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meta:players_guide:character_creation [2023/11/22 10:05] – shyriathmeta:players_guide:character_creation [2024/01/25 10:05] (current) – shyriath
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 ===== 1. Choosing a species ===== ===== 1. Choosing a species =====
-There are three known intelligent species native to Avishraa, and on the whole, the setting is intended to be played using those species. (This is not to absolutely rule out other species - there may already be, for example, a long-lost colony of [[https://safiria.net/wiki/doku.php/species:safir|blue humanoids]] [[history:star_era:|living]] on a [[avishraa:geography:talmat:|distant continent]] - but before using a character of non-Avishraan origin, there will need to be discussion as to what they are, what they can do, and how they arrived in and fit into the setting.)+There are three known intelligent species native to Avishraa, and on the whole, the setting is intended to be played using those species. (This is not to absolutely rule out other species - there may already be, for example, a long-lost colony of [[https://safiria.net/wiki/doku.php/species:safir|blue humanoids]] [[history:star_era:|living]] on a [[geography:talmat:|distant continent]] - but before using a character of non-Avishraan origin, there will need to be discussion as to what they are, what they can do, and how they arrived in and fit into the setting.)
  
 Summaries of each species follow below. Keep in mind that while many of the descriptions of behavior are //generally// applicable, they should be thought of as tendencies rather than absolute prescriptions for how a character should look or act; as with humans, individuals may stand out in either respect. Summaries of each species follow below. Keep in mind that while many of the descriptions of behavior are //generally// applicable, they should be thought of as tendencies rather than absolute prescriptions for how a character should look or act; as with humans, individuals may stand out in either respect.
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 These are by far the most common natives of Avishraa; though they are functionally separate species, they are listed together here because they are very closely related to each other, somewhat like humans and Neanderthals, and a number of statements apply to both of them. These are by far the most common natives of Avishraa; though they are functionally separate species, they are listed together here because they are very closely related to each other, somewhat like humans and Neanderthals, and a number of statements apply to both of them.
  
-=== Similarities ===+++++ Similarities |
 == Appearance and biology == == Appearance and biology ==
   * Both [[takma:|takmar]] and [[xtauh:]] bear a fair resemblance to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_dragon|European dragons]] of Earthly lore. They have two forelimbs that can be used as either arms or legs, two hindlimbs that are exclusively legs, and a pair of batlike wings. They do not have horns.   * Both [[takma:|takmar]] and [[xtauh:]] bear a fair resemblance to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_dragon|European dragons]] of Earthly lore. They have two forelimbs that can be used as either arms or legs, two hindlimbs that are exclusively legs, and a pair of batlike wings. They do not have horns.
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   * Both species have an innate capacity to sense emotional and other subjective states. Because of the disruption this can cause in the close quarters of a settlement, most societies with any significant population density have a taboo against failing to shield empathic output while in public; this is the closest equivalent to human nudity taboos. Shielding requires a certain amount of emotional control, and in certain mental conditions one's emotions can be exposed to those within sensing radius.   * Both species have an innate capacity to sense emotional and other subjective states. Because of the disruption this can cause in the close quarters of a settlement, most societies with any significant population density have a taboo against failing to shield empathic output while in public; this is the closest equivalent to human nudity taboos. Shielding requires a certain amount of emotional control, and in certain mental conditions one's emotions can be exposed to those within sensing radius.
   * They are good swimmers and like being in the water, but can get very nervous about water in which they cannot see clearly, whether because of depth or cloudiness.   * They are good swimmers and like being in the water, but can get very nervous about water in which they cannot see clearly, whether because of depth or cloudiness.
 +++++
  
