Endel
THE ELYRIAN RACE
The Elyrian race is a global wide species of human shapeshifters, shifting to pegasi, unicorns or winged unicorns. They are incredibly fast healing, able to withstand extensive injury and (up to 75%) blood loss without going into shock. However, they are not immortal, Elyrian’s usually live up to 800 years on average (the oldest being recorded at 1359 years old) with the most common cause of death being organ failures and malignant tumours. Whilst they are sexually mature around 50 years old, they are not deemed as adults until 80 years.
PHYSICAL STRUCTURE AND GENETICS
Unicorn -
The horn of the unicorn consists of a bony core providing structure and a several sheets of keratin surrounding it. If the horn becomes damaged or broken but the core remains intact, they will often grow back. In some cases where the internal structure is damaged, horns may grow back crooked or not at all. Horns naturally grow straight and don’t stop growing, requiring additional filing when it is not worn down naturally.
Unicorn gene (u1) is a co-dominant recessive gene. In the presence of the P1 gene, a horn will still grow despite P1’s dominance.
Two copies of the u1 gene is needed for a normal horn and hairy tail.
Unicorns also possess a rare second gene for a genetic deformity that fuses vertebrae to form a kinked tail called the u2 gene, both copies are needed for the kinked tail to be shown. However traits such as curly hair and feathers can denote the presence of a hidden u2 gene and thought to be on the same locus point as the allele for curly hair. It is thought the mutation derives from a variation of the pegasus gene where tail bones are already fused together.
The u3a and u3b gene is a further mutation of the u2 gene, however displays with all copies of the allele. U3a affects the growth of keratin in horns and hooves, causing the lower sheet to grow faster than the top sheet, causing the keratin to curl up and back.
- u3b affects hooves only
Pegasus -
Structurally Pegasi carry the main difference of two extra limbs and are naturally heavier than unicorns. Their wings are usually 2x body lengths and their tail 1x their body length. Wings have a hardened sloped ridge covered by small feathers along the ‘forearm’ bone, strengthening the bone and improving aerodynamics.
The vertebrae in Pegasus tails are fewer than unicorns, strengthening them against high wind speeds and though less flexible in general,
still allow for precise control in aerial manoeuvres. The main control is in the tip of the tail with ligaments attached to tail feather ends, capable of changing angles and degree of flare. Tail feathers consist of large primary and tertiary feathers, growing from the top of the tail, consisting of 7 or more primaries.
The Pegasus gene (P1) is a dominant trait, only one copy is needed for wings and feathered tail to be present.
However two copies of the P1 gene will overwrite the u1and u2 gene entirely.
P2 is a co-dominant recessive gene, leading to the curling of primary feathers in the presence of water (hydrophobic coating). Two copies of the gene can lead to excessive curling of the hair, fur and feathers, especially in conjunction with the u3 gene.
Genetic Combinations -
Cloven hooves are present in all forms, with an extra “thumb” like protrusion from the inside of the hooves and back of the fetlock. Their hooves are able to flex to some degree, aiding climbing and rocky terrain but hard enough to withstand the nomad lifestyle.
DIET
Elyrian diets consists of general forage and the consumption of meat. The majority of Elyrians will consume grass, berries, fruit, vegetables, variations of meat such as deer, elk, hare, rabbit and fish. Grains and hard feed have also come into use, especially within travelling armies and the increase of working life. Most Elyrians will spend the mornings and evenings grazing, supplemented accordingly with meat and grains.
Fruits and Vegetables are eaten in moderation and are generally considered bad in large amounts due to high sugar content.
Elyrians are well adapted for the omnivorous diet even in their shifted forms, holding a normal grazer mouth shape with a set of canines replacing two of the front teeth and high crowned molars before the low crown molars. That being said, Elyrians mainly feed on forage rather than consuming a lot of meat.
MODERNISATION
With more and more Elyrian’s settling into towns, settled farriers have recently come into service in blacksmith forges. Allowing regular trimming and filing of the horn and hooves where they would normally be worn down by travelling and the whetting of horns against trees. Trimming and filing are essential for healthy keratin growth. Teeth filing is also becoming more common in areas where hunting and free grazing are dying out.
COLOURATION
Elyrian’s carry all variations of natural colours and builds with some mutations. Most noted is a variation of grey where the greying process is completed by the time of maturity rather than middle age. While unnatural colours are not present, some mutated colours and co-dominant genes can appear to look unnatural in different lights.
Eye colours range from metallic to muted toned colours and are mostly dark.
In addition to natural colours, there has been a rise in the use of hair and body dye within settled and tropical populations. Coloured tattoos are also on the rise. Traditionally tattoos are kept simple and in plain black or white. Branding within armies is also a tradition that is being lost, while upheld by some elder leaders, the majority of young leaders do not enforce branding.
