Anthropomorphic Animalia
In the Twilight dawn of Cyrus, the Archai visited the world and raised the Animalia from their primitive states of instinct. They brought them into a state of grace and honor in the eyes of the High God Taeos. The bodies of the Animalia changed and their minds expanded. They learned the sacred language of the Archai and modified it into their own high language.
Animalia are anthropomorphic animals of many races and breeds. Collectively, they are the most common and largest race in all of Cyrus. Each animalia possesses unique traits and personalities based off of the animal species from which it evolved. A foxblooded animalia will be fast and cunning, a bearblooded will be large and strong, goatblooded animalia are tough and stubborn while catblooded are wilely and finicky, but graceful. The race of animalia are so vast that an offshoot of their common tongue has been turned into the common merchants and travelers language for ease of communication. This language is different from their secret language, which was created from the language of the Archai and is spoken to no one outside their groups.
Some Common Playable Animalia Races
Bearblooded
Varying by breed, the bearblooded appear as brown, furry, stout creatures that are slightly taller than humans, or as great lumbering creatures much taller and bulkier, sometimes even rivaling small ogres in size. Bearblooded can come from any ursine variety which might exist in the lands where they were bred from. In clave there are Bearblooded who resemble sun bears and panda. Having no standard living or lifestyle preference, it is still common to find bearblooded living in wood cabins or stone houses. Their culture is usually dictated by their environment, but as a species they are prone to enjoy the outdoors and fishing. Traditionally they are matriarchal, and for government of large groups they respect the elders rule. Usually any disputes amongst a group of Bearblooded are settled by tribunals of elder females.
Quotes
“Not as the silver-mailed brother salmon who gives us food; Nor the feathered angel doves, who carry Taeos’ breath to all of Cyrus—But of bone, fur and claw to shield justice.”
“No, you cannot call me Theodore, either!”
“Bees? I’m not worried about bees unless their really big.”
“How much, exactly, is a smakerel?”
Catblooded
The Catblooded race takes on the languid and graceful shapes of various species of felines, be they large small or in between. Most Catblooded are loners, however some sub-classes are more prone to build a pack mentality. In many areas catblooded coming from domesticated species tend to for small business collectives, or small social clubs to maintain this pack without a constant need to participate in it for survival. It is not uncommon for their to be a catblooded "alpha" male or female and a harem of other catblooded as the standard family group. The Catblooded have always played an important role in the history of Cyrus, and are regarded generally as honorable by most of the civilized races of Cyrus. The respect for catblooded is strongest in the deserts of Pero where they are rare as a species. This respect has been gained by the catblooded despite some rather large cultural blunders, such as their confrontation of catnip abuse, or the forced limiting of their cultural habit of public bathing.
Quotes
“Catnip is no reason to start fights”
“I do brush my teeth, but the food I eat just makes my breath fishy.”
“Eating grass is not an alternative to taking medicine.”
“Fickleness, napping and liberally used sharp claws, that’s my motto.”
Foxblooded
Thin and tight muscled, the foxblooded are accomplished athletes and musicians. Preferring fine clothing, and colorful fabrics, foxblooded animalia are well known as genial creatures, always willing to play a tune or do a dance for guests. Playful by nature, the foxblood, or foxling, are regarded for their mischief and youthful vigor. All the same, they are known and respected for their craft of musical instruments, and are sought by musicians of all races. They are communal by nature and will often live in fox or animalia communes, or in apartment complexes with family members. Oppressed for a time by the wolfblooded, the foxblooded have vowed never to live as slaves again. Counting themselves as freedom fighters to many causes, the foxlings are a force to be reckoned with when they muster their weapons and impressive martial arts skills.
Quotes
“Yes, I have always looked this way, and will probably stay this handsome long into the greys…”
“Never to nose around in burrows you don’t know.”
“If your smile is gone, then the light of your eyes is lost.”
Goatblooded
Slightly shorter than a human, the goatblooded are loners who have found a good trade in shepherding flocks of sheep or driving cattle. Their culture is simple and earthy with little need for complication. Considered the least compromising of all the animalia, the goatblooded have gained a reputation as expert marksmen. Because they are natural herders they enjoy farm life. However, because of the dangers that the mountains and foothills afford, they have constant problems protecting their herds. Due to this they have readily taken up use of firearms and have become quite accomplished. A goatblood belongs to himself/herself, and they prefer not to have a whole lot of people getting things mixed-up. If there is a problem a goatblooded will usually try to ignore it. If the problem does not go away on its own, they shoot the problem.
Quotes
“A plug of grass between your cheek and gum is mighty fine.”
“If you wanted get on my good side, you should have just never showed up.”
Hareblooded
One of the most noticeable things about hareblooded, or rabbitblooded as they are sometimes called, is their tendency to large families. These large clans are ruled by a governing matriarch who usually never wanted the job, but accepts it for the benefit of her children. Peaceful by nature but fierce when hard pressed the hareblooded tend to surprise other races with their aptness and ability at multiple disciplines. Hareblooded will often leave their families during adolescence to seek adventure and knowledge, when they return they will usually share and teach the younger generations, so that when those generations leave they will be more capable in their own journies. As one of the races most affected by the War of Fangs, the hareblooded have asserted themselves as a reckoning warrior force. They have learned and honed many types of martial practice, and many of the most brilliant generals to grace the world of Cyrus have come from the race of the rabbits.
Quotes
“Oh, pellets…”
“No it is not a religious thing and it was not a long winter.”
“I’ll show you abra-cadabra!”
“I’m sorry about your carrot patch, but I was getting the shakes.”
Lizardblooded
In terms of social graces, the lizardblooded make the Goatblooded look like social butterflies. Most are never seen except by desert traders and pilgrims, and then the scaly ones are only glimpsed from afar. There is no standard family structure as lizardblooded are the only animalia which are hatched from large eggs. Many scholars feel that lizardblooded are not animalia at all, but close approximations. Since none have ever submitted to study it is hard to truly tell. Traditional clothing for lizardblooded are beaded garments which resembles the tents they are known for making. One known talent of the lizardblooded is their excellent navigation and mapping skills. Many Dwarves have purchased lizard made maps from travelers that detail caves and tunnels more accurately than the construction maps the dwarves used to build the tunnels.
Quotes
“I know I’m moving slow but until it gets warmer, this is my only speed.”
“Ooh, that’s gonna take a while to grow back.”
Monkeyblooded
Monkeyblooded are highly regarded for their family mentality, and their hospitality. They are also highly reviled for their practical jokes. Living in finely crafted wicker houses within the canopies of trees, the monkeyblooded are communal and enjoy visitors. Most live in large communities with other monkeyblooded, however it is not uncommon for some monkeyblooded to live in rural, urban, and suburban communities within diverse race demographics. The monkeyblooded adapt easily to cultural stylings.
Quotes
“My tail isn’t the only thing prehensile, baby.”
“You really think we fling that? Blecch. Hehe. Just wait till he turns around.”
“Listen, I didn’t see anything, I didn’t hear anything, and I’m not saying nothing. Ok?”
Fall Of The Lands Above
