Mylio

Mylio Lore! (still a WIP but feel free to comment >>)

I. General Characteristics A. Physical Appearance Size They are shorter and stockier than the average naiad. Shape They have large shoulders and wider bodies than the average naiad with pronounced torsos and hips. However, they're also typically quite lean and tend towards an almost androgyny in their body shape. The literal flatness of one's body is seen as the penultimate beauty. Color There are two genetically distinct populations of mylio - those of the shallows and those of the deep sea. Tans, browns, and reds are indicative of the shallows, while deep blues, purples, and blacks can be found in the deep sea. They are often two-tone, with a different frontal and rear coloration. There are rumors that sometimes deep-sea individuals may be found with translucent skin and semi-visible organs... Features They have large pectoral fins that run the length of their sides and a large, barbed tail. Their pectoral fins can vary in size/shape and they differences affect their movement. Shallow ocean mylio tend to have longer, thinner fins; deep ocean mylio have shorter, thicker fins. They have a pair of spiracles that have developed in place of eyebrows - this allows them to breath even when their gills and mouth are otherwise fully submerged in sand. They typically cut their hair short or have it pulled back to minimize the annoyances of sandy/silty hair. They have a slight underbite. They cannot move on land, nor do they instinctively have any drive to try and do so. Deep ocean mylio in particular are very sensitive to air and sunlight. B. Mental Capabilities They don't worry about thinking about much, living life passively and with spontaneity.

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[9:46 PM] II. Habitat A. Geographic Location There are two genetically distinct populations of mylio. One inhabits the warm waters of shallow ocean sand- and reefbeds, while another calls the deep ocean floor their home. These populations do not interact under normal circumstances and were unaware of the other's existence prior to Tariel's call. B. Climate Needs They prefer waters with soft-bottoms, which they use for shelter and concealment. Shallow ocean mylio like warm, nutrient-rich waters. Deep ocean mylio, conversely, prefer cold, saline, oxygen-rich water - they can quickly find themselves 'out of breath' in the less oxygenated surface waters. C. Home Needs They burrow themselves in sandy or silty bottoms for shelter - it's become a bit of a jumpscare problem for unsuspecting naiad in Alu Spring.

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Daisicle — 04/24/2024 9:55 PM III. Life Behaviors A. Diet Shallow ocean mylio feed primarily on mollusks, crustaceans and the occasional small fish. They have specialized jaws and teeth that allow them to crush and consume their prey, shell or exoskeleton and all. It's a great source of calcium. They consider it very wasteful to not eat the entirety of the prey animal. Deep ocean mylio aren't picky - if they can catch it, they can eat it. They have a unique hunting strategy to catch fish, called "tenting". With their pectoral fins pressed against the substrate, they quickly raise their torso to generate a suction force that pulls the prey underneath the body. They then collapse upon their prey to prevent escape. Many find the sensation of crushing shells to be soothing, and mylio are at a higher risk of developing pica compared to the average pae. B. Mating Mylio have some degree of fertility year-round. They don't actively seek out members of the opposite sex, nor do they have an innate sex drive. If the opportunity presents itself, however, the male will typically initiate intercourse. In cases where several shallow water mylio are congregated, males will make displays of breaching the surface in an attempt to impress any nearby females. When this occurs in the deep sea, they'll often simply engage in indiscriminate, group intercourse. Females are capable of storing viable sperm for up to a season post-copulation, sometimes from multiple males - they will self-fertilize when, or if, they determine that their environment is suitable for child-bearing. Male parentage can become quite difficult to determine. Deep ocean mylio experience a longer gestation than typical pae and give birth to fewer children - only one to two at a time. It remains to be seen if those living in Alu Spring will shift to more typical birthing patterns.

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April 25, 2024

Daisicle — 04/25/2024 8:50 AM C. Raising Young The duty of child rearing is borne exclusively by the birth mothers. They uses their pectoral fins to better conceal the young among the ocean floor and to aid them in swimming. Most of their learning is focused on survival and taught orally or through play and action, with little in the way of formal education. They don't typically have much in the way of maternal instincts. Children leave their mother's protection at a younger ages than most pae cultures, typically upon the moment they can reasonably self-provide and survive. For shallow ocean mylio, this may be as early as young childhood - for deep ocean mylio, this is typically during early pubescence. D. Sleep Pattern Typically diurnal, however, some deep ocean mylio have been switching to a more nocturnal sleep pattern to avoid the harsher light in Alu Spring. Since they use the ocean floor as both as concealment for hunting and as shelter, they often take naps as focus turns to boredom. E. Movement Movement is determined by pectoral fin type and population. Their fins work together to form wave-like motions and propel the individual forward. They are overall slower than the slowest of standard naiads. Shallow ocean mylio use oscillatory movements - one or fewer waves - for faster and more reactive mobility. Deep ocean mylio use undulatory movements - more than one waves - and move more slowly. F. Sound Mylio have a noticable accent due to their telltale underbite. Shallow ocean mylio are otherwise indistinguishable from standard naiad. Deep ocean mylio, however, tend to speak very softly, almost throatily. Though they do not actively seek out social interaction, they are actually quite chatty when they are around others. G. Mannerisms They are the epitome of extroverted and sociable. They enjoy the presence of any and all species especially if a party is involved. You just have to somehow get them together first.

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Daisicle — 04/25/2024 9:01 AM And a little history about them. Like what is their leadership like, do they even have it? Is it a pod or school life style? Are they solitary or social? They are a nomadic, solidary people, generally keeping to themselves unless they happen upon others. There is no structure to their society... if one can even call it a society. Still, while they don't actively seek out others for socializing or mating, they readily enjoy such passing engagements when the currents bring them together. A sort of extroverted introverts, if you will.