Yvet
Overview
Yvet are one of the most prolific species on Aneith, and one of the most important and well-known. Their connection to the last remaining god, Yvez, makes them invaluable.
Classification
Mammalian
Rarity
Abundant
History
During the war between the gods, it's said that the ancestors of the Yvet climbed to the highest peaks of their homelands, and called out, begging to be saved. The war had severely damaged the world, and it was getting more and more difficult to survive. One god, Yvez, heard their calls, and answered them- by breaching the barrier between their realms, and shattering herself. The shards then sought out and embedded into the Yvet, creating their trademark crystal, and imbibing them with a small portion of her power each.
Biology
Physical Description
Yvet are canine-like creatures, made up of four separate breeds. For the most part, they resemble large dogs with a 6-sided crystal embedded in their chest. They tend to have a single tail that's 1.5x the length of their body, and have thick, rough coats. All Yvet have a pouch along the underside of their chest, with an opening a few inches under their crystal, which they carry their pups in. Their paws have elongated and more flexible toes than dogs, allowing them to grip and manipulate objects, though with less delicacy than using their telekinesis.
During Harth and Alavora their coat sheds and adjusts to contain more white, to better match their snowy environment.
Giants: Giant Yvet are the largest Yvet by far, standing on average about 7 feet (2.1 meters) at the shoulder. They originate from the western Yvet isle, a small island with a steep plateau that takes up most of the landmass, leaving only a few stretches of beach at sea-level. Their culture centered around having been 'chosen' by Yvez, believing themselves to be the greatest species in the world, and doing everything in their power to improve themselves- this is the reason for their immense size, as well as their notable strength, speed, endurance, skill, thickness of skin, and many other traits. Giants prioritized being large, bulky, and powerful above all other traits. They practice restrictive breeding, and will cull those who're of 'lesser blood'- either by killing or exiling them. They also keep a firm watch on the borders of their plateau, making sure no other creature can reach them and 'taint the bloodlines'.
Plainsrunners: Plainsrunners are the second largest breed of Yvet, standing at an average of 6 feet (1.8 meters) at the shoulder. They originate from the southern Yvet island, which consists mostly of wide, open flatlands, with a forest taking up the southern edge, and scrublands blended into the northern region. Plainsrunners are highly sociable, with individuals often considering themselves a member of multiple packs that shift, grow, and dissipate fluidly. Their bodies are lean, with relatively thin fur, longer legs, and a large chest- they're built for speed. It's often said that if one Plainsrunner is in trouble, all others within a 10 mile radius will be there to aid them within minutes.
Boglanders (Boggies): Boglanders, or Boggies as they're commonly called, are the second smallest breed, at an average of 5 1/2 feet (1.7 meters) at the shoulder. They originate from the eastern Yvet island, which is consists entirely of various types of swampland. Because of this, they have thick, waterproof fur that doesn't tangle easily, thick skin, and an abnormally flexible skeleton. This allows them to easily navigate the twisting trees and swamps with little trouble. Boggies also have enlongated back legs, meant to help them 'walk' along the bottom while still keeping their head above water. Unfortunately, this means they are poorly suited to living on dry land, bearing an awkward gait that seems a mesh between hobbling and hopping. The vast majority of Boggies you'll see outside their homelands are of mixed blood, which usually evens out their gait and let them travel on dry land with less difficulty.
Northern: Northerns are the smallest breed of Yvet, only averaging about 4 1/2 feet (1.4 meters) at the shoulder. They have the longest fur out of any breed, and are also the only breed to retain any white markings outside the cold seasons. They have much shorter tails- only reaching to their ankles on average-, shorter legs, smaller ears, and overall comparatively smaller proportions, in order to cope with the cold northern climate. They also gain and retain weight more easily than the other breeds of Yvet, often making them more pudgy than the average Yvet.
Diet
Yvet are primarily carnivores. They can stomach some plant material (mainly fruits), but cannot survive on it.
Reproduction
Yvet typically partner with a single mate for their entire life, and if needed, will seek out a surrogate when they decide to have pups. Yvet's breeding season is in the Nelith and Esorian seasons, and gestation lasts until mid-Esorian at the latest. Young Yvet are referred to as 'pups', and are born blind, deaf, furless, and only mostly developed (toes are usually just starting to form, and the tail will be shorter and stumpier than when they reach maturity. Once born, the parents will quickly bring the newborn pups to one of their pouches, where they'll stay for most of the next few weeks of their lives.
All Yvet are capable of producing milk for pups, and a pregnant/nursing Yvet gives off pheromones that prompt other Yvet to produce a small amount milk, in case the pups are ever transferred over to them for whatever reason. Active nursing prompts the Yvet to produce more milk, while non-nursing Yvet will still retain just the small amount until there are no longer any actively nursing Yvet, at which point they'll reabsorb the milk.
Yvet typically have 1-4 pups in a litter. Larger litters do occur, but hoping for a large litter isn't recommended- Yvet from large litters tend to have various developmental disabilities that can impact their life- issues with metabolism, poor joints, physical deformities, trouble keeping on weight, slowed mental processing, difficulties with communication, etc.
Lifecycle
Yvet are born very small and helpless, usually only about the size of their birthing parent's paw. They lack vision and hearing, and their sense of smell isn't fully refined either. They spend the first 4 weeks of their life exclusively in the pouch of an adult Yvet, doing little else besides nursing and sleeping. After roughly 5 weeks, they'll begin to become more active, and may even poke their heads out the pouch, though their eyes usually won't be open by this point.
Between their sixth and seventh week, their eyes will be fully open, and they'll begin to peek out more and more to observe the world around them. Eventually, typically by their eighth week, they'll start trying to leave the pouch and explore for short periods of time. Over the next few weeks, they'll begin to spend more and more time out of the pouch, eventually trying solid food around their twelfth week. By their twentieth week, they've completely weened off milk and are too big to fit in a pouch anymore.
They will continue to grow and mature over the next several seasons, eventually becoming fully fledged adults at around two years old. Yvet live an average of thirty years, but can live up to twice that. Once they hit twenty-five, they tend to start slowing down physically and mentally, eventually reaching a point where they simply lose the will and ability to continue living, and pass away.
Activity Level
Yvet are primarily diurnal, spending most of the day up and about and going to sleep during the night.
They start to become active again starting in Nelith, and slow down once Tieon arrives. Once she arrives, Yvet naturally slow down- while they don't go into hibernation, they do spend the majority of the Harth and Alavora sleeping. They largely survive off their built up fat stores during this time, but will still hunt when the opportunity arises.
Behavior
Temperament
Yvet are a steadfast species- they're often looked to for leadership or guidance. Yvet are often described as having a definitive 'presence' about them- it isn't overbearing, but still very distinct. Yvet are generally friendly, helpful, loyal, and protective.
Sociability
Yvet are highly sociable, and very prolific throughout Aneith, in spite of originating from relatively small islands. They have gained a firm place as one of the most well known species of Aneith- it's rare to find a place the hasn't been traveled or made home by at least one Yvet, and they're generally welcoming and open to living with other species.
Sapience
Yvet are not commonly viewed as amongst the most technologically advanced species- for the most part, they live traditional pack-type lifestyles, and keep their tools simple, if they use any at all.
Yvet also have a strong talent for magic, thanks to their connection to Yvez. All Yvet have some degree of natural telekinesis, allowing them to pick up and manipulate objects without needing to use their paws. As well, some Yvet are 'gifted'- meaning they have a special power unique to them, such as advanced healing magic, the ability to teleport to places they see, stronger telekinesis, etc. It's fairly rare for an Yvet to have such a gift though.