonies, Kivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nWhen nursing, the flesh swells a bit to push the nipples out of the fur, thus allowing the hatchling to nurse without getting a mouthful of its mother’s fur.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow. Kivuuli kits who nurse on their mother grow up bigger and stronger as adults, and generally have a higher chance of being more dominant. It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nA human baby could drink Kivuuli’s milk but couldn’t survive off of it unless water was added to it. Kivuuli’s milk contains no water whatsoever. It is high in protein, with a moderate amount of fat, and harder on the digestive system than human milk. It isn’t dangerous but will not meet a human’s needs properly. If water is added a human baby can survive off of it but won’t be at ideal health and it would likely cause a lot of gas and intestinal discomfort being designed for a baby with a much stronger digestive system. It would pose no problems for an adult, and is highly nutritious with natural healing properties as well as infection fighting properties. An adult human or other meat-eating animal could survive off of it as long as they had access to water to stay hydrated.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It makes them very, very sick. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nA Kivuuli hatchling would be unable to survive on the milk of any terrestrial mammal. It contains way too much water and their little tummies can’t handle it, not to mention their lactose intolerance. An adult Kivuuli can ingest the milk of terrestrial mammals, but it does cause a lot of digestive upset, cramping, nausea, and vomiting. The digestive issues can become severe enough to kill a kit, though an adult can survive it. It would just make them very sick. It does not contain the proper nutrients so if the kit did manage to survive the lactose and water, it would slowly deteriorate in health until it died of malnutrition. Their digestive systems are more advanced so they can be fed mashed cooked (Not raw) meat or anything else high in protein if taken in and raised by a human or a member of another race. Mixing ground up bones and the organs of the animal can add to the nutrition and help the kit more. Some that start off being nursed, though, will utterly refuse solid food.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate. It's an instinct to keep the nest site clean and smelling good, since Kivuuli noses are extremely sensitive. Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 3-5 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. As they get to be about 5 years old, they are weaned and eating solid food with ease. They are also able to eat raw meat by then.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are considered adults, even if not at full size yet at this age. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability.<\/p>\r\n Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows worse the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, since her body isn’t fully grown at this point and not likely able to sustain an offspring for long. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She is considered an adult at this age, but she usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. Even if she is sexually mature and considered an adult, she is not full size and not interested in mating. Most of the time, even if she DOES find a mate, it will not take since her body is not ready to sustain pregnancy.<\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length when she’s achieved her full size. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"Mutations and Variations The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli. Both parents must either have, or carry, the dewclaw gene for it to show in an offspring.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur. This is also recessive. Both parents must be carriers of the gene for it to pass on. Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli have a strip of longer fur that goes all the way down their spine.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is not uncommon for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur<\/p>\r\nHermaphrodite - (Either masculine or feminine hermaphrodite)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, or Heavy, light is common, medium and heavy is uncommon)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are extremely rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from a subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nI always select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Desert Kivuuli, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal like with some spotting, dappling and striping.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene that isn’t open. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration.<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color.<\/p>","parsed":{"description":"The Kivuuli, a mysterious and powerful interdimensional semi-humanoid creature. They are rumored to hold the key to the Realms Between.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/51_71_v2WNimjzblhbLTI.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1158\" height=\"936\" \/><\/p>","field1":"Kivuuli are a tall and powerful carnivorous furred semi-humanoid inter-dimensional race. They are generally black or dark grey with blue, green, or purple eyes and usually have slightly darker markings in stripes, spots, or a combination of the two that only show under certain light. There are several subspecies with different colors and markings being common from the warm reds of the forest dwelling Met'saa to the whites of the Lippizan to the blue grays of the Maltese or the golden color of Desert Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nThey are elongated in build, with long limbs and are as comfortable on all fours as they are on two feet. They are incredibly wild, but generally won't attack unless attacked or threatened. Kivuuli are fully sapient and a social species. Despite their fearsome appearance, Kivuuli are a gentle and peaceful race with strong maternal instincts appearing in both males and females.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very fast, especially when on all fours and live in groups known as Colonies.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/46_96_J8ebzKgaMxzPVmT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1166\" height=\"940\" \/><\/p>","field2":"<h4>Between; Homeworld of the Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n Imagine the air around you, full of bubbles. Now imagine that each of these bubbles is its own dimension. It's own universe. Has its own laws, and inner workings. Now, imagine all the space between the bubbles. A strange place, between the dimensions; ever shifting and changing. This is where the Kivuuli dwell and come from. The rules of physics do not apply; great islands of stone float through the darkness, covered in forests of strange bioluminescent fungus-like plants and other strange flora. Inhabited by strange creatures of all shapes and sizes, from tiny glowing dragonlike lizards to massive beasts that would put Earth's dinosaurs to shame. Literally anything can happen in Between, any sort of creature, any world, any dimension, any universe. The Kivuuli can reach many worlds and this is part of the reason for their great success as an apex predator.<\/p>\r\nHarsh, but oddly beautiful, Between is buzzing with strange power and magic and the magical rules and laws of hundreds of dimensions, worlds, and universes clashing together in beautiful chaos. The areas of Between are effected by the laws of the dimensions and worlds closest to them; making Between highly varied. Between is beautiful; but as beautiful as it is it is deadly, thus the Kivuuli have had to adapt in to fast, powerful pack hunting predators that have claws that can slash through granite and a terrible shrieking wail that can drive fear into the hearts of the bravest.