Avenight

Avenights are techno-organic organisms that have a basic humanoid body plan. Their bodies are encased in tough armor that protects their bodies from the external damage caused by magical energies and from the dangerous animals of the Ilros continent.
Like all other species on Xiveros, Avenights have baetylus gems. Avenight baetylus's are on average five times the size of the baetylus of the other Phosperous blessed species, excluding Dragons and Kirin. This in addition to their armored protection allows them to utilize more powerful forms of magic.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Most species of Avenight have a basic humanoid appearance. They are covered in armor from head to toe, though there are gaps left for mobility, senses, and other morphological reasons. The structure of this armor can vary between species and genders. Some species even have additional limbs, most commonly wings that are used for combat or display rather than flight.

Genetics and Reproduction

Due to their techno-organic nature, Avenights must engage in additional methods besides just using their sexual organs. In addition to sexual intercourse, Avenights must engage in a process called 'Sparking' or 'Fusing' in order to produce offspring. As they are techno-organic this allows them to create baetylus shards from conception. Rather than have the offspring grow one by chance.
The process of Sparking must be made between a positively and negatively charged baetylus. With the positively charged baetylus retaining the newly created baetylus made as result of the fusion between the two. The positive and negative charges usually manifest themselves as the equivalents of female and male in the northern species. However, in desert southern species there is little to no distinction between the two, both charge types appear to be masculine in appearance.
Sparking requires that the two individuals reveal their baetylus by opening the armored plates in roughly the center of their chests. Then they must energize their baetylus and then lock their chest together. Releasing the energy will result in a fusion reaction which will create a baetylus shard. After the fusion is complete the negatively (or male) charged baetylus will cease emitting a charge for the few seconds that is required for the positively (or female) charged baetylus to pull the shard to itself. This can be particularly dangerous for the negatively charged individual.
Because Avenights souls are within their baetylus and the fact that Avenights cannot exist without magic, it is impossible for a Avenight to be born without one. If a Sparking process did not take place or was not successful, then they will not conceive. However it is not unheard of for an Avenight fetus to grow without a baetylus for a time, but will usually be terminated naturally by the body with the first month or two.
An average Avenight pregnancy lasts for about 13 months. With the first four being dedicated to the growth and development of the baetylus with little growth in the fetus. During this period, their is a small chance that the baetylus will collapse and be absorbed into the adult baetylus. This usually only occurs if the parent baetylus are severely incompatible or if the fetus fails.
After the baetylus growth period the fetus will take priority and will develop for the next nine months. If the fetus fails during this time, the infant baetylus will remain for a few months and will stay if another fetus develops regardless of the fetus's parentage. If another fetus does not appear within five months, the infant baetylus will collapse and be absorbed by the adult baetylus.
In the final month of pregnancy, the infant baetylus will be moved to the infant's body through a specialized tube. It will be taken directly to its chest, and once in place its protective armor will close immediately. This usually occurs in less than ten minutes. The final weeks will be spent merging the baetylus and thus the Avenight soul to the body. As well as the last developmental growth.

