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Human

The humans are the majority race on Svatura and outnumber the Celestials, Machka, Rikono, Papin, Poshum and Nivasi by a good 10:1 ratio. They are the most adaptable species (outside of the Celestials), having the most durable immune systems and thus are less likely to catch diseases and a higher probability of gaining immunities toward them. Their lifespan is up to 80 years old - though only the most hearty of humans make it to the ripe old age.

They have natural colored hair (all natural shades of blond, black, ginger, red, and brown), unless they dye it - though the only dyes available are those found in nature (Berries, etc) and usually only work on light haired humans. They do not have the technology to do anything else. Thus, their color palette is human flesh tones, their eyes are also natural tones as well.

While humans possess no magical abilities whatsoever, they're just as diverse as humans in our world. Some may believe they have magical powers (though those who claim to are either severely mocked unless they can prove it), but they are incapable of holding the Tiya which makes magic possible.

Humans populate the Northern Continent Central Plains, Southern Penninsula and Eastern Coastline Regions called Perina with their capital city being named Buin. These areas are mostly grasslands with little forestation. However, they do have an unofficial alliance with the Rikono of the Sarameya region who allow them access to their forests for logging purposes. Many humans will travel to the neutral regions to log as well. That being said, Humans are the most industrious of the races of Svatura. It's not uncommon to find humans working in architecture, trading, logging, farming and hunting. Farming is extremely important to the Humans. Like the Ahi, trading routes are their friends and many will take the time to travel through them peddling what they have to sell. Because of their versatility, humans can fit into near any profession. This does not necessarily mean they are the best at it (A poshum will nearly always be better at blacksmithing than a human, and Papin are likely much better doctors) but if it can be done, they will strive to do it.

Buin is a medium sized city of industry. While Sero is the capital of the world, Buin is the hub of the Human's world. It's not uncommon for merchants to set up their wares along the cobblestone streets that pave the way. Grocery stores, smithies and just about everything needed for every day life can be found within the city - and that which cannot be found within can usually be found along the outskirts. It is surrounded by farmland owned and operated by families who wish to be closer to the centralized market. Any homes within Buin itself likely belong to the upper society as it is fairly expensive to live there.

A few miles to the north east is the larger of the human settlements called New Buin. Homesteads and houses make up the majority of this area and the families who make their home here will often trade amongst themselves before taking it to market in Buin.

One thing to note about the majority of the human species is that they do believe they are superior to the others - especially the Machka. Were they not kept in check by the Council and by the threat of war, it is likely that they would try to make inferior races slaves. In fact, there are choice groups who would, in fact, run underground slavery rings.

Status is very important to the human race as a whole. They enjoy attempting to be the best, and there is much prejudice throughout their culture - even and especially amongst themselves. It is in their nature to attempt to climb up the social ladder and better themselves.

They have very specific gender roles. Men are the providers while women are the home makers and seen as inferior to the male gender. While this holds true through the majority of Svatura, they especially look down upon the Nivasi who seem to embrace femininity more than the other less tribal races.

Marriage is seen as a contract and a business arrangement. It is not very often that love matches are made, especially amongst the rich society. Those who do have love matches find themselves to be very lucky indeed. Divorce is unheard of in their society as the women have very little say in anything and are generally seen as property or a status symbol. Men do not have to be discreet about their affairs, in general, while women - if they're lucky enough to have the freedom to do so - must never let their affairs be found out.

Due to the gender roles within the Human society, it is not uncommon for women to band together and form fast friendships in order to help with children, households, and give advice. Teas, quilting, and group outings and visitations (with children having play dates) are very common as well. However, much like with the rest of society, classes do not often mix.

Rikono: The canine touched
Parent Constellation: Canis Major
Pronunciation: Ree-Koh-No

Holding the second majority race-wise on Svatura, the Rikono are a strict species who have very specific ways of doing thing. This race makes up the majority of military/defense and law enforcement. They are built sturdily and strong, even the women. This, of course, isn't to say that they're huge and muscular because they really aren't.

The Rikono can have traits of any dog breed, but they are not anthros and never will be. They can have ears, or a particularly long nose or sharp face...sometimes a tail or longer/thicker nails. Some have the same relative build as different canines. They are basically humans 'blessed' by the constellation of Canis Major, and thus take on features of the animal it represents. They also have a sharper sense of smell and hearing. In fact, their ears are incredibly sensitive.

