concept for a possible Gaia RP?
concept stuff.
In this world, rather than every vertebrate being based on a basic 4-limbed structure (whether or not the limbs are vestigal), everything is based on a 6-LIMBED structure, instead.
There are four classes of vertebrates, similar to the ones that exist now.
They are:
class Avia (flying/egglaying, basically like birds)
class Tetra (mammals)
class Scalia (reptiles/amphibians)
and class Liquia (fishies, but also air-breathing water dwellers.)
In addition, there are multiple sentient species within each class.
Class Avia - the six limbs include four limbs for locomotion, and two FEATHERED limbs used for flying.
Sentient species identify themselves as Aviats. Aviats as a whole can all interbreed; the species range in size from around a meter to two meters in height. There are males and females of every species. The species are really not very different from each other. All Aviats have the same basic body type; hollow bones, a thin frame, and big wings in relation to body size. Aviats typically have very delicate features, and their ear is covered in feathers, giving the illusion that there is another set of small wings attached to the head. Hair is typically light-colored and thin, and can be naturally mottled (spotty/streaky.) Aviat eyes are ALWAYS either jet-black or palest blue. Wings are also typically natural-colored (think of an earth bird, any earth bird - and there's a corresponding Aviat family for that bird type.) If Aviats interbreed, their species-specific genes do not mix; offspring will have the species-specific features of only ONE parent, except in VERY rare cases.
non-sentient species include griffin-like creatures, with four non-dextrous limbs and a pair of wings, known as Talanats.
Class Tetra - six limbs include one pair of dextrous hand-arm limbs, and four limbs for locomotion (think centaur.)
Sentient species identify themselves as Tetrans, with sub-names (eg: Tetrafeline, Tetralupine, etc). Tetrans as a whole can SOMETIMES interbreed, although interbred offspring are not usually healthy. Species size varies greatly, from half a meter to over four meters in size. There are, again, males and females of every species. The species characteristics vary intensely, although the upper half of the body is usually hairless, resembling a human torso. Facial structure varies, as does hair/eye color. Lower body can be anything from catlike to horselike to rodentlike, anything mammalian.
non-sentient species vary greatly, and resemble earth species with an extra pair of legs.
Class Scalia - six limbs vary; can resemble Tetran, except with scaly lower bodies, or Aviat, except with leathery, scaled wings, or naga-like, with arms and vestigal legs, resembling the lower body of a snake.
Sentient species identify as a WHOLE as Scalians. Every individual species has its own self-given name. Not many are known to those who are NOT Scalian, so collectively the rest of the world jst calls them Scalians or "Scalies", a derrogative term. Scalians can NOT interbreed. Species characteristics are VASTLY different, although all have hard pointed ears and eyes ranging in color from amber to brightest yellow. The human-like part is always covered in scales, and the scales can range vastly in color, though the majority are natural colors like brown or earthy green.
non sentient species also vary greatly. Dragons exist here.
Class Liquia - six limbs vary; typically two humanoid arms/hands, occasionally at least partially webbed; lower body is either fishlike with four propelling fins, or squidlike, with four tentacles.
Sentient species are sub-divided into two classes; finned and non-finned. Finned species can interbreed, as can non-finned. Non-finned liquians are always hairless, while hair on finned species is limited ONLY to the head. Like Scalians, Liquians are covered in scales. Eyes can be any colors, and are usually unnatural in color.
nonsentient species vary greatly, mostly resembling earth fish, only six-finned instead of four-finned.
Political story:
Each sub-species kept to itself until about five hundred years ago, when the Tetrans decided they wanted slaves. The Tetrans enslaved Scalians and Aviats. This lasted about three hundred years, until the Scalian/Aviat slaves revolted worldwide and fled from Tetran civilization. Two hundred years and several inter-class wars later, the groups have a grudging peace. Some Tetrans can get along with the S/As, but many are prejudiced and treat S/As as less than sentient. Scalian-heavy cities were built away from Tetran cities, and Aviat cities were built in huge groves of trees, above the reach of a typical Tetran. Peaceful trade goes on between groups.
Liquians were not involved in this enslavement, however they do have contact with the other three groups, and it is peaceful. All three land groups are mildly unsettled by the Liquians, who on a whole are reputed to be vicious, coldblooded, vengeful creatures....however, like most generalizations, this is mainly untrue. =)
In this world, rather than every vertebrate being based on a basic 4-limbed structure (whether or not the limbs are vestigal), everything is based on a 6-LIMBED structure, instead.