Growth Rate & Stages

There are several general life stages for Avenights.
After birth, newborns are fragile. While not as fragile as human newborns as they do have some protection. Their armor is very soft and they are very dependent on their parent(s). This stage lasts almost a year until they enter the infant stage.
After a year, Avenight armor begins to harden some, but will remain quite soft in comparison to their adult armor. It will also be much more segmented to allow for growth. During this infant stage, Avenight will begin to learn to walk, talk, and will be generally very curious about the world around them.
Four years later the child will enter the Juvenile stage. This is generally considered to be the toddler or child stage. While their armor is more robust, it is still weak and overly segmented. However, the children are very adventurous and curious. They also begin to use their baetylus powers, but it is limited due to their age and baetylus size. This stage lasts about fifteen years.
Pre-Adolescence is a rapid transition stage that lasts around five years. During this stage Avenights will have rapid growth and will shed all their scales and regrow them. Though they are still very child like in mind set.
Adolescence is essentially the teenager stage for Avenights. Avenight armor is now more whole and in solid blocks that is nearly hardened into its adult form. Avenight magic becomes more powerful and easier to control. Their bodies experience rapid growth and as a result they appear long and lanky. Their armor will shed continuously throughout this time, though not as extreme as the pre-adolescence stage. Avenights become more socially aware and begin their transition into the adult mentality during this time.
After 20 years, Avenights have become sexually mature and adults. Their bodies have filled out and they have nearly stopped growing. Their armor growth has also slowed and has stopped shedding in whole pieces. Instead, they now shed small particles that is barely noticeable. Adults are more powerful physically, mentally, and magically now that they are in their adult form. Many Avenights will spend this phase of their life working or adventuring.
After about 100 years, Avenights become Mature Adults or sometimes called 'Alphas'. This an interesting stage in Avenight life more akin to a Dragons lifecycle than a humanoid lifecycle. Alpha's are more powerful magically, though depending on the ethnicity and the individual, they could have other advantages. Their armor is thicker and their movements are slower as a result. This is also considered the 'settling down' phase of a Avenights life.
Late Adulthood takes place about 100 years later and is signaled by a continuous slight decline in physical health. Though nothing major. This is the beginning of an individual's 'twilight' years.
After about 70 years, an Avenight will enter the elder stage. This stage can take about 30 years. Their will be a decline in health and bodily functionality. Most cultures treat elders as wise teachers or social leaders. Elders armor begins to become duller and more brittle as they age.
Avenights have a lifespan of around 350 years.
Age averages
Gestation = 13 months
Birth = Can last around 6 hr – 3 days
Newborn = 1 year old
Infant = 2 - 5 years old
Juvenile = 5 - 20 years old
Pre-Adolescence = 20 - 25 years old
Adolescence = 25 - 45 years old
Adulthood = 45 - 145 years old
Mature (Alpha) Adulthood = 145 - 245 years old
Late Adulthood = 245 - 315 years old
Elder = 315 - 345 years
Death

Ecology and Habitats

Due to their armor, Avenights fair better in colder climates than in hotter ones. Moderate, continental, and polar climates are more viable for Avenights, while dry and tropical environments are more inhospitable for them, though not impossible for them survive if they are prepared in advance.
Though the southern desert species is significant. They don't live deep within the Agelea Desert, but they do live close to it despite the heat.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Avenights, especially while growing, require a variety of foods both organic and inorganic. In addition to animal meats and plant stuffs, Avenights also consume a variety of metals. These metals help in the development of their armor and baetylus.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Avenights are known for their fierce loyalty and devotion to figureheads and ideologies.

Facial characteristics

Masculine variants are noted for having large horns on their heads. These can vary wildly.
Feminine variants typically have 'ribbons' or other fragile display structures on their heads. Their heads are also thinner and more almond shaped in comparison to the masculine variants.

Average Intelligence

100 iq

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Avenights are considered to have sightly better senses than the average sapient species. Though their hearing would be considered average if it wasn't for the way sound bounces through their armor. They also have exceptional vision. Their magical abilities are also exceptional due to their enlarged baetylus.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Avenights have domesticated several species such as Wyverns, Arions, Basens, Kashas, Fenrirs, Cetans, and more.

Lifespan

350 years

Average Height

10' ft

Average Weight

500 lbs

Average Physique

Masculine variants have thicker armor and more muscle mass at the price of speed and agility. There are two masculine forms, one which retains hermaphrodite traits and the second that has lost the ability to carry children, but still retains vestigial female sexual organs. The hermaphroditic form is most present in what are called the southern or desert species, while the other is present in the norther species.
Feminine variants have greater speed and agility at the price of weaker armor and less overall protection. Feminine variants also have less armor around their abdomen, instead replacing it with small interlocking scales that appears like thick hide. This is to make it easier for the belly to expand during a pregnancy. Feminine forms also retain vestigial male sexual organ, though they are greatly reduced in size and functionality.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Avenight coloring and markings can range wildly between individuals and lineages. However, it is a good indicator for their baetylus type. for example, majority blue colors in a Avenights armor signify a water or ice type baetylus. Eye coloring can also help with baetylus idenfication, but is not an absolute. For instance, the Vernilieon royal family which has blue eyes despite having red fire type baetylus.