Beorfin
General Info
Plural: Beorfin
Group: Pod of Beorfin
Beorfin are gentle creatures of the sea, expressing great emotion in their large, intelligent eyes. Their front half is vaguely canine or deer-like, but with large webbed paws in place of hooves. A powerful fishtail propels them without the need of any other aids, leafy tendrils drifting off the scaly appendage serving as camouflage from anything that decides to prey on them. Their sizes vary, with the largest rivalling the length of a horse, and size is generally a good indicator of their rank. Although they live their lives underwater, they do not breath with gills. Instead, they have an exceptionally efficient oxygen-processing system, allowing them to take breaths of air at the surface and make them last for hours.
Beorfin have a strong sense of morality; it is rare for a wild Beorfin to lie, cheat, steal, or anything else deemed dishonest or wrong by their culture, and practically unknown for a bonded Beorfin to do so. How they communicate with each other is a mystery, mainly assumed to do with facial expressions and a complex relay of emotions, as strong surges of emotion are the most common means of communication with non-beorfin, sometimes accompanied by small sounds. There is something soulful and captivating about the wise and quiet species.
Mating Info
Female Beorfin will lay her opaque bubble-like eggs in a secluded place, commonly an underwater cave or outcropping of some kind. If she wants her cluster to grow and hatch, however, a contest of mates must follow for her to choose a desirable male to fertilize them. These contests usually involve a harsh competition of skills to prove which candidate will be the best possible sire, looping in impossibly fast spirals down, down, down in an intense chase; not the even the hardy Beorfin can withstand the awesome pressures of the dark depths of the ocean, and the mother tends to choose the male that holds out the longest. The winner is then brought back to the cluster to do this thing, and afterwards they will look after them together until the young are ready to break free of their bubbles, at which time both parents will transport the cluster to calmer, shallow waters so the new calves will be be overwhelmed.
Bonding Info
Upon being introduced to the world, Beorfin calves are usually extremely bewildered by their new environment, and may need help getting to the surface to take their first breath. The parents are often there to assist in this, but if someone else helps with the task, they are likely to be strongly devoted (though not necessarily bonded) to their breathgiver. Outside of this, parents will generally be content to stay back and let their young be approached without interfering, though they will watch the proceedings cautiously. Bringing gifts to a Beorfin bonding may or may not work in your favour; some see them as bribes and refuse anyone who would dare do such a thing, others are delighted by the thoughtfulness.
Once a Beorfin has chosen, there is no fancy ritual to be had. In fact, the bonded gets no choice in the matter; there is no changing a Beorfin's mind once it has made its attachment, and even if the one it has bonded to does not want that particular Beorfin it will happily follow them around for all eternity (mind you this does not work both ways, and anyone attempting to force a bond upon a Beorfin will be denied fiercely). The only care required is in the naming: Beorfin like to have an apostrophe or hyphenation of some kind, to increase their mystique, and will not accept any name without this. Alliteration is an added bonus.
Ranks
sunbeams through the water
These mystical queens have light-coloured markings, with patterns of gold or silver on their muzzles and tails and fins that can be fading iridescent to completely transparent. Though the largest, they are usually still slender and graceful, at least within the water. Emotionally, they will keep their harshest emotions to themselves, though they will allow any of their less offensive ones to seep through to anyone receptive to them. Their clusters are largest, bearing between six to twelve eggs.
3 PSPIo'thelin
red clouds on the horizon
Matching size with the Xela-dur, but trading that rank's speed for strength, the muscular Io'thelin are strong-willed and stubborn lords that rarely resist a dare or back down from a challenge. Their colours are all shades of fire, from mottled yellow to dusky rose to burning rust. They go along at their own pace but with a level of endurance that is almost unimaginable.
3 PSPXela-dur
sea spray against the rocks
Flirtatious and fun-loving, these girls are happy to ignore the expectations and responsibilities usually piled on shiny leaders. These females are as colourful and outgoing in personality as they are in sight with their bright neon colours, impractical for camouflage but perfect for grabbing the attention they desire and advertising the same fun they are looking for. Clusters of theirs are seven at best, although often less since (unsurprisingly) settling down to mother isn't always their priority.
2 PSPDitre'aiz
stones weathered by time
Quietly accepting their less important position among Beorfin, Ditre'aiz are content to drift through life, taking whatever comes their way without complaint. These stoic males tend to look unhealthy beside their fellow Beorfin, thin and drably coloured in greys and whites, with only the occasional accent of a stony blue or mossy green. Passive and stoic, the thoughts they do share are usually mournful or sombre, proving the belief that even the strongest pillars will always fall.
2 PSPCaie-lyr
kelp with long blades
The most social of all Beorfin, if such a thing is possible, Caie-lyr will do anything to make new friends or mingle with old ones. They don't care about rank or social standing, treating everyone with cheerful equality. Their fins help them stand out with unnaturally long flowing tendril-like reaches. Natural colours like the underwater plants they live among can be found on them, with teals and greens and yellows most common, although darker spots will pop up once in a while. Both female and male Caie-lyr exist, but females will never lay eggs, not that it bothers them. They have plenty of other friends to help raise families for, after all!
1 PSPDen'risu
lost treasure in the sand
Den'risu are eager to please, making them both your potential best friend and also potentially the most easily pushed around by less kind souls. Quite affectionate, they love to cuddle as well if given the opportunity, although of course they would never force someone to deal with them if they didn't want to... A mix of golds and blues appears on these males, giving them a majestic look fit for a king.
1 PSPKel'rhea
violent and unpredictable currents
The smallest but swiftest, Kel'rhea will never hesitate to show off, jealous and resentful of their superiors and sometimes surprisingly malicious towards others of their species as they worry about being overlooked compared to the fancier ranks. Not that Kel'rhea cannot be calm at times as well; like all Beorfin, they appreciate wisdom and subtle discretion. They simply feel the need to... express themselves more outwardly than most. These little females have no set colours or patterns, other than usually have fins and fur of separate hues.
1 PSPMordre-tu
shadow from the ocean floor
Dark in color, typically gray or silver, Mordre-tu have equally dark sens of humour, taking strange delight in inflicting pain or misery on those around them. A bit larger than Caie-lyr, they happily use size to their advantage. Along with an absence of colour is an absence of the usual Beorfin respect for peace or patience. Rules? Screw the rules, I'm having fun. If you aren't, that's your problem. Both males and females are born into this mischievous rank.
1 PSP