Species

There are many exciting species in the world of Carpathia. Here they are! If you haven't read Carpathia III, some info here will be spoilers!

Humans

The original Carpathian humans were originally from an island in the South Pacific called Berengaria. For more information, visit the Planets page. Ethnically, Carpathia is primarily populated mostly by former Americans, Japanese, Pacific Islanders, and southeast Asians. There is also a smattering of Russians, Europeans, and Chinese. Current Carpathian racial diversity and culture also reflects this. Most Carpathian humans live a modern life, but some prefer to live an old-fashioned life without modern technology on the coast, as their islander forebears did. Carpathia ceased all contact with Earth.

As Carpathian humans are relatively new to space exploration, they have a zeal dramatic designs in their spaceships. The arrival or departure of a capital ship is still an event, a trait which other, more experienced, species find amusing.

Character in the above image by Jenova87

Nekomi

Most nekomi live on Andrast, the second habitable planet that the Carpathians discovered. Andrast is not the original nekomi homeworld. Many centuries ago, they were involved in a war and left their home planet to settle on Andrast. Information from that era was lost, as their ships were dismantled and their computers were repurposed at that time. Until recently, they did not know where their homeworld was, but it has been recently discovered. Formerly known as Yseri, the planet was given its original name once again of Ramewet. It is currently populated by a variety of species from around the galaxy.

More recently, the nekomi suffered from an epidemic that left them sterile and the population dwindled to a few million. Through gene therapy, they became able to bear children with humans, but not their their own, resulting in an explosion of the nekohuman population. Upon discovery of Ramewet and the uninfected nekomi living there, they are now able to procreate with their own species and full-blooded nekomi are beginning to thrive once again.

Physically, nekomi have a very wide variation of colorings body types. Most are a bit shorter than the average human, but some grow extremely tall. Paw size varies considerably as well. Nekomi tend to be extremely flexible and bendy.

Much of the traditional nekomi social structure broke down as the population declined, reaching a low of 3,000,000. Hierarchical, hereditary-based social order no longer exists, though the few remaining old, prominent families impotently try to live and assert themselves as they once did. These sorts of nekomi are considered a curious anachronism rather than instruments of authority.

The nekomi were encountered in New Carpathia's early space-faring years and they became fast friends.

Character in the above image by Thatwildmary

Nekohumans

As stated before, until recently, nekomi could only bear children with another species, thus leading to an explosion of nekohuman hybrids. This is a development that has occurred within the last 50 years. No nekohuman in New Carpathia is older than that.

Nekohumans seem like they're mostly human on the outside, albeit with cat ears and tails, but internally, they are more cat, with extremely high levels of flexibility and a tendency to have a high dietary dependency on animal-based proteins.

Character in the above image by: Thatwildmary

Tokki

The tokki are a rabbit-like race who live on Tokkastra. They have notoriously vigourous sex drives and women typically have several babies at once, leading to constant population problems. Reproduction is strictly regulated, which isn't too much of a problem, since most tokki are bisexual. Genders are also segregated to prevent accidental overpopulation. Women comprise a fraction of the population, and yet they are a matriarchy, ruled by a queen, and with most leadership positions filled by women.

Relationships amongst tokki are generally not monogamous, as sex is practically considered a basic greeting. Tokki will typically take mates for a year, maybe two, before moving on. Tokki who stay with a single mate for longer are considered deviant.

The tokki used to frequently travel the galaxy many centuries ago, but entered a long period of isolation from which they are only now just emerging. The period was so long, in fact, that they were even considered mythological amongst some species.

Tokki lack what we think of as traditional family structures, and instead live in in tens of thousands of loosely-structured, gender-segregated community enclaves. Parents do play a role in their childrens' lives, but raising children tends to be more of a community affair. Every community member goes through a ceremony at a young age during which they receive a collar. Each community has their own collar design, which denotes not only the enclave from which they come, but also their status in society.

Tokkastra and Carpathia met nearly 50 years ago and established diplomatic relations about 25 years ago. Tokki are permitted to join Carpathia's Space Exploration Academy but are subject to two strict rules. First, they are not permitted to share specified Tokkastran engineering technology. Second, they must strictly adhere to Tokkastran reproduction laws.

Character in the above image by: Catnappe143

Elves

Elves are generally an intensely curious species, constantly asking questions and poking into things they probably shouldn't. Some would call them meddlesome. Elves tend to be extremely talented in one or two areas of aptitude. For the rest, they tend to be so-so at best. A highly developed sense of smell is common amongst female elves in particular. Internal body structure tends to have wider variation than most species. It is not unusual, for example, for an elf to have three lungs instead of two.

Skin color of elves range from pale, like human caucasians, to dark grey. Any elf with shades of brown skin are mixed with another species.