Like the humans, they have natural colored hair and eyes. These can be any colorations found naturally on either humans or dogs. They cannot have red eyes without being albino and having all the drawbacks of being albino, etc.

As for magic, they do have a portion of Tiya but their magic falls into defensive more than offensive. Shield, detainment, and tracking spells are usually a part of every young Rikono's training. Their offensive is usually in the form of physical weapons, rather than magic. Each and every child who shows potential in battle is taken to be trained in such magics - this usually happens around the age of six or seven, before their true abilities even begin to show.

The Rikono also have a very strict honor code and those who do not follow it are generally ostracized from the community as a whole. Think of these as the Knights of the world Svatura, which they pretty much are. The hierarchy usually includes the same levels of advancement as Knights - Page, Squire, Knight, Knight Quartermaster, Knight Commander, Knight Captain, Lord Knight.

Lifespan for the Rikono is about the same as humans, though will obviously depend heavily upon their lifestyles. It's generally about 65-70 years.

Code of Honor:
- You will be honest and just in all business and personal relationships.
- You will do what you are committed to do, when you are committed to doing it. Or you will die in the process of trying.
- You will have a profound sense of self respect and pave the way to fully love and honor yourself and your beloved.
- You own yourself. No influences or substances are above that of your honor and in such you will overcome all your addictions - for true armor is on the inside and in strength of will.
- You will think before words exit your mouth, for you are bound by your word by your honor.
- You will use your wisdom and discretion in everything you do. We are to be considerate and compassionate whenever we have the opportunity.
- You will be confident in your abilities, but not arrogant.
- You will defend those weaker than you with all the steam in your heart.
- You will only take a challenge you believe you can take on. Brain over brawn, and logic over pride.
- You will use grace and dignity, for they are your greatest diplomatic weapon.
- You will respect the earth and those around you as much as you respect yourself.

Gender roles within the Rikono race are also very similar to Humans though definitely more lax and it is not often that women are seen as actual property as it does go against their code of honor. If a female Rikono shows potential and can hold her own within a fight, there is nothing stopping her from getting education and training that will help her raise her rank within society. As such, while not extremely common, there are such things as female Knights - though they do, admittedly, have a bit of a harder time raising in rank than males of their same class level.

The stereotype that women are weaker has not completely faded from Rikono life though it has started to decline in recent years. This is mostly due to the fact that more and more have decided to try for the higher ranks of Knightship and have gotten tired of being cowed into lesser positions due to their gender. They are less likely to take it laying down and while one or two women can easily be put to rest and ignored those who have banded together have given the males of their species some serious competition thus raising the respect bar a little higher.

Education for those women who do not show potential in battle or tactics is still very hard to come by. They do not have the resources nor the will to give them the education that many of them desire. Fortunately, it is not unheard of for Rikono husbands to teach their wives or young daughters what they know as knowledge and wisdom are a valued part of their society.

The Rikono populate the Northern mountainous continent and forested region known as Sarameya. Their capital city, Barearav, is a military city that contains their training academies and school systems. It also has their tournament grounds for jousting and arena battles within their class levels and houses the barracks for those who have joined the military structured knighthood - either in training or in full service.

Barearav is different in the fact that here there are many smithies scattered around the town that are run by Poshum despite the general animosity between the two species. It is here that those animosities are put aside for the greater good of Svatura. The Rikono require some of the best made weaponry available in order to perform their policing duties (and to be ready at a moment's notice for battle should the need arise) and the best smiths in the world just happen to be the race they are at odds with over certain territories. Thankfully, the Rikono dwelling in the city and the Poshum running the smithies have been able to stand side by side rather peacefully for many years now.

Zurla, located in the west inner island region of Zvan, is another Rikono settlement. It is slightly smaller than Barearav but is relatively self sustaining due to it being removed from the majority of society by the ocean that surrounds it. Granted, the distance from their harbor to Barearav's harbor is not that significant it still makes it easier to be self sufficient. It's located in a grassy area along the edges of the region and houses those who are not a part of the Military. This includes families of those in service as they are not allowed to live in the town (though visits are allowed after submitting permission to enter).

