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***skinstealer*** · (This post was last modified: 10-09-2020, 11:16 PM by skinstealer.)

CENTINEL
[CW: very simple/brief mentions of reproduction (literally just a mention cmon now it's a SFW thread)]

ORIGIN

Originated in Fallow’s Island
Created by Fallow in [year]
First morph: Steed
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CULTURE

Found primarily in Luxson, though a significant population remains on Fallow’s Island post-Horror Plague. Low numbers in Monte, population varies in non-Luxson Cluster areas.
Associated with Fallow primarily, though in modern day there’s more than a bit of association with XXI as well
High number of Fallow worshipers, moderate number of XXI worshipers, low number of Stope and Anne worshipers, other gods vary by region
Unlike some Earth ungulates, centinels are not prone to serious injury or death if any of their legs are broken- though it is incredibly inconvenient and considered one of the most serious injuries to receive
Due to their involvement in the Luxson Horror Plague, many centinels older than 40 years old display battle injuries or require prosthetics of some kind. Centinels 20 years and older may still display injuries, but were less likely to have actively taken part in combat.
Due to mass exposure to horror during the Horror Plague, centinels native to the Luxson Cluster often show signs of mutation in their bloodlines- thankfully, centinels are more resistant to mutation than most other species, and the majority of symptoms manifest in overall strength gain, an inclination towards a more omnivorous diet and growth of sharp teeth to accommodate. Some centinels do not develop symptoms at all beyond the typical development of mood instability and hunger increase, and centinel terrors were (thankfully) rare. Extreme horror mutations can occur, however, and were considered some of the most deadly to emerge from the plague.
Furniture has to be developed specifically for centinels’ taur body plans, including cushioned floor mats in lieu of chairs, larger showers with extendable showerheads, and similar goods meant to better suit their needs.
Due to the centinels’ lack of thumbs, goods have to be made with their hooves (or flippers) in mind- these hooves are capable of attaching to objects made with certain materials via a form of psychic attraction, though only one material can be consciously selected at a time.
Centinels are innately aware of materials they can attract, and are taught how to recognize them psychically from a young age.
Most materials that a centinel can attach to can be found on Fallow’s Island, and tools geared towards specifically them are often exported from there- though compatible materials can be located all over Morbit, just in less frequent quantities.
All materials that centinels can attach to are renewable, even those that appear otherwise, such as specific kinds of rocks and metals- Fallow’s Constructs are capable of producing any of these materials along with them growing naturally on the island (and in some other Morbitian locations), and culturally it is tradition for centinels to protect, care for, and help build these constructs.
Centinels can sleep standing up, but prefer to sleep laying down if feeling safe and comfortable, and do so in large communal beds if given the space and accommodations to have them.
More traditional centinel culture values weaponry and tools, particularly that used for hunting and gathering.
While centinels do not eat meat themselves, it is customary on Fallow’s Island for them to help the carnivorous and omnivorous members keep themselves healthy and fed, and often help with hunting meat animals
Centinels often need help grooming themselves and enlist friends, partners and family members to help brush and clean themselves- this is considered completely socially acceptable, and a good bonding activity
Education for centinels typically follows that of either the Luxson apprenticeship program or traditional Fallow’s Island community classes, with very few enrolled in private or public schooling outside of places like Monte or zones outside of the Cluster
Centinels are highly social, and prefer living in housing situations with other people. Due to this and their large size, preferred centinel housing can be rather large, and finding suitable (and affordable) housing in places outside of the Luxson Cluster can be extremely difficult
If possible, centinels prefer access to some natural outdoor environments to run around in, though some are fine with urban environments, and are satisfied to go on regular walks along sidewalks and city streets.
Centinels do not particularly enjoy being ridden outside of close companions, family members and partners, but many will allow it in times of trouble.
A centinel’s patterns are considered personally important to them, and changing them with dyes or more permanent procedures is considered a serious decision
Centinels are extremely capable in combat despite being herbivores due to their psychic abilities, often using carefully placed spears, blades, or in modern times, bullets, made of materials they can pull towards themselves to skewer, slice or pierce their enemies. While hovering a compatible object takes an immense amount of concentration, it is possible, and allows a centinel to do damage to an opponent without touching them at all directly.
Kicks and blows from a centinel’s hooves are enough to cause concussion and serious damage, and their teeth, while typically blunted and meant for grazing, can still cause injury.
Centinels traditionally enjoy sharing the company of friends, partners and family, regardless of species or blood ties. Traditional entertainment is less attributed to any one medium so much as shared experiences, and many stories aimed at centinel demographics focus on the power of friendship and group adventures.
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APPEARANCE

Centaur-like in shape, four legs and a humanoid upper half
Unmoving plaid-style patterns, typically either on the mane/tail, wool, and/or body markings
Wide variety of color palettes, no limitation on colors
Voices resemble noises of their morph
Most morphs have manes in lieu of hair
Most morphs can grow facial hair, typically in the same texture of mane/wool
All morphs have tails, though style varies
Height ranges vary extremely based on morph, see individual morph details
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BIOLOGY

