Elisian

"""'I have met very few Elisians in my lifetime who would admit that I know anything about their species. Prideful, stubborn, and self-serving, they are masters of survival -- and not just in regards to the wilderness. The city jungle is just as dangerous as any dark forestland could be.' -- Shillay Vanneccio"

Elisian
Elisians are the shapeshifting denizens of the planet Elisia. They are named after their enigmatic Goddess, Elyse. In many books on Valeven, the spelling of "Elisian" is often misspelled as "Elysian". This is a common misconception that is not specific to Valeven, but to many off-worlders.

Physiology
Biologically shapeshifters, Elisians are capable of changing their form into lower intelligence creatures. Contrary to the namesake of "shapeshifter", Elisians cannot take on forms of other Elisians, other beings of high sentience, inanimate objects, or plants.

In order to change form, an Elisian must study a creature extensively before they are capable of shifting into that shape. When it comes to forms that have greater mass than the Elisian, they must have access to a powerful energy source, such as mana. For smaller shapes, an Elisian can rely primarily on sustenance for energy. Elisians have two stomachs and an incredibly rapid metabolism. An Elisian has to eat up to five full meals a day to feel satisfied -- an active Elisian has to eat up to seven or eight.
 * In the matter of mana, Elisians are capable of innately drawing in ambient mana to fuel their shapeshifting capabilities.

Elisians have sharp canine teeth, though their lower pair are slightly longer than the top.

Their ears are cervine-like in structure, and just as keen. They can swivel this way and that to better detect sounds within the vicinity.

An Elisian's eyes act much like a cat's in the manner that they can see with very little light present. Their pupils are also a vertical oval shape, as opposed to the circular that humans have. Circling their pupil is a lighter, almost glowing ring of color that matches their natural eye color. In addition, Elisian eyes tend to be bright, heavily saturated colors.

Elisians have a wide range of different natural hair colors, including colors unnatural to humans. White is one of the very few that is considered unnatural, and thus is used by the clergy to mark heretics to set them aside from other Elisians.

Skin colors of Elisians range from near stark white to tan as a result of their planet seeing very little sun, save for around the equator. Their generally short stature is also a result of this.

Cultural Gender Differences

 * Elisians tend to mark themselves differently based on gender. An example of this is that female Elisians generally have tattoos, whereas males do not. While there are males who may tattoo themselves later in life, it's not done during childhood as it's done with the ladies. Tattoos are seen as a feminine trait, so while it's not unheard of for a male to be tattooed for aesthetic purposes, it isn't common.

Religion
The primary religion practiced throughout Elisia is that of the All-Seeing Eye of Elyse. This involves worshiping Elyse, the deity who created the planet and the Elisians, themselves. Lead by powerful clergies within the main cities, the average Elisian is very attached to the notion of the Goddess. Those who are outspoken against Elyse are often imprisoned, marked as a Heretic, show up dead, or disappear completely.

Elyse's teachings often speak of relations with off-worlders and half-breeds. As per her writings, it is forbidden for an Elisian to produce offspring with an off-worlder. Half-breeds formed from these unions are seen as abhorrent creatures, treated worse than the lowliest insect. While there are Elisians avidly against this belief, to overtly speak out against it would bring down the wrath of the clergy.

One punishment the clergy often reserves for detractors is that of a "Mark of the Heretic". A swatch of hair is stained white, a hair color that is unnatural for an Elisian to have otherwise. With this marking, a Heretic becomes a social pariah, treated only marginally better than a half-breed. Even if a Heretic were to shave their head bald, it would be assumed that they were ultimately attempting to hide their status as a Heathen. Social standards of Elisian culture demands visible hair, else one is seen as a cowardly Heretic or simply someone to be mocked.

Relations
Elisians are, with a lack of a better term, incredibly xenophobic towards off-worlders. Despite this, they do hold trading relationships with both Gao, Valeven, and at one point, Gotumonx.
 * Gao is Elisia's primary trading partner. This is predominantly due to how near half of Gao's demographic is made up of Gotumonian refugees who settled on the originally sparsely populated planet. Due to how Gao is fairly technologically advanced, Elisia is able to provide a wider range of goods that will not violate the Technology Preservation Act, or TPA.
 * Hyra is Elisia's primary enemy planet. Having been at war ever since the Abandonment, the two worlds often make use of spies and sabotage against one another. In some cases, those who are displeased with their own planets might aid the other in various dealings. One of which involves Elisians called Gatherers. These Elisians kidnap others of their kind and ship them off to Hyra to be used as experiments or slave labor. Three all-out wars have happened between the two planets.
 * Valeven and Elisia have a relaxed and fairly cordial relationship. Trade between the two mostly involve information, herbs, and ore. Ambassadors from Valeven are treated slightly better by Elisians than the average off-worlder.

Factions
Them street wars tho

Notable Elisians

 * Elessariel Eranon
 * Azulaim Eranon
 * Alenziel Hawking
 * Shayla Hawking
 * Elzaim Hawking
 * Andrion Larner
 * Lyraim