The Viverha are an open species. Designs will be released as plot allows, for reasonable prices. This does not mean others are not permitted to come up with their own designs, but if the character is to be accepted as a member of the Viverha species, then it must be approved by either myself, or DeadsomeJack. We both reserve the right to refuse your design.
Basic Description
The Viverha are a species of humanoid plants. They can walk, talk, and do just about everything a furre or human can do. They are a secluded people, often making efforts to keep the outside world away, even going so far as to forsake those who leave the forest where all Viverha are originally born.
Origin
Olde World, somewhere in the jungles of Africa
Lifespan
300-800 years
Hierarchy
The hierarchy of Viverha breaks down in to three roles:
L'etal
These are the leaders of the Viverha, the "elders" in common tongue, though the title is rather deceptive, due to the nature of how a Viverha matures. Though the elders are never seen by other Viverha, their voices give the impression of youth, often bordering on sounding like the voices of children, or preteens. They are highly revered, and to speak against them is seen as nonsense or even treason.
Ruchta
Ruchta are the warriors of the Viverha. They often sport vines and roots, as opposed to the more delicate appearance of their brethren. It is easy to determine a Ruchta from birth, and so their training starts young. Typically, these warrior Viverha will rely on the features of plants they have incorporated in to their genetic make-up, often various types of trees to allow the use of wood or bark in their fighting. These are the protectors of the forest where the Viverha reside, and any intruders that mean harm can expect to face endless numbers attempting to drive them away.
Klaua
The "free spirits" of the Viverha. These Viverha typically sport flower-like features. Their breed of flower can vary greatly, and sometimes may instead lean more towards the likes of weeds or vine flowers. These are the gatherers, the nurturers of the Viverha species. They will often avoid conflict, and seek peaceful ways to resolve disagreements.
Physical
Green skin is a constant for healthy Viverha. To this idea, so are yellow eyes, lacking an iris or pupil of any sort. Skin however is not a blank canvas. The patterns of leaves or stems are often seen on most Viverha, and those with a more floral appearance will often keep smaller blooms along their body as accessories. Viverha do not require clothing, as their body is fully capable of producing features to maintain decency. The downside, unfortunately, is that these features can not be completely removed without inflicting harm. Viverha do not possess hair. They are all plant.
Biology
Viverha are an odd species, where their biological systems are concerned. Following is a detailed description of each system in a Viverha's body.
Respiratory
A Viverha's respiratory system is an odd mix of plant and mammal. While they do have lungs, pores in the skin can allow small, minimal intake of carbon-dioxide to supplement for short amounts of time. However, this of course can be cut off all together when submerged in water.
Circulatory
The "blood" in Viverha differs noticeably between Ruchta and Klaua. The warriors of their species possess something similar to blood, often green in color. This is because as the fighters and the source of manual labor, they require faster delivery of nutrients and carbon-dioxide to the rest of their body. Klaua possess something closer to tree sap. This same sap acts as saliva for both roles, and is in fact addictive when consumed due to its sweet taste.
Musculatory
Viverha rely on a system of "muscles" made of plant matter. For Ruchta, these strands of plant matter are thicker, allowing for more movement without tiring as easily. Such is not the case for Klaua, however. Given the fact that they do not require the stamina for excessive movement, their muscles are smaller, and tire much more easily compared to their warrior brethren.
Skeletal
Long shafts of wood act as a Viverha's skeleton, providing form and sturdiness to their bodies.
Digestive
Viverha get most of their nutrients from photosynthesis. As such, eating is not normally required. However, the presence of a Viverha's digestive system serves another purpose: through the ingestion of seeds, a Viverha can incorporate the features of any plant they encounter in to their own body. This allows Ruchta to change their arms in to shields of bark, or blades. This also allows for rather diverse plant life, if the Viverha allows it to grow on their body. The scents of different plants can be produced as well through this method.
Reproductive
Viverha can reproduce in two ways. Concealed by the petals or vines atop their head are the typical stamen of most flowers. These stamen produce pollen, and when this pollen is taken in by more traditional plant life, it can result in crossbreeding. This is fairly harmless, and can even produce some highly useful mixes of different plants.
The second method of reproduction is how Viverha are made. The Viverha's sexual system is very similar to those of mammals, though true to the nature of flowers, hermaphrodites are not uncommon, among the traditional male and female. Development usually takes anywhere from 3 to 6 months, with a variance of up to a month in either direction. The cause of variance regarding gestation can be attributed to the various plants incorporated in to the parents' systems.
Mating Habits
Viverha follow many of the same customs that most sentient and intelligent beings do when pursuing a mate. While pairings need not necessarily consist of Ruchta and Klaua, such is the common trend in discerning a mate to reproduce with and start a proper family. It is worth noting however that while Viverha do designate mates, they are not a monogamist people. A Viverha's chosen mate is quite often given priority, and is the only one that they might actually breed with, though sexual encounters are permitted with others, so long as the mate remains the Viverha's priority first and foremost.
