Canari

Canari

Information
Homeworld	Virilune
Habitats	Plains, meadows, temperate forests, mountain woodlands, mixed deciduous forests, boreal forests
Unique Traits	Canine appearance, dog ears, snout, tails, claws, etc
Writer(s)	Patchwork (sspecimenn)

"Quit chasing your own tail and go help your sister with the harvesting!" — A tired Canari mother to her son

The Canari are a warm and social people native to a variety of areas on Virilune, preferring open spaces where they can see the sky and stars. They are a species whose culture is shaped by societal bonds and the idea that spiritual essence flows within all things, often personifying natural phenomena. They are defined by their canine traits such as ears, snouts, and tail. They are generally high-spirited and communicative people, working in packs to further the prosperity of the group as a whole. They commune with nature itself for guidance in how to live their lives, operating in a way to help ensure the ecological balance remains intact. In opposition to the distant Felari, the Canari can come off as too overwhelming to outsiders, often being overly excitable when exploring other cultures and sharing ideas. The Canari have worked hard to make advancements in agriculture, ecology, and biological sciences. They work in pursuit of a great balance in the natural order.

Core Worldview

“Be sure to say thanks to the spirits of the trees before you take from them, they worked hard to grow for us, it's the least we could do to give back.” -- A kind older sister teaching her younger brother

The Canari view their homeworld and by extension the universe as an interconnected system. There is life in everything and nature itself is a sign of something greater. They believe that in order to live a good life, you must take care of those you love and tend to the world around you, if you do these things all will work out eventually. They believe that when one dies, their soul will return to the cycle and begin anew.

Physiology and Design

“I can tell you're lying, I can see your tail wagging. Oh and the crumbs all over your face don’t help your case.” – A mother scolding her child for stealing treats before dinner

The Canari are humanoids with canine traits. They have fur, tails, snouts, and dog ears. Fur and markings appear around the face, on the arms and legs, and along the back and hips. The Canari have digitigrade feet (paws), this evolutionary trait has given them the capacity to maintain high speeds with ease. All Canari are based on animals within the Canidae taxonomy family, this includes dogs, wolves, coyotes, raccoon dogs, foxes and more.

While there is some sort of genetic predisposition and heredity, such as a child from a fishing family being born with traits that might make them better at fishing (such as webbed paws or waterproof coats), there is no cultural taboo in regards to hybrids between canine species.

Canari come in natural tones for their environment. For example a Canari that lives in plains is more likely to have a coat be colors like brown or beige than white or black (like a Canari that lives in the more arctic areas). Unnatural colors never appear without dye involved, the newer generations often enjoy dying their fur fun color combinations as a way to express themself.

Tail docking, Ear Clipping, Declawing are seen as taboo and are not performed unless medically necessary. Piercings and tattoos are okay and normalized as a way to honor traditions, engage in self expression and mark rites of passage. Tattooing is possible, it is colloquially known as tattooing though the process is more in line with freeze-dry branding. This method makes the branded fur regrow white.

Canari live 1.5 times as long as the average human being.

Social Structures and Community

"Oh that Aurelian trader is in town, do you wanna go take a look?" -- Chatter at the dinner table

The Canari live in villages and towns that mainly consist of tight-knit groups of allied packs that have decided to live near each other. “It takes a village to raise a child” communities are very social and work together to prosper as a whole. Most packs settle down in one area, though some remain nomadic as a way to care for nature.

While no central government, The Canidae is a prominent organization that works to represent the many tribes and communities that exist on Verilune. Known for heading advancements and handling dealing and trades with travelers from other spheres. They also keep track of all recognized/ formed communities and ensure they are aware of any important changes. Do not govern the people, instead act as a mouth piece for decisions and spreading of important information.

There are established trade lines between the Canari and some other species, such as between the Aurelians. The Aurelians trade contemporary technology in exchange for Verilune's organic materials. Plazas act as community spaces between villages, allowing packs and off-world traders to trade and sell goods, ceremonies to be held, and acts as a social hub .

The Canari are very social people that thrive on collaborative effort and are considered community-oriented. They work together to pursue mutual goals and rely on each other to overcome stress and challenges. This social-driven society means its worst punishment is exile from the group.

