Samanayrs

Species name: T'ranian Samanayrs
Origin:
When samanayrs were still a race of children, when their footsteps upon the dirt were still fresh and new, there was a race of Samanayrs who made their homes in the mountains, prefering the airy heights much in the way that desert samanayrs prefered the sands. It was a hard life, and it was not uncommon for the inhabitants to disappear, lost in the labarynth of tunnels that webbed the mountains, entombed beneath one of the all too frequent cave-ins, or even an exile who refused to leave, traveling deeper than was wise in the pursuit of something unattainable.

These 'lost souls' did not all wither away and die, as their kin may have thought. The desperate, the strong of will, adapted. Their fur that became so easily caked with dust and mud fell out due to lack of light, or was slowly worn away. Their eyes, useless in the lightlessness of the abyss, clouded over, and their ears adapted to the almost-supernatural sensitivity of a bat. It was a slow process, their numbers were small. It was rare for foals to be born in this harsh environment, and even rarer for those adapted to subterranian life to venture above ground for long enough to breed with one of the 'above dwellers'.

Living in such isolation, their numbers remained small, and their forms became drastically different, until those that were lucky enough to spot them had to claim them as something new.

Special traits:
- Hairless (Also commonly found with Armor, Scales, or Scaled Skin.)
- Paws/Clawed Paws (For digging. These are not exclusive, but it is exceedingly hard for a hooved samanayr to survive in an underground environment.)
- Hooked Snout
- Tailless or Stub Tail.
- Nose Horn (A small jutting horn at the end of the muzzle, like that of a rhino. Used as a tool in digging burrows and clearing away rocks.)
- Nubs (Sams that once had wings will generally lose them through disuse, leaving them with large ridged nubs where the wings once were. Once again, not always the case, but much more often than not.)
- Antennae

((SPECIAL NOTE: Once in a while, Aquatic Samanayrs living in underground lakes/rivers will be accepted into T'ranian society. These are even more rarely seen, but rumors have been heard.))

Special markings/colors: Colors on T'ranian Samanayrs tend to be dull, as sight isn't an influencial part of their choice in mates and is in no way important to their survival underground. Their eyes are commonly white (Blind) or clouded over. (ie. very dull.)
Abilities: As their way of life depends almost entirely on their sense of hearing, it has developed over time to become almost supernatural in it's sensitivity and precision. They can endure extremes temperatures at both ends of the spectrum, as well as being able to withstand intense pressure.
How to breed: N/A
Breeding restrictions: As covered above, it is exceedingly rare for one of the T'ranian breed to venture close enough to the surface to make contact with another breed of Samanayr, let alone breed with them.
Anything else?
- T'ranian have small songs, usually consisting of only 2-3 members, as there is little room underground for large families.
- They speech is far degenerated from regular Samamanayrs and consists more of high-pitched clicks, whistles and whines that can be picked up over large distances than actual words.

Species name: Northern Aquatic
Origin: The -exact- origins of this particular mutation is still under question. Whether it was the result of adapations that certain aquatics had developed after they had fled to colder climes - or if it were simply the result of the northern Samanayr mutating as the harsh environments of the north forced them into the water in search of sustenence - is unknown. Isolated from most other Samanayr due to the general unlivable nature of their habitat, the Northern Aquatic have bred alone for so many years that they themselves no longer remember. Although, as a general rule, they feel slightly more in tune with their Northern brethren than any warm-watered aquatics.
Special traits: While Northern Aquatics are capable of bearing many of the typical Northern mutations - it is very, very rare to encounter one that does not bear a pudgy & flippered trait - usually four flippers in total, although the number (and size) can vary. Actual more fish-like fins are extremely rare, and the larger winged traits little more than legend.

Also, like other Aquatics - they do actually breathe air, not water, and simply can hold their breath for a very, very long time. They do come onto land occasionally, but prefer to live the majority of their time out at sea.

Another couple of new traits has been observed within their ranks howewver - tusks, both small and large, are primarily observed on some. Small ears, and earless (only ear holes). As well as fanned, flipper-like tail, furred flippers and indeed, velveted fur - a denser, and often shorter, version of their Northern cousin's coat.

Special markings/colors: Generally duller, muted tones. Usually whites, blues, greys and the occasional purple - like the sea.
Abilities: n/a
How to breed: A true Northern Aquatic is produced only when bred to another Northern Aquatic, or when bred to a fullblooded Northern and possessing the pudgy & flipper (four) mutations.

