Faunae (race)

Faunae refers to an umbrella group of humanoid people with beast-like features and tendencies, such as tails and ears, facial structures, and temperamental habits. They can be further categorized into beast-specific races, based on felines, canines, leporines, etc. Those within specific categories have physical features and temperaments similar to their beast counterparts. It is said that the Faunae are descended from the Great Beasts of the past.

### **Felinae**

Faunae with features similar to that of felines. They have fluffy, elongated and vaguely triangular ears, and furred tails of varying lengths and fur types. Their eyes are usually rounder and larger than average, and some have slit pupils; heterochromia is a common trait in Felinae. Fur and hair colours typically match those of existing feline creatures, featuring natural colourations, such as browns, black, tans, creams, and various patterns such as mottles and stripes. Eyes tend to be blue, yellow, or green. Felinae, like most felines, are lean and well-balanced, and have a natural talent for hunting. Their facial structures tend towards smaller, rounder faces with pointed chins and small noses; all Felinae have feline-like fanged teeth, typically four. Some have facial birthmarks which look similar to stripes. Average heights range from 5'4" to 5'7". Due to their thick fur and hair, Felinae tend to live in cooler areas, especially the Northë.

Their temperaments can vary just as much as within feline creatures, but they tend to have overarching traits such as high curiosity, stealth instincts, and a thoughtful predisposition. Around 60% of Felinae fall in a personality category of being playful types, and 30% are cautious types, with other personalities falling in the remaining 10%.

A good number of Felinae come from nobility and otherwise wealthy families, and many enter into military positions in the Northë. Of the rest, a rather large number of them find work as hunters, and occasionally as poachers; there are quite a few Felinae hunting communes who make their homes in the woods and mountains of the Northë. It is customary for Felinae of noble or wealthy birth to introduce themselves with their surname first, such as "I am Ars Ffion", to denote their status.

### **Leporinae**

Faunae with features hailing from leporines (rabbits and hares). They have long, fluffy, tall ears (although some have a floppy variety), and small, round, fluffball tails. Their eyes are round, but not large, and tend to be either red or black. It is said that the gaze of a Leporinae is strong and unwavering. Fur and hair colours tend to be shades of browns, from light to dark, and can sometimes be mottled. Occasionally, a Leporinae may have black or white hair and fur. In the case of white fur, they will always have red eyes, similar to albinism. The facial structure of Leporinae usually features strong angles and high cheekbones, and their noses resemble rabbit noses. They tend to have small mouths and thin lips as well. Their body types are typically thick and well-built, with especially strong legs, and most Leporinae range from 5'7" to 6'0" tall. Due to their fur, they prefer cooler regions, mostly living in the northern areas of the Midlands and the lower regions of the Northë.

Their temperaments can be said to be skittish and cautious, but when they have confidence they will not hesitate to stand strong. Determination and leadership are common traits. Due to this, Leporinae who live in the Northë are often military generals and lieutenants, or in other positions of leadership. Their naming customs are unique in that they assume a birth-number name until they prove themselves as youths and receive their proper names. Family names exist, but not as surnames, rather as titles, such as Winding River of the Lowmoore Family. Given names tend towards natural structures and adjective combinations, such as Rough Moor, Burning Glade, or Serene Meadow. Birth-number names follow a numbering system; in order from first born: unus, dua, tris, quata, quinqe, sesm, septa, octa, etc. A Leporinae youth who has yet to recieve their given name would be referred to via their birth order denominator and family name, such as Unus of Lowmoore, or Unus-Lowmoore.

### **Canidae**

Faunae who have features similar to wolves and foxes. They have tall, pointed triangular ears, and large, fluffy tails. Those with wolf-like features tend to have furs in greys and browns, often mottled; their bodies are well built and strong, with good stamina. They have piercing and angled eyes that tend to have yellowed sclera, and tend to have blue or brown eyes. Those with fox-like features have longer tails, and their fur is usually a shade of red, orange, or rusty brown, with black and/or white mottling. Their faces and eyes are more angular, and their pupils are smaller; their bodies are more lean and thin, and they're more stealth-equipped in general.

