PETS
CHAIL
CHAIL
/CHāl/
noun
1. A small songbird with light blue coloration and a feather crest.
"Chail melodies are so soothing."
Plural: Chails
Group: Flock
Baby: Chick
One of the friendliest animals in Skaia and the most popular pets in Mana. Domesticated chails roam freely around the village, while in the wild they can be heard singing away in groups within Angura Forest. Their feathers are a soft blue with distinct white patterning on their tails, chest, and wings, and their beak and feet are a light grey. They say that as long as you can hear a chail singing you'll know that there's no danger nearby.
PANTHRAX
PAN·THRAX
/panˌTHraks/
noun
1. An small domesticated animal with soft fur and retractable claws of feline origin. They are commonly kept as a means of pest control.
"Your panthrax has such a clean coat."
Plural: Panthraxes
Group: Clowder
Baby: Kit
These friendly felines are fast on their feet and love to play chase! They can swim fairly well in shallow water and enjoy taking baths, contrary to popular belief. The fur around their neck is one of the softest materials found in Skaia; some owners will save up the fur that comes off a panthrax during grooming and spin it into a wool to make hats, sweaters, and scarves.
CHUI
CHU·I
/SHo͞oē/
noun
1. A small rodent that has skin joining the fore and hind limbs that enables it to glide.
"I wish I could glide like a chui!"
Plural: Chui
Group: Scurry
Baby: Kit
Rarely found in small packs in the outskirts of the Angura Forest, these small creatures are often spotted among the trees. Any chiot who ventures near may find some of their spare cumulus or other shiny valuables nabbed by these little bandits.
Their bones are hollow and are extremely lightweight. They use this to their advantage, sometimes getting a free ride on another animal without being noticed. These creatures can shift their gliding speed by spreading or bringing their paws closer together, letting them fall from anything like a feather to a dart.
They are very affectionate, especially when given a sugary treat.
*This pet was suggested by explorer Kitsicles!
COSMIZEL
COS·MI·ZEL
/ˈkäzməzəl/
noun
1. A small, slender carnivorous mammal with short legs and a bottomless appetite.
"My cosmizel eats anything I leave out on the table."
Plural: Cosmizels
Group: Cluster
Baby: Cosmit
These weasel-like creatures are omnivores found in the hollows of trees within Angura Forest. They are nocturnal and primarily scavengers with a diet of chail eggs and anything else they can get their hands on. They're primarily carnivores, but will snack on nuts and berries occasionally.
Because of their small build, if they can fit their head through something the rest of their body will fit, too. Be care not to lose track of these playful and sneaky critters!
*This pet was suggested by explorer omgwtfsteph!
NUHO
NU·HO
/ˈn(y)o͞ohō/
noun
1. An omnivorous hoofed mammal with a flat snout raised for its meat. Sometimes it is kept as a pet.
"A group of nuho."
Plural: Nuho
Group: Sounder
Baby: Nullet
Nuho are domesticated swines that cannot be found anywhere in the wild. They were selectively bred from the common snuffler over several centuries to become the animal that so many chiot know and love today. Their diet mainly consists of plant meal and other greens, with the occasional treat of roots or fish.
Male nuhos, much like bukbucks, are territorial towards other males. Therefore, farmers will only keep a single male with several females. Nuhos are capable of reproducing year-round, producing anywhere from 10-18 piglets. However, it is a moral practice to not breed a single female more than thrice a year as it would be considered cruel and dangerous for the mother.
As pets, nuhos are spayed or neutered to prevent irresponsible breeding. It also causes their temperament to become more relaxed, especially for males. They enjoy foraging and digging with their snouts, so if you're planning on letting your nuho loose in your prized garden, watch out! Many chiot opt to take their nuhos into the village park for exercise, where they can roam and forage as they please.
MORDAX
MOR·DAX
/ˈmôrdaks/
noun
1. A mammal with dark coloration and strong front arms that is capable of flight. It is known for its keen sense of hearing and night vision.
"Mordaxes are rulers of the night."
Plural: Mordaxes
Group: Wraith
Baby: Morling
Mordaxes have a primary diet of meat and fish. Their strength and versatility make them a highly sought-after pet for experienced explorers. Although they're strong-willed and difficult to train, your patience will be rewarded by a loyal, lifelong companion.
They aren't easy to get along with at first and require a lot of patience to train. They are quite active and love to jump and fly, so physical activity is an absolute must for them. If you decide to take one for a walk, don't put them on a leash for Deia's sake! It's best to either have them walk with you or ride on their backs, if they let you. A saddle and harness are strongly recommended, unless you enjoy being aimlessly flown about.