Breeding restrictions: n/a
Anything else? (optional)
- Pictoral Examples:

1. Full blooded Aquatic - pudgy, velveted fur, furred flippers & flipper-tail. Grey-blue in color.

2. Full blooded Aquatic - pudgy, velveted fur, furred flippers & small ears & greenish blue in color.

3. Full blooded Aquatic - pudgy, velveted fur, furred flippers, small ears, beak & vestigal wings - lavender & blue in color.


4. Halfbreed Northern/Northern aquatic. Velveted fur. Small tusks. Furred flipper & hooves. Brighter colors. As as can you can see, in the case of crosses, those that do not inherit all of ONE of their parents limbs are generally viewed as ungainly and literally a aquatic out of water. In the harsher climes, often will not survive long. Because of this, also not generally favored within the more typical songs or company.

- An OPTIONAL (if that is allowed) potential song variation of the Northern Aquatic:
A fully northern aquatic song structure can vary slightly from the typical Samanayar song. Because of the extremely harsh nature of their environment, larger groups of Northern Aquatics have historically held the greater chance for survival. Therefore, a tradition of a second-stallion, and the "harmonic" song has emerged. This sub-song almost functions like a fully independent song - but is generally smaller. (The primary or "melodic" song generally composed of the normal 1/4 ratio of stallion/mare - although they can, occasionally be as large as 1:6 if there has been a death of one of the stallions- and the sub song comprised of a 1/2-3 ratio.)

This pair of songs are generally very friendly towards eachother - traveling together, and caring for eachother and the other's young. Influence within the song is fairly typical - with the first-stallion being the head, and the mares (outside of the lead mare of the primary song) considered to be on equal footing. The second-stallion and the primary lead mare's influence are generally about equal - although their EXACT authority of one over the other varies from song to song.

The first stallion is usually a stronger male - while the second stallion is usually a younger, more inexperienced one. Should anything catastrophic occur to the first stallion, usually the second stallion will step up to take the primary stallions place. Similarly, if the second stallion meets with an unfortunate end, the first stallion will generally absorbe the harmonic song's mares into his own song.

Such power shifts, however, are not without their costs - as usually a couple of mares (frequently at LEAST the lead mare of the newly-absorbed song) will leave the song to pursue other possibilities - their leaving resulting in diminishing the combined songs to the a more "typical" size. It HAS been known for the group to be so close-knit that they stay together as one big, single song - however such a combination has then NEVER been known to allow/seek another harmonic song as a result.

Frequently harmonic songs are start as offspring that are considered too close to leave the group. A male offspring from the primary song will grow up and decide to become a second-stallion, and collect unrelated mares to form a harmonic song - or a female offspring will grow up and join/convince an unrelated stallion in an harmonic song for the group. These particular individuals, however, are generally the first to leave should the above-mentioned power shift occur - simply because inbreeding is looked on with distaste, and while they may stay with the song for a little while until they can find a new song to join with ... they are members in name only, and would never consider breeding with their related family.

Also, occasionally, harmonic songs will break off from the primary to become their own, independent song - with the seperated songs now able to seek their own new harmonic songs to pair with. These songs are also generally the first to trade family unrelated members between eachother should a harmonic song be started within the other member's ranks.

Origami_Dragon wrote:Species name: Abyss

Origin: After the formation of the Aquatic species a group split off further, seeking the deepest parts of the ocean which they percieved to be even safer. They found a series of underwater caves containing air pockets and settled in there, choosing not to return to the surface again. As they never leave the water they have evolved to have little to no hair on their bodies and never have manes or hairy tails. They have grown deeply suspicious and only a few are willing to venture to the surface even with the reassurances that Samanayrs are safe from hunters now. As there is little light in the depths they developed glowing patches of fur and skin that enabled them to locate and identify each other from a distance. Each Abyss has a unique pattern of lights on their body.

Special traits: Bioluminesence, fins, solid/pupilless eyes, finned tail, maneless

Special markings/colors: Abyss Samanayrs are predominantly dark and murky in color, but sport bright, glowing markings, usually along the back and sides or the fins.

Abilities: They can hold their breath for a very long time, but cannot breath water.

How to breed: A true Abyss is born only when two Abyss are bred.

Breeding restrictions: Abyss do not readily form Songs or breed with land going Samanayr.

Anything else? A breeding between an Abyss and an Aquatic may result in an Aquatic foal (this only applies if you would find this acceptable Sushi, otherwise nothing goes here).