Akuma
Nov 1, 2012 16:14:12 GMT -8
Post by clouds just clouds on Nov 1, 2012 16:14:12 GMT -8
Akuma
Ah-kew-ma
Region of Origin: Unknown
Basic Biology:
Akuma, also known as werewolves, are humanoids that have the ability to transform into wolf-like creatures. In their beast form, akuma appear similar to wolves, only their legs are longer and they are larger than the average wolf. But what the akuma possess in wolf form that their canine relatives lack is bipedalism, the ability to stand and walk on two legs. Their forepaws, while still looking like a canine paw, possess an extra digit resembling a thumb. Their back paws are slightly larger. Akuma also possess longer tails in this form, since a longer tail helps to balance a larger creature.
In their humanoid form, akuma have increased senses and better hearing than the average human, except these senses aren’t nearly as strong as they would be when the akuma is in their wolf form. Their bodies are tough and often have thicker bones and more muscle. Akuma often transform only under the cover of night, because if they try to transform during the day, they are very weak and suffer from severe fatigue.
The wolf part of the akuma often makes them seem very aggressive. They carry a lot of wolf-like traits, for an example, they don’t appreciate being surpassed by a subordinate. Among the akuma, there are few that are considered Alphas. For akuma that live in packs, there tend to be less Alphas born, at least compared to akuma that live outside of packs. This is because Alphas serve to help keep the pack dynamic in order and would serve no purpose to an akuma who lives without the pack social structure.
In order to be considered an Alpha, the akuma must be able to have control over other akuma. This means that if the Alpha tells the akuma to stand down in a fight, the akuma will feel an intense need to listen to the Alpha and do as he says. The more power an Alpha puts into his words, the more likely the akuma is to listen. All powerful Alphas have the ability to fully control their wolf counterparts.
Male Biology:
In their human form, male akuma appear as normal humanoids with the same external and internal anatomy. They are usually taller and retain more muscle than their female counterparts. In their wolf form, any external organs disappear and they appear to stand much taller than they would in their human form. Males often have a lot more trouble controlling their wolf form than females.
Female Biology:
In their human form, female akuma appear as normal humanoids with similar external and internal anatomy. Females are smaller and leaner than their male counterparts in their wolf forms, though have been known to be able to move much more quickly. While females can control their wolf counterparts better, the transformation often can be more painful for them.
Lifespan: 1678-1876YRS
General Behavior:
Akuma tend to remain quiet and reclusive from other races. They tend to either only remain with those of their own kind, or hide among other races. As a whole all the akuma tend to take care of each other. If one akuma sees another in trouble, they are very likely to help out, even if the other akuma is a complete stranger. Also, if there is an akuma who is rogue, other akuma are likely to see it as their problem and to either try and tame the rogue or take care of him or her. All akuma share a silent vow to never expose their race to the general population. They are free to expose themselves to who they trust.
Usual Habitat:
Packs of akuma make their homes in the remote regions of every land except Adalinda, away from the populations of other races. Akuma that choose to live a life away from other akuma are found everywhere, even in cities.
Aliment:
Meat often tends to be on an akuma’s diet, but they are free to eat other things like bread and fruit. Except, if an akuma knows that he or she is going to be transforming soon, it is best to only stick to meat because a wolf’s digestive track is unable to digest those foods. On the other hand, akuma in their wolf forms are fully able to consume raw meat but if they were to transform back into their humanoid form right away, it would leave them with feeling sick.
Basic Social Structure:
Outside of packs, all akuma are considered equal and treat each other with respect. Rarely will akuma attack one another or try to control him/her without reason. Within the packs, it depends on the pack whether or not if there is a social structure. Usually, there are packs with one alpha who has the ability to help younger akuma transform. In other packs, there are alphas, betas, and so on, following the usual social structure of regular wolves. Alphas are typically chosen if they have the best ability to control others, and if the tribe views them as a reasonable leader. The leader can be either male or female, or in some instances, there may be male and female leaders.
