Lycan
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The Lycans (singular Lycan) are a sapient humanoid race--canine in appearance--native to the southern region of the Feronite mainland, though known to have migrated north as well as to other planets. They, like their close relatives the Felidi, Ithzon and Thenast, evolved from a common ancestor created by the Houses of Osyrhia during Ferona's earlier years.
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Appearance
Lycans, as the common name implies, closely resemble many species of canine, and even some pseudocanines. They are, however, bipedal and largely plantigrade rather than digitigrade, and their colorings can range far beyond what would otherwise be natural for a regular canine. As well, they are among the tallest sapient races in the Manaverse, with average heights clocking in at around seven feet, four inches at maturity.
Coloring
Lycan coloring generally follows an ordinal system, in which the primary and secondary colors make up the two primary fur tones, the tertiary color usually dictates the eye and hair color, and in rare cases a quaternary color, often being a relative shade of the tertiary color, will dictate the pad colors (hand and foot), and in some cases, the hair color. This leads to a more consistent appearance, relatively speaking, across families and groups of Lycans, even if their closest canine resemblance differs from one individual to the next.
Fur patterns
As with their relatives, the Lycans can often be observed with wildly variable fur patterns. Brightly-colored stripes have been observed, however, this is less common than more mixed patterns such as earth-toned leopard spots overlaid on a more tradition two-tone coloring. Natural coloring and patterning, as well as exotic coloring, are equally as common among them, however in many cases fur patterning and coloring is a genetic trait whereby the dominant color overtakes the submissive color during gestation, example being the Numidius children adopting their father's coloring over their mother's, as gold is a submissive color. As with anything tied to genetics, however, there are always mistakes or mutations, and it is these mutations that lead to the more exotic patterns.
Hair
Lycans, as well as the other three Feronite races, are somewhat unique in that they possess the genetic code to be able to grow heads of hair in addition to fur. This hair usually shares their secondary or tertiary colors, or quaternary in some rare cases. Their hair, like their fur, can also be patterned, though this is less common than solid color hair.
Physiology
Lycan physiology closely resembles that of many traditional canines, however, this is by appearance only, as a Lycan that resembles a fox and a Lycan that resembles a hyena are still the same species. This is more or less a more advanced version of the slippery gene found in dogs. Aside from this, many Lycans do still possess rough, grippy pads on their hands and feet, and have short, sharp, retractable claws, much like their relatives. In addition, their genetic similarities to the other Feronite races gives them the distinct ability to intermingle and hybridise with them. This can often result in Lycans with wings (often known as a perfect hybrid specimen between a Lycan and an Ithzon), or simply shorter, nimbler offspring.
Gestation and child birth
Lycans generally sire offspring as humans do, with single live births being the most common. However, despite this, the gestation period of a female is quite short, which lends itself to larger families despite the propensity to have single births.
