Puca

Though you might not have heard the name, puca are some of the most recognizable faeries in Altairus. Their unusual appearance and abilities make them the basis for many Earth-born legends of faeries.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Puca have distinctly humanoid true forms. Aside from obviously fae facial features, such as pointed ears and large, crooked noses, as well as their imposing statures, their anatomy is strikingly similar to that of a human.

Being shapeshifters, they can change their anatomy and physiology at will. This includes shifting in height and weight. However, no matter what form they take, they retain their eye and hair color, as well as their characteristic "buck teeth."

Biological Traits

Puca are especially talented shapeshifters. They can use the Skinwalking spell at only two weeks, much sooner than even other Earth elementals.

This morphing ability doesn't just extend to animal or plant forms, though those are the most common. As they grow older and more powerful, they can transform into non-living forms such as rocks and mist. It is possible for one to know a puca for years without ever seeing their true form.

However, that's not to say that morphing is easy. Indeed, it is quite energy-expensive. Exhaustion, hunger, or injury can prevent a puca from morphing, effectively trapping them in whatever form they are in. This will last until either their energy replenishes or they access some outside magic source that allows them to shift back.

Genetics and Reproduction

Since puca have unbounded lifespans and are particularly powerful compared to other faeries, they have an astronomically low conception and birth rate. Rare as puca births are, they are always well-treasured and celebrated when they do occur.

Young puca take about 20 years to fully mature. However, after that point, they age very slowly. It takes 100 years for a puca to leave early adulthood, and another 100 to reach middle age. Being faeries, their bodies do not break down as they age; rather, they just become more powerful as the years go by.

If for some reason, puca become depopulated, their birth and conception rates increase astronomically. It is believed that this enables them to replenish their numbers quickly without a severe risk of overpopulation.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Puca are omnivorous, though the crux of their diets seems to be plant-based most of the time. It is believed they descended from a race that primarily subsisted on nuts and berries, due to their teeth. They often use their shapeshifting abilities to forage for food, whether as a squirrel searching for nuts or even a panther taking down a small deer.

While bread and milk are common offerings for puca, they are not particularly nutritious. In fact, puca who eat these things as the basis for their diet run the risk of diabetes and other Obesity-related complications (due to the high sugar content). Even so, most puca are tolerant of lactose, so a small snack every now and again will not do serious harm.

Biological Cycle

Puca hair changes color and thickness depending on the season. In the colder months, it not only grows in thicker, but changes its color to white. It is believed that this helps them blend in with the snow when transformed.

Behaviour

Puca in general have a polite, caring demeanor paired with a mercurial temper. Even when angered, they remain pleasant, which makes their striking acts of cruelty even more shocking.

This last bit is what makes puca so scary; a dragon might rip you to shreds, but a puca will force steaming tea down your throat all while giggling in false flattery at your 'graciousness.' And Anima help you if you really manage to get them furious; at that point, they may straight up transform into a monster and attack without mercy.

But just as cruel as they can be, they can also be mercilessly kind. Puca will move heaven and earth to help those they are pleased with, even so far as to put their own lives on the line. They make excellent friends and allies, but watch out.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Puca teeth are quite unique. Their incisors are larger in comparison to the rest of their teeth than humans' are and are slightly wedge-shaped. This combined with their slight overbite makes their front teeth stick out when they close their mouths, giving them a "buck-toothed" appearance. Incredibly sharp and resilient, these teeth are most often used to crack and pry open shells on their meals.

Less commonly, a puca's incisors will be small enough not to stick out, or both the incisors and the fanglike teeth adjacent to them will also be visible. All together, these are the three most common phenotypes for this trait.

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

In the late Golden Era, Charles Hatter I established the now-worldwide tea conglomerate known as Hatter Co.. He left it in the care of his grandson, Charlie Hatter, when he vanished.

Common Etiquette Rules

Many puca, the older ones especially, adhere to a set of social rules that never really seem to be adequately communicated. When these rules are broken, they seemingly "flip on a dime" to being nasty. This is why they were considered demons for centuries by humans who were unfortunate enough to cross them.

An image of the puca Charlie Hatter. You can clearly see the facial features characteristic of this race here, including the buck teeth.

Associated Element
Earth

Scientific Name

Faeus Puckis

Average Height

6-8 ft. (when not morphed)

Average Weight

150 - 250 lbs. (when not morphed)

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Skin: Usually a light, muted green, though it can be any shade.

Hair: Their hair changes color according to the seasons. In the summer, it can range from a tawny brown to reddish. In the winter, it lightens to a silvery white or even a steely blue. When morphed, the color of their fur or skin takes on the shade of their hair.