Inyri Takan
Moonstruck
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
PHYSICAL INFORMATION
[*]Hair color: See above, Sekiei grow pelts that correspond.
[*]Distinctions: Noticeably the Sekiei grow crystals on key points of their bodies, which are a more vibrant shade than that of their skin and pelts, though often remaining in the same colour suite. These crystals never stop 'growing' throughout a deer's lifespan, eventually becoming so unwieldy for the creature to manage that it can slow them down when escaping predators, leading to their deaths. Alongside that, the deer are known for their overly-trusting and friendly nature, known to approach the native Kage species without fear in search of food or physical affection. However, if they sense danger, they are fleety and can climb like mountain goats to escape danger. Male Sekiei grow manes that are darker than their pelts and also tend to feature less bodily crystals, as they grow crystalline antlers instead. The crystals produce mild bioluminescence as well, though will no longer once cut from a Sekiei's pelt.
[*]Races: N/A
[*]Strengths:
[*]Weaknesses:
CULTURE
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Sekiei are thought to have had humble beginnings. Because Quarzite's surface is so pressurized it's unable to sustain life, life flourished below ground. It's speculated that Sekiei Deer were a transplanted species, brought to Quarzite by some ancient spacefaring precursor to the Kage to serve as livestock. They eventually went on to be a native species, evolving to match the challenges demanded of them by becoming faster, tougher, and more crystalline. Kage revered the white Sekiei in particular as they were stronger in the Force than a normal member of their species but also believed their general rarity to be divine. Seeing one is said to bring good luck.
Sekiei have grown little in notoriety with the advent of the spacefaring age, as hunters from off-world come seeing their crystals for trinkets and their tender meat for exotic dishes. But generally, their existence and the methods needed to hunt them are known to only a select few and the native Kage are terribly protective of the deer, which, coupled with Quarzite's generally harder-to-access life, makes for a species not widly known but still valued.
- Intent: To help flesh out the dreadfully underdeveloped world of Quarzite by populating it with a very cute prey animal that fits with the location & culture.
- Image Credit: Crystal Deer Sticker, Crystal Fawns
- Canon: N/A
- Links: Quarzite, Crystallized Lotus
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Name: Cervidae Vitreus, colloquially known as the Sekiei Deer
- Designation: Non-sentient
- Homeworld: Quarzite
- Language: N/A
- Average Lifespan: 15-20 Standard Years
- Estimated Population: Planetary
- Description: Many, at first, mistake Sekiei Deer for statues. They have that quality and gravitas to them that suggests an artificial origin, though theirs is quite natural. It doesn't help that they have large colonies of natural crystal growing from their backs, fetlocks, and cheeks, helpful for camouflage in Quartzite's vast crystal caverns. Their cloven hooves and, when exhibited in the males, antlers, are also made of a similar material. The crystals are theorized to be from the Deer consuming vast quantities of Crystallized Lotuses in their evolutionary stages, similar to the Vulptex of Crait. They help the deer escape their natural predator, Milodons, and also from an array of predators that make Quarzite caverns their home. By blending into the natural crystal walls of the planet's subterranean surface, they remain unseen like ghosts.
PHYSICAL INFORMATION
- Breathes: Type I
- Average height of adults: 0.75 - 1 Meters
- Average length of adults: N/A
- Skin color:
Females -- Pink, Yellow, Blue, Purple (Most Common), White (Rarest) - Males -- Navy Blue, Purple, Gold, Red, Black, White (Rarest)
[*]Hair color: See above, Sekiei grow pelts that correspond.
[*]Distinctions: Noticeably the Sekiei grow crystals on key points of their bodies, which are a more vibrant shade than that of their skin and pelts, though often remaining in the same colour suite. These crystals never stop 'growing' throughout a deer's lifespan, eventually becoming so unwieldy for the creature to manage that it can slow them down when escaping predators, leading to their deaths. Alongside that, the deer are known for their overly-trusting and friendly nature, known to approach the native Kage species without fear in search of food or physical affection. However, if they sense danger, they are fleety and can climb like mountain goats to escape danger. Male Sekiei grow manes that are darker than their pelts and also tend to feature less bodily crystals, as they grow crystalline antlers instead. The crystals produce mild bioluminescence as well, though will no longer once cut from a Sekiei's pelt.