The only known elves live on Ramewet, which is not their native planet. It is unkown at this time where their native planet is.

Character in the above image by: Jenova87

Dragons

Dragons live on Draconis and have remained secluded there from the end of the Demigod Wars until about 25 years ago, when the Carpathians inadvertantly barged into their backyard.

Dragons live for up to two thousand years. They can also change form into whatever shape that pleases them. Once they decide on an alternate form, it takes roughly two weeks to a month to set and then it is permanent.

Dragons have five colors with accompanying abilities. They are as follows:

White: Can read and share memories of others. Can drain powers of demigods and those affected by demigods.
Red: Have power over fire and flame.
Yellow: Power over electricity and magnetism.
Blue: Power over water and ice.
Black: Ability to affect moods and minds.
Black dragons are the only ones that cannot be hybrids. They also retain their ability to use their powers while in their alternate form, which the others cannot do.

Dragons are hermaphrodites. Any dragon can have a child with any mate. When a dragon chooses a form, the dragon simply takes on the characteristics of the gender it feels most attuned with.

Characters in the above image by: Thatwildmary and Jenova87

Komodo

The komodo known to Carpathians all hail from Ramewet, which is not their native planet. Their native planet is unknown at this time.

Komodo are cold-blooded and require either a warm environment or special clothing with heat pads to function in a fast-paced society. Some choose to do this and others prefer to live a more natural life, which means long bouts of lethargy. However, even modern-living komodo need to hibernate occassionally for around two weeks at a time to restore balance to their systems. It is unwise to awaken a komodo during a hibernation period. First, it's nearly impossible, and second, your awakened komodo will be barely coherent, behaving in a way consistent with an extremely drunk human.

Komodo are typically green, but display fantastic variety in their spikes and bits of armor plating, which are commonly yellow, black, or, in rare cases, red. Upper body strength tends to be comparatively weak, while the lower body is stronger, mostly to support their long, thick tails.

Character in the above image by: Jenova87

Demons

Demons are a species of both complexity and contradiction. They are, on the one hand, a warrior race in certain respects, but are also at the same time very peaceful. Their honor falls primarily within the scope of protecting others from harm or strife. Their society is a strict hierarchy, but also egalitarian. The strongest demons rise to the top and, once there, are entrusted to protect and aid the well-being of others. The honor of a demon is based primarily around how well they protect those to whom they are charged.

That said, however, demons come as two kinds, ones with two horns and, far less commonly, one-horned types. One-horned demons are typically looked down upon by other demons—another contradiction—and sometimes leave their communities to find other masters to serve and generally seek out individuals with power in this regard.

Demons live by the Ten Tenents of the Demonic Code, which are:

1. A demon shall act with compassion and empathy toward all sentient creatures.
2. A demon shall strive to encourage harmony and justice.
3. A demon shall not hesitate to fight to defend others from harm.
4. A demon who serves a cruel master shall use their power and influence to help stay the master's evil intents.
5. A demon shall understand the body is inviolable, subject to one's own will alone.
6. A demon shall recognize the fallibility of mind and action, striving to forgive and be forgiven when true reflection has been made.
7. A demon shall strive to be educated in the ways of the universe.
8. A demon shall begin each day stronger in mind and spirit than the previous day.
9. A demon serving under duress shall not be bound by any oath.
10. A demon shall hold compassion, reason, and wisdom over all established insitutions and systems.

Great internal strife befalls demons who come into conflict between their natural tendency to seek out and serve the powerful and the code which requires them to protect others.

Aside from their code, demons come across to others as cold and humorless, which is fairly accurate, as they have low emotional expression and sensitivity. Physical senses, by contrast, are strong, able to detect, for example, changes in heartbeat just by observing miniscule undulations in the skin caused by pulsing blood.

The demons known to Carpathia live on Ramewet. Their homeworld is unknown at this time.

Character in the above image by: Jenova87

Bats

Bats see life as a game, albeit a very complex one. They are generally slim, light, agile, and have large wings. Bats tend to be a solitary and mischievous species. They don't often make friends, but they are very devoted to the ones they do make. Generally, they are considered observers. They frequently mock that which may be considered the status quo and take a keen interest in the unusual.

It is not common for bats to integrate themselves into a community, much less a hierarchy, which makes them an uncommon sight in the Carpathian starfleet.

The bat homeworld is unknown. Many live on Ramewet.

Character in the above image by: Kay-Jay97

Other Hybrids

With so many species, it's only natural that even more mixed up characters can appear. Some interspecies relations are not capable of producing children. Nekomi and tokki, for example, cannot have children together due to the extreme differences in their digestive systems. However, a Tokki and a nekohuman might be able to, if the human portion is strong enough to produce a child with a disposition towards vegetarianism.

Characters in the above image by: Zelbunnii