Difference between revisions of "Vulpine"

Revision as of 02:25, 26 November 2014

The vulpine sentient race is a specific group of anthropomorphic humanoids with many recognizable fox features and characteristics. While not as furry as their animal couterpart, vulpines do differ in fur markings, with red and white being the most popular colors. Their bodies consist of a larger brain capable of more precise and faster execution along with a higher mental capacity. Senses are generally stronger than most species. Agility is their strongest physical trait, but speed and their ability to swim are also strong. Furthermore, the race is regarded as "thin", as their bodies lack a subcutaneous layer common among humans and humanoid species.

The Vulpine Anatomy

Ikrisia Levinile, a female vulpine.

Vulpine creatures tend to represent a fairly equal blend of human and fox-like characteristics. The typical vulpine male stands at about 5'6 to 5'10, weighs between 120-170 lbs, and appears wiry in stature. Vulpine females are noticeably smaller, standing between 4'11 to 5'3, weighing between 70-115 lbs, and also have a wiry stature. Responsible for their thin frames is the lack of a subcutaneous layer many hairless mammals enjoy. This lack of a layer of fat makes them far more susceptible to extreme changes in climate.

At a first glance, these creatures appear to have slightly disproportionate heads, as their skulls house a larger brain capable of more precise and faster execution along with a higher mental capacity. It is roughly 1.1-1.2 times greater than that of a human mind, but the small difference makes them more equipped to solve problems and advance their thinking. Consequently, vulpine history has enjoyed quicker technological advances. To go with their larger brain are large eyes, capable of seeing well under low-light visibility. Vulpine sentient species also report being able to see aural traces on some races and objects, but this has never been totally confirmed. Large, triangular-shaped ears give them four to five times the hearing prowess of a human. These ears are capable of responding to sounds around them (by twisting or moving) or emotions: often when the creature is depressed, the ears will sink downward, and when angry, they may bend back slightly. Their sense of smell is roughly three times as strong as the common human being, but is more able to discern between smells than actually determine if the smell is "good" or "bad". Their mouths display an array of 42 teeth - more canines than molars - and house a tongue that is slightly dulled compared to that of the human tongue. Hair, typically black, grows on their heads, and is different from their fur in texture, density, and length.

The fur of a vulpine sentient is typically short, ranging in length from half an inch to a less than one millimeter. Typically, the length is only 2-3 millimeters, just enough to cover the flesh and protect it from the elements. Legs and arms seem to have the longest fur, while eyelids and fingers seem to have the shortest fur. A vulpine's fur color may vary, even in its own family unit. Colors are determined genetically by different traits carried by both parents. Even recessive traits can mix to form different colors. The typical fur markings seem to be red with white minor, gray and gray with white minor, blue with white minor, and all white.

The vulpine sentient is equipped with two hands of four fingers and one thumb. Their extremities are often bony and veiny in appearance, again due to the lack of a subcutaneous layer. Still, their digits are highly dexterous, capable of complex intricate motion necessary for accomplishing difficult tasks. Feet tend to be long and slim, having enough area to support their upright structures.

Tails are generally anywhere from two to two and one half feet long on the common adult vulpine. Here, the fur grows much longer, having an average length of around six inches. If the fur markings include a minor color, the minor color is typically placed directly on the tip of the tail.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Vulpine Anatomy

The vulpine form is very sleek and nimble. Consequently, the vulpine body is perfectly equipped for acrobatic feats as well as movements which require high amounts of dexterity. Activities such as climbing, running, and swimming are preferred over actions which require raw strength, something the vulpine form is not designed for. Vulpines are fairly well-known for their swimming abilities.

Vulpine bodies are unable to gain substantial amounts of weight. This is due to their lack of a layer of fat, but structurally, they bodies are not designed to support a large amount of weight. This is a direct consequence of their skeletal structures, which are thinner than that of a healthy human being of the same age.

