species information
Basic information about the Ulivari and what makes them special! Covers important anatomy information and a bit of their magical capabilities.
Introduction
Ulivari ("Uh-lee-vahr-ee") are a recently discovered species of humanoids inhabiting the dual planar system of Morveris, bridged to Earth by a portal that appeared mysteriously in our realm. Researchers from Earth have been working to understand the diverse, disparate world that's opened up to them, tentatively cooperating with Ulivari leaders as both sides explore mutual curiosity between humans and Uli alike.
Perhaps as their most notable attribute, Ulivari are divided by the plane of Morveris they were born on (and therefore which set of gods most influenced their birth), with "celestial" planar beings tending to have archetypically angelic features, and "terrestrial" planar beings tending to have archetypically demonic ones -- though this dichotomy has no effect on the nature or future of any Uli! All may still choose to follow and commune with any one of the four gods, who grant their followers particular kinds of magic based on their domain.
Perhaps as their most notable attribute, Ulivari are divided by the plane of Morveris they were born on (and therefore which set of gods most influenced their birth), with "celestial" planar beings tending to have archetypically angelic features, and "terrestrial" planar beings tending to have archetypically demonic ones -- though this dichotomy has no effect on the nature or future of any Uli! All may still choose to follow and commune with any one of the four gods, who grant their followers particular kinds of magic based on their domain.
Key Anatomy
Though there are plenty of variations on these features (as well as many additional ones), they're consistently recognizable on every individual, and act as the unifying set of physical traits among the species. (Third eyes/markings are also important, but require cultural context, detailed below.)
HornsTerrestrials tend to have larger, more prominent horns, while celestials tend to have almost vestigial horn-nubs, or none. It is very rare for a terrestrial to have no horns, and very rare for celestials to have large ones, but it's not terribly unusual for some terrestrials to have smaller horns as well!
EarsAll Ulivari have four ears, two pairs tiered on top or in front of each other. Ear pairs are always the same type! The quadruple/tiered ears mirror the appearance of most of the gods, and allow for better directional hearing.
NECK FLUFF and extensionUli necks are capable of extending vertically to aid in balance shifts during flight. Every Uli has a mane regardless of whether they have fluff anywhere else on their body. Terrestrial Uli will always have a fur mane, and Celestials will always have a feather mane.
Skin ColorRanging from very light to very dark, typically with human skin undertones (pink, red, brown, yellow, orange, etc.), though slightly non-human colors/tones are possible! Highly saturated non-human skintones are not seen in the species, save for markings, but dull ones are.
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WINGSAll Uli have at least one pair of wings, but can have more (see the traits sections for info). Like their ability to shape-change their sexual traits, they can also remove or shrink their wings. Celestials will generally have feathered wings, terrestrials will tend to have scaled/leather wings, though it's possible for Uli to have feather and leather wings... or even different, rarer kinds! Wings can take on any color and patterning, real or fantastical, as well as any shape or variety within their typing/classification. While there's potential for additional wings to attach anywhere, the primary wings always attach at the shoulders and the tail, extending down the spine.
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Leg and Body Texture
Ulivari always have a non-skin leg texture, such as scales and/or fur on terrestrials, or feathers and/or fur on celestials (feathers or fur can be very short or very long, and styled in any manner)! This texture starts at the feet, should come up to or past the knees, and the only places that should NOT be fully covered by a non-skin texture are the face, chest, and stomach, meaning there's quite a wide variance in how much visible skin an Uli has!
LEG STRUCTURE
Ulivari legs are all of similar structure, though it is slightly more common for celestials to have avian clawed feet, and for terrestrials to have digitigrade pawed feet. Regardless, starting at the hip, all Uli have four joints per leg -- not including minor toe joints. Leg fur is very common on all Uli, but so are scales on terrestrials, and feathers on celestials!
TAILS
Ulivari always have a tail that extends the length of the spinal column to support the span of the wings down the back. Tails can range all the way from 1ft to 20ft long, with length generally being dependent on the height of the individual, but longer tails being rarer.
CROWNS AND HALOS
All Ulivari with a connection to one of the gods are capable of subconsciously manifesting and maintaining an elemental display that corresponds to and represents their god's domain. Typically, this display takes the form of a halo with nothing at the center, or a 'crown,' an object or symbol often (but not always) surrounded by one or more concentric, halo-like rings. The primary difference is that crowns focus on a core space, the material and terrestrial, while halos focus on an expanse, the immaterial and celestial. Therefore Uli of terrestrial birth will always have a crown, and celestials a halo -- regardless of their domain -- despite the impact domain has on manifestation.
Halos and crowns can be manifested or dissipated at will, as they feed off of the user's magical ability. Some may choose to never manifest this display, while others may choose to always show it proudly! Either can be incredibly simple, like a glowing ball or circlet in the color of their esoteric magic (or any color, for that matter), or may be a complex display of power showcasing both elemental and esoteric magics, and even symbolic or ritual objects. If one chooses to change domains, their crown or halo may morph over time and combine aspects of their old and new domain!
Halos and crowns can be manifested or dissipated at will, as they feed off of the user's magical ability. Some may choose to never manifest this display, while others may choose to always show it proudly! Either can be incredibly simple, like a glowing ball or circlet in the color of their esoteric magic (or any color, for that matter), or may be a complex display of power showcasing both elemental and esoteric magics, and even symbolic or ritual objects. If one chooses to change domains, their crown or halo may morph over time and combine aspects of their old and new domain!
