Profile
Summary
Axomaurs are the puppies of the land and sea! Despite being quite intelligent, they don't always appear that way; they tend to act before they think, and their reactions are largely influenced by how they're feeling at that moment, so what you see is what you get. This is not to say they can't be contemplative; Axomaurs can take a step back and assess the situation, but that takes a lot of willpower from even the most patient individuals. Generally, they'll get along with anyone that can put up with their headstrong, brusque natures!
✦ Body (& Ridges)
Axomaurs have a chunky build, with legs that are always shorter than their body length (not including their tail). Running down the length of their body are "nub ridges." These nubs vary in number, size, and shape, but all Axomaurs have them. They can have one row that runs down the middle of their back or have more than one, slightly off to the sides; these nub ridges are usually symmetrical in placement, though off-kilter placements have been seen. For the Aquatic variant, their skin is either smooth, matte, or slimy in texture; the Terrestrial variant develops skin that is slightly rough and scaly, more reptilian than amphibious. Neither is quite built for bipedal movement, and any attempt to do so is usually clumsy and inefficient. However, these pups can be spotted sitting back on their haunches to pick things up and use them with their hands, which are often clawed with opposable thumbs.
✦ Ears
Ears come in many different shapes, styles, and varieties. The Aquatic Axomaurs ears are more like "feelers," lacking in open ear canals, as to prevent water from entering. They can have up to three pairs of feelers, positioned symmetrically on their head and down their jawline. Terrestrial Axomaurs are the ones with actual ears, though they usually won't have more than one pair. They can, however, still have small feelers to accompany their ears.
✦ Eyes
Their eyes are usually solid in appearance with subtle swirls of color beneath the surface, giving them a murky look. They are similar to the eyes of Siircio, in that they are bulbous and have two sets of eyelids, plus a nictitating membrane.
✦ Gills
Axomaurs are born underwater and spend their early childhood below the surface. They have no lungs and may have limbs that are only partially developed. However, as they grow, their limbs begin to strengthen, and they also develop lungs, thus allowing them to move onto land. Upon reaching maturity, most pups keep their gills and prefer to live half their lives on land and half in the water. However, certain individuals will grow out of their gills, becoming the Terrestrial variant that can now only breathe air.
✦ Tail
Tails come in a variety of shapes and sizes, though are often aquatic or reptilian in nature.
Builds
✦ Teacup
Teacup Axomaurs are nearly half the size of a standard Axomaur, typically under a foot in height on all fours. Their faces are smushed, and they often lack the thumbs a typical Axomaur has. There's speculation as to what could lead to these evolutionary traits, though personal inquiry has led to the belief that Teacup Axomaurs have pioneered the idea of "micro ecosystems," limiting themselves to equally small and compact environments to thrive in and compressing their bodies as a result.
Variants
✦ Aquatic
Much more common than their Terrestrial counterparts, these Axomaurs are adept at swimming and prefer to live near bodies of water. This is because their skin needs to be kept moist, otherwise it may crack and become very painful.
✦ Terrestrial
All Terrestrial Axomaurs were aquatic at one point, but have evolved to live more comfortably on land at the expense of their gills — though some may still have vestigial ones visible. They can only breathe air, but are able to hold their breath for long periods of time.
✦ Alpine
Closely related to their Terrestrial cousins, these Axomaurs have evolved to live in harsh mountain climates by shedding their ridges and replacing them with fluffy manes. They inhabit volcanic hot springs at high elevations, and have a strong sense of smell thanks to their specially evolved nose.
✦ Axolodon
Axolodons were thought to have gone extinct many ages ago, long before Axomaurs resembled what they do today. These proto-Axomaurs were especially suited to live in deep-sea caves or deep underground taverns, with slender bodies and many pairs of legs to help them climb and grip onto stalagmites or seaweed. Despite having many pairs of eyes, their eyesight is very poor, and they rely almost entirely on the nub-like sensors atop their heads to “see” where they are.