The vulpine race is susceptible to many diseases, but some are only exclusive to their race. Yellow Plague is a very deadly ailment that affects first the respiratory system, then moves on to the rest of the important body organs. It often appears with very little symptoms at first - normal cold-like ailments appear first, then the presence of a very viscous yellow fluid begins to appear from the throat during coughing. The disease specifically attacks areas in the body that contain oxygen-rich environments, so the lungs are the first to be severely affected, then the throat and nasal areas, then, finally, other areas of the body. It is a very painful disease that would be comparable with a rapidly progressing human AIDS or other deadly diseases. The disease, however, progresses at a more rapid rate, and can be foodborne or airborne if the right conditions are met.

A feature of their anatomy is a proportionally strong heart. This is believed to be a consequence of evolution - if the vulpine did indeed evolve from a common fox, the heart would have to become much more stronger to support a larger frame. Still, a strong pulse is needed to keep their blood circulating, something which dulls with age. This is why most vulpine men and women die from heart ailments than any other disease, and why the common life expectancy for vulpine males is 65-67 and females 69-71.

The Vulpine Body and Vulpine Culture

It is quite common for vulpine males and females to alter their bodies, as their cultures have welcomed such practices throughout the ages. Tattoos and piercings are common and often hold significance, especially for religious purposes (such as vulpine paganism early on, or Vayan Catholicism once the majority of the species converted in the Vekaiyun-Listonian lowlands). Special circumstances may cause a vulpine to dye its own fur. This is especially true in early Vekaiyun culture, in which vulpine men and women would dye their fur black to mourn the loss of a loved one. Vulpines may also dye their fur for weddings, first communions, and life-changing events. Recently, for some club scenes, vulpine teenagers have been seen dying their fur neon colors.

Tails are generally works of art. They may be dyed different colors, have piercings, or be painted with holy symbols.

The Vulpine Definition of Beauty

Many common traits of beauty from humans are passed down to the vulpine race: symmetry, hygiene, a youthful appearance, and bodies capable of reproducing. However, there exists additional features which tend to further separate the vulpine masses. Very large eyes are something to be desired of in most vulpine societies, with precedence given to crystal blue eyes. Green eyes are rare and are often revered as mystical. A short muzzle combined with large ears is also desirable. Vulpine people prefer long tails, and to have a tail cut off (which some do for job purposes or athletics) is looked down upon but understandable.

Some vulpine cultures are very particular about the condition of their fur. They are diligent about keeping their fur clean of dirt, mats, and grime. While they are not vain, their fur is very important to them. Those with tails will brush them until their tails have a satinly like appearance. Some see their bodies, especially ther furs, as works of art and will take the time to take care of their bodies.

Reproduction and Growth

Skeletal structure of a common vulpine child.

Young vulpine males and females do not reach sexual maturity capable of reproduction until about thirteen years of age, but any child-rearing below the age of seventeen is a very big social faux pas and is severely frowned upon. Nevertheless, when a vulpine female becomes pregnant, she will wait an average of seven months before the child, called a kit, is delivered. Typically, this produces just one child, as twins and pairings thereafter are relatively rare. When born, the kit is blind and helpless. It is not until the second week that the kit will open its eyes and begin to explore its surroundings. Teeth grow towards the end of the third month, and the kit will normally stand and talk by six months.

As a general rule, birth defects are extremely rare. If a defect does occur, it often is on the tail. In rare instances, a tail-less kit may be born, or a kit with more than one tail may also be born. Generally, this is not received well in vulpine culture, however. Learning disabilities are also very rare, mainly due to the peculiar stability of the vulpine genetic structure.

At around age 40, the vulpine body begins to deteriorate. The strong heart muscles needed to pump blood to their bodies begins to weaken, and the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of old age begin to appear. The reason as to why vulpines tend to age a little faster than human beings is unclear, but all signs seem to point to a general understanding that the vulpine body was not meant to last as long as that of a human. Smaller frames, a heart that appears to weaken with age, and the lack of a subcutaneous layer work against the vulpine race, which contributes to a decreased life expectancy.

