Animation Production Artist
Sapyres
THE
Elemental beings of fire and brimstone Sapyres are hot headed and passionate creatures. A race of joviality and sexuality Sapyres are fun to be around and explore new opportunities with.
Sapyre Anatomy
Sapyre's are hooved tricksters that live in the crevices of the earth. Their hooves can handle any terrain, and they have the ability to walk on hot coals and magma. Skin tones can vary from dark reds, to oranges, to pale peach. Their lungs also can withstand harsh conditions of ash. If a Sapyre gets too wet their flames may go out and they may become sluggish, like if a cold-blooded reptile were to go into mild and unfavorable conditions. However, Sapyre’s flames cannot be blown out. Their long tails help for balance and share the same flame as their hair, and the ends of their legs. This also means their lower half makes them fast, and agile runners as well.
Sapyre tails are also very expressive and the various flames that make up their hair and tail tip will become more or less aggressive depending on their mood. Their hooves are cloven. They can use their tails expressively or to pick up and move items.
Tall horns are seen as a symbol of status and attraction, and are usually adorned with cuffs, rings, and other various types of jewelry. Fangs are usually seen on males, and sometimes large females. Long nails are made up of the same material as their horns and always feature a triangular pointed tip.
Sapyre skin is tough and thick, and sometimes features rock markings. These can be attributed to beauty marks, or freckles and are just another common feature of their anatomy. They can usually be found on a Sapyre's hips, shoulders, and arms. Their legs are made of the same material.
Internal Combustion
If a Sapyre's flesh is cut they bleed glowing magma. Scars can even glow after the wound has already healed. A Saypre's interior is fornace-based and yellow hot, this is why the inside of their mouths glow yellow.
Sapyre Power
Sapyres have power over the force of fire which means that they can generate it and utilize it to do their bidding. They can ignite things at will, send out fire projectiles, and sense how hot something is. Sapyres can touch and handle fire with their bare hands they say that it feels almost silky to touch. Sapyres can also control the level of intensity fire has and can heighten or lower its temperature at will. However, higher temperatures take more skill and effort to lower than bring up lower temperatures.
Sapyre Government
In Sapyre culture, young empresses are chosen to represent the kingdom. When they get to a certain age, they mentor and advise their successor. Argyline ver Aduro is the current ruler of the Sapyre Empire. The teenage empress's role is to not rule the Sapyres with an iron fist, but rather just keep them in line. She wishes for her subjects to be free to live to their fullest extent, and not to invade their brethren's lives too severely. When her horns reach a specified height she will go on to train the next ruler of the Sapyre Empire.
Argyline is usually ornamented with the finest crafted Sapyrean jewelry. She sports many piercings and dangling elements that add towards her embodiment of youth and beauty.
Sapyrean Territory
Sapyres inhabit the northern desert regions of VITA. Their cities are widely dispersed and cover a large section of the hostile landscape. Their capital city: Lumanis is constructed out of an active volcano. Rivers of hot magma and lava pools offer natural recreational areas to Sapyres and are hot spots for casual interaction.
The Tolyah Dunes surround the path to Lumanis and contain many canyons and sandstone structures making the landscape hard to traverse. Sandstorms also pilfer the location making the journey to other established cities even more dangerous .Only Sapyrean travelers know the safest routes to cross the terrain.
The desert terrain also makes farming hard as the majority of plants that have the resilience grow are not safe for Sapyrean consumption. This has led to a harsh food shortage amongst the growing Sapyre population. The primary cause of death is starvation.
Sapyre Culture
Smoking
As elementals of fire and brimstone, the act of smoking and substance consumption is a casual practice amongst Sapyres. Metal pipes and “flutes” are carefully crafted and used for smoking. Some pipes have house patterns or symbols of important meaning to the Sapyre itself. Smoking provides a desired casual calming effect, and is enjoyed during conversational gatherings. Sapyres discuss everything from gossip, to news and politics, to drama in their relationships.
Forging
Sapyre's are blacksmiths, and metalsmiths by cultural trade. Their precise control of fire and flame lend itself well to the skill of forging, and has allowed for a greater expansion of knowledge concerning the craft. Techniques never before seen have been discovered by the Sapyre forgemasters and are treasured secrets, some of which can only be performed by Sapyres, and some even require a Forgemaster of the highest caliber.
Forgemasters are one of the only positions of authority in Sapyre hierarchy. They are known to be adept artisans who throw their passion into their work to produce highly specialized, technical, and delicate creations. They study for at least a decade, and are allowed to work in the core of Lumanis once they have achieved their status. Apprentice Forgemasters can only study under current serving Forgemasters, and are specifically chosen by their mentor based on skill and specialization. Certain Forgemasters only circulate around the production of distinct objects
. Ones that they can replicate and dedicate themselves to for years. Some handle jewelry-making and wearable products, some handle armor, some tools, and some weaponry. Each focus has their own subcategories and some masters even fixate on one niche product for a lifetime.
Cooking
Cooking is just as important of a craft as forging is in Sapyre culture. Sapyres love to eat, fires do tend to consume everything around them creating a seemingly insatiable appetite. Passionately indulging in a good meal is a Sapyre’s favorite pastime. Pine, cinnamon, and maple all have different usages for seasoning in Sapyre cultural dishes as they are all bark based products. Plant materials are very common for a healthy diet as they make flames burn brighter and more stable. Sapyres sometimes chew on metal and magma like chewing gum. Their interior is yellow-hot and stovelike so anything that touches the inside of their mouth instantly burns.
