Dai'Moru

The Dai'Moru, sometimes known as Dragons, are one of the key races in El'Rakar. They are a very powerful race, both physically and magically, and they have often portrayed themselves in their traditional writings and beliefs as the gods' favorite race. Historically, most of the other races have viewed them with reverence (up to at least one recorded instance of worship as demigods), though in current times that reverence has been noticeably replaced with resentment by some of the other races (a notion dismissed as jealousy by many Dai'Moru). This self-righteousness and the relationships with the other races are widely agreed to come from to the fact that the members of the Order of Guardians have, up until recent times, always been Dai'Moru.

Basic Information

Anatomy

^{Rough concept sketch of an average male Dai'Moru in both forms with a six-foot-tall human for comparison.}

Dai'Moru are the only modern race in which all members retain the ability to freely shape shift between two forms, an ability that according to both historical and fictional records was once shared by all races.

Hidden Form

A Dai'Moru's Hidden Form is somewhat humanoid, being bipedal in posture. The average male stands at about 7* feet tall, the average female at about 6 1/2* feet, and the average weight is about 250* pounds for males, 225* pounds for females.
The torso of a Dai'Moru is elongated to accommodate the two pairs of arms, each of which ends in five-fingered hands with claws in place of nails. Depending upon how long the foreleg fur is in True Form, an individual may have long fur on their forearms in Hidden Form. Being mammalian in nature, female Dai'Moru do possess breasts.
The legs in Hidden Form are very similar in appearance to the legs in True Form, complete with fur and four-toed paws. They are stronger than those of an average Human, allowing Dai'Moru to run faster and jump farther.
A long, muscular tail emanates from the lower back and serves as a counterbalance, further increasing the average Dai'Moru running speed compared to Humans as Dai'Moru are able to lean into a more horizontal position. Like the legs, the tail is very similar to how it appears in True Form and includes the fur and feathers that tip it.

True Form

When in True Form, a Dai'Moru's size greatly increases and they move to a hexapedal posture. Average height is now 8* feet at the shoulder for males, 7 1/2* feet for females, and average weight is now 600* pounds for males, 500* pounds for females.

^{Rough concept sketch of a Dai'Moru's skeletal structure.}

The chest of a Dai'Moru in True Form is very large so as to accommodate not only two pairs of forelimbs, but also two sets of magnificent feathered wings. The forelimbs are very stout to support the weight of the chest and wings, and retain their five clawed fingers. A large keel protrudes from the center of the ribcage and extends the full length of it, providing plenty of area for the necessary flight muscles to attach. The first pair of wings are slightly smaller than the second pair, averaging about 12* feet across, and the second pair of wings average about 18* feet across. The wings flap in a delayed sequence to avoid collision, and while both sets are necessary for true powered flight only the larger pair is necessary for gliding. The secondary feathers closest to the body often feature decorative pinion feathers of varying lengths and shapes between individuals.

^{Rough concept sketch of a Dai'Moru from the top with wings outspread.}

The wings come in various shapes which affect their efficiency at different types of flight:

• Gliding Wings: Long and narrow, best at gliding over strong wind currents. Ex: Seagulls
• Soaring Wings: Long and broad with gaps at the ends of the primaries, best at catching rising hot air without consistent currents. Ex: Eagles
• Elliptical Wings: Short and rounded, best at quick takeoffs and rapid maneuvers. Ex: Grouse
• High-Speed Wings: Moderately-long and angular, best at straight and fast flight. Ex: Falcons

The torso is relatively short with a stiff spine, making it easier to keep the rear aloft during flight. As stated previously, the rear legs are very similar between forms. The tail is, again, also very similar between forms, although the length is greatly increased in True Form.
*Loose starting estimate, not officially calculated.

Genetics and Reproduction

Like Humans, Dai'Moru do not have "breeding seasons". They are able to conceive offspring year round and females have regular menstrual cycles (though the cycle length for Dai'Moru is approximately three months long). The gestation period for Dai'Moru is about eighteen months, after which a live infant is born.
The rate of successful conceptions is relatively low for Dai'Moru compared to Humans, and it is exceedingly rare for anything other than single births to occur. These factors, coupled with the slow aging rate of the species, lead to a low birthrate with high parental investment.

Growth Rate & Stages

The average lifespan of a Dai'Moru is approximately 300 years, though there are recorded cases of Dai'Moru that have lived up to 500 years.
Dai'Moru infants are largely helpless for their first two years of life, and as toddlers they typically learn to walk at around two and a half years and begin to speak by around three years. Toddlerhood gives way to childhood at five years old, and adolescence begins at around fifteen years old.
The traditional rite of passage into adulthood is performed at twenty-five, but full maturity isn't reached until around fifty years of age. A Dai'Moru becomes middle-aged around 120 years old, a senior around 240, and a super-senior by the age of 300.
If a Dai'Moru is named a Guardian, their lifespan and aging will be changed alongside their physical form. Most Guardian Dai'Moru live to at least 600 years of age with an upper limit of approximately 750 years, though the very first group of Guardians lived to each be 1000 years old according to records of dubious validity.
Guardian Dai'Moru become fully mature at around 100 years old, are middle-aged at about 300 years old, are classified as senior at 500, and are considered super-senior at the age of 600. As no Guardian has been named younger than thirty, it is unknown what effects might be had on the aging of adolescent or younger individuals. It is speculated that they may become even younger, however, as Guardians have been known to apparently de-age upon being named. One particularly famous Guardian who was 273 (and thus a very old individual) at the time of his naming is noted to have reverted to "a man nearly half his age", gradually growing younger instead of older over the two years it takes to compete the transformation into a Guardian.