While the Military is a huge part of Rikono life - even with those who are not active within the regiment - it is understood that not everyone can make a living with it. Many retired soldiers have taken to being teachers at the academies or work behind the scenes as tacticians for both battle plans and designing weaponry for the smithies to produce. There are also a wealth of teachers both in Barearav and Zurla who are willing to take on eager young pupils to teach them subjects such as philosophy, reading, writing, arithmetic and history. Because of the better relations with Poshum within the capital, while it is still rare, you can find a small handful of Rikono blacksmiths that the Masters have decided are worthy of learning the trade.

There is not a whole lot of farm land available to the Rikono, so while they raise animals in Zvan and can hunt for food, the little produce that they need (they are mostly carnivorous) is usually either imported from Buin (the heartier food available to travel) or from the Papin of Eala who have much lusher lands available to them.

Machka: The feline touched
Parent Constellation: Lynx
Pronunciation: Mach-Kah

Touched by the constellation of Lynx, the Machka are our feline-featured race. This is our only nocturnal race. They are subdued and shy, and the species as a whole tends to have a weak immune system and gets sick fairly easy. They are finicky, and a very clean race - almost on par with germophobes - for this reason.

Like the Nivasi, the Machka are pretty solitary creatures - however, their own shyness is the reason for this. This, though, is overcome as they welcome company and will, most often, attempt to overcome their shy nature to be personable. They also completely believe in sharing their things and their land if someone wishes to, and they hold no grudges with any of the other races.

Actually, the only thing the Machka get territorial over are loved ones in the terms of "This is MY person" - even this takes a lot of time to get to, though, and a lot of trust for that territorial issue to come up.

Physically, their features can encompass any feline traits. Ears, tails, eyes, claws, odd bits of fur here and there. Their hair can grow in patterned, cat-like fur or in natural human colors. Their eyes tend to be only blue, green, or yellow. And, like every other Race on Svatura, there are no anthros - they are simply feline featured humans.

This race makes good acrobats, decent hunters, and there are a rare few who are very apt at being burglars and thieves.

Their Tiya isn't particularly strong, however, and their magics are purely air based. It's usually used to help them soften their own landings, get them into higher places without being hurt, and to create cyclones of protection around them.

Machka lifespans vary greatly due to their weak immune systems. The average is about forty to fifty years of age, though if they are extremely careful and manage a healthy lifestyle, they can live to be up to seventy years old. This means that the age of maturity comes much sooner than other races, with Machka being considered an adult around 15 years old.

Poshum: The ram touched
Parent Constellation: Aries
Pronunciation: Poe-Shum

• Poshum personality, in general, tends to be gruff and grumpy but they are truly good hearted folk who place a lot of worth in hard work and good deeds. If you show yourself to be a hard worker they tend to approve of you in very short time. Lazy Poshum are a very rare sight.
  
• They love their food and drink. Feasts and parties tend to happen with very little cause or provocation for the event. It could be something as simple as a very good batch of drink had recently been brewed to something as wonderful as a wedding or the birth of a healthy child.
  
• Physically Poshum vary as much as humans do. Some may be tall and slender while others are short and stocky. Females tend to develop rather voluptuous figures, while males tend to more toward the muscular side and of course there are those that just simply become chubby. The body builds often vary due to jobs the Poshum keep. Poshum faces can also vary in appearance, from ugly to beautiful and everything in between. They do not set a lot of stock in facial appearances. Males tend to grow beards and general facial hair.
  
• Possible hair colors: Black, White, Brown, Gray or Silver. Dual colored hair is a rarity.
  Possible eye colors: Brown, Green, Hazel. Gold colored eyes are very rare.
  Possible physical traits: Cloven hooves/lower parts of a goat/ram, Fur/fuzz on random parts of the body, Ram horns, Ears that are simply pointed (like elf-ears) or floppy and shaped exactly like goat/ram ears. Naturally black or grayish colored fingernails, some of them may be pretty thick and tough, like hooves.
  
• Magic-wise, Poshum do earth magic and have middling strength in it. Much like the Aquatic Born: the closer they are to the earth and mountains the stronger their magic tends to be. Age-wise they live a little longer than humans but not quite as long as Celestials.
  
• While generally mild in temperament, they do have a bit of a temper on them, especially if they perceive insults from another party or when riled up through teasing. Work-wise they tend to favor any kind of crafting job and seem to be split up into a dichotomy of sorts:
  
  Males: Carpentry, Blacksmithing, and etc.
  Females: Brewing (alcoholic and none), Cooking, Tailor/Seamstress.
  
