The Mauhn


The mauhn were one of the native species of Osylk and were the first intalli species to be created. Serving as the base on which all other intalli species were modeled, the mauhn were notably unable to shapeshift or cast spells. In spite of this, they were an incredibly hardy and influential species.

The mauhn were destroyed by their creator, Oiana, several thousand years ago.

Biology

The mauhn were as strange as they were remarkable. They had long, upright bodies with flat faces and small features. They had extremely sparse hair, with the majority of hair growing from the top of the head. They lacked tails or any notable appendages.

While unable to shapeshift themselves, the mauhn's body structure was replicated for the "mauhnic" forms of the rest of the intalli. All modern-day intalli species are able to shapeshift into an upright, bipedal form highly reminiscent of the mauhn.

Abilities

In Spite

The mauhn exhibited supernatural resilience, able to withstand even the most dire of circumstances if needed. They were uniquely resistant to dehydration, hunger, extreme temperatures, and even injury. They additionally possessed immense stamina and endurance.

Ecology and Behavior

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Mauhn had holder-giver reproduction with holders giving birth to live young. Mature mauhn are capable of reproducing at any point throughout the year. Pregnancies lasted around nine months and typically only produced one child at a time.

  • Newborn mauhn were highly underdeveloped and remained highly dependent on their parents for an extended period of time. Children were often raised in large communal households with the majority of childcare being handed over to relatives as their parents worked.
  • Mauhn were considered adults at 18. While the average life expectancy of a mauhn sat around 70 years, their lifespan could peak at 120.

    • Social Structure

  • Mauhn typically lived in large multigenerational households. While adolescents and the elderly would participate in childcare, most of the young to middle aged adults would work to support the rest of the household.
  • Mauhn were a highly social species and could form strong social connections with just about any intalli they interacted with.

    • Hybrids

    Mauhn were omnivorous and were capable of consuming a wide variety of plants and animals. Mauhnic cooking was highly varied and diverse.

    Hybrids

    Mauhn hybrids were extremely common. They faced very little fertility or health problems but inherited the mauhn's stifled magical abilities.

    While the destruction of Osylk was responsible for taking out the majority of the mauhn population, their hybridization would eventually be the cause of their extinction. The remnants of the mauhn would heavily interbreed with other species, eventually leading to their disappearance.

    Psychology and Culture

  • While there are thousands of legends and myths surrounding the mauhn, very little verifiable information about their culture persists.
  • The mauhn are largely notable for their bond with and domestication of other creatures. This includes but is not limited to dogs, horses, and camels.

    • Trivia

  • Oiana had exclusively taken on mauhn as mortal vessels until their extinction. He has refused to take on another vessel ever since and has not been seen in the mortal realm in centuries.