Festivals and Gatherings
Sapyres practice weekly gatherings to celebrate the end of a cycle. These groups can be small or quite large depending on what social trines Sapyres prefer to celebrate with. Occasionally, groups will merge for a weekly get-together to break up the usual routine. These gatherings will contain tasty food, dancing, spirits, and music. Steel drums and pan flutes, as well as some brass instruments usually make an appearance. For large parties, food is served by means of Sapyres carrying cauldrons, pots, and serving dishes on their heads by balancing them on their horns. These containers are heated by their hair from underneath and keep the food warm and fresh.
Sapyre Sex and Relationships
Prostitution and Brothels
Brothels are as common as taverns in Sapyre territories, to the point where some have even combined the two to save space and create a larger profit for their business. These parlors provide private and public spaces for Sapyres to go about their business. Prostitutes commonly walk the streets and wear thin translucent clothing and scarves.
Sexual Maturity
Since Sapyres are a “sexually free” society, open sexual encounters are the norm are somewhat expected from certain individuals. When a Sapyre hits their threshold of maturity they are encouraged, and pushed to indulge in as many partners as possible, especially those who are within their direct community. Sex is seen as equivalent to the necessity of eating, and most Sapyres indulge in it at least once a day. Celibacy is seen as an act of great restraint, and is incredibly rare, and sometimes shunned.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexual health is a point of contention in Sapyre society. The majority of minor diseases and infections have been weeded out to group immunity. However some ruthless cases still exist. Carriers are provided “external” satisfaction by volunteers.
Sexual Assault
Since sex is such a free concept, and so widely available and providable in Sapyre society rape is incredibly rare. However when it does occur it is vehemently shunned and ostracized. Sex is seen as love, connection, and passion in Sapyre society and rape destroys and corrupts these closely held ideals and concepts. Rapists are banished, imprisoned, or even killed immediately for such an act and punishment is carried out with the utmost seriousness. False rape accusations are even rarer than rape itself, and have even harsher punishments than those described previously.
Marriage and Weddings
It is not uncommon for Sapyres to choose life partners, as stated previously: sex is seen as love. After marriage, Sapyres practice monogamy, and usually marry for life. Sapyre weddings are huge celebrations and enormous occasions. Wedding feasts will last for days at a time and entire communities attend, provide, and celebrate.
Sapyre Handmade Goods
Jewelry
Jewelry is a major product of the Sapyre industry. As a cultural item, it represents the craftsmanship and passion of the Sapyre race and members of the demographic wear their adornments with unbridled pride. Some chose to take off the embellishments before bed, others decided to wear them continuously. Earrings are usually worn in groups of three, or odd numbers. The number three is seen as an auspicious integer. Female Sapyre’s get their ears pierced as early as three years old with male members commonly having them pierced at five. Because of their tough skin, Sapyre piercing occurs when a thin fortified metal needle is heated up to high temperatures and fed through the intended skin. The ears are the softest place on Sapyre anatomy making ear piercings be the most common form of body modification. Chains are a symbol of the interconnectivity of the Sapyre population, how every member is a brother, sister, or family member.
Gifted jewelry is a highly personalized event as many factors determine the potential outcome of the recipient’s response. Intricate designs are prized and expected when taking into account the relationship of both individuals. The type of metal the item is crafted out of is additionally important. Older Sapyre’s will wear bronze and brass as opposed to younger ones that will usually wear gold, or gold plated ornamentations. Necklaces, pendants, and horn rings are common gifts from one Sapyre to another. Additional respect is given to those who forge the gifted jewelry themselves. Some jewelry can also be gifted as a coming of age present to younger Sapyre’s.
Jewelry isn’t just for giving however. Metal makes up a large part of Sapyre dress because it will not falter on a Sapyre’s charcoal hot skin. The majority of Sapyre dress contains some form of metal whether it be buttons, buckles, or chains to hold up clothing. Hardened leathers make up other, more flexible pieces of their dress. Flowy fortified fabrics are used as accents, but are highly prized, expensive, and only attained and worn by those in significant power.
Piercing Rod
Piercings allow for even more adornment and options for expression through jewelry. The act of piercing is an action usually done in the home by family members. Rods are heated up to an exceptional temperature before piercing the skin of a Sapyre. This heating cleanses the instrument, and allows for the skin of a Sapyre to be punctured.
Glassware
Forging doesn’t always mean work with metal. Sapyres are also adept at glassware craftsmanship. Their plentiful access to the desert also allows for an excess of resource materials. Glassware makes an appearance on any table, every restaurant, and in a variety of produces goods.
Pan Flutes
Pan flutes are a cultural instrument for Sapyres and make a significant appearance during festivals and gatherings. Usually constructed of metal with weaved bands and straps, they give off a tinny sound.
War Horns
War horns serve as calls to action for defense and alerts as well as another musical instrument. Usually fashioned from Hellephant horns, they are hollowed out, decorated with metal fittings, and painted with pigments from the mines.
Hookah
Hookah-like contraptions are indulged in as they provide an additional social aspect to smoking. These devices are called Silgar’Hafra. Silgar’Hafra is also a term used to describe the pits that they are located in for smoking.
Brewing Pots
Warm drinks are another enjoyed experience amongst Sapyres. Brewing pots are rolled through the hot desert sand to quickly boil drinks and are ready to serve in a matter of minutes.