<\/p>\r\nThey are fast, able to teleport, and able to face creatures several times their size. This strange place has many names. Darkrealm, Tartarus, Limbo; but many simply call this place the Between; for this is what it is. The realm between dimensions. A strange and mysterious place; beautiful to behold but deadly to those not from there. While most of Between is completely dark aside from glimmers of light here and there and bioluminsecent plants and animals, some isles are ruled by a great orb of energy mimicking a sun. Some have their own weather patterns and day night cycles. Cracks and passages between dimensions are always opening and closing, allowing Kivuuli the ability to enter and leave Between at will, though they must be careful as some rifts are temporary and could close and leave them stranded in a strange and unfamiliar world. Others, still, are horribly unstable and deadly and could rip an unsuspecting Kivuuli to shreds leaving nothing but splatters of blood and the memory of their horrible screams.<\/p>","field3":"<h4>Calls, Vocalizations and Language<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli voices have a strange, otherworldly quality to them. They sound almost distorted, with a clear staticy crackling undertone. This is likely because of their interdimensional nature.<\/p>\r\nTheir voices are often deep, with a growl or purr like sound mixed in. A Kivuuli speaking is much what a person might imagine a lion’s voice would sound like if it learned to speak. They tend to have emphasis on sharper sounds, like k, z, v, and such, and their r’s are often lengthened slightly in a slight growl or purr. They are fully capable of learning languages aside from their own and, in fact, Kivuuli learn incredibly fast. Despite their wild primitive ways, they are incredibly intelligent.<\/p>\r\nOutside of speech, they have a whole range of natural vocalizations. When excited or friendly, they let out a sound similar to a chittering cat. Though much deeper and lower in tone. This sound is often used by playful kits, or adults trying to show they mean no harm. Kivuuli also purr. It’s a deep, heavy rumbling sound with a bit of static to it.<\/p>\r\nThey chitter, chirp, chuff, rumble, growl, purr, hiss, click, snarl, roar, howl, and many other sounds.<\/p>\r\nChirping is used to call and greet fellow members of their Colony. The chuff is similar to a chuffing tiger, and they use this to greet loved ones and family or close friends. The rumble and growl show varying levels of irritation and\/or anger, eventually leading to a wild snarling or finally, their terrible howl or roar.<\/p>\r\nPurring is an expression of pleasure and contentment.<\/p>\r\nWhen injured, they let out soft whimpers and whines.<\/p>\r\nWhen sad, they will either be very quiet, whimper softly, or let out a heartbreaking wail when mourning the death of a loved one.<\/p>\r\nTheir language incorporates all of these vocalizations. And they even integrate this when speaking other languages as well.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli also rely strongly on body language. The position of one’s ears, tone of voice, and posture can change the meaning of what they are trying to say. Looking at the position of the ears is a great way to tell what mood a Kivuuli is in. When neutral, the ears are out slightly to the sides and in a relaxed position. When alert or shocked, their ears perk up and swivel forward. Their ears often flick and swivel towards any sound, and many times they detect sounds other creatures will not.<\/p>\r\nWhen angry, their ears go back, and they lower their ears when sad, or trying to show submission. Higher ranking Kivuuli generally tend to hold their ears perked higher than lower ranking Kivuuli.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli can also make a strange tonal almost… droning sound. Somewhere between a thrum and a rumble, it can promote relaxation or healing. The sound is, indeed, very strange. And it is something that is rarely heard among Kivuuli so it is theorized that only a few of them are capable of, or know how to, produce this sound.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Culture, Customs and Heirarchy<\/h4>\r\n Not much is known of Kivuuli culture and customs, but it can be very complex even if it seems deceptively simple. Their customs are a mix between their wild and feral nature and their sapience. In some ways they can be considered very primitive, though not savage. In reality, Kivuuli believe strongly in living with the land. When living somewhere, they are very careful to preserve the balance of nature. They do not chase other predators out of their territory, and never over-hunt. They only take what they need, and use as much of their prey as they can. They use the pelts and fur in their nests, make things from their bones, horns, or hooves, and eat every part they are able to.<\/p>\r\nMost Kivuuli do not mate for life. As such, they do not have any ceremonies or weddings. Among Kivuuli, a Colony is a family. They do not have surnames, nor do they need them. Reproduction has nothing to do with feelings of love, but rather to make offspring. Kivuuli do sometimes mate for life, but this is fairly rare. Even those who are lifemates will sometimes mate with others and this is not considered cheating. It is completely normal, since it helps spread out the gene pool.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli hierarchy is very pack like. Their groups are referred to as Colonies, though some call them Clans. A Colony is lead by the Dominant Female, or Alpha Female. Males in higher positions are extremely rare. The highest ranking male or males are known as Betas.<\/p>\r\nThe Elders are the oldest and wisest members of the Colony. Just being old does not make you an Elder. Elders are story-tellers, legend-keepers; and even the Dominant Female often goes to them for advice or help. An Elder must always be respected. Kivuuli have a written language, and the Elders write their history into the caves their Colony dwells in. Their claws carve the stories and names of all Kivuuli in a Colony into the stone. The Halls of History, as a Kivuuli calls the dens and caves the Elders keep and dwell in, are considered sacred and must not be damaged in any way. Only the Elders are allowed to carve the stone within. Because of this, Kivuuli Colonies are VERY hesitant to leave their homes, even if threatened. They are incredibly sentimental of their history. When an Elder dies, their Heartstone is placed within the Hall with the Heartstones of all past Elders in a place of ultimate honor. The Dominant Female’s Heartstone are placed within the Halls as well.<\/p>\r\nThe highest ranking male is considered the Colony Dominant Male, or Beta Male. He usually leads with the female, but is completely subordinate towards her. He is dominant towards the males in the Colony, but not towards the females. The Beta Male is usually the first one a female in heat will choose, and most often is the chosen mate of the Alpha Female, simply because he is the strongest and most clever male in the Colony and has good genes.<\/p>\r\nThere are mid ranking males and females, who fight out their dominance among eachother, and Omegas.<\/p>\r\nOmegas are not treated badly, but they have no authority within the Colony and are almost never chosen as mates. Female Omegas are extremely rare, and generally only crippled, or terminally ill females end up as an Omega. Omegas often act as nannies for the Colony, and often induce lactation to keep kits calm and fed while the stronger and higher ranking Kivuuli hunt and carry out other tasks. Kivuuli who play the part of nannies are treated very well, and given plenty of food so they can continue to produce milk for the kits they help care for.<\/p>\r\nLactating Kivuuli will often allow weak, sick, or elderly members of their colony to feed from them, for the strengthening and healing properties their milk has. While a human would consider this taboo, gross and strange, it is completely normal in Kivuuli society.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli take very good care of the less fortunate members of their Colonies. The crippled, the weak, the runty, the stunted, the injured, the elderly… all of them are well cared for. The entire Colony will pitch in together to insure the survival of even their weakest members. Weak Kivuuli may not reproduce, but they live comfortable and happy.<\/p>\r\nLower than Omegas, are the disgraced Kivuuli. They have done something terrible and lost their honor and are hated by the Colony and not treated well.