When mating, Viverha will instinctively extend their vines, and wrap them about each other during coitus. This is to ensure the highest possible success rate of impregnation, sometimes persisting well beyond actual climax. Klaua will simply wrap their vines about their mate's waist, while a Ruchta's method is often more invasive, the vines typically digging in beneath their mate's skin to ensure that their partner will not pull away prematurely.
Culture
Viverha are a fairly secluded species, as mentioned above. That aside, they are also very primitive. It is a common belief among their species that Mother Nature governs the world, and as such, they are not ones for technology. They are also strongly against the killing or subjugation of "lesser" creatures, without a proper need for it.
Any who approach the forest where the Viverha reside will find their march hindered. Viverha are one with the plants around them, and so the forest's open paths will shift and change, often confounding explorers or invaders until they leave of their own volition, or die of exposure.
The L'etal govern all decisions made for the Viverha as a species. Their word is law, and to go against their decisions is to go against one's brethren. Punishment often entails banishment, or being detained indefinitely.
Corruption
Corruption is an odd phenomenon among the Viverha, and something that is feared to the point that should it be even suspected, then the Viverha in question will immediately find themselves banished from the forest.
Corruption, in short, is supposedly the result of a Viverha being tainted by the outside world, or going against Mother Nature's plan. Signs start small, taking the form of developing bark throughout the skin, along with a loss of color. Traditionally spring or summer coloring becomes more akin to Autumn, and the death of plants to be born anew. However, this is not simply a cosmetic change. As corruption sets in, a Viverha's mind can become altered significantly, A normally peaceful and kind Viverha can become violent, and uncaring. Most examples entail the afflicted Viverha killing needlessly, all in pursuit of a specific goal, though that goal may vary greatly from victim to victim.
In truth, corruption is not a result of straying from Nature's will, but simply signs of the Viverha maturing. This is knowledge only held by former and current L'etal, and typical Viverha are not aware of this fact.
Laws
The Viverha have very few laws that govern them, but the ones that have been set in place are to be observed without impunity.
Viverha society has changed over the years, and in modern times, there
are two schools of thought. Laws have not been determined and set in stone.
The Rule of Wolfsbane encourages mutual cooperation and growth. Viverha following this philosophy are expected to help one another, so that every member of their community can be the absolute best the can be.
The Rule of Venus, meanwhile, emphasizes the survival of the fittest. The strong attain power, and the weak are meant to serve them. This philosophy is not heartless though, and does stress that as the weak serve the strong, the strong should protect the weak. In this way, those who are lacking have motivation to become stronger, and those who are strong do not abuse the weak.
Natural Talents
The Viverha possess several unique talents that most species do not typically possess.
Botanical Communication
Viverha are capable of communicating with whatever plantlife they come across. This allows them access to a global network of rumors and gossip, and can even give them access to information that they otherwise could not know.
Plant Manipulation
Aside from their ability to communicate with plant life, Viverha are also capable of manipulating local flora. This allows them to move plants to their will, even so much as to use them in lieu of weapons or physical defenses. This ability also extends to the growth of plants. A Viverha may encourage the maturation of plants, either in their surroundings or from their own bodies. A particularly powerful L'etal was praised as a hero for causing massive overgrowth when civilized furres encroached on the forest where they live, though the name of this hero has been lost over the years.
Scent Shifting
Viverha can make use of the scents of any piece of plant life they encounter. Incorporating the plant's species in to their own body allows for easier use and replication of the scent, but most Viverha can just as easily copy the smell from memory.
Ecological Empathy
Viverha, due to their deep connection with Nature, can sense the overall state of their immediate environment. Pollution and the like are obvious to them, and in fact, they will often avoid places that have sustained heavy pollution or environmental damage.
Plant Generation
Viverha can grow any type of plant life from their bodies that they have incorporated in to their systems. These plants are authentic, and can be spurred to instant maturation with enough skill and effort. Only L'etal will typically possess this ability in full, or children of L'etal. Klaua and Ruchta will often only possess this ability to a much lesser extent, and require more reasonable time for these plants to grow.
Voice Projection
Viverha who have a deep connection with nature can project their voices through plants that may be clear across the planet. This ability is normally only seen in older Viverha, who have obtained a position as one of the L'etal.
Chlorokinetic Scrying
The L'etal are very often able to open themselves up to the senses of plants that may reside elsewhere in the world. Depending on the level of skill, this ability may very well extend out far beyond the forest in which they reside. Older L'etal have shown the ability to use this talent to spy on events in more civilized society, clear across the globe.
