Symbols, mutations, hybrids and more...
Within the realm of AzureHowl Reborn, many different type of wolf species exists. These species have their own behavior, looks and traits. Aside from those there is still a lot of variation that can influence the appearance of a wolf. There are symbolized and non symbolized, marked and unmarked, but also both or either. Aside from these there can also be color mutations but also standard mutations like Albinism.
The difference between symbolized and marked
Symbolized wolves will usually have smaller or unusual shaped markings. These can take the shape of actual symbols, or represent themselves as smaller and more unusual looking markings. Marked wolves will usually feature additional markings that come in natural shapes. These can be larger markings such as colored socks or legs, or larger patches on their back and more. Wolves can be both symbolized and marked, or only either one of those. Another difference can be seen in symbolized wolves. When their pelt features an actual symbol, it is often paired with abilities or unique moves. Symbolized wolves are more known to learn unique moves in comparison to non symbolized wolves. At times it can happen that a standard wolf is symbolized with the same color as it's pelt, meaning that even they can learn unique moves. Below visual examples will be given.
StandardWhen a wolf is standard, it means that they are born within the standards that are expected of their species. These wolves will only have standard markings that each and every wolf of their species has. They can have different eye colors, but aside from that, they will look mostly like any other wolf of their kind.
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Mutations, defects and traits
In AzureHowl Reborn there are 4 well known mutations; Albinism, Leucism, Melanism and the more common color mutation. Next to those there is one extremely rare mutation that is known as the Ancestral mutation. Depending on their species, colors of their pelt could drastically change or the change could be minimally. While not a mutation, a defect is known as a wolf that lacks a small stand marking of its original species markings. Every species will be born with it's own traits, but it can happen that wolves are born with defected traits. This could be a wolf that doesn't outgrow a floppy ear, or is slightly larger than what is considered standard for its species.
AlbinismAlbinism causes changes in their color pigments as they have a lack of melanin. It's a genetic disorder that alters the colors of the pelt and eyes. Usually they end up with a more pinkish coat. They are extremely rare but is more common than Leucism and Melanism. Albinism will usually come with eye problems, as wolves with albinism are usually sensitive to light, they could have impaired vision or even blindness. They are more sensitive to the sun as well which can cause hair to fall out would they stay to long in it.
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LeucismLeucism causes partial changes in their pigmentation. It's a genetic disorder that alters the colors of the pelt and eyes. Usually they end up with a near white pelt, or white-blue toned pelt. Their eyes will usually be light blue. They are the rarest mutation on Delv Ihoo. Unlike Albinism, they deal will far less genetic problems as their eyesight is fine. Only the wind species is believed to be hindered by this mutation, the reduction of pigments in feathers can cause these to weaken and be more prone to the weather.
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MelanismMelanism causes a high production of melanoid pigments. It's a genetic disorder that alters the color of the pelt and eyes. Usually they end up with a much darker pelt, and (pale)yellow eyes. While not as rare as leucism they are more rare than albinism. Unlike the other mutations, they usually benefit from their adaptation, and blend in easier especially at night. They do not suffer from any genetic problems like bad eyesight.
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Color mutationA color mutation causes diverse changes and alterations to pigments. It's a genetic disorder that alters the color of the pelt and eyes. Color mutations are the most common out of all mutations, but they are the most varied. Unlike the other mutations that are stuck to a color palette, color mutations can have all sort of changes on a wolf. Even the colors can alter. For some, more colorations become available for both symbols and markings and even the eyes. While some of these can benefit the wolf, others can cause problems for the individual to blend in. They have no genetic problems like bad eyesight.
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Ancestral mutationThe rarest of all mutations, the ancestral mutation is the rarest. Most wolves will never see one in their lifetime. Ancestral mutated wolves have a dormant trait that becomes active, which causes the wolf to be born with colors that were once present in their ancestors before their species was fully evolved. However, this mutation comes with some severe disadvantages. Wolves who are born with this mutation are born infertile and with reduced elemental energy. Some wolves will even have difficulties mastering their basic abilities of their species. Their symbolism never takes unique shapes, and compared to the other mutations, they have far more overlapping colors and markings, resembling their ancestors much more than their evolved kin.
