People

With humans gone, it didn’t take long for a diverse population of sentient beings to rise. It’s believed most came from domesticated animals. However, there is no proof and no real reward in speculation given domestication was thousands of years ago and the Fenghuang trace their history for almost 4,000 years.

Fourth Earth has eight continents. Each continent is dominated by one of the eight primary habitats. Each habitat is believed to be the origin of the seven higher-order species. While it is very anthropocentric, but it’s how we try and answer that fundamental question of: Where did I come from?

We all agree it’s probably not true. We also all agree it’s pointless to do much more than speculate on the matter.

Each of the eight higher-order sentient beings is believed to have evolved from the creatures of previous ages. This evolution seems to only effect physical appearance and any innate characteristics of the original species have been lost to the sands of time.

Presumed origin: Dragonus

Pronounced: fong-hwah

Believed to be the first higher-order sentient beings to rise as they seemed to have the most overlap with humans.

The Fenghuang are believed to have descended from flightless birds on the continent of Dragonus. Aquiline nose. Round eyes, round pupil, barely visible sclera. The slightly pronounced eyebrow exaggerates the backward slope of the forehead. Hair is the texture of bristle and down feathers, with interlocking barbs creating sheets and layers; only present on the head. No external, protruding ears; similar to the Caudata, Grampus, and Cigwe.

The Fenghuang built The Central Habitat of The Cradle; the other habitats were not built until The Great Grimalkin Immigration.

The Fenghuang had contact with the remaining First Earthers before their extinction.

Presumed origin: Mau

Pronounced: gri-maul-kin

Believed to have descended from felines. Narrow nasal passages and bridge-less nose. Human shaped eyes, visible sclera, vertical slit pupil. Canine teeth similar to the Hundkin, though more narrow. Typically lithe skeletal structure compared to other species. Almond-shaped eyes.

The Grimalkin joined The Cradle at the beginning of Third Earth. They were the first to experience Marl and came with their surviving population and a plan. It was a long-term, strategic plan. It seems to have worked. While the Fenghuang designed The Cradle and the technology used, the Grimalkin provided the manpower and training to prepare for the onslaught of Marl.

Presumed origin: Sobaka

Pronounced: hūn-d-kin

The Hundkin are believed to have descended from canines. Nose similar to the Grimalkin. Human shaped eyes, visible sclera, round pupil. Enlarged canine teeth. Generally “hearty” in build and musculature.

The Hundkin were the last to come to The Cradle; arriving at The Battle of Third Earth, acting as an unplanned and welcomed flank attack. They never experienced Marl directly.

Presumed origin: Halgai

Pronounced: cheeg-weah (as in yeah)

The Cigwe are believed to have descended from predator birds. Nose similar to the Fenghuang, only broader. Round eyes, no sclera, round pupil. Slightly overdeveloped chest with legs similar to the Fenghuang.

The Cigwe joined The Cradle in the middle of Second Earth with The Cigwe Immigration.

Presumed origin: Oceana

Pronounced: gram-pes (as in pest)

The Grampus are believed to have descended from porpoises. Broad, flat nose. Round eyes, with no visible pupils or sclera. Broad upper body, tapering into narrow lower body.

The Grampus joined The Cradle in the early-middle of Third Earth with The Grampus Immigration.

Presumed origin: Walumban

Pronounced: cah-dah-tah

The Caudata are believed to have descended from salamanders. Narrow nose, with little protrusion. Round eyes, no visible pupils or sclera. Long torso, “beanpole.”The Caudata joined The Cradle in the middle of Third Earth following the Grampus with The Caudata Immigration.

Presumed origin: Sotz

Pronounced: Kī-rop-ter-uh

The Chiroptera are believed to have descended from bats. Narrow nose, with little protrusion; similar to Caudata. Round eyes, no visible pupils or sclera. Long, narrow fingers. Body shape similar to Grampus.

The Chiroptera joined The Cradle in the late-middle of Third Earth following the Caudata with The Chiroptera Immigration.

Presumed origin: Geit

Pronounced: cap-ruh

The Capra are believed to have descended from goats. Wide nostrils running the full length of the nose, flat and broad, no eyebrow ridge. Teardrop-shaped eyes, no visible sclera, horizontal slit pupil. Diamond shaped, external ears. Horns are short ranging from unexposed protrusions beneath the skin and short exposed horns.

The Capra joined The Cradle just before The Battle of Third Earth following the Chiroptera, known as The Capra Immigration and were followed by Marl to find The Cradle.