Hippocampi
By Owl
Singular: Hippocampus
Plural: Hippocampi Group: Pod of Hippocampi Communication - Mindspeech; some individuals capable of empathy and imagery Size Ranges – 2ft at shoulder to 8ft foot at shoulder as if standing on 'hooves' Colorations – By Rank; mimics underwater creatures Naming Convention -- None |
General Information
The origin of the hippocampi species is a topic of intense scholarly debate. It’s generally agreed that theirs is an ancient race, perhaps predating the arrival of humanoids on Teragaia, but little conclusive proof has been offered either way. Whatever their origins, hippocampi have long been a mainstay of Haven Weyr. Both wild and bonded individuals can be found patrolling the shoreline, herding fish into nets and assisting the village’s scientists with deep-sea explorations. Hippocampi are an odd mish-mash of horse and aquatic animal, though the exact mixture and type of which varies from individual to individual. Some look almost purely equine save for fins in place of hooves. Others are almost indistinguishable from the fish, crustaceans and cetaceans they mimic. Most fall somewhere in between these two extremes; an equine front coupled with an aquatic rear is considered a ‘standard’ arrangement. A hippocampus’ size is entirely reliant upon their aquatic half’s size, but generally ranges from four to twelve feet long. Hippocampi are capable of breathing either water or air, rendering them effectively amphibious. So long as their skin remains moist they can remain out of water almost indefinitely. Intelligence among hippocampi is highly variable, though almost all are capable of coherent mindspeech. More intelligent individuals sometimes dabble in emotion- and image-projecting as well. Rank and intelligence are in no way correlated. Likewise, a hippocampus’ ability to reproduce is not affected by their rank. Mating Information Hippocampi mate following a fairly straightforward chase through the shallows. Chasers summon their pursuers with a subsonic pulse loud enough to travel through miles of ocean. Once a suitable number of potential mates have gathered, the chaser in question leads them on a merry chase through the shallows. Suitors are expected to showcase their speed, agility and endurance, though violence is strongly frowned upon. Once the chase leader has taken their pursuers’ measure they will make their choice and vanish into the depths. Females of all ranks give birth to three to ten tadfoals roughly six months after a successful chase. Males can lead chases as well, though males’ chases typically do not end in offspring. Bonding Information Hippocampi tadfoals are born well-developed, able to swim within seconds of birth. Youngsters typically spend their formative months with their natal pod, learning to hunt, graze and communicate with their peers. Once they reach adolescence, typically around the six month mark, the young ‘campi are deemed mature enough to bond. Most bondings take place in rivers or at the seashore, where tadfoals can ‘interview’ hopefuls without fear of dehydrating. Hippocampi do not require a bond to survive; any tadfoal who does not find an appropriate bondmate will return to the wild with the rest of their pod. Though aquatic creatures, Hippocampi can move about and function on land. Ranks Mesozoic 5* Half again as large as the most massive Pelagics, Mesozoics are far and away the rarest of all hippocampi. These prehistoric monoliths date back to the earliest days of life on Teragaia, a fact their drab color schemes, protruding teeth and armored scutes makes plain. Markedly less intelligent than their descendents, Mesozoics often struggle to make themselves properly understood. This communication barrier has transformed them into irritable and taciturn creatures quick to shun the company of others. Example species: Ammonite, ophthalmosaurus, plesiosaur, trilobite, coelacanth. Benthic 3* Benthic hippocampi are exquisitely adapted to life in the lightless depths. Rarely straying from shades of black, red, white or translucent, they often sport atypical limb configurations and body proportions. Many examples have eyes far too large for their frames, while others have no eyes at all. Perhaps due to their isolated origins and bizarre looks, Benthics tend to be solitary creatures. Many have notably dour outlooks on life. Weather their cynicism long enough, though, and their nonlinear brand of thinking may just surprise you. Example species: Barrelhead fish, vampire squid, gulper eel, hatchetfish, yeti crab. Exotic 3* Selectively bred from the most colorful of Riverine and Reefs, Exotic bear little resemblance to their more common ancestors. These ‘campi are bright, flashy and quite frankly impractical in both appearance and personality. Their frilled fins and vibrant colors may make them popular with collectors, but at the same time they make them utterly unsuited to a life without humanoid help. Exotics tend to be either terribly clingy or fiercely combative, making them distinctly unpopular with wild pods. Males especially are prone to butting heads with anyone (or anything) that holds still long enough to challenge. Example species: Koi, neon tetra, ghost shrimp, betta, goby. Riverine 1* Small, chubby, and typically quite plain, Riverine hippocampi are often written off as ‘boring’. Nothing could be further from the truth. These little dynamos have an adventurous streak as wide as they are, and you can just bet they’ll find a way to embroil their bondmate in their hijinks. Most Riverine come in drab shades of brown or grey, but, upon closer inspection, their scales often gleam with rainbow iridescent. Alone of hippocampi, Riverine of both sexes change colors when they are ready to mate. Example species: Trout, piranha, crawdad, lamprey, freshwater eel. Coastal 1* A hale and hearty lot, Coastal ‘campi have mastered the fine art of blending in. They come in a wide variety of neutral tones and in every pattern imaginable, all the better to vanish into the background of their shoreline home. Battered as they are by fearsome waves, Coastals have developed a wide variety of ways to cling to the places and people that matter to them. They cling to their culture every bit as fiercely. Coastals are storytellers and historians par excellence, imparting their knowledge freely and without reserve to anyone who will listen. Example species: Sea otter, hermit crab, chiton, sea cucumber, orca. Reef 1* Reefs are the rank most people think of when they hear ‘hippocampus’. These common creatures come in every color and pattern imaginable, with temperaments as varied as their vibrant hides. They’re an aesthetically pleasing bunch, what with their ruffled fins and decorative frills, but are also among the most dangerous. Reefs have an uncanny knack for blending in with their surroundings, and an alarming percentage of them come equipped with venomous spines or teeth. Example species: Clownfish, leafy sea dragon, remora, octopi, anemone. Pelagic 1* By far the most common hippocampi, Pelagics are also the most utilitarian. They are almost universally sleek, densely-muscled creatures well-suited to a life of continual movement. Their attitudes are equally predictable; almost all Pelagics are intensely social creatures who cooperate well with others, so long as they have room to roam. Most Pelagics stick to a fairly sedate color scheme of black, silver, grey or blue, with occasional flashes of yellow and white thrown in for flavor. Example species: Tuna, manta ray, whale shark, spinner dolphin, man o’war. |