~ Greater Mutations ~ -- Mutation Info -- Murrah have some pretty fancy genes, and can have a wide combination of traits because of them. Some of these mutations are very rare, some are more common, and some are extremely common among some family lines. Often, it is possible for a certain clan to be known for the mutation that marks nearly every one of its bloodline members. Most mutations can be worked into roleplaying. Maybe a Murrah is especially proud, or even ashamed of his mutation. Other Murrah may look up to or shun a Murrah because of certain genetic varations. Take your Murrah's appearance and genetics into consideration when attempting to understand them as individuals in Murrah society.   --What are 'Greater Mutations?' The Greater Mutations are what can almost be considered Murrah subspecies, or breeds. On Pelmei, these breeds of Murrah developed, one way or another, to such an extent that many Murrah consider them to be completely different 'kinds.' They differ from Lesser mutations in that they come in sets, and can only be ordered as such on custom forms. It is still all just genetic variation of one species however, so they can interbreed, resulting in mixes. These mixed offspring may show all, none, or a few select aspects of their parents' Greater mutations. Resplendent is not a 'true' Greater mutation, and so can be treated like a Lesser mutation on custom forms. This means that Resplendent can combine with other Greater mutations on a form, while the other Greater mutations cannot. Only one full-blood Greater mutation can be requested on custom forms, and it must be a complete Greater mutation. The only way to get mixes is to breed them yourself, or find them as premades.   -- Resplendent -- Even though many Murrah have bold markings or highly-contrasting colors, they still tend to have a rather mammalian or subdued pallet of colors on their pelts and scales. However, there are genes that amplify these colors into a bright, or even garish, array of colors. This gene also causes 'bi-color' eyes. Some 'Resplendent' Murrah love their vivid fur, and flaunt their beauty over their earthier neighbors...but some think their colors are garish and wish to hide or cover them...and sometimes the other Murrah wish the same thing for them. It's sometimes hard to distinguish when a Murrah is considered Resplendent (just like Highlighters on PI) but commonly any Murrah with a bright color on them somewhere, and with bi-color eyes, can be called Resplendent. Either aspect appearing on its own would typically be called "Partial-Resplendent." The clan of Deeptree is one of the largest clans on Pelmei, and is know for its almost entirely Resplendent population. Most fully Resplendent Murrah come from this clan. Resplendent is the only mutation that can be considered either a Greater or Lesser mutation on custom forms, because it can combine with anything.   -- Highland  -- Highland Murrah originate in the rocky foothills of Pelmei, constantly butting heads with the Urhein of the clifflands. They have a history of being a very stubborn brand of Murrah, well used to battling with the neighboring Urhein. This has made them a tough, and at least somewhat arrogant, bunch. Many Murrah look up to Highland Murrah, and those bearing any traits of being related to them...and some resent them or find them too arrogant to deal with. On the other hand, the Highlands themselves have to deal with both of these views from others, and it can have varying effects on their outlooks. Only recently have the Highland Murrah suffered enough stress by the Urhein to seek out the refuge of Haurah. Any combination of the furred traits can be passed onto their children. Murrah displaying all the Highland traits are considered Pureblood: Tufted Ears, Arms, Legs/feet, Tail, and Mane. - Adult female - Teen male - Teen female - Baby -   -- Plains -- The Plains Murrah are of hardy nomadic clans that roam the deserts and plains of Pelmei, generally distrusting of strangers and shunning settled life. In general, they are considered a wary and harsh people, whose ways are often likened more to packs of animals than those of 'civilized' beings. They are judged with suspicion by most Murrah, and many in the Solace camps have never even heard of, let alone seen, a Plains Murrah in person before. They are not often sought out and captured by the Urhein, due to the remoteness of their habitat and their ever-moving clans. However, they have been discovering that their land has been shrinking--driving them into growing conflicts with their neighbors, and that the Urhein have taken a liking to their skills of speed and endurance. As far as competetive racing goes, there aren't many Murrah who can beat a well-trained Plains Murrah in a run. The Plains Murrah are marked by shorter fur, and a complete lack of fringe hair, other than at the tip of their tails. Their ears are longer and sleeker, both to aid in running and in cooling--like many large-eared desert animals. Plains Murrah often have an 'accent' that is very different from other clans. They often speak in a more basic, almost feral, type of short-hand mindspeak, which is useful in communicating over great distances when mental-hearing gets difficult. This 'primitive' way of speaking is often misinterpreted by other Murrah as a lack of intelligence or sophistication.   --Wetland-- The Wetland Murah are built generally smaller and surprisingly more dexterous and agile than other types of Murrah, suited to skulking through the shadowy swamps of Pelmei. Their tails and ears are shorter, which mean less extremities to be effected by the--often chilly--humidity in the air, and less likely to cause drag while traveling through the marshy water. Their fur is very thick and soft, surprisingly water-proof and adaptable to a wide range of temperatures, with absolutely no fringe hair to be found. These qualities can give the Wetland Murrah a 'cute' sort of appearance, but don't let that fool you. These Murrah are best known for their eager willingness to trade with outsiders, and the two-faced nature that hides right behind it. The skilled Wetland trader is a friendly, charismatic, but decidedly dangerous, individual. Outsiders are welcomed as far as the trading trails, and no further. Anyone seeking to infiltrate and harm Wetland Murrah in their territory, Urhein included, find themselves up against a deadly myriad of traps, stealth, and agility. It is for this reason, that Wetland Murrah are rarely seen outside of their marshes, let alone traveling across the Nightmare Tunnel.   ©2007 - Shannon Legler