Moroii
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| Scientific classification | ||||
| Kingdom | Animalia | |||
| Phylum | Chordata | |||
| Class | Mammalia | |||
| Order | Primate | |||
| Family | Hominidae | |||
| Genus | Homo | |||
| Species | H. sapiens | |||
| Sub-Species | H. sapiens carnivorus | |||
| Conservation status | ||||
| Secure | ||||
Also known as vampires (though of course, not the only type), Callisdrunian Moroii are bipedal primates belonging to the mammalian sub-species Homo sapiens carnivorus of the species Homo sapiens under the family Hominidae. Like other humans, they have highly developed mental capacities, and it is thought that their intellectual ability exceeds that of other humans, on average at least. Often, they are much more perceptive in reading emotions than other humans. However, in some ways they can often seem more primal, that is, they have not distanced themselves as much from nature and the natural world, unlike other humans, they have not 'domesticated' themselves (though that is not to say that they are savages, as they are quite refined). While there is very little conflict between them and other humans, it should be noted that their instincts are much more predatory than in other humans. They do need to consume human blood in order to stay alive, as well as other food.
Callisdrunian Moroii are very social creatures, even compared to other primates. They tend to live in large but close-knit family groups, or clans. Children are raised by the entire clan, as opposed to just the two parents. The social system in their families is not particularly known, as they tend not to reveal it to outsiders. What is clear, is that almost all Moroii clans are matriarchal, that is, led by the females. The most often encountered type of residence for a moroii clan is a fairly large castle. It is known that in prehistoric times they lived in caves. Some of the castles were built directly on top of the caves, so that they are much larger than they appear, extending backing underground. Not all moroii live at the castle of their clan, but they usually live close by and move back in to have children.
Contents
History
Clearly, some very strange steps took place during the evolution of the moroii. It has been hypothesized that the original mutation that started them down their evolutionary path was caused by some sort of virus that ravaged the area long ago, causing a hemoglobin deficiency. Due to this, most probably died, but it has been further hypothesized that the first step towards the modern moroii was the appearence of their oddly modified stomach, which allows them to digest human blood to get hemoglobin. After the origin of this adaptation, it is clear that all the moroii today are descended from the few who developed the mutated stomach. It is impossible to say precisely when this change took place, as stomachs don't preserve well and only one example from prehistoric times has been found, in a corpse frozen in a glacier. The earliest fossils of what could definitely be called a moroii are from the Holocene.
Naturally, it follows that all further features that differentiate moroii from other humans evolved due to their dependance on blood for survival. The most recognizable trait of the moroii, their fangs, are simply extended canine teeth adapted to inflict puncture wounds and tear out throats (contrary to depiction of vampires in foreign media, Callisdrunian Moroii cannot 'retract' their fangs, they are simply long teeth). Likewise, their fingernails are extremely hard and durable, suggesting possible use as rudimentary claws. Due to the high risk for disease in consuming human blood, those who did not develop incredible immune systems died off, leaving us today with creatures who are remarkable in being nearly invulnerable to diseases. In their efforts to survive in a new role as predator, being faster, stronger and having greater endurance and better senses than their prey was greatly advantageous, and so these are traits that also distinguish moroii from humans. It seems that their usual hunting method consisted of surprise attacks during the night time, giving them outstanding vision in the darkness (in Callisdrun, it never gets very bright even in the day, but in foreign countries, moroii must wear eye protection, usually consisting of sunglasses, to avoid great discomfort). Another result was the further depletion of melanin in their skin, making them even more pale (making them easily sunburned in brighter places). As Callisdrun is even colder at night than in the day, moroii are very suited to cold, wet climates, and tend not to like hot places.
In more recent times, their lifestyle of preying upon humans began to change, as other humans were more and more able to resist and level the playing field with both their far greater numbers and the advent of non-natural weapons. As the other humans were naturally (and rightfully) fearful of them, the moroii increasingly became an isolated and somewhat oppressed minority, building fortresses to defend themselves. Over time, however, geographical disputes between other humans gave them an opportunity to re-enter society to some extent, as they found that through their natural prowess as warriors, they could win respect. Eventually, the Callisdrunian wars of Unification ended their conflicts with humans as one of the first amendments to the new nation's constitution granted them equal rights and set up an early form of the donor system so they could satisfy their needs without violence.
Behavior
For the most part, moroii behave in mostly the same ways as other humans. As previously mentioned, they are very social and the clans are extremely close. For this reason, there have often been bloody feuds between clans, and certain tribal hatreds run very deep and are very old (such as the animosity between the Sorvik, Farkas and Novikas clans and the Harthy clan and its smaller allies).
Moroii tend to be more sensual than other humans for unknown reasons, perhaps cultural. They also don't seem to value privacy as much, perhaps due to their very social nature. Despite depictions of vampires in foreign media as cold-hearted killers, moroii actually tend to have very strong emotions. As friends and lovers, they are the most loyal, sensitive companions one could ask for. As enemies, they are ruthless and quite dangerous. They socialize both with each other and with other humans freely in modern times.