  Though, on occasion, there will be a female blacksmith just like there will be a male tailor. The Poshum are probably one of the few races where there seems to be some sort of very faint gender role involved.
  
• Poshum are clan and family oriented. Male leaders of the clan are common, and called chieftains. It is not unheard of, however, that females run a clan here or there, depending on the situation. Poshum believe in a 50/50 sort of arrangement when it comes to marriages and the like. The Poshum tend to marry outside of clan and sometimes (rarely) outside of their own kind.

More Detailed information coming shortly!

Damza: The Scorpion touched
Parent Constellation: Scorpius
Pronunciation: Damn-Zah

• Don't grow very much hair and it usually, if they do it is kind of stiff and bristly. Instead of actual skin they sometimes have exoskeletons of various colors/shades found in usually poisonous insects or arachnids. Some Damza may have multi-limbs, pincers or a combination of the two. They may also have oddly shaped mouths or mandibles instead of mouths. Some may also have tails with stingers on them.
  
• They have a way of sitting completely and utterly still barely breathing at all and then breaking into a flurry of fast movement. Sometimes this movement will seem jerky and purposeless to others.
  
• Damzas do not talk much or loudly. They often seem to have very soft, whispery voices and tend to use as little words as possible even when conversing. Damza have their own sort of hand-sign that they use with each other and they do not tend to share the meanings of such things with 'outsiders'.
  
• They do not often form large groups, and whatever groups they do form are usually run by the female Damza that is largest and strongest in poison magic. People often refer to Damza groups as a 'hive' instead of a guild, clan, or any other such thing. Damzas themselves, on the other hand, do not often give their groupings any specific name or title.
  
• Damza’s often make excellent killers for varying reasons. One being that they are almost unfeeling or indifferent to the idea of killing or others dying. The other reason is because they are very adept in poison magic, and their Tiya is strong. They are good at assassination. Damza are a very merciless group.
  
• Pacifist Damza tend to be very rare. These Damza tend to apply themselves toward tinkering and inventing new things. They also tend to be much more talkative, especially about their newest projects. Amongst other Damza these people are considered ‘insane’ or ‘touched in the head’.
  
• Most Damza like to wear shawls and such. Damza, in general are a very secretive bunch and do not tend to disclose much about themselves or their kind even when directly asked.
  
• Matku are hives that consist of several families and groups, headed by a Matriarchal female who is strongest in the Poison Tiya. These are smaller groups (Usually consisting of about 20-30 Damza) They split off or they if they are a particularly aggressive bunch - Fight for their place in the Matku. Prove themselves more worthy than the person being challenged. The limitations for such a challenge would be not going against the elder/old ones and not allowed to pick children.
  
  The Matriarchs of the Matku must still answer to the Queen of the Raani Matku, or Main Hive, Bengalo.

More Detailed information coming shortly!

Edre: The Avian touched
Parent Constellation: Pavo
Pronunciation: Aid-Ray

• Edres are usually excitable, very talkative, and are often insatiably curious. A good number of them are also incurable gossips.
  
• They are good at carrying and delivering messages and also at mimicry.
  
• Their body build often tends toward the willowy side with the very few sturdier builds showing up here and there depending on the type of bird they represent.
  
• Bird-types tend to stick with their own ‘kin’ very rarely integrating with others.
  
• Common Edre features: Taloned/bird feet, Feathers on the arms, Tail feathers, Small bird-wings attached to their shoulders, Beaks instead of mouths, possibly feathers-for-hair, some may even lack external ears. Eye colors: amber, gold, reddish-brown, black. Hair color varies from type-to-type. If it is found in the natural bird-world it can possibly be found in their hair.
  
• A good number of Edre mate for life and if their mate dies the grieving Edre often follows soon after.
  
• Despite them possibly having wings or any sort of feathers: they can NOT fly. No matter how hard they try.
  
• They possess no Tiya.
  
• Edres don't often eat very much. Their diet consists of whatever diet their bird-type has (Example: A Vulture-type Edre would eat a lot of meat).
  
• Edre are migratory and do not stay in one place very long. have no official settlement.
  
• They are also one of the very few races that are quick enough to outwit and outrun an Azvanara. This is the reason for their small claim next to the Azvanara - they''re generally not afraid of the crazy infesting that area

More Detailed information coming shortly!