-=== Differences ===+++++ Differences |
   * Takmar are considerably bigger (usually 2.5 to 3 meters long) than xtauh (1.75 to 1.9 meters long) and more solidly built; xtauh are typically rangier. Xtauh typically have shorter, blunter muzzles.   * Takmar are considerably bigger (usually 2.5 to 3 meters long) than xtauh (1.75 to 1.9 meters long) and more solidly built; xtauh are typically rangier. Xtauh typically have shorter, blunter muzzles.
   * Xtauh come in colors of a brown-red-yellow spectrum, either slightly glossy or, less commonly, reflective in a metallic or pearlescent way. Takmar have both of these, but in addition they have the third option of a blue-green-purple spectrum. Color inheritance is... complicated, so children can come out with a color that doesn't closely match that of either biological parent.   * Xtauh come in colors of a brown-red-yellow spectrum, either slightly glossy or, less commonly, reflective in a metallic or pearlescent way. Takmar have both of these, but in addition they have the third option of a blue-green-purple spectrum. Color inheritance is... complicated, so children can come out with a color that doesn't closely match that of either biological parent.
   * The antennae of takmar extend backward and curve slightly upward, while those of xtauh extend out to the sides and arc upward before reaching a downward curve at the tips. The ways the two species position them for expressions of mood are analogous to each other, but because the actual organs are differently shaped, the same expression will //look// very different. This plays a large role in the difficult relations between the species.   * The antennae of takmar extend backward and curve slightly upward, while those of xtauh extend out to the sides and arc upward before reaching a downward curve at the tips. The ways the two species position them for expressions of mood are analogous to each other, but because the actual organs are differently shaped, the same expression will //look// very different. This plays a large role in the difficult relations between the species.
-  * Takmar are more environmentally sensitive, especially to moisture. They dehydrate easily, and their preferred habitats all have high humidity, precipitation, or bodies of available water, preferably all three. A takma in an arid environment must drink and bathe frequently to remain healthy. The bodies of xtauh use moisture more efficiently and with the proper lifestyle they can live in arid environments without bathing. They also have less tolerance for the cold than the xtauh, though this is easier to mitigate through clothing, fire, etc.+  * Takmar are more environmentally sensitive, especially to moisture. They dehydrate easily, and their preferred habitats all have high humidity, precipitation, or bodies of available water, preferably all three. A takma in an arid environment must drink and bathe frequently to remain healthy. The bodies of xtauh use moisture more efficiently and with the proper lifestyle they can live in arid environments without bathing. Takmar also have less tolerance for the cold than the xtauh, though this is easier to mitigate through clothing, fire, etc.
   * Takmar, though perhaps a bit less cooperative than humans, understand a concept of a rightful authority that should be obeyed, and will form hierarchies that allow efficient organization. By contrast, xtauh are more clannish, are far more inclined to take orders only from those that are known to them and who they feel are qualified to give them, and are more willing to question orders. Their societies and groups tend to be small-scale and to depend heavily on popular support.   * Takmar, though perhaps a bit less cooperative than humans, understand a concept of a rightful authority that should be obeyed, and will form hierarchies that allow efficient organization. By contrast, xtauh are more clannish, are far more inclined to take orders only from those that are known to them and who they feel are qualified to give them, and are more willing to question orders. Their societies and groups tend to be small-scale and to depend heavily on popular support.
   * Though takmar are generally more technologically advanced than xtauh, the latter are more widely spread across the continent of Sekhaa and may actually be more numerous. Xtauh do, however, have a longer history with enchanting, which they have been using to leapfrog in capability in recent cycles.   * Though takmar are generally more technologically advanced than xtauh, the latter are more widely spread across the continent of Sekhaa and may actually be more numerous. Xtauh do, however, have a longer history with enchanting, which they have been using to leapfrog in capability in recent cycles.
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-=== Other ===+++++ Other |
   * In areas where xtauh and takmar live in the same region, they have historically tended not to get along. This has a lot to do with the clashing perceptions of facial expressions and different approaches to society mentioned above, but even more to do with takma settlers seizing riverside land that once belonged to the xtauh, driving the latter into the desert.   * In areas where xtauh and takmar live in the same region, they have historically tended not to get along. This has a lot to do with the clashing perceptions of facial expressions and different approaches to society mentioned above, but even more to do with takma settlers seizing riverside land that once belonged to the xtauh, driving the latter into the desert.
   * Takma and xtauh are, broadly speaking, sexually compatible, though how likely they are to mate is widely variable depending on individual tastes, relative sizes, and other considerations, and interspecies relationships, especially consensual ones, are relatively rare. Hybridization is possible, but erratic; many hybrids are dead in the egg, and many of those that hatch have health problems that result in an early death. Some do survive to a functioning adulthood, however, usually with greater size and strength than a xtauh and greater tolerance for dry conditions than a takma, though many will have oddly formed antennae with hearing problems.   * Takma and xtauh are, broadly speaking, sexually compatible, though how likely they are to mate is widely variable depending on individual tastes, relative sizes, and other considerations, and interspecies relationships, especially consensual ones, are relatively rare. Hybridization is possible, but erratic; many hybrids are dead in the egg, and many of those that hatch have health problems that result in an early death. Some do survive to a functioning adulthood, however, usually with greater size and strength than a xtauh and greater tolerance for dry conditions than a takma, though many will have oddly formed antennae with hearing problems.
 +++++
  
 ==== Orghysh ==== ==== Orghysh ====
 The [[orghysh:]] diverged from the ancestors of the takmar and xtauh long before the latter two diverged from each other, and are fairly different from them. The [[orghysh:]] diverged from the ancestors of the takmar and xtauh long before the latter two diverged from each other, and are fairly different from them.
  