<\/p>\r\nDisgraced Kivuuli are those who did something shameful. Not deserving of exile, they keep their name and aren’t chased away, but they are generally ostracized by their fellows and can’t fight their way up in rank even if strong and dominant. A Disgraced Kivuuli must provide for themselves and are not allowed access to the Colony’s food stores or hunts. They must prove themselves worthy to get out of this status and become Omegas, but they will never rise above omega status and will never be fully trusted again.<\/p>\r\nExiled Kivuuli are those who have committed the highest of crimes in their culture. Rape, murder, killing other sentient beings unprovoked, hurting innocent kits, and betrayal are among the crimes deemed worthy this fate worse than death. An Exile is called Itz’hil. This word means many things at once. “Exiled, Nameless, Shamed One, Marked One.”<\/p>\r\nThe Marking is sentenced by the Alpha Female and the Colony’s Elders. If the accused Kivuuli is not remorseful of their crimes, or their crimes are unforgivable, their teleportation ability is temporarily knocked out and they are chained to a pillar of stone that they can not escape from. Legs and arms clamped down so they can not move. The Alpha Female makes the first mark. She slashes into his chest a symbol, reciting the word “Itz’hil!” with each slash of her claws. The Elders are next, speaking something along the lines of “As you threw away your honor, I take away your name. You are Exile. You are Itz’hil. You are Nameless. You are Nothing.” followed by the family their actions hurt the most, then every other adult in the Colony. Children are not permitted to view or participate in these Ceremonies. The mark and word is repeated time and time and time again until the Kivuuli’s healing ability slows and the slashes form a scar, a mark that will forever mar their chest. This can take weeks of constant torture. Once the Marking Ceremony is complete, the exhausted exile is released from the chains, and viciously chased away by the Colony. Any Colony who sees these marks from that time on will not allow the exile into their territory. Exiles live a lonely and miserable life, and generally don’t last long since Kivuuli are such social creatures and depend strongly on eachother for survival and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\r\nOlder, stronger Kivuuli can assert their dominance without a fight, simply with posture, ear position, and growling. Or, even, with confidence alone. Smaller males are generally more submissive than larger ones.<\/p>\r\nThe female is in charge; though she lets the males set up their pecking order however they want. If it gets to be too much, she’ll step in, assert her dominance, and put a stop to it. Battles for dominance never end in death. They fight until one backs down. Sometimes this doesn’t even get past the snarling, growling, circling eachother, and displaying their strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nSimply watching and listening to a Kivuuli within a Colony can give you a ton of clues on their status. The dominant leaders move with their heads high and ears alert and perked up. When addressing others, they stand tall and look down at them with their hands out to the sides. Submissive members take a lower submissive posture with their claws crossed in front of them and eyes turned to the side. Their ears are held slightly lowered. Direct eye contact is considered a threat, thus lower ranking Kivuuli must not look higher ranking Kivuuli directly in the eye without permission.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli have strange ceremonies when a member of their Colony dies. First, the dead Kivuuli is mourned. Mourning can last days, and is not done until the family of the dead Kivuuli says it is. Those closest will wail and howl their grief on and on, a haunting and heartbreaking sound. Almost a haunting and heartbreaking song. Especially at the death of an Elder or Alpha. The entire Colony howls and mourns. But the time for Mourning does not last forever. Once the deceased Kivuuli is mourned, they have a special celebration.<\/p>\r\nA feast is held, with dancing, singing, storytelling, and laughing. For such a sombre thing, there is great joy. The Colony remembers their deceased member fondly. They talk about their life, their effect on the Colony. The Heartstone is then placed in a special antechamber within the Halls of History. The Elders carve the shape of the Heartstone out into the stone, gently place the gem within, and carve the name of the deceased Kivuuli beneath with their claws to be remembered forever. All deceased Kivuuli in a Colony are remembered unless they are Disgraced when they die. If disgraced, the Heartstone is set aside and ignored… a strong enough crime has the Heartstone being thrown off into the blackness surrounding the strange floating isles the Kivuuli dwell on.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are very matriarchal. The female is entirely in charge; the dominant female is submissive to none. A Colony lead by a male is considered unnatural and weak.<\/p>\r\nThey tolerate mistakes in children more than in adults. Children are still learning, and can be taught. Adults know better.<\/p>\r\nThese colonies can harbor anything from a small handful of Kivuuli, to hundreds or in some rare cases, over a thousand of them. The Elder position is not limited to just one; if there is more than one elder, they are all looked up to and view eachother as equals.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli live as a community and share everything. Their homes, their food. The strong help provide for the weak, those not strong enough to hunt do other tasks within the Colony, such as helping care for kits. They respect eachother’s homes and belongings. Theft and stealing is frowned upon, but not enough for alphas to get involved. The one stolen from is in charge of getting their belongings back. This often results in a spat. If it gets severe enough, the Alpha or one of the Betas will step in.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are territorial. Not against others in their own Colony, but towards those from other Colonies. While not common, some alpha females and the highest ranking beta males will use urine marking to mark the edges of their territory.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are a mixture of supernatural and biological. They are a sentient creature that lives in groups called Colonies. Dominance and leadership is dependent on the strength and cleverness of the individual. Females are bigger and stronger than males, as well as more aggressive and naturally more dominant. Male leaders are not only extremely rare, but are practically unheard of.<\/p>\r\nThey have very little concept of personal space. Kivuuli are very touchy with eachother. They spend a lot of time cuddling and generally being near eachother. They are VERY fond of touching. They often stay very close to those they care about. Communal grooming is very common and reinforces bonds within the colony, and among friends and family.<\/p>\r\nThey have no concept of doors. They have no shame in nudity. Kivuuli do not wear clothes. Some, though, may decorate themselves with gems and things they have found. Their homes are open, and they come and go as they please. They don’t steal from eachother. A Kivuuli who does steal is often attacked by their fellows, and driven away if the action continues.<\/p>","field4":"<h4>Appearance and anatomy<\/h4>\r\nKivuuli are somewhat humanoid in appearance, but have some very clear differences. They are long and lean, with elongated torsos and limbs. The average Kivuuli stands around nine to nine and a half feet tall. They have pawlike digitgrade feet which have four toes, or four toes and a dewclaw. Being interdimensional creatures, they often appear with a strange dark aura around them with what seems like tiny sparks or glimmers of lights appearing and floating aimlessly around them and vanishing again. This aura and particles usually matches the basic color of their eyes. It only shows when they are using, or have recently used their reality bending abilities.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli skin is incredibly tough and thick. It takes some strength and a sharp blade to pierce it. They have a coating of fur that is short, but dense and soft. Their natural body temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus they are very warm to the touch. The fur is usually longest around the shoulders, down the back, and in small fringes around the ankles and wrists.