GOLDBLUB
GOLD·BLUB
/ɡōldˈbləb/
noun
1. A semi-aquatic reptile with shimmering, golden scales and prominent head fins.
"You can spot a goldblub from a mile away."
Plural: Goldblubs
Group: Shimmer
Baby: Goldblub
Goldblubs are skilled swimmers and enjoy spending time in the water, but they aren't very mobile on land. That isn't to say they can't ever go on land, but frequent visits to the village pond or your backyard pool will do a goldblub good.
They're very curious and love company. If you leave them alone for too long, they might cause some trouble just to get your attention!
These mysterious creatures undergo a sudden evolution when exposed to an evolution scroll.
REPTILLOD
REP·TIL·LOD
/ˌreptilläd/
noun
1. A semi-aquatic reptile with deep, golden scales and long mermaid-like tail.
"Reptillods are excellent swimmers."
Plural: Reptillods
Group: Shimmer
Baby: Goldblub
Reptillods have a voracious appetite and require hefty meals at least 3 times a day. These reptiles are known for making incredible maneuvers in the water as their bodies are extremely flexible. They are much stronger than their un-evolved counterpart, and with their more developed limbs, they can fare far better on land for short periods.
VIPERION
VI·PER·ION
/ˈvīpərˈēən/
noun
1. A reptile with vibrant, golden scales and an elongated neck. Its jaw is powerful enough to snap a reinforced shield in two.
"How did you even manage to get that viperion?"
Plural: Viperions
Group: Shimmer
Baby: Goldblub
You'd better have some deep pockets, because these noble gold dragons have an appetite that would put any glutton to shame. While they can go several days without eating, it's best to feed them 3-4 square meals a day to keep them content. They have a combination of both legs and fins and as such, have adapted to either swim or walk. Their scales do require regular hydration however, so don't keep them out of water for too long!
HOOTO
HOO·TOS
/ho͞otōz/
noun
1. A diurnal bird of prey with forward-facing eyes. They emit a disarming screech to deter other hostiles.
"Will somebody quiet down that hooto?"
Plural: Hoots
Group: Parliament
Baby: Hooto
Hoots' green and brown plumage help them blend in with their original forest environment. Females have a lighter coloration with dark stripes, while males have a dark coloration with light stripes.
These small fluffy birds love to take roost in the branches of trees in Angura Forest and tend to enjoy jumping onto the heads of passing chiot below. They are strangely cuddly, but tend to screech obnoxiously if annoyed. They typically roost in bunches of five to seven for protection.
When threatened they will fluff up and screech at their attacker. Their legs are too short to walk properly so instead they waddle or bounce around - which ultimately makes them look utterly hilarious and adorable and makes one think of sacks of flour. Females typically spend more time grooming each other more than the males, who make sport of headbutting each other and peeping aggressively. These mysterious creatures undergo a sudden evolution when exposed to an evolution scroll.
*This pet was suggested by explorer Space-Sburbian!
TREPO
TRE·PO
/ˌtrepō/
noun
1. A diurnal bird of prey with forward-facing eyes. They are awkward fliers and prone to mood swings.
"Why did your trepo just headbutt me?"
Plural: Trepos
Group: Parliament
Baby: Hooto
In their secondary stage, Trepos will have to learn to adjust to their new changes; not only are they now three times their original size, but newly developed heel burs and wing claws means they will become a little more destructive than they anticipate.
They are able to fly some distances now that their wings are large enough to hold them, but unfortunately their legs are still too awkward to walk properly with. It can also be noted that hopping is no longer cute but instead rather terrifying but it can also damage their backs, making many prefer waddling.
Females will start going through snooty or sassy phases but are typically more loving than males, whose ideas of affection often include headbutts and surprise attacks. Unfortunately, both will have these phases at some point or another. It cannot be helped, but it will pass.
*This pet was suggested by explorer Space-Sburbian!
TERTA
TER·TA
/(t)ərˈtə/
noun
1. A diurnal bird of prey with forward-facing eyes. They are swift fliers and emit loud screeching sounds to fend off predators.
"Your terta kept up half the village last night."
Plural: Tertas
Group: Parliament
Baby: Hooto
In the dark of the night, this is quite possibly one bird you don't want to meet on a walk through the woods. Over twice the height of a decently sized chiot, tertas are formidable yet terrifying pack hunters in the wild and as adults, the screeching they made as hoots is nothing compared to the demonic sounds that emanate from deep within the forest.
Pet-wise tertas are still a danger to deal with, but those dangers only involve bad attitudes and a cumbersome size change. It is recommended to adjust them to outside life as soon as possible, or get a bigger house. As adults, both males and females will have settled into their own distinct personalities; most females tend to be more social with each other, hooting, cooing, and preening each other, while males tend to prefer spending time alone or with a squad they had when they were hoots.