-=== Appearance and biology ===+++++ Appearance and biology |
   * Orghysh are sort of what you'd get if you took the body of a gorilla, replaced the hair with scales, added a tail, a long neck, and a smallish pair of wings, and swapped the head out for that of a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecistops|slender-snouted crocodile]]. They have thick bodies, and long, wiry arms. Most adults stand between 1.9 and 2.1 meters tall.   * Orghysh are sort of what you'd get if you took the body of a gorilla, replaced the hair with scales, added a tail, a long neck, and a smallish pair of wings, and swapped the head out for that of a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecistops|slender-snouted crocodile]]. They have thick bodies, and long, wiry arms. Most adults stand between 1.9 and 2.1 meters tall.
   * They are bipedal; they may rest some of their weight on their knuckles while standing still, but make little use of their arms when walking. Despite having wings, they cannot fly; the wings serves only to regulate body heat and as display elements.   * They are bipedal; they may rest some of their weight on their knuckles while standing still, but make little use of their arms when walking. Despite having wings, they cannot fly; the wings serves only to regulate body heat and as display elements.
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   * They are somewhat more environmentally flexible than the takmar, in that they do not require high humidity or immersion in water //per se//, but as they rely on fish for a large amount of their protein, they are not often found away from bodies of water capable of supporting them. They are also not well adapted for cold. That said, the main reasons for their restricted habitat have to do with interspecies competition and a psychological discomfort with terrain where it is not possible to see for long distances.   * They are somewhat more environmentally flexible than the takmar, in that they do not require high humidity or immersion in water //per se//, but as they rely on fish for a large amount of their protein, they are not often found away from bodies of water capable of supporting them. They are also not well adapted for cold. That said, the main reasons for their restricted habitat have to do with interspecies competition and a psychological discomfort with terrain where it is not possible to see for long distances.
   * Like the takmar and xtauh, they have an affinity for water and are good swimmers, but can get very nervous about water in which they cannot see clearly, whether because of depth or cloudiness.   * Like the takmar and xtauh, they have an affinity for water and are good swimmers, but can get very nervous about water in which they cannot see clearly, whether because of depth or cloudiness.
 +++++
  
-=== Society and behavior ===+++++ Society and behavior |
   * The orghysh have an empathic sense similar to those of the other two species, but unlike them use it mainly for intraspecies communication. They typically do not shield themselves unless in the company of someone they do not yet trust.   * The orghysh have an empathic sense similar to those of the other two species, but unlike them use it mainly for intraspecies communication. They typically do not shield themselves unless in the company of someone they do not yet trust.
   * The ratio between the sexes is approximately equal. Though there is some division of labor based on sexual differences, in general there is an expectation that if something needs to be done, then anyone that's suited may do it.   * The ratio between the sexes is approximately equal. Though there is some division of labor based on sexual differences, in general there is an expectation that if something needs to be done, then anyone that's suited may do it.
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   * Orghysh prefer to minimize the death or pain they cause to other sentient beings. Though they must hunt and fish in order to live, when they must take neurally advanced prey they seek to make death quick. Orghysh rarely kill each other; when tribes feel obliged to fight over territory or resources, they usually resort to ritual combat between champions or [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counting_coup|counting coup]]. For reasons related to empathic shielding, takmar and xtauh may not receive the same consideration.   * Orghysh prefer to minimize the death or pain they cause to other sentient beings. Though they must hunt and fish in order to live, when they must take neurally advanced prey they seek to make death quick. Orghysh rarely kill each other; when tribes feel obliged to fight over territory or resources, they usually resort to ritual combat between champions or [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counting_coup|counting coup]]. For reasons related to empathic shielding, takmar and xtauh may not receive the same consideration.
   * There are relatively few orghysh, and those tribes that remain free of outside influence maintain a nomadic, stone-age existence. Those that have attached themselves to takma society in some fashion are usually form an at least partially segregated underclass.   * There are relatively few orghysh, and those tribes that remain free of outside influence maintain a nomadic, stone-age existence. Those that have attached themselves to takma society in some fashion are usually form an at least partially segregated underclass.
 +++++
  
-===== Abilities =====+===== 2. Choosing a background ===== 
 + 
 + 
 +===== 3. Choosing abilities =====
  
  
meta/players_guide/character_creation.1700665548.txt.gz · Last modified: by shyriath