<\/p>\r\nThe fur on a female's ruff is longer and thicker than that of a male, and the skin there is looser and thicker and tougher as well. This serves as a protective barrier against the male's fangs, since they tend to bite during mating. Even then, he does often draw blood though most females don't mind this. It actually feels good to them.<\/p>\r\nBeing interdimensional creatures, Kivuuli are extremely light. Even standing around nine or more feet tall, they rarely weigh over one hundred fifty pounds. This is due to them being made up of something like solidified energy. Light, but incredibly strong. This not fully physical nature also manifests in their spines, claws, and fangs. When angry, they actually extend out and get longer and sharper, and when calm shrink back to normal size and sharpness.<\/p>\r\nThey have scale like spines on their forearms pointing back off the elbow with membranes between them. Similar scale like spines go down their spine, also having membranes between them. These spines flare up when frightened, angry, or threatened. They are also used in dominance displays.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli blood is a dark nearly black purple and thicker than human blood.<\/p>\r\nMales are far more common than females. There are about five males for every one female hatched.<\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/42_60_zBfnYHQ2UN2fnQD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1124\" height=\"1124\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/55_75_xKgtjx7uZ9M0h6G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/75_95_tRBRP6yesqPxpjz.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1086\" height=\"1181\" \/><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/52_72_VLLxKqy7WwiQoD7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1091\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Diet and Feeding<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli are carnivorous. Their diet consists almost entirely of meat, though they might eat other things if no meat is available. They will sometimes add other things to their diet, such as fruits. Kivuuli tend to love sweets, but they aren’t fond of sour things.<\/p>\r\nWhen it comes out the other end, it looks like very large rabbit droppings and simply crumbles to dust if stepped on. Has little to no smell. <\/p>\r\n<h4> Abilities<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have many special abilities they are capable of using.<\/p>\r\n\u200b<\/p>\r\nTeleportation - Kivuuli are able to teleport, though their methods are strange and unique. They are able to bend the fabric of reality around them in minor ways, the most pronounced being the ability to literally tear a crack in reality and step through. The crack always heals itself right after the Kivuuli steps through. Not ALL Kivuuli can do this. It is something that must be taught. Kivuuli can see and sense the flow of energy around them. They can also completely silence their steps, even at a full run.<\/p>\r\n**Note that they teleport by jumping through the dimension - or, within the bubble. They can not break out of the bubble into greater between, but they do, in a sense, touch Between when teleporting.<\/p>\r\nParalyzing Stare - The Paralyzing Stare is an ability Kivuuli developed for hunting and self defense. They stare you right in the eyes, which has a hypnotizing effect, rendering their prey or enemy unable to move. As long as your eyes are locked with the Kivuuli’s, you can’t move. When eye contact is broken, you can move again. Most Kivuuli ONLY use this ability when absolutely necessary. Generally if they are attacked. They catch the person’s gaze, causes them to freeze up, and teleports away to safety as they recover.<\/p>\r\nIntimidating Howl - The Intimidating Howl is a horrible unearthly howl, laced with the Kivuuli’s reality bending power. It sounds somewhere between a feral howl, savage snarling, horrible shrieking, and radio static. It forces feelings of terror into the one hearing it, giving them the desire to run away. Most can not handle it, and either faint where they are or run in horror. This terrible howl seems to come from every direction at once, making the Kivuuli’s location hard to determine.<\/p>\r\n Reality Bending - This ability is the underlying cause to many other abilities Kivuuli have. They are able to bend reality around them in minor ways, stifling the sound of their footsteps, stopping you from hearing their breath or smelling them or sensing their presence. They can also leap through cracks in reality to teleport and many other small, but useful applications.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Evolutionary Background<\/h4>\r\n Their society is very wild in many ways. They are sentient and intelligent, but far more ruled by wild instincts and feral tendencies than humans. This has not changed because it works for them. They are matriarchal, with females naturally leading and males being far calmer and more docile.<\/p>\r\n Between is a dangerous place, and Kivuuli reproduce slowly. Smaller Colonies are much more likely to breed faster. They also breed faster is there is plenty of food around. During times of famine females will actually stop having heats entirely. This is natural; it allows a Colony to grow strong and maintain their numbers. More babies born means more Kivuuli likely to make it to adulthood. A lone Kivuuli female is several times more likely to become pregnant than a Kivuuli in a big Colony. When a lot of Kivuuli populate one area, or food is less plentiful, their fertility as a whole drops dramatically. The reason why is unknown, but a hormonal response is the most likely candidate. Kivuuli in smaller Colonies are also more likely to go into heat more often. Kivuuli can go into heat every one to three years. Smaller Colonies' viable members will go into heat once a year; bigger colonies often every three years and sometimes even five.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli leave Between to hunt for food not available in their homeworld, gather resources, and explore. They usually go in small parties. Only the strong and clever make it back alive, for other worlds are packed with even more dangers to test a Kivuuli’s ability to survive. There may be a small number of Kivuuli with the ability to not age or die of age, but there are plenty of other things killing them and keeping their population balanced.<\/p>\r\nAll of this together has honed their intelligence to a fine point, but also nurtured their wild side giving them human intelligence coupled with bestial behaviors and instincts. Their ancestors are, in fact, extinct. Natural selection made sure of that. Kinda like we don’t see neanderthals or proto-humans running about. Some of their earliest ancestors were sleek, quadrupedal spiked predators that used teleportation to hunt or escape danger. They were fast, strong, and fierce, forming packs that were highly territorial.<\/p>","field5":"<h4>Lifespan<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli have very long natural lives; generally living up to 1000 years. As they start to grow older and approach the end of their lifespan, their Heartstones get less and less effective. This leaves them unable to feed as efficiently or teleport since their bodies stop being able to handle the discordant energies in the rifts they create. Their healing ability starts to slow down as well; and eventually goes away completely. Eventually, their body can no longer repair the damage done by age, and they grow weak and tired. Their fur will begin to gray around the eyes and mouth, and tips of ears as well as on their hands and feet. Once they reach a certain age, they are no longer capable of producing milk, even if they spend a lot of time around kits.<\/p>\r\nWhen they sense their time is near, they surround themselves by friends and family. They say their goodbyes, before slipping away peacefully. Most often in their sleep.<\/p>\r\n Some Kivuuli, though, can live on way beyond this time. It seems to be a strange mutation. A Heartstone that can actually slowly repair itself; thus negating the effects of aging present in most of the species. Those who have this mutation will need to sleep more and rest more once they reach a certain age, and their fertility drops. While less fertile, they are still able to have children. They just don't do so as often and females are harder to get pregnant. They will not show any visible signs of aging; they will not grey or dull in color.