Kymra

The kymra (/kaɪmɹa/, Theen, "hybrid") are a subspecies of the Fair Folk. They are descended from elves who gave up their ability to shapeshift in exchange for a singular body with traits from their animal form.

Basic Information

Anatomy

A kymra's animal ancestry determines many physical traits, including number of digits on hands and feet, if they have claws, horns, wings, whiskers, etcetera. All kymra with ancestry for a bony tail will have a tail (but not those who would have, for example, a tail of feathers). Fortunately, given the climate, all kymra are warm-blooded regardless of their ancestry.

Genetics and Reproduction

Kymra children will take the animal ancestry of one parent, but may develop traits from the other depending on how close their species are. For example, the child of a feline kymra and a canine kymra may have feline ears, whiskers, and a tail, but the coloration of the canine parent. However, the child of a feline kymra and a crocodile kymra would only take on the traits of one or the other.
A handful of children have been born to kymra-elf unions. In all documented cases, the child had kymra traits solely inhereited from the kymra parent.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Kymra are baseline omnivores, but their preferences will skew towards their animal ancestry.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

As a baseline, kymra have the same strong senses of sight and hearing as elves. However, kymra also gain whatever stronger senses their animal ancestry have without any of their sensory weaknesses. For example, a wolf kymra has the strong sense of smell and hearing as a wolf, but the powerful vision (including being able to see in full color) of an elf. However, kymra are less aware of the presence of quintessence than their elven counterparts.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Traditionally, Setret kymra are given a personal name at birth by family. These names are often formed out of elements of numerous Theen words meant to represent positive traits they want for their child. Since they're often long, usually four syllables or longer, most kymra go by a shortened nickname derived from the full name in almost all contexts; using a full name indicates that a situation is very important. However, some kymra have started giving their children the names of famous historical figures or other kymra they wish to admire. In this case, the nickname will still be a different one than the namesake's but derived from the same name. 
As adults, a kymra is given an epithet, placed after the personal name, upon doing something noteworthy. These epithets are compound words. A kymra's friend or family member who has an epithet must first offer it; the kymra can choose to not take it if they do not think this event is worth baring as a name. It is very rare for a kymra to take multiple epithets, but if something of massive important happens after they've already taken an epithet, they may accept another one, either supplanting the original epithet or using both depending on personal preference.
Until a kymra takes an epithet, they will go by sae (Theen, "child of") epithet of another person, traditionally the mother, but can can use a different epithet if they don't have a mother or have cut that particular familial bond. Some kymra born to mixed families who inherit their father's animal ancestry may take their father's epithet instead. 
Kymra can bestow epithets on a non-kymra; doing so indicates extreme closeness with that person to the point of considering them honorary family or in a Suvet bond. A non-kymra may offer an epithet, but usually must be fairly close with the kymra, either through adoption or being in an ohmsuvet, for it to be considered valid and worth adopting. Non-kymra giving themselves kymra-style epithets, especially if they refer to them as such, is frowned upon as an outsider intruding on a custom they don't fully understand.  
Kymra outside of Setre may use different names. Some in Aphelia have taken the Aphelian bilineal naming custom, using both parents' epithets. A few kymra in the east, particularly the Avantha Kolari, haven taken on elven-style family names determined by their animal ancestry in defiance of elven rejection of the kymra. This practice is extremely controversial among both elves and kymra. Others may opt to give themselves an epithet rather than wait for someone else to offer one.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

The majority of kymra are Theen speakers.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Elf