Breeds

[Nathalia]

Canines: Canines are the most common breed type in the realm; they live everywhere and are exceedingly adaptable. They generally tend toward looking like wolves, domesticated dogs, and foxes.

Felines: Felines are a common breed. They are found everywhere you look and their lifestyles make it easy for them to stretch themselves to the furthest reaches of the kingdoms. Not to be confused with the Court of Cats (who are the size of a house cat), the Felines of the realm are about the size of tigers and range from sleek Siamese to bulky alley cats in shape.

Birds: Birds are seen fairly often across the Realms. They are a far cry from hard to find, yet slightly rarer than a Feline or Canine. They are usually found outside of the Marshes, which they tend to despise, and will often roost in the Highlands until chased out by the residents. Birds can be anything from predatory to a common sparrow.

Hoofed Mammals: The Hoofed Mammals are a bit harder to find about the countryside than some of the other breeds. They tend to stay away from watery Realms and favor hard-packed ground over which they are excellent sprinters. They are usually in the forms of deer, horses, and gazelles, though others have been spotted.

Mustelids: Mustelids are fairly common. With their lithe shapes, they can wriggle their way into almost every part of the realm. They tend to stay away from the Tulgey Wood, however, as they’re smart creatures and know a bad sign when they see it. They often come in the forms of weasels, ferrets, and pine martens, though raccoons aren’t terribly hard to locate...and once in a blue moon you may even see a squirrel.

Vermin: Vermin are easy to locate and, even though their name may bring other thoughts, they are generally quite sweet and docile. They live anywhere that food is plentiful and tend to stay away from the Selkie Lakes. They usually look like rats or mice, though gerbils are not unheard of.

Bats: Bats are difficult to locate in any Realm, though they turn up every now and then. They tend to be wiry and thoughtful, soaring wherever they like, night or day. They normally appear in the form of fruit bats, foxwings, and vampire.

Reptiles: It is extremely difficult to locate a reptile. They are considered to be cunning and magical forms, and parents are usually excited to receive one. They can live in any Realm, though they prefer the Marshes and forests, and usually appear as either small lizards or snakes.

Insects: People don't tend to believe that Insects can appear in Cards, though it has been rumored to pop up every now and then. They are so rare that they are commonly thought to be a myth and no one has seen one in the past two hundred years. They appear in the form of spiders, praying mantises, and various moths or butterflies. Most of them have a muzzle mutation to enable speech.

[Nathalia]

((I decided to update this to give you all a little more information.
The old is still contained above, but I wanted to give everyone a bit more insight. Let me know what you think. <3))




Canines: Canines are the most common type in any Realm. Regardless of how hard a Realm might try to breed it out, it works as the most solid gene-base and always seems to creep back into the population. Exceedingly adaptable; there is not currently a Realm where this breed does not exist or is not welcomed.
The last Realm to make an attempt at breeding Canine out of its population was the Tulgey Woods, two hundred years ago, they wished to rise above the "common peoples". They were entirely unsuccessful and eventually gave up the endeavor.
The everyman of everywhere, Canines are a popular mix, good base, and vary widely in looks which helped in the past with their popularity and population explosion. They generally tend toward looking like wolves, domesticated dogs, and foxes; though the domesticated dogs vary so widely in appearance that it makes for an incredible array of sub-breeds. It's really very little wonder that they are so wide-spread.

Felines: Felines are another incredibly common breed, and a highly popular one. They are found everywhere you look and their lifestyles make it easy for them to stretch themselves to the furthest reaches of the kingdoms.
Not to be confused with the Court of Cats (who are the size of a house cat), the Felines of the Card species are about the size of tigers and range from sleek Siamese to bulky alley cats in shape.
As with Canines, Felines have a very dominant genetic base and are, as a result, found everywhere and mixed with everything.
Another highly adaptable species, there is not currently a Realm where this breed does not exist or is not welcomed. Tending toward the appearance of everything from wildcats to house cats, they have quite the appeal of a wide array of incredibly colorful and lithe bodies, very popular in culture and in the taste of many.
Felines are currently viewed as the most "desirable" of breeds culturally, though of course, personal tastes vary in everyone (quite similar to the idea of the skinny blonde model in America).

Birds: Birds are a common enough breed, and seen fairly often across the Realms. They are a far cry from hard to find, yet slightly rarer than a Feline or Canine.
Though Marshlands tend not to be a breed-wide favorite, there is not currently a Realm where this breed does not exist or is not welcomed.
Birds can be anything from predatory to a common sparrow, the wide array of variations within them and their incredible difference from many other species gives them a flair for the exotic and makes for interesting mixes. Not quite as adaptable, Birds are much more difficult to find in colder and/or wetter climates. Though they can be found in any Realm does not mean it is easy to locate them there. Finding a member of this species on the Solandrian Glacier is nearly impossible and very few actually inhabit the Mid-Range, though a greater number have taken up in the Sorgaire, it is still less common to find one in the mountains or in the Golfam, than it is to locate one in the Villa or Yarrow.

Hoofed Mammals: The Hoofed Mammals are a less common than most and more difficult to locate on many levels.
There are currently two Realms who do not possess any of this species; The Raemblen Bog and the Midori beaches. While they could be bred into the culture via PC Dealers (it isn't impossible, they simply don't occur naturally), the landscape does not promote their existence, bog and wet sand not really suited to hooves, and without some fairly extreme measures or Human forms, this breed tends to stay away.
They are usually in the forms of deer, horses, and gazelles, though others have been spotted and there are a good number of variations. Culturally categorized as "the ugly breed" due to long, blocky, bony faces and awkward feet and legs; this obviously varies from person to person, but is widely regarded to be true by the more common breeds or those who haven't met any hoofed mammals.

