Vida

A species of mammalian humanoid often confused for a dryad, vidas are strikingly alien humanoids, achieving a balance between being recognizably human while still being obviously alien.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The first thing people notice about vidas is their characteristic head gear, which is also the trait that makes people confuse them for dryads. Vidas grow large hard plates on their heads, attaching at the top and sides of the head and pointing backwards. These plates are made primarily of keratin, but have a bone core. Shaped somewhat like flower petals (with exact shape varying among individuals), their size and backwards direction creates an illusion that the back of the head is missing entirely, leaving the inside open to the air (although this is obviously not the case).
On the back of a vida's head, between the 'petals', grow countless thin tendrils. Muscular, without skeletal structure, these tendrils are capable of movement, but aren't prehensile. Instead they tend to undulate in the air, and are used to emote. The tendrils are mostly thin, but have a thicker tip, making them somewhat resemble the stamen of a flower, adding onto the flower-like appearance the petal-plates create.
Vidas are entirely hairless, growing no hair on their heads, no body hair, and even lacking eyebrows. They are fairly tall, but not extremely so.
Aside from their head gear, the colors of vidas also adds to their flower-like appearance. They are typically brightly colored, with heavy patterning on body, plates, and tendrils, and often display multiple colors at once. Colors can be contrasting (blue and orange) or more matching (red and purple), and may include more than two colors.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Mammalian humanoid

Average Height

1.75 - 1.95 m