Canidae of wolf-descendance and fox-descendance have long been rivals and often do not get along well. Around 65% of Canidae are wolf-descendant, and 35% are fox-descendant. Wolf-like Canidae tend to be proud and hot-headed, and many have good leadership skills. They work in packs and value camaraderie and teamwork. Fox-like Canidae tend tend to be smart and prideful, playful, and sometimes are compared to tricksters. They're typically solo people, and leave their families around their older youth years to find their own way. Many like to play jokes on others, and some make work as illusionists in Mortal cities. Hunters, bounty hunters, merchants, and miners are common occupations of fox-like Canidae. Most wolf-like Canidae don't venture into Mortal settlements, but many who do end up as part of the military.

Most wolf-like Canidae live in the Northë, especially in pine forests and in mountainous areas. Fox-like Canidae originally mostly lived in valleys in the south of the Northë, but most have moved into Mortal cities and settlements, primarily in the lower Northë and in the Midlands. A few fox-Canidae settlements still exist in certain secluded valleys around the east of the Northë.

### **Bovinae**

Faunae with features derived from cows, bulls, ox, goats, or boars. They have small, floppy ears, and tend to have thick and bristly hair. Those who are similar to cows, bulls, goats, or ox, usually have small, stubby horns as well. They tend to be average heights, from 5'5" to 5'7", and are usually thick-built and burly. They build muscle easily and tend to be heavy lifters, physically strong and well suited to tough work. They are the only branch of Faunae who are able to grow facial hair such as beards and moustaches. Hair colours tend to be light browns and tans or creams, some with mottling. Their faces are usually round, with flat noses and kind smiles.

Their temperament tends to be easygoing and hardworking, understanding, and well-intentioned. Many work as farmers or miners, or do deliveries that require heavy lifting, and some work as shiphands, boatbuilders, etc. They tend to live in the midlands, especially in meadows, though many live closer to the coasts. It's very common to find them amongst Mortal settlements due to the overlapping of preferred living spaces.

Their naming customs are the same as Mortals, particularly Humes and Dwarves, due to the fact that they settled in similar spaces early on.

### **Cervinae**

Faunae with features similar to deer and antelopes, among other similar creatures. They tend to have small, mid-length ears similar to those of horses or cows, and either horns, antlers, or longhorns. Unlike deer and their similars, Cervinae have horns / antlers regardless of gender, though the ones on women tend to be short or stubs. Cervinae also have short, fluffy tails, like deer, or long, end-tufted tails like antelopes. Hair and fur span shades of brown and tan, but no other colours. Body types are usually slim and not particularly robust, but they have strong legs able to run far and kick hard. Cervinae tend to have hooved legs -- but not arms -- and some have furred lower halves rather than humanoid. A small number of Cervinae do not have hooved legs; in these cases, they have fully humanoid lower halves. They tend to have small, slight faces, or sometimes round faces, with small noses and round eyes that have a wide range of vision. Heights range from 5'4" to 5'6", depending on if their traits hail from deer or antelopes. Around 45% of Cervinae have traits similar to deer, and 30% have traits similar to antelopes, with the remaining 25% having traits from various other similar creatures.

Most Cervinae are timid and introspective, although some tend to be boastful and arrogant at times. Most of them live within forests or around meadows, assuming roles of natural studies, botany, carpentry, or star-study. Many of them are studious and curious about the world, though most don't venture outside of their settlements out of caution. It is very rare that Cervinae venture towards Mortal settlements, although some notable scholars have been Cervinae, and they have a great aptitude for magic.

Naming customs are almost the same as that of Mortal races, although their names tend to be more simple and melodic. Common names include Aeris, Laria, Erua, etc. Last names are a little longer, such as Farris, Forelua, Anmeria, etc.