Prydaen Physiology

Appearance

This page is under construction while reference sources are compiled.

Height

Prydaen range in height from 5 to 5.75 feet. On average, males are slightly taller than females.

Skin and Fur

A Prydaen's skin is covered in thick fur that obscures the skin beneath entirely. The palms of the hands and the bottoms of feet do not have fur and are often the location of tattoos.

• Possible variants: white, silver, grey, blue-grey, sandy, tawny, sepia, rust-colored, brown, black, calico, tortoiseshell, orange, creamy white, golden, and dark brown.
• Other markings: white belly, silver belly, grey belly, sepia belly, brown belly, black belly, white points, silver points, grey points, sepia points, brown points, black points, glittered.
• Secondary markings: white, silver, grey, blonde, tan, ruddy, sable, silvered black, black, sepia, standard (MASK, STRIPEs, SPOTS, ROSETTES, or MARBLING.)

Regional Descriptions

Mountain Prydaen

Kin who dwell in mountainous regions tend toward short, thick fur ranging in coloration from browns to shades of grey and silver, with the occasional reddish variants or the rare albino. Often seen are black points, or silver or grey stripes. Of note is the dominant characteristic of smaller, rounded ears and in stature are often a bit stockier than those of other regions.

Those of the mountains tend to use the natural caves formations found throughout the area as living places.

Forest Prydaen

The fur of forest kin often mimics their surroundings with darker earthy colors such as brown or black, or the sometimes ghostly blue-grey. Also seen is varicolored fur, such as calico and tortoiseshell, which in the more skilled of hunters can render a Prydaen virtually invisible in autumn, even standing in plain sight. Markings of black are not uncommon, especially as spots or rosettes marking the fur.

While all Prydaen are excellent natural climbers and swimmers, it is important to note that forest Prydaen excel at swimming, and often feast on fish caught from mid- stream or river, and sometimes from within the waters of the numerous sheltered lakes. It is common enough for kin to fashion dwellings above the ground, using the trees as a different kind of walkway above the loamy forest floors, and as a basis for sneak attacks on whatever prey is the current object of interest.

Plains/Grassland Prydaen

The Prydaen of the plains regions cover the spectrum of fur coloration and markings, though paler colors dominate, and small black spots on their cheeks, forehead, neck and limbs are very common. Stature varies as much as coloration, ranging from heavier set with very short, dense fur to slimmer figures with fine, silky fur and manes. Though albinos are very rare, they occur most commonly among the plains dwellers, as does the less rare white fur without markings of any kind.

The plains are lush with sweet grasses and grains, populated with the occasional grove of trees or clumps of bushes. Natural formations suitable for dwellings are uncommon at best, and the people have become adept at devising spacious enough shelters. Smaller, flexible trees are often trained into dome- like skeletons and covered with tanned hides. As the trees grow, they are released from their duty and others take their place. The intent is not to harm, or even destroy, but to borrow of the bounty of Eu.

Desert Prydaen

The desert regions abound with smaller, leaner Prydaen in shades that blend with the harsh environment's oceans of sand. Thick, medium length fur acts as insulation against the extremes of temperature, especially the biting cold of night, and ranges from sandy shades through golden, with not a few kin being rust in coloration. Markings are very limited, but do occur, and tend toward marbling or stripes. Longer hair covers the desert Prydaen's feet, lending extra support for moving across the soft, shifting sands, as well as additional protection from the heat.

It should also be noted that desert Prydaen obtain all the fluids they require from their prey, and do not need to drink water to survive. Dwellings are as varied as the life present in the desert, ranging from tents made with the tanned hides of large enough prey, to caves found or carved in the few naturally occurring sandstone tors. The unforgiving surroundings tend to place domiciles near whatever patches of greenery there are, and rare sources of water.

Face

Eyes

Prydaen have cat-slitted eyes that appear rounded most of the time but can contract into vertical slits. Whiskers are present above the eyes.

Ears

Rounded, tufted, or pointed, the ears of the Prydaen are extremely expressive and used as an extension of speech in lieu of facial expressions.

Nose

Very similar to other large felines, the bridge of the nose can vary greatly. Overall, the nose tends to be flatter, tapering down from the eyes to a soft nasal plane.

• Possible variants: upturned, button, small, classical, straight, narrow, beak-like, hooked, aquiline, bulbous, crooked, broken, pointy, pushed-in, and pinched.

Mouth

Prydaen have a cleft upper lip, which at times, gives their words a gruff or muffled tone, especially when hearing them speak in their native language. While the upper lip does not seem to be very fleshy, their bottom lip tends hold a slight roundness, though this is not true of all of them.

They have 32 teeth including extended canines that sometimes protrude from the mouth.

Limbs

Hands - sometimes called paws

Prydaen fingers are short and stunted with claws that grow from the tip of each finger. They are unable to retract their claws. Thick, callous-like skin covers the palms of their hands but is not as thick as the pads found on other large felines.

Feet

Prydaen have a skeletal foot structure similar to a Human's with the one exception that claws also grow from each of their five toes. The same thick skin found on the palms is also found on the bottom of the feet.

Tail

Prydaen tails are a means of expression and are mostly like those of large felines. Some are thick, and some taper and end with tufts. They are not prehensile and are ill-suited for anything but balance and expression.

Senses

Vision

Hearing

Taste

Smell