Lyudi

The Lyudi are the main dominant species of Strakh, having lived in it since the beginning of the world's existence. The Lyudi are humanoid in form, however, the differences between them and Humans are vast. Enough that staring at them is enough to cause a feeling of uncanniness. They exist alongside the ruling Bozhestvo and the slave-race Nizkiy.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Although they are humanoid, The Lyudi differ in many aspects. First of all, their hands only have 4 fingers. Each one is elongated, and their nails grow much longer. Their legs bend at the knee much like a human's would, however their foot is more comparable to a flat-ended spike. They are able to balance themselves on this horseshoe-like foot, with two smaller appendages coming out of the back of the foot to assist in their movements.

Covering their chest is a thick, shell-like membrane, which covers a thinner layer of skin. This skin is translucent, enough for a Lyudian's blood to be seen underneath it, resulting in a purpleish coloration in-between both halves of the shell. For a Lyudian's neck, there is a hole that acts as both a means of consumption and breathing. Within this hole are a series of teeth, with muscles that allow the teeth to close in and shred whatever it consumes.

Lastly, the head of a Lyudian has no mouth or nose. Due to this, they lack any capable means to smell. Alongside this, a Lyudian has three eyes, all of which have dark purple sclera and enlongated, black pupils. Although a Lyudian can grow hair, it tends to come out in strange patches, oftentimes out of the back and sides of the head, and the middle of their scalp. Lastly, their ears are located underneath the skin on both sides of their head, where a faint recession is noticble.

Organs

Compared to humans, Lyudians have an odd set of internal organs. They have two hearts that are connected to each other, one of which pumps blood and one which pumps Mana throughout the body. Their lungs are tightly compressed, due to not having to put out air for speech.

The brain of a Lyudi is similar to a Human's, albeit with the addition of a new lobe located within it. As a Lyudian does not possess a typical mouth, the front part of the brain has a new section within it; dubbed the Golos. It allows them to engage with a unique form of telepathy, enabling them to speak to one another from a short distance away. With the proper training and education, a Lyudi can speak any language they come across and communicate with those whom speak it.

Genetics and Reproduction

Lyudians reproduce similarly to how humans reproduce; with the addition of their souls temporarily fusing and combining together as they mate. A small part of their combined souls is passed onto the offspring, and the traits of both parents are passed on to the child. If the parents have two different SIGILS, this can have an effect on what SIGIL the offspring shall have.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Due to the way the Lyudian's mouth acts, they commonly eat stuff that is either cut into small portions, blended, or slimy and slick. While they can eat larger portions and let the teeth within their mouth grind away at it, a typical Lyudian will tell you that they enjoy the sensation of a slimy piece of food going down their throat. Their diet as a whole tends to revolve around meat and bugs.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Continuing on from anatomy, the ears of a Lyudi are a layer underneath the skin on both sides of their heads, which vibrates in response to sound waves and transmits it to the fluids within their inner ears. While their hearing is okay, it doesn't compare to that of a human's hearing. The eyes of a Lyudi have two sets of eyelids, one of which is translucent and allows them to keep their eyes open for an extended period of time. The third eye on their forehead allows for them to see spectral entities, thanks to the way light is reflected within it.

The blood of a Lyudi acts as a conductor of Mana, allowing their bodies to interact with magic and any instruments that rely on Mana. Their secondary heart that pumps Mana throughout their body allows them to sense not only the Mana within them, but also the Mana in the surrounding area.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Lyudian names tend to commonly be related to old slavic names, such as Anatol, Miko and Tibor. Alternatively, they will be named after various elements, such as Pozhar and Moroz. When named after an element, the parents of these Lyudi will often add another name to follow alongside it.

Major Organizations

Underneath each SIGIL that a Lyudian belongs to is the governing body of that SIGIL. They follow the traditions of the SIGIL to the bone, obeying them without question. Those whose SIGILS are not connected to the land they inhabit, such as The World, are often working independently of any governing body, acting only for themselves.

Amongst many smaller religions and sects found throughout the land, the most popular religions within Strakh are the Worshippers Of The Stars, Hoven's Gate, and Stairway To Heaven. Although most Lyudians prefer the old way of worship under The Dead Flag, many have begun adopting these other views of religion during the Fourth Cycle.

The two largest organizations that belong to the Lyudi and operates for their benefit are the Memory Everlasting Organization, whom works to preserve and store information from the previous three cycles and elsewhere in The Outside; and the Chain Gang, whom are often organized around the massive chains throughout the land.

Without question, though, all Lyudi follow the will and word of Those Among The Sef. They are rightfully feared, as the might of the Bozhestvo within The Sef is not to be trifled with.

Common Dress Code

Lyudi tend to be fairly relaxed in regards to what they wear, mainly opting for clothes that cover up their privates. Oftentimes, the clothing they wear will be worn and tattered, made of fabric, animal skin, or insects. A common thing for a Lyudian is to have an article of their clothing, usually a pin or a band that wraps around their bodies, that shows the SIGIL they live under.

Historical Figures

There are a variety of figures that the Lyudi either look upon with respect or heavy disdain, usually the latter. These include the olden deities of Strakh's first cycle; known as the Mechty, to The Olden Kings that ruled over the twelve districts that existed at that time. Most heavily loved amongst all of the Lyudians is The Ocean, the god whom created all of them at the dawn of the First Cycle. However, he had vanished within the void abyss beneath Strakh, never to be seen again. To this day, many have honored him, and many have fought over him and what he desired for Strakh, a large reason why the religions of Stairway To Heaven and Hoven's Gate exist.

Feared amongst all Lyudians, however, are three specific entities. These would be the first god; The Holy, the horrific Nightmare King, and The Crimson Tide. While The Holy and The Nightmare King are no longer in this plane of reality, The Crimson Tide has been forced into exile away from Strakh, never to be seen by his brothers and sisters ever again.

Amongst all of them, though, Lyudians fear The Nightmare King the most.

After all, a nightmare is best to be left as a Memory.

SIGILS
The Fool
The Magician
The High Priestess
The Empress
The Emperor
The Hierophant
The Lovers
The Chariot
Justice
The Hermit
The Wheel Of Fortune
Strength
The Hanged Man
Death
Temperance
The Devil
The Tower
The Star
The Moon
The Sun
Judgement
The World

Lifespan

72 Ages (72 Years)

Average Height

7' | 2.1m - 8'2'' | 2.5m

Average Weight

198 lbs | 90kg - 242 lbs | 110kg

Geographic Distribution

• The Fourth Cycle Of Strakh

Languages

Slavic

Ælderon

Alpha Tongue

Connection to Humanity
The connection to slavic and russian culture is unknown, though some within Strakh will connect it to early Human culture; with many Lyudians denying such connections. Of note, however, is that historians within Strakh will discuss how the original god of their world, The Ocean, was related to the god of humanity; which might've played a part in their similarities to Humans.