Habapi (ha-ba-pi) are peccary-like creatures that live in the Matsana Jungle in Miatias. They posess base-level magic that allows them to create illusions and perform minor shapeshifting. Abbreviated, they can be called HABIs, BAPIs or HAPIs .
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Biology
- Developement
- Diet and Activity
- Habitat and Homes
- Society
- History
- Relationships with Aitielkh, Bepotelkh, & Humans
- Crafting
- Magic
- Kilnkin
biology
Feral Form
Habapi tend to stand between 1-2' at the shoulder (30-60cm) at the shoulder. They have hoofed feet, horns, and manes; many of their features have a wide diversity of looks. They are mammalian, covered in fur and bearing live young in litters of 3-5, once a year or less as they desire. Their lifespan is anywhere from 40-80 years (they count their age in seasons, however, so 40 years would be considered 160 seasons). They always have tusks, whether on the bottom, top, or both.
Bipedal form
Habapi are capable of taking on a bipedal form. In this form, they remain roughly the same size, but their proportions differ slightly to better allow for bipedal functioning. Their hands as default hooflike but are often shapeshifted to have four fingers. They have the ability to make things using their hands.
development
Little habapi have simple markings until around their first birthday. They are unable to perform shapeshifting until this age, but may have basic illusion magic when needed. At the one year mark, they typically have a thorough grasp on communication skills as well.
diet and activity
Fruits, vegetables, fungi, insects, and small animals are all on the menu for habapi.
Loss of Magic Era:
Cooking is uncommon; though they are capable of making fire and roasting things if they truly desire, they are often content to eat foods as-is. They don't have any particular sleep schedule, though they are more wary of predators at night. Habapi will form rings around their children in dangerous situations, with their faces, and thus tusks and horns, facing toward the threat. Many creatures know that Habapi are formidable creatures that will fight back, so they typically look for easier prey. While Habapi are capable of making and using tools and weapons, many find this burdonsome as keeping hold of the items requires continuous use of their bipedal form.
Reacquirement of Magic (current era):
Once habapi returned to their old home with their magic, they began living in their stone homes once again, and cooking is becoming more commonplace as recipes are rediscovered via records. Cooking may be done over straight fire, in a hearth, a cooking pit, grill, or oven. They are more easily able to spend time in their bipedal forms and are more interested in accessories/clothing and carrying tools/weapons. Savvy Habapi will have ways to keep their belongings on them regardless of what form they're in.
Habitat and homes + Human Interaction
Loss of Magic Era:
The Matsana Jungle is squarely the territory of the Habapi. Their illusion magic has kept their jungle free of humans for centuries, and Miatians have many tales of strange happenings in the Jungle to warn others not to enter. Habapi will, however, enter human villages when the opportunity arises. These areas are generally well separated enough for this to be rare, but they will occasionally seek out or simply end up wandering near villages. When this happens, Habapi may use their illusion magic to appear to be human children. Having little knowledge of human appearance, they appear a bit uncanny to the Miatians- they may have fewer or even extra fingers on their hands. The facial proportions may look a bit more Habapi-like than human-like, and the clothing will seem wrong somehow. But it may buy them a few seconds to dash in and grab something, only to flee back to the wilds with it in an instant, leaving the confused Miatians with more ghost stories.
Habapi may roam in family units of anywhere between 2 to 30 or so individuals, but some may also settle down and call specific areas home. Some continue to inhabit or wander the old stone ruins, and others will shapeshift to craft temporary shelters from plant materials.
Reacquirement of Magic (current era):
Habapi have returned to the ruins of their former home and are slowly rebuilding and rediscovering their history. Now that they have access to homes and tools, their tendency to be drawn to villages is a little less strong, but they may still venture out to observe human villages and occasionally "borrow" items.
Habapi homes are made of stone. There are no stairs in the ruins, but ramps are commonplace. Dual levels will include a large spiral ramp to access the next floor. Homes have open windows to the outdoors, but may be covered with cloth from the inside. Oil lamps or magic may be used for illumination in the dark.
Society
Loss of Magic Era:
Habapi may live in roaming family units or small groups of families in a more stationary location. While they have their own language, they can also speak to bepotelkh and aitielkh. Their own language sounds very similar to aititongue but with a thick accent.
