N A V I G A T I O N
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The umiae (singular: umius) were the ancient ancestors of umin. They are much less magical compared to umin, but still rely on the magical essence of Namu for life. See the Umin Lore page for info on their history.
Umiae tend to have the basic body structure of a quadrupedal form with a short tail, limbs with small claws, a moderately long neck, and a round head with antennae. They are typically the size of big cats on Earth (including the "large small cats" like cheetahs and cougars).
The dorsal (top/back) part of their body is typically black but can be other colors, and the underbelly is typically a dull color that does not glow. Their dorsal portions are covered in structures vaguely resembling fur-like feathers in several layers; these pseudo-feathers individually have a springy texture and offer a notable degree of resilience to physical attacks and a minor degree of protection from harmful magic. The pseudo-feathers often form tufts at their head where their antennae are attached. These pseudo-feathers might fluff out when startled or to regulate temperature. Their bellies are a softer, skin-like material. Unlike umin, they commonly do not have markings.
Unlike umin, they have a distinct sclera and lip of the same color as their inner flesh. Typically, it is a darker shade of their belly color but may have a more saturated color. They have large round eyes with glowing white irises and a large pupil that is typically their belly color. If the pupil is a light color, it may also glow. Their teeth are not retractable and can often be seen even with a closed mouth. Their mouths typically come to a slight point.
The antennae are fairly sensitive, capable of providing feedback on touch, taste, smell, and magic detection. They tend to strongly dislike their antennae being pulled and will attack at an attempt to do so.
Umiae have proper flesh and internal anatomy, including a heart, lungs, and other organs along with a skeletal system. They have blood that is typically a dark grayish-blue color, though this color can change. They produce saliva, but do not sweat. They eliminate both liquid and solid waste if they drink fluids or eat, respectively. Some are more efficient at processing the gaseous magical essence of Namu and do not need to eat as often, and thus do not eliminate waste as often.
Through the involvement of beings who came from beyond Namu, some Umiae have survived to the present day (or perhaps brought to the present through time travel), though their numbers are few and they have variations in their characteristics that allow them to survive beyond Namu. Many are in contained areas, though some have been released to ecosystems that they are able to survive in.
Some have been biologically or magically modified to rely on a different type of magic or no magic to be healthy; some lines achieved this through selective pressure of survival. Those who do not absorb any magic need to eat more and their magic-sensing abilities are very weak. Some have develop more complex intelligence over eons, while others are still more animal-like in nature.
Umiae have patterns of anatomy variations similar to umin, and these are generally traited at the same rarity. For the most part, "unusual" traits are anatomical changes while higher rarities are color changes.
The following characteristics are considered standard:
one belly/pupil color
sclera/lip/inner flesh color that is darker than belly color, with or without a slight hue/increased saturation
2-3 claws on each foot; forelimbs can have a different number from hindlimbs
Unlike umin, umiae do not have versatile magic, so belly colors are visual only and do not affect their abilities.
There is no formal trait list—any minor anatomical change you can think of could be possible—so long as an umius is still recognizable as one. Here are some unusual traits that are unique to umiae:
shortened limbs
round toes
no toes/claws
multi claw: more than 3 claws on feet
sleek pseudo-feathers: no distinct fur-like tufts
bipedal: all limbs are present but only one pair is used for walking
Otherwise, traits are similar to those of umin.
Most traits follow the umin traits, with a few different traits:
colored mouth: the inside of the mouth is a color other than the standard coloration.
belly glow
belly markings (must be body-color if not specified as "colored")
body markings (must be belly-color if not specified as "colored")
colored blood
Typically, colors and patterns with very few limits with some "anatomical" traits. These more or less correspond to the umin anomalous traits.
These are traits that fundamentally change basic umiae appearance and anatomy, and may alter certain functions. Umiae cannot be born with these traits, but there are rare cases in which they absorb excessive amounts of foreign metaphysical energy and undergo a transformation. They do not gain versatile magic "slots" from aberrant traits, but they can gain control over the "element" of their composition change.
Umiae have considerable resistance to physical harms, but mostly on their dorsal portion, where they are protected by their pseudo-feathers. Claws slip off them, and teeth can't sink in very well. They can tolerate a fair degree of compression but can be injured if the force is exceedingly high. They have a minor degree of resistance to harmful magic.
They can experience pain when injured, though they can still regenerate lost limbs over several weeks.
Umiae are omnivores that can consume flora, fauna, or even subsist on the ambient magical essence of Namu. Some umiae are better at processing the magical essence than others, with rare but extreme cases removing the need to consume food entirely. However, umiae still need to sleep regardless.
Umiae are sensitive to magic, able to detect the flow, concentration, and nature of magical energy in their surroundings using their antennae. Though this, they can detect other umiae as well as other creatures, including predators and prey, which each type of creature giving off a different "flavor" of magic. They can also detect areas that have higher or lower concentrations of magical essence, for instance.
The closer an umiae's antennae are to another, the more precise their senses. When they are right next to another umius or even touching them with their antennae, they are able to read the other umius's thoughts, emotions, and intentions. This is the primary way umiae tend to hold complex "conversations" with each other.
Umiae are fairly solitary and independent, but tend to be more social than umin. Many travel in pairs or small packs. They are intelligent but more animal-like than umin, perhaps similar to dolphins. They are quite curious as a species, often traveling widely to explore, but can be wary of larger predatorial creatures.
They make a variety of sounds, typically clicks, chirps, and various kinds of rumbles. When threatened, they may growl or make a series of clicks that grow increasingly loud, to the point of being painful for many creatures. When comfortable or to comfort others, they might purr deeply. In general, their sounds are deeper and louder compared to umin.
They naturally communicate via reading the magic of each other, allowing them to understand each other's thoughts, emotions, and motives. There is no conception of lying among them, only omission by refusing proximity or touch to read them. They do not inherently have their own language.
Umiae reproduce asexually in clutches of about 2-5 eggs every 3-10 years. They will experience an instinctive drive to find a hidden, protected location to nest. Once they find the location, they will gather nesting materials, which can be anything the umius prefers. Some might build them out of sticks or dig out a recess in dirt.
Eggs are laid from a cloaca. The incubation time for umin eggs is approximately two weeks, but this can range from one to three weeks, with a variation of a few days for the same clutch. The parent will typically not part from the eggs at any point during this time, subsisting on ambient magical essence.
After the newborn umiae hatch, the parent will often care for them for 1-2 years, teaching them how to forage, hunt, and explore. After this time, they are fully cognitively mature. The young umiae will often leave on their own when they feel ready, though their parent may push them towards independence if they linger too long.
They typically live for up to 150 years, though the umiae who are better at processing the magical essence of Namu may live longer. When they perish, their bodies decompose normally.
You can acquire new umiae through an invitation or MYO; see the Wayfarer's Shrine for details. These umiae can be primordial, existing in the ancient pre-crystallization Namu, or they can be modern umiae, up to you.
You can also get an umiae shapeshifted form for your umin or other character through the Kor Shop.