*This pet was suggested by explorer Space-Sburbian!
AMIARMA
A·MI·AR·MA
/ämēärmä/
noun
1. A large, hairy spider with a single, non-retractable long claw at the end of each leg.
"Get that amiarma away from me!"
Plural: Amiarma
Group: Shroud
Baby: Amlings
Despite their terrifying appearance and long, threatening fangs, these super-sized arachnids are relatively docile. Not everyone is appreciative of their "affection" however; they show their love by nuzzling their owner's necks and clacking their mandibles together.
You'll also need to get used to having cobwebs in your house if you plan on making them an indoor pet. They use their silk threads to ensnare small rodents in pitfall traps (be sure to keep an eye on very young children!) Their threads are also used in the making of silk garments.
EQUISNOX
E·QUIS·NOX
/ˈekwīsNOcks/
noun
1. A twin-tailed, hoofed domesticated mammal with a flowing mane and tail. It is primarily used for transport and recreational riding.
"Bet your equisnox isn't faster than mine!"
Plural: Equisnox
Group: Herd
Baby: Foal
These hardy horse-like creatures are a favorite pet of both farmer and explorers alike. They are docile, intelligent, and easy to train, making them both the perfect companion and utility animal. They can be ridden and are strong enough to easily pull heavy loads.
They shed the scales on their backs once a year; these scales are coveted for their use in jewelry-making. When they are foals, they have only the rounded nub of their center horn. Their full set of horns will grow in by the time they are 2 years old.
RUDI
RU·DI
/ro͞odē/
noun
1. A red-nosed grazing mammal with branched, bony antlers and glowing red noses.
"Have you ever heard the tale of Ralof the black-nosed Rudi?"
Plural: Rudis
Group: Herd
Baby: Rudi
These spunky little deer have a lot of energy and personality! They are built for enduring cold winters, and their glowing red nose makes them an ideal animal to pull the carriages of emergency vehicles. They love to frolic and have a habit of jumping over high fences. The males are a bit more aggressive and strong-willed than the females, and will often head-butt each other in an attempt to show dominance.
Their red noses are capable of glowing and primarily used to help their mothers find them should they become separated. The noses are also capable of emitting a bright flash of light than can momentarily stun predators and enable a rudi to flee.
CAPRA
CA·PRA
/kaprä/
noun
1. A red-nosed grazing mammal with a pair of branching, curled antlers and upturned mane.
"Capra are incredibly fast!"
Plural: Capra
Group: Herd
Baby: Rudi
Capra are a bit more stubborn than their Rudi counterpart; training them well when they are still a Rudi is very important. They dislike hot weather, so clipping their fur short and providing them shady spots to rest in the summer are a must. The males tend to get more aggressive to each other in the fall, and will headbutt one another quite ferociously with their large antlers. Be careful that your capra does not get injured in a scuffle.
CHIKU
CHI·KU
/ˈCHiko͞o/
noun
1. A small scaled reptile with long, sleek bodies and big, googly eyes. Capable of flight.
"Is that chiku staring at me or you?"
Plural: Chiki
Group: Clutch
Baby: Chick
Chiki are very curious creatures that form an ever-lasting bond to the first creature they see upon hatching. For this reason, Marmite sells them in little "hatch your own Chiku" kits for a full ownership experience, that comes with an egg, a small nest and a heating pad. They feed exclusively off of bugs and crustaceans, and despite being low maintenance pets, chiots should be absolutely certain about their ownership decision, as being separated from their owner is an incredibly hurtful experience for a chiku. It often results in depression and eventual death.
These little draconic reptiles throughtly resemble birds when it comes to their movements and how they fly and walk, and keep their wings shut close to the body while skipping to move on land. Despite not being very smart pets, they can be trained with some difficulty and are highly protective of their owners. They are very social and rather clingy pets, and enjoy spending most of their time perched ontop of the owner's head or shoulder. Their feet are perfect for grabbing firmly practically any surface.
When threatened, a chiku will bristle their spikes threateningly, hissing at the enemy. They can shoot a strong light beam from their mouth as a last resort, which temporarily stuns the predator and allow them to escape.
CHUMI
CHU·MI
/SHo͞omē/
noun
1. A crepuscular small rodent that has acute sense of hearing and cape-like skin wings. It is a commonly known pest, easily falling prey to larger creatures. They build huge colonies and are capable of flight.
"Looks like a Chumi munched on your shirt, friend."
