Astrum
by Kay
Singular -- Astrum
Plural -- Astrums Group -- Galaxy of Astrums Communication - Mindspeech Size Ranges – Housecat; Quark exception Colorations – By Rank General Personality - Varied with Rank Quirks |
General Information
These felines first appeared on Teragaia in ancient days, appearing in remote areas on starry nights. Reclusive in those early days, they were only rarely seen by people, and had a keen ability for hiding from even the best trackers, so much so that it was believed that they were myths or figments of imagination, not real creatures. After all, glowing balls of light that sometimes took the shape of cats? How could that be real? That was before the arrival of the Pernese Dragonriders, and more specifically their firelizards who were capable of finding the truth behind the myth. Through some mysterious, silent call, the flits were able to find the their private playgrounds, and eventually convinced them to show themselves to people. The very next clear night, the elusive felines, the Astrum as they called themselves, appeared in the village and weyr, and they have stayed ever since. On average about the size of normal housecats (with one notable exception), Astrum are feline in every way, shape, and form. Some have fluffy coats, some are sleek, and some are in between, sometimes they will even have feathered wings, but all of them share two things in common: Luminous eyes that start blue-white at birth and shift to a brilliant star-yellow at adulthood, and the ability to Glow, shedding light from their bodies like miniature stars. Each light is a different color, and some have special effects associated with their Glows. Whether they have wings or not, at nighttime Astrums are capable of flight and perfect levitation, and during the day they can execute powerful leaps that come close to flight, sometimes reaching distances of eight or nine feet from a standing jump, or twelve feet high. All Astrums can mindspeak fluidly, as well as communicate with mews, purrs, and other feline sounds. Some even say that they can speak with normal, non-sentient felines, but whether they actually can or are just having the mundane animal 'say' whatever they want is a topic for debate. Mating Information Either gender of Astrum may start a Chase, but it will always take place on a clear night when there is no moon, to better see the stars. The leader of the Chase will go somewhere high, such as a mountain ledge or the topmost branches of a tree, and Glow on top of uttering a piercingly high yowl that's almost melodic in nature. When all suitors have gathered below, either at the base of the tree or on a lower ledge or other lower position, he or she will leap into the sky and lead the others on a fast-paced jaunt through the night sky. Sometimes these pursuits have been mistaken for a meteor shower as the Glows of the Astrum streak the stars. The Chase ends when the leader has seen enough of the others' speed, agility, and skill, and they will single out their chosen mate, circling higher and higher into the stars until they seem to become nothing but stars together, winking out of sight. By dawn, they return to their homes. Physical confrontation between Astrum during these Chases is prohibited, and any who touch one of the participants or the leader before the victor is chosen is typically chased down to earth by the others. Bonding Information Astrum kittens are ready to bond about three months after birth, when their eyes have opened and they have mastered their glows. Before this time they cannot emit any light. Like most young kittens, Astrum kits like toys and things they can bat around, hide in, and climb on (whether it is furniture or person), but they also have a fondness for anything that emits or refracts or reflects light such as crystals, mirrors, and colorful glass. What exactly will draw one is varied per individual. In a litter, about one forth to one half may have wings. Ranks Quasar 5* These Astrum queens are bright individuals, both mentally and physically. Very intelligent, they enjoy study and learning, and philosophical debates are one of their favorite pastimes. They take such exercises as a means of development and personal growth, so they do not mind losing, unless they think they have been cheated. Then you can expect a rematch. With silky, fur that always seems to drift, never laying still and colored in overlapping streaks and bands of purples, pinks, and golden, it is sometimes quite hard to tell their actual color as their Glow is a brilliant radiant white that their bodies emit continuously. It isn't uncommon for Quasars to sleep in separate rooms from others to not disturb their rest. A female Quasar's litter consists of around eight or sometimes even nine kittens. Pulsar 4* Astrum Lords, Pulsars are steady, almost rhythmic individuals. Their movements are perfectly in beat, their speaking tones measured and rarely raising in volume or intensity, even at their most furious, and many times they are fascinated by, and drawn to, music. Their inner personality reflects this, as they are nearly unflappable individuals and provide solid counsel on all matters, when they are asked and informed to all the facts. With sleek fur so dark black that is holds blue highlights in its depths, a Pulsar always has a white spray of speckles that begins on the top of its head and shoots down its neck and back, fading out along its hindquarters. Pulsars Glow a pale blue-white light that doesn't stay constant, rather fades in and out steadily when triggered. Female Pulsar Astrum bear eight kittens in a litter, give or take a kitten or two. Nova 