Youroi Wolf

[Wyndbain]

Youroi Wolf

Species Name: Youroi Wolf
Pronunciation: Yow-ree
Sometimes Called: Eastern Wolves, Spirit Wolves
Average Height: 2' - 3'7"
Estimated Lifespan: 40- years. A Youroi's connection to magic appears to lengthen their lives as wolves.

Origins: Youroi wolves, sometimes called Eastern or Spirit wolves, hail from lands in the far east where they are influenced by oriental lifestyles. They are said to be a branch relative of the extinct Hokkaido wolf.

Normal Appearance Traits:

Long/tall, slim legs- Youroi wolves normally have slim body builds with tall legs that give them a large height in appearance. They are known to be able to run long distances due to this unique trait.

Under eye markings- 98% of Youroi pups are born with unique markings under their eyes. It is believed that these markings are hints left by the gods as a guide of what element the pup will grow to become most affiliated with.

Fur and Markings- The hues and colors of a Youroi wolf's pelt has no limit in appearance. Fur colors, patterns and markings can come in any shape, form and tint.
Youroi pups can be born having completely different fur markings and colors from their actual parents or even sibblings.

Information:

Youroi wolves are usually very spiritual wolves, especially more so when they begin to reach older ages. They are highly magical beings, as most of their own society and views completely revolve around magical beliefs. They understand the elements and belive in spirits that are able to manipulate the energies of all things.

Pups are usually born with small amounts of spiritual energy that will grow and develop over time as the young Youroi becomes more familiar with his magic. Elders play very little role in this development aside from teaching the young pups what this power means, what it can do and ways to strengthen and better train the bond between themselves and the spirits. Any Youroi who chooses to progress with their training are called Devout. Of those who become Devout, there are four stages a Youroi can go through as their spiritual energy progresses.

The Four Levels of a Youroi Devout-[/u][/color]

Izu (Pronounced: E-zoo)- Young Youroi who have yet to become familiar with their spiritual element are called Izu.

Marz (Pronounced: Mah-zz)- Young Youroi who are aware of their spirit or element and have become familiar enough with it to produce some form of magic in relation to the bonded energy.

Firenz (Pronounced: Fai-rez)- Devoted Youroi who recieve alterations in appearance that is relative to their spirit or element. For example, those of the wind element may recieve an addition of wings. Fire spiritualists would gain some attribute of heat such as a mane of flame. Water spiritualists may gain gills, webbing or scales. Earth spiritualists may gain armor or stone plates. Etc.

Etevol (Pronounced: Eh-teh-vol)- Youroi who are completely devoted can eventually become a pure form of energy, the very embodiment of the element they devote to. When they eventually die, their soul lives on by merging with the life streams of the very element they have become. The Etevol stage is also the reason Youroi are sometimes known as Spirit Wolves.

Non magical Youroi-

Youroi who are born without spiritual energy are rare, but not uncommon. These Youroi are called Mutes; one who is born without the use or tie to any kind of magic. They often have no color on their pelts, which is seen as a grey or silver type.

Magics:[/color]

Youroi believe in gods who govorn the elements and energy of nature. From the belief in these gods and their lesser spirits comes the Youroi ability to control certain magics.

Youroi only ever have one elemental power. Possessing an element and a sub-element, even if the two powers are related(like Water and Ice) are RARE for a Youroi. Because Youroi are spiritual, they can only become a 'deciple' of one specific spirit or element.

Respectively though, Youroi typically can only channel one type of power. It is believed that a pup having more than one affiliation is inevitably stillborn, because the two spirits of different elemental affiliation were fighting over the possible 'devout' while the child was still in the womb.

There are five main types of Elements-

Fire - Earth - Water - Air - Illusions

There are also five 'sibling' elements, which are also seen as main elements.

Dark - Night - Storm - (Fire) - (Earth) - Wood - (Water) - Ice - (Air) - (Illusions)

Stemming from these main elements, there are six sub elements-

Shadows - Lightning - Metal - Mist - Wind - Mind

Other Known Elements-

Poison - Decay - Healing - Light

The above elements are only those most commonly found throughout Youroi ancestry. Youroi believe that there are still many other spirits waiting to be discovered, so the amount of possible magics available to them are undeniably endless.

Colors in Relation to Spirits:

Youroi often try to decifer what element or spirit a young wolf possesses shortly after they are born so that the pup will have less difficulty in getting to know their spiritual powers. It has been discovered by Youroi elders that pelt colors and markings play a large part in this. Specific colors on a Youroi's pelt can be a great help in figuring out their bonded spirits.

Color Chart-

This chart lists the possibilities of spirits for certain types of coat and marking colors. Despite these being the most common relationship to their listed colors, sometimes Youroi born with certain pelts will end up having a completely different spirit than what is commonly known. (In other words, a color and it's suggested spirit possibilities aren't set in stone when making a Youroi character.)

Light/Bright coats: Light, Fire, Ice, Air
Pale coats: Light, Ice, Illusion, Mist, Wind
Dark coats: Dark, Night, Storm, Illusion, Earth, Shadows, Metal
Dull coats: Night, Storm, Earth, Metal
Silk(shiny) coats: Fire, Water, Ice, Air, Illusions, Metal, Mist

Dark & Light contrast: Dark/Light, Fire, Shadows, Lightning

White: Light, Air, Ice, Mist, Wind
Black: Dark, Storm, Night, Shadows, Mind
Brown/(Rusty)Red/Green/Grey: Earth, Forest, Illusions
Red/Orange/Yellow: Fire, Light
Green/Blue/White/Grey: Water, Air, Wind
Purple: Illusions, Night
Any color: Metal
Solid Silver/Grey: No Element

Credits: This species and all related information was created by Wyndbain. Feel free to create a Youroi character.[/size]