<\/p>\r\nThey are not affected by aging, at all, and they will live on, healthy, until they are killed by something other than age. This tends to be genetic; so those of their line have a chance of getting this ability. The oldest Kivuuli to have ever lived is an Elder named Kaitu, a member of the rare and isolated ‘Maltese’ or ‘Blue’ subspecies. Severe damage to the Heartstone can overrun this ability, causing an ancient Kivuuli to age and die very quickly after being hurt, within a year.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Mating and Reproduction<\/h4>\r\n Kivuuli males and females look quite similar. Genitals are internal, though gender can be told through differences in their bodies, demeanor, and voice. If one sees a male and female Kivuuli standing side by side, first glance won’t reveal many differences. But if you look closely you can tell. Kivuuli do have the occasional hermaphrodite, this is a rare mutation. Sexual Dimorphism Male: Kivuuli genitals are internal and only emerge in a state of arousal. The male has a slit like sheath more towards the front of his crotch. Males are slimmer and smaller than females, and generally hold themselves lower as well. They are naturally submissive since even a very strong male wouldn't stand a chance against the physically bigger and stronger female. Males do not have much curve to them, if any at all and have narrow waists and hips. They have semi defined pecs, and the fur on their lower belly and inner thighs is not any longer than the fur on the rest of their bodies. They have teats on the lower belly, usually small and not very visible. They tend to have thicker and longer chest fur as well as slightly longer\/fluffier fur around their neck. This can sometimes amplify their cheek fluff, too.<\/p>\r\nMale Kivuuli have lower, rougher and deeper voices than females. The growling undertone is more pronounced.<\/p>\r\nFemale: The female has a slit on the bottom of her crotch, barely visable of at all from the front. The slit is subtle and less visable than the male's sheath like slit. A female has visible teats, though they are only really noticeable when she is carrying an egg, or nursing a hatchling.<\/p>\r\nFemales are taller and noticeably stronger than males. Her body is thicker, and moderately curvy with wider hips leading down to long and slim, but strong legs. While a layer of fat beneath her skin makes her look softer, beneath that softness is a lot of brute strength and ferocity.<\/p>\r\nThe fur down the back of a female’s neck, shoulders, and back is thicker and longer than a male's, and she also has thicker longer fur on her belly and inner thigh, which thickens further when carrying, or nursing young.<\/p>\r\nThe female Kivuuli's voice is softer and higher in pitch than a male's. Her growl is smoother, but deeper and fiercer. Her purr is a low and smooth. <\/p>\r\nHeat and Mating Kivuuli attract mates through scent.<\/p>\r\nFemale Kivuuli go into heat regularly, but when observed in our dimension it happens roughly once every 1-3 years. A female raising a kit can not enter this state as long as she is nursing the kit. This is the only time she can become pregnant. It lasts for roughly two weeks or until she finds a suitable mate.<\/p>\r\nThere are three stages to the heat.<\/p>\r\nStage 1- Her scent begins to shift. This is not actual heat yet; she is not fertile. But her body is preparing itself for heat. She starts to become more interested in males, but also more hormonal and dangerous. She also becomes territorial towards other females, not letting them near her den. This stage lasts a few days.<\/p>\r\nStage 2- Her scent grows stronger, and her body is almost ready to mate. This is the attracting a mate stage. The testing the males and letting them fight for her stage. She becomes actively interested in males, and is easily aroused. Like a cat, a female in heat will groom herself frequently to deal with the wetness between the legs. While not water-based, it gets annoying. This stage of heat lasts about a week. At this stage, her strong heat-scent rouses the males into excitement; causing them to follow her an attempt to impress her. Mating in this stage of heat will not end it, but it will shorten the time that she’s in it. Once a mate is chosen, they will mate repeatedly until her heat is over. It usually ends within 24 hours of her first mating.<\/p>\r\nStage 3 - This is the most intense part of her heat. This is when she is fully ready to mate and most likely to ovulate. Her heat scent becomes so strong the males can practically taste it on the air. She becomes extremely restless, unable to stay in one place for long. Many females will pace on and on, and even whine and call their discomfort and need. Younger females react more strongly to this stage; while older females can usually ignore it with the occasional whine and shift of discomfort. The ache inside them grows so intense that even those who don’t want a child might mate just to get it over with.<\/p>\r\nThe males will scuffle and fight among themselves, and the strongest, healthiest males will compete to gain her attention. Once the female has chosen, the other males will give up and find another release. Often in the form of a female who is not in heat; since she can not become pregnant she does not care about the health or strength of the male.<\/p>\r\n Even though Kivuuli generally mate very roughly, with growling and biting and claws involved, it is always consensual. A Kivuuli who tries to take a mate against their will will be turned on and killed by their Colony.<\/p>\r\n Once the female chooses her suitor and mating occurs, her heat will either be shortened, or end completely. She signals that she is ready by getting into the presenting position. Crouching down, revealing the thickly furred ruff on her back, and raising her rear into the air. Even if mating doesn’t always happen in this position, it’s considered a sign of acceptance, even if she plays hard to get afterwards. Kivuuli females, like cats, are stimulated ovulators. Without the proper stimulation, the heat will end but she won’t become pregnant. Even if stimulated, the male must have strong seed or her body will kill it all before it fertilizes her. While they will mate repeatedly, the first one is the one that triggers the end of the heat, and thus, after that first one, stimulation will not cause ovulation if it hasn’t already.<\/p>\r\nIt takes a few days to know if the mating was successful. After a few days, if the mating was successful, her scent will change to announce that she is pregnant. She will also fail to shed, since the shed will be delayed until a week before laying. Female Kivuuli shed a week after heat. If it does not take and she sheds, she will have to wait until her next heat cycle to try again; usually with a different male. \u200b Gestation<\/p>\r\n With the exception of very few isolated colonies, Kivuuli are an egg-bearing race. They carry the egg for four to five months, growing large quickly. The male is expected to hunt for her and bring her food, since her appetite will increase as she packs the egg with nutrients it will need once it exits her body. The baby will also develop considerably during this time. By the time the egg is laid, the brain of the fetus is almost completely formed; the rest of the body finishes forming after the egg is laid. As the egg forms, the female’s fur grows thicker and denser, to make better lining for her nest. The fur around her belly and inner thighs thickens too; and she will not shed her guardhairs.<\/p>\r\nTheir pelvis separates in two places, and is held together by springy, elastic tendons. Each separation contains a small bone bridge that breaks in the process of laying the first egg. This produces a small, sharp crack\/pop, and is quite painful. The bone bridge never grows back and any eggs after the first are easier. Once the egg has passed through, the tendons will spring back, and the Kivuuli’s natural healing ability will repair any damage within an hour or two of laying while the exhausted mother sleeps. Males do not have the tendons or bone bridges.