Phaizarn (Hai-zurn)

The Phaizarn is a biped species with the ability to shift into specific animals. Some of these animals are well-known, with genuine animal counterparts being found in the world, while others are chimeras, crossbreeds that only exist due to Phaizarn influence. Due to this, Phaizarn are known to be one of the most intricate species when it comes to reproduction. There is also the chance for genetics to go awry and lead to those unable to shift at all. They are frowned upon and regarded as outcasts, labeled as ‘mutts’ or ‘runts’ in Phaizarn culture.
Beating out all other species, Phaizarn have the highest population count, followed by that of the Alyrian and behind them Ecrid.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Phaizarn, in essence, look similar to many of the other species of Jiwenia. They have two legs, two arms, and a vertebrae spine for support. The species has two forms scientifically referred to as hominid and animalistic. Though in regular talk, many refer to it as their first and secondary form, biped and animal form, or true and beast form.
The hominid form, like described prior, is the biped version. They are born into this form and for the first couple of months are unable to shift out of this form. Their second form takes these extra months to finish developing and is their beast form, the form that they can turn into that resembles animals. Like the animal kingdom, Phaizarn can shift into an assortment of different creatures including water, flight, and land. Invertebrates are not possible though.

Genetics and Reproduction

A Phaizarn's genetics and reproduction is one of the most extensive of all the species. This is due to the fact that reproduction is very fickle as it not only takes into account the bipedal form but also the animal. Phaizarn can reproduce with any species and give birth to a half-species (all besides Maji, Arakeanee, Alloth, and Sairs) that is unable to shift with no animal counterpart. A Phaizarn that reproduces with Sairs will see an offspring with the Sairs dominant gene taking over. Though, it can be argued that the offspring is also a half-species, it has all the powers, behavior, and bodily makeup of a Sair. These offspring only get appearance looks from their Phaizarn parent.
The above is strictly speaking of half-species. To better understand the reproduction of Phaizarn, it is split into two broad categories: pure versus chimera.

Pure Reproduction

As the name implies a pure reproduction is where two Phaizarn who are the same species reproduce and make a child. Pure line breeding is quite simple. The child will come out just as the parent, the only things that will differ is appearance (See FACIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FEATURES). Otherwise, the child will be the same animal species and race. This route holds a success rate of 95% with the 5% seeing that the offspring has a gene mutation that results in being unshiftable, known as a runt or mutt.

Mutt Offspring Chances

Mutts, still being Phaizarn have the chance of their offspring being born with the ability to shift but the chances are decreased even further than normal. Below are the sets and percentage chances of the offspring being able to shift:

• Mutt x Mutt: 10% chance for offspring

• Mutt x Shifting Phaizarn: 20% chance for offspring

• Mutt x Non-Phaizarn: No chance as they will come out as half breed and unable to shift anyway. If Non-Phaizarn is a Sairs then this will dominate the line anywhere.

A continued line of unshifting Phaizarn will cause their mutated gene to become dominant, causing the chances of a shifting Phaizarn to be born to lower itself down to 5%. This can be rectified by either: (1) introducing a shifting Phaizarn back into the gene pool, (2) hoping for a gene to come out of dormancy, or (3) a new mutation occurs that re-implements the capability to shift.

Gestation

The gestation period follows that of the animal side. When both parents are of differing species, the gestation periods more so follows the longer gestation time, though it may be shortened due to the opposite parent side. A Phaizarn woman of age will enter into heat once every month and it usually lasts for two weeks. During this time, she is able to mate. It should also be noted that Phaizarn once deep in pregnancy, typically in the last stretches of the trimester, will be unable to shift until after the body has recognized that it is no longer in pregnancy and weaning stage. Also due to this, there is no restriction between viviparous and oviparous creatures reproducing as they will always undergo live birth.

Dietary Needs and Habits

It has been scientifically proven that Phaizarn do not follow one dietary need over the other. So a Phaizarn wolf will not be a strict carnivore even though it may prefer it. The main difference between needs is what is required in a diet. So though one may find that the wolf is an omnivore, it will never survive as a herbivore. As long as the dietary needs are met (vitamins, carbs, etc.) then the animal is free to eat what they wish. This usually means that Carnivore Phaizarn will include meat in their diet as well as a few fruits and vegetables. While a Herbivore Phaizarn will substitute meat for other foods that give protein.

Additional Information

Social Structure

A small portion of Phaizarns find themselves unable to shift and are known as ‘mutts’ or ‘runts.’ They are highly despised by the majority of Phaizarn. They are natural outcasts because they lack the one ability needed to be a true Phaizarn. And it is for this reason that many Phaizarn treat those with no power the same as Alyrians. Many non-ability Phaizarn will actually claim to be Humans in able to avoid discrimination from their fellow Phaizarns.