A very important part of Canari culture are Packs. Traditionally a pack is one's family and extended family, however it is becoming more common for close friends to be included in one's pack. A pack provides a sense of intense belonging and safety, this is essential for mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. A Canari without a pack often suffers from feeling lonely, anxious, and depressed.

Pack names are sometimes used, it is a name given to those within a pack, similar to a last name or a clan name. It acts as a signifier of community and respect.

Religion and Spirituality

“Watch the shape of the trees, see how the wind howls and the leaves swirl? Watch the patterns and how they flow, now let's try channeling that spell again.” – A druid teaching magic to a young pup

The Canari believe in what would be known as Animism, the idea that all things both living (people, animals, plants) and not (such as the weather, rocks, or geographical locations) possess spiritual essence, life, or agency. They believe that there is a great balance to everything in the universe, that everything works together as parts of a whole. It is said that all life is sacred and to lead a good life involves helping maintain this balance. Spirituality is another part of life, there is no distinction between natural and supernatural.

For instance, when a hunter kills livestock it is customary to leave a part of it on one’s altar, as thanks to the animal for giving up its life so the hunter can feed their pack.

Never take without giving back to the cycle. We must be respectful when we interact with the cycle.

Technology and Science

“Hey your ship isn’t looking too good, have you watered it lately?” – A Canari’s comment to a very confused Aurelian

The Canari use a mixture of traditional handmade tools from animal and natural materials and contemporary bio-mechanical technology. Their technological base is rooted in the forces of nature and magic. They then utilize biology, botany, and engineering to marry these concepts into something akin to living technology. The roots of trees curl through metal and plating like the circulatory system of the human body. Sigils are also used to infuse tools with the energies and spirits of nature.

Due to the nature of Canari pattern recognition, the community takes great care and love for the arts. The Canari utilize a varied range of materials to design unique tools, equipment, toys, and architecture.

While there is a currency system, the bartering system is often used, especially among close-knit packs.

Traditional Clothing and Fashion

“Oh I love what you’ve done with your fur, the way you’ve styled ribbons into it reminds me of a great soaring bird” – Two Canari talking over tea

Clothing and fashion varies from person to person, some prefer to wear loose fitting clothing to allow their fur to lay nicely, some prefer to wear tight fitting clothing to flatten their fur. As a general, fur is often a topic of fashion and allows one to express themself. While fur is in natural color ranges and hues for normal canines of their climate region, fur dye is becoming more common. Fur can also be manipulated in the same way as hair allowing for hair styles, braiding, and modification of length.

Tattooing is possible, it is colloquially known as tattooing though the process is more in line with freeze-dry branding. This method makes the branded fur regrow white. Accessories on the ears are common as well as other types of piercings. Done traditionally as a way to represent rites of passage or respect nature, but can also be for self expression. Accessories on the tail are also common: ribbons, feathers, chains, and other fun inclusions.

Occupations

• Druids, those in the community that can see the strings of magic to varying degrees. Utilize divination such as astrology, dendromancy, or scalpuamancy to guide the pack in decisions. For example: The Dog Star’s position is used to guide agricultural decisions such as when to plant or harvest from the field.
  • Normal Canari → Druid → High Druids

• Elders, heads of their pack. Work with other elders in pack alliances to ensure prosperity for the group as a whole. Organize as a council to come to decisions regarding the alliance and group as a whole.
• Fisherman, involved in the catching and processing of fish
• Animal handler, involved in tending to animals and processing their goods
• Farmer, involved in agricultural pursuits and processing
• Cook, involved in cooking grand meals for the pack and exploring culinary pursuits. Have cultural dishes and specialties made with fauna and flora native to Virilune.
• Think fantasy setting occupations.

Starships and Space Travel

“Now watch as I do, we must tend to the tree in order to keep everything in working order. This tree serves as the heart of the ship, our generations before you have tended to this tree as well.” – A Canari father teaching his children

The Canari are open to travel, often taking trips to other spheres and engaging in trading. They have bustling markets and ports for trade and purchase of plants, animal materials, and artisan goods.