Family Life/Gender Roles:
Males and females are viewed as equal among the akuma. When it comes to having children, the akuma child will stick around an older akuma for a while as the mentor is responsible for not only educating the child on their reclusive race, but helping the young akuma control their transformations.A mother often takes care of the young until they are able to ingest food. The mother will, often, hand the responsibilities over to the father. If an akuma is abandoned as a baby, the only way to guarantee the baby’s survival is if another lactating female comes across it and takes care of it.
Procreation:
Procreation among the akuma is same among most races. They are only able to procreate in their humanoid forms. An akuma woman is only fertile once a year. Most females are fertile during spring, when there is more food available to them, which in turns allows them to produce the nutrient rich milk the child needs to survive. Despite this, a female akuma may be fertile any other time of the year. Because of this, females menstruate the week before they are fertile. Akuma have the ability to procreate with other races, but the child produced will often be born as the race of the non-akuma parent. On very rare occasions will the child be born as an akuma.
Childbirth and Childcare:
Akuma have a gestation period that may last up to a year, or even longer, and rarely show until the end of the pregnancy. During pregnancy, females won’t transform and are not forced to transform during the moon. If a female decides to transform, it often leads to miscarriage or stillborns because the transformation can kill the child. Children of the akuma are often born at night. Babies rarely cry and instead let out little noises, like the whine of a pup, if they are in need of anything. Akuma milk is packed with an immense amount of nutrients and vitamins that the baby needs to grow. There is nothing else that can replace the milk. Babies will continue to nurse until they are about three and a half years old.
Magic and Abilities:
Akuma have the ability to transform into wolf-like beasts. In this form they are faster, stronger, and have senses like a wolf. They also have the ability to heal a lot faster than when they are in their humanoid forms. An akuma first transforms when they are mostly matured, which can happen between the ages sixteen and twenty-four. However, the age of maturity varies from akuma to akuma and often depends on whether or not they are ready to handle the transformation.
The first transformation is a very arduous and can be counted as one of the most painful experiences a being can go through. Though, the transformations following the first are a lot less painful. Transformations don’t start becoming painless until the akuma hits the age of a thousand.
Another problem with transformations is that they may be really difficult to control. Once is their beast form, an akuma has to keep a sharp mind in order to ensure that he or she doesn’t lose themselves to their instincts. Akuma who are unable to control their wolf counterparts are considered rogues and often they can only be helped by an Alpha.
Some rogues are able to control themselves eventually, but if they are unable to be helped, another akuma will often put the rogue “down” by killing them. Young akuma, especially young akuma in packs, that have their first transformation are unable to control themselves but learn to over time.
Every full moon, every akuma is forced to transform, all except pregnant women. The more experience an akuma has with transforming, the less painful the transformations are. As akuma become older and their transformations are less painful, they begin to feel a lot more restless around the time of a full moon. Younger akuma, and those who don’t transform as often, will feel more primal needs during the full moon. For an example, they can be a bit more irritable, or perhaps have an increase in sexual activity. Some akuma fall ill while others experience pain in their bones and joints. Each akuma has varying experiences to full moons and from moon to moon their experience can change.
Legends and Folklore:
Akuma believe that long ago, they originated from a pack of wolves who lived near a village. The village was protected by the wolves from other terrible beasts, and in turn the people of the village would have a celebration for the wolves. One night, a terrible creature attacked the village and tore out the throat of a young child, only to feast on the child’s blood. The wolves came the next morning only to find the village mourning the loss of the child. In order to protect the village, the wolves stood vigil for the night. Once again, the creature came and went after yet another person, this time a young woman. The wolves tried to fend the creature off, but the creature proved to be too powerful for the pack. Every night for nearly a month, the creature would kill off another villager and another wolf would fall while failing to kill the creature.
When the next full moon rolled by, the moon woke up the spirits of the fallen and strengthened them. The spirits of the people were believed to have wanted to help the wolves so badly that their spirits molded together to create the akuma.
The akuma were then powerful enough to kill the creature. After the creature died, the akuma split off, one staying with the village while the others went off to continue to hunt any other creatures that might be feeding on the innocent.
History:
Those who know of the akuma, which are mostly only the ketsuki and akuma themselves, believe that akuma came to be around the same time ketsuki were as a way to create a balance to the world. Not much is known about akuma because they don’t write down their history, and most of what they know about themselves has been passed down orally.