Centinels have skeletons, muscles, nerves, organs, and blood.
Most centinels have blunt, square teeth- seafarer morphs have baleen instead.
Herbivorous naturally, though many are omnivorous leaning due to horror mutation. Seafarer morph centinels subsist primarily on krill.
High energy levels, regular physical activity recommended.
Centinels often emote with their entire body, and emotions can be frequently conveyed using flicks of their ears and tails and tossing of their heads.
Simple ears.
Simple, black eyes.
No thumbs, though centinels are perfectly capable of picking up most objects and tools providing they are made of a material compatible with their psychic abilities. Special (removable) horseshoes are made to help make any objects grippable, and can help function as more precise hands.
Due to their ability to attach any of their hooves to surfaces their psychic abilities are compatible with, centinels are capable of scaling even vertical surfaces so long as the material is suitable and their abilities are strong enough.
Psychic abilities can be strengthened with use, and some say that centinels are particularly powerful as scrap users.
Centinels are particularly easy to startle if in unfamiliar environments and/or tense situations.
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LIFE CYCLE/FAMILY STRUCTURE

Lifespan of 120 years, reach maturity at 18-20 years old.
Centinels reproduce sexually, but have no sexual dimorphism. All centinels are capable of the same reproductive abilities and breast tissue is present in all members of the species to varying degrees, with no bearing on sex.
Centinels have a strange reproductive process that culminates in the external formation of an egg, with no limit as to how many parents contributed. These eggs are not limited in clutch size, though it is tradition to only raise one eggs max at a time per parent, to avoid any offspring being neglected.
These children are referred to as calves, and hatch after a half year incubation process.
Centinel calves are very wobbly on their feet and difficult to keep track of if left unattended, and are prone to getting into sticky situations (sometimes literally) with their growing psychic abilities.
Centinel families are quite large and are often structured with no regards to species or blood ties, with people coming and going as needed.
Calves living in traditional communities often have many people they consider “parents” or parent-adjacent, even if not related to them by blood
Casual and committed relationships are both valued highly by centinel culture, but polyamory tends to skew more commonly than monogamy.
Centinels are free to leave the family whenever they wish, though doing so before reaching adulthood is frowned upon without going with someone trusted and more experienced.
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GENETICS

Centinel morphs are inspired by different kinds of ungulates, including cetaceans.
Centinels with mixed morph parents often have mixes of mane/tail styles, or take hoof style from one of their parents. Due to more than two parents being a very real possibility, many centinels can have traits from many different morphs simultaneously, within one generation.
First morph: Steer
True half and half hybrids are incredibly rare due to the infrequency of only having two parents for a centinel, but reproducing with other species is possible, albeit through unconventional methods. Due to the fact that there is no limit on parentage, it is possible to have multiple parents of non-centinel species contribute their genes as well, though the less centinel genes there are to contribute, the less chance of successful egg formation there will be.
Centinel hybrids tend to inherit the taur body plan and unmoving-plaid patterns, along with limb styles from any other species involved. It is most frequent for a centinel hybrid to resemble a taur-version of the other species in question, though ungulate-like traits can often sneak in.
Common horror mutations for centinels include size increase, hunger increase, mood instability, restlessness, teeth growth/sharpening, mane/tail growth, an omnivorous diet, and muscle growth. More extreme conditions include psychic abnormalities, vivid hallucinations, and the ability to psychically manipulate bone/flesh- these are extremely rare, and terrors exhibiting these symptoms are to be exterminated on sight in Fallow’s Island communities.
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MORPHS

Steed
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Based on horses
"Normal" adult height ranges from 7'6-9'6
Manes + tails
Fairly thick legs
Solid hooves
Unmoving plaid typically on manes/tails, uncommonly on markings
Associated with Fallow’s Island

Shear
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Based on alpacas/sheep
"Normal" adult height ranges from 4'6-6'6
Wool covered
Tapered legs
Solid hooves
Unmoving plaid on wool
Prominent eyelashes often present (but not always)
Associated with Taverne

Steer
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Based on cows
"Normal" adult height ranges from 6'6-8'6
Mane + tail
Thick legs
Solid hooves
Unmoving plaid on markings
Associated with Luxson

Swine
"????”
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Based on pigs
"Normal" adult height ranges from 4'0-6'0
Curly mane + tail
Thick legs
Cloven hooves
Unmoving plaid on markings/mane
Associated with Luxson

Stag
"????”
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Based on deer
"Normal" adult height ranges from 6'0-8'0
Antlers
Mane + tail
Tapered legs
Solid hooves
Unmoving plaid on markings
Associated with Monte

Stilt
"????”
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Based on giraffes
"Normal" adult height ranges from 10'0-12'0
Horns
Mane + tail
Tapered legs
Solid hooves
Unmoving plaid on markings
Associated with ????

Seafarer
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Based on cetaceans
"Normal" adult height ranges from 8'0-10'0
No mane, tail is present
Thick legs
Flippers instead of hooves
Unmoving plaid on markings
Baleen instead of teeth
Amphibious, can live in water or on land
Often returns to sea to eat or imports krill/krill substitute in large quantities
Associated with the sea surrounding Luxson

RULES

This is a species development thread! Here you can have discussion on the species presented, and offer suggestions/ideas for developing them- thus directly contributing to the species! Anything is fair game so long as it follows the restrictions (if any are listed). This main post will be updated as we go, allowing for people to always have an up to date resource on the species.

Restrictions/No-go's