Skygge

[Dina Doo]

Skygge
She-geh

_{Region of Origin:} Unknown

Basic Biology:
Their anatomy is very similar to that of a humans and their internal structure is identical to the basic human system. On the outside, they differ from the typical human. On their head, they have horns. These horns are either a dark shade or just the basic black. The shape of these horns and whether or not they stick up vertically or horizontally is up to the individual. They tend to have darker shades of hair as well though their eyes can be any shade, natural or unnatural. Their ears are pointed but sometimes it is difficult to notice as this trait seems to be fading for some reason.

They also have long black tails (regardless of the skygge’s hair color) that are covered in a very thin layer of fur. The tail tuft is made up of soft black fur that is usually spiky or curly. A skygge’s lower canine teeth appear as fangs, though the reason for this trait is unknown.

Male Biology:
Males have the same basic biology as listed above though there are some physical traits that distinguish them from females, other than them possessing male sex organs. Males have larger horns and the tuft of their tail is usually slightly bigger. They have a black mark on (around) their left eye. These marks vary in shape depending on the individual.

Female Biology:
Other than the basic female sex organs, females have smaller horns and smaller tail tufts. They have a mark on (around) their right eye. These marks vary in shape depending on the individual.

_Lifespan: 1400-1600^YRS

General Behavior:
As with any creature, behavior among each member of this race varies. Generally, it has been noted that skygge tend to be impish and mischievous, having a fondness for pranks and causing trouble. Though, this type of behavior is generally seen among the young members of the race.

Usual Habitat:
They prefer living in smaller towns and smaller cities. They can also be found in rural environments or living further away from heavily populated areas. Areas with larger populations often overwhelm them.

Aliment:
A skygge can thrive on any kind of food, much like a human. And, like a human, they can’t digest any sort of spoiled or raw produce as they can get sick.

Basic Social Structure:
This race isn’t organized properly, meaning not one member rules over them or keeps track of their kind. They tend to stay in clans that consist of their immediate family.

Family Life/Gender Roles:
Family life is usually pleasant. Whichever member of the family is the oldest will take charge in making any important decisions that affect the family as a whole. Both genders are responsible for the care of the children. An aspect about them is that a couple, once they’ve mated, are considered mates for life. This is a concept known within their race and the sangue race, but it is hard for them to adjust to finding ‘mates’ of other races, because a one-night-stand means much more to the skygge than the other person, and it is hard for them to find someone else after this has been done. Among their own race, a couple stays together for the rest of their life.

Procreation:
No hybrids can exist for this race. Children born from a skygge parent and one that of another race will either be the race of their mother or their father. Children conceived from the union of a skygge and a sangue will more often than not end up as a miscarriage or they will be born as a human.

Childbirth and Childcare:
Skygge pregnancies last a month or so longer than the typical nine months and during this time, the couple tend to spend a lot of time together. This is another reason as to why they tend to stay away from areas with large populations; to make sure both the mother and the child are safe from any outside dangers. Children of this race are born via typical mammalian births. After that, the child is raised by both of the parents. Children leave their parents once they feel they are old enough to be on their own.

Magic and Abilities:
Skygge have shadow magic, though their abilities are unique to their race. With their magic, they can jump into shadows. They are also able to become a shadow, which ties into the previous mentioned ability, but they can become shadows without having to jump into them. The third ability is that they can morph the shape of their own shadow into any shape, though this can only be done with their own shadow.

Legends and Folklore:
The skygge and the sangue were once said to apart of the same being, twins sharing the same body. After some time, the twins began to fight over who could be able to control the body they shared, both growing tired of only being able to have partial control. The struggle ensued for some time before their combined magic caused the twins to split, allowing each of them to have their own body. In their own separate forms, the two became known as the being of Chaos and the being of Order. Now separate, they were left to their own devices.

The being of Chaos sought to wreak havoc unto the world while the being of Order sought to restore proper balance, especially fixing the balance thrown off by his brother. Legends say that the being of Chaos allowed himself to be consumed by the shadows in order to become a silent, stealthy chaos. The skygge are said to spawn from the being’s chaotic shadow.

Another legend, shared by both races, is that once every hundred years, a pair of twins is said to be born to either a skygge or a sangue couple. One twin will be a skygge and the other will be a sangue, despite the pure-blooded parents they are born to. This is said to remind the two races that while they were once one entity, they became two, appearing in the form of twins.

History:
Much history of this race has been lost to time. Because members of this race travel in only close-knit families, usually a couple and their children, very few records have ever been taken. But records remain, records that have been put together by scholars. Their region of origin is unknown.