Some Habapi choose not to wear accessories while others love them. Accessories are mostly made out of plant fibre, natural dyes, wood and stone. Habapi who choose to shapeshift have the ability to metal work and those Habapi or others may trade or barter with them to get accessories made from precious metals. Some more eccentric habapi may choose to wear accessories made from bone and fur. More adventurous and naughty Habapi may steal accessories from human villages or travellers.
Reacquirement of Magic (current era):
As habapi rediscovered their past through the ruins, many start to return to the old capitol to make their home there. Though these habapi can still transform to their feral form, most stay in their bipedal form, only using their feral form when running long distances. Many dress up more, keeping useful tools handy. The old ruins have three housing neighborhoods and as the ruins were restored these stone abodes with their magical running water and fires made for very comfortable living. Some hapabi still prefer to live out in the jungle, trading with those who moved back to the capitol. Habapi in the capitol and jungle barter, as there is no currency in their society.
Historic Era (past) / Loss of Magic Era (current) / Reacquirement of Magic (restored)
Rediscovered: Naming Conventions
Habapi naming convention has been rediscovered! The convention is (x)a(nature feature)a. For example: Tamossa (moss). Baruna (rune). Rahowla (howl). Faflora (flower). Please use this naming convention for your characters only if you want to; it is provided as a fun lore element and is not required! Habapi were separated from their records and culture for some time and may have picked up any variety of names along the way, and may choose to pick naming conventions from Bep or Human culture now too.
Rediscovered: Lar Cantio
As the habapi learned about their past they found names of places in records: Dar Voolta, Looz Porta, The Star, Moon and Soul Districts and finally Lar Cantio, the name of their jungle capitol. The name also reflecting the deep magical connection their historic home has.
The Soul District: Historic Era / Loss of Magic Era / Reacquirement of Magic Era
Birth and Death
Habapi bury their dead, the body decomposes and their magic is returned to the creta magic source, their remains completely disappear into the earth by the 7th day. Habapi make simple memorial charms for their dead and are often hung together, when it’s windy they will rattle. charms can be made out of clay, stone, wood. Some family clans prefer one type of material over the other.
History
The Habapi's history is perhaps the most interesting thing about them. Only the Sono Aitielkh and Habapi really know these stories, but now that more is being learned about Matsana Jungle, it's possible these stories are spreading across the land.
A very long time ago, Habapi were a people closer to humanoid, thumbs and all. They built cities of stone in the jungle, they could read and write, and most importantly, they had powerful magic. They knew of a massive crystal in the jungle, and that it contained a powerful force. Their curiosity got the best of them, and they decided they wanted to harness the power rumored to be within. The crystal was guarded by a dragon, however, so they collectively worked their magic to lull the dragon into a deep sleep despite her protests to stay away. They surrounded the crystal and attempted to unlock the seal placed upon it, but quickly found that something was terribly wrong. A malevolent force poured out and took nearly all of their magic for itself, also leaving the guardian dragon corrupted. The dragon continued to guard the crystal, in its corrupted form, and no Habapi dared go near that area. The Habapi themselves lost nearly all of their power, leaving them with only illusion magic. They became more of a feral creature and less of a cohesive culture after this event, scattering into the jungle in family units.
One winter, many aitielkh came, sensing the corruption and helped purify the dragon Meridias, and the crystal, banishing the corruption and returning the stolen magic back to the habapi. Once the crystal was repaired, the Habapi were fully healed. However, they had centuries of knowledge to recover, relationships to repair (with Meridias and now the Aitielkh), and moreover, they had no idea how to use their magic. It would take time and work for each Habapi to explore the ruins of their old home and uncover the story of their past and re-learn their capabilities.
Relationships with Aitielkh, bepotelkh, & shroomkin
Loss of Magic Era:
Non-human creatures have a wary but bemused attitude toward the Habapi. They are respected as people in their own right, but other creatures know they are up to mischief and that they're better off being guarded in case a prank is about to be pulled. Beyond that, individuals may have relationships with other creatures whether that's a simple friendship or trading services and generally helping one another out. Shroomkin and Habapi may trade various items. An aitielkh may help a Habapi in need. Bepotelkh and Sonoelkh are largely unaware of Habapi- until now, so the possibilities for interactions are very open-ended.
Reacquirement of Magic (current era):
As they return to their former way of life, Habapi are now willing to work more with other species, though they still fiercly guard their home and disallow human visitors. They work together with aitielkh on any issues that may arise. Those who have unlocked magic are able to participate in Beast Trials.