Plural: Chums
Group: Chirm
Baby: Chu
This little creatures have evolved from a commonly despised house pest to beloved pets through the years. Their colouration and diet changes depending on where they are found, so chiots refer to their subtypes as field, domestic, orchard and royal. Despite their cute and harmless appearance, many chiots bear an irrational fear and disgust for them. Incredibly smart, chumi easily outsmart traps, and finding one in your house certainly means there's a big colony in the area.
Those not keen of this creatures control the infestations through other pets, such as panthraxes or cosmizels. They also strongly dislike the smell of lavender, which is used to keep them away from chiot's homes. As pets, however, chumi are loving companions and incredibly easy to train, being bred for talent shows and their beautiful pelts. Their stomachs are sensitive, and one must be aware of the type of chumi they own in order to not feed them wrongly. They need to chew on wood regularly to trim their teeth, so keep dry branches around if you don't want your pet to ruin your furniture.
Field chumi are the mostly seen in the wilderness, though they can also be found in chiot's grain storages. They feed exclusively on grains, oats, and nuts, as well as bugs and larvae. In winter, their pelt become completely white, only their eyes differentiate them from the domestic variation.
Domestic chumi are the only seen in chiot settlements, mainly their houses. They eat practically anything, including cloth. These are the biggest pests to chiots and not commonly sought as pets due to their dull colors.
Orchard chumi are not commonly seen in chiot settlements save for farms, spotted more in the wild. Their diet consist mainly of fruit, what can prove to be a huge issue since a colony can easily ruin all the fruit in an orchard. However, one or more chumi can prove benefitial to farmers, as they also eat larvae and parasites that damage the trees.
Royal chumi are a special type of subspecies that are exclusively domestic. Their bright pelt was achieved through selective breeding, and are the most common for shows. Like the domestic, this subspecies can eat nearly anything.
PONGU
PON·GU
/pəNɡo͞o/
noun
1. A mysterious creature that is said to have come from the fog. Its body is almost indestructable, and they can easily restore lost limbs. They are incapable of making sounds.
"Oh dear Deia, what on earth is this pongu things?!"
Plural: Pongus
Group: Hoarde
Baby: Potato
Pongu were first discovered during a relatively recent expedition to the Traveler's Eye. Soon after, they proved to be a big discovery to Mana's researchers who evaluated their unique biology. They are the most complex autotrophic life forms known currently, and are capable of some level of thought and body movement. Once it was proven they were harmless, Pongu became very low maintenance pets due to the fact that they depend solely on water to live, though are expensive considering their rarity when compared to other pets. They do not use their mouths to drink - they do so through their skin, mostly through simply standing outside during rainy days. During hot spells or droughts, they must be bathed weekly.
Pongu do not have a developed nervous system, and thus are incapable of feeling physical pain; this fact, paired with their naturally docile behavior, have made them ideal subjects for anatomical research. Dissection has shown that their core is a seed located in the center of their chest, from which roots connect the whole body as a single organism. Their flesh is green and juicy with a thick, bitter sap that transport the nutrients to the cells. So long this seed remains unscathed, Pongu are nearly indestructible. They can fully regenerate lost limbs in approximately a week or less, depending on the size of the area lost.
Every pongu has some sort of plant that sports from the top of their heads. Some even have fungi. This plant is what allows them to absorb nutrients through the day. Since they lack a digestive system for solid foods, their mouths are just useless appendages. Like its flesh, its mouth is completely green. When they need additional energy, it’s common to see them sunbathing with their mouths open.
In terms of coloring, they can come in many varieties - the only defining trait is that the white parts of their body are always the same from Pongu to Pongu. They can be customized by chiots as well, and those who enjoy doing so like to draw on their stomachs to personalize and decorate them. Though pongu are mostly expressionless, they are known to grow attached to their owners and enjoy company, in their own slow and expressionless way. They are often used in expeditions to carry backpacks or luggage when needed, similar to servants.
LUMIBUG
LUMI·BUG
/lo͞omə-bəɡ/
noun
1. Tiny bugs that eat small amounts of plants and berries. They have bioluminescent abdomens which can glow in many different colors.
"There are so many lumibugs out here tonight!"
Plural: Lumibugs
Group: Cloud
Baby: Lumipillar
Lumibugs are tiny insects that grew extremelly popular as pets due to the fact that they are cheap, require low maintenance, require little commitment, and have a short lifespan. Their wings fold backwards, giving them a beetle-eque aspect when not in flight. They can come in various colors depending on on their native habitat’s flora, and some breeders choose to raise them for this alone. They can have two to three pairs of limbs, which have hooked tips with which to climb almost any surface.