There are four classes of vertebrates, similar to the ones that exist now.
They are:
class Avia (flying/egglaying, basically like birds)
class Tetra (mammals)
class Scalia (reptiles/amphibians)
and class Liquia (fishies, but also air-breathing water dwellers.)
In addition, there are multiple sentient species within each class.
Class Avia - the six limbs include four limbs for locomotion, and two FEATHERED limbs used for flying.
Sentient species identify themselves as Aviats. Aviats as a whole can all interbreed; the species range in size from around a meter to two meters in height. There are males and females of every species. The species are really not very different from each other. All Aviats have the same basic body type; hollow bones, a thin frame, and big wings in relation to body size. Aviats typically have very delicate features, and their ear is covered in feathers, giving the illusion that there is another set of small wings attached to the head. Hair is typically light-colored and thin, and can be naturally mottled (spotty/streaky.) Aviat eyes are ALWAYS either jet-black or palest blue. Wings are also typically natural-colored (think of an earth bird, any earth bird - and there's a corresponding Aviat family for that bird type.) If Aviats interbreed, their species-specific genes do not mix; offspring will have the species-specific features of only ONE parent, except in VERY rare cases.
non-sentient species include griffin-like creatures, with four non-dextrous limbs and a pair of wings, known as Talanats.
Class Tetra - six limbs include one pair of dextrous hand-arm limbs, and four limbs for locomotion (think centaur.)
Sentient species identify themselves as Tetrans, with sub-names (eg: Tetrafeline, Tetralupine, etc). Tetrans as a whole can SOMETIMES interbreed, although interbred offspring are not usually healthy. Species size varies greatly, from half a meter to over four meters in size. There are, again, males and females of every species. The species characteristics vary intensely, although the upper half of the body is usually hairless, resembling a human torso. Facial structure varies, as does hair/eye color. Lower body can be anything from catlike to horselike to rodentlike, anything mammalian.
non-sentient species vary greatly, and resemble earth species with an extra pair of legs.
Class Scalia - six limbs vary; can resemble Tetran, except with scaly lower bodies, or Aviat, except with leathery, scaled wings, or naga-like, with arms and vestigal legs, resembling the lower body of a snake.
Sentient species identify as a WHOLE as Scalians. Every individual species has its own self-given name. Not many are known to those who are NOT Scalian, so collectively the rest of the world jst calls them Scalians or "Scalies", a derrogative term. Scalians can NOT interbreed. Species characteristics are VASTLY different, although all have hard pointed ears and eyes ranging in color from amber to brightest yellow. The human-like part is always covered in scales, and the scales can range vastly in color, though the majority are natural colors like brown or earthy green.
non sentient species also vary greatly. Dragons exist here.
Class Liquia - six limbs vary; typically two humanoid arms/hands, occasionally at least partially webbed; lower body is either fishlike with four propelling fins, or squidlike, with four tentacles.
Sentient species are sub-divided into two classes; finned and non-finned. Finned species can interbreed, as can non-finned. Non-finned liquians are always hairless, while hair on finned species is limited ONLY to the head. Like Scalians, Liquians are covered in scales. Eyes can be any colors, and are usually unnatural in color.
nonsentient species vary greatly, mostly resembling earth fish, only six-finned instead of four-finned.
Political story:
Each sub-species kept to itself until about five hundred years ago, when the Tetrans decided they wanted slaves. The Tetrans enslaved Scalians and Aviats. This lasted about three hundred years, until the Scalian/Aviat slaves revolted worldwide and fled from Tetran civilization. Two hundred years and several inter-class wars later, the groups have a grudging peace. Some Tetrans can get along with the S/As, but many are prejudiced and treat S/As as less than sentient. Scalian-heavy cities were built away from Tetran cities, and Aviat cities were built in huge groves of trees, above the reach of a typical Tetran. Peaceful trade goes on between groups.
Liquians were not involved in this enslavement, however they do have contact with the other three groups, and it is peaceful. All three land groups are mildly unsettled by the Liquians, who on a whole are reputed to be vicious, coldblooded, vengeful creatures....however, like most generalizations, this is mainly untrue. =)