Mustelids: Mustelids are fairly common. With their lithe shapes, they are viewed as objects of beauty in most cases. there is only one Realm currently, where this breed does not exist or is not welcomed; the Calloo Fjords. Mustelids in the Fjords are regarded as crafty tricksters who will do anything to sway believers into a lifetime of sin and horror due to a long ago high-ranked Priest who led nearly a quarter of the Realm to ruin. Though this breed may exist outside of the Fjord, you can be certain it does not exist within the land itself.
They often come in the forms of weasels, ferrets, and pine martens, though raccoons aren’t terribly hard to locate...and once in a blue moon you may even see a squirrel. Having a propensity for wooded areas, they are slightly more common in places such as Avington and the Forest of Kahmden than they are in open spaces like the Wastes or the Mid-Range. Viewed as common and normal, they are featured in common culture as likable enough and a mix with this breed is far from being out of the ordinary.

Vermin: Vermin are easy to locate and, there is not currently a Realm where this breed does not exist or is not welcomed, they are too difficult to get rid of for that.
Their looks usually tend toward rats or mice, though gerbils are not unheard of. Indeed, there tends to be so little variation within this breed (compared to the others), that many other breeds will comment that "all Vermin look the same". While obviously untrue, it is a cultural concept; the varieties of Canines for example, do make the breed composed mainly of subtle variations of rats and mice look a bit bland in comparison.
Highly adaptable, there is nowhere that they cannot manage to fit in and make themselves at home, their bodies suited to live in even the most unpleasant of climates, such as the Lowlands, without much issue.
Though not culturally revered for their beauty, neither are they thought of as unpleasant-looking and having a Vermin mate is not something that brings comment from most.

Bats: Bats are difficult to locate in any Realm, though they turn up every now and then. They tend to be wiry and thoughtful, soaring wherever they like, night or day. They adapt fairly easily to new lands, though too much cold will do terrible things to their thin wing membranes.
There are two Realms currently where this breed does not exist or is not welcomed. The Cranstone Moors, where the breed is considered to be unlucky and taboo due to a rogue murderer (much like Jack the Ripper) in their legends and tales. It is said that their version of religion is much like that of the Highlands, but with an extra Goddess and a troublemaker/devil shaped like a Bat. Also included is the Hisstor Wastes, they do exist there, but are not commonly welcomed due to a family of Bats waging a familial war with many others one hundred years ago. Though the breed can occur in either Realm with PC interference, it is unlikely to see either ever come from these Realms on their own and you will not meet with them on your travels there.
They normally appear in the form of fruit bats, foxwings, and vampire bats; normally, these people suffer the indignity of being culturally thought of as the "unattractive" breed along with hoofed mammals. Due to prominent noses, eerie grins, and overlarge ears, they are not seen as the most attractive of breeds and the mates of Bats are often looked on with pity by members of other, more common people.

Reptiles: It is extremely difficult to locate a reptile. They are considered to be a highly cunning and naturally magical breed, and parents are usually excited to receive one. There are two Realms currently, where this breed does not exist or is not welcomed. The Calloo Fjords and the Solandrian Glacier are simply too cold to support reptile life. Though mixes of the coat color may be found in the Capital or through PC and Dealer intervention, they do not exist naturally and one will never come across a Reptile living in these lands.
This Breed will usually appear as either small lizards or snakes, though rarer variations have been seen. Culturally revered as exotic beauty incarnate, the few Reptiles who are found and shown about tend to get a lot of recognition and admirers. Their smooth scaly skin reminds many of soft, Human skin and a subconscious connection to the two is often formed, leading to another branch of the Breeds' popularity.
Not as adaptable as some, Reptiles do exceedingly poorly in the cold and many try to stay out of the deserts and beach areas as well, extreme temperatures are not their forte'.

Insects: People don't tend to believe that Insects can appear in Cards, though it has been rumored to pop up every now and then. This Breed is so rare that they are commonly thought to be a myth similarly to the Joker Cards. They often (if they ever appear) are in the form of spiders, praying mantises, and various moths or butterflies. Most of them have a muzzle or beak mutation to enable speech.
There are three Realms currently where this breed does not exist or is not welcomed.
The Highlands see Insects as taboo and a sin against their God. Granted, more relaxed and less fervent Highlanders will have little issue, but many are highly uncomfortable with the idea of the Breed.
The Golfam Marsh sees the Insect Breed as less of a person and more of a delicacy. If one happens to be born there or move there...they probably won't be seen again.
Due to their own issue with poisonous insects, the Durram Veldt is not hospitable towards the Breed. In fact, the are downright hostile and though they will not pursue it openly, would wish the Breed to die out entirely. The immune systems of the Veldt dwellers and the blood types of Insects and their mixes, make this Breed entirely incompatible with this Realm. An insect born of a Durram will die and an insect that mates with a Durram will die of poisoning, though the Veldt-dweller should be fine.
Able to adapt easily, Insects would be everywhere if it were not for the fact that their Breed genetics are painfully recessive and often don't show unless both parents are Insects themselves. Even mutations that follow the lines of this Breed are often harder to maintain in a bloodline due to recessive qualities.
Insects, culturally, are a quietly revered form of exotic beauty, though most certainly kept out of the mainstream as they are usually viewed as "fantasy".


~Nathalia