Lumibugs are culturally considered bringers of good luck, and it’s thought to be a good omen if you find one in your house. Though this insect is docile in nature, they are highly toxic. Their iconic glow is caused by bioluminescent bacteria located on their abdomen, which make them poisonous to small predators. Consumption of a Lumibug can induce mild paralysis in the mouth for a few minutes. They are also covered in specialized fur which can cause irritation in exposed skin when handled improperly. Their glow's colors are related to their emotions, and can mean different things from bug to bug; yellow can mean content and red alertness, or vice versa. They usually glow in a "default" characteristic color most of the time.
Lumibugs have no natural predators and feed off of plants and berries, though their little appetite enable them to live a whole week with only a single leaf. While Lumibugs can consume just about any vegetation, their ideal host are mint plants - specifically the leaves. Those who like to have these critters in their gardens cultivate mint plants often, and during winter holidays, chiots like to craft ‘lumi trees’ for captured lumibugs to feast on - which use solely edible treat traps as decor. In turn, the hungry bugs light up the tree in a stellar display.
PHOENIX HATCHLING
PHOE·NIX HATCH·LING
/ˈfēniks ˈhaCHliNG/
noun
1. A small, fiery bird with large talons and vibrant red plumage. Its body temperature runs nearly twice as high as the average chiot.
"Praline just gave me a phoenix hatchling."
Plural: Phoenixes
Group: Blaze
Baby: Hatchling
A fiery bird with a fiery gaze. Don't let its cute appearance fool you! Though still young, a phoenix hatchling can spit hot embers from its beak and doesn't mind setting things on fire. Its best to train them while they're still small, or you'll have a very unruly phoenix on your hands later down the line.
PHOENIX
PHOE·NIX
/ˈfēniks/
noun
1. A fiery bird with vibrant red plumage. It uses its wings for support to walk, adopting a posture similar to a wyvern.
"Your phoenix just set the house on fire again."
Plural: Phoenixes
Group: Blaze
Baby: Hatchling
Sturdy, resilient, and sporting beautiful, fiery plumage, the grown phoenix commands respect. It can take many years for a phoenix to reach maturity. By this age, they have mastered their fire-breathing. Pray to Deia that you trained your hatchling well, as phoenixes partake in a behavior known as "fire-bathing", and you don't want your phoenix to use your house as its own personal birdbath.
Fire-bathing is used to cleanse a phoenix's plumage, burning away the old feathers. Curiously, fire seems to heal phoenixes, their wounds washing away in the flames.
ARCH PHOENIX
ARCH PHOE·NIX
/ärCH ˈfēniks/
noun
1. A four-winged avian known as the King of Flame. It is completely immune to any fire other than its own.
"That arch phoenix is not going to fit in the house."
Plural: Phoenixes
Group: Blaze
Baby: Hatchling
Rare and elusive, this is the final stage of a phoenix - a legendary creature rumored to bring good fortune to those that manage to raise one. Arch phoenix down is used in potent healing potions and has rather unusual properties, one being that it is always warm even after being shed. Intelligent and proud, these creatures sport a long lifespan and are incredibly loyal to their caretakers.
An old folktale speaks of an Arch Phoenix that grieved the loss of its master so much, that it burned itself out into nothing but ash.
SKYRIPPER
SKY·RIP·PER
/skīˈripər/
noun
1. An aerial ray with six limbs. Its specialized gills enable it to breathe air high in the atmosphere.
"How do skyrippers even fly?"
Plural: Skyrippers
Group: School
Baby: Ripple
The entourage of the elusive Great Sky Ray. These small creatures are incredibly agile and soar through the sky with ease, though how they are able to do so is unknown. Their diet consists mainly of insects, fish, and meat of an avian nature. They require to be fed only twice a week at most and are considered to be a good pet for new owners due to their friendly nature.
The skin of the skyripper is smooth and rubbery, similar to that of a dolphin. The wing-like appendages on its head and tail are actually fins, which it uses to balance itself in the air.
SKYRAPIER
SKY·RA·PI·ER
/skīˈrāpēər/
noun
1. An aerial ray with four limbs. Its long, sharp horn is said to even be able to pierce through stone and metal.
"Look at the clouds, Skyrapiers passed by!"
Plural: Skyrapiers
Group: School
Baby: Skyripper
The Skyripper's second evolutionary stage. A tad more frisky than their previous form, these skittish creatures deeply enjoy to reach higher clouds and to condense them into unique shapes. If you spot odd clouds with beautiful abstract patterns in the sky, it's very likely the work of a Skyrapier.
Despite being nonconfrontational creatures, Skyrapiers receive their name due to their long, sharp horn, which they use against others when fighting or during mating season.