Demibeasts

Demibeasts are a race of sentient humanoids with animalistic traits. They are also called demihumans.

Pre-modern society
Before modern society, "demibeast" was the favored term for such creatures.

Modern society
Over time, "demibeast" was used less and less as the term for these creatures, people instead opting to simply call them by their names or positions in society.

Place in modern Visaunra
In Visaunra's modern society, demibeasts are slaves and pets. The term "demibeast" is not used except by some merchants and foreigners from across the ocean, the people of Visaunra instead opting for terms such as "familiar" (a demibeast used for magic), "pet" (a demibeast kept as a pet), "feral" (a demibeast without an owner), etc. They are often bought at demibeast-selling districts (known as "the Cages" in some places), animal shelters, and kennels (Chapter 60).

Due to their status as slaves and pets, demibeasts who are ill, old, or badly behaved may find themselves sold off to laboratories for testing and experimentation. After their deaths, they may be dissected in-lab or sent elsewhere, such as to schools for dissection. If a demibeast's owner does not have much of an emotional attachment to it, as is often the case for pleasure slaves, their bodies will end up as cadavers for dissection when they die.

Among some groups, cyanide may be used to kill off demibeasts in groups. Among caravans, for example, demibeasts may be bought in bulk, and then the undesirables in the group are given cyanide-infused porridge so that the caravan may have only "good" and "desirable" demibeasts to sell (Chapter 48).

In Visaunra, it is common for some individuals to own multiple demibeasts, especially rich individuals or those in established households (Chapter 51). They may serve various tasks in the household-- some may be used as entertainment or servers, others as cleaning assistants and scullery maids, etc. It is common for a demibeast to be involved in the chores of the house, often shouldering most of them.

As feral demibeasts-- those without owners to police them-- are not allowed in Visaunra, some humans may serve as "trappers". Trappers go around to areas where ferals are reported, retrieving them intact if possible-- if not, their main aim is to put the feral down. From there, ferals are sold to trainers who may fix them up again for entry back into society, or put them down.

Because demibeasts are seen as lesser, sex with demibeasts, while permitted, is expected to be centered around the owner's pleasure-- the pleasure of the demibeast partner is never taken into account. It is very unheard of for a human master to perform fellatio on a demibeast they own (Chapter 57).

General
While demibeasts can vary, they are typically human-sized, with similar coloration to humans. Instead of human ears, they have ears similar to the animal type they are, which are placed higher up on the sides of the head. Their lifespans are usually around that of a human, though they may take more or less time to mature than a human depending upon their species. Pregnancies can also vary in their length of time due to species, and some species may carry multiple offspring at a time, while others carry only one.

Demibeasts often have scent glands more akin to a wild animal's than a human's. Also, many demibeasts have extremely sensitive spots on their persons, these spots tending to be breed-specific.

General
Demibeasts have the full emotional range of humans, and have a diverse array of personalities. However, they are taught from birth to be obedient and docile, so the majority of demibeasts present as such. Some may choose to be stubborn and violent, such behavior being met in turn with physical punishments by their owners.

In some species, such as bears, a need to hibernate is felt. This is typically put off with drugs (Chapter 59).

Cat types, along with others, will go into a "heat" or "rut" up to several times a year. Similar to hibernation, this behavior may be suppressed with drugs or routine spells.

Demibeasts are typically kept on a collar and leash. Some will have metallic collars with fancy designs-- these collars are welded down so a demibeast cannot take them off, and are common. Leather collars with buckles are rarer, serving as a status symbol-- as a demibeast could easily take it off, being given one shows that an owner trusts their demibeast a great amount.

Using their scent glands, many demibeasts engage in scent marking in order to "claim" mates, family members, and owners.

Demibeasts are known for handling travel and geographical changes better than the animals they are related to (Chapter 49).

Early on in their life, demibeasts are taught to connect their masters with safety and control in life. This is done so that demibeasts will believe there is a sense of love on both sides, rather than them being devoted to uncaring masters (Chapter 54).

Feral
Feral demibeasts are those without owners, either because they were set free by uncaring owners, or because they ran away. They wander about, scrounging for food from dumpsters, or being fed and cared for by locals if they are "cute" enough. However, very few, if any, will take in feral demibeasts. A common myth is that any "feral" will eventually go mad.

General
Each demibeast has a muted connection to the animal whose type they are. Demibeasts are also supposed to be good at detecting ambient magic, along with having stronger senses than humans.

When being considered for certain magical or physical tasks, a demibeast's constitution is taken into consideration. There are five constitution classes, with the middle classes having three grades, and the weakest and highest tier having five grades.

