Oba

Basic Information

Anatomy

Obas are mammalian humanoids with adult height ranging from 4 feet 6 inches to 6 feet 8 inches. They are bipedal, walking on their back limbs (legs). They use their front limbs (arms) to interact with the world in too many ways to list.

Genetics and Reproduction

Scientists generally agree on obas having three biological sexes, which obas call wer, wif, and werif. Wer obas impregnate, wif obas gestate, and werif obas can do both. However, while most wer and wif obas are reproductively indistinguishable from male and female humans respectively, a minority of each experience heat and high fertility that can interfere with daily functioning. All werif obas, meanwhile, likewise experience heat and high fertility.

Growth Rate & Stages

Oba growth is very similar to Human growth. Newborn obas are helpless compared to many other species. Children are very quick to learn. Puberty can begin at any time between age 9 and age 15. While there is some debate over when obas become fully mature, the consensus falls within the range of 16 to 21 years of age.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Obas have two eyes, a nose, a mouth, and two ears. Their eyes are forward-facing, with one eyebrow over each eye. Their ears are located on the sides of their heads. While all obas can potentially grow facial hair, wer obas are significantly more likely to do so.

Civilization and Culture

Gender Ideals

Most oba societies recognize six genders based on the sexes:

The mikwer (40% of the population) is indistinguishable from a male human, and the makwif (40% of the population) likewise is indistinguishable from a female human. Due to their large numbers and lack of disruptive reproductive heats, mikwer and makwif obas are considered to be hardworking and reliable. The makwer (5% of the population) and makwerif (5% of the population) are considered analogous due to their externally-triggered heats and protective instincts. Likewise, the mikwerif (5% of the population) and mikwif (5% of the population) are considered analogous due to their heat cycles and abilities to gestate.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Obas share the same level of sapience as humans and vedeirs. How a Human regards an oba depends on the human's culture. The Eiji, for example, hold an extreme distrust of obas due to their different reproductive systems and understanding of gender.

Lifespan

70 - 90 years

Related Myths

• Dowif's Collar