Leyr
the ascended
Summary
Many years ago, leyr were once human. They were gifted bird-like forms from the corvigere-- large flying beasts of great magic. Leyr transform from humanoid shape to beastial shape when stressed or with lots of fysa.
Although leyr can take the physical form of a corvigere (referred to as a corvileyr) only 2 true corvigere are left in the world. They act as guardians to the leyr that remain by their side. One is the archivist, who keeps the history of the world, and the other is the undertaker, who remembers the forgotten and the dead.
Stats
| Fysa | Marrow |
|---|---|
| Avg Height | 3 - 6 ft / 0.91 - 1.83 m |
| Avg Weight | 110 - 200 lbs / 50 - 91 kg |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
| Life Span | 50-70 Years |
| Sleep Pattern | Diurnal |
About
They are mostly intersex. Some adopt human gender identity, but most are agender.
Most but not all leyr are capable of flight in both forms. They are smaller than average humans in general, but there are exceptions. Their sleeping habits also tend to be like humans.
Variation
the range of physical traits
Leyr builds vary about as much as humans do, even if their traits are a little more restricted.
Physiology
physical traits
Head & Ears
Fur can cover a portion of the head, but never the face. Sometimes, the face has light scaling or feathering. Some leyr have natural colored markings on their face.
Neck lengths vary, and can be bare, scaled, fluffy, etc! Long necks can stretch and contract. All necks are very articulate-- even short necks can turn the head almost 180 degrees. Short necks can also be fluffy, scaled, etc.
These are the most common leyr ears. All ear types can be either bare or fluffy.
Mouth
Canines are longer and sharper than a human's would be.
A leyr tongue is longer than an average human's as well. Tongues are not naturally forked, but it's not uncommon to see it as a body modification or random mutation.
Mucus membranes can be any color, but natural colors (pinkish) are most common.
Both upper and lower fangs can protrude.
Eyes
Here are some variations on eye shapes and patterns, but you're not limited to these (do whatever you want!).
Eyes have been known to change color when a leyr shifts into corvileyr (beast) form.
Wings
Wings vary in size, however leyr with smaller wings may lack the ability to fly. This sometimes happens if a leyr has a human parent.
These leyr also tend to have calloused feet from walking.
Leyr wings are notable for the finger-like digits.
Those with both a thumb and forefinger are able to grasp things with these fingers. Sole thumb claws are less articulate.
When fingers are present, a palm pad is normally present.
Lacking any fingers at all is rarer, but it happens, especially when a leyr has a human parent.
Leyr can have up to THREE pairs of wings anywhere on their body. This includes headwings, armwings (harpy style), ankle wings, butt wings, or simply 3 wings on their back like a seraph. Sometimes extra wings are detrimental to flight however if they are overly cumbersome.
Additional wings may or may not have wing claws/fingers.
Fur & Scales
Fur varies in texture, length, and density. It can exist in any length, rough, straight, thin, curly, or thick. It can even be matted or woolly.
Fur can be any color, including reflective, but skin tones tend to be natural, tinted, or ashy colors.
Left is minimal amount of fur/feather coverage. Right is maximum coverage.
Scaley skin or banded plates can occur on the legs, chest, back, tail, forearms, and any other fur-less feature. This is common.
Feathers can be feathers, proto-feathers, or even scale-like feathers.
Hands & Feet
Hands can vary between 4-5 digits. If a leyr has arm wings, the chances of them only having 3 fingers and a thumb is high as the pinky becomes the extension of the arm wing.
Hands have palm pads. These pads can be any color. The hands/arms themselves can also vary in color from skin tone due to scaling.
The big toe, like the thumb, is opposable. Leyr who walk more than fly develop supporting muscles and cushioning around their feet (right).
Leyr feet have palm pads, which can be any color. The legs can also vary in color from skin tone due to scaling.
Tail
Tail length varies. The average tail is the same length as the body, or shorter.
Short tails are good for control and are more durable. Long tails create drag.
Leyr tails have feathering (or fur) at both the base of their tail and the tip of their tail, which often creates distinctive shapes. It's not required, just the most common for flight.
Corvileyr
Traditional corvileyr face with beak and canines.
All leyr can assume a beast form similar to the ancient corvigere, referred to as a corvileyr (corvigere + leyr).
While this appearance typically has a bird-like head, this is not required and the animal face can be based on any real or fantasy creature.
Many leyr's body forms also deviate from the traditional look due to outside influences and personal preferences of shape. Beast form can exaggerate any existing features and alter their proportions or size, but should not add/remove any features.
Some corvileyr variations. Some can be longer, bigger, smaller, buffer, upright, etc. The form depends on the leyr's personality.
Corvigere with wings that are too small to fly often have more bipedal anatomy and use their wings to buffet enemies. They also display thick calloused feet.
This leyr will be used as an example for creating the beast form. Note that markings always stay as close to possible as the leyr form- deviations only occur on anatomy that doesn't exist.
Typical corvileyr are quadrupedal. This is a standard build. All traits (ears, wings, wing quantity, wing placement, tail) match the leyr form.
This corvileyr has a non-standard face based loosely on mockhunds.
The head-to-forepaw height tends to be roughly equal to the leyr height.
Bipedal is the second most common form. Note that the feet are generally more calloused, but this is not a requirement. All traits (ears, wings, wing quantity, wing placement, tail) match the leyr form.
This corvileyr does have a standard avian face.
Size tends to be roughly 2 feet or 2 heads taller than the leyr form.
Long form has an elongated body. All traits (ears, wings, wing quantity, wing placement, tail) match the leyr form.
This corvileyr has a non-standard face based loosely on chimoraa.
The longer they are, the shorter they tend to be, maintaining a similar mass to the other forms.
Ascension is a rare fysa, and an advanced version of Beast Form. It is a greater form which breaks the boundaries of conventional species anatomy with any number of physical boons or mutations reflecting the character.
Ascended traits and appearance can be whatever you'd like- adding as many limbs, morphs, or other features. Features can also be removed. Colors should still remain the same. In this example, the ascended form removes wrist wings and adds extra arms, bat wings, a horn, multiple eyes, multiple tails, and an extra toe on each hind foot.
Size tends to be twice the mass of the beast form (NOT height, mass).
Size Comparison
Fysa
the element of marrow
Marrow Magic
Marrow represents change of one's entire self. Marrow users are often shapeshifters, between either set or various forms and they shift with emotion. Leyr can also shift if exposed to high amounts of fysa.
All leyr, regardless of blood purity, have access to a beastial form. Transformation is partially physical but mostly magical, allowing for rapid changes in muscle mass and other things. Sometimes, leyr who live alongside other non-corvigere creatures begin to take on aspects of those beasts in their own beast form (ex: thickness and strength of a rrex tail, size and shape of a ptheran's wings, etc).
It is also theorized that a leyr who comes across a large boost in magic (or is buffed by murk magic) can gain temporary access to even stronger monster forms remniscent of ancient creatures long past.
Advanced magics are rarer than normal magics. Every character starts with one common ability within their category, and can unlock others through upgrades.