Despite being thought to have been lost to time, Axolodons seem to have made a reappearance recently, raising the question… were they ever even gone?
✦ Monster
This is a temporary condition that overrides an Axomaur's normal variant. This means that an Axomaur can be both Terrestrial and a Monster by transforming between the two. A result of this transformation is that the Axomaur's size and strength increase by quite a bit! In this state, Axomaurs will chase anything that moves — often resulting in them getting lost chasing birds or bugs — and are prone to losing control.
Core Features
- Axomaurs have chunky, quadruped builds with relatively short legs.
- They have at least one row of nub ridges running down the length of their body.
- There is no "standard" Axomaur; please choose a variant below when creating one.
✧ Extra Suggestions
- clawed paws with opposable thumbs
- colorful sclera but no pupils.
- small, vestigial wings
✦ Teacup
- Teacup Axomaurs have short, flat muzzles that may slightly protrude from their faces.
- Their bodies are shorter and chubbier than regular Axomaurs, about twice the size of their heads.
✧ Extra Suggestions
- no thumbs
- short or no ears and sensors
- scrunched necks
✦ Aquatic
- Their skin is either smooth, matte, or slimy in texture.
- Aquatic Axomaurs have at least one pair of gills.
- Their ears resemble feelers and lack open ear canals.
✧ Extra Suggestions
- aquatic adaptations (fins, webbing, etc.)
✦ Terrestrial
- Terrestrial skin is slightly rough and scaly.
- They have ears with open canals, often mammalian in appearance.
✧ Extra Suggestions
- additional feelers
- no gills
- thick tails
✦ Alpine
- Alpine Axomaurs have mammalian noses, similar to a dog or cat.
- Their manes must cover at least their necks, and may cover their nub ridges.
✧ Extra Suggestions
- scales or rocklike protrusions
- mammalian ears with open canals
✦ Axolodon
- Axolodons have four to eight eyes.
- They have three pairs to six pairs of legs.
- They have at least one horn on the bridge or tip of their nose.
✧ Extra Suggestions
- any Aquatic, Terrestrial, and Alpine Axomaurs features
- elongated bodies
- handlike paws
✦ Monster
- Monster Axomaurs are bipedal with large clawed front paws.
- A minimum of two tusks protrude from their top or bottom jaws.
- At least their front and back legs are covered with armor-like plates.
✧ Extra Suggestions
- protruding ridges or gills
- slit pupils
- extended tongue
- arched back
Baby Information
Baby Axomaurs have a similar development cycle to amphibians such as frogs. They usually hatch with at least one pair of feelers, their nub ridge(s), and partially-developed forelegs. They all have gills though sometimes, they're hard to see because of their small size. Their round bodies end in a flipper-like tail, which allows the pups to swiftly move through the water; the flipper may disappear as they transition onto life on land.
✦ Baby Features
- Overall, they have a tadpole-like appearance.
- Pups always start off with partially-developed forelegs.
- Their tails end in flippers that may disappear as they grow.
✧ Extra Suggestions
- visible gills
- feelers or nub ridges
- partially-developed back legs
Origin Story & Quest
Sympatric
It is thought that Axomaurs are a species from the same ancient family as Symphonies. Though they do not have the same musical affinities as their counterparts, their offspring — sometimes referred to as Axopups or just pups — are similar in appearance and well-adjusted to life in the marshes of Igroven. Meero cares for all their children, no matter what path their evolution takes.
Axopups may be somewhat clumsy on land due to their lack of developed hind legs. However, all young pups have gills (that the Terrestrial subspecies loses upon adulthood), which help them adapt to the waters of any realm. Though not all offspring are born in Igroven, Meero welcomes each one as their own, should the child choose to visit.
How does your Axomaur learn crucial skills as they grow to adulthood? Do they prefer water (Aquatic subspecies) or take to land (Terrestrial subspecies)? If not from Igroven, do they choose to return home and visit Meero? Please portray your Axomaur using their baby design or an adolescent design that’s not quite their adult form yet.
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