Sapient Species of Urth

The world of Urth is host to a wide array of intelligent life. There are 8 known extant sapient species on the planet, with the possibility of more likely due to large unexplored tracts of land in Arcturia and Gondwana. While humans make up the largest portion of sapient life, they share the land with two other hominids and five disparate species of varying classifications. Many scientific studies have postulated on the origins of these species. All fossil and archaeological data puts the entire group emerging approximately 2 million years ago. Recent genome sequencing reveals that all sapient species not only share over 92% of their DNA with baseline humans, but all except humans possess distinct genetic markers at certain points in their genetic code that, while serving to biological purpose, is identical across the board in an apparent 'signature.' This has given rise to the commonly-accepted that alien life visited Urth in the distant past and performed experiments on native life using human genetics.

There are three distinct subspecies of the species Primus sapiens: humans, or Primus sapiens primus or "Original first thinkers," due to their genetics connecting all intelligent species. In addition, there exists the dwarves - Primus sapiens parva, the "Small first thinkers" - and the elves - Primus sapiens laeta, the "Colorful first thinkers." These two subspecies are highly specialized for certain climates, and their populations are magnitudes smaller than humans. The next-closest relative to humans are lupines, the "wise wolves" of Lupus sapiens. While their numbers are on the smaller side, lupines are a resilient and strong species with two distinct ethnic groups divided by the length of their fur. A cousin to lupines, sharing the family Canidae, the vulpines of Yasteria are also divided along fur length lines. Classified as Vulpes sapiens - "wise foxes" - Vulpines are the most physically frail of the sapient species, but also very agile. The Felis sapiens natives of Gondwana, felines are a strong competitor for the second-most widespread species after humans. While technically a single species, felines tend toward a multitude of morphological differences based upon habitat.

Lutrynes

Rulu Rytnu

The Lutra Sapiens is a group of anthropomorphic humanoids with many recognizable otter-like features and characteristics. Larger than their more primitive counterparts, lutrynes in general have similar fur markings, with brown, black, and white patterns being the most prominent. Their bodies consist of a larger brain capable of more precise and faster execution, when compared to their quadripedal counterpart. The lutryne body is considered rather thin and sleek, a result of their aquatic-based ancestry. Many lutrynes inhabit the nation of Lapimuhyo and exist as a minority in other Gondwanan nations, including neighboring Rijelv and Ivlya. The race is regarded as generally fast and agile in aquatic environments, with their species typically maintaining a relatively thin layer of fat and a very dense layer of fur. Outside of the water, the lutryne body underperforms, yet still retains its ability to stand upright, walk, and run, among other things. Maintaining an average height of around 5 feet, and weighing in around 120 pounds, Lutrynes are relatively small compared to humans. Lutryne body proportions are almost identical to human proportions by a scale of 3:4. The senses of the species are, for the most part, superior to humans, with the exception being hearing, which was evolutionarily less important than sight and smell.