Profile
Nomenclature:
A portmanteau on the words Malam meaning nightfall, afterdark...
The Mau from harimau meaning tiger ( the hari in harimau means day )
The word Taur from centaur a mythical half-human half-horse creature
Malamaur lore:
Their beautiful tails are birthed from an ancient particle in the air often recognized as lux, lumen and illumination, often reflective of the current colors of the time they were born. Hunted, Malamaurs grew wary of humans and sequestered their clan away into the night, losing their glimmer in the darkness and disappearing for several centuries. As time passed and they tested the civilization around them to see if they were as hostile as they were before, they gradually came back into the known world, many were cautious. Adapting to the hash darkness they had spent centuries surrounded in, Malamaurs took the technology of an enclosed lantern to hold what little lux they could gather. They are part of their culture, yet at the same time a foreign inclusion that became a vital item in their lives. They've come to re-integrate into society by shape-shifting into human-esque form, a skill learned from the centuries they spent hunted and in isolation
Malamaur traits:
- Tails: plush, silky and light... they have a spectacular sparkle! They are proud yet scared of being hunted because of them.
- Tapestry wings: woven from the threads of their own fur, tail and hair it is as much part of them as anything.
- Lanterns: each have their own set of lanterns to guide them through the darkness, they are given to them by their parents
- Tiger body: lithe and sturdy, they use them to hunt for their own food, they often have tiger-esque markings as well
- Ears: most are two-pronged, but there are variations
Malamaur abilities:
- Mystical soft glow from their hands, tail or lanterns
- Shape-shifting ability, they are adept at illusion
- Gliding short distances
Malamaur FAQ:
- the shapeshifting is imperfect, if you take off the tapestry from their head you'd be able to tell they are malamaur
- tapestry can change per a malamaur's will (sews it up themselves)
- [ MUSIC ]
Do they require their blanket/tapestry in order to shape-shift into human form?
Their blankets/tapestries are woven primarily from their own tails, which collect the most magic!! So it's not entirely necessary, but it serves as a huge reservoir of magic in order to do so and keep in their shape-shifted form!! Although they shape-shift (and can shape-shift into other creatures as well, it is not 100%) because it is hard for them to hide their ears/tail/markings because that is where they collect a lot of magic in them (lux/lumen/illumination) so it's an imperfect shape-shift. Because the blankets/tapestries are adorned over their heads and hair/tail (serving both to cover up shape shifting imperfections and also) in order to be placed in a location they can collect the most illumination! So that they have a steady flow of magic while they are in disguise!
When the blankets/tapestries are pulled off/ripped off without consent it can destabilize the magic and sometimes undo their illusions!! BIG REVEAL
bUT IF THEY'VE COLLECTED ENOUGH and prepared for it they can remain stable, it's just that most of the time they will draw from their tapestry/blanket because it's easy/comfortable as their main source while shape-shifted. Shape shifting into human form is easier from their main form, so TL;dr they do not need their blanket/tapestry! Although they shape-shift (and can shape-shift into other creatures as well, it is not 100%) because it is hard for them to hide their ears/tail/markings because that is where they collect a lot of magic in them (lux/lumen/illumination) so it's an imperfect shape-shift (but they just cover up any imperfections with more illusions and hope for the best!)