Crafting
Reacquirement of Magic (current era):
With their old home restoration underway, Habapi now have access to the tools and information to once again craft items both for survival and leisure. Glamour potions are very popular as they give the habapi control over aspects of their appearance. They are also able to craft companions to help with everyday tasks.
Jungle Materials
Creta stone: A porous white substance with highly magical attributes. mined carefully from caves in the mountains. Only a little is needed at a time and it is often blended with other materials to make creta chalk.
- Creta Stone History: In an age before humans, animals, and even the continents as we know them, existed immense magic entities that roamed the oceans. Part island, part beast, over millennia these entities migrated and merged into the continents that now form Miatias. Legend tells of one of these creatures that was smaller than the rest, but full of creativity. They took from their own body and drew pictures of what would become the jungles and deserts of Miatias. Other creatures came and added parts of their body until no parts were left and Miatias was born. It is said deep in the Matsana mountains, the creature of creativity rests. Its remaining magic was left behind in creta stone.
Pole grass: a fast growing resource in the jungle, it can be peeled to reveal a perfectly smooth wood-like dowel. The outermost layer is tough but malleable and but can be woven into thick cords. The middle layers are softer and can be washed and beaten with stone and then brushed to make a material similar to cotton. The innermost layer is a very sturdy pole used for construction, especially record shelves.
Red Clay: Found all over the jungle it is notable for its beautiful color. Clay that has no magical properties is made into household items and goods while clay that has creta particulate in it can be made into Creta Pots, pots that magically hold more than possible. They can only hold up to 100 times a habapi’s weight/mass in items. The habapi can put their hoof over the pot mouth and think about the object they want and the object will come out. Objects seem to magically warp and squeeze into the pots effortlessly.
Magic
Historic Era:
The Habapi are still relearning about their past, but through their restoration of the old capitol Lar Cantio, it is clear that magic was an intergral part of habapi life. The location itself seems to be filled with magic.
Loss of Magic Era:
During this time, only illusion magic stayed with the habapi. All habapi were still able to create illustions to protect themselves, or scare off others.
Reacquirement of Magic (current era):
Once the crystal was repaired, the Habapi were fully healed. However, they had no idea how to use their magic; they had to relearn centuries of lost knowledge. The dragon Meridias told them that, as they explore the ruins of their old home and uncover the story of their past, they would re-learn their capabilities. As Habapi restored their old capitol, they discovered each section was tightly linked with magic. They found magic crafting runes filled magical energy and found records on how to use them. As each district of the capitol was repaired the innate magical properties came back to life, springs began to run, the kilns turned on, the magic flowed.
Habapi magic is old, and has different names than aiti magic. As aitielkh magic stems from their devotion to Aiti or their love of others, Habapi magic seems to stem from the Jungle itself. Habapi have their very own type of magic called Creta magic that aitielkh cannot use. Read more about what Habapi Magic can do HERE.
How to Unlock Habapi Magic
See WORLD >Prompts >Habapi Ruins for Habapi Magic Prompts
Step 1: Learn about the types of magic and decide which you'd like your Habapi to focus on.
Step 2: Use your habapi to complete a First Excursion prompt related to that magic.
Step 3: Use your habapi to complete a Restoration prompt related to that magic.
Your habapi will be awarded magic after completing the two needed prompts! Don't forget to attach the character slug (such as: HAB-000) to the prompt in the Characters section so we can see which character is to be awarded their magic!
Kilnkin
Reacquirement of Magic (current era):
Kilnkin are companions made of clay using Creta (animation) magic. Each Kilnkin requires a heart to function, and each heart is associated with one of the elements- Fulgur, Ignis, Unda, or Viridis, and the color of their magic (which shows in their "eyes") is related to this element. Kilnkin are pot-shaped, and the heart inside rattles around, making a sound not unlike a ceramic bell, giving the kilnkin a sort of voice or song. They are not sentient, but nevertheless, Habapi see them as trusty companions.
Kilnkin automatically gather a randomly generated amount of runebits daily, with a very rare chance of finding a whole rune. Runebits can be used to purchase whole runes, so Kilnkin are very valuable assets to those who craft them.
These companions run directly off their makers magic, so they cannot be transferred to other habapi. If a habapi changes hands, the kilnkin is destroyed.