The World of Blood and Fire
Novo – [insert Latin name of animal]
Novo means change, so naturally, adding the Latin or scientific name would mean that someone of the Novo race/species changes into that animal. So… Let's say, Novo Lupus since it's pretty easy and everyone should know what it means. Novo Lupus translates to change wolf. Now, please note that, while you could technically [and I use that word lightly by the way] call them "were-creatures" or the like, they have three forms, not just two. Though, it is fairly common to see most of them using only two forms, as the third form can cause one to get permanently stuck in said form.
• The Different Forms
o Human – They look just like a regular human. Though usually you can tell if they've made the change into their animal or not. Usually, the change leaves a sort of "glow" on their skin. Of course, there are just normal humans in this world. And unfortunately, most [if not all] are extremely prejudice against the Novo and would sooner shoot one than talk to one.
o Anthropomorphic – First, let's give this a definition so you know at least a little bit what I'm talking about. From the dictionary on Word: the attribution of a human form, human characteristics, or human behavior to nonhuman things, e.g. deities in mythology and animals in children's stories. So, now you have a general idea at least of what anthropomorphic means. But to give you a better picture, let's go back to that Novo Lupus that was mentioned in the bit about the human form. In fact, take the feral wolf form and blend it with the human form and that's your anthro. [Or, for a more precise picture, these two websites feature some lovely anthro art by some equally lovely artists. DarkNatasha.com and GoldenWolfen.com]
o Centaur/Naga – Are not the same as the anthro form and only apply to the Novo Equines and the Novo Serpents and their varying sub-families. And in fact, one can usually find the Novo Equines and the Novo Serpents traveling and living as centaurs and nagas respectively simply for the freedom these forms allow them.
o Feral – Feral is of course, the complete animal form. No human characteristics [except maybe the consciousness and thought process]. Purely animal.
• The Alpha Gene
o The Alpha Gene is a gene that is hardwired into every Novo. Though it is weaker in some and stronger in others. If two Novo that the Alpha Gene is strong in happen to meet up, there is likely to be a fight. While one that the gene is weaker in may just roll over and submit, not even attempting to assert control. In some rare cases though, certain Novo can learn to control the strength of the gene. How this is done though is still unknown.
• The Gods
o The First God – Yes. There was a god before the Novo gods. He created his world and the Novo gods to inhabit and share it. He gave the Novo gods the power to create beings of their own designs to inhabit the world below while they inhabited the heavens. In fact, he actually gave them all a lot of freedom, simply because he didn't want devout slaves but merely companions to share his lifetime with. Oh! And, he gave all of the gods a mate so that they would never be lonely.
o The Novo Lupus God – The name of this god is Baku and the Novo Lupus hold him in high regard. And well, why wouldn't they? He is a god after all. Anyway, as stated above, all of the Novo Gods have mates. Well, except Baku. No one is sure what happened to his mate, but many speculate that she died in a war between the gods.
o The Novo Puma ConColor Gods – For future reference, that means the Cougar Gods. Patrick, who is the first person Kiriana [a Novo Lupus] meets on her journey, is one of these gods. His mate Melantha, is of course, the other god. Unfortunately, Melantha also shows the promiscuous behavior of the Novo Felines [this is only used when generalizing the whole cat family, whereas specific names for the different groups will be used].
• Society
o It is not an animal society. At best, you could call it a bunch of tribes spread out all over the world. There are cities and villages and many Novo and humans use "animal" terms such as pack and pride, but that does not mean that they live like animals.
Novo means change, so naturally, adding the Latin or scientific name would mean that someone of the Novo race/species changes into that animal. So… Let's say, Novo Lupus since it's pretty easy and everyone should know what it means. Novo Lupus translates to change wolf. Now, please note that, while you could technically [and I use that word lightly by the way] call them "were-creatures" or the like, they have three forms, not just two. Though, it is fairly common to see most of them using only two forms, as the third form can cause one to get permanently stuck in said form.
• The Different Forms
o Human – They look just like a regular human. Though usually you can tell if they've made the change into their animal or not. Usually, the change leaves a sort of "glow" on their skin. Of course, there are just normal humans in this world. And unfortunately, most [if not all] are extremely prejudice against the Novo and would sooner shoot one than talk to one.
o Anthropomorphic – First, let's give this a definition so you know at least a little bit what I'm talking about. From the dictionary on Word: the attribution of a human form, human characteristics, or human behavior to nonhuman things, e.g. deities in mythology and animals in children's stories. So, now you have a general idea at least of what anthropomorphic means. But to give you a better picture, let's go back to that Novo Lupus that was mentioned in the bit about the human form. In fact, take the feral wolf form and blend it with the human form and that's your anthro. [Or, for a more precise picture, these two websites feature some lovely anthro art by some equally lovely artists. DarkNatasha.com and GoldenWolfen.com]
o Centaur/Naga – Are not the same as the anthro form and only apply to the Novo Equines and the Novo Serpents and their varying sub-families. And in fact, one can usually find the Novo Equines and the Novo Serpents traveling and living as centaurs and nagas respectively simply for the freedom these forms allow them.
o Feral – Feral is of course, the complete animal form. No human characteristics [except maybe the consciousness and thought process]. Purely animal.
• The Alpha Gene
o The Alpha Gene is a gene that is hardwired into every Novo. Though it is weaker in some and stronger in others. If two Novo that the Alpha Gene is strong in happen to meet up, there is likely to be a fight. While one that the gene is weaker in may just roll over and submit, not even attempting to assert control. In some rare cases though, certain Novo can learn to control the strength of the gene. How this is done though is still unknown.
• The Gods
o The First God – Yes. There was a god before the Novo gods. He created his world and the Novo gods to inhabit and share it. He gave the Novo gods the power to create beings of their own designs to inhabit the world below while they inhabited the heavens. In fact, he actually gave them all a lot of freedom, simply because he didn't want devout slaves but merely companions to share his lifetime with. Oh! And, he gave all of the gods a mate so that they would never be lonely.
o The Novo Lupus God – The name of this god is Baku and the Novo Lupus hold him in high regard. And well, why wouldn't they? He is a god after all. Anyway, as stated above, all of the Novo Gods have mates. Well, except Baku. No one is sure what happened to his mate, but many speculate that she died in a war between the gods.
o The Novo Puma ConColor Gods – For future reference, that means the Cougar Gods. Patrick, who is the first person Kiriana [a Novo Lupus] meets on her journey, is one of these gods. His mate Melantha, is of course, the other god. Unfortunately, Melantha also shows the promiscuous behavior of the Novo Felines [this is only used when generalizing the whole cat family, whereas specific names for the different groups will be used].
• Society
o It is not an animal society. At best, you could call it a bunch of tribes spread out all over the world. There are cities and villages and many Novo and humans use "animal" terms such as pack and pride, but that does not mean that they live like animals.