Trained
Under the care of a master, demibeasts may be trained to live inside a crate. They are also typically taught command drills, in which a master may give a command such as "sit" or "beg" and have the demibeast respond with an appropriate pose or behavior. Demibeasts have specific positions and commands that may vary depending on their status as either pet or familiar-- these include:


 * Waiting position 5- a relaxed kneel
 * Familiar "sit" position- a more formal sitting position, similar to the pet's version of "wait" with the arms at the side. This position is not meant to invite play.
 * Familiar "down" position- a rigid position, similar to the pet "table" position.
 * Pet "down" position- a belly down stance.
 * Pet "wait" position
 * Pet "table" position

For some, demibeasts function as trained study companions, and are taught to read and write so they may take notes for their masters (Chapter 26). It is somewhat common for familiars to go through dry texts for their masters, thereby saving the master time reading through material (Chapter 72).

Some demibeasts may be trained as service pets. When this is done, they are trained with their specific master's needs in mind, rather than any master. Tasks for a service pet may include carrying medication, or protecting their master from situations that could endanger their health (Chapter 72).

As most masters do not groom or wash their demibeasts, a treat instead reserved for exotic demibeasts or favorites, demibeasts are expected to be able to groom themselves, even without proper supplies such as soap, hairbrushes, etc. (Chapter 57).

Avian
Avian demibeasts often have feathered wings, with some having talons and random feathers. They are attracted to shiny objects. When intimidated or scared, avian demibeasts may puff up their wings to seem bigger.

Bear
Bear demibeasts are a well-respected breed (Chapter 68). They often feel the urge to hibernate in the winter, with this usually being put off via special spells and medication (Chapter 59). They have very sensitive ears.

Cat
Cat demibeasts are common as both pets and familiars. Mutt cats, known as "common cats", are not very popular among mages though, as they often have weaker constitutions. Cat demibeasts will have the same scruff as cats, and go limp when held there. Typically, their hips are very sensitive spots.

Cat demibeasts will mimic certain behaviors seen in cats, such as kneading and "making biscuits" on others (Chapter 72). In Visaunra, cat demibeasts are often forced into lacy clothes by their masters, with their appearance being an important feature.

Dog
Dog demibeasts are canine-based. They are popular among vendors, with more loyal and bulky breeds often serving as shop assistants. Dog demibeasts are also known for having a very good sense of smell.

Dragon
Dragon demibeasts are very valuable, along with being very rare.

Rodent
Rodent demibeasts are common, often with tails and furry ears.

Snakes
Snake demibeasts often have scale patches on their bodies and forked tongues, with these tongues causing speech to sound strange in how the s's roll (Chapter 67). They must wear more clothes in the winter, as they have a hard time retaining heat (Chapter 67).

Caracal
Caracal demibeasts are bigger and more muscular than typical cat demibeasts. They are located far south from the Capital City, and are considered dangerous.

Chicken
Chicken demibeasts are an avian type. They can become very violent unless properly trained, and their natural broodiness is put to ease with childcare duties, making them suitable nannies (Chapter 72). They are also often assigned intense duties

Chipmunk
Chipmunk demibeasts are a rodent type. They have soft rounded ears and a fluffy tail, and their hair and tail will have lines in it akin to chipmunk fur patterning (Chapter 68). Chipmunk demibeasts are not naturally social, and must be trained to "correct" that behavior.

Double crested cormorant
Double crested cormorant demibeasts are an avian type, with wings and facial markings fitting their typing. They are an uncommon avian breed, often bought as a novelty, and feel at home on the ocean.

Flugel canary
A flugel canary is a weak constitution avian demibeast.

Hissing cockroach
Hissing cockroach demibeasts have antennae atop their head, as most cockroach demibeasts do. They are very aggressive and defiant, known for being angry, stubborn, and hard to train. However, they are valued for being high constitution, regardless of the additional stigma that they carry disease to other demibeasts.

Under constant use, a hissing cockroach demibeast may live at least twelve years. They are popular with mages.

Lion
Lion demibeasts are a cat type. They have extremely sensitive ears.

Owl
Owl demibeasts are an avian breed, and are supposed to be wise and refined.

Question mark cockroach
Question mark cockroach demibeasts, like other cockroach types, have antennae atop their head. They also have wings, with a question mark design on them. They take a long time to mature, reaching the mental age of twelve around the physical age of eighteen.

Rat
Rat demibeasts are a rodent type, and have round ears and furless tails (Chapter 68). They mature very quickly-- one finishes mental development around thirteen, and is fully grown at fifteen.

Short-tailed shearwater
Short-tailed shearwater demibeasts are an avian breed with large wings, and are known for being friendly.

Swan
Swan demibeasts are an avian breed. They mate for life, and separating mates can drive them mad.

Tiger
Tiger demibeasts are a cat type. They have extremely sensitive ears.

Viper
Viper demibeasts are a snake breed. They have scale patches on their bodies and forked tongues.

Wvyern
Wvyern demibeasts are very rare, and are a dragon type.

Zenzi cub
Zenzi cub demibeasts are a feline breed. They have white hair with black horizontal stripes. Depending on what they are fed, the white part of their hair may grow out as different colors, such as blue, yellow, green, red, and purple. Their pregnancies take almost a year, with only one child being born at a time.

These demibeasts are tier 5 high constitution. As such strong creatures, they are valued as magical familiars.