<\/p>\r\nWhile inside them, the egg shell is thick and leathery. It forms soon after conception and plays the part of the placenta until it comes time to lay. During the last few days before laying it becomes the egg shell, which and is soft and pliable. After laying, the shell takes roughly a half hour to harden. It becomes tough, hard and slightly textured. It is very thick and tough, hard to break from the outside. It is, however, very vulnerable until it’s fully hardened. The reason it develops so long inside the mother is so the brain can form properly; the mother gives it a kick start, and the hatchling finishes development within the egg.<\/p>\r\nThey look huge when they are carrying, but most of that is actually fluids that protect and cushion the egg as well as providing lubrication for laying. Nutrients are stored within the forming shell, though the hatchling has a Proteanct link to the mother until a few days before laying.<\/p>\r\nDuring the pregnancy, the Kivuuli will have an intense nesting instinct. She will take anything she can find. Fur of other shedding Kivuuli, blankets, any soft thing, and build a nest. During the last week of carrying, she will shed, and line her nest with her fur. Once the egg is laid, it will be watched over and kept warm by her while its father hunts for her. It will hatch in another 4-5 months. This can vary by subspecies, or location, or individual Kivuuli. Eggs can vary in color, but are usually smooth and black with slightly lighter colored mottling. This can change depending on the individual Kivuuli or their environment.<\/p>\r\nA hatchling Kivuuli is known as a kit, because they are very kitten like in their behavior. Kits are known to imprint on the energy signature and voice of the one who spends the most time around the egg. As such, they know their mother the instant they come out. While hatching, a mother will crouch near the egg, face inches away from it and make soft chirring calls to encourage the kit to break free of the egg. Upon hatching, they will follow the scent of the mother’s teats. The scent and feel of the kit suckling will trigger a surge of hormones, and she will begin lactation. This surge of hormones will reduce the Kivuuli to soft, relaxed purring. Any Kivuuli can be triggered to lactate in this manner, be it male or female. Once lactation begins, the Kivuuli’s appetite will increase. They often feed their milk to older or sick individuals within the Colony to help them survive and stay strong.<\/p>\r\nIn the pregnant Kivuuli, the teats poke out of the fur, as the fur sheds from directly around them.<\/p>\r\nWhen nursing, the flesh swells a bit to push the nipples out of the fur, thus allowing the hatchling to nurse without getting a mouthful of its mother’s fur.<\/p>\r\nThe consistency is thick, almost like a probiotic yogurt shake, and the taste is surprisingly mild and a little sweet. It is highly nutritious, high in protein and energy; and everything else a kit needs to grow. Kivuuli kits who nurse on their mother grow up bigger and stronger as adults, and generally have a higher chance of being more dominant. It is not at all uncommon for Kivuuli in a Colony to nurse eachother's young. Sometimes older members will play the part of nanny for younger, less experienced Kivuuli. Some Kivuuli will choose to never stop lactating for the purpose of playing nanny to the kits within the Colony.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are extremely protective of their kits. If you hurt a kit, the whole Colony will attack. Even one lone Kivuuli is far more ferocious and dangerous than any mother bear; you don’t want to know what would happen if you pissed off a whole colony of them.<\/p>\r\nA human baby could drink Kivuuli’s milk but couldn’t survive off of it unless water was added to it. Kivuuli’s milk contains no water whatsoever. It is high in protein, with a moderate amount of fat, and harder on the digestive system than human milk. It isn’t dangerous but will not meet a human’s needs properly. If water is added a human baby can survive off of it but won’t be at ideal health and it would likely cause a lot of gas and intestinal discomfort being designed for a baby with a much stronger digestive system. It would pose no problems for an adult, and is highly nutritious with natural healing properties as well as infection fighting properties. An adult human or other meat-eating animal could survive off of it as long as they had access to water to stay hydrated.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli are highly lactose intolerant. It makes them very, very sick. As such, Kivuuli milk has no lactose in it.<\/p>\r\nA Kivuuli hatchling would be unable to survive on the milk of any terrestrial mammal. It contains way too much water and their little tummies can’t handle it, not to mention their lactose intolerance. An adult Kivuuli can ingest the milk of terrestrial mammals, but it does cause a lot of digestive upset, cramping, nausea, and vomiting. The digestive issues can become severe enough to kill a kit, though an adult can survive it. It would just make them very sick. It does not contain the proper nutrients so if the kit did manage to survive the lactose and water, it would slowly deteriorate in health until it died of malnutrition. Their digestive systems are more advanced so they can be fed mashed cooked (Not raw) meat or anything else high in protein if taken in and raised by a human or a member of another race. Mixing ground up bones and the organs of the animal can add to the nutrition and help the kit more. Some that start off being nursed, though, will utterly refuse solid food.<\/p>\r\nIt is not unusual for members of a Colony to nurse eachother’s young. In fact, this is a very common practice, though some Kits will not nurse on any but their mother. This depends on the individual. It is most common for the omegas to act as nannies for the Colony, helping to care for the kits while stronger individuals hunt and bring in food. Because of this Omegas, and especially nannies, while not given any authority, are not treated badly. Kivuuli tend to produce more milk than is needed. If it gets uncomfortable, they tend to empty their teats themselves. This keeps their supply strong, is relaxing and calming, tastes good to them, and is considered completely normal. While a human would find such activity odd, it is completely natural for a Kivuuli. <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n<h4>Kits <img src=\"https:\/\/www.cryptid-creations.com\/images\/pages\/0\/56_76_oIgVWPjEOdYq3uF.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"804\" height=\"534\" \/><\/h4>\r\n <\/p>\r\nKits are teeny when they hatch, a little smaller than the average human baby. They hatch with their eyes closed, but able to hear and smell just fine. Their ears are droopy and their bodies are pudgy and bellies round from the yolk of the egg still inside, being slowly absorbed to give them strength while their mother’s milk comes in and they learn to nurse properly. Kits open their eyes when they are between three and seven days old.<\/p>\r\nThey are generally fairly quiet and don’t cry often, though do tend to make small chitters, squeaks, and mewling noises. They hate being alone.<\/p>\r\nBabies have a very strong instinct to not relieve themselves within the nest. When they feel the need to go, they will let their parent know with insistent screeching until taken somewhere. Like a newborn kitten or puppy, they will not eliminate on their own. There is a pressure point just at the base of the neck that can be triggered through a certain way of holding onto the scruff that triggers them to go reflexively; they will only go when held in that certain way until they learn to move about on all fours. Once able to move about on all fours they will always leave the nest to eliminate. It's an instinct to keep the nest site clean and smelling good, since Kivuuli noses are extremely sensitive. Young Kivuuli are fully mobile by the time they are three months old, and run about everywhere on all fours.<\/p>\r\nThe babies depend completely on their parents and the others in their colony for survival. They are unable to teleport. In fact, this takes a lot of time to get right and generally has to be taught though can be done autonomously if the Kivuuli feels that its life is in danger. Kits are weaned between 3-5 years old, depending on the kit in question. Some wean themselves earlier, some later. A mother will never force wean her kit, because if they are still nursing it means they likely still need to. Kits are able to move about by the time they are three months old. As kits get older and start to move around, they love to practice their hunting instincts and will often hunt, and eat, small animals once their teeth grow in. They generally start getting teeth when they are about a year old. They like to show their kills off to their parents, or others in the Colony. As they get to be about 5 years old, they are weaned and eating solid food with ease. They are also able to eat raw meat by then.