Uso

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Uso, or Usogami are Edemia's most common sapient species. All members of the species are born as usogi with a singular exterior gem growing from the center of their back (with the exception of certain subspecies). Found on every continent, uso are incredibly diverse and thanks to their unique metamorphosis ability are capable of adapting to nearly any habitat under the right conditions.

As a whole the species boasts over ten subspecies beyond the standard uso: Avian, Enhydra, Elegast, Pillar, Runic, Subterran, Starforged, Ursa, Oculus, the extinct Dracuul, and -- most recently -- Vampiric.

Biology
Usogami, while resembling bipedal mammals, are actually crystal-based lifeforms capable of standing on either two or four legs. Usogami have crystalline bones, gel-like plasma instead of traditional blood and a complex system of mana-storing gems. Often these gems are visible on the surface of the body, similar to biological jewelry or piercings, while others may float around the usogami close to their body -- these are called "orbital gems."

While all uso are born with one to three gems depending on their subspecies, upon metamorphosis all usogami develop at least four total gems to help store mana across the body. Some individuals develop more than fifty gems in total. The number of gems an usogami has is a reflection of how deep their mana pool is. Asides from this, usogi who do not undergo metamorphosis will develop small, gem-like scales as they age, which fill the same purpose to a lesser extent.

Gems are an integral part of an uso's anatomy, and severe injuries to major gem structures can cause permanent damage to the individual's arcane versatility. Scratches and surface level gem wounds can be healed with time and medication, but deep wounds will often prevent the gems from storing any mana at all, causing them to lose colour and functionality. In fact, a loss of pigment within gems is often a symptom of illness.

The shape of an individual's gem often has a direct correlation with their natural talents for magic and ease of innate spellcasting. For example, an uso with spiraling gems often finds it easy to amplify existing magic but struggles with the ability to cast outward, leaving them better suited to enchanting and ritual magic. An uso with sharp, pointed gems would naturally have great accuracy and speed with their spells but struggle with spells that require dense pools of magic or greater flfexibility.

Similarly, the density of an uso's gems affects how much mana the gem in question can store. Denser gems are harder to damage, but can store significantly less mana, while thin shelled gems can store immense mana but are vulnerable to attack. Most of the population sports a happy middleground.

Aside from gems, upon metamorphosis Usogami are capable of extreme changes in their physical appearance. They are capable of partially or completely changing color, but many grow additional features such as horns, extra tails, wings, and even unusual and typically synthetic features such as tassles and ribbons. These seemingly artificial features are typically made of keratin or soft fiber, and grow from the individual's crystalline bones.

Diet
Usogami primarily consume soft, easy to digest foods, often stuffed with natural sugars. While they can eat hard foods and meat in desperation, these often cause indigestion. And some uso are in fact allergic to them.

The reason for uso's delicate constitution in regards to food is that the real powerhouse of their diet is concept. Each usogi is born with at least one concept that they can naturally sense and eat instead of solid foods. Though this is largely optional, it is an adaptation that has helped uso survive periods of famine and is thoroughly engrained in their culture.

When an uso undergoes metamorphosis they gain an additional concept in relation to their personal values or the circumstances surrounding their evolution. Upon metamorphosis an usogami's need for concept goes from "optional" to manditory in order to keep up with the bodys demand for energy in order to replenish mana. Even usogami cannot last on concept alone however.

Concepts- in a nutshell - are exactly what their name implies. Ranging from simple emotions, senses, and thoughts, to complex ideas such as time, strength, and even beauty or color. When an uso "eats" or absorbs their concept, the concept is taken from its host and a part of it transfers to the feeding uso.

''For example, if my concept is Vulnerability and I feed off of my willing friend I become more vulnerable. I am more likely to open up, to be emotional. Or perhaps I am more open to attacks, it might take less to hurt me. And in tandem my friend is now less vulnerable. They become more closed off, or perhaps they may become harder to hurt.'' (NOTE! It can only be one or the other. Physical vulnerability and emotional vulnerability are two different concepts)

Consent is an important factor in feeding. Other than runics, usogami cannot usually feed off on inanimate objects. Concepts must be gained from willing, living sources. When an uso tries to forcefully feed off another creature there are negative effects for all involved eventually resulting in the feeder developing "Broken mind syndrome".