Forest Lordship
A very rare ability, though it has supposedly been demonstrated. If a Viverha is powerful enough, then it is possible for them to manipulate entire forests to their whims, even going so far as to create entire forests or jungles on the spot. Only one Viverha has demonstrated this ability, and it was to drive off invaders.
Basic Description
The Viverha are a species of humanoid plants. They can walk, talk, and do just about everything a furre or human can do. They are a secluded people, often making efforts to keep the outside world away, even going so far as to forsake those who leave the forest where all Viverha are originally born.
Origin
Olde World, somewhere in the jungles of Africa
Lifespan
300-800 years
Hierarchy
The hierarchy of Viverha breaks down in to three roles:
L'etal
These are the leaders of the Viverha, the "elders" in common tongue, though the title is rather deceptive, due to the nature of how a Viverha matures. Though the elders are never seen by other Viverha, their voices give the impression of youth, often bordering on sounding like the voices of children, or preteens. They are highly revered, and to speak against them is seen as nonsense or even treason.
Ruchta
Ruchta are the warriors of the Viverha. They often sport vines and roots, as opposed to the more delicate appearance of their brethren. It is easy to determine a Ruchta from birth, and so their training starts young. Typically, these warrior Viverha will rely on the features of plants they have incorporated in to their genetic make-up, often various types of trees to allow the use of wood or bark in their fighting. These are the protectors of the forest where the Viverha reside, and any intruders that mean harm can expect to face endless numbers attempting to drive them away.
Klaua
The "free spirits" of the Viverha. These Viverha typically sport flower-like features. Their breed of flower can vary greatly, and sometimes may instead lean more towards the likes of weeds or vine flowers. These are the gatherers, the nurturers of the Viverha species. They will often avoid conflict, and seek peaceful ways to resolve disagreements.
Physical
Green skin is a constant for healthy Viverha. To this idea, so are yellow eyes, lacking an iris or pupil of any sort. Skin however is not a blank canvas. The patterns of leaves or stems are often seen on most Viverha, and those with a more floral appearance will often keep smaller blooms along their body as accessories. Viverha do not require clothing, as their body is fully capable of producing features to maintain decency. The downside, unfortunately, is that these features can not be completely removed without inflicting harm. Viverha do not possess hair. They are all plant.
Biology
Viverha are an odd species, where their biological systems are concerned. Following is a detailed description of each system in a Viverha's body.
Respiratory
A Viverha's respiratory system is an odd mix of plant and mammal. While they do have lungs, pores in the skin can allow small, minimal intake of carbon-dioxide to supplement for short amounts of time. However, this of course can be cut off all together when submerged in water.
Circulatory
The "blood" in Viverha differs noticeably between Ruchta and Klaua. The warriors of their species possess something similar to blood, often green in color. This is because as the fighters and the source of manual labor, they require faster delivery of nutrients and carbon-dioxide to the rest of their body. Klaua possess something closer to tree sap. This same sap acts as saliva for both roles, and is in fact addictive when consumed due to its sweet taste.
Musculatory
Viverha rely on a system of "muscles" made of plant matter. For Ruchta, these strands of plant matter are thicker, allowing for more movement without tiring as easily. Such is not the case for Klaua, however. Given the fact that they do not require the stamina for excessive movement, their muscles are smaller, and tire much more easily compared to their warrior brethren.
Skeletal
Long shafts of wood act as a Viverha's skeleton, providing form and sturdiness to their bodies.
Digestive
Viverha get most of their nutrients from photosynthesis. As such, eating is not normally required. However, the presence of a Viverha's digestive system serves another purpose: through the ingestion of seeds, a Viverha can incorporate the features of any plant they encounter in to their own body. This allows Ruchta to change their arms in to shields of bark, or blades. This also allows for rather diverse plant life, if the Viverha allows it to grow on their body. The scents of different plants can be produced as well through this method.
Reproductive
Viverha can reproduce in two ways. Concealed by the petals or vines atop their head are the typical stamen of most flowers. These stamen produce pollen, and when this pollen is taken in by more traditional plant life, it can result in crossbreeding. This is fairly harmless, and can even produce some highly useful mixes of different plants.
The second method of reproduction is how Viverha are made. The Viverha's sexual system is very similar to those of mammals, though true to the nature of flowers, hermaphrodites are not uncommon, among the traditional male and female. Development usually takes anywhere from 3 to 6 months, with a variance of up to a month in either direction. The cause of variance regarding gestation can be attributed to the various plants incorporated in to the parents' systems.
Mating Habits
Viverha follow many of the same customs that most sentient and intelligent beings do when pursuing a mate. While pairings need not necessarily consist of Ruchta and Klaua, such is the common trend in discerning a mate to reproduce with and start a proper family. It is worth noting however that while Viverha do designate mates, they are not a monogamist people. A Viverha's chosen mate is quite often given priority, and is the only one that they might actually breed with, though sexual encounters are permitted with others, so long as the mate remains the Viverha's priority first and foremost.