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Defects & TraitsWhen a wolf is born with a defect, it can be all sorts of things. A handicap like an overbite, or an ear that remained floppy or even blindness. Species come with their own traits, but at times these defects can take place. These can be resulted from the poor health of the mom, or complications during birth or in the womb. These changes that set them apart are either referred to as defects or altered traits. Another possible defect is the loss of a standard marking. These are always small markings such as missing colored toes (example of a female shadow wolf). They are only known to lack one small markings and have never been observed lacking more. Some defects can be caused however like: blindness, permanent limp, etc...
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Chimera defect
The chimera defect is a type of mutation where the cells contain two types of DNA, caused when two embryos fuse together. It is far more common in hybrids than it is in non hybrids. But on rare circumstances a color mutated wolf paired with a standard wolf of it's species can cause for a chimera to be born.
They will either resemble half colored area's resembling two different types of looks, and in some occasions they can come in patches even though the patches are limited meaning that the wolf only has a few patched area's. The patches are also large which can be seen on the example that is provided.
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Heterochromia
Heterochromia is a genetic disorder that causes minor to drastic changes in the eye. Usually it results in two different eye colors. This can be full, partial, sectoral and central. While for most species the adaptations look similar, it can be different for species with a colored limbus like the shadow species and for the species with pupils that are exactly the same as the iris such as the ice species.
Hybrids
Hybrids are made when two wolves of a different species mate. Because of the huge variety of species this itself can lead to many varied results. Hybrids generally are viewed as odd or weird, often not always accepted by other wolves. Generally wolves stick to breeding with their own kind, so hybrids strange for most. While in some cultures they are accepted, they are not in others. Some wolves fear them for the potentials they have, as it can even be tricky to identify some hybrids.
Stats and element
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Appearance of a hybrid
Hybrids can look extremely unique, between both parents they can borrow colors from both their color schemes. While not always, the dominant element usually is more visible. If they are symbolized or mutated fully depends on the parents. If no symbolism or mutation is visible in the parent, the child will never gain or obtain additional symbols or mutations. They can fully take on traits from either gender or mixes. The colors of symbolism can affect traits normally only seen in one specific species. For example, main markings can obtain colors from the other parent's color scheme. Hybrids will always resemble their parents though, as they will only take on colors their parents have unless they are pure hybrids.
Pure hybrids
Pure hybrids are not easy to spot. While their parents might be two different elements, the child itself is born as a pure hybrid taking only physical and elemental traits from one of its parents. It is believed that pure hybrids are the key to undo a species going extinct. The Dragon gods depends on their species success to thrive themselves. Because of this, if their species is low in numbers they will influence the odds of hybrids existing. Pure hybrids become new blood to the species line, and therefore even take part in maintaining healthy bloodlines. Appearance wise they can take on markings from their parents, but they will only have access to the colors of the species they became. Unlike hybrids, they can be symbolized and mutated at random, and they are also most likely to become symbolized even if their parents aren’t, as they take on additional markings their parents naturally have. Aside from this they do take on one special trait of hybrids. Just like hybrids, they can gain abilities of their parents. Meaning a pure hybrid can actually obtain similar abilities to their parent, even if they different species. The abilities they inherit depend on several factors, as abilities tied to the element of the other parent or body features, will not pass down. Generally pure hybrids inherit 1 ability, more is rare. Pure
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hybrids if bred within their species, will no longer pass on the ability they inherited unless it is mutated. Pure hybrids do not gain different stats, other than being capable of gaining similar abilities to their parents, they are completely like the one species they were born as.
Abilities and dangers of being a hybrid
- (Pure) Hybrids are capable of gaining abilities of both parents. Rather than species bound abilities, they can gain similar abilities to both parents. The element they have, will allow them to take on the ability of that parent. But they can gain altered or similar abilities from the other parent as well. This makes them quite diverse and potentially strong. As an example, a water wolf could gain the power to absorb electricity if one parent would be electric, this would take away a weakness.
- A hybrid(Not counting pure hybrids)will only gain one element and therefore take on the move set of this element. Unless the attacks require no element the wolf itself can potentially gain moves of the other element. If elements are involved the wolf cannot learn a specific move of the other parent(different element).
- While being a hybrid can bring many advantages, it can equally do the opposite. If two opposite species breed with one another while one element is weaker than the other, it can cause potential problems to the pups. Depending on the species, it could even mean death. If a water wolf breeds with a fire wolf, and their child’s element would be water, if this child takes on traits from fire wolves then chances are the wolf will not naturally seek water while it’s body might require it to survive. This is a problem pure hybrids don’t suffer from as they only gain abilities from either parent. Other than genetic problems, both pure and normal hybrids are often killed by bounty hunters, or within their own pack, as not all cultures accept them. Pure hybrids can easily blend in though, compared to hybrids.
Depending on the species, the more dominant element is usually more visible unless the elements are neutral. If one is stronger the child will more likely gain traits from that parent, if neutral it can be either one. Sometimes confusion can take place as well, it happens that some hybrids are born with almost an identical color palette to one species alone, even if they master the opposite element. If this happens, a hybrid could be confused for a pure wolf rather than a hybrid as they resemble one species mostly. Example, on the left shows a cosmicXmud hybrid, in this case the child took most colorations from one parent.
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ReproductionHybrids are capable of breeding. While pure hybrids function like any other wolf of the species they became, hybrids are a bit different. When they reproduce with another wolf, only one element of theirs can pass on. This means that if this hybrids breeds with another wolf, only traits of its born element will be passed on. If a mud/cosmic hybrid with the element of mud, breeds with an Ice wolf, the wolf will only pass on mud traits, colorations and that element. Abilities it gained from it’s cosmic heritage will also not pass on. Pure hybrids will also not pass on inherited abilities from one of their parents unless they reproduce with another hybrid. If the inherited ability is mutated, pure hybrids can pass them on onto their child. If the parent is a hybrid, but the partner is not, the child can obtain symbolism if the hybrid parent was symbolized. While hybrids depends on symbolism or mutated colors from their parents, the offspring of a pure hybrid however can obtain (mutated) symbolism through their hybrid parent. Even if the wolf that is not a hybrid lacks symbolism, the child can obtain it. If the child is born with another element other than it’s hybrid parent has, they cannot obtain the symbolism colors from them. Instead, they can obtain symbolism colors from the element they became our their other parent, same if one of the two is mutated. If a hybrid breeds with the same element, chances for pure bred hybrids are far more likely. If two hybrids breeds, their element will depend what traits the children inherit from the elemental species the parents come from.
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Behaviour Hybrids can behave a lot different than their parents. While each species has a standard of behaviour (meaning it’s common behaviour for a specific species), a hybrid can obtain a nature and behavior from both parents. While this can complement one another it can also cause the opposite. A nature with more intelligence and calmness could aid a nature that is more likely to act before thinking. However, a nature that is generally territorial and aggressive, combined with a nature that is peaceful and non aggressive could lead for serious mental struggles for the wolf. The wolf could be fighting it’s own choices and end up confused, making choices that could be bad. It’s not unusual for a hybrid to end up with slight signs of a split personality, or for them to make choices they will almost immediately undo or regret.
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Crazy hybrid appearancesHybrids, just like regular wolves will usually follow a sense of harmony when it comes to their appearance. However this is “usual”. Unlike standard wolves that are born without a mix of species, hybrids can take on crazy color combinations, in which the colors do not compliment one another. However it is common for these wolves to have a shorter lifespan and have a lot more difficulty being accepted by others. Their colors no longer aid them to blend into any surrounding at all, this leaves them open from birth to be hunted down by predatory animals. Aside from that, some collectors fancy bizarre looking wolves, and would give anything for their pelt.
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Credit for the heterochromia eye charts goes to "VioletCyrodiil" on DeviantArt.