Beastkin

The native denizens of the Beastkin Realm. Beastkin are known for their high dexterity and stamina, a result of the high Vitality in both themselves and their realm.
There are three variants of beastkin, arising from the influence of other species:
Beastkin
The original form of the species, uninfluenced by others.
Direkin
A subset of beastkin that arose from beastkin and demon relations where the demonic heritage was carried through beast generations.
Alphakin
A subset of beastkin that arose from beastkin and troll relations where the trollish heritage was carried though beast generations.

Basic Information

Anatomy

All beastkin are bipedal with two arms. They come in a variety of shapes depending on the kind of animal their lineage resembles.
Direkin have saber teeth and black sclera, as well as clawed hands regardless of beast lineage.
Alphakin have solid black eyes and larger forearms, as well as webbed fingers and toes regardless of lineage.

Genetics and Reproduction

Beastkin reproduce sexually, and pregnancy usually lasts around one year.
Besides other beastkin, they can reproduce with trolls and demons.
While the ancestors of beastkin lineages are not all genetically compatible, all beastkin are able to intermix. However, unlike reproduction with another species, two beastkin of seemingly incompatible lineages do not hybridize - instead, they take after the gestational parent. Beastkin linages that would be compatible - such as a lionkin and a tigerkin - do hybridize.

Growth Rate & Stages

• Early Childhood: 0-10 years
• Middle Childhood: 10-30 years
• Late Childhood: 30-75 years
• Adolescence: 75-150 years
• Young Adulthood: 150-300 years
• Middle Adulthood: 300-750 years
• Late Adulthood: 750-1200 years
• Elderly: 1200-2400

Ecology and Habitats

As the Beastkin Realm is full of massive flora and fauna, beastkin do well in wide open spaces with plenty of room to roam. Different lineages are better adapted to different environments.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Omnivorous - main food supply comes from hunting and is supplemented by foraged fruits and vegetables. The Beastkin Realm is so prosperous that agriculture has never formed as an industry. Similarly, animal husbandry is also not established - most preferring to hunt in any case. 
While all beastkin are omniverous, lineage does have an effect on preference - though it is difficult to tell if this is more cultural or biological. Most likely, a mix between the two.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Beastkin all tend to have an excellent sense of smell, with other senses varying by lineage.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Beastkin naming traditions vary widely between lineages.

Major Organizations

Watering Hole Council
An international forum for the realm where the bulk of diplomacy occurs.

Beauty Ideals

Beastkin beauty ideals vary widely between lineages.

Gender Ideals

Beastkin gender ideals vary widely between lineages.

Courtship Ideals

Beastkin courtship ideals vary widely between lineages.

Relationship Ideals

Beastkin relationship ideals vary widely between lineages.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

All beastking languages can be traced back to the two most early languages: Mammilia and Ovimora.

Mammilia

The proto-language of all mammilian languages, which soon diverged into Carnivera and Herbivin due to the natural inclination of carnivores to mingle with other carnivires and herbivores to do the same with other herbivores. 

Carnivera

The proto-language and language family name for Carniverous Lineages. The three major groups found under Carnivera are Fellinous, Canidae, and Hyene - as influenced by the kingdoms of the same names. 

Herbivin

The proto-language and language family name for Herbivorous Lineages. There are two major groups under this: Ungulen and Digiten. The most notable languages from these groups are Cervidae and Euliptopia, from the kingdoms of the same name.

Ovimora

The proto-language of egg-laying lineage languages, which soon diverged into Averea and Herpitae due to the natural inclination of avians to mingle with other avians and herptiles to do the same with other herptiles. 

Averea

The proto-language and language family name for Avian Lineages. The two major languages under this are Corvinnarre and Strigatytone, for the kingdoms of the same. 

Herpitae

The proto-language and language family name for Herptile Lineages. The two major language groups under this are Reptilera and Amphibinae, for the kingdoms of the same name.

Common Dress Code

While specific fashion values and aesthetics vary widely across beastkin lineages, they all place a high cultural value on fashionability. As a result, the beastkin fashion industry is both thriving and rife with political intrigue. Tailor is a highly respected potision, with the highest positions caryring the most prestige - and the most risk. Ensuring that aristocracy and merchants alike are able to present the intended message through their appearance across cultural lines is a skill requiring vast knowledge and strict dedication.

History

The beastkin were not created by one god, as many other mortal species, but several - and they were also not created independantly. The first beastkin god, Empru, saw the mortals of the Demon  and Troll Realms, and decided they also wanted mortals in their realm of beasts. 
Empru had consumed the other other gods of their generation - but they allowed enough of each to continue to exist so they could utilize their energy. Which often led them to arguments. 
They could not decide what kid of mortals they wished to create - the other gods used the shapes of animals species in their realms as a basis for their mortals, but only as a general guide. But Empru could not decide which shape was best. Their many facets argued - those of the Sky primordium thought the avians that graced their domain was best, those of the Water primordium arguing that amphians would be better. Earth and Fire facets argued over which land animals would be best suited - which caused the Sky factes to squabble over spcific avians as well. Finally, Empru's core mind silenced them - and bid them all to make mortals as they saw fit.  
They were a multifaceted god - why should their mortals be as uniform as other realms? 
This gave rise to the various beastkin lineages - first defining themselves largely as Mammilia and Ovimora,  and then later into more distinct lineage groups as the various kingdoms the Beastkin Realm is known for came to be. 
Today, the two most prominent groups are the Six-Headed Beast and the Four Paws.  
The Six-Headed Beast is a collective term for the six largest and most influential kingdoms, though it does not refer to any kind of alliance or shared cultural background. In fact, these six are kingdoms are more often at odds with each other than not - the collective being a term coined by smaller nations due to the influence their squabbling has over the rest of the realm. These kingdoms are: Fellinous  (of the Feline Lineages), Canidae  (of the Canine Lineages), Rodenterra (of the Rodentia Lineages), Cervades (of the Cervidae Lineages), Reptilera of the Reptilian Lineages), and Corvinarre (of the Corvid Lineages). 
The Four Paws are a true alliance of countries - smaller kingdoms in strategic positions to influence the Six-Headed Beast, usually working together to prevent large scale conflicts that disrupt the peace of the realm. They are comprised of Strigatytonae (of the Strigatytonidae Lineages), Amphibinae (of the Ampibious Lineages), Hyenes (of the Hyena Lineage), and Euliptopia (of the Eulipotyphia Linage). 
Together, the Six-Headed Beast and Four Paws head the Watering Hole Council - the international forum for the Beastkin Realm. 
There are various smaller kingdoms found throughout the Beastkin Realm, but most fall under the influence of the larger nations.

Common Myths and Legends

The lineages of the Beastkin Realm closely resemble animals found in the Human Realm, though beastkin animals have diverged. It is believed Empru and the Celestial Monarch of the Human Realm broke off from the same Primordial at different times, which caused the early similarities in their realms flora and fauna.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Beastkin often form relationships with demon and troll partners, due to the close relationship of their Realms. These are not seen as particularly special for being commonplace.
Beastkin rarely interact with other species outside of these two, so see relationships between any other species as novel.

Lifespan

2400

Average Height

Beastkin: 7-8ft | Direkin: 8-9ft | Alphakin: 8.5-9.5ft

Average Weight

varies by lineage

Average Physique

Beastkin lineages are incredibly diverse in appearance, too much so for an average physique.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Beastkin lineages are incredibly diverse in appearance - some have fur, some feathers, some scales, and some skin.

Related Organizations

• Canidae