The Amivi ( Race )

[Dalia Thail]

Government: Nomadic Tribes

Each tribe is led by three figures: The Eldernan ( Healer ), the Toth'Vik ( Fierce One), and the Guf ( Voice ).

Often considered the spiritual heart of the Amivi people the Eldernan's role goes beyond just mending wounds or treating the ill; The Tribe Eldernan is also the one that teaches the young, attends to the emotional well-being of their people, and offers peaceful advise to the Guf in important matters. Often the individual that has assumed this position will remove their own horns as a symbol of their pacifist stance.

The Toth'Vik, on the other hand, is considered the Horns of the Tribe. This individual handles the protection and safety of their people while serving as the Tribe's official representative when dealing with outsiders. To keep their people, and culture, unsullied by the Hornless Races the Toth'Vik handles all external business.. A resolute barricade between the rather secretive Race and those they have no choice but to mingle with. When speaking with the Guf this figure is often at odds with the Eldernan, cautioning indifference and abrasiveness instead of peace or understanding.

The Guf is typically the Eldest in the Tribe, though not always. This figure listens to both the Eldernan and the Toth'Vik to determine the wisest course of action for their people to take.. It is the Guf's responsibility to uphold the laws and traditions of the Amivi, and to lead their people down a stable path. In many ways this individual is considered the 'Parent' of the Tribe.. It is rare that the Guf would ever speak to someone outside the Avimi Race, but to be given direct audience with this figure would be a sign of great trust and respect.



Primary Language: The most common dialect of the Amivi's tongue is called 'Ukal' and is only spoken among the Tribes themselves, the information guarded jealously like much of their culture. Due to their nomadic ways the Amivi can typically speak a great number of languages, adjusting to their customer's preference.. or the native language of their current location.
Few outside the Amivi Race know how to speak their tongue, but it isn't impossible to earn such trust.. Those that have earned such a right are welcomed into (almost) any Tribe and treated as blood-kin.

Home World Data: The Planet Vymm was a land-dominated world, dark during the day by most standards due to the loss of its primary sun.. yet at night the planet glowed so brightly that it captured the attention of the first foreign Explorers. After generations of darkness the plants and animals evolved to fill the shadows, emitting a radiant and colorful display of bioluminescence as soon as the dim secondary sun set each night. The first visitors actually mistook the dense forests to be advanced cities from their lofty vantage points. The lakes and rivers that nourished this world were fresh water, pure and clean thanks to the immense deposits of limestone that ran throughout the planet's crust. Unfortunately without the primary sun to keep the core heated it started to solidify, the planet buckling under its own weight and stagnation until it literally broke itself into pieces.

Physiology: Typically a tall and hardy race the Amivi are rather unique in their animalistic appearance; Horns, claws, and fangs being the most obvious way to recognize the Amivi. They are born with the claws and fangs but their horns only grow when they reach the 'toddler' stage of development. Adults stand anywhere from 6ft to 8ft tall, and their growth rates are rather slow compared to the other Races considering their life spans can be anywhere from 230 to 300 standard years. Due to this their birth rates are stunningly low, pregnancy lasting 20 months and often ending in miscarriage. A noticeable feature of this race is their taste in attire, piercings and jewelry very common among them.. and though there seems to be a deeper meaning behind these decorations the Amivi have never shared it.

Society: A Nomadic race, these people have developed a network for their own kind to follow.. scattered about the cosmos yet never alone due to their enduring hearts and tight-knit natures. They typically live in Tribes, traveling as merchants and craftsmen from place to place, and they rarely socialize outside of their own kind. Even now they can seem primitive compared to the many other races, a bit more animalistic and savage.. yet surprisingly honest and comfortable with their own natures. While no one could ever call these creatures 'simple', they are far more likely to respond to their emotions and instincts.. making them slightly hard to predict.

To their own people they are lively, creative, unconditionally loyal, and supportive. Artistic behavior is treasured and valued just as much as fighting prowess; The Amivi respect strength and honesty even if they are not typically a overly aggressive people. To outsiders they are a enigma even now, secretive and reserved about their species when dealing with 'Hornless' creatures.. they simply prefer keeping silent instead of telling lies. Even a stray Amivi that roams about on their own keep to this silence. Perhaps because of this, and their roaming, some Tribes have taken hand in smuggling.. left little choice but to do dirty work so that they may survive.

Additional Customs:
Marriage- The Amivi believe in Polyandry , and the children are raised by the entire Tribe. While a female may have many mates, a male (once mated) may not stray from their union. Divorce is an option, and not frowned upon, but once the male leaves his mate he must remove his horns as a sign of starting anew.. He may only mate again after his horns have grown back to their full length. The Female must also perform this ritual if she leaves her mate/mates in this manner.

Beliefs- Though their home world is gone their rich beliefs and culture have managed to survive among the Tribes, evolving a little to accommodate their ever changing life styles. They believe their ancestors speak through their Eldernans, guiding the Amivi. Most of their festivals or celebrations revolve around music and dancing, honoring the dead and praying for future guidance.. Long ago on their home world they had sacred temples and fire pits to house these events, now they have learned to make due with their current surroundings. The greatest events for them are the birth of a new life which is met with joy and song.. or the death of one of their own in which case they burn the body and sing a requiem in their native tongue over the flames.

The Greeting- A common behavior for the Amivi is for them to lock horns with each other upon meeting, it is a brief yet vulnerable action as it would be simple for the other Amivi to break their horn if they wished.. But by performing the ritual they are expressing their trust and resolve to each other. The fact that the other races do not have horns leads many Amivi to believe they are incapable of feeling such emotions thus are 'unworthy' of their trust. Regardless of this, first impressions are very important to this Race.. Be it good or bad, it is very difficult to change their opinion once they've made up their minds about someone. The best way to impress an Amivi is to go forehead-to-forehead with them calmly, not backing down until the Amivi has judged you worthy and retreats on their own.

The Name- Every Amivi will call themselves 'Amivi' when a outsider asks for their name, preferring to be seen as 'One of Many' instead of a individual. To be given their personal name is a highly intimate gesture which can only be inspired by true affection.. this is because they believe that their name is the essence of who they are, and to share the name is to share themselves.

Common Foods:

For the most part the Amivi people are carnivores, preferring mildly cooked and raw meats.. though very few of them have any interest in sea food. Eyeballs and tongues are still considered a delicacy to them.. and rumors have spread about them devouring unwelcome guests. This is unconfirmed, yet not impossible.

Common Drinks:
Fresh Water, or whatever else they stumble upon.