Metamorphosis & Usogami
When an usogi's body has stored up enough energy they become ready to undergo metamorphosis (often colloquially referred to as "metaing" or having "meta'd") and they become an Usogami.

The process of Metamorphosis varies between individuals. Quite often happening swiftly and painfully, but in rare cases happening progressively over the course of a week or so. Metamorphosis is triggered through a combination of emotional readiness, and magical overflow. Responding to the individuals present emotions and latching onto both their conscious and subconscious ideals and desires in order to optimize their transformation. An usogami who deeply desired wings for example may suddenly grow them upon metamorphosis, while an usogami who simply wanted to be stronger might simply develop denser gems or muscle mass.

However there is a third factor that can trigger metamorphosis that bypasses both of the other triggers entirely. This factor is threat. Often when an usogi is under extreme threat of some kind they will undergo sudden metamorphosis in a last ditch effort to protect themselves from whatever assails them. For example an Usogami that evolved because of an avalanche might develop a resistance to freezing or in more extreme cases develop the ability to superheat their body to rapidly melt snow.

Due to this the exact results of metamorphosis vary vividly and prolifically creating a menagerie of variety between individuals of the species, with changes taking place at a genetic level. This allows traits to be passed down recessively in usogi which increases the chances of them manifesting upon metamorphosis.

Spirit Artifacts
Each uso is capable of summoning a "spiritual artifact" from infancy, this artifact changes shape over the course of their life and can take the shape of practically anything. Manifesting as a reflection of their needs.

In most cases this artifact ends up becoming something practical, such as a favored weapon or instrument. But in many cases it can take the form of a simple trinket or keepsake often for the sake of its owners emotional comfort.

Typically an uso only has one spirit artifact their whole lives however in the case that this artifact is broken beyond repair by spiritual magic a new one will start to form to replace it. with the broken pieces of the original often left behind in a permanent physical state.

Similarly using the ancient art of Soulsmithing, an artifact can be enhanced or even frozen into a physical state intact on purpose though this takes precise skill and plentiful energy. It is a sacred art that few people know.

Subspecies Feature Guide (Usogi)
Standard (Common) Singular gem situated at middle back.

Avian Singular gem situated at middle back between a pair of feathered wings.

Avian (Pixie morph) Singular gem situated at middle back between a pair of insectoid wings.

Enhydra Singular gem situated at middle back, can be born with webbed hands and feet, otter-like features, and rarely a mermaidlike tail instead of back legs.

Elegast Singular gem situated at middle back, are born with patches of neutral brown colored skin in areas where their host plants will later latch on, in some cases the "soil patches" will eradicate certain features which will later be replaced by their host plant such as limbs, eyes, ears, or tails.

Pillar A singular gem situated at the middle back accompanied by another gem on the forehead situated slightly above the center of the brow. All pillars have striped or ringlike markings.

Runic A singular gem situated at the middle back, thick fur, and markings in the shape of arcane runes.

Subterran A singular gem situated at the middle back, large often shovel-like claws, mole-like noses, and no eyes.

Starforged A singular gem situated at the middle back, and either a pair of gem horns, or sparkly dust-like clouds of plasma where horns would otherwise be. The fur of starforged sparkles, and they have tear-drop like pockets near the corners of their eyes.

Dracuul A singular gem situated at the middle back situated between a pair of leathery wings, various amounts of gem scales, dracuul grow to considerably larger sizes than most other uso even as usogi.

Ursa A singular gem situated at the middle back, ursa grow to larger sizes than most uso even as usogi

Oculus A singular gem situated at the middle back, they are the only species of uso that cannot walk Bipedally. They gain more tails over time.

Vampiric Vampirics can take the physical appearance of any subspecies provided their parent has the traits in question, however they do not inherit that subspecies power. All vampirics have elongated fangs, and birthmarks that resemble snake bites on both sides of their neck.