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When you look around you in your real-world setting, you see that most people are fairly similar. The same phenomenon holds true in the world of Noctua - most Sentinels fall into one of the five major types, and don't have any particularly unusual features. But just as we have people with tight bouncy curls and the ability to roll their tongues, there are particular traits within the Sentinels that are a bit less common.

And while most people fall under a major ethnicity, there are the visible minorities to consider. Similarly, the Sentinels are found in major types (wildtype, deep woods, ghost, mist, and shadow) and minor types (including flame, dusk, chestnut, and many more).

For more information on these traits and types, please read on!

Types (Major and Minor)

As we all know, Sentinels are most commonly one of five main types (Wildtype, Deep Woods, Mist, Shadow, and Ghost). Traditionally, anything that was not one of these types was classified as an aberrant... however, this designation is not entirely accurate. Some 'aberrants' can more accurately be described as types in their own right, and are viewed by other Sentinels not as freaks or outcasts but rather as a visible minority. Lacking any better frame of reference, it is best to think of the five major types as being similar to major human races (caucasian, black, asian, etc.) and to think of these minor types as the less common minority races.

The minor types differ from the major types in a few key ways. First of all, there are far fewer individuals within that type. As a result, a Sentinel of a minor type tends to have a much stronger familial bond than other Sentinels would. It is extremely rare for eggs/hatchlings of minor types to be given over to the Minders, for example. Matings are monitored much more closely to prevent in-breeding, and cross-type pairings are very strongly discouraged (and may even be the grounds for being disowned from some types!).

Since the gene pool is smaller and cross-type mating is rare, there is not as much visible variation among some of the smaller minor types. Unlike the wildtypes, who can vary in colour, hue, and intensity to such a degree that it can be difficult to understand how they are all still the same type, the minor types present a much more homogenous face to the world. The markings that some of the minor types possess are striking and distinct, and many of them sport natural colours that would send an envious Sentinel of a major type to their local Artisan.

Finally, some traits are more common among the undiluted gene pools of the minor types. The (snowy owl) type, for example, has a strong genetic history of both the short tuft trait and the fluffy feet trait. Chestnut Sentinels show a high proportion of the long tuft trait. It's also rumoured that some less-obvious traits may be common among the minor types - Will affinities and strength, fighting prowess, flight speed... but these are just rumours, and should be treated as such.

Just as the major types do, the minor types have a few quirks:

Beech
A brisk, water-loving, and militaristic group, the Beech type are known for their ferocity in battle, their prowess at hunting and flight, and their unusual fondness for the river's edge. Most members of that type live near a source of water, and many of the best alcyon keepers are affiliated with that family. They have maintained the strength of their blood through careful interbreeding with wildtypes.

Brindle
Often thought of the larger cousins of the Beech type, the Brindle type shares their love of water and active nature. They also share the cold-tolerance of the Mists, however, and tend to find their territories near the icy waters of the far cold reaches. While the Brindle type tends to be larger than most others in physical size, they are much smaller in population.

Chestnut
Smaller than normal (even smaller than the Deep Woods), the Chestnut types are quick and skittish in mind and body. They tend to be more solitary even than most Sentinels, and as a result members of the type are scattered throughout the forest rather than remaining in a central location. While the Chestnut type is small in numbers, they have managed to avoid excessive inbreeding by mingling their bloodlines with the Deep Woods.

Desert
Very little is known about this reclusive type. Most members of the Desert type stay in the far not-cold, close to the deserts for which they are named. They are said to be larger than normal and fierce in battle, but aside from that much of the details of this type remain unknown.

Dusk
Small and pretty, the Dusk type is generally seen as one of the most attractive of the minor types. This natural beauty is more trouble than it is worth at times, as Dusks are often taken less seriously when they choose to take on a combatant task. Their smaller size makes them well-suited for the life of a Scout, but most Dusks become entertainers or other non-combatants.

Flame
Hailing from the warm not-cold reaches, the Flame types are fiery in every imaginable way (especially their temper!). As one of the larger minor types, the Flame enjoy a certain degree of autonomy - large stretches of the near-tropical forests are inhabited by these vibrant Sentinels. Some might think that this type is a bit too populous and segregated from the rest of society, but nobody is terribly eager to go and re-integrate the Flames and they seem to be quite content as they are.

Tussock
The Tussock clan is a proud old family that has long-standing ties to the Deep Woods. An old type, they have a proud military heritage and suffered serious losses during the wars. It was only through careful interbreeding with other types (under the watchful eyes of the Ageless Warden of the west) that this particular type was saved.

Twilight
Members of this particularly striking type are subject to far more misplaced prejudice than any other, since most will mistake the appearance of a Twilight Sentinel for that of a Mist/Shadow aberrant. Perhaps it is due to this prejudice that the Twilight type is among the most reclusive of all.