Most moroii clans are military families, continuing the ancient tradition that began as a way to be respected in society. They are still exceedingly skilled at combat matters, and many advance to very high ranks in Callisdrun's armed forces. In their days as predators, their usual method of attack was to carefully select weak or old targets and launch a surprise assault at night. The precision with which they carried out their hunts made them all the more terrifying. Thankfully, those days are over. Unless of course one is an enemy soldier.
In a seemingly bizarre contrast, moroii are often greatly appreciative of the arts, possibly due to a heightened ability to percieve emotional expression.
Place in Society
The status of moroii in society is rather peculiar. Today, they are equal citizens and for the most part quite respected. This was not always the case, as mentioned earlier. Prior to the early middle ages (c. 800 CE), moroii existed in a seemingly contradictory sate within Callisdrunian society. On the one hand, they were an oppressed minority, enjoying far fewer rights than the rest of the populace. But on the other, they were also an important part of both militaries and economies, as not only were they the best warriors, but also some of the best sailors and shipbuilders, and contributed significantly to the prosperity of the Callisdrunian City-States.
Fascinatingly, particular moroii were important to Callisdrun's religion. Certain positions within the priesthood were always filled with moroii.
Eszti Batory, pictured on her first day as a priestess. She is the latest in a long line of moroii who have served as the High Priestess of the goddess Ithtyr
The goddess Ithtyr, one of the most powerful deities in Callisdrun's pantheon of gods and godesses (the other being Odin) is always depicted as a vampire and is the goddess of lust, vengeance/violence, the Earth, and moroii. Due to the fact that Ithtyr is a moroii, her High Priestess always is as well. In ancient times, in a very confusing twist on oppressed status of the moroii, almost all the Priestesses of Ithtyr were moroii. Priests of Loki were and are often moroii as well.
A notable departure from their second-class citizen status existed in the city of Istengrad, which was ruled by the Batory clan of moroii. At first this arrangement worked well, but eventually the Batorys seriously mismanaged the city and its territories, leading it to becoming an easy conquest for a newly unified Callisdrun.
Today, there is only one anti-moroii law left on the books, and that is the one prohibiting a female moroii from marrying into the royal family. This is the only exception to their equal status as citizens in Callisdrun in modern times, and generally since the early middle ages when Callisdrun unified. Many heroes of the nation's past were moroii, and their military exploits are quite celebrated.
Physical Description
Callisdrunian Moroii are almost the same as other humans in appearence, except for slight differences. All moroii have very pale skin, and almost all have black hair, or dark brown. There are a few with red hair, however.
The most well known distinguishing characteristic of moroii is the presence of their fangs, which are really just long canines. Fascinatingly, different clans often have differently shaped fangs, (The Sorvik clan has very long, slightly curved fangs, the Batory clan has barbed fangs). Another feature that sometimes distinguishes a clan is the color of their large eyes (Sorviks have striking green eyes, Farkas clan moroii have yellow eyes, and those of the Batorys are black).
Male moroii can be anywhere from five 5'10" to 6'10", ranging from 150 to 250 pounds. Moroii show fairly significant sexual dimorphism in that females, by comparison, vary between 5'2" to 6' in height and 90 to 140 pounds in weight. They are usually lankier than other humans. Tattooing and piercing for some reason are very common among moroii, most have at least a tattoo of some symbol of their clan.
Habitat and Diet
Evolving to cope with life in the northlands of Callisdrun, moroii tolerate cold extremely well, preferring chilly, damp areas. They are quite content in what most would call frigid conditions. They are native only to Callisdrun, though it is thought that they once inhabited western Altar Rang as well, but were wiped out by genocide. They find hot climates very uncomfortable and experience a noticiable decrease in their ability to function in very hot climates. Naturally, they also prefer rather low light levels, as that is what their eyes have evolved for.
In addition to drinking blood, they eat mostly the same things as other humans, being actually omnivorous, not strict carnivores. They do tend to eat more meat, though, and usually prefer it either raw or rare. Fruits and vegetables are eaten, but more of the former than the latter by far. Additionally, it is slightly humorous that most seem to greatly enjoy chocolate.
Reproduction
As mentioned previously, moroii clans are matriarchal in nature. The precise reasons for this fact are unknown, though part of the explanation could lie in the fact that only female moroii produce moroii offspring, as the genetic mutation relates to the ovary and occurs during the generation of the ovum.
Moroii are generally mate for life and are monogamous, though this is not always the case (usually exceptions to monogamy are fully consensual, as in, agreed to by partners who are otherwise in a committed relationship together). Like other humans, they practice the custom of marriage. Divorce is extremely rare, and moroii marrying other humans is common. If the other human is male and the moroii is female, the male Homo sapien sapien will become part of the moroii clan, since moroii women never change clans. It is usually the female's part to initiate relationships and children produced have traditionally been seen as more the mother's than the father's. Kinship is traced matrilineally of course. This is starting to change, but is not something that comes up often anyway, as moroii form very strong emotional bonds with their lovers.
One interesting but slightly unsettling practice of the moroii during mating is that of always feeding during sexual intercourse. This greatly increases the pleasure of the act, because moroii have described feeding as an act that generates pleasure at "near orgasm levels." Despite this, they are said to be excellent lovers, though having a seeming fixation on female superior positions.
