Chimera
Chimera are - in essence - animals on two feet. They come in all shapes from deer, rams, and bulls to wolves, lions, and bears. However, while they share physical similarities to animals, they are definitely people. Despite the fact that some have tried to paint them differently, Chimera are people, with a rich heritage in Havan - the only land they claim as solely their own - and deep roots in every major culture in Wyrth.
Like their "kin", the Skyborn, Dracoling, and Undine, there are various aspects of their nature that are shaped by their origin as common beasts prior to being given Souls by the Warden. For example, a bear Chimera will have a proclivity towards mead over other alcohol, as it's made of honey. A wolf Chimera will be most comfortable with a large, close-knit group - be it family or friends - rather than being alone. These are patterns and not hard rules, but they are no less prevalent in Chimera than the love of shiny objects for a crow Skyborn, or hoarding of "treasure" for a Dracoling.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The general morphology is "animal on two feet". They may look like a bear, wolf, lion, tiger, or a dozen other wild creatures.
Many have retroflexive legs, meaning they are actually walking on the balls of their feet with their heel as a "false knee" in the middle of their leg. They also possess tails, though their utility is limited. Aside from the basic wagging or a slight swish, the tails are not useful. Regardless of variance, all Chimera have hands in place of forepaws.
Genetics and Reproduction
While not a hard and fast rule, the Chimera are more or less bound to their own species with regard to reproduction.
Furthermore, within the species, they are far less likely to produce offspring with a different "animal" group. A Chimera exhibiting lupine characteristics will be less likely to have a child with one exhibiting leonid characteristics. That's not to say they won't have a viable offspring, but their union is less fertile.
Growth Rate & Stages
Chimera are able to crawl hours after birth. They will teethe on any hard object they can grab ahold of, and are sustained by their mothers' milk. A typical litter is two to three babies, so they will be very social with their sibling(s). This bond is very important to a developing Chimera, so it's vital that it be fostered. If the baby is an only child, they must be socialized with other children.
After eight months, they enter the stage where they are considered a Juvenile. They will likely start walking upright at this point, using their tails for balance. Their teeth will have come in completely, allowing them to begin eating solid food. They will also begin engaging in friendly - although rough - play with others. This is very important to their development, but must be monitored. If it gets out of hand, it could spell disaster for the child's future.
Once they reach the age of thirteen, they should begin the Adolescent stage. At this point, they will begin taking on more adult characteristics. For example, a male lion Chimera will have their mane come in. A doe Chimera will lose her spots.
After three years, they will have reached Maturity. At this point, they will be fully developed and females will have started going into heat at the tail end of Adolescence (it's actually the indicator that they have finished).
Ecology and Habitats
The Chimera started as exclusively tropical, or, at the very least, warm climate, creatures. However, with a few millennia of different climates, they have adapted. Still, you will tend to see Chimera sticking to environs that suit their form. The lithe jungle cats have largely kept to the forests of Havan and the lowlands of Yugawa. Meanwhile, the heavy-set, thick-coated bears and wolves headed to Baliklav.
Dietary Needs and Habits
All Chimera are omnivores. That said, whether they eat more meat or plants is a largely cultural issue.
Biological Cycle
Chimera are knows shedders. They will shed heavily in the spring and taper off until the keep all their fur in the winter.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
With some seeing them as noting but intelligent animals, a secret cabal has made a sport out of hunting them for their pelts.
Facial characteristics
Their faces are, effectively, animalian. If they are a wolf, their head will be that of a wolf. If they are a lion, their head will be that of a lion. As such, it's both difficult and exceedingly easy to discuss their facial features as they are widely varied, but also so easy to describe as simply belonging to an animal.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
There are a large number in Havan, as it's their native land, but they have also spread in great numbers to Yugawa and Baliklav. There are also quite a few in Astozia, taking up residence as colonists first and then proper Astozians.
Average Intelligence
Chimera are average in intelligence. They have excellent instincts, but their reasoning is average. There are still many that exceed the norms and succeed as scholars or otherwise prove their mental prowess, but those are exceptional. For the most part, where they excel are the soft skills like public speaking, and moderating social situations.
Civilization and Culture
History
The history of Chimera is, effectively, the history of the Feroxian people. After the Great Fracture, the isolated Chimera unified into the Tribes of Ferox. While the rest of Wyrth was plunged into chaos, the Tribes managed to find peace among their desperate peoples. Though not a utopia, they weathered the storms of the Ages of Isolation and Lords, managing to maintain relative peace throughout it all. Much of this came from their absolute faith in the god Ferox. They were all able to gather in faith and use that belief as a gathering force. They also used open forums to discuss the issues they felt were important, and voted, giving every member of the tribe a vote.
Once the Age of Lords came to a close, there was a shift. As the first culture Sukoshio the Wavesplitter made contact with after sailing from the bay at the foot of the Sen Mountain Range, they were heavily affected by the Age of Exploration. Sukoshio was very kind to the Chimera, offering them artifacts of his country as payment for their hospitality. With his tales of sailing the world capturing the minds of many Chimera, he offered to add them to his fleet. A number of Feroxian Chiefs agreed to build ships according to the specifications of Sukoshio's shipwright, Takashi the Oceanfarer. When the ships were done, over six hundred Chimera from all over Havan joined Sukoshio's fleet, spending the remainder of his world spanning voyage with him.
Once Sukoshio's voyage kicked off the new Age, and the mapping had begun - and the blueprints for Takashi's Ocean Farers were spread around - the world began to rediscover itself. A large number of these explorers were Chimera. Settling all over the world, Chimera started to develop into masters of the sea. Alas, the Age of Exploration was a two-edged sword, bringing the Repenian colonists to the shores of Havan. Though they didn't really establish a heavy presence until the middle of the Age of Kings, they still obtained a piece of land where they have been for the last two thousand years: Repinas City.
In rebellion, the Chimera started pirate bands, raiding the trade ships coming to and from Repenian-controlled Havan. Though it has yet to get the settlers to leave, it has created a name and legend for dozens of Repenians.
Scientific Name
Bestia Chimerus
Lifespan
70
Average Height
6-8ft
Average Weight
200-400lbs
Average Physique
On the whole, Chimera are well built. Those that live in the cold tend to be heavier than those that live in the jungle, but, even beneath their layers of fat, they are well muscled.
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