PHYSICAL STRUCTURE AND GENETICS
Unicorn -
The horn of the unicorn consists of a bony core providing structure and a several sheets of keratin surrounding it. If the horn becomes damaged or broken but the core remains intact, they will often grow back. In some cases where the internal structure is damaged, horns may grow back crooked or not at all. Horns naturally grow straight and don’t stop growing, requiring additional filing when it is not worn down naturally.
Unicorn gene (u1) is a co-dominant recessive gene. In the presence of the P1 gene, a horn will still grow despite P1’s dominance.
Two copies of the u1 gene is needed for a normal horn and hairy tail.
Unicorns also possess a rare second gene for a genetic deformity that fuses vertebrae to form a kinked tail called the u2 gene, both copies are needed for the kinked tail to be shown. However traits such as curly hair and feathers can denote the presence of a hidden u2 gene and thought to be on the same locus point as the allele for curly hair. It is thought the mutation derives from a variation of the pegasus gene where tail bones are already fused together.
The u3a and u3b gene is a further mutation of the u2 gene, however displays with all copies of the allele. U3a affects the growth of keratin in horns and hooves, causing the lower sheet to grow faster than the top sheet, causing the keratin to curl up and back.
- u3b affects hooves only
Pegasus -
Structurally Pegasi carry the main difference of two extra limbs and are naturally heavier than unicorns. Their wings are usually 2x body lengths and their tail 1x their body length. Wings have a hardened sloped ridge covered by small feathers along the ‘forearm’ bone, strengthening the bone and improving aerodynamics.
The vertebrae in Pegasus tails are fewer than unicorns, strengthening them against high wind speeds and though less flexible in general,
still allow for precise control in aerial manoeuvres. The main control is in the tip of the tail with ligaments attached to tail feather ends, capable of changing angles and degree of flare. Tail feathers consist of large primary and tertiary feathers, growing from the top of the tail, consisting of 7 or more primaries.
The Pegasus gene (P1) is a dominant trait, only one copy is needed for wings and feathered tail to be present.
However two copies of the P1 gene will overwrite the u1and u2 gene entirely.
P2 is a co-dominant recessive gene, leading to the curling of primary feathers in the presence of water (hydrophobic coating). Two copies of the gene can lead to excessive curling of the hair, fur and feathers, especially in conjunction with the u3 gene.
Genetic Combinations -
- u1u1 normal horn
- u1u2 normal horn
- u2u2 horn + kinked tail
- u1u3 curled horn/hooves
- u2u3 curled horn/hooves + kinked tail
- u3u3 curled horn/hooves
- P1u1 horn + wings + feathered tail
- P1u2 horn + wings + feathered tail
- P1u3 curled horn/hooves + wings + feathered tail
- P1P1 wings + feathered tail
- P1p2 wings + feathered tail
- p2p2 wings + feathered tail + curly feathers, fur, hair
- p2u3 wings + feathered tail + curly feathers, fur, hair + curled horn/hooves
- p2u2 wings + feathered tail
Cloven hooves are present in all forms, with an extra “thumb” like protrusion from the inside of the hooves and back of the fetlock. Their hooves are able to flex to some degree, aiding climbing and rocky terrain but hard enough to withstand the nomad lifestyle.
DIET
Elyrian diets consists of general forage and the consumption of meat. The majority of Elyrians will consume grass, berries, fruit, vegetables, variations of meat such as deer, elk, hare, rabbit and fish. Grains and hard feed have also come into use, especially within travelling armies and the increase of working life. Most Elyrians will spend the mornings and evenings grazing, supplemented accordingly with meat and grains.
Fruits and Vegetables are eaten in moderation and are generally considered bad in large amounts due to high sugar content.
Elyrians are well adapted for the omnivorous diet even in their shifted forms, holding a normal grazer mouth shape with a set of canines replacing two of the front teeth and high crowned molars before the low crown molars. That being said, Elyrians mainly feed on forage rather than consuming a lot of meat.
MODERNISATION
With more and more Elyrian’s settling into towns, settled farriers have recently come into service in blacksmith forges. Allowing regular trimming and filing of the horn and hooves where they would normally be worn down by travelling and the whetting of horns against trees. Trimming and filing are essential for healthy keratin growth. Teeth filing is also becoming more common in areas where hunting and free grazing are dying out.
COLOURATION
Elyrian’s carry all variations of natural colours and builds with some mutations. Most noted is a variation of grey where the greying process is completed by the time of maturity rather than middle age. While unnatural colours are not present, some mutated colours and co-dominant genes can appear to look unnatural in different lights.
Eye colours range from metallic to muted toned colours and are mostly dark.
In addition to natural colours, there has been a rise in the use of hair and body dye within settled and tropical populations. Coloured tattoos are also on the rise. Traditionally tattoos are kept simple and in plain black or white. Branding within armies is also a tradition that is being lost, while upheld by some elder leaders, the majority of young leaders do not enforce branding.