Minor ANATOMY NOTES
Third Eyes OR EYE Marks
Ulivari who lack a third eye will always have a symbol (whether simple or complex) marking the center of their forehead, representative of the third eye -- which is believed to heighten the ability of the Uli to connect to and communicate with their gods, as well as better wield the magic their gods have granted them. Just as it's considered bad luck to lose one's elemental stone, it's also considered bad luck to lack a denotation of the third eye, so Uli born without it or a similar representative marking will often have one tattooed! It's also extremely common to see the forehead marked, tattooed, or painted with a block of contrasting color to emphasize the eye.
SEXUAL DIMORPHISM AND GENDER |
Hands and Mouths |
Regardless of birth plane, all Ulivari are capable of a certain degree of shape-shifting which allows them to take on a variety of genitalia and secondary sex characteristics one might expect to find on a human, making them quite versatile. Because of this, Ulivari do not have a static sex, nor a strict concept of gender; each Uli typically has a default combination of "settings" they find most comfortable, but some people are constantly swapping around for various reasons!
For the sake of interacting with humans, an individual may choose to go by a particular set of masculine, feminine, or neutral pronouns, or might allow those around them to assign pronouns arbitrarily based on their current presentation. |
Ulivari always have clawed fingers and very lightly padded hands. They always have sharp top/bottom canine teeth and a single forked tongue.
BONESUlivari have hollow, pneumatic bones suited for flight and additional oxygen intake. They're also rather flexible!
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Size And StatureUlivari come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes! They can be chubby, skinny, muscular, pudgy, lithe, fat, curvy... anything a human can be. Their heights can vary from 4 ft. tall to 8 ft. tall, making them even more diverse in appearance.
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Age And LifespanTypically, an Uli is considered an adult at 20, the age at which their brain is fully developed (compared to the human 25 or so) -- a very quick development period considering the lifespan of the Ulivari can be up to 350 years under normal, socially accepted circumstances! Along with greying hair, the fur and feathers of Uli tend to dull and eventually grey with advanced age.
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Magic And Elemental Domains
Ulivari magic is derived from a connection to the gods. As part of choosing to follow a god and gain the powers of their domain, young Ulivari undergo a ritual at the age of 15 in which they first commune with their chosen deity and establish their divine connection. The gods ask nothing in return but that their followers respect and uphold the natural flow of life and conscious existence, good and bad... but there are still some who may choose to never connect to a god, instead using only the ambient magic present in the land of Morveris!
There are four currently known domains of magic -- two terrestrial, and two celestial, one for each of the gods who've shaped the world in their image.
The first is the terrestrial domain of Life, attained by bonding with Ghilavyr -- this grants the elemental gifts of water and light, and the esoteric gift of life. Read more about these under the culture tab!
The second is the terrestrial domain of Death, attained by bonding with Frignilfyr -- this grants the elemental gifts of earth and shadow, and the esoteric gift of decay. Read more about these under the culture tab!
The third is the celestial domain of Mind, attained by bonding with Celanesra -- this grants the elemental gift of air, and the esoteric gifts of thought and illusion. Read more about these under the culture tab!
The fourth is the celestial domain of Heart, attained by bonding with Pelefora -- this grants the elemental gift of fire, and the esoteric gifts of emotion and fate. Read more about these under the culture tab!
While all Ulivari tend to feel called to one particular god in their youth as a part of their coming of age, it is not unusual for some to feel drawn to another god later in their years. They may choose to instead commune with and serve this god, respectfully severing their connection to their previous patron deity and losing the powers of that domain as a result of joining a new one. Though incredibly rare, it’s also not unheard of for an Uli to still be able to maintain the connection and powers of their previous domain as they move to a new one... These Ulivari are considered to be Chosen, but for what reason or purpose remains a nebulous concept even to elder followers of Celanesra...
There are four currently known domains of magic -- two terrestrial, and two celestial, one for each of the gods who've shaped the world in their image.
The first is the terrestrial domain of Life, attained by bonding with Ghilavyr -- this grants the elemental gifts of water and light, and the esoteric gift of life. Read more about these under the culture tab!
The second is the terrestrial domain of Death, attained by bonding with Frignilfyr -- this grants the elemental gifts of earth and shadow, and the esoteric gift of decay. Read more about these under the culture tab!
The third is the celestial domain of Mind, attained by bonding with Celanesra -- this grants the elemental gift of air, and the esoteric gifts of thought and illusion. Read more about these under the culture tab!
The fourth is the celestial domain of Heart, attained by bonding with Pelefora -- this grants the elemental gift of fire, and the esoteric gifts of emotion and fate. Read more about these under the culture tab!
While all Ulivari tend to feel called to one particular god in their youth as a part of their coming of age, it is not unusual for some to feel drawn to another god later in their years. They may choose to instead commune with and serve this god, respectfully severing their connection to their previous patron deity and losing the powers of that domain as a result of joining a new one. Though incredibly rare, it’s also not unheard of for an Uli to still be able to maintain the connection and powers of their previous domain as they move to a new one... These Ulivari are considered to be Chosen, but for what reason or purpose remains a nebulous concept even to elder followers of Celanesra...