There's three main species of humans on Omoa: Finfolk, Beastmen and Earthkin. They all descended from a common ancestor, adapting to their respective environment.
Finfolk
The Finfolk, also known as "nom mova," are one of three species within the human genus ("nom"), exhibiting a humanoid form with distinct aquatic adaptations. They stand upright, with two legs, two arms, and a head, but several unique features set them apart due to their evolution in water-rich environments. While they originate from Meda, the Great Archipelago, and possess traits suited for aquatic life, most Finfolk live on land.
Body
A finfolk woman.
The Finfolk's bodies are adapted for both terrestrial and aquatic life, with a few key differences from their human cousins. A whale-like tail extends from the base of their hips, giving them strong swimming abilities but limiting their climbing skills on land. Fins or webbing between their fingers and toes further enhance their swimming prowess, making them agile in the water. However, this tail, while useful in water, can be a hindrance in mountainous or heavily forested terrain.
Their sharp teeth, designed for catching and tearing prey in the open seas, can lead to minor inconveniences such as accidental bites when speaking or eating. Finfolk are generally shorter than other humans and have round ears, another distinguishing feature. Their eyes are particularly diverse, with various shapes—crescent-like, horizontal ovals, or W-shaped pupils—adapted to different environments. Common eye colors include white-gray, blue, and yellow, with occasional exotic hues. Their hair colors closely resemble that of Earthkin, ranging from blonde to brown to black.
A notable subgroup of Finfolk, the "Deeplings," has evolved with more extreme adaptations for deep-sea life. These individuals are significantly taller due to deep-sea gigantism and possess a fish-like tail with a vertical fin, larger than the average Finfolk’s tail. Their bodies are equipped with thin, delicate antennae at their joints for enhanced tactile awareness in the dark ocean depths, giving them a heightened sense of their surroundings.
Biology
The blood of Finfolk is blue, a result of an adaptation to survive the extreme temperature variations of their oceanic home. Like other aquatic species, they developed gills in addition to lungs, allowing them to breathe underwater. Additionally, a specialized organ enables them to produce sound underwater, which facilitates communication even while submerged. This gives them the rare ability to speak both on land and in water.
One of the more intriguing biological traits of Finfolk is the lack of pronounced sexual dimorphism. Secondary sexual characteristics are minimal or inconsistent, leading other species, such as Earthkin, to perceive them as androgynous. This ambiguity in appearance further distinguishes them from their human relatives.
The Deeplings exhibit additional biological adaptations, such as the ability to change skin pigments for camouflage or communication, much like octopuses. This skin color modulation allows them to blend with their surroundings or signal to others. Bioluminescent spots on their backs, controllable at will, can disorient predators from above and provide another layer of defense in the deep, dark waters.
The average lifespan of a Finfolk is around 120 years, with the deeplings exhibiting no significant differences in longevity despite their adaptations. Together, these unique features make the Finfolk a remarkable species, bridging the worlds of land and sea in both form and function.
Beastmen
Beastmen, or "nom dajan," are one of the three species in the human genus, distinguished by their animal-like traits. Found primarily on Loša and Mismia, they have evolved into a wide variety of subspecies, each bearing physical features reminiscent of different animals. These characteristics provide them with natural advantages in their environments, ranging from forests to mountains. While all Beastmen share a humanoid shape—two legs, two arms, a torso, and a head—their animal traits set them apart from Earthkin and Finfolk.
Body
Beastmen's physiology is highly varied, with each individual falling into a specific subspecies, although no two Beastmen are exactly alike. Their animal-like features, typically inspired by mammals (though amphibians are a notable exception), can range from subtle to highly pronounced. While they often resemble animals like wolves, cats, or bats, these similarities are purely environmental rather than evolutionary—Beastmen are not descended from these animals, but have developed parallel traits.
Some common physical traits include:
- Animal ears
- Claws or talon-like nails
- Fur or increased hair growth
- Tails
Additional Characteristics
Despite their animalistic traits, Beastmen remain humanoid in form and function. Skin color among Beastmen is largely determined by their archetype rather than their geographic location. For example, sheep-like Beastmen often have dark skin beneath their white wool, even in northern climates. Many Beastmen are also covered entirely in fur, which can obscure their underlying skin color.
Eye color is similarly influenced by archetype, with some Beastmen displaying exotic shades that reflect their animal characteristics. Height varies significantly across different archetypes—some Beastmen may be much larger or smaller than the average Earthkin, depending on their specific animal traits.
Archetypes
Beastmen are classified into various archetypes based on their dominant animal traits. These archetypes include, but are not limited to:
- Amphibians: This rare group of Beastmen features traits reminiscent of frogs, salamanders, or other amphibians, often giving them slick skin and webbed extremities.
- Bovids ("Fauns"): These Beastmen resemble goats or sheep, often with horns and hooves, making them agile in mountainous regions.
- Opossums: Characterized by their small size, prehensile tails, and sharp claws, opossum Beastmen are nocturnal and skilled at climbing.
- Bats ("Goblins"): Goblins possess bat-like features, including wing-like membranes, sharp teeth, and enhanced nocturnal vision.
- Leporids: Resembling rabbits or hares, these Beastmen are known for their agility and speed, with long ears and powerful hind legs.
- Canids: This group is often associated with wolves or foxes, known for their keen senses of smell and hearing, as well as their sharp claws and teeth.
- Felids: Feline Beastmen possess traits similar to cats, including heightened agility, retractable claws, and keen night vision.
- Swines ("Orcs"): Orcs are strong, bulky Beastmen, often with tusks and coarse hair, suited for hard labor and survival in harsh environments.
- Bears ("Trolls"): Trolls are massive, bear-like Beastmen with immense strength and endurance, often found in cold, forested regions.
- Procyonids: Resembling raccoons or red pandas, these Beastmen are agile, with masked faces and dexterous hands perfect for climbing and scavenging.
Each archetype plays a unique role in the societies of Beastmen, adapting to their specific environment with the help of their distinctive traits. Despite their differences, Beastmen share a common bond through their survival-oriented connection to nature and their animal-like features.
Earthkin
Earthkin ("nom luja") are the most widespread and familiar of the humanoid species within the human genus. They are physically identical to the modern Homo sapiens and inhabit a variety of regions across the planet, including the continents of Loša, Lotaš and Mismia. Earthkin are known for their adaptability and have developed complex societies and cultures throughout history, thriving in diverse environments.
Body
Earthkin possess the typical humanoid form with a torso, two legs, two arms, and a head. Unlike their more specialized counterparts, the Beastmen and Finfolk, Earthkin have no animalistic or aquatic adaptations. Their bodies are instead optimized for survival on land, and they vary greatly in size, skin color, and physical traits based on geographic and genetic factors.
Skin color among Earthkin is diverse, with lighter tones more common in northern regions and darker skin found in those living closer to the equator. Earthkin also display a wide range of hair and eye colors, often shaped by their environment and ancestry. Height and build vary significantly, with some groups being taller or stockier depending on local conditions and historical development.
Social adaptation
As one of the most socially complex species, Earthkin have built civilizations across Loša, Lotaš, and Mismia, ranging from isolated hunter-gatherer societies to highly advanced urban centers. Their cultures and technologies differ dramatically depending on region, with Earthkin societies in Loša often considered the most technologically advanced, while those in Lotaš remain at a Mesolithic stage of development due to their isolation. However, in all regions, Earthkin demonstrate a remarkable capacity for cultural development, communication, and environmental adaptation.
The physical and social diversity of Earthkin highlights their status as one of the most adaptable and widespread humanoid species, creating a stark contrast with the more specialized and niche-living Beastmen and Finfolk.