Kraizen

**Kraizen** (CRY-zen), also known as **Vani** (VAW-nee) after the Brandshock, are a species of sapient, magic using creatures and the first sapient and sentient species in the universe. They appear in every part of Kenopsia, both as protagonists (in To Be Forever and The Event Horizon) and major antagonists (in Stars Below and To Be the Last)

## Appearance

Kraizen are best known for their extremely varied appearances; they can all have a varying amount of eyes, arms, legs, tails, horns, wings, sizes, and more. Despite this, there are still a few traits shared among all Kraizen, these being:

* At least one eye with black sclera, eight ringed irises, and a round pupil. The rings can expand and contract at will, and will alternate between two colors, one being the same color as the Kraizen's tanja, and the other being a random color. The eyes of a Kraizen have a structure that is necessary for the development of the brain, meaning *all Kraizen born without eyes immediately die.*

* A black "mask" that surrounds the eye(s). Each eye mask has a shape unique to the Kraizen. Though the mask seems like only a facial pattern at first glance, it can expand and stretch away from the eye if the Kraizen is under immense stress and/or psionic usage.

* At least one mouth and nose. The nose must always appear as slits or reptilian holes; *Kraizen cannot have separate, mammalian noses.*

* Only *one* head and primary brain. A Kraizen born with multiple heads doesn't have the energy to support such a system, and would thus die on birth.

* Having a single, continuous body. The only exception to this rule are shell-like structures that can be shed without hindering organ processing, brain functions, and mobility. Kraizen *cannot have floating body parts.*

Though the following features are not universal physical traits, they are traits commonly seen among members of the species:

* **Switchlimbs**, limbs or sets of limbs that can be hidden from view using a small amount of willpower. Switchlimbs can only be limbs such as arms, legs, tails, wings, tails, and fins. Any switchlimbs that were hidden from view will materialize should a Kraizen be knocked unconscious. Examples of Kraizen with switchlimbs are Bellojey and Ohazia.

* **Jestears**, flexible appendages reminiscent of the ends of a jester's hat. These function like ears, being able to pick up sound, but can also detect changes in pressure and temperature and psionosensory perceptive disturbances. Examples of Kraizen with jestears are Noktavia and Razprynoy.

* Burst manifests, or "body parts" that only appear when a Kraizen is under a lot of stress and/or using a lot of magic. Examples of Kraizen with burst manifests are Bellojey and Insinera.

* **Zippermouths**, long mouths that can be partially opened or closed like a zipper. Examples of Kraizen with zippermouths are Kalkori and Nahavra.

* Shade(s) of grey in the color palette. This is due to the blood and muscles being black in color, making grey a "neutral" color for the Kraizen.

* Colored teeth, tongues, and claws.

### Post-Brand

The Brandshock engraved into the bodies of each Vani a Brand. These Brands can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all have one universal trait: They have a palette of a shade of green, blue, violet, and red, strictly in that order. While a brand may start on a different color and cycle in the opposite direction, the order of the colors will never change. For example, a Brand's color, from top to bottom, could go blue, green, red, and violet, it could not go purple, green, red, and blue. A Vani can only have one Brand, though this brand can manifest on a pair of mirrored parts such as horns. Additionally, a Vani's eyes share the Brand's green, blue, violet, and red coloration.

Due to every Vani suffering from some form of Stress Effect, Vani will generally have faded colors, less or more hair, emaciated bodies, and/or extremely intense bioluminescence on body parts that glow.

Vani also generally have increased muscle mass, though why this happens is unknown.