Halfbreeds

As things do happen, there have been...instances...of half breeds occurring within the realm of Svatura. Those born of cross-race unions are not typically smiled upon within most populations. Mostly, this is due to the fact that halflings tend to be fairly poor in constitution due to genetic incompatibility. It is not uncommon for half-breeds to be ugly or have misshapen features.

Most Halfbreeds are outcasts, and they make up the majority of the pirates that roam through Svatura. A band of "lost boys" so to speak (though there are plenty of girls in the group, not to worry!).

Things get a little murky when halfbreeds mate with halfbreeds. Having more races in the genepool tend to make things...difficult. Children born of two halfbreeds who are not of the same mixing usually do not survive long past birth.

Some genetics have an easier time with mixing than others - the humans, being plain of features and the most 'blank' genetic code, make it less apparent when races are mixed. Those half-human companions tend to be more accepted than others - though that's not to say that they are completely off the hook. It is not uncommon for even half humans to have some form of discrimination toward them if it's obvious.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS/WANT MORE INFO ABOUT YOUR HALF BREED WILL FIT IN FEEL FREE TO ASK and we are happy to answer!

Below are how each race handles half breeds:

Humans:
Humans do not typically accept half breeds unless they look indistinguishable from a full human. They have a superiority complex that is difficult to overcome. If someone can hide their other features, they have a good shot at a normal life.

Celestials:
Celestials do not discriminate.

Rikono:
Rikono honor code does not allow for one to abandon their responsibilities - especially one's children. As such, half breeds are not cast out of their homes. They are more accepted than elsewhere, but there is still stigma attached to them. It may be harder to get work vs a pure blooded Rikono. The Military will not take half bloods, but there are veterans and retired soldiers that are more than willing to take on apprentices. Most Rikono mercenaries are halfbreeds.

Papin:
Papin are a very inclusive and clan/family focused group. Halfbreeds are more accepted here than most other places, though bird halfbreeds (Edre/Papin) and Human halfbreeds are more accepted than others.

Machka:
There are few Machka half breeds due to the weak constitution of the race. Human/Machka are the best possible scenario, though a Rikono/Machka may also bolster the health of the halfbreeds should they survive pass the first three years.

Machka willl not abandon their halfbreed children, and will take care of them as they are also family oriented. However, attachments to halfbreeds are half-hearted at best, expecting their less than stellar track record of living past childhood.

Nivasi:
Nivasi are secluded for a reason - and the only reason a Nivasi would mate outside of their own species would be due to a personal vision or a vision from an Oracle. As such, half breeds tend to be more revered in this race than in others as they are deemed a command from the Gods.

Poshum:
Poshum halfbreeds are generally well accepted unless they are lazy and refuse to do their fair share. Being an extremely hardworking race, they tend to get a little...prickly if someone isn't doing their share.

If it's a halfbreed, they tend to get a bit on the racist side. (It must be INSERT RACE'S HERE side that's causing this laziness!)

The exception to this is if the other race involved is Rikono in which case all gloves are off. Their animosity toward each other is hard to set aside.

There will always be some kind of good natured ribbing/teasing (and some ill-natured) but it mostly depends on the rank of the family.

Example: If you tease a Poshum lord's halfbreed son you might get a bit of a beatin' but if you tease a lowborn halfbreed it's like 'it'll build character'

Ahi:
Ahi are about as self important as the humans are and critically more vain - however, they seem to revere things that are different (The nagaborn in their species, for instance, being a blessing and a sign from the gods vs seen as an abomination/mutation). Keep in mind that Ahi genes are very strong and are dominant on just about every other species, so any Ahi crossbreed is typically more Ahi than not anyway.

Damza:
Killed upon birth if they ever happen - which is extremely rare. They are such a secretive group that any mating outside of the hive is strictly forbidden.

Melalo:
Unless the Melalo in the pair is the mother, the baby would not survive. Melalo mothers are protective of their children regardless of who their father is. However once they reach age of maturity they are on their own. The stigma of being any part Melalo (and thus a giant) are enough to keep them fairly ostracized as a whole.

Edre:
Curiosity results in more halfbreed births than just about any other race. It's almost impossible to tell because there are so many different bird traits that it's essentially a non issue.

Azvanara:
This one is pretty impossible, considering the horse half bottoms. The only ones that MIGHT survive such a union would be Melalo, and that's not going to happen anytime soon. Whoops.