Species - Zuraki

--- ALL Stellarmass species are open to character creation. You are allowed to make OCs and have a good time. Please let me know if you do so I can cry over them. Do not make adoptables of these species unless they are for charity. Thanks! ---

Zuraki are a quadrupedal mammal race from a planet called Zura. Zura is a very large frozen planet, with one continent in a frozen sea. The planet has three moons. For most of the year, the planet is dry and bitterly cold broken up by a brief yearly thaw. It takes 513 days for the planet to orbit the sun, Gelid.

Zura was once a tropical, warm world until an asteroid strike knocked the planet out of its previous alignment. All species within had to adapt quickly or perish. Zuraki share the planet with another sapient species, the Zuranians, and have a close relationship with them.

Zuraki are curious and gentle creatures who come in a wild range of colors. Zuraki flesh is highly toxic and has no natural predators, so they can afford such color in their environment of white and blue. There are no visible differences between males and females. Sometimes Zuraki can have beard-like shaggy fur, but either sex can have them. They have big jagged-edged beaks (covered in fur) that are strong enough to bite through solid ice. They use this to crunch up hard nuts and frozen fruits/tubers which is their main diet. During thaws, they enjoy sweet grasses, berries, and flowers. They are true herbivores and can get ill easily. They love sugar, so they must also watch how much they eat, as they can develop health issues from it.

Zuraki are about the size of Earth dogs, but can be very heavy and dense due to their muscle mass. They are strong enough to tunnel into frozen earth and their bite force is strong enough to crush bones, should they want to. They would rather not but will defend themselves as needed. Do not get bit by a Zuraki. You will lose a limb.

Zuraki live in large family groups called 'Clans'. These are all individuals who are related in some way. Some kits choose to stay and some choose to leave and find another Clan to join. There is no form of government or any of the sort, they tend to follow the elderly and the ones proven to be wise. Sometimes a pair will go off to start their own clans, though it is much easier to raise kits in a group. They primarily live underground in an elaborate network of tunnels and dens, illuminated by glowing stones they find while digging. These dens are surprisingly warm and is lined with dry grasses and shed fluff.

Zuraki pair off and mate for life. If a partner dies they don't seek another, though they will help others raise their kits.

Zuraki are fully grown at age 4 and live shorter lives compared to most other sapient species. At most, they will get into their 40's if lucky. Old Zuraki turn grey as they age, and their colors become dull.

Zuraki do not wear clothing unless it's part of a job. All of them wear some sort of neckwear once they are large enough to undergo the implantation of a translation chip. Don't worry, the chip is smaller than a grain of rice, and only needs a shot to 'implant' it. This neckwear will contain a speaker that will allow them to communicate. Before this chip was tested out, Zuraki were assumed to be animals and were often kept as pets. Once the language barrier was broken, they have become valuable members of society. Zuraki make expert therapists due to their empathy and many can be found in the social work field. You can find a Zuraki doing any type of job that isn't limited to them due to their size.

Zuraki did not achieve space travel, nor did they have anything remotely resembling technology. They have no written language but have incredible memories. Their history is kept in the form of songs and stories, passed down from one generation to the next. This is why many Zuraki can be found writing scripts and books. Every Zuraki loves a good story.

Zuraki do not do well on hot worlds, and often need to have their dense fluff shaved off to keep from overheating.

Their main contributions to the Galaxy are

• Social workers
• Writers
• Boundless joy
• Cuddle Buddies
• Construction workers (They can hollow out ground faster than most machines can do)