Beorfin of Whazzit
Beorfin (by Nako), Beorfin (by Sparkie)
All credit to Sparkie, their creator.
General Info: Beorfin are the gentle and observant creatures of the sea, expressing great emotion in their large intelligent eyes. Their front half is vaguely canine, but compares more easily to a deer than anything else, with large paws intended to help them move swiftly through the water in place of hooves. A muscled fishtail propels them quickly through the water without any other aids; tendrils drifting off of the scaled appendage serve as camouflage from whatever has decided to make prey of them on any occasion. Their sizes vary; on either extreme they could be as small as a dog or as large as a horse, but the higher-ranked are usually larger. Although they must remain in the water, the species has no gills. Rather, they are equipped with an exceptionally efficient oxygen-processing system, allowing them to make their large breaths of air last for hours upon end. Beorfin have great senses of truth and justice; it has never been known for either a wild or a bonded Beorfin to lie, cheat, steal, or just about anything else deemed to be �bad� by their society. They have an unspoken language with each other that cannot be discerned without some study - most assume it has to do with facial expressions and relayed emotions. They can communicate to non-Beorfin species with strong surges of emotion and sometimes small sounds to amplify the meanings of their various messages. They come in a range of colors, but most are strictly natural - neon green would be relatively uncommon when compared to a more preferable sea green, and so on; some even have pretty little markings in other colors. Their fins are usually another shade of their main body color - like the body, their eyes can also be varied. No matter the color, though, they look incredibly soulful and captivating.
Mating Info: A female Beorfin will first lay her bubble-like eggs in a secluded place like a fish, most commonly in an underwater cave or in a rocky outcropping - she does not need a male�s help in order to do this. But if she wants her precious cluster to grow and hatch, there will have to be a contest. It varies, but generally the female will abandon her docile and gentle nature to a raging desire for the best possible sire to her children, looping in impossibly fast spirals down, down, down through the dark depths of the ocean. Not even the hardy Beorfin can withstand such awesome pressures; the mother will most likely choose the male that holds out the longest. He is then escorted to the cluster to fertilize the bubbles. There are usually three to eight of the large spheres, although their exteriors become thicker and more resistant to outside influences as they mature. The bubbles are opaque rather than clear, just clouded enough so that those on their exterior may see their shadows but struggle to guess colors. Both parents will help transport the cluster to calmer, shallower waters just before the time of hatching so that the new calves will not be overwhelmed by their new environment.
Bonding Info: Beorfin calves are extremely bewildered after being introduced to the world, taking their first breaths with the aid of any willing to help (usually a parent). They are usually devoted to their �breathgivers�, but that does not necessarily mean they will bond to them. Other than that first breath they are generally shy and loth to leave the �safety in numbers� ideal that seems to anchor amongst siblings. The parents are cautious but willing to let their young be approached without interfering. Beorfin calves favor practical gifts over luxurious ones, but tastes vary in individuals. Some may see gifts as bribes and actually refuse both the item and the person offering for the remainder of the bonding session. After a calf has chosen its bonded, there are no alterations to mind states. No flashy perks or effects. They have formed an attachment to their chosen, and will follow them around even if they are unwanted by that particular person. It is not uncommon to find that two Beorfin siblings who are particularly close will often bond to the same person so as not to be separated from each other, but the parents try to discourage this as best as they can. Those who find themselves bonded to a Beorfin are free to name them, but take care; one of these creatures will only accept a name that is either interjected somewhere by a hyphen or an apostrophe for a mystical-sounding blip in the appelation. They are also great lovers of names using alliteration (repetition of consonants), but it is not demanded. Sometimes wild Beorfin will take a liking to humans and attach themselves in a self-instigated manner, but if a human takes the incentive their request will be denied automatically - wild Beorfin bond only when they choose, not when someone tries to bond them.
Colors
Always the kind to appreciate the beauty of their habitat, the Beorfin have ranked themselves against the most pleasing wonders of their world. From their names for the refraction of light to tendrils of kelp caught in an underwater eddy, one must truly think on the meanings behind the ranks before total understanding will come.
Keran�tu
The obvious queens, even from the moment of their hatching. Keran�tu (sunbeams through the water) have light colorings marked with faint patterns of gold or silver along their muzzles and tails. Their fins tend to be completely transparent and slightly iridescent, adding to their regal appearance. They are the largest of the Beorfin, but don�t tend to throw their weight around as much as the queens of other species. The Keran�tu are usually slender and attractive, with slightly slanted eyes and an overall shimmering appearance. As the sun through the water looks mystical and far-off, so are these females - a dream in the distance, never seeming substantial enough to be real. But surely they are� Their clusters are the largest, topping at the maximum of a dozen or moe eggs and never dropping below six. They tend to keep their more severe emotions to themselves, allowing the gentler and less offensive ones to seep through to anyone who will receive them.
4 PSP
Xela-dur
These flirtatious and fun-loving Beorfin don�t mind playing second fiddle to the more prestigious and noble Keran�tu queens, especially since it means that they won�t have to deal with all the expectations and unwanted attention usually piled on the queenly leaders. Still retaining motherly natures but abandoning the love of mystery for an omnipresent air that exclaims �welcome!� to anything and everything, Xela-dur (sea spray against the rocks) are quite unrestrained in their expression. These females� varied colors are usually a shade or two brighter than what is practical for camouflage, but with their streamlined bodies and oversized fins they don�t really need it; speed is their best friend. They don�t care as much about finding the best sire for their calves as they do for the pure fun of the contest�competition does not pass lightly with this exuberant ranking. Clusters are usually around seven, but are commonly less due again to the fact that their intentions during chases do not have their bubbles� best chances at heart.