Another interesting fact is that while Vulpines are unable to reproduce with humans and other races, they are able to reproduce with another Canine race, the Lobo, a wolf-like race from Southern Yugoslavia. However, the offspring of Lobos and Vulpines are not a Lobo/Vulpine hybrid. The children of such couples are either Lobo or Vulpine. However, some researchers believe that when Ancient Vulpines traveled to Vulshain from Vekaiyu, they reproduced with the local Lobos of that area. This may be the reason why Vulshainian Vulpines have sleeker and silkier furs and bushier tails than the Vulpines of Listonia and Vekaiyu, although others argue that the longer coats of fur were the result of adapting to the colder climates of Vulshain.

Vulpines and Other Races

Vulpine people are generally non-trusting of other races. To them, the vulpine race is perceived as a sort of "over family" in which everyone in the species is considered a member of. Due to past skirmishes, humans are often regarded as "shadowy" creatures, in that they seem to target smaller populated races, or it is perceived they seem to target such races. Therefore, the species tends to operate within itself, resisting human contact whenever possible. While such policies are rapidly changing, it is clear this will be a long and drawn out process. They absolutely despise being referred to as animals, as they believe they are at least equal to that of a human being.

To other anthropomorphic races, vulpines are looked upon as the protector of the "lesser" races. This is due to their historical successes of battles against human-dominated nations and their typical stand to support other races.

Evolutionary Theories

A reconstruction of "Fesali's Tools"

There is no concrete proof of vulpine evolution. However, some theories hold weight. One of the more popular ones is the belief that vulpines are direct descendants of the common fox. Millions of years ago, the Vekaiyun-Listonian lowlands formed a basin that was highly susceptible to severe flooding and drought. The reasoning behind these tumultuous weather patterns is unclear, but rock formations found in and around the lowlands support this theory. Because of this, the creatures trapped within this basin were forced to develop problem solving skills at a rapid rate. Those which did not perished, and natural selection was intensified. It is believed vulpines were among the first to walk in a bipedal fashion, which probably rose from the necessity to reach vegetation and other animals from the tops of trees in addition to the need for capable hands to use tools and grab certain objects. This theory is generally accepted for most species located in the lowlands area, though it is without concrete proof. No evidence of a vulpine-fox hybrid has ever been found. The only tangible proof seems to come from an obscure collection of tools found in a bog outside of Iruk, Vekaiyu. Named "Fesali's Tools" after the discoverer, Vinsent Fesali, a farmer, a sharp stone was found next to some string, and another was found next to a heavily eroded stick. The exact date has proven a challenge, but carbon-12 dating has determined the string attached to one of the rocks to be from a horse that lived roughly fifty to one hundred million years ago. It is the belief that the sentient being that created it was capable of fashioning intricate tools, killing animals larger than itself (judging by the small grips on one stick), and had dexterous hands that required walking on two legs.

The Vayan Catholic Church has accepted such a theory, claiming the theory does not disrupt their belief in "divinely-guided evolution". But, since no concrete link exists, creationism is still important and is not overlooked. More extreme theories, such as experimentation by a more advanced race, also exists, but is generally looked down upon.

	Vekaiyu
Main article: Vekaiyu
Important Topics: Culture ♦ Unonian ♦ Vayan Catholicism ♦ Veskono ♦ Vulpine ♦ Armed Forces ♦ Military Ranks and Uniforms
Government: Kivreskov ♦ Premier ♦ Ikrisia Levinile ♦ Political Parties ♦ Foreign Officers
History: Ancient Vekaiyu ♦ The Time of Troubles ♦ Era of Good Feelings ♦ Trade Leagues ♦ Expansionist Vekaiyu ♦ Partitions of Vekaiyu ♦ Imperial Vekaiyu ♦ Vekaiyu Under Max Venavle ♦ Vekaiyu Under Selvala McEva ♦ 2010 Vekaiyun Civil War
Important Figures (Past and Present): Ikrisia Levinile ♦ Leina Kivelevov ♦ Max Venavle ♦ Selvala McEva ♦ St. Aiya ♦ Todd Leyuski
Sports: Sports in Vekaiyu ♦ Olympic Council ♦ Sport Uniforms ♦ Fifth Summer Olympics ♦ Sixth Winter Olympics ♦ Seventh Summer Olympics ♦ Eighth Summer Olympics