Beastfolk
Beastfolk, sometimes called Shifters, are an uncommon group of humanoid species with a connection to the Land of Faerie. Beastfolk come in a variety of different forms and appearances, but they all have innate animalistic traits, from simple mutations like animalistic ears and fur, to drastic full body transformations. Beastfolk can be born naturally, but they can also appear as a mutation of another species.
Beastfolk encompass a wide array of distinct sub-groups, each resembling a different type of animal native to Exorsia, from Owls to Frogs, each with their own unique set of animalistic traits, abilities and appearance. Some Beastfolk are said to be able to shift between a humanoid and animal form, a from that's indistinguishable from an Exorsian beast, allowing them to hide and even live among animals.
While Beastfolk aren't an incredibly uncommon sight, they are sometimes confused for monsters or Lycanthropes, resulting in Beastfolk being shunned or hunted, forcing them to live on the outskirts of society.
Beastfolk can be found living all across Exorsia and the Land of Faerie. Some can be found within settlements across the world, but they are more often found living in natural places, or as members of druidic communities. In the Land of Faerie, Beastfolk can be found as part of the Fae Courts, or more often living as Wildfae, members of nomadic communities or as part of Beastfolk tribes.
Fae Origin
Beastfolk have been recorded as existing as far back as the Golden Age, and they have many potential origins. Most Beastfolk in the Modern Era are born to Beastfolk parents, but historically Beasfolk were magically created, usually as the result of a connection to the Land of Faerie, where a Beasfolk's parents were influenced by Faerie Magic in some way, either from dealings with Fae creatures, or from visiting the Land of Faerie and being effected by the strange magics that permeate the Plane.
Beastfolk can also trace their origins back to a divine blessing or even a curse, such as Lycanthropy. Some Beastfolk, often called Shifters to differentiate them from other Beastfolk, are the offspring of parents with Lycanthropy, or survivors of failed Lycanthropy attempts.
Beastfolk can theoretically have originated from any humanoid species on Exorsia, and despite their many origins, Beastfolk all share similar traits, and are usually capable of reproducing together.
Animalistic Lineages
Beastfolk are categorised into many different sub-groups, each of whom share traits and appearances of a different type of animal native to Exorsia. These traits are often transferred to offspring, almost making them akin to different species.
Beastfolk sub-groups are usually called "animal"-folk, referencing the species of animal they resemble, but many also have their own unique group name. Below are a list of significant Beastfolk sub-groups:
Catfolk
Catfolk, sometimes called Felidfolk, Tigerfolk or Leonin, are Beastfolk that resemble bipedal felines, from big cats to house cats. They often have fur covered bodies, coming in a variety of colours and patterns, clawed paws, a tail and sharp teeth.
Catfolk are the most common group of Beastfolk found within settlements across Exorsia. They are often said to be lazy and meanspirited, or mercurial with fleeting and everchanging interests.
Crowfolk
Crowfolk, sometimes called Ravenfolk, are Beastfolk that resemble small bipedal corvids, such as Crows, Ravens and Magpies. They usually have black feathers, large beaks, bird-like feet and feathered arms instead of wings.
Crowfolk are notoriously flightless and also lack the ability to independently produce speech, instead relying on their ability to mimic noise that they’ve heard, patching together snippets of others voices into language.
Legends say that the first Crowfolk was once a common bird, but after spreading gossip about one of the Gods (the acount varies), they were cursed by them, to only be able to repeat the words of others.
Crowfolk have been primarily recorded living within the Land of Shadow, as part of small tribes. Crowfolk are said to dream of flying, hoping to find a way to regain their lost flight. Crowfolk have been known to serve powerful and nefarious Mages, as minions, under false promises or a hope that the Mage will grant them this wish.
Frogfolk
Frogfolk, sometimes called Ribbits, are Beastfolk that resemble small bipedal frogs or toads. They often have slimy, multicoloured skin, large eyes, mouths with an extendable tongue, webbed hands and feet, as well as powerful legs for jumping.
Frogfolk have been primarily recorded living within the Land of Faerie, as part of tight knit, reclusive, communities of other Frogfolk. Some of these tribes have also been found within swamps on Exorsia. While Frogfolk have been recorded as being peaceful and friendly, they tend to avoid contact with outsiders.
Owlkin
Owlkin, sometimes called Owlfolk, are Beastfolk that resemble bipedal owls. They are usually Human sized, but can also be small sized, and often have beaks, light feathers, bird-like feet and wings that either extend from their arms of their backs.
Owlkin are believed to be sacred to the Goddess Athena. They are said to be lucky, bringers of good fortune and blessed with divine wisdom.
Most Owlkin have been recorded living in the Land of Faerie they are a long lived people and can be found as members of the Fae Courts are as members of Wildfae communities. Owlkin are also said to serve the Goddess Athena directly upon Olympus, as attendants, messengers and bookkeepers.
Turtlefolk
Turtlefolk are semi-aquatic Beastfolk that resemble bipedal turtles. They often have a large, heavy shell surrounding their torso, from which they head, clawed and webbed hands, legs and short tail protrude from.
Turtlefolk tend to be slow moving, with little understanding urgency, preferring to take their time rather than rushing into things. Turtlefolk have been recorded living within the Kuai Archipelago, as well as among underwater communities.
Other
Some other recorded and named Beastfolk include: Apefolk, Rabbitfolk, Elephantfolk, and Ursine (Bearfolk).
Appearance
Beastfolk have a wider variety of different appearances. They usually resemble and have traits akin to those of a specific kind of Exorsian animal, this denotes their sub-group.
Even within sub-groups, Beastfolk are varied in appearance, with some Beastfolk having a more humanoid appearance, resembling that of their origin species, except with certain animalistic traits, such as sharp teeth, animalistic ears and eyes, or claws instead of fingernails. But most often Beastfolk resemble bipedal animals, with animalistic heads and fur or feather covered bodies, little to no visual trace of their origin species.
Some Beastfolk are even said to be able to shift between a humanoid and animal form, a from that's indistinguishable from an Exorsian beast, allowing them to hide and even live among animals.
Maturity
Beastfolk sub-groups all have different rates of maturity and life expectancies. Generally Beastfolk mature around the same rate as Humans do, reaching adulthood by the age of 18-20.
As for lifespans, Beastfolk tend to life three times longer than that of their animal counterpart. For example, Grung often live for around 50 years, while Tortles live between 300 and 400 Years.
Reproduction
Beastfolk reproduce similarly to that of their animal counterpart. Some carry their children, like Mammals, while others lay eggs. The gestation period is usually around 9 months for Mammal-like Beastfolk, while Beastfolk eggs tend to take less time to hatch, around 6 months.
Some Beastfolk also have incredably unique lifecycles, like the Grung, who lay their eggs in water, and that hatch into tadpole-like creatures, before growing into the Frog-like Grung.
Beastfolk tend to only be able to reproduce with other Beastfolk of similar ancestry, or Humans. Two Mammal-like Beastfolk can preproduce, and two Avian-like Beastfolk can reproduce, but they can't reproduce together. Beastfolk offspring always carry the Beastfolk gene, and if they come from a union of two different Beastfolk groups, they will only resemble the group of one of their parents, not a mix.
Ancestry
Faeria-Fauna
Varies with Sub-Group
Diet
Varies with Sub-Group
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