When mating, Viverha will instinctively extend their vines, and wrap them about each other during coitus. This is to ensure the highest possible success rate of impregnation, sometimes persisting well beyond actual climax. Klaua will simply wrap their vines about their mate's waist, while a Ruchta's method is often more invasive, the vines typically digging in beneath their mate's skin to ensure that their partner will not pull away prematurely.
Culture
Viverha are a fairly secluded species, as mentioned above. That aside, they are also very primitive. It is a common belief among their species that Mother Nature governs the world, and as such, they are not ones for technology. They are also strongly against the killing or subjugation of "lesser" creatures, without a proper need for it.
Any who approach the forest where the Viverha reside will find their march hindered. Viverha are one with the plants around them, and so the forest's open paths will shift and change, often confounding explorers or invaders until they leave of their own volition, or die of exposure.
The L'etal govern all decisions made for the Viverha as a species. Their word is law, and to go against their decisions is to go against one's brethren. Punishment often entails banishment, or being detained indefinitely.
Corruption
Corruption is an odd phenomenon among the Viverha, and something that is feared to the point that should it be even suspected, then the Viverha in question will immediately find themselves banished from the forest.
Corruption, in short, is supposedly the result of a Viverha being tainted by the outside world, or going against Mother Nature's plan. Signs start small, taking the form of developing bark throughout the skin, along with a loss of color. Traditionally spring or summer coloring becomes more akin to Autumn, and the death of plants to be born anew. However, this is not simply a cosmetic change. As corruption sets in, a Viverha's mind can become altered significantly, A normally peaceful and kind Viverha can become violent, and uncaring. Most examples entail the afflicted Viverha killing needlessly, all in pursuit of a specific goal, though that goal may vary greatly from victim to victim.
In truth, corruption is not a result of straying from Nature's will, but simply signs of the Viverha maturing. This is knowledge only held by former and current L'etal, and typical Viverha are not aware of this fact.
Laws
Viverha society has changed over the years, and in modern times, there
are two schools of thought. Laws have not been determined and set in stone.
The Rule of Wolfsbane encourages mutual cooperation and growth. Viverha following this philosophy are expected to help one another, so that every member of their community can be the absolute best the can be.
The Rule of Venus, meanwhile, emphasizes the survival of the fittest. The strong attain power, and the weak are meant to serve them. This philosophy is not heartless though, and does stress that as the weak serve the strong, the strong should protect the weak. In this way, those who are lacking have motivation to become stronger, and those who are strong do not abuse the weak.
Natural Talents
The Viverha possess several unique talents that most species do not typically possess.
Botanical Communication
Viverha are capable of communicating with whatever plantlife they come across. This allows them access to a global network of rumors and gossip, and can even give them access to information that they otherwise could not know.
Plant Manipulation
Aside from their ability to communicate with plant life, Viverha are also capable of manipulating local flora. This allows them to move plants to their will, even so much as to use them in lieu of weapons or physical defenses. This ability also extends to the growth of plants. A Viverha may encourage the maturation of plants, either in their surroundings or from their own bodies. A particularly powerful L'etal was praised as a hero for causing massive overgrowth when civilized furres encroached on the forest where they live, though the name of this hero has been lost over the years.
Scent Shifting
Viverha can make use of the scents of any piece of plant life they encounter. Incorporating the plant's species in to their own body allows for easier use and replication of the scent, but most Viverha can just as easily copy the smell from memory.
Ecological Empathy
Viverha, due to their deep connection with Nature, can sense the overall state of their immediate environment. Pollution and the like are obvious to them, and in fact, they will often avoid places that have sustained heavy pollution or environmental damage.
Plant Generation
Viverha can grow any type of plant life from their bodies that they have incorporated in to their systems. These plants are authentic, and can be spurred to instant maturation with enough skill and effort. Only L'etal will typically possess this ability in full, or children of L'etal. Klaua and Ruchta will often only possess this ability to a much lesser extent, and require more reasonable time for these plants to grow.
Voice Projection
Viverha who have a deep connection with nature can project their voices through plants that may be clear across the planet. This ability is normally only seen in older Viverha, who have obtained a position as one of the L'etal.
Chlorokinetic Scrying
The L'etal are very often able to open themselves up to the senses of plants that may reside elsewhere in the world. Depending on the level of skill, this ability may very well extend out far beyond the forest in which they reside. Older L'etal have shown the ability to use this talent to spy on events in more civilized society, clear across the globe.
Forest Lordship
A very rare ability, though it has supposedly been demonstrated. If a Viverha is powerful enough, then it is possible for them to manipulate entire forests to their whims, even going so far as to create entire forests or jungles on the spot. Only one Viverha has demonstrated this ability, and it was to drive off invaders.
