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The **safìr** ([[languages:classical-airumali|Classical Âirumâli]]: {{::safìr_name.png?direct&50|}} <color #22b14c>/sa.ɸiɾ/</color> “homelander”) are a [[psionics:start|naturally psionic]] species [[species:safìr:origins|from, but not native to]], the planet [[systems:enaara:daia:start|Daia]] and the continental moon [[systems:nelaaga:lessa:start|Lessa]], and the senior member species of the [[organizations:safìr-alliance|Safìr Alliance]].

====== Biology ======

With their exquisite figures, graceful motion, and reserved yet empathic nature, safìr appear hauntingly, yet extraordinarily, beautiful to humans and to more than a few other races.

Safìr appear humanoid in their outward features; according to the theory of convergent evolution, their original native planet (which is unknown) must be similar to [[systems:azekaanu:terra:start|Terra]]. They are not genetically related to humans, though. 

The ideal resting safìr body temperature is 32 °C (89.6 °F). They are as such attuned to colder climates than humans.

Safìr are tetrachromats, like Terran birds; they can see ultraviolet, and their four types of cone cells have evolved such that their maximal absorption peaks are roughly equally spaced, unlike in humans.

The safìr vocal apparatus is a syrinx, like that found in songbirds, rather than a larynx, as found in Terran mammals.

Safìr skin is blue in color due to their blood being hemocyanin-based, rather than hemoglobin-based as in humans. From the head protrude two large, elven ears which, some human biologists theorize, function like antennae to detect extremely subtle behavioral cues from other safìr, thus allowing safìr in the vicinity of each other to communicate through what appears as humans to telepathy. Safìr anatomy textbooks, however, while noting that the tips of the ears are rather sensitive, state that [[psionics:telepathy|telepathy]] (or //meraki//, as it is known in the [[languages:classical-airumali|Âirumâli]]), and other mental abilities emblematic of the species, proceed solely from the brain.

Formal research into the biological and metaphysical process underlying the safìr's psionic abilities is slowly ongoing. Safìr researchers do not yet know for certain how psionic powers — especially telepathy — work. From brain scans of safìr and other species psionic and otherwise, they know that some structure exists in the brain that is responsible for psionic ability, and theorize, based on studies into the underlying mechanism of psychokinesis, that higher spatial dimensions may also be used in the process.

Some safìr, mainly belonging to [[species:safìr:house-of-ashura|a royal line of carefully selective interbreeding over hundreds of generations]], have retained birdlike wings, large enough for [[psionics:psychokinesis|telekinetically assisted flight]]. The presence of such wings in safìr royals has befuddled safìr historians for millennia.

===== Genetics and reproduction =====

Safìr reproduce in a manner similar to humans, and are viviparous; one notable difference, however, is the presence of //ažaraw// (sg. //ažar//), a gynomorphic third sex that are capable of siring children as well as bearing them, and //gakeňaw// (sg. //gakeň//), a fourth sex of sterile agender AMAB safìr. The average heights for female, //ažaras//, and male///gakeňas// safìr, respectively, are 1.96 m (6’ 5”), 1.83 m (6’), and 1.57 m (5’ 2”).

Safìr are known for their unbalanced sex distribution: of every 10'000 zygotes, there are 96 //gakeňas//, 964 male, 804 //ažaras//, 4'034 female, and 1'681 FF zygotes, as well as 2'420 that fail to implant, resulting in a sex distribution of 3:25:30:125. This stems from 49.2% of safìr gametes having no sex chromosome, 41.0% F, and 9.8% M — as with their planetary origins, the cause of this chromosomal, and hence sex, imbalance is unknown.

===== Supernal powers =====

Safìr are known for their innate psionic ability, with all safìr possessing powers in the realms of telepathy and telekinesis; safìr telepathy involves direct transmission of thoughts and feelings, in close correspondence with their empathic abilities.

Formal research into the biological and metaphysical process underlying the safìr's psionic abilities is slowly ongoing. Safìr researchers do not yet know for certain how psionic powers — especially telepathy — work. From brain scans of safìr and other species psionic and otherwise, they know that some structure exists in the brain that is responsible for psionic ability, and theorize, based on studies into the underlying mechanism of telekinesis, that higher spatial dimensions may also be used in the process.

Some safìr priestesses, and most if not all safìr angels, are able to wield divine magic to varying extents; arcane magic use is formally undocumented in safìr, but some tales of it are known. 

===== Lifespan =====

Safìr tend to live long. With adequate upbringing, nutrition and exercise, a normal safìr life ranges from 560 to 625 Terran years (450–500 Daian years). In spite of this long lifespan, maturation occurs relatively quickly. Safìr are fully sexually functioning at the age of 19–25 (Terran). They remain juvenile at this age, however, reaching full adulthood around the age of 60 (Terran).

