Uso

Here are some quick rudimentary notes on Uso (to be filled out fully)

Uso, or Usogami are Edemia's most common sapient species. All are born as usogi, with only one gem growing from their back (with the exception of some subspecies). Found on every continent, uso are incredibly diverse. With over ten known subspecies! These include standard, avian, enhydra, elegast, pillar, runic, subterran, starforged, vampiric, oculus, and the now extinct dracuul.

Diet
A central part of every uso's diet is concept. Each usogi is born with a unique concept that they can sense and eat, upon metamorphosis an usogami gains an additional concept. Concepts can range from things like emotions, senses, colors. Even things like time, or change, or strength. 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.''

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.

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. Usogami must have a minimum of at least four gems, but it is not uncommon to meta with much more.