Noveans: An Overview
The inhabitants of Noveo have a pretty wide diversity. However, there are a few things that remain consistent among them all: the presence of human and animal characteristics and the fact they possess sapience. These traits are unifying enough to where all Noveans are considered one general species with lower classifications rather than multiple species.
To be classified as a Novean, the head, neck, and torso (down to the waist/hips) must retain human anatomy in its underlying bone structure. Furthermore, all Noveans have at least one beast trait.
There are two major classes of Noveans: Terrestrial and Aquatic. The former inhabits the land and the latter inhabits the sea. Specifications regarding each will be expanded upon in the following sections.
Sapient Biology
The sapient (human) part of a Novean is seen as more of the "standard", as the anatomical structure of sapient parts is consistent no matter what. All Noveans have at least the underlying anatomical structure of a sapient head, neck, and torso (from shoulders to pelvis). Visible divergencies from sapient anatomy often target the limbs or can even result in extra appendages.
Some cultures value the idea of having more sapient features than beast ones. It's common for those of higher standing within these cultures to try and cover up any visible beast traits with clothing. It is said to bring them closer to the ancient people of a bygone era, though there is no evidence to support this.
Sapient Features: Terrestrial vs. Aquatic
Terrestrial Noveans retain a clear separation between their sapient and beast traits. There is always a visible point as the beast trait's skin would either be rougher, scaley, or covered in fur/hair. They also have a great sense of mobility on land but poorer capability in water. The typical sapient traits on Terrestrials include:
- Soft skin in varying shades of brown. "Patterns" only exist in the form of skin conditions, such as vitiligo.
- Hair growth, especially on the top of the head, underarms, and privates.
- Capability to breathe hair through nose/mouth.
- Warm-blooded (in most cases).
Aquatic Noveans don't have a very clear separation of sapient and beast traits. It's also more common for Aquatics to have less sapient traits due to those features not allowing for the best underwater mobility. The typical sapient traits on Aquatics include:
- Scaled or rough skin in an array of colors. Can have patterns such as stripes, spots, and multiple colorations.
- Lack of hair, outside of very few who have more whisker-like growth as opposed to proper hair. The top of the head, instead, has thin sensitive fin-like that are meant to resemble hair, and are stylized as such.
- Capability to extract oxygen from water through gills found on the neck.
- Cold-blooded (in most cases) and has a layer of blubber under the skin.
*Keep in mind the term "sapient traits" may not accurately reflect what the bygone humans had ages ago. The term sapient here applies to what's found on those parts of the body or in the internal structure of a Novean, not the traits that humans may have once had.
Beast Biology & Classification
The beast (animal) part of a Novean can have a wide diversity and can affect varying parts of the body. It appears that each Novean only takes after one beast in particular, but narrowing down the exact origins is quite unclear. Broader terms are used, instead, to classify the beast features, as there is some overlap present.
What exactly a beast trait looks like isn't easy to answer. Some Noveans are simple: they may only have the ears of their beast or they may have an additional appendage in the form of a tail or wings. Other Noveans may have limbs replaced or, in some cases, the entire lower body could resemble that of their beast. These scale to the sapient part of the body, though it should be noted that additional appendages have never been reported to exceed the armspan of the Novean in question.
Beasts tend to have an effect on the sapient parts of the body as hair will often match up the coloration of fur, any scales present won't be mismatched, and so on.
Beast Features: Lower Classifications
The divide and classification of beast features are not so much based on if they're Terrestrial or Aquatic compared to the lower classification of the beast. These usually "override" some of the common features found in the spaient parts of the beast, such as how they acclimate and regular body temperature or the presence/differences of certain organs.
- Mammals
- Terrestrials have no significant differences from their greater classification. The few Aquatics there are lack scales and gills, resulting them living closer to the water's surface so they can breathe.
- Avians
- Terrestrials have a greater lung capacity to allow for living in higher altitudes. Wings enable gliding but not flight due to size and bone density. There are no known Aquatic avians.
- Reptiles
- Both are cold-blooded. Terrestrials also deal with dry skin more often than other types of beasts.
- Amphibians
- Both are cold-blooded and have a small gland that can produce a layer of mucus on the skin. Terrestrial children of this lower classification usually need regular access to bodies of water to stay healthy.
- Fish
- Aquatics have no significant differences from their greater classification. There are no known Terrestrial fish.
- Arthropods
- Both have joints uniquely segmented with a visible exoskeleton. These segments are most common in appendages but some also have segmented bodies.
Beast Features: Unique Abilities
Some beasts allow for certain abilities to be possible and appear to be a remnant of what the beast once did when it roamed Noveo. These are typically internal functions or impact the senses, but can be more prominent depending on the beast. The only thing these abilities cannot enable, it seems, are the ability to fly and for Terrestrials to breathe underwater/Aquatics to breathe above the surface. These traits also have no bearings on magic usage, though there can be ties to it if a Novean learns certain spells.
Canonical examples of unique abilities include...
- Iritshi Radu has the tendency to hop rather than run or walk, as it's more comfortable for her lower body. Her jumps have an increased capability due to the strength in her hind legs.
- Macha Arashi having venom. This is transferred from her long fangs by biting.
- Acerbic has rougher skin in the places where beast-like traits occur, such as her legs and ears.
Other features have been shown to be impacted by a Novean's beast. This includes dietary preference, circadian rhythm, and senses such as hearing, smell, and sight. Other aspects are still being studied to varying degrees of success.
Conversely, some things are not affected by the beast at all. The notions of prey and predators that exist in creatures of the wild, for example, do not carry over to Noveans and their beasts. It's also been observed that beasts don't affect Noveans in the same way. For example, two mammilians of close relation (i.e. both are canines) may have differences in hearing, where one will inheret a boosted sense while the other will have standard hearing.
Historical Contexts
The leading theory of present-day Noveans is that they evolved from the now-extinct humans of the past. Studies indicate that the presense of Aepiron within the body is why such diversity can exist at all, and how very drastic examples of beast traits manifesting on the body are even sustainable alongside sapient anatomy.