3 PSP
Io'thelin (eye-oh-THEL-in)
The majestic and imposing main Lords of the Beorfin race, Io�thelin (red clouds on the horizon) are relatively more numerous than Lords of other species to make up for the fact. They are a bit bigger than the Xela-dur, sporting muscular bodies and more imposing builds. True to their names once again, they are both strong willed and stubborn, blazing brightly with daring and the inability to back down from a challenge, however little. Though fights among Beorfin are rare, it is usually a Xela-dur and an Io�thelin that have caused it, with the female going a bit too far with her playing and the male reacting unfavorably. Their colors are all shades of fire, from mottled yellow to dusky rose. The stronger the color is, the more vibrant and well-defined their personality will be from the general population; this is true for all colors. Built more for stamina than speed, they will go along at their own pace but for nearly unbelievable amounts of time. Io�thelin will chase any female, although the smaller ranks are usually too flighty to pick the best male out of the lot, which is usually any of their kind present.
3 PSP
Ditre�aiz
The lonely sub-Lord males, Ditre�aiz (stones weathered by time) have learned to accept their less important position in Beorfin ranks, although they are still important. Their appearances lean towards the unhealthy side, lacking the impressive muscle or the strong personality of the Io�thelin. Ditre�aiz are content to drift on the currents of life, taking whatever comes their way without much complaint. Noticeably stoic and passive when compared to others of their kind, even the reclusive Keran�tu. They hold little interest in females but will give chase for lack of anything better to do. Their colors are not much better than their personality, ranging from slate gray to marred white and any color that a rock might take�some have accents of mossy green or blue mixed in, but most stick to their drab appearances. What thoughts they choose to provide others with are usually mournful or lackluster, giving more proof to the inevitable: strong pillars will always fall.
2 PSP
Caie-lyr
Quite possibly the most social type of Beorfin, Caie-lyr (kelp with long blades) will go to extraordinary lengths to make new friends or just to mingle with others of their kind. They have a delightful little quirk that may aid them in that endeavor: their fins are unnaturally long and tendril-like, but usually get in the way more than they help with swimming or hiding. This rank can be either male or female; it is still unknown which gender is more common for them. They don�t seem to mind being low-ranked as much as the brooding Ditre�aiz or the jealous Kel�rhea, treating all ranks the same. This sometimes irks the Io�thelin or Xela-dur, but most times it passes without more than a dissatisfied emotion in passing. Caie-lyr are built in a very nondescript manner, evading proper classification. They are neither muscular nor twiggy; not withdrawn or overbearing. It seems the only thing that makes them discernable from the lot are their fins - perhaps the blasted things do serve a purpose after all. Their colors are natural, and can be found on underwater plants: green, teal, and yellow are common color roots, although a scarce few stray down the path to black or purple. Females are reluctant to lead males on chases, as they know their eggs will never hatch even if they select the best male possible. Males will usually let more powerful Beorfin pass by rather than risking their health in pursuit of a female�s attentions. After all, they have plenty of other friends.
2 PSP
Den'risu
These Beorfin are sort of the middleman, easily manipulated and quite the pushovers. Den'risu (lost treasure in the sand) are eager to please, which leads most of the wild ones to be pushed around and bullied by the mischievous Mordre-tu or the moody Kel'rhea. But if treated right, the Den'risu could be your best friend! They are eager to please, as mentioned before, and would make great companions if they were only treated respectably. The Den'risu is really quite affectionate, loving nothing more than to cuddle up next to his bond, or any wild Beorfin who is willing, and just be near someone. They are quite majestic creatures, about the same size as your average Kel'rhea. These incredibly handsome males have no set color pattern, per say, but are always a mix of golds and blues, whether it be dark or light. The Den'risu are always eager to give chase to any female, though they are rarely chosen for a mate because of their willingness to step aside in the face of conflict.
1 PSP
Kel�rhea
The smallest Beorfin, with swiftness only exceeded by the most talented of all Xela-dur, Kel�rhea (violent and unpredictable currents) will never hesitate to show off to potential suitors or new friends. They have no maternal instinct whatsoever, often surprisingly malicious during the chases. These females are ever jealous and resentful of their superiors, be they male or female. They�re special, too; why should the Queens and Lords get all the attention? This often drives them to be more aggressive as a way to get the attention of others, overlooking small details in favor of the bigger picture. That�s not to say Kel�rhea aren�t calm; they are, as all Beorfin, primarily wisdom-loving and subtle�they just feel the need to express themselves in a more noticeable (and often violent) manner. There doesn�t seem to be any set range of color for this rank, but the fins are usually a different color from the rest of their body, sometimes with markings splattered sporadically around themselves.
1 PSP
Mordre-tu
These Beorfin are always dark in color, more often than not being some shade of gray or silver. Fins are commonly a wispy smoke color or a shimmery silver, adding to their shadowed beauty. Mordre-tu (shadow from the ocean floor) have equally dark senses of humor, liking to inflict pain or even mild misery on those around them. They're not quite as brooding or dull as Ditre'aiz, knowing full well that they're desirable Shinies. A bit larger than the average Caie-lyr, they don't hesitate to use size to their advantage. Along with the absence of much color, they also lack the standard Beorfin temperament of peace and mystery. Rules? So what? Peace? Yeah, right - a Mordre-tu loves mischief and generally having fun. Not that they don't have their calm, mysterious moments - things like peace and patience are just lost on them. They are always male, but they cannot sire clusters. Mordre-tu are considerably less common than most non-Queen or non-Lord ranks, giving them a nice boost in PSP.
2 PSP