Etchmagi

Appearance

Etchmagi are pretty strong looking, however there is an interesting dynamic between genders. Both have strong appearances, but the males are strong in terms of attack strength. They are not very good at properly defending themselves however. Females on the other hand are not very good at projecting their strength into attacks, but are excellent at defending. Both genders also have quite notable differences regarding what they wear. The males tend to show more of their upper chest and arms and love heavy weapons. The females have strange dress codes in that they are almost entirely covered in heavy armour, except their upper chest and from their waistline to their mid-thighs. Females dress almost entirely in heavy armour in Sector Champion. Males show off even more of their muscles in Sector Champion. Males and females tend to have long hair, but males tie theirs up and females do not. Hair colour doesn't seem to be influenced by gender, but females have slightly longer hair. Hair colour has varied notably, but the most common colours are grey and brown. Black and white colours are uncommon. Any other colour is rare. In Sector Champion, an Etchmagi with a rare hair colour is often thought to have a "sign", a unique ability that they look up to. 

Behaviour

Etchmagi are extremely social when they choose to. They frequently join up in groups, however they do not have consistent groups. Etchmagi seem to like conversing with a variety of people. They are no exception to the friendship and family groups though, as they will consistently interact with either group. Etchmagi are slow to warm up to people in general, but they will be difficult to separate from once they consider someone a friend. Etchmagi do not seem to consider gender a factor that changes their social behaviours. A factor that seems to be considered attractive to an Etchmagi is height, with the taller ones being considered more attractive. Weight seems to have little influence on social interactions, but heavier (in muscle) Etchmagi tend to be considered more attractive. Etchmagi establish settlements, but as their group behaviours cause them to often move to new groups, these settlements often remain small. This causes many settlements to be established, even if small. 

Climate

Etchmagi like areas within their temperature range and could select these areas to settle in. Their favourite temperature range is between 20°C and 50°C, settlements will be found more frequently in these areas. Etchmagi tend to like aggressive weather, so you will find settlements in places that are often affected by cyclones, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and so on. This also applies to places that experience blizzards, given they do not fall outside Etchmagi's temperature range too often. Etchmagi are prepared for dealing with extreme temperature ranges though. They are fond of crafting insulation for their equipment in cold events. They craft armour that shows more skin in hot events. 

Reproduction

Etchmagi reproduce sexually like most mammals. They invest considerable time into forging such a relationship. It is usually required to first befriend and maintain a friendship for at least five years before Etchmagi will begin to court. Friendships can take several months up to three years to form. The path to becoming an Etchmagi's mate can take up to eight years. When one makes it to the point where the Etchmagi wishes to become a partner, the Etchmagi will then start courting. Courting methods vary considerably, but a subtle sign would be the Etchmagi towering over the person they are interested in ... if their interest is shorter than them of course. They will lean on their interest if they are taller than the Etchmagi. Even courting procedures are done at a slow pace compared to species as this subtle behaviour can continue for up to a week before the Etchmagi will start trying more tactics. The next part of courting Etchmagi will start showing their wardrobe (not to be confused with an Etchmagi showing their armoury, which happens at a friendship level). Personal conversations will also start happening more often although this hint may not be as easy to pick up on. Their next stage of courting is more noticeable, hand holding, which progresses to hugging and embrace. It should be fairly obvious that you are safe to start a relationship with an Etchmagi if they are hugging or embracing you. If their interest is allowing these kinds of interactions, at a point they will outright ask to be in a relationship. Courting may be a long process, but you can definitely boast when you become an official partner with an Etchmagi. 

After the Etchmagi has a mate, it is near impossible to separate from them as Etchmagi are extremely devoted to those they're partners with. Etchmagi will invest a varying amount of time in an official partnership. Some may initiate as soon as they become official and others may give it a year or two. Etchmagi initiate in a private setting with comfortable temperature parameters, however they can still do such things in extreme weather events given there is privacy. When an Etchmagi initiates, they will do so one to two times a day. This applies up to six months into a pregnancy which they will then substitute for intense cuddling to maintain comfort in the later stages of their pregnancy. They will form their offspring in a period of nearly exactly one year, with a variation of only one day. This makes it easier to plan given the partner has done their research on Etchmagi. Etchmagi will most commonly birth one to two children, but their bodies can support up to six children. The present record is eight, however any amount over six is usually uncomfortable and creates considerable chances of a complication. 

The children of Etchmagi start out quite light for the size they are with a magic percentage ranging from 52% to 59%, but this percentage will increase as magic manifests within them. Their magic percentage increases about 5% each year until it reaches the normal range for Etchmagi. While the magic manifests, they are nurtured. Once the magic has finished manifesting (which takes at least 3 years and up to 5 years), the parents will begin teaching them. During the nurturing period, parents also seek any emerging talents that they can help develop. Though Etchmagi remember from negative two months, they are typically only able to call memories from two years and onwards. Children undergo waste management and sometimes learning to walk as the first forms of training. Sometimes children learn to walk prior to their learning stage, in which parents are likely to advance to talent training. Of course at about 5 years they will gradually be introduced to solid foods ... or semi-solid if their teeth development is lagging. Etchmagi children's teeth normally grow in at year five, but sometimes it takes an extra year. Etchmagi undergo educational teachings, which are done in a variety of styles. Sometimes a collective learning environment is established, other times elders pass their knowledge down, from basics to the fine details. Children are also taught by their parents, who are the most influential in their development pace. Parents can also conduct educational teachings, depending on settlement statuses. By the time Etchmagi reach the age of 16, they are considered adults. At this point they are encouraged to seek knowledge themselves, but are gradually brought to this point during their 16th year. Etchmagi do not tend to take interests in getting close nor selecting friends as interests until the age of 20.