Cartemi

Cartemi:

The Cartemi were the first species to migrate, compelled by a combined curious instinct and compulsion to explore and play with their environment. They did so on foot. Early communication with other species and cultures was difficult, but it was the Cartemi that first developed the now-universal counting system that formed the baseline for translation efforts, though it has been further refined by the [Techno Species]. The Cartemi continue to excel at not only language translation but cross-cultural communication efforts.

They are very short, with Cartemi females averaging about a head smaller than the average human female. Males average slightly smaller than that. For this reason and for their playful behavioral tendencies, Cartemi aren’t generally viewed as threatening. They are well received in many civilizations, so long as they submit to whatever authority hold dominion over the territory.

Defining Traits:

Physical:

Cartemi evolved to stand on two feet and their bones developed to resemble that similar to a human, though, finger and somewhat more flexible. To compensate for the loss of mobility, inherent magic and claws allowed them to leap and grab on to terrain in ways a human never could. This mobility is further extended through the use of expandable/collapsible vaulting poles. When a Cartemi is on a level plane, they are at a disadvantage relative to many other bipedal creatures. For this, they drive these poles into the ground and manipulate magic to move rapidly across flat terrain.

Extraordinarily agile, but lacking in bulk.

Horns:

Small calcified horns sit atop their head. They are rounded nubs.

The color of a Cartemi’s horns is a subject of much dispute. Scientist of all species have been unable to determine the mechanisms that will produce differently colored horns. If it were a simple manner of physical pigmentation, isolating the cause would be easier. So far, multiple factors appear to come into play, both genetic and environmental. The color of a mother’s horns is believed to be more influential genetically, while a father’s horns uniquely affect post-birth changes.

Fangs:

Cartemi have two pairs of fangs on the upper row of teeth.

These are used in conjunction with claws for movement and defense.

Most Cartemi will regularly file down their fangs for practicality and appearance-sake. How they do it and how much depends on what they value more.

Fur:

The Cartemi have tufts of fur all over their body.

They vary greatly in the color and quality of this fur, but

They are incredibly agile, with toned muscle but not capably of achieving much bulk. To overcome this strength deficiency, Cartemi use their claws, agility, and cunning to handle threats. If a threat cannot be defeated, retreat is a skill the agile Cartemi are very proficient at.
Paws:

Their paws are dexterous like a humans, but they possess collapsible claws.

Ears:

Cartemi ears sit higher on their head than humans.

They are used for exceptional hearing and for voluntary and involuntary expression.

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Mental:

Curious and compelled to explore. Relative to humans, they are less capable of submitting to forms of government that heavily restrict their freedoms, but they aren’t taken to violent revolution.

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Social:

Naming:

Cartemi naming conventions are different from humans. Even those living in Shroud have retained their culture. Names using this system are always direct concepts. Parents will call their children by the family name until the [naming ceremony] where the young adults will decide their names with their peers of the same age. Some have criticized this tradition, as it can result in Cartemi who are forced to take names through social pressure. Supporters of the tradition say that it is up to each individual to make their name their own.

Mating:

Cartemi have mating habits that may seem strange to other species and cultures.

There is a history of acceptance of mating with “consenting” sub-sentient animals. These pairings are traditionally announced and checked to determine whether or not they meet ethical standards. The difficulties in doing so are the reason this practice has fallen out of favor as of late. Cartemi may possess a keener intuition, but they cannot adequately communicate with sub-sentient creatures.

Incest remains relatively common in Cartemi culture. Their ancestor species nearly went extinct, and in-breeding became necessary to sustain the population. The subsequent effects of this breeding further damaged the species. A mutation that allowed “delayed trait memory”, or a shuffling of genes to prevent the detrimental effects of in-breeding allowed these members to thrive and now Cartemi have inherited this genetic flexibility.

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Population:

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Related Organizations

• Subhumans