4* Nova's are lesser queen's with vibrant, nigh explosive personalities. Whatever emotion they are currently on, they are at the high point of it, and switch from one to another at the drop of a pin from any stimulus. When they are happy, they bounce off the walls. When they are sad, the world is ending. And when they are angry... well, best get out of the way. Thankfully, their personalities tend to remain on the cheerful side by default. Nova Astrum have cream-white, feathery fur with tips colored in any shade of the rainbow, giving a two-tone effect to them. They look a bit chaotic, as no matter how they are brushed or they groom themselves their fur tends to stick out randomly. When they use their glow, it is so sudden and bright in its white appearing that it tends to temporarily blind those around, or at least make them flinch away. It is so bright that it can even make seeing the Astrum beneath it difficult. When she gives birth, a female Nova will produce seven kittens, on average. Comet 3* Comets are swift-running lords, the fastest of the Astrum both at sprints and long-distance running, and even could contend as the fastest of any ground or air creature on Teragaia. They have been known to scale sheer, smooth walls on speed alone. Their mindspeech tends to reflect this, as they talk very fast almost to the point of lacking punctuation. In personality, they are flighty felines, rarely staying on any one project or interest long. As such they are a smattering of knowledge about many things, but never an expert in anything. Still, if you can perk their interest and need a message run, there's no one better. Comets' sleek fur is yellow in color, with white markings like stripes and bands and even zig-zags. Though their body may be sleek their tails are always plush and bushy and rather long, and they glow a matching yellow that leaves a trail behind them when they run; you can generally tell where one has passed for a few seconds after the fact. It's even more amusing when a female Comet darts by trailed by her on average six kittens; it's like a string of stars playing chase! Nebulae 3* A mixed-gender rank, nebulae are the artists of the Astrum, fascinated by colors and how they mix and blend and look beside one another. Eternally creative, they will happily mix paints and create wonderful works of art for hours, or tinker with pieces of glass and beads to make a mosaic, or sculpt, all of which done by tools held in mouth and an impressive amount of skill that boarders on magical. A Nebulae has very plush fur from the top of its head to the tip of its tail, splotches of many different colors all together much like a calico. When they glow, it's likewise a shimmering rainbow of colors. A Nebula female will birth around six kittens at a time. Event Horizon 2* Event Horizons, or EHs, are by far the most mysterious of the Astrum, even to other Astrums. They seem almost devoid of emotion, though those bonded to them know this is not the truth, and have the habit of speaking abruptly in riddles of rhymes, things that might seem to make no sense at the time but later on will make perfect sense. You see, Event Horizons are prophetic, seeing beyond the stretch of space and time to what may be. They cannot answer direct question about future events, but if one suddenly mentions the sky crying, it doesn't matter how bright the sun is or how cloudless it is, you'd better pack an umbrella! When they are not speaking prophecy an Event Horizon is steady, calm, and never one to wear their emotions on their sleeve. Sleek-furred ranging from rich blue to pure black in shades covers their bodies, with their only markings being a single stripe in bright blue or vivid purple that almost seems to glow by contrast to the rest of their fur that seems to fade into the darker hairs around it. When they light their glow is it a shimmery purple color. An Event Horizon litter will have on average six kittens in it. Void 2* Voids are Astrum that are here, there, and everywhere at once, or at least it seems as such. Quiet, contemplative creatures who are incredibly stealthy. Just when you think one is elsewhere in the house, they appear almost by magic underfoot, and when you think one's on the other end of the couch, they're up in the attic napping in a patch of sun. It's not that they have any magic to do this; they're just incredibly good at not being seen until they want to be. They are also the most enigmatic of all the Astrum as far as their personality goes, with such a wide range of traits presented that no one has ever nailed down any specific ones. Utterly lacking any markings in their smooth black fur, Voids, when they light their glow, radiate an unearthly ebony light that flickers with mystery. Female Voids will have around five kittens after mating. Quark 1* The smallest of the Astrum, it's relatively easily to spot out a Quark on sight: Although they are born the same size as their fellow Astrum they never grow to be larger than a foot long from nose to tailtip, give or take an inch. Being of either gender, Quarks are meticulous creatures, almost to the point of OCD, liking everything to be in its place and having systems for arranging things. They also have a love of building. Anything. Be it blocks, stacking cups, making playing card houses, or anything else that can be stacked and formed into a structure or pattern, Quarks will be drawn to it. These tiny Astrums are pale to medium gray in color, with no markings. Their fur is smooth but plush, and unlike any of their fellows they have no glow ability. The females in their rank have around three kittens in their litters. |