Zythyns

Overview

Zythyns
Biological Information
Intelligence:	Sapient
Homeworld:	Lorokira
Form:	Bipedal
Average Lifespan:	65 years (Unmodified) 500 years (Typical lifespan as of the modern day.)
Average Height/Length:	1.6 meters (5 foot, three inches)
Average Weight:	72.5 kg (160 lbs)
Native Environment:	Boreal, Tundra
Reproduction:	Sexual
Method of Movement:	Walking, Running
Method of Sight:	Binocular Vision
Method of Hearing:	External Ears
Number of Limbs:	Five
Number of Eyes:	Two
Number of Ears:	Two
Number of Digits:	Four
Possible Body Colorations:	(Fur) Purple Blue Green White Brown Black Crimson (Skin) Beige Brown Pale Blue Olive Pink
Possible Eye Colorations:	Brown Orange Blue Red
Behavioral Information
Intelligence:	Sapient
Common Behaviroal Traits:	Higher-Than-Average Aggressiveness High Resilience High Intellect Low Adaptability
Average Intellect:	Above Average
Languages:
Dominant Social Structure:	Interconnected, Slightly Authoritarian, Co-operative
Notable Members:	Kryrono-Lomir

The Zythyns are a widespread sapient species across Aylothn and beyond. They are one of the most populous species, extending into many nations from their birthplace of Lorokira. They are credited for creating the Lowzyol Federation, rising from Sedrua's grasp after the Zythyn-Sedruan War. Ever since their freedom, Zythyns have had a turbulent history, being responsible for the War for Peleunsk, and Commonwealth's Eclipse. They are also known for creating the Uspayador Plutocracy of Etheaunsk, in turn causing the Samutan-Uspayador War and the Nisrine War. As such, Zythyns are viewed as a relatively war-like species, with an affinity for aggression and expansion throughout its history.

Appearance

Zythyns are considerably hairy and stout, standing on two front legs and one longer hind leg carrying a lengthy torso. They have two arms, each equipped with four bony fingers used for grabbing and picking. Each of their legs have three short toes, which help with balance in Lorokira's high gravity environment. Zythyn legs can move relatively quickly, though most Zythyns approach a natural top speed of 30 km/h. Primarily, it helps with leverage on terrain and provides balance along with the toes.

Zythyns are usually laden with layers of blubber and fat, which keeps their bodies warm. Evolution on Lorokira led to this trait on their bodies, making Zythyns appear paunchy. Under their blubber is a dense, hard muscular system that helps with supporting the body. Zythyn bones are much the same, with dense marrow supporting surrounded by a strong outside.

Biology

Subspecies

While Zythyns have numerous descendants, there are two major categories of them. They are named the Lorokirr (Original) and the Chakirr (Slender) Zythyns. Those of Lorokirr descent tend to show most characteristics of a baseline Zythyn, that being short and blubbery. They originated close to the poles, the cradle of all Zythyns. They are more muscular and rigid in shape, though they have low stamina and metabolism. Those of Chakirr descent are usually skinnier, and have less fat and fur. They are a result of gradual evolution by Lorokira's equator. They have greater endurance in comparison to their Lorokirr counterparts, though they fare poorly in colder conditions Additionally, they usually have less strength than Lorokirr Zythyns.

Descendants of both Lorokirr and Chakirr Zythyns have sprouted following the advancement of genetic editing and colonization. As such, many unique species of Zythyn have appeared over many millennia. Most of them share the common characteristics of three legs, hairy bodies, and blubber. Interbreeding between subspecies is possible as well, though pregnancy is typically much harder to achieve.

Respiratory System

Zythyns breathe with their large, flat noses which lead down a tract to their lungs. Their sense of smell is lower than average, though they can discern a total of several billion odors from one another. Their throats are strong and lined with a layer of fat to protect against Lorokira's cold air. Bloodflow to the throat's walls is more prevalent well, which warms up the throat and the body to an extent. Zythyn lungs have a thick, protective lining that prevents harm done by high atmospheric pressure. They have an above-average capacity, being able to hold their breath for two minutes without discomfort.

Digestive System

Zythyns take in food through their mouths, which hold a long, barbed tongue designed to latch on to food and scrape meat off bones. Their teeth aren't necessarily sharp, though they are naturally proficient at gnashing and gnawing on tough objects. The teeth are primarily used for tearing apart tough flesh and bone, but they can also be used to crack open shells of nuts or fruits. Zythyn jaws are also able to crack through weaker bones, allowing one to access nutrient-rich marrow/ As a result, Zythyns are omnivores, though most prefer a lifestyle with plenty of meat.

Zythyns have a complex digestive tract, designed to take in and extract the nutrients from hard-to-digest foods. Zythyns have two stomachs, used for taking in as much nutrition as possible. Stomach acid is also potent, able to dissolve most substances in its presence. Since Lorokira's environment is frigid, fruits and nuts are typically encased in hard shells or other tough exteriors to protect them from nature. Fauna is also protected with thick skin, fat, and other tough insulating materials. This led Zythyns to go down a gritty style of eating. In history, many Zythyns have eaten objects which are normally non-edible. Grass, bark, bones, and even certain types of rocks have all been consumed by Zythyns.

