Idrat
That awkward, paranoid one
Overview
<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_05/1200px-Osoru.jpg.26e1718eb640e6f55ae3af12cf6149be.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="52918" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_05/1200px-Osoru.jpg.26e1718eb640e6f55ae3af12cf6149be.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>
The Murul are a humanoid species, possibly related to humans. They are often confused for the Murutha, an ethno-national group composed of Murul; by extension, a Murul raised in a human culture would not qualify as a Murutha. The species is native to the Mundhuru River Valley, which hosts a variety of flora and fauna distinct from the human-dominated lands to the South and East.
Murul are very similar in appearance to humans, with a few characterizing differences. Murul have extremely dark skin ranging from very dark grey to jet black. The whites of their eyes are also inky black; their irises have specialized cells that allow them to darken their eyes to inky black when angry, afraid, or aroused. The response occurs involuntarily and cannot be controlled, leading to the custom of Sonsai: turning away darkened eyes to avoid broadcasting these emotions. Even their blood and flesh is black. This coloration may originate from their nocturnality, acting as effective camouflage. It also grants them immunity to sun-burn in the day. Murul produce vitamin D internally; they do not need to consume it from their food or attain it through sunlight.
The Murul possess a pair of ram-like horns that grow out the sides of their head in early childhood. The horns are composed of keratin around a bone core. The outer layer can be carved, dyed, and bleached. However, if the inner, bony layer is damaged, all of the horn below it will die and fall off. Chronic illness is apparent from yellow, diseased coloration.
Nocturnality
Unlike humans - who are active during the day and sleep at night - the Murul are active at night and sleep during the day. Bright light tires them and can damage their eyes, which are adapted to night vision. They have the same range of color-vision as humans with the added bonus of excellent vision in low light. The moon plays a powerful role in their biological rhythms and psychology. For example, a full moon portends increased fertility and a calmer psychological state; a new moon brings nervousness and is seen as inauspicious.
The Murul's nocturnality has influenced what animal species they have come into contact with. Animals very familiar to humans such as horses, sheep, and other day-active creatures are unfamiliar to the Murul. They have mostly domesticated other night-active or crepescular animals, such as wolves, deer, some alpaca species, racoons, and owls
They experience emotions that originate from the state of the night sky: particularly the phase of the moon. A bright, full moon inspires a profound sense of peace and awe. Therefore, diplomatic pursuits are scheduledaround these times. New moon inspire anxiety and fear; in some people it can aggravate mental illness.
Reproduction
The Murul reproduce as humans do, although their pregnancies last longer (11 months) and the child is breastfed by all close by females and cared for by all its relatives, rather than solely by the biological mother.
<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_05/1200px-Osoru.jpg.26e1718eb640e6f55ae3af12cf6149be.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="52918" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_05/1200px-Osoru.jpg.26e1718eb640e6f55ae3af12cf6149be.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>
The Murul are a humanoid species, possibly related to humans. They are often confused for the Murutha, an ethno-national group composed of Murul; by extension, a Murul raised in a human culture would not qualify as a Murutha. The species is native to the Mundhuru River Valley, which hosts a variety of flora and fauna distinct from the human-dominated lands to the South and East.
Murul are very similar in appearance to humans, with a few characterizing differences. Murul have extremely dark skin ranging from very dark grey to jet black. The whites of their eyes are also inky black; their irises have specialized cells that allow them to darken their eyes to inky black when angry, afraid, or aroused. The response occurs involuntarily and cannot be controlled, leading to the custom of Sonsai: turning away darkened eyes to avoid broadcasting these emotions. Even their blood and flesh is black. This coloration may originate from their nocturnality, acting as effective camouflage. It also grants them immunity to sun-burn in the day. Murul produce vitamin D internally; they do not need to consume it from their food or attain it through sunlight.
The Murul possess a pair of ram-like horns that grow out the sides of their head in early childhood. The horns are composed of keratin around a bone core. The outer layer can be carved, dyed, and bleached. However, if the inner, bony layer is damaged, all of the horn below it will die and fall off. Chronic illness is apparent from yellow, diseased coloration.
Nocturnality
Unlike humans - who are active during the day and sleep at night - the Murul are active at night and sleep during the day. Bright light tires them and can damage their eyes, which are adapted to night vision. They have the same range of color-vision as humans with the added bonus of excellent vision in low light. The moon plays a powerful role in their biological rhythms and psychology. For example, a full moon portends increased fertility and a calmer psychological state; a new moon brings nervousness and is seen as inauspicious.
The Murul's nocturnality has influenced what animal species they have come into contact with. Animals very familiar to humans such as horses, sheep, and other day-active creatures are unfamiliar to the Murul. They have mostly domesticated other night-active or crepescular animals, such as wolves, deer, some alpaca species, racoons, and owls
They experience emotions that originate from the state of the night sky: particularly the phase of the moon. A bright, full moon inspires a profound sense of peace and awe. Therefore, diplomatic pursuits are scheduledaround these times. New moon inspire anxiety and fear; in some people it can aggravate mental illness.
Reproduction
The Murul reproduce as humans do, although their pregnancies last longer (11 months) and the child is breastfed by all close by females and cared for by all its relatives, rather than solely by the biological mother.
