[SPECIES] Calvarita Demons

// Statistics.

// Description.

"Calvarita": a combination of the word calvaria, the top part of the skull, and ita, a type of bag with a display window for pins or other decorative items.

Calvarita Demons, or simply Calvaritas, are a race of anthropomorphic creatures with skull-like faces and special windows in their chests that can contain a wide variety of things. These windows can serve as containers/display cases, television screens, tanks, or even a way to see into its owner's anatomy.

// Habitat.

Calvaritas spend most of their time in a location called the "Outer Realm", a space which is said to be just outside of human reality. Here, they essentially become spectators to the world around them, as they cannot interact with or be detected by anything in the "real world" without the use of portal-like rifts they can create if necessary.

// Behaviorisms.

Natural collectors by instinct, Calvaritas- particularly ones who have a "showcase" type chest window- have an affinity for gathering typically small and interesting items. Things such as jewelry, pins, charms, stones, and other knicknacks are often discreetly nabbed from human homes and businesses through small rifts created for the sole purpose of reaching an arm through to grab things. Being able to see what's going on in the world around them, some Calvaritas may end up returning a stolen item after seeing its owner in distress over its disappearance.

// Group Organization.

Most Calvaritas tend to travel alone, with the largest groups typically only having a maximum of five members at a time. When at rest, however, Calvaritas gather in spaces that contain up to twenty or even thirty individuals. These communal areas are often located in remote wild spaces away from humans, so that Calvaritas may spend time in the real world with no fear of them being spotted.

// Hunting & Diet.

Calvaritas do not eat very often, as they don't really need to. However, when they do choose to eat, most choose to take prepared, packaged, and/or cooked foods from human spaces. Calvaritas are panivorous, meaning that they can consume anything from meat and plants to stone or plastic.

// Reproduction.

By default, Calvaritas lack a reproductive system, but can choose to form one of any type (and remove it again) later in life. Due to their long lifespans, Calvarias do not often reproduce, but if necessary (or desired) two individuals can mate to create a single egg.

// Life Cycle.

After mating, it takes approximately two months for a Calvarita egg to form; during this time, the “carrier” (mother) will stay in the Outer Realm and refrain from traveling too much. Eggs (which range in size from 6 to 12 inches) are left with the designated caretakers of the local group, and hatch after about another month. Parents do not typically involve themselves in the lives of their offspring, though not for any sort of malevolent reason. Calvarita hatchlings are capable of walking, using magic, and generally fending for themselves at birth, and only rely on other older individuals to teach them about their culture and society. Calvaritas reach complete maturity in ten years, and can live to be over a hundred years old.

// Health.

Calvaritas are very durable creatures, unable to catch any known illness or disease. Their bodies seem to be made of extremely condensed light or a similar inorganic material, which renders them near indestructible. The main causes of death within the species are old age and accidentally becoming caught in their own rifts, a rare occurrence which can tear a careless Calvarita in two.

// Communication.

Though they do not often communicate with those who are not of their species, Calvaritas have displayed the ability to understand and speak any language, including that of animals. It is believed that they possess a sort of “universal frequency” of speech which can be understood by any being. Their voices curiously cannot be recorded or picked up by any sort of audio or video device.

Due to their bony faces, Calvaritas do not display much facial emotion except through their eyes. They tend to talk with their hands, using gestures and movement to make sure they’re understood.

// Strengths & Weaknesses.

// Appearance.

Calvaritas are bipedal creatures with digitigrade legs and long, thin tails. Their bodies vary in build from tall and bulky to small, lithe forms (and everything in between), and are covered in short, brightly colored fur, with long, fluffy manes that either grow along the backs of their necks like a horse's or cover the neck entirely. The face and tail are the only parts of a Calvarita that lack fur. Their tails are typically darker than the rest of their bodies, and often have structures at the tip that resemble a stereotypical devil's tail.

Their faces/upper jaws resemble the skulls of other animals, but are more simplified in design, with teeth and horns that blend into the rest of the bone. They also have two pairs of ears with upturned tips, and a normal set of teeth on their lower jaw. Alongside their faces, Calvaritas' hands and feet resemble that of other animals as well. They can have paws, talons, hooves, or humanoid fingers, but always have four digits; three fingers + a thumb on the hands, and three front toes + one smaller back toe on the feet. (An exception to this would be those with hooved hands/feet, which only have three digits on each.)

The most prominent feature of Calvaritas, however, is the clear glass-like window in the center of their chests. This window is unbreakable and can come in various different shapes, most commonly rectangular. Various types of items and materials can be inside, which are sorted into several different categories:

• // Showcase: The most common type; showcase-type Calvaritas use their windows to display and contain items they collect, such as pins, jewelry, or other small objects. They are the only type that is able to open their chest windows.
• // Screen: Like the name suggests, screen-type Calvaritas can project images or videos through their chest windows. These screens are controlled by one's mind, but can display data from outside sources. Screen-type Calvaritas also often have plug-shaped tail tips that can function as a way to transfer information.
• // Tank: Tank-type Calvaritas can contain liquids within their chest cavities, ranging from beverages to more decorative things like lava lamp fluid.
• // X-Ray: The windows of X-ray Calvaritas serve as a direct display of their internal organs, and actually allow a very different anatomy structure. While the average Calvarita's insides are pushed to the back and lower part of their torso, X-ray Calvaritas have an arrangement mostly similar to a human's.

// Culture.

Calvaritas are mostly solitary creatures, but do enjoy socializing with one another. Despite usually traveling alone, some may temporarily group up with one or two others for a brief period of time before moving along. Most social activity occurs in communal spaces, where larger groups of Calvaritas gather to rest and spend time with others of their species.

// Origins.

It is currently unknown where, when, and how exactly Calvaritas came to be. The most plausible theory is that they originate from an unknown dimension or space between worlds, due to their reality-crossing powers. Calvaritas’ chest windows and contents often resemble man-made objects, so it’s possible they were created not even a thousand years ago and have lived alongside humans for a long time, though were only discovered within the past two decades.

// Abilities & Skills.

>> DIMENSION-HOPPING/RIFT CREATION

// ( MAGIC ) - Calvarita Demons possess the ability to move within dimensions and planes of reality, often by creating temporary rifts which act like portals. However, Calvaritas are the only ones who can use these rifts to travel, as other beings cannot interact with them.

>> INVISIBILITY/SPECTATION

// ( MAGIC & PHYSICAL ) - When within the "Other Realm"/between realities, Calvaritas are completely invisible and undetectable to outsiders. This allows them to observe other creatures and explore places without being affected physically.

>> CHEST CONTAINERS

// ( PHYSICAL ) - Calvaritas with "showcase" type chest windows can open said windows to remove/store items inside. This is most often used for the display of smaller objects, as most Calvaritas have shallow cavities best suited for collectibles such as pins, charms, or gemstones. These cavities are lined with a unique type of "skin" that allows small items to be pinned or stuck onto the inside without discomfort or anything falling off.