Shanii
A fungus-based species of dryad, shaniis are also commonly referred to as veiled ladies and femme fatale dryads. They're quite tall, quite beautiful, and rather feminine in appearance, at least compared to other humanoids. Their size, inherent strength, and carnivorous nature make them much less likely to get forced into matters they have no interest in, however.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Shaniis are graceful humanoids, with long legs and elegant curving bodies. They are rarely thin, and the average shanii has quite a bit of meat on their bones. They also pack sleek muscles underneath their soft outer flesh, and are deceptively strong.
Although their faces are largely human, shaniis have unusually large eyes, which are entirely dark, making it difficult to differentiate between pupil, iris, and sclera. Their jaws are powerful, and their teeth are sharp and made to tear meat, a deathly combination to their prey. Shaniis also have elbowed antennae, which are located near the temples.
Mostly hairless, shaniis only have special sensory hairs in select places of their bodies. These sensory hairs are somewhat like whiskers, and can detect not only touch, but also pick up smells, air currents, and electric fields. These sensory hairs are black in color, and located around the eyes, and on the lower arms.
The most striking parts of the shaniis, and the reason why they're known as veiled ladies, are their special veils. These veils are fleshy structures with a lacy appearance, similar to the skirts of P. indusiatus, the fungus where this feature originates. Unlike their skirts, however, shanii veils have iridescent panels filling up the empty spaces in their veil's lacing. These panels are transparent and colorless, but highly iridescent, and can shine in countless colors if the light catches them right.
All shaniis have veils on their heads, which mostly drape down to cover the head and neck, but part of which grows up to form some sort of structure on the head. The size and shape of this structure is highly variable, and some shanii use binding or molds to try and intentionally shape these upright veils into a desired 'hairdo'. Shaniis also have veils around their shoulders, and in some these extend down the arms (including upper and sometimes even lower arms). Some shaniis have a third, skirt-like veil around the hips.
Shaniis are mostly monochrome in color, with their bodies ranging from pure white to deep black. All shaniis have pale faces, and white veils. Darker colored shaniis may have additional pale patterning on chest, stomach, or near where the veils attach, but not all do. Their eyes are dark brown to black in color.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Shaniis are primarily carnivores, but are capable of an omnivorous diet, though meat is a dietary requirement and can't be left out altogether. They generally avoid fish, but are big fans of insects, especially if they're very big (the size of a prey animal, big enough to take a bite out of).
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Average Height
2.2 - 2.5 m
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