Feytarii
The Feytarii are a humanoid, mammalian race and are often called Fey, Elves, Alfen, Elfen or Elder. Their classification however has come under discussion in the last few hundred years. The reasons have been several new studies on their phenotypical and anatomical differences, languages, their culture, mythology and written history.
Those studies have changed the classification of the Feytarii from a humanoid species of primate origin to an unknown origin.
Interestingly the Feytarii are much more heterogeneous in appearance and physical attributes than the Humans. This culminates in the realization that several groups which are classified as Feytarii do not share any relationships that could be detected by methods of science or magic. We would be forced to declare them separate species but all those groups are able to crossbreed. Thus indicating that those are just different ethnicities.
For the longest time, humans thought that the pointed ears of the Feytarii were also a racial trait, not a species-specific one and there is artwork and individuals that show not only pointed but massively elongated ears, attached to the skull slightly lower than a human's ears would be and in general, more pointing outward than upward. Today it has become clear that this is not just a specific race within the feytarii but individuals with ears like that are a different species, the Sendric or the K'Tur who are much more in line with the human appearance and their ears are pointed but not much elongated.The Feytarii cultures are also so heterogenous as if they did not derive from a basic common root. This is also under debate.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Feytarii are a basic humanoid species, they are mammalian and look as if closely related to Humans. In folklore they are mostly described as humans with pointy ears, which is incorrect there are significant differences in appearance as well as biologicaly and primarily mentaly.
It has become clear in more recent surveys that the Feytarii are not closely related to Humans at all. In fact the Feytarii claim for themselves a creation story indicating an artificial heritage of the species.
The similarities to humans are staggering though, with the clearest difference being the pointed ears. And their significantly larger eyes.
Many Feytarii are somewhat more slender than humans and their builds are, on average significantly less bulky. This results in less average weight but less strength and a slightly weaker constitution. Still, we do know that the expressions of this species are as varied as those of the Humans. All Feytarii have bigger eyes than one would see on a human of the same body size and the orientation of those eyes is not horizontal as it is with humans but angeled. Meaning their eylids do not close stricktly horizontal but are at an angle and all in all almond shaped.
Feytarii subspecies are known to range in high from 1,2 to 2,1 meters for the average member. You can find populations who are as close in appearance to the Dwarrow as some others are to the regular Human.
Genetics and Reproduction
The Feytarii reproduce sexually with two genders, male and female.
It is a well-established fact that they and also produce viable offspring with Humans, Dwarves, Dalvion and some of the Felidae.
The Fetarii are monogamous and bond for life. The mate bond is formed in a ceremonial Oath binding ritual. But the Feytarii seem to always know when they have met their partner. In fact, there have been reports on unintentional and even unwilling bonds forming spontaneously between partners that seem to be especially compatible.
The gestation time differs slightly from ethnicity to ethnicity but is generally around ten months for the female Feytari. Crossbreeds seem to prolong the gestation time by one month for females of a different origin.
The child develops offer a period of around fifteen to twenty-eight years, again that time span is specific to the ethnicity and crossbreeds develop as is considered normal for the mother's species.
Growth Rate & Stages
Feytarii develop, unsurprisingly along the same lines as all other primate species do.
Childhood takes about ten years for the more common Feytarii subspecies but we have heard stories of Feytarii having a childhood period as long as twenty years. During the childhood phase, all Feytarii have brown sprinkles in their eyes.
Childhood physically ends just as it does with humans, with the development of their gender's specific sexual characteristics but also with the change of their brown eyes sprinkles to a green colour. Just as with humans that time is called adolescence. While this will take any Fey longer than a human the Feytarii are, by far less emotionally and intellectually affected by their body changing.
Adulthood is quite often achieved sometime before the body has stopped growing. The change is most often indicated by the final change of their eye colour to whatever colour for the rest of their lives.
Ecology and Habitats
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Feytarii are omnivorous and have a fairly high metabolism. They tend to consume about the same amount as any human of slightly heavier build.
They have a fairly low tolerance against alcohol even if they seem to like beverages of lesser alcoholic content.
Another interesting piece of information is that the Feytarii are much more susceptible to spoiled food and drink. Where a human might just feel uncomfortable a Fey might fall seriously ill.
Additional Information
Average Intelligence
The Feytarii are of similar intelligence as all the other humanoid lifeforms.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Their senses are all in all significantly better than that of a human. Especially with a fairly sensitive sense of smell and very good sight and hearing. The eyes of a Feytari are somewhat better adapted to low light conditions in general and some groups have been found to have catlike glowing eyes in said conditions. The stories about Elves seeing in complete darkness, however, are just that, stories.
The number of active magic users in the Feytarii population is at 85% or better. We are not sure if the lack of magical activity in certain individuals is due to personal preference, illness or inability. So that number might be incorrect.
One significant deviation in the anatomy of the Feytarii can be found in their larynx, more specifically the voice box. They all have two separated sets of vocal cords making it possible for them to speak and sing in two voices. This is normally only done while singing but especially the oldest are known to talk in two voices as well.
Compared to humans their build is less heavy and less bulky.
The Feytarii adapt to different habitats within a few generations. This results in a huge variety of skin colouring, similar to humans but, other than humans, Feytarii are known to develop skin patterns.
There are documented cases of small Feytarii populations developing unusual skin colours as an adaptation to environmental needs. A prime example can be the striping of the Feytarii living in The Great Unknown or the spotted skins featured by some populations in The Jungle of Heds.
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