The Canari often take on aspects of Felari starships, looking almost organic to the naked eye. While the Canari utilize less chitin than the Felari, they blend natural materials with the unnatural to create strong bio-synthetic hybrids strong enough to be used for starships. Often using processed gourd and husk materials infused with metals. At the heart of Canari-originated starships is a strong tree, its roots are entwined with all the processes of the ship. One’s ship is an extension of nature, treat it well and ensure you care for it.

The Canari don’t need stealth aspects as much as the Felari, though some ships do have this technology instated.

Ships do not feature harsh lighting, and interiors are maximized as much as possible. Smaller ships are more common, though larger, vast constructs can be seen hovering above Virilune’s skies, prepared to defend the planet if necessary.

Cultural Quirks and Daily Life

In their eyes, forces of nature are personified and are something that can be interacted with and have the power to affect daily life. If rain is required, they may perform a ritual to invoke its spirit to bring rain fall. As a result, may have some trouble relating to societies that place division between natural and supernatural. Or societies that do not believe in the inherent idea of the soul in all things.

When pups are growing up, they will often play fight as a way to develop social, physical and communication skills. Pups may also chase their tails and nibble on their ears or paws. Pups will also walk on all fours until they have the strength to keep themself upright. All Canari are able to run on all fours, even into their elder years.

As the pack takes care of one another, all members of the pack are involved in raising pups and taking care of the elderly.

Canari body language is very important for understanding the context of speech and actions.

Traditional Canari language is a mixture of barks, yaps, growls, rumbles, etc. Intonation, pitch, duration, frequency are essential to ensure proper words are said.

Canari have a tendency to be loud, as they do not have threats that would require the stealth that is customary for the Felari. They can feel uncomfortable with silence and long pauses in conversation, they are yappers.

Canari dislike artificial lighting, they greatly enjoy lying in the warm rays of the sun.

Canari deeply enjoy sports such as soccer or track as it provides an outlet for their boundless energy.

An outsider may comment on the color choices of the Canari, this is because degrees of colorblindness are common.

Everyday rituals are common, small acts that pay back to nature and the spirits.

Notable Locations

• The R'avant Market
  • Largest Market location, city filled with tourists and travelers. Also the location of the Canidae
• Enlightened Blighted Kitchen
  • Famous dumplings are sold and made here, a family business that many will journey to deep in the forest to get to.
• Zaurth Range
  • Large mountain range, underneath waterfall, large cave, well known druid related location.
  • Many Canari enjoy going to Zaurth to propose for their weddings.
• The Palace Pub
  • An infamous Canari bar
  • The Palace Pub features the "Mindbreaker", a very tough drink that many struggle to finish a pint of.
• Hurzu
  • A very vast land of fertile soil, lush with crops.

Interactions With Other Species

Due to their social nature, the Canari have an open stance when interacting with other species. They enjoy forging relationships and ties.

• The Canari and the Felari, their neighbors on Virilune, have had a long history of conflict due to cultural differences and tendencies. Recent generations have shifted towards peace with the goal of sharing ideas and learning from each other's progress, rebuilding trust through mutual understanding and cooperation. Felari and Canari work together most notably in the pursuit of bio-technological advancement.
• The Canari have established trade with the Aurelians, organic materials in exchange for contemporary technology. Mainly the Canari trade with the Aurelians for tools and machines that assist with the harvesting and processing of animal and plant products. In return, the Canari provide organic materials such as animal products and specialty dishes. The Canari don’t understand the Aurelian’s dislike of magic and find them limited by the way they organize themselves and their society. 
• Ties with the Ferrans are tentatively calm, while the Canari and Ferrans have similar beliefs in regards to all things having souls, they differ greatly in the way they proceed with this information. The Ferrans have established trading for plant material that would not survive growth on Singulon. Some Kins have a working business relationship with fringe Canari clans, loaning out workers to assist with terraforming efforts. This relationship is kept out of the public eye due to Canari views on nature, as most Canari would view this as a violation of nature that would lead to disaster.

Inspiration Images

Canari Architecture Examples

Canari Environment Examples

Concept Art