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli grow bigger and stronger as they age. At roughly 15, they reach sexual maturity. They are considered adults, even if not at full size yet at this age. Around 18 to 23, they stop growing and achieve their full height. It is around this time they learn to effect reality around them both in silencing their steps and in creating and jumping through little dimensional cracks to teleport. They usually stay with their parents until full maturity, and after that remain with their Colony of birth.<\/p>\r\nKivuuli children are incredibly awkward and clumsy until they grow into their long limbs. They spend more time on all fours than on two feet, though around ten years old they start getting up on two feet more often. Even into adulthod, they spend time both on all fours, and on two feet equally depending on the situation. Kits hurt themselves frequently, but this only kick-starts their natural healing ability.<\/p>\r\n Kits are known for getting themselves into trouble, constantly. They are mischievous, playful, energetic, and insatiably curious. The entire colony works to keep the children safe and alive. Just like kittens.<\/p>\r\nFemale kits are a bit more energetic and feisty than males.<\/p>\r\nYoung males love to playfight and spar among themselves. These playfights grow more intense once they near adolescence, roughly around 10-12 years old or so. Sometimes, these playfights get a bit too intense, leaving one or both young males bloody. They step away to heal, which is usually finished within minutes. Once healed, they go at it again. Adolescent males are constantly tussling, wrestling, and play-fighting, which only grows worse the closer to adulthood they get. While these bouts of snapping, screaming, growling, and snarling looks terrifying and deadly, they look far, far, FAR worse than they actually are. They never seriously hurt eachother and other Kivuuli in the Colony know very well the difference between play and real fighting, since real fighting is far louder and more vicious. As males get older, they mellow out considerably, and only face off against other males in contests of strength in the presence of a receptive female. They do this to try to impress her. They usually don’t mellow out fully until around 30 or so; around 20-30 they are fully mature, but have bouts of wild, child-like energetic kittenlike playfulness.<\/p>\r\nAs a female reaches adolescence, she becomes fiercer and more commanding. If she joins a playfight, the males usually back down and submit almost instantly. Playfights between two females are far more vicious and noisy and dangerous-looking than playfights between males. They are practicing to take dominance someday; males just fight for fun or to pass on their genes. She starts to show interest in the male’s battles, and starts to show more interest in those that win these fights. Most of the time, she will avoid a mate when she has her first heat cycle, since her body isn’t fully grown at this point and not likely able to sustain an offspring for long. The first heat cycle generally happens around 15 years of age. She is considered an adult at this age, but she usually won’t choose a mate until she is at her full size since a younger body is less able to successfully carry an egg. Most males will not attempt to impress a young female unless they themselves are young. Even if she is sexually mature and considered an adult, she is not full size and not interested in mating. Most of the time, even if she DOES find a mate, it will not take since her body is not ready to sustain pregnancy.<\/p>\r\nShe will usually chase off any male that comes near while going through her first heat. The first heat cycle is usually short, and not too intense. She is not fertile for this cycle, it is simply her body announcing that it is mature. Her heats will gradually get longer until they settle at the normal length when she’s achieved her full size. If a female is not ready to have a kit of her own, she will hide away and ignore or chase off any males that try to gain her attention. Most females prefer not to have a kit until they have gained more experience. Young mothers are far more likely to be aggressive and attack anything they see as a threat than older mothers who are more experienced in raising, guiding, and protecting a child.<\/p>","field6":"Mutations and Variations The dewclaw is a fairly common variation found among Kivuuli. Both parents must either have, or carry, the dewclaw gene for it to show in an offspring.<\/p>\r\nAnother common variation is the heel spur. This is also recessive. Both parents must be carriers of the gene for it to pass on. Some Kivuuli have both heelspurs and dewclaws.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli are unable to retract their claws. This is very rare; but when it does show up it is not much of a hindrance. They are generally chosen as hunters, though they have to be careful since their claws are very sharp when fully extended. They often make claw caps for themselves to avoid hurting themselves or others.<\/p>\r\nSome Kivuuli have a strip of longer fur that goes all the way down their spine.<\/p>\r\nA rare mutation can cause them to lack spines.<\/p>\r\nThe Bully mutation causes Kivuuli to be bigger and more muscular than their fellows. They lose a lot of speed and agility, but gain a lot of brute strength.<\/p>\r\nIt is not uncommon for Kivuuli to have no markings, though it is far more common to have markings around the shoulders and hips.<\/p>\r\nLong Fur<\/p>\r\nHermaphrodite - (Either masculine or feminine hermaphrodite)<\/p>\r\nRex Coat (Curly, this shows in varying degrees, fairly common, but usually subtle)<\/p>\r\nFeathering (Light, Medium, or Heavy, light is common, medium and heavy is uncommon)<\/p>\r\nLeucism (Can appear either patchy, white, near white, or unusually pale. This occurs either partial, or full. Leucistic Kivuuli are extremely rare!)<\/p>\r\nMelenistic (Menelistic Kivuuli are almost impossible to tell apart from regular Kivuuli unless from a subspecies)<\/p>\r\nFurless (Rare, but not unheard of. Tends to show up in warmer areas.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Ear Tufts (Rare) Albinism\/Partial Albinism (EXTREMELY rare! Most Albino Kivuuli are either blind, or almost blind.)<\/p>\r\nLengthened Cheek Fluffs (Uncommon, common among Maltese)<\/p>","field7":"<h4>Tips for Designing your Kivuuli<\/h4>\r\n The pads will always match the iris in color, though always darker and less saturated, unless the Kivuuli is a Lippizan.<\/p>\r\nLippizan have black pads and membranes and skin, whereas normal Kivuuli, and Kivuuli of other breeds have flesh color somewhat matching their eyes.<\/p>\r\nI always select the iris color, darken it slightly and desaturate it. If the Kivuuli has heterochromia, the fleshy bits can match either eye.<\/p>\r\nAnother tip is try not to make your Kivuuli too saturated. They must look natural.<\/p>\r\nFor color reference on Desert Kivuuli, look at lions, caracals, fennecs, and similar creatures. The most common look is Caracal like with some spotting, dappling and striping.<\/p>\r\nFor regular Kivuuli, they can have slight hints of color, though never too saturated or obvious since other color is added by a gene that isn’t open. They can be dark grey to near stark black. Markings are usually slightly darker, but can be slightly lighter in some occasions.<\/p>\r\nTundra Kivuuli come in soft creams and browns, but never stark white. Think like the summer coat of an arctic fox for coloration.<\/p>\r\nMany Kivuuli are lighter on the bellies and darker on the backs, shoulders, and hips and dorsal stripes are common.<\/p>\r\nThe spines are usually black, though can be lighter, and always match the claws in color. The inside of the mouth is generally lighter than the membrane\/pad color.<\/p>"}},"title":"Kivuuli","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