From this point onwards, the biological mechanisms of the body are put into stasis. Unlike humans who start decaying as soon as peak adulthood is met, safìr physiology remains constant for several centuries. Aging, thus, begins at the age of 500 (Terran), where, relative to their lifespan, an onset of rapid decay begins, lasting till the natural death.

====== Society ======

Traditional safìr society appears to be matriarchal. This is reflected in uterine safìr being larger and more dominant than their spear counterparts. Additionally, the sex distribution of safìr is heavily skewed towards female births. As such, historically, safìr societies have tended to be polyandrous, though these days polyamory and/or monogamy appear more and more common.

Safìr are known for their beauty; pacifism; keenly developed, hyper-evolved sense of aesthetics; and sexually libertine nature.

Excepting a general lack of nudity taboo among safìr, given the [[religions:ilathnarari|Ilâþnarâri]] teaching that the female-presenting safìr body is of Goddess Vâla's design, their usual form of clothing is a long robe that is close-fitting around the torso but loose and flowing at the sleeves and around the legs, which can be found dyed all manner of colors — though cool colors are more common — and printed with many different patterns, commonly geometrical, abstract, or nature-based designs. Safìr who have blended into other species' societies may wear the costume of their adoptive homeland.

In most safìr societies, male safìr are rarely seen in public, due to their scarcity and their closely protected nature, while, aside from height, it is difficult for an outsider to tell an //ažaras// safìr apart from a female one.

Safìr are torn between their soft, reserved nature, and their natural empathic powers, along with the resulting inclination to give into their emotions, especially when in the company of others. Their long lifespans, however, of well over 400 years, afford them ample opportunity to partake of both extrema.

Safìr, by their psychic nature, are flexible and pragmatic, loath to let themselves become affected by petty happenstance and desirous to resolve conflicts diplomatically before raising a sword, or a mind, against their sisters. To this end, their cities are well fortified by means yet unknown to the Unawakened, and many a prospective raiding party have found themselves suddenly lost, back where they started, or turned against themselves when marching thereon. Should, however, the need arise to defend themselves, the safìr are keen inheritrices of a proud martial tradition that has persisted for untold millennia.

It is not unheard of for a safìr to go her entire life without speaking a single word. Those that do speak, however, do so in a mellifluous, enchanting language called Âirumâli, or in one called Înêmâli, which is more akin to birdsong than any other known language.

Safìr are naturally telepathic and empathic, innately able to feel and share their emotions and thoughts with one another. This has led to an interesting dichotomy: some safìr prefer living in cities with their fellow psychics, while others find the presence of so many Awakened anathema, and have taken up residence in the countryside, far from prying minds. The way of the artisan is well-trodden among their kind, and they are well-known for their fine clothing, jewelry, and art, though they produce almost exclusively for their own consumption.

===== Names =====

Safìr are considered children until initiation, the details of which are a tightly guarded secret, aside from that it takes place in the child's teenage years, usually on or shortly after their forty-eighth (Daian) birthday, and involves their first, and sometimes only, haircut. Child safìr names are as often meaningless babble as they are words, but adult names, and especially adult female names, are meaningful, closely treasured throughout the generations, and often long-winded.

Various safìr societies may also impart on their members, in some combination or order, a family name, a matronymic, a caste name, and a locative. The given name(s) usually come(s) after the family name and/or matronymic.

Instead of gender, Âirumâli names, as with Western Daian safìr, are divided by moiety into **Solar** (diürnal, extroverted, psychokinetic), **Lunar** (nocturnal, introverted, telepathic), and **Astral** (crepuscular, emotionless, high occurrence rate of rare psionic powers).

  * **Solar Names:** Endoré (crescent moon), Seóni (lacquerware doll), Mitêuřamae (the name of a weapon from safìr mythology), Valôra (butterfly), Lakuná (dreamscape), Âstraja (guardian spirit)
  * **Lunar Names:** Matêu (dependable), Níraso (opal), Dyneþîłû (soft, freshly fallen snow), Wrecù (bell), Neþu (leaf), Nenu (moss)
  * **Astral Names:** Hâlian (far away), Mismar (anchor), Lornar (wheel), Vraissaþr (truth), Târiel (rose), Selén (a velvet-like fabric), Imar (cloud)
  * **Family Names:** Matronymics (the name of an individual's mother, with the suffix -ei added) are far more common than all other kinds of surname combined among safìr. That said, some examples of the latter are Ansin (tree), Arvin (merchant), Ilâþrikan (angelborne, often used for orphans), Jaînakan (novaborne), Leido (crossroads), Neital (emerald), Raí (holy light), Sývrè (ocean), and Telemnai (Seeker).