Average Height: 5'11
Average Age Length: 80 years
Rarity: Extremely Rare
General Info:
A race that exhibits both Humanoid and animal characteristics, this race is a bit rarer than most. However, they are very honorable individuals.
Characteristics:
Demihumans have generally human characteristics, until you get to their ears. Demihumans can be mixed with any animal. They all have the ears, tails, or at times even wings of the animal they are mixed with. Having lighter skin tones akin to those of Elves, they are generally a well rounded race. Their creation is rather unknown, and so is the general existence of the name of their race. They live in close knit tribes, having heightened senses of sight, smell, and hearing.
Religions:
Demihumans live in close knit tribes, living and fighting together. Relations outside of their tribe is generally forbidden. There are a few shared practices however. One of which is that those of religion cannot be restricted based on their original tribe.
Another practice is one that is a little more somber in tone. To this race, tribal disputes and battles are common. When a warrior becomes horribly injured in battle, they are allowed to make a choice. If the warrior is dying from their wounds, they are allowed to choose The Rite of the Warrior. This is conducted by the Chief of the tribe, who gives the fallen warrior an herb that puts them into a sleep. During this time, the Chief and at times the members of the fallen warrior's family begin a sacred chant that honors them and sends them on to the next life. Then, the warrior passes on. It is a painless and honorable suicide. Those that are injured in battle are not expected to suffer needlessly. Regardless of their choice, they are honored.
Relating to that is a tribe practice of mourning. This is conducted when a tribe is mourning a loss, or aiding a beloved tribe member in their healing journey and mourning with them. This is a tribe wide practice and it is honored every time it is called upon. The Cry of Souls is a highly sacred practice that is never ignored. When it is called upon by the Chief of the tribe, all listen. If someone has passed, it is a long and involved funeral. If someone is healing, they are tended to like a close relative. Those that are taking part in it commonly say "My heart weeps, and my soul cries."
Mating & Reproduction:
There are no restrictions on partners. However, they do mate for life and practice a rather intimate type of marriage ceremony. To Demihumans, it is their belief that they were born of the beasts. They honor that belief wholeheartedly, which means that it extends to their marriages. After the ceremony, the married couple return to their chosen home and drink a sacred tea that heightens their beast like senses. This allows them to become close to their primal state. As is said before the tea is taken, “By beasts we were born, and to the beasts we must return."
The handling of children is considered quite hands on to this race. The type of animal a Demihuman is mixed with is not seen as a barrier for partners, as offspring can exhibit traits from both parents, but the animal part itself very rarely ever mixes. If it does, it can only be a natural mix or a color change. When Demihumans mate, their gestation differs from that of other humanoids. Their newborns and children are called cubs, and the raising of them is a tribal affair. Female Demihumans can have up to three cubs in a single pregnancy and their terms are seven to eight months in length. These cubs are born rather small due to the number of children that can be had in one term, resulting in rather small but very lively newborns.