The Between

#137 30 June 2023, 14:49:51 UTC

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Length: 1071 (+212) - Show Raw Data

{"data":{"description":"A unique and dangerous place, between realities and universes. Inhabited by Kivuuli. Hard to traverse, dangerous, but possible. Can be used to get from one universe to the next.<\/p>\r\nThe other realms exist within Between, in some way, which is how Kivuuli can get from world to world with ease.<\/p>\r\nThis unique realm is where many eldritch entities pass through when going from place to place.<\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null,"parsed":{"description":"A unique and dangerous place, between realities and universes. Inhabited by Kivuuli. Hard to traverse, dangerous, but possible. Can be used to get from one universe to the next.<\/p>\r\nThe other realms exist within Between, in some way, which is how Kivuuli can get from world to world with ease.<\/p>\r\nThis unique realm is where many eldritch entities pass through when going from place to place.<\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null}},"title":"The Between","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

The Void

#136 30 June 2023, 14:48:56 UTC

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Length: 1038 (+445) - Show Raw Data

{"data":{"description":"Utterly deadly, right on the edge of the Outer Realm. Dark and dangerous Eldritch beings exist all throughout this, sealed outside of the Realms and Reality itself. The substance within is thick, viscous and black. Corrosive, eats away what it touches. Some worlds close to the Void have this substance appearing there simply known as Void. Void seems to have a mind of its own, in a sense. <\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null,"parsed":{"description":"Utterly deadly, right on the edge of the Outer Realm. Dark and dangerous Eldritch beings exist all throughout this, sealed outside of the Realms and Reality itself. The substance within is thick, viscous and black. Corrosive, eats away what it touches. Some worlds close to the Void have this substance appearing there simply known as Void. Void seems to have a mind of its own, in a sense. <\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null}},"title":"The Void","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

The Ether

#135 30 June 2023, 14:47:36 UTC

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{"data":{"description":"A fiery place, as deadly as the Eldritch Void. Full of Etherael entities of all shapes and sizes, sealed outside of reality and kept at by by the Aethyr, placed there to protect the Realms and Reality from intrusions of creatures dangerous to the very fabric of the universe if they break through.<\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null,"parsed":{"description":"A fiery place, as deadly as the Eldritch Void. Full of Etherael entities of all shapes and sizes, sealed outside of reality and kept at by by the Aethyr, placed there to protect the Realms and Reality from intrusions of creatures dangerous to the very fabric of the universe if they break through.<\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null}},"title":"The Ether","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

The Void

#134 30 June 2023, 14:46:28 UTC

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Length: 593 (+593) - Show Raw Data

{"data":{"description":"Utterly deadly, right on the edge of the Outer Realm. Dark and dangerous Eldritch beings exist all throughout this, sealed outside of the Realms and Reality itself.<\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null,"parsed":{"description":"Utterly deadly, right on the edge of the Outer Realm. Dark and dangerous Eldritch beings exist all throughout this, sealed outside of the Realms and Reality itself.<\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null}},"title":"The Eldritch Void","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

The Infernus

#133 30 June 2023, 14:45:32 UTC

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Length: 1424 (+1424) - Show Raw Data

{"data":{"description":"Hell, in a sense. A deep realm full of demons. Contrary to popular belief, demons are not evil creatures, but rather a collection of their own races that exist and originate in the Infernus. The Infernus has Nine Layers, each ruled by a different Demon Prince, each one different than the next. It is not a place where the dead go, but those that venture in often get stuck there. It can be used to travel between words, but not many actually use it because of the dangers. Demons can serve as guides, though even they can have trouble traversing this dangerous realm.<\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null,"parsed":{"description":"Hell, in a sense. A deep realm full of demons. Contrary to popular belief, demons are not evil creatures, but rather a collection of their own races that exist and originate in the Infernus. The Infernus has Nine Layers, each ruled by a different Demon Prince, each one different than the next. It is not a place where the dead go, but those that venture in often get stuck there. It can be used to travel between words, but not many actually use it because of the dangers. Demons can serve as guides, though even they can have trouble traversing this dangerous realm.<\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null}},"title":"The Infernus","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

The Celestial Plane

#132 30 June 2023, 14:42:53 UTC

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{"data":{"description":"The home of the Aethyr, close to the Ether itself. This place appears as great floating islands full of beautiful plants of all sorts and shining, crystalline building. It is dangerous for outsiders and full of various celestial creatures that see themselves as gods or above mortals. Very few use this realm to travel from place to place because it's hard to reach, and dangerous. An Aethyr guide can help you through, but Aethyr are generally proud and cagey with mortals.<\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null,"parsed":{"description":"The home of the Aethyr, close to the Ether itself. This place appears as great floating islands full of beautiful plants of all sorts and shining, crystalline building. It is dangerous for outsiders and full of various celestial creatures that see themselves as gods or above mortals. Very few use this realm to travel from place to place because it's hard to reach, and dangerous. An Aethyr guide can help you through, but Aethyr are generally proud and cagey with mortals.<\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null}},"title":"The Celestial Plane","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

The Between

#131 30 June 2023, 14:40:48 UTC

Cryptid-Artha

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Length: 859 (+246) - Show Raw Data

{"data":{"description":"A unique and dangerous place, between realities and universes. Inhabited by Kivuuli. Hard to traverse, dangerous, but possible. Can be used to get from one universe to the next.<\/p>\r\nThe other realms exist within Between, in some way, which is how Kivuuli can get from world to world with ease.<\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null,"parsed":{"description":"A unique and dangerous place, between realities and universes. Inhabited by Kivuuli. Hard to traverse, dangerous, but possible. Can be used to get from one universe to the next.<\/p>\r\nThe other realms exist within Between, in some way, which is how Kivuuli can get from world to world with ease.<\/p>","fld1":null,"fld2":null,"fld3":null,"fld4":null}},"title":"The Between","is_visible":"1","summary":null,"utility_tag":["wip"],"page_tag":null}

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