[*]Races: N/A
[*]Strengths:
- Not Quite Kyber: Sekiei are naturally sensitive to the Force, connected to both the planet of Quarzite, each-other and their human handlers (If they have any) through it and can often form rudimentary but strong bonds. Sekiei particularly strong in the light side are born white and are considered sacred by the native Kage. If harvested correctly, any Sekiei crystal can be used in a lightsaber, though it is obviously not ideal for use in such a weapon. They are of less quality than a synthetic crystal, and therefore will produce a slightly unstable blade (Though of notably brilliant colour).
- Flighty Little Chits: Much like an Ibex or a similar climbing mammal, a Sekiei is extremely good on their hooves. They are able to scale the sheer walls of the Quarzite caverns and the crystals with surprising ease, helping them escape predators and those seeking to capture them.
[*]Weaknesses:
- A Soft Heart: Sekiei are naturally trusting. If you give them no cause to distrust or fear you, they will happily allow you to come up to them and even touch them, as they love affection. This is normally a good thing, but a particularly crafty hunter could simply sit and wait for the Sekiei to come to them. They are very curious and, so long as you act right, it's very easy to lure them into traps.
- Burdens We Bear: A Sekiei's crystals never stop growing. Eventually, they become too heavy for their frames to adequately support and they become less agile, more vulnerable to attack. Hunters often pick on the older Sekiei as a result, knowing that they are a hindrance to the overall herd.
- Can You Feel Them?: Due to the Sekiei's natural connection to the Force, they are easily detectable and therefore huntable through it. Offworld hunters often bring Vornskr to Quarzite to help with the hunt for this exact reason, though many do it simply because Vornskr are good hunters and don't realize the connection. Sekiei never developed a natural defence to this outside attack, and are extremely vulnerable to exploitation as a result.
CULTURE
- Diet: Sekiei have evolved to be more omnivorous than anything, often eating insects and worms over plants since those are easier to find. Though, a Sekiei will always snack on a Crystallized Lotus; it's their favourite treat. They will not eat meat, even when offered it in captivity, and also cannot pass most off-world fruits and vegetables due to their biology not being built to consume foreign foods like that,
- Communication: Body language and the Force, to convey intent. Can produce 'deer noises', but possess no means of communicating directly with Humans or other highly intelligent species due to lack of anatomy required & intelligence needed.
- Technology level: They're deer, so none.
- Religion/Beliefs: Again, deer. They seem to hold some reverence for the Force at least, far more trusting to Force-sensitives and Force users, and they shy away from the dark side and often consider those shrouded in it to be predators.
- General behavior: Sekiei travel in small herds, usually consisting of an alpha male who defends the young and the females. Other males are tolerated in the herd hierarchy, but if one challenges the alpha for control of the clan their contests can become deadly and they will be either killed or ostracized. Females are in charge of rearing the young that are whelped in the 'spring' of Quarzite, ensuring they are reared to know how to survive the cavernous lifestyle. They are extremely trusting of people most likely due to their domestic roots, particularly friendly to the native Kage and are often seen wandering about their temples and cities like stray pets. Possessing a strong sense of self-preservation, they flee if they feel even the slightest bit threatened.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Sekiei are thought to have had humble beginnings. Because Quarzite's surface is so pressurized it's unable to sustain life, life flourished below ground. It's speculated that Sekiei Deer were a transplanted species, brought to Quarzite by some ancient spacefaring precursor to the Kage to serve as livestock. They eventually went on to be a native species, evolving to match the challenges demanded of them by becoming faster, tougher, and more crystalline. Kage revered the white Sekiei in particular as they were stronger in the Force than a normal member of their species but also believed their general rarity to be divine. Seeing one is said to bring good luck.
Sekiei have grown little in notoriety with the advent of the spacefaring age, as hunters from off-world come seeing their crystals for trinkets and their tender meat for exotic dishes. But generally, their existence and the methods needed to hunt them are known to only a select few and the native Kage are terribly protective of the deer, which, coupled with Quarzite's generally harder-to-access life, makes for a species not widly known but still valued.