Senses

Zythyns have a peculiar sense of taste, able to detect the smallest traces of flavor. This has led many to eat items that may be thought of as bland. Furthermore, their sense of taste extends beyond the mouth, as Zythyn stomachs are lined with a large number of taste receptors. These receptors are very much dull in comparison to the tongue's however, since they can only detect sweet or bitter flavors.

Zythyns have large, bulbous nocturnal eyes which can detect wavelengths in the visible and ultraviolet spectrum. Their eyes are adaptive as well, being able to see darker colors across a wider spectrum. Bright lights are not a problem either, as Zythyn pupils can contract to about 0.5mm. Moreover, their eyes are very sensitive to movement, being able to pick up minute changes in its environment.

Zythyn smell, like their sense of taste, is significantly enhanced. In prehistoric ages, it was used to detect the smells of animals, plants, and each other. Exceptional Zythyns can pick up and track a scent for many kilometers and can remember said scent for months or years. Scent is also a crucial factor in taste, as using both can enhance the flavor of food to a noticeable degree.

Hearing for Zythyns is specialized to hear higher tones. The minimal hearing range is 150Hz, though the highest can go above 45,000Hz. This may be a result of Zythyn communication, since they speak with clicks and high beeping noises, combined with basic high-pitched phonetic sounds. Many animals across Lorokira also tend to have high-pitched vocal cords. This is thought to have helped ancient Zythyns detect nearby prey if they could not go off scent or eyesight.

The feeling of touch is the dullest to a Zythyn. They have a high pain tolerance and can deflect most blunt force attacks with their fat, blubbery bodies. Most of the time, pain receptors activate if a sharp object pierces the skin, or if any blunt force bruises muscle or lower layers of skin. Casual touching is rather numb to a Zythyn nonetheless, being not as keen as that of most sapient species.

Behavior and Social Dynamics

Evolving from a species of apex hunters, Zythyns have a tendancy to show aggression and dominance over others. They are also very determined and resilient, holding family and beliefs closely. Zythyns are also very territorial, though they are more than able of forming stable communities. In said communities, Zythyns are very socialable, displaying a sense of brotherhood and protection to others. Zythyn communities are very like-minded, and show strong loyalty towards one another.

As mentioned, Zythyns have a natural passion to protecting their culture and families. Many have sacrified themselves to ensure the survivability of their ways and relatives. Loyalty towards family likely originated from Lorokira's harsh environments, as Zythyns quickly learned the benefits of teamwork in their evolutionary years. Culture is much the same as a result, though differing cultures have a higher tendancy to disrespect one another.

Demographics

Over half of all Zythyns are present in the Lowzyol Federation, a major nation in Aylothn. It is centered around Peleunsk, a galaxy which collided to become an opulent starforming region. Peleunsk holds the Zythyn home planet of Lorokira, and has the largest Zythyn center, Wa-Strionarh. Ever since their uplifting from Sedrua, Zythyns branched down many different paths, though they both originated from the Lorokirr and Chakirr Zythyns. Across all Zythyn communities, approximately 41% originate from Lorokirr Zythyns while 59% are descnded from Chakirr Zytyhyns. The diversity of these descendants have let Zythyns thrive across many worlds.

Culture

Zythyn culture was initially influenced by Lorokira's conditions. Most began as small groups, tight-knit with unique beliefs. Religion was and still is common in Zythyn communities, undoubtedly influencing the world of art, literature, music, and philosophy.

Religion

As mentioned, Zythyns have a general tendancy towards spirituality. Over the years, they have spread and inherited many faiths. Though some of them are similar, others differ greatly. Older Zythyn faiths tended to focus on the happenings of nature, the heavens, and Thaumaturgy. In the modern day, a large percentage of Zythyns worship Aeternalism, a direct result of Sedrua influence in the past. Others support Novel Aeternalism, a faith which has recently dominated Aylothn as its most popular one. Other relegions are descended from the ones on Lorokira, though some Zythyns have adopted faiths from non-Zythyn cultures.

Thaumaturgy

Zythyns have a deep cultural yearning for Thaumaturgy. As stated prior, many of their faiths revolve around practices related to it. As such, there exist many Zythyns who deliberately gain some kind of Thaumaturgic abilities. Approximately 54% of all Zythyns have some capability in Thaumaturgy. These people are usually proficient in just a few basic actions, such as minor alterations of the body or self defense. Only one in 9 billion Zythyns have anything beyond said basic abilities, and many of them join various militaries as a result.

Zythyn knowledge of the Lux Aeterna was surprisingly large upon their uplifting as well. Several Zythyns in ancient history managed to directly peer into the Aeterna, and others visited it through out-of-body experiences or dreaming. It was a large feat for ancient Zythyns, as the Aeterna's existence brought forth many of the faiths which live on today. It also allowed a large number of Zythyns to safely convert to Aeternalism.