Facial characteristics

A Phaizarn's appearance will shift depending on their species and breed. For example, some will have tails, and others ears. Some will have canines, and some even will have scales. Typically, this is something that can't be guessed, as if a parent has a feature appearing it doesn't necessarily mean the child will have that specific feature appear as well.
While in their animalistic forms, Phaizarn take on the entire appearance of these creatures with perhaps only their colors being unnatural, though this is quite rare among the animals not labeled under chimeras. Many Phaizarn follow the strict color guidelines of their animal counterparts. This is also what allows Phaizarn humanoid coloring to have no limit, allowing them to be many different shades from natural to unnatural, along with their eyes and hair color. Allowing Phaizarn to gain the rep of being the most diverse appearing species.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The species come into their abilities a few months after being born. Depending on the species, smaller mammals take anywhere from one to two months. While larger mammals and chimeras can take up to four months. After this, they can shift freely. Their powers differ depending on the type of animal they are. For obvious reasons, a bear will not have 'powers' compared to that of a dragon.¹ However, it is known that Phaizarn, in animal form, can communicate and blend in with their regular animal counterparts.

Civilization and Culture

History

This species is one of the only species believed to have roots in almost all continents (though not counting Pryce and Iseuzai). Legends say that the Phaizarn were created by animalistic type spirits who were blessed by the gods to shift. In contrast, others state that the God of Animals, with Nature's help, created them.

Rise of the Royal Houses

Unlike many of the other species, Phaizarn interacted with other species well before the Era of Divide. During this era, they spread out in random groups, dividing and heading out with their choice of species. Some traveled with Alyrians while others kept to themselves, and others traveled with their cousins, the Sairs. During the Era of Harmony, the Phaizarn was everything but peaceful. It wasn’t a rare sight to see a town full of Phaizarn go to war with a nearby village for land or even for them to fight against one another for unknown reasons. Many of them were not of the peaceful type, and so bloodshed was always close behind.
During the Era of Divide, the Forbidden Land was ruled mostly by five royal houses that belonged to the Phaizarn. These royal houses being of the Stag, Dragon, Pegasus, Basilisk, Griffin, and Phoenix. Despite the numerous treaties between the six groups, war plagued them for most of the era. Eventually leading to all of their downfall.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Generally, the Phaizarn are known to be a hostile group, not only to others but also to each other. They dislike anyone who trespasses on their land and hates those who disrespect them more. Squabbles broke out across multiple lands because a Phaizarn didn’t quite like how one species looked at them.² But let it be known that even though the Phaizarn were hostile to most, they could also get along with many groups. They were the most peaceful when living beside unhostile species like their cousins, the Sairs, and the species Maji.

Phaizarn

Along with other species, the Phaizarn weren't exactly friendly to other clans that they came across. Early in the Era of Divide, it was common to come across a war torn area that was torn apart due to a scuffle between Phaizarn. The Forbidden Lands hold many scars that are still healing due to Phaizarn collisions. Typically, these wars take part between specific groups such as mammals and flyers, or average versus chimera.

Cimmerians

Phaizarn especially disliked Cimmerians, claiming that they believed they owned the world. This attitude grew worse when the Cimmerian Invasion took place. It was then that Cimmerians made a mockery out of Phaizarn by rounding them up, forcing them to shift (or else be mauled alive in their bipedal form), and then fight against each other.

Kren and Uqanan

History says that the interactions between these three groups are always followed up with blood. Many can hardly recount why that is. There is no recorded case where these three species live in peace near each other, one species not there, yes, but not all three.

Military

Before the Cimmerian Invasion, the Phaizarn had one of the most proficient and organized armies on Jiwenia. Excluding the numerous armies for the different continents and kingdoms, Phaizarn armies as a whole were nothing less than impressive. They were first divided up into groups of warriors, scouts, flyers, divers, and peacekeepers. Peacekeepers were usually the wisest and charming of shifters, while the scouts were the fastest, smallest, and those that could blend reasonably well. Warriors were the fiercest, strongest, and those who had strong natural armor. Flyers and divers were far more specific and stayed in their respective areas: air and water. Not all armies had diver roles, but those that did saw their strength increase even more.
Phaizarn armor, like their clothing, was created and enchanted to transform with the wearer, causing them to be highly efficient in battle. This is probably one of the reasons why fighting with Phaizarn was so bloody. These sets of armors not only were enchanted to fit the individual but also allowed the individual to sheathe weapons and brandish them. Most Phaizarn found it vital to learn how to use weapons even when in their animal form.

After the Invasion, the Cimmerians quickly disbanded the Phaizarn armies and sent those who did fight to camps to later be killed or worked to death. The Cimmerians hoped to usher into an age where no Phaizarn knew battle. If the Arakeanee were their strongest enemies, then the Phaizarn were their most determined and stubborn adversaries.

Werebear by Preston Stone

Pronunciation
Hai-zurn

Lifespan

Avg of 80

Related Organizations

• House Dragon
• House Phoenix

Known Characters

• Thorne

• Phoenix

• Ruben Draco

• Nouritis Gryps

• Ozara Kallippos

Trivia

^{1Despite this being true, it should be noted that chimeras turn a lot of Phaizarn laws on its head. As a chimeran bear can indeed possess abilities.
2It's a common joke that when speaking of wars one will ask "so which Phaizarn started that one?"}