Ecology and Habitats

Dai'Moru are best suited for temperate and cold climates with their thick fur, but there are a handful of groups that have managed to expand into the jungles and deserts of the world.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dai'Moru are omnivorous with a varied diet very similar to that of humans.

Biological Cycle

Individuals in climates with more extreme shifts between seasons usually possess a winter and summer coat. The differences between the coats are usually simply in length and thickness, though some individuals do experience some change of coloration.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

The facial features of a Dai'Moru when in Hidden Form are more "animalistic" than those of Humans. The eyes have dark sclera with elliptical pupils, the tip of the nose has slight padding and is generally darker in coloration that the rest of the skin, the upper lips feature a noticeable upward split with an indentation that continues to the nose pad (with the lips sharing the same generally darker coloration), and the canine teeth are long and sharp. The general profile of the face tends to be longer, sloping outwards from the forehead down.
All Dai'Moru possess horns that grow from the back of the skull, just behind the ears, and the shape and location of the horns is the same between forms. Most individuals are capable of growing thick head hair, and most males can grow facial hair (although they may elect to be clean shaven). Thick fur grows from the ears, which are able to be rotated to catch sounds and express emotions, and continues along the jaw.
When in True Form, the head is fully elongated with powerful jaws, many sharp teeth, a fully-padded nose, and in many cases a multitude of long whiskers sprouting from various points on the face. An additional two sets of horns also grow in with the same general appearance as the original set. The first new pair is slightly smaller than the original pair and grows from one of the vertebrae near the base of the skull, and the final pair is the smallest and grows from a vertebra near the middle of the neck.
One should note that facial features are always consistent between forms. A heavy brow does not become light, a bumpy nose does not become smooth, a strong jaw does not become thin, etc. Also, note that how an individual styles and decorates their hair and ears in Hidden Form will translate into their True Form. If a Dai'Moru sports a large braid in her hair in her Hidden Form, she will have a braid in her True Form.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Dai'Morus are very widespread, having a presence on every continent on El'Rakar, though they technically originate from the continent of Sa'Firal.

Average Intelligence

Dai'Moru are highly intelligent, being on par with Humans.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Dai'Moru have better senses on average than Humans. Their sight is by far their keenest trait, able to see for significant distances as well as featuring fair night vision. Their hearing is also very good, with large ears that can be rotated to pinpoint the directions of sounds. Their sense of smell is keen as well, able to pick up much fainter scents than Humans. All of their senses are heightened in True Form, and their whiskers in True Form also contribute to their sense of touch as they assist in navigating close spaces similarly to a cat's whiskers.
Dai'Moru are noted as being more powerful on average than most of the other races when it comes to their ability to use Magic, a trait that is commonly linked to their previous status as the "Guardian Rae". They tend to learn to control their magic more quickly than others and a higher percentage of Dai'Moru are able to use the most advanced magical techniques.

Civilization and Culture

Relationship Ideals

Dai'Moru are generally monogamous, mating for life and forming a powerful attachment to their partner that not uncommonly causes laśith-al-reth, "death of a split heart", where one of a pair wastes away after the loss of their mate.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

The language of the Dai'Moru is called Dai'Moric. (Sometimes shortened to just Moric?)

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

It is tradition for tribes, and sometimes even individual families, to keep track of their ancestry by way of a "feather tapestry". Whenever an individual comes of age or marries into a tribe/family, they will pluck a feather from their body and weave it into the appropriate space on the tapestry. The feathers are magically preserved, allowing a tribe/family to be traced back for generations.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Due to their power and historical status, it is common for Dai'Moru to view themselves as superior than the other races (even if they don't realize it).
In the current conflict, the primary enemies of the Dai'Moru are the Elves while their primary allies are most of the other beast races (Rakshaan, Jakiri, Cervarians, and Bontei).

Lifespan

Standard: ~300 Years | Guardians: ~600 Years

Average Height

Hidden Form: 7 Ft (Male) | 6.5 Ft (Female) True Form: 8 Ft at the Shoulder (Male) | 7.5 Ft at the Shoulder (Female)

Average Weight

Hidden Form: 250 lbs (Male) | 225 lbs (Female) True Form: 600 lbs (Male) | 500 lbs (Female)

Average Length

True Form: 20 Ft (Male) | 18 Ft (Female)

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Dai'Moru come in a very wide variety of colors that can almost seem random at a first glance. One's coloration is often influenced by their Element (for example, Inferno-aligned Dai'Moru trend towards warm and fiery colors such as red, orange, and yellow), but not always. Markings are also highly variable and can include spots, stripes, patches, gradients, etc., and can be anywhere on the body. Eyes are likewise varied, though the sclera is always a dark shade of the iris color.
Horns and claws are more uniform in color, always some shade of white, gray, black, tan, cream, brown, etc. Areas of visible flesh (such as inside the mouth) are reddish-pink. Other fleshy areas of the body (i.e., nose, lips, tear ducts, etc.) tend to be a dark shade of the surrounding skin color.
Coloration and markings always carry over between forms, though they may be made more subtle in Hidden Form.