Species

History

Lavaleeks were originally constructs made by a lonely god. Imbued with lava and fire to give them shape and warmth, similar to that of the god. They slowly grew more intelligent over time until they became their own species, their god now long gone.

Their place of origin is rumored to be the volcano on Helion, Mount Enya, way before  Digamma was destroyed, but none are too sure if that is fact. Lavaleeks are the most common race on Helion, but can be seen on other parts of the Outerlands and on Epsilon.

Biology

Lavaleeks have a smooth, soft, skin like outer layer that is very flexible and stretch that helps the Leek change shape as it alters it mass. Their insides are warm and goopy magma that is not hot enough to burn other races. They are known to be a friendly and accepting species, expessially to outsiders. Lavaleeks typically love to socialize and have parties and are a very community oriented species.

Life Cycle

Lavaleeks start off as perfectly round, spherical, eggs. They have a hard shell that matches the colors of the to-be leek’, the shell is also shiny. These eggs are incubated in pools of lava within Helion, or if the eggs are to be raised in a place that does not have lava, they can also be placed within a constantly active kiln or a fire if it reaches a hot enough temperature. Eggs are typically held within the parent’s body for a month and then need to be incubated for around 3-4 months. 

A freshly hatched Lavaleek is called a Leekling! They are small, pudgy, versions of Lavaleeks, very similar to human babies. From this point, Leeklings age like normal human children, hitting their toddler and child ages at around the same, as well as becoming adults at the age of 18. 

Due to their place of origin, Lavaleeks can live for a huge variation of time, some can live only to 50 years old but others have lived basically forever. This all depends on how hot their body is kept. If a Leek were to be frozen in ice, and its body completely cools down, the Leek will die. This effect also can happen if a Leek eats too much frozen foods without allowing their body to completely warm back up. The older a Leek gets, the harder it is for them to maintain their own body heat and must take regular heat baths (in fire, lava, ect) to keep themselves alive. This doesn’t happen at any specific age and generally varies depending on the Leek themselves.

When a Lavaleek perishes, their magma slowly hardens into stone, and once completely cooled, their body loses all color and they become petrified like a statue. Over time this statue crumbles and turns to dust. 

Food & Diet

Lavaleeks do not need to eat to survive, but many enjoy the process of consuming food. While they won’t die if they do not eat, eating can generate energy that can help their body continue to produce its own heat, which can lengthen their lifespan. The food, once eaten, quickly dissolves into their magma. Leeks can also taste food they have eaten, but due to their “digestive tract” they cannot vomit or regurgitate their food. Cold food, as mentioned in the Life Cycle section, can cause their body to cool down, and if too much is consumed can kill them if they do not allow their body to reheat. Also, as mentioned in the Biology section, Leek can eat gemstones to gain physical strength, the harder the gemstone the more strength they gain.

Any diet or food is suitable for Leeks. They can be pescetarians, vegetarians, ect. 

Head, FACE, & aNTENNAE

Leeks have round heads and a small muzzle, with two slits for their nostrils similar to that of a snake. They have a set of eyes and a set of antennae that are like their ears. These Antennae can be short and pudgy or long and thin, but their tips must be round and can be no longer than half (1/2)  their body length.

Left Antennae is a long/thin type while the Antennae on the right is a short/pudgy type.
Designers are welcome to mix and match these traits to create their desired antennae type.

Stature & Body Types

Lavaleeks have legs similar to plantigrade legs, they’re like if a Human was constantly standing on their toes. Their toes are similar to those found on creatures with paws, soft and round digits of which they have three of on each foot, with no dewclaw. Their arms and hands are also similar to that of a human, but they only have three fingers and a thumb on each hand. Leeks can, but don't have to have, fingernails on the tips of their fingers. Alternatively, these fingernails can make their hands more similar to claws.

Skin Type

Lavaleeks have a Smooth Skin type texture.
Their skin can contain warts but cannot typically become tanned or sunburnt.
Their body doesn't grow hair like humans, since their smooth skin is more similar to that of an amphibians.

This image has stylistic pores
which you are more than welcome to draw on your Leek,
but please retain from making pores look like scales.

Mouths & Teeth

Eyes & Insides

The inside of a Leek consists of a two toned magma, a light and a dark color in the same color range. Their insides look similar to that of a lava lamp and this material functions as their blood, digestive tract, and muscle. With this, Leeks can control the shape of their bodies, making them look muscular, pudgy, or even have breasts, but most of these are just for aesthetic reasons. To gain physical strength they must digest gems, the harder the gem the more strength they get in return, this is why fighters are highly respected in Leek culture. These colors also have a direct effect on their eyes, one color will be their sclera and pupil color, and the second will be their iris color.

Another side effect from being created by a god, caused Leeks to not have set sexes. A Leek can be male, female, neither, or both and may switch their designation on will. This is why same sex Leek couples can have biological children and has caused Leeks to be able to have children with other adult species in Epsilon, like Sors Magna.

Tail Types

Species Feature: Nubbins

These are nubbins and/or whiskers that can grow on your Lavaleek!

Find more information about their details and limitations here.

Species Feature: Innertube

A deflatable excess of skin around